Discussion Thread -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- January 2014

[jastius]

my hat in in the ring... couldn't think of anything but cold = frozen... so i went with that.

 

[Kylara]

Well I am well under the word count this time! 64 words! But that is mainly because I chose to be silly and write in an antiquated straight jacket of a poetic form (cookies for anyone who knows what form it is)...dark fantasy is not my forte either! So I went a little subtle on the darkness, but it is there...Now I have posted (Yay at being back in the challenges, oh how I have missed thee) I can enjoy reading back through everyone elses

 

[Perpetual Man]

Ratsy - A perfect tale that encapsulates how a single moment can change so much, not just on a personal level but on the larger canvas as well. Something a simple as the murder of a child, could trigger a war There was some beautiful imagery that paints a bloody image in the mind, a stain from which everything else grows.

Glen - a magnificent return for a familiar figure, with a fun well written story that captures the over the top heroics of the costumed community, while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the medium. Delivering a fantastic ending that is laugh out loud funny.

johnnyjet - the premise of this story could almost be true, scientists searching fo remains of lost time beneath the cold Siberian snow is almost the quest for the prehistoric beast that lie entombed there. Of course for all the things we do know might not include the things we don't... and from the depths soemthing rises: It is not always the hunter that finds something...

fitzchivalry - a great piece of misdirection in the openeing sets the story up well, the way the line is delivered makes the reader overlook the possibility of the protagoist being the corpse, but it makes perfect sense in the reveal. The conclusion is full of menace, almost a glee delivered with the payoff, and a nice alternative look at the theme.

AMB - What can be said about a story that sees the armies of darkness (and good) brought to their knees by something as unusual as a magically charged sneeze. You can just imagine how disgusting and gooey it must have been. Again another nice and different take on the whole cold theme. Bless you.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Well, a bit of a double post from me, I've been really quiet over the last few weeks, apart from the odd post here or there, the combination of work being crazy and a few technical issues on the old computer front.

I'm slowly coming to terms with a complete re-arrangement of all my technical stuff, both at home and at work. It'll take me while to get on top of things, but I hope to be fully back writing comments over the next few days. I'm not sure whether I'll be able to do any comments of the 300 this time around, but I'll finish the 75 words.

I do have an entry, it might need a little polishing, but I've had a second idea and want to play with that a little first...

 

[Starbeast]

A belated thanks to all the kind reviewers, Victoria, PM, SB. Nicely thought out as always.

You're very welcome Karn.

I'm slowly coming to terms with a complete re-arrangement of all my technical stuff, both at home and at work. It'll take me while to get on top of things, but I hope to be fully back writing comments over the next few days. I'm not sure whether I'll be able to do any comments of the 300 this time around, but I'll finish the 75 words.

I do have an entry, it might need a little polishing, but I've had a second idea and want to play with that a little first...

Take all the time you need Perpetual Man. Important things must always come first. Look forward to seeing you at both challenges.

Cold/Dark Fantasy
(part five)​

Ratsy - It's time for war, and you've displayed that wonderfully with a mighty sword to wield, and a vengeful axe to grind. Plus a cold, darkened memory to fuel the fire of a brave heart.

Glen - Another amazing adventure of Captain Fantastic! It's a mission of rescue through the thick armies of the damned. But that won't stop the good Captain from saving a princess. Marvelous.

Johnnyjet - Excellent tale of the unexpected. A confident doctor flies to his new location, to study the indigenous monsters of the area. I would like to see this as an Twilight Zone episode.

Fitzchivalry - An astoundingly cool offering. Talk about the revenge of the dead, this story jumps off the frozen slab and grabs you with icy, boney fingers around the throat. Good stuff. Nice to meet you.

AMB - What a wizard of an idea, fighting a war using magic. A very taunt and crafted tale that issues a frosty chuckle at the end. Nicely done, a tremendous way to finish your tale.

Chrispenycate - Yes. A grand fictional fantasy blended with elements from the second World War. I always enjoy a weird war story, and I was thoroughly entertained with it's uniqueness.

Mr Orange - Frigid fiendish elves are the highlight in this tragic story about warnings unheeded. Superbly written, which casts fluid imagery into the readers mind. Well done.

