Discussion Thread - SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE May 2013

[The Judge]

Anyway, at least this month's entry had nothing to do with ...

... either science fiction or fantasy...?

Monkey Pirates in Underpants.

*hits head against desk*

 

[stormcrow]

Victoria - Thanks (once again) for taking the time to post your unique observations.

(I bet you're great at the 'Describe yourself in 3 words' game!)

HB - MPiU? I really need to write that!

 

[Parson]

It's funny Parson, because of this little discussion I had a good talk with my wife about viewing the world and being positive vs negative. Then we went on to talk about personal legacies and what we want them to be. It was a good, fruitful conversation. My wife believes that there are negative energies constantly being directed at people from an outside force. Whether one believes its from satan or just the ying and yang of the universe. It was an interesting thought. Kind of sad to think that the world would be being attacked spiritually constantly but it would explain a lot. As if gravity isn't hard enough on my shoulders hey?

This made my day! It is so wonderful when spouses sit down and talk about life. To have had a small share of that conversation blesses me a lot.

I do believe in Satan but I think that we often overestimate his power. The root word for temptation is "lure," like a fishing lure which I find a very apt description. We are tempted by what looks flashy and important, but in the end not good for us and which holds a devastating hook. I believe that it is blatantly false to say "The Devil made me do it." Rather more honest to say, I did it (or didn't do it) because it looked to good to pass up." Perhaps Satan trolled it by, but he was never in control of the situation.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Parson – There is something more to be celebrated here than an incredible ninety fifth wedding anniversary. For although it paints a world in faded hues, where marriage is little more than an emotionless contract, or where it is all about the sex and nothing more, it shows that there can be true love, and when that is the case it is something shines in a manner that can only be celebrated and not diminished. That's how special it is. (Written on my wedding anniversary so good timing Parson)

AJB – Could this be considered a story of hope? On the face of it we get to see the loss of life, an entire civilisation long gone, a maudlin feel that is as ancient as it is sad. But perhaps the lesson that it shows is that for those of us living here and now, asking the question are we alone in the vastness of space; even when the answer comes from the echo of something that was, the fact that there was an answer gives us hope.

MB – A picture of a world being covered in bricks, but there is a sense of humour that comes with it. I could not help but smirk when it became apparent that the builders had not built an offswitch. The result is a production line that cannot be kept up with, sweeping across the planet and ocean of red. Something that comes, apparently with a pun that I'm not even going to mention. (That is clever though. Enough to make one groan.)

Jimness – A nice twist on a classic theme. Here we see a world where the Arthurian legend did not progress in the normally accepted manner. In fact it ended a lot faster than it ever would have. So it is that the ending brings with it a tinge of sadness, as we are bought to realise that here, with a childish game, the legacy of Arthur is not an epic, but just a rusting sword with a forgotten name.

Crystal – A beautifully told story, that shows the longing for those things that you just cannot have; even though it is those things you have been given the opportunity to ask for. It is the old warning of be careful what you wish for, but it might turn out to be something totally different than you imagined. There is a lovely undercurrent of emotion, the desire for love taken away by adulation given in fear.

 

[ratsy]

This made my day! It is so wonderful when spouses sit down and talk about life. To have had a small share of that conversation blesses me a lot.

I do believe in Satan but I think that we often overestimate his power. The root word for temptation is "lure," like a fishing lure which I find a very apt description. We are tempted by what looks flashy and important, but in the end not good for us and which holds a devastating hook. I believe that it is blatantly false to say "The Devil made me do it." Rather more honest to say, I did it (or didn't do it) because it looked to good to pass up." Perhaps Satan trolled it by, but he was never in control of the situation.

Yeah I will fully agree that what we do is ultimately up to us. But I do believe in balance...for every bad thing that happens I believe somewhere, somehow, something good happens. Although we may not know it at the time. Thanks for bringing your concern up because as my wife and I love to discuss life, sometimes it is the more superficial topics that make of a conversation.

On another note, we are up to 42 entries ...so many in the last day this month!

 

[crystal haven]

Thank you, Perpetual man, and thank you, Victoria.

 

[Bowler1]

On another note, we are up to 42 entries ...so many in the last day this month!

Yay - say's Bowler, ignoring the rest of the very deep and intelligent conversation.

