DISCUSSION -- March 2014 75 Word Writing Challenge

[Teresa Edgerton]

Keep some energy in reserve, folks – next month is the fifth anniversary of the seventy-five word challenge, and the fourth of the three hundred worder. That's when we need to try and shatter the seventy-five entry record.

Good heavens, don't tell them that. A good turnout this month could raise enough excitement to carry over to next month.

(I think it's the fourth anniversary and the third, though. Still, it's exciting to see another double anniversary approach and the Challenges continue -- when I thought in the beginning that the 75 Word would probably last a few months at most, and even after it did so well I wasn't so sure when we started the 300.)

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Yup, has to be the fourth and third -- I wasn't here in April 2009.

Still mind-boggling, though! That means May will be my (and a few others') 50th 75-word story.

 

[chrispenycate]

2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014!

Makes it the fifth April, anyway. Not, I suppose, the fifth anniversary, as the first one wasn't anything's birthday, by the conventional definition of birthdays, which doesn't involve getting born, unless you have a noughth birthday where this rather essential part of the entire process is performed.

Four candles on the cake, then, and three on the other; I take it Teresa's going to blow them out? If we try and all do it together there'll be icing everywhere.

(A single slip of the keyboard and something which should inspire terror becomes a teaser.)

 

[Phyrebrat]

2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014! unless you have a noughth birthday where this rather essential part of the entire process is performed.)

Lawd! Don't say that. I just 'celebrated' my 42nd yesterday! Let's not count the noughth, please. I don't feel 42, let alone 43.

pH

 

[Parson]

And what is 43 supposed to feel like? I once asked my dad, who is now 88, when do you feel old (I was about 43 at the time and he was about 67) he said "As long as you have your health you don't feel old." --- A wise answer I think. I've had times when I was unhealthy and felt a hundred, and now that I am in my 60's and healthier then in years, I feel young again.

---- As for the anniversary, Dusty Z, how could it be your 50th story. Would not 48/49 depends on how you count the first or last month be the most possible? Was there a time with two 75's?

 

[Juliana]

Lawd! Don't say that. I just 'celebrated' my 42nd yesterday! Let's not count the noughth, please. I don't feel 42, let alone 43.

pH

Phyre, I'll be 42 in a month... I'm going with the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and considering it a special date. Maybe I'll finally figure out the answer to life and the universe.

Of course, I'm still about 12 on the inside, which probably explains why I usually write middle grade.

 

[Mouse]

Lawd! Don't say that. I just 'celebrated' my 42nd yesterday! Let's not count the noughth, please. I don't feel 42, let alone 43.

pH

WHA?!?! You don't look a day over 32.

 

[Abernovo]

Lawd! Don't say that. I just 'celebrated' my 42nd yesterday! Let's not count the noughth, please. I don't feel 42, let alone 43.

pH

WHA?!?! You don't look a day over 32.

I echo Mouse's comment. In fact, pH, I'm kind of going off you right now. I'm the same age and don't look nearly as young as you do!

Back on topic, I've got an idea for the challenge. Now, if I can just get the time to write it, I'll enter.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

---- As for the anniversary, Dusty Z, how could it be your 50th story. Would not 48/49 depends on how you count the first or last month be the most possible? Was there a time with two 75's?

Well, now, I considered this for a while, and counted on my fingers and everything. The first month was April, so twelve stories would be March of the following year, which makes this March 48 stories, and the anniversary month is actually 49. May makes 50. Should I take off my shoes and try again, just to be sure? I should probably just ask my son.

Oh, and thanks to Starbeast for the lovely review!

 

[mosaix]

Well, now, I considered this for a while, and counted on my fingers and everything. The first month was April, so twelve stories would be March of the following year, which makes this March 48 stories, and the anniversary month is actually 49. May makes 50. Should I take off my shoes and try again, just to be sure? I should probably just ask my son.

Oh, and thanks to Starbeast for the lovely review!

How does having bare feet help you think better, TDZ?

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

johnnyjet -- The realism of this war story adds to the impact of its supernatural conclusion.

Wazkal -- The author makes use of the unrestricted form of free verse to convey strong emotions.