Jastius - This is an outstanding tale that reads like a classic fable of old lore. I can imagine the power and fate of Spring, yet happy with it's outcome that Spring is triumphant once again.

Kylara - A very well crafted poem that tells a familiar story (read carefully). Delightfully executed, and a magnificant cold treat of love and death served on a stylish platter. Good stuff.

 

[AMB]

Thanks, Perp and Starbeast.

 

[J.Hollick]

Can't believe I've been here almost a year and this is my first attempt at the writing challenge...

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Well, it's about time!

You can make your second attempt this month, as well, in the 300-word Challenge. Start the new year off right.

 

[Kylara]

Thanks for the lovely review SB, much appreciated! Especially when I re-read my entry this morning and suddenly thought "Too vague! Too vague! No one will know what I'm talking about!" So I am glad that you at least have understood

Thanks again, it is just so lovely for all you reviewers to review everything that gets entered, and in such thoughtful and helpful ways. My gratitude.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Take all the time you need Perpetual Man. Important things must always come first. Look forward to seeing you at both challenges.

Thanks SB.

Of course the computer part of things is not important really. Only picking up the mess after I throw it out the window. Or something.

 

[chrispenycate]

Can't believe I've been here almost a year and this is my first attempt at the writing challenge...

That's because it's not true. According to the magic List, you submitted last February. http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/foru...-word-challenge-victory-to-3.html#post1687836

 

[Mr Orange]

cheers muchly for the review starbeast. i was actually going to title it "Frigid Elves", but then i thought that might give the wrong impression!

 

[jastius]

thanks so much for the wonderful review starbeast! you always make my little stories sound cool. your reviews always make me smile all day.
(and your story? oh my, what a fine great tail indeed... a completely naughty gigglefest..)


chrispenycate Quote:
Originally Posted by J.Hollick
Can't believe I've been here almost a year and this is my first attempt at the writing challenge...

That's because it's not true. According to the magic List, you submitted last February. February 2013 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD CHALLENGE -- VICTORY TO CULHWCH!

[its hollick's first challenge fantasy posting though, chrispy, so its kind of a first.. ]
hollick did a very Asimov take upon the february challenge. and now hollick has outpreformed again with his story for january.. very tense with wonderful imagery.

i think if i had read february's entries i would have never have entered the competitions, they are all so excellent.

(and i loooved your february poem, hope, really amazing..!!)

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks for the nice reviews, Perp Man & Starbeast. My biggest concern was that my story wasn't DARK enough for the "Dark Fantasy" genre.

 

[ratsy]

Thanks Perp and SB, much appreciated.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Chris - There was something I found truly chilling about this entry, not only because of the placement, but because of the grim feeling that in this version of events things might be different. It evoked a good atmosphere, very grim and dark. One might very well say ‘cold’

Mr Orange - There is a feeling of persistence and stubbornness in a tale that sees a dying man holding on for one more fatal strike at an enemy that may well have been responsible for his fall. It is also that righteous anger, striking out at those who were right in their warnings.

Jastius - There is almost an epic romantic feel to this entry, that doomed heroine, who might fall at the last, but the price of her life is salvation for all. Her own doom a trap. A nice use of words throughout, but the last line is just spot on, magically chilling.

Kylara - A beautifully construction, I read it a couple of times just relishing the simplicity of its near perfection. There is the old saying that love is blind, but it is not always true, sometimes it can be dominant over all else, and no matter how terrible the attraction, can draw you in to your own destruction. Alost chillingly it might also be worth it.

J.Hollick - A monster, or so we are told, but somehow deeper than one would imagine. There is the feeling that sometimes people are prepared to accept their fates, even though they are terrible if it is for the betterment of others, no matter how cold.

 

[fitzchivalry]

Thankyou Perp and Starbeast for taking the time to post a review. Really appreciate it

Nice to meet you too

 

[Mr Orange]

Thanks for the review perp. Much appreciated

 

[Kylara]

Thanks for the review Perp, I really appreciate all the effort you go into every month (and with having to put the computer back together after it has been naughty!)

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for the review Perp, I really appreciate all the effort you go into every month (and with having to put the computer back together after it has been naughty!)

Heh, thanks. I've got the old big desktop up and running again, but it is hard to use in the evenings, so I'm working off a new tablet, trying to find the best ay of using it to do all these things I like doing!