Discussion - 300 Word Challenge #11

[David Evil Overlord]

And thanks so much for the vote, AMB.

 

[chrispenycate]

Well, according to my calculations poll close draws close, and, with:- Christian Nash, crystal haven, Dream Walker, Gary Compton, High Eight and nixie very kindly voting without having submitted, that seems to leave:- Boneman, crow., farntfar, Fitzchiv, The Spurring Platty, The Judge, Tisiphone and Ursa major who are, as usual, sailing as close to the wind as possible.

 

[Bowler1]

And those votes could count! The lead has just switched (poor Springs. Still, you won't have to cut your nibbled finger nails for weeks to come!) and could switch again, and again. The only excuse I'll accept is that your off the pub this Friday night, as that would be a good enough reason, or so I think.

 

[The Judge]

I'm blaming my sister and niece, Chris -- they came for dinner and stayed and stayed... (Even when the potato wedges were all gone and the jam tarts reduced to a few pastry crumbs.)

Anyway, a pity we had so few entries, not that it's made voting any easier. As usual, one or two I didn't understand even on a second and third reading, but after a good deal of agonising I've made a shortlist of seven:

Juliana -- The Tree-Sworn
mosaix -- Putting Down Roots
Phyrebrat -- Cafe au Lait...
TheDustyZebra -- Still Life
Tywin -- It's, Like, a New Beginning, Man
Ursa major -- Leave of Absence
Victoria -- Daphne and Apollo

My first two votes were easy, as from the first read I loved Juliana's piece -- an epic fantasy in miniature, with real emotion and strength -- and Tywin's story, which had such a great voice, and regrettably so very true in its denouement. But I had a real tussle over the last vote and kept changing my mind, but in the end I've gone for Victoria's updated tale of Daphne, a story which I love.


Thanks for the mentions/shortlistings Tywin, Bowler, johnnyjet, ratsy (thank you for your kind words), Mr Orange, Chris, alchemist and Phyrebrat (I'd forgotten you'd previously used the title). And a rain forest full of thanks for the votes Brev, springs, TDZ, Remedy (I'm glad you re-read it, too!) Juliana and High Eight. Ooh. Another primeval forest of thanks -- just seen the stealth votes -- thank you, also, crystal, Cul, Gary, HB, and nixie!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

And those votes could count! The lead has just switched (poor Springs. Still, you won't have to cut your nibbled finger nails for weeks to come!) and could switch again, and again. The only excuse I'll accept is that your off the pub this Friday night, as that would be a good enough reason, or so I think.

Looks up from putting the finishing touches on a nice lemon bridesmaid dress to say cheers to Crystal and Harebrain for lovely votes.

 

[Juliana]

TJ, thank you, both for the vote and the lovely words.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

And the first victim of the pink taffeta attack falls by the wayside.

 

[Ursa major]

Here they are the votes of the Ursa jury, with the stories in posting order within the categories:




Honourable Mentions:

• It's, Like, a New Beginning, Man by Tywin
• MIA by alchemist
• Lost by Glen

Runners Up:

• A World In A Bottle. by springs
• Whispers on the Wind by The Spurring Platty
• Putting Down Roots by mosaix

Winners:

• The Proving Grounds by Brev
• Still Life by TheDustyZebra
• Strange Fruit by The Judge

 

[Ursa major]

The poll is now closed.

Congratulations, The Judge!

And commiserations to springs, who was only one vote short of forcing a tie-break.​

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Holds up lemon dress! Ta-da!*

Congrats, TJ.

* I got a new voice which is sticking in my mind and will go far, I think, I'm well pleased from an image that had me stumped!

And cheers, Mith, for the last-minute vote! And Ursa for the runner-up.

 

[Juliana]

Congratulations TJ, and also springs with the well-deserved pink taffeta!

 

[alchemist]

Congratulations to The Judge! And commiserations to springs after an entertaining battle. Thanks for the mention too, Ursa.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Congratulations, TJ! You just pulled off the second-ever October double-header!

I vote we make it a tradition. It's my turn again in two years.

I had a sudden thought that I might have forgotten to thank most of my voters in all the taffeta-shuffling and wing-walking, but when I checked, it wasn't quite as bad as I thought. Many thanks to jastius for the "show" listing, TJ for the mention, and even more thanks to Ursa and nixie for the votes!

 

[Tywin]

Congrats TJ!

Also thanks for the mention Ursa, and a vote by our champion right before taking a victory lap around the track!

 

[stormcrow]

Congratulations Yer Honour!

 

[Abernovo]

Congratulations to The Judge!

A well-fought second place to springs.

 

[HareBrain]

Big congrats TJ! I believe another 300-word win will put you in contention for the Nobel Prize. Big commiserations to Springs.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Congratulations TJ.

An epic battle this month that was more than a little exciting toward the end.

Congratulations to Springs too, I was sure we were going to need a photo finish on the line.

 

[Boneman]

Congratulations The Judge!! Now, if only I'd voted, would it have made a difference...? Some idiot got it into his head there were two more days to go, because of the shutdown...

 

[The Judge]

Thanks, everyone. And tons of leafy thanks to Ursa for the deciding vote!

I didn't know I was even in the running until I logged on to vote last night, so that came as a tremendous, and very lovely, shock, and I was convinced springs would vault into the lead again, so it came as a great surprise this morning. Well done to her, and to everyone who took part.

I've no idea what to choose as my book prize, so I will have a pleasant hour or two wandering through the Book Depository checking out what they've got.