To be fair however, what couples talk about together can verge on secret code to another listening in, which is no bad thing.

Right, that's deep enough for me - I'm off to shoot some RAY GUNS.

 

[Phyrebrat]

This challenge was different for me in terms of my normal practice; usually I will have an idea or two, write it/them, and then leave it aside for a week and come back with fresh eyes. Changes will jump out, either regarding syntax/grammar, or narrative.

This month however, I was totally blanking; I hate to admit it but I find the ludicrous or particularly hard themes a lot easier to generate material for! So, be-panted pirate monkeys may be quite fertile ground for me . I just had no ideas for this month.

It's important to me to let the thing ferment for a time before I post as glaring errors or improvements always seem to present themselves. I really use these challenges to help me be frugal with words (although I'd love a win one day) and hone what skills I'm trying to acquire .

I never post late thinking it will help me win. And...it hasn't

This month I was not going to enter as there are two stories which are incredibly strong - one in particular IMHO shut the contest down as soon as I read it. But that seemed spoilt of me, so I tried to come up with something and in the end managed to force the posted attempt out.

pH

 

[Brev]

With not much more than 10 hours to go (2359 GMT is 0059 BST), we still seem to be missing a few regulars.


So situation normal, then....

Better late than never....although I'll admit this was late for me. If I hadn't seen your post I might have missed it completely.

 

[Starbeast]

Thanks SB!

Haven't been in here in weeks, possibly months. New people, Latin? My head will explode!

Don't explode, you just got here. And, you're welcome Alchemist.

Thanks, SB! I had to go back and read my story again, upon finding out that it was "action-packed, tremendous and dazzling".

Well, you did pack a lot of stuff in you story. And, you're welcome TheDustyZebra.

Help! penultimate submissions day, and only thirty three entries? How is it that this theme did not draw more? And a goodly selection of newcomers, too – could it be that the established crew are beginning to feel less – challenged?

Thanks Perp and Starbeast for noticing my little piece, you always make them sound better than I'd felt when the writing/editing was finished. Almost as if they weren't quite as bad as all that, after all.

You're welcome Chrispenycate. I highly agree with you and the others, it's been a quite month. But we did get a few new members to liven things up.

Thanks Starbeast & Perp for your wonderful insights that, as always, make my stories sound considerably more insightful than I intended.

Mine is downbeat because I was when I wrote it lol My mood last month was consumed with my ME. It is also why it was late.

Do the polishers get more votes because of polishing or like the Eurovision contest because of placing? Even last minute readers usually read in order.

First off, you're welcome AnyaKimlin.

And second, the mood of a writer can affect the story they're writing. As for me, when I'm in a bad mood, I can write more effectively about a villian in a story (dialogue and such). A great example was my December entry, all of the other tales were pleasent stories, except mine. I was in a rotton mood, and combined with inspiration, I came up with a shocking horror post. Ironically, after I wrote it, I snapped out of my bad mood, and smiled at my tale from the dark side.

So, my advice (if you choose to use it) would be focus your mood into your story, even great negativity can help inspire you to write something unexpectedly unique. I think you did a great job, and perhaps you really wanted to write a dark tale, by thrusting your negativity into your story (inadvertantly or purposely).

And thirdly, I feel that when ever you are ready to submit a story, post it. Because for me, I've noticed great stories that were posted early, late and inbetween. So, it doesn't matter when you post. But, if you have multiple ideas, write them all and take your time choosing one.

I hope I helped you. Otherwise, give me a ten minute head start before you chase me with a stick.

Just over 24 hours left and still looking for inspiration...

I had been keeping my eye out for you Marvin. Good luck my friend.

Thank you, Starbeast and Perp, for your lovely reviews.

You're very welcomed Abernovo.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Brev -- tells an epic story in a few words

Phyrebrat -- brings a classic paradox to vivid life

mosaix -- makes subtle use of the reader's imagination for its full impact

 

[Lenny]

Cutting it a wee bit fine, but I'm in! I do hope I'm not the last - I don't think I could bear to have that distinction go down in Internet history...

I did want to write a snowball full of emotion... but they're damned hard. It felt like too much faff to do in the dying hours, so I've gone for something slightly different instead.

