Discussion Thread -- Seventy-five word writing challenge -- February 2014

[SleepyDormouse]

Congratulations Mosaix! great story.

Thanks for the mentions Starbeast, Ursa Major and Alex the G and T.

 

[Perpetual Man]

For those who did not get it, and I'm sure most people did.

My story was an acrostic. (and a pun in the title too)

The title was based on an Aerosmith song, 'Let the music do the Talking', replacing music with Mousai which translates back into Muse.

The story is simply that the classic gods of Greek myth have been removed from the world, forced into a dance that will keep them forever away.

So powerful is the dance that it has pulled in other 'powers' from mythology, including The Furies - aspects of vengeance, referred to here as the Kindly Ones as they are in Neil Gaiman's Sandman.

On top of the gods and Furies another part of the Greek myths were the Muses, basically entities who were patrons in various endeavours, (like dance). Just to confuse issues, some of the Muses were upgraded to god or goddess status, or dropped down again.

Possibly the reason for one of them out for vengeance.

In this instance it would be (of course) the Muse of dance, Terpsichore. And if you take the first letter from each line of my entry you get that very name.

 

[chrispenycate]

Well done, Mosaix!

Wow! Three votes for a Hiawatha pastische. And two of them, the ones who arrived last minute after I had decided that I had misaimed my entry (apart from Starbeast who has misguidedly approved of my style for several challenges already, but has at least not attempted to emulate it yet {winces as he imagines a hybrid Starbeast/Chrispy style, then giggles at the thought of this being put into the 'genre' box of a challenge}), being old enough to know not to let a Chrispy near a subject choice. Thank you, HairBrain and The Judge.

Thank you too Hex and Phyrebrat for the mentions.

 

[Juliana]

Congratulations Mosaix! And thank you Starbeast for the mention.

I know an entry shouldn't really need explanation, but I wanted to give a quick one about mine, anyway. It was based on a Native Brazilian myth I love; the moon, the goddess Jaci, chooses maidens from the tribe to join her in the sky as stars. I was thinking along the lines of celestial dance and it seemed to fit. Tremendously obscure, I know, and I was thrilled to get several mentions, wasn't expecting that this month!

 

[alchemist]

Your story was very clever, and definitely made my shortlist.
Also honourable mentions to Victoria, Alchemist (who made me laugh for a very long time)....

Ah, my work here is done...

*fish-fish-boxes off into the sunset*

 

[Bowler1]

We're not all spotty freaks, I swear. I'd also appreciate not being culled, but I suppose it does make a good story.. The things us writers must sacrifice eh?

As you've been nice and given me a mention I'll take you off my culling list. Thanks to the Cuddly Bear too.

 

[Aun Doorback]

Apologies for the delay but I've been clobbered by my 2nd cold this year (Already! I must be old and unfit) - My vote did go to Hex (Super duper) But it was a close thing - I did enjoy many others, Bowler1, Khayos and Stormcrow to name a few/ Many thanks for those that mentioned mine - It was obscure and probably not within the honest boundaries of the genre, but it danced up to me and made me write it -so what could I do? KR to all

 

[Hex]

Thank you so much for the vote, Aun. I loved you entry. I thought it was both brilliant and inspired.

 

[johnnyjet]

Congratulations, mosaix! And thanks for the short listing, Phyrebrat!

 

[Starbeast]

Congratulations Mosiax​

Thanks for the mentions Phrye and Starbeast.

You're welcome Springs.

Thanking you Hex and Starbeast.

I've just realised (I'm slow, as ever) that the winner will have to set a theme right off as its February! No pressure. None at all.

You're welcome Bowler1. I can't imagine what to expect for the next month (which is today).

Congratulations Mosaix!

I am so stoked over the response to my story this month. A host of mentions! Thank you all, so much! And two votes, even.

I'm so honored to be noticed among the amazing pool of talent here.

You're very welome Alex. Keep up the good work.

Well done, Mosaix.

Thanks to Remedy and Beasty for the kind mentions.

You're welcome Telford.

CONGRATULATIONS MOSAIX!!!!!

Thank youThe Spurring Platty, Hex, Starbeast and Alex, The G and T for your mentions and kind words. This was my Personal Best month with 13 mentions and a vote - absolutely chuffed with that (I may take the humorous road more often.)

You're immensely welcome Remedy. Keep us laughing.

