Discussion thread -- seventy-five word challenge October 2013

[BookerBrin]

Hi everyone.

I've just joined these forums, and found my way here. Signing up to this thread so that I can take part in the voting and hopefully, the challenges. Although writing small stories is nearly impossible for me, so I think you're all fabulous for writing these shorts.

 

[jastius]

you can do it booker brin.. just seventy five words on ghostly pleasures.

think of it as the one paragraph of your climax scene of your story with all the action and a few good zingers thrown in to boot.

 

[chrispenycate]

Hi everyone.

I've just joined these forums, and found my way here. Signing up to this thread so that I can take part in the voting and hopefully, the challenges. Although writing small stories is nearly impossible for me, so I think you're all fabulous for writing these shorts.

When Alice falls down the rabbit hole, everybody seems to be giving her orders – usually to recite poetry. I trust I didn't bully you into coming here?

But I myself am unusually loquacious, and have been doing these challenges from the start; the trick is to have a very simple idea, and use long words that transmit a large quantity of meaning (he states, mindful of the fact that this month's entry is not yet in. And the training of squeezing a quart into a pint bottle is actually useful in other situations, like writing the synopsis of your oeuvre, or cutting it down to a more reasonable length, eliminating unnecessary verbiage… but I digress. (I do, don't I?)

The challenge is not to get votes, and there is no making critical remarks about other entries; the challenge is writing something you are proud enough of to want other people to read. But everybody is delighted to get voters, anyway.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Hi everyone.

I've just joined these forums, and found my way here. Signing up to this thread so that I can take part in the voting and hopefully, the challenges. Although writing small stories is nearly impossible for me, so I think you're all fabulous for writing these shorts.

You can do it. It's supposed to be a challenge, hence the name!

I'm one of those people who, given an assignment, always asked, "how long can it be" rather than "how long does it have to be" -- and I've been in every single Challenge since the beginning! Just count carefully, count by hand, not by program's word-counter, count often. If you have any doubt, about a hyphenated construction, for instance, PM one of the mods to inquire if it's ok first. You can find a list of them in the Challenge Rules.

The main thing to remember is: have fun. Don't worry about votes. They're really pretty hard to come by -- given the fact that we never have as many votes as we do entries, the average number of votes in any month is <1.

Oh, and welcome to the nuthouse! It's not the biscuit barrel, but it's something.

 

[sinister42]

sinister42 -- A charming autumnal love story, offering the beauty of twilight and sunsets.

Merci!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

alchemist -- This folk ballad tells a story of youth and freedom, desire and tragedy, with a trace of hope in the conclusion.

 

[BookerBrin]

When Alice falls down the rabbit hole, everybody seems to be giving her orders – usually to recite poetry. I trust I didn't bully you into coming here?

But I myself am unusually loquacious, and have been doing these challenges from the start; the trick is to have a very simple idea, and use long words that transmit a large quantity of meaning (he states, mindful of the fact that this month's entry is not yet in. And the training of squeezing a quart into a pint bottle is actually useful in other situations, like writing the synopsis of your oeuvre, or cutting it down to a more reasonable length, eliminating unnecessary verbiage… but I digress. (I do, don't I?)

The challenge is not to get votes, and there is no making critical remarks about other entries; the challenge is writing something you are proud enough of to want other people to read. But everybody is delighted to get voters, anyway.

I was looking for a way to get involved in the community and was happy to have been invited over. I'm unsure about writing anything because I can never manage stories with such a small word count.

Your explanation of what to do fires me with a little more conviction though. Thank you!

Jastius and DustyZebra. Thank you for the welcome. Taking on board your suggestions of writing succinctly. But for now, work beckons!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Brooker, if it's any consolation I do mostly long work, too, and suck at short stuff. I've had the idea for three novels from the comps, though, so you could look on it as storyboarding of a sort.

Welcome to the Chrons

 

[Juliana]

you could look on it as storyboarding of a sort.

I like that. And true for many of us, I should think.

 

[Parson]

Well I'm in with a "true ghost story." I am pretty sure that I didn't forget a word this month. I'm still more than a bit angry at myself for that.

 

[Perpetual Man]

And there we go.

Well aware I'm being very quiet at the moment, little more than ghost watching what is going on, but I'm still around and will be back in full force soon.

I have to admit that the challenge this month completely wrong footed me and it took me quite a while to come up with something. Hopefully it is a little different (Haven't read any entries yet!)

 

[Boneman]

Victoria Silverwolf: a wonderfully gentle look at a bygone age, where the invisible wraith dances for pleasure with the living.



She'll see it eventually - wouldn't like her to think she was left out...


Starbeast, many thanks for the usual excellent review.

 

[AMB]

Gah, I'm rusty.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Gah, I'm rusty.

I believe Old Jeremiah may be, as well!

And Chrispy, very interesting.

 

[chrispenycate]

Thanks Dusty. Isn't interesting what people say when they haven't understood anything?

Yeah, not KISS this month; I had two other possibles, but thought it was about time for another verse.

 

[Parson]

Chrispy: I'm sorry but I agree with you, I don't understand your poem, but it sounds good.

Culwich: Nice take on the theme. I like it a lot.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Thanks Dusty. Isn't interesting what people say when they haven't understood anything?

Well, yes. And when they're about to say something else and someone comes along at work and interrupts with some stupid "important" stuff and they just leave it at "interesting", then it looks pretty rude, too.

I was going to say that it was going to take some more studying for me to see exactly what was going on, but that I really liked it so far.

And, to be fair, when I just plain don't understand a story at all, I generally don't say anything.

Which is not to say that if I don't say anything about a story, I don't understand it, because that would make it appear that I understand very little of anyone's stories, and ... geez, stop digging.

 

[Starbeast]

Thanks for the nice comments, Starbeast! I'm still juggling ideas for the 300 word challenge myself. None of them are gelling at the moment.

You're welcome Johhnyjet. I hope you can join us in the 300. As for myself, I think I have an idea I want to go with.

Thanks SB

You're welcome Nixie.

Starbeast, many thanks for the usual excellent review.

You are very welcome Boneman.

Ghost Stories/Pleasure
(part five)​

Stormcrow - I always admired people who have a great passion for doing something in their life, be it art, music, or a project. And this excellent tale displays that drive perfectly. Good stuff.​

Sinister42 - What a lovely story about a romantic couple that are very happy with each other in the afterlife. Touching how describe the two before and after. Very sweet.​

Alchemist - The ghost of a hot rodder, awesome! An exceptional poem that is well written and highly entertaining. I was engrossed while reading it, and smiled at it's finish.​

Parson - Ah, brother Parson, once again you've produced a spiritually superb offering. Wonderfully enriched with a real event that delights and strengthens the faith of Christians and Muslims.​

Perpetual Man - Cute tale of little ghosties that play in the light of the Moon. Such a pleasent story that makes ghosts appear less frightening, and more peaceful. Nicely done.​

AMB - Heh heh heh. Who hasn't enjoyed scaring someone for harmless fun. And you've captured that monstrously well. I really enjoyed this familiar tale, and felt sad for old Jeremiah. Good stuff.​

Chrispenycate - Wow! You've stunned me with your fantastic rythmic story about a Shaman who was arrested for possession. Astonishingly well crafted and mixed perfectly with essential ingredients.​

Culhwch - Beautiful tale that warmed my heart and made me feel comfortable inside. Tremendous story about a writer who dedicated his work to the memory of his loving father. Absolutely wonderful.​

 

[stormcrow]

Starbeast - thanks for your comments my friend; the inspiration for my piece certainly had passion & drive!

 

[Parson]

Starbeast: You've made my day. Thanks for the comment.