 

[AMB]

And I'm in. Didn't even have time to double check the word count because it was written last minute (it should be right), and it is a bit rubbish (read: very), but it's something.

 

[Starbeast]

LEGACY​

(part seven)​

Parson - Like a breath of fresh air with a walk in the park full of flowers. A wonderful tale is given to us about a happy man who is confident about the strength of love in his family. A supremely pleasent story. I love it.​

AJB - A very cool science fiction treat about an ancient satellite drifting and scanning faraway worlds until it discovered one that was inhabited long ago. The ending was a nice capper to this interesting tale.​

Moonbat - I love the uniqueness of this story, especially because it wasn't about living beings, but about an automated machine that will continue to run, perhaps forever. Excellent zinger at the end. Good stuff.​

Jimness - Aliright! A comical version of the story of Excaliber! You had me cracking up with the "Lady of the Lake" bit. Well done sir.
And nice to meet you Jimness.​

Crystal Haven - A drama on a gargantuan scale with powerful beings having a dispute. A father trying to understand the anger of his offspring, after he had given a tremendous legacy to follow. Nicely done.​

Ursa Major - An awesome science fiction tale about a treacherous and devious leader who wants to rule the world. But (and I really like this), his army of robot warriors have his mind programmed into them. What will the outcome be?! I love it.​

Stormcrow - Remarkable sci-fi story about the complete obliteration of all records of the past. However, one individual's love for the memory of their father, breaks the rules to keep a memento. Fantastic tale!​

Jastius - The delicate balance of our planet is jeopardized by the passing of a powerful benevolent being who helped perserve the Earth's peasent climate. I love it.​

Mary Faerie - Great story, but painful to read. I can only imagine the poor soul who suffered for the cure. Very well written. Good stuff.
Nice to meet you Mary Faerie.​

The Judge - Terribly sad drama, but a spectacular tale that throttled me and tugged at my heart-strings. Quite a powerful story that illustrates strong images in my mind. Excellent.​

HareBrain - You clever Hare. You drew me into your story that began with tension, and then clobbered me with a staggeringly funny zinger at the end of your tale. Wonderfully humorous. I love it.​

Brev - Whoa! An astonishing story about a fierce warlord who was a great hero, but became corrupted at one point in his battles. Then his son, seeks out his father to end the needless killings. Action-packed!​

Phyrebrat - Incredibly cool tale of science fiction irony. I loved how this story flowed into a great zinger at the end. I didn't even see it coming. You got me good! This was fun.​

Mosaix - Marvelous story about what is recieved from an inheritence. The title of the tale foretells the end in your lightly darkened comedy. And I can imagine the looks on the son and daughters faces when they find out what a "principle" is. Good stuff.​

Lenny - Wow! You overwhelmed me with a very humorous science fiction horror story about the rise of the "Legacy Printers". A grand and unexpected funny entry. Well done sir.

AMB - Oh my, another delightful story that tickles my inards and makes me chuckle. A wonderful tale which jams at the end with a tune that is a blast from the past. Excellent story.


It's a landslide of last minute posts! Every time I think I'm done, BOING! Another pops up!

Keep them coming, the more the merrier!
​

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Lenny -- a surrealistic, imaginative comedy

AMB -- plays an unexpected trick on the reader

 

[AMB]

Thanks, Starbeast and Victoria.

 

[Starbeast]

You're welcome AMB. Thanks for the laugh.

 

[Ursa major]

Entries are now closed, and the poll is up here:

Poll - May 75-Word Challenge​

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Reading all the works twice, and then a third time, I had to ask myself which were most original; which were most imaginative; which were written with the best style; which were truly stories; and which had the most impact on me. With that in mind, I managed to come up with some choices.

Short List

Perpetual Man
BetaWolf
The Spurring Platty
Femecri
Abernovo
mosaix

VOTE

PARSON

 

[Starbeast]

Runner's Up List
___________________________________________​

Perpetual Man - Luiglin - Bowler1 - Springs - Victoria Silverwolf - BigJ - Karn Maeshalanadae - Chrispenycate - David Evil Overlord - Glen - Johnnyjet - AnyaKimlin - Culhwch - TacticalLoco - Alchemist - AJB - Ursa Major -Stormcrow - Jastius - The Judge - HareBrain - Phyrebrat - Mosaix - Lenny​