Congratulations Mosaix! great story.

Thanks for the mentions Starbeast, Ursa Major and Alex the G and T.

You're welcome SleepyDormouse.

For those who did not get it, and I'm sure most people did.

My story was an acrostic. (and a pun in the title too)

The title was based on an Aerosmith song, 'Let the music do the Talking', replacing music with Mousai which translates back into Muse.

The story is simply that the classic gods of Greek myth have been removed from the world, forced into a dance that will keep them forever away.

So powerful is the dance that it has pulled in other 'powers' from mythology, including The Furies - aspects of vengeance, referred to here as the Kindly Ones as they are in Neil Gaiman's Sandman.

On top of the gods and Furies another part of the Greek myths were the Muses, basically entities who were patrons in various endeavours, (like dance). Just to confuse issues, some of the Muses were upgraded to god or goddess status, or dropped down again.

Possibly the reason for one of them out for vengeance.

In this instance it would be (of course) the Muse of dance, Terpsichore. And if you take the first letter from each line of my entry you get that very name.

Ingenious Perpetual Man. I was too moody to review the tales for February, I was afraid I'd give out weak comments.

I used the famous, but late dance choreograher, Bob Fosse, as my inspiration for the challenge. A surreal version of him anyway.

Wow! Three votes for a Hiawatha pastische. And two of them, the ones who arrived last minute after I had decided that I had misaimed my entry (apart from Starbeast who has misguidedly approved of my style for several challenges already, but has at least not attempted to emulate it yet {winces as he imagines a hybrid Starbeast/Chrispy style, then giggles at the thought of this being put into the 'genre' box of a challenge}), being old enough to know not to let a Chrispy near a subject choice. Thank you, HairBrain and The Judge.

Me, emulate your style? No chance. Your magnificant ferocity sets us apart. And that's what draws me toward your roaring inferno of excellence.

However, combining our forces might frighten away the elderly, children, small animals and people who are sensitive to severe weather changes.

Congratulations Mosaix! And thank you Starbeast for the mention.

I know an entry shouldn't really need explanation, but I wanted to give a quick one about mine, anyway. It was based on a Native Brazilian myth I love; the moon, the goddess Jaci, chooses maidens from the tribe to join her in the sky as stars. I was thinking along the lines of celestial dance and it seemed to fit. Tremendously obscure, I know, and I was thrilled to get several mentions, wasn't expecting that this month!

Marvelous explanation Juliana. I'm looking forward to your next story, along with many other fine authors here.

 

[Culhwch]

Congrats, mosaix!!!

Many thanks for the votes, Alex, Brev, Glisterspeck, Quellist, ratsy, and Tywin! They were very much appreciated, and it was a great surprise to check in late in the comp and see that them next to my name. Also thanks to those who mentioned or listed my story!!

 

[Starbeast]

You're welcome Culhwch.

 

[Abernovo]

Congratulations, mosaix!

 

[hopewrites]

Well done Mosiax!

 

[Juliana]

Marvelous explanation Juliana. I'm looking forward to your next story, along with many other fine authors here.​

Thank you, Starbeast. ​

 

[Brev]

For those who did not get it, and I'm sure most people did.
My story was an acrostic.

A most excellent idea. Bordering genius.

Had to google Terpsichore, cos she was one of the few references I wasn't familiar with, but it didn't alter the overall read. Clever.


And a belated thanks to Starbeast and Platty for the mentions. Much appreciated.

 

[Starbeast]

Thank you, Starbeast.

You're welcome Juliana.

And a belated thanks to Starbeast and Platty for the mentions. Much appreciated.

You are very welcome Brev.

 

[crystal haven]

Just realised I haven't said:

Congratulations, Mosaix!

And thank you for the short listing, Alex, The G and T

 

[mosaix]

Thanks for the mentions / short lists Titatnium, Tywin, Glen, Martin, Parson, Boneman, Sleepy Doormouse, Crystal Haven, TSP, Hex and Hopewrites.

Thanks for the votes Bowler, TDZ, TacticalLoco, Abernovo, Chrs, Alc, BigJ and Ursa.

And thanks to whoever thought of these challenges in the first place. This month especially was so far out of my comfort zone that I really had to put some thought into it - and that can only be a good thing.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Wow, 54 entries so far this month! Great new stories too, the voting will be something!