Discussion thread -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE June 2013

[crystal haven]

Thank you for the review, Perpetual Man.

 

[johnnyjet]

me too I think

 

[Starbeast]

Thanks Starbeast, that's an excellent summing up - amazing how much you get into so few words. Presumably doing the 75 word challange has helped you?

You're welcome Boneman. I believe you may be right about keeping a tight review. Also, I feel that it might sound like boring rambling if I go beyond a few lines of complementary remarks.

Thanks SB nothing serious, just a mini surgical procedure as they call things these days...

Ah good. I had imagined you were suffering with a sickness, but fortunately it was just a quick fix.

Thanks, Starbeast, for a nice review! It's always a pleasure to read all the fine reviews that you write, along with Perpetual Man & Victoria & a few others who have written some reviews from time to time. It's great to get a variety of perspectives of the widely varied works that are produced on a common theme.

There is also an impressive array of works from the newcomers as well as the old-timers (not literally "old" of course ... at least in some cases).

You're welcome Johnnyjet. And thank you for the nice complements about my reviews.

And I agree, there are a lot of great tales for this challenge. I admire the imaginative stories and the familiar styles of the regular authors here.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

JordanSC5 -- a twist on a classic theme that manages to be ironic and touching at the same time

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

PhillipAEllis -- a striking poem with a very subtle use of rhyme and rythym

 

[JordanSC5]

JordanSC5 -- a twist on a classic theme that manages to be ironic and touching at the same time

Thank you so much! I enjoyed your clever take on the prompt as well.

 

[Perpetual Man]

My pleasure Crystal.

And SB yeah, straight forward and simple and back to normal again.

Or whatever qualifies as normal in my case

 

[Boneman]

PhillipAEllis -- a striking poem with a very subtle use of rhyme and rythym

And a very cunning double reversal - he's used 57 words...

 

[CrumpleHornedSnorkak]

Well, I've entered. Tried not to cringe too much. It's a not very good, but I wanted to give it a shot. It's all practice, right?

Enjoying reading everyone else's! Only 75 words is tough going.

 

[Perpetual Man]

JordanSC5 – A great little story that really tickled my fancy. An almost positive look at the near eradication of the human race. There is something refreshing about the thought of a new start and this conveys that quite well, the voice of the main character is light enough to give us that. But the last sentence steal it. Real made me smile.

PhillipAEllis – A well constructed poem that is filled with a terrible beauty. The first verse is just beautiful to read, there is a sense of sunsets at sea and faraway land of mystery. The real magi though is how the last verse manages to keep with the tone of the first, but strips it all away, a world where all is gone and very little remains. I could read it again and again.

CrumpleHornedSnorak – An interesting and enjoyable entry that has a cut like a razor and answers a question just why a wise one is wise. A reputation as such can go a long way into getting others to trust you. But the true wisdom is knowing when to walk away. A drop is certain doom, but avoiding one's enemies is a lot easier on your own; or being rewarded by them...

 

[ratsy]

There are some really great stories this month.

Boneman, I loved that idea...well done.

 

[Boneman]

There are some really great stories this month.

Boneman, I loved that idea...well done.

Thank you! Won't discuss it until the competition's over, but glad you like it...

 

[Parson]

PhillipAEllis -- Here we have a poem by a newcomer which in my opinion is a definite contender! Well done indeed Phillip.

 

[Starbeast]

The Ends of the Earth
(part eight)​

JordanSC5 - Some time in the future, the entire human race dies, except for two people. There is hope for a new beginning, a man and woman have made radio contact. Then, a our narrator delights us with a funny zinger at the end. Nice to meet you JordanSC5, good stuff.

PhillipAEllis - A lonely individual who has seen nothing but death and decay across the Earth, searches for a land of beauty to settle down in. This tale is wonderfully wriiten in a poetic style that paints stark images in the mind. Nice to meet you PillipEllis, nicely done.

CrumpleHornedSnorkak - Intensely sad drama where a threatened group of people follow their leader and end their lives so not to be the victims of their enemy. Shocking and heart-wrenching story of faith for an elder. Nice to meet you CrumpledHorned Snorkak, heavy tale.

Moonbat - Fantasic weird science tale about the ultimate search for "literally", the ends of the Earth (the very start and it's finish). Good humored fun and excellent dialogue between the scientists abound in this marvelous entry. Very cool man.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

CrumpleHornedSnorak -- an interesting open-ended tale with a touch of cynicism for spice

Moonbat -- offers a biting punchline (which may be more appreciated by those in the UK)

 

[JordanSC5]

JordanSC5 – A great little story that really tickled my fancy. An almost positive look at the near eradication of the human race. There is something refreshing about the thought of a new start and this conveys that quite well, the voice of the main character is light enough to give us that. But the last sentence steal it. Real made me smile.

PhillipAEllis – A well constructed poem that is filled with a terrible beauty. The first verse is just beautiful to read, there is a sense of sunsets at sea and faraway land of mystery. The real magi though is how the last verse manages to keep with the tone of the first, but strips it all away, a world where all is gone and very little remains. I could read it again and again.

CrumpleHornedSnorak – An interesting and enjoyable entry that has a cut like a razor and answers a question just why a wise one is wise. A reputation as such can go a long way into getting others to trust you. But the true wisdom is knowing when to walk away. A drop is certain doom, but avoiding one's enemies is a lot easier on your own; or being rewarded by them...

Thank you Perpetual Man. Your story was very good as well, great metaphors really made me feel the cold.

 

[JordanSC5]

The Ends of the Earth
(part eight)​

JordanSC5 - Some time in the future, the entire human race dies, except for two people. There is hope for a new beginning, a man and woman have made radio contact. Then, a our narrator delights us with a funny zinger at the end. Nice to meet you JordanSC5, good stuff.

Thank you Starbeast, nice to meet you too. Cthulhu returns! I love it.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thank you Perpetual Man. Your story was very good as well, great metaphors really made me feel the cold.

My pleasure, and thank you for your kind words on my own little tale.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

HareBrain -- an exotic and evocative adventure with an important point to make

 

[Mr Orange]

right, so after posting on the challenge thread, i have finally managed to find time to post again...

perpetual man, starbeast and victoria, thanks for the comments. i stumbled across the chronicles in a search for decent agents, and couldn't resist registering and posting on the challenge...

moonbat i like your snippet a lot - reminiscent of an opening scene from a hitch-hikers guide to the galaxy type story or a terry pratchett book...