Tisiphone -- A tragic epic, worthy of the Jacobean playwrights, is created in a few words.

hopewrites -- Seemingly simple phrases portray an endless cycle of endings and beginnings.

TitaniumTi -- Dark irony fills this sardonic tale of frustrated desires.

Parson -- This allegorical fable points out the power of faith and the written word.

TheDustyZebra -- Through the use of introspective narrative, the author takes us inside the mind of a character facing an extraordinary situation.

Boneman -- A trace of black comedy adds spice to this reminder that the best of plans often go wrong.

ethelredtheunredey -- This strange and surreal tale creates an eerie mood.

AJB -- Delicate emotions are expressed in a touching manner in this open-ended story.

lonewolfwanderer -- The pounding rhythms of ancient rituals are suggested by this powerful ballad.

chrispenycate -- Through the use of modern images, symbols are brought to life as real characters.

SirSamuelVimes -- By making an unusual choice to engage the reader's empathy, the author strengthens the theme of the story.

Perpetual Man -- An extended metaphor, reminding one of the poetry of John Donne, is used to depict human fate.

BigJ -- This sly fable reminds us all that luck plays its part, and not everyone can be a winner.

Glen -- The difficult task of depicting a sense of emptiness is movingly portrayed in this meditation.

SleepyDormouse -- This poetic fantasy is sure to stir the emotions of the reader.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

jastius -- The author adds a personal touch to a sweeping mythic epic, engaging the reader's feelings.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Very good story, jastius, very well written! It was so nice, in a challenge where the theme is death, to have a lovely story with the last word that you used.







.

 

[Bowler1]

Lawd! Don't say that. I just 'celebrated' my 42nd yesterday! Let's not count the noughth, please. I don't feel 42, let alone 43.

pH

I'm another 42 going on 43 very soon, and I still don't feel old. I may look old and act old, but I don't feel it, cough, wheeze - I'm fine.

We have to get 50 this month. I'll worry about the celebration month next month, I can't multi task.

 

[jastius]

jastius -- The author adds a personal touch to a sweeping mythic epic, engaging the reader's feelings.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!!
oh my, Victoria Silverwolf, you constantly honour and amaze me with the sheer beauty of your comments upon my little offerings. I LOVE YOUR REVIEW !!!!!

Very good story, jastius, very well written! It was so nice, in a challenge where the theme is death, to have a lovely story with the last word that you used.

.

Thank you so much Cat's Cradle! what a wonderful comment! happy happy joy joy!!... and happy birthday! i hope you have lots of fun in the big city metropolis


(and thankyou theresa for editing; that was very very kind of you )

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Thanks, Victoria!

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks for the great review, Victoria!

 

[chrispenycate]

Thank you Victoria.

I'm another 42 going on 43 very soon, and I still don't feel old. I may look old and act old, but I don't feel it, cough, wheeze - I'm fine.

We have to get 50 this month. I'll worry about the celebration month next month, I can't multi task.

So, we need six more.

One suspects Culhwch, The Judge and Ursa Major will make it in time – just – as is their common wont; the chart suggests that Abernovo, AMB, Bob Sr, Brev, Mith, Mosaix, Phyrebrat and Tywin are the most likely points where pressure it likely to bear fruit (no, I suppose pressure would produce fruit juice, or watermelon pips). But there are Several Hundred who might be persuaded to join back in, and I try to make each newcomer aware of the challenges.

And we're only about half way through the submission period (the least fertile region).

But please remember you cannot compel inspiration with a Ray Gun.

 

[Parson]

Thanks Victoria for the review.




Could it be I wrote a fable?!
I didn't know that I was able
My mind goes blank
My story just shrank
I'll just smile and accept the label.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

So, we need six more.

the chart suggests that Abernovo, AMB, Bob Sr, Brev, Mith, Mosaix, Phyrebrat and Tywin are the most likely points where pressure it likely to bear fruit

Out of that list I imagine that mosaix at least will write us a story, since he chose the theme.

As for the rest, we must have some muscle around here who'd oblige by leaning on them a little. Someone very large and hulking who cracks his knuckles and makes oblique references to broken limbs and visits to the East River?