DISCUSSION -- March 2014 75 Word Writing Challenge

[David Evil Overlord]

Mine's up. Not going to miss it again. Curse you, February, why do you have to be so short?

*Shakes fist at last month*

 

[Nick B]

I use the ipad all the time for the challenges, and know people who part-write novels on a Smart phone - keep practising with the touch keyboard, Karn, and you'll be a pro next month. Or buy a cheap bluetooth keyboard - I got one for a fiver in a remainder bin.

I write on my smartphone, it's really the only reason I bother with a phone that has a 5" screen. Kingsoft Office is fantastic, free and compatible with word and other office applications, I use dropbox (passworded docs) so I can work on the go.


Good work so far everyone, great stories.

 

[Mr Orange]

thanks muchly for the review victoria

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Hope you all are satisfied. That is my entry for the month, take it or leave it

I'll take it. It's an excellent story.

 

[TacticalLoco]

I feel the need to confess that I read TacticalLoco's title as "Death of an Ant Farm".

Which I suppose, since it turns out he hasn't used it, at least gives me one idea.

Since a typical ant farm can have as many as 1,200 ants per cubic foot, I suppose i could have gotten the award for the largest number of individuals killed off in 75 words.

Oh the horror! Oh the Antimanity!

 

[Starbeast]

I decided to use idea # 2 (of 4).

Now I'm posted and can read the other tales. I believe I have time to review the stories, once I've read them.

I am the 24th to post so far within 6 days. Ahh, but the day isn't over yet.

Who will follow next? And when?

 

[chrispenycate]

Won't be me unless 'when' is quite a bit later. I've not yet requested a plot from the muse. Hmm, not poetry this time, I think…

 

[Bowler1]

Keep the Crispy spread sheets going too, as we're 25 in and only 1/3 of the way through the challenge. Death could be a killer record breaker!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

The record I believe, is 75 (no other month came close), so we've a long way to go before we reach that. It's not impossible, though, if we can lure back some of the people who have stopped submitting stories.

 

[HareBrain]

Only just read the early entries. Many good ones, but I have to say Alchemist's is a stand-out joy.

Oooh, TSP. That is clever.

Wow -- I am very glad you posted this!

 

[Bowler1]

The record I believe, is 75 (no other month came close), so we've a long way to go before we reach that. It's not impossible, though, if we can lure back some of the people who have stopped submitting stories.

Or we can prod them along with the sharp end of a scythe - write, or last rights?

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The Spurring Platty -- The author creates a sense of wonder in the reader, who ponders what might follow next in this mysterious and open-ended story.

Karn Maeshalanadae -- The skilled way in which the incarnation of an abstract concept is made a real character adds to the impact of the shocking ending of this tale.

David Evil Overlord -- A combination of irony, satire, and a sly look at current events results in a mixture sure to please all.

Starbeast -- Hidden within this wild black comedy is the message that our fellows creatures share our capacity for pain and suffering.

HareBrain -- This witty fable reminds us that we do not always find what we seek.

 

[Starbeast]

Death/Fantasy​

Hex - First off is the sweet and funny tale of a young Death, on a prom date. You've conjured a very cute and humorous story. Fantastic writing as always.

Khayos - Excellent job of capturing the anger the main character feels toward everything, due to the loss of someone close. Nice to meet you.

Remedy - Marvelous poem that illustrates stark images of what happened after the King dies. Which of course, is witnessed by his son. Grimly good.

Springs - What if the characters we all write about had feelings and form? In this tale, it's highlighted like a high polished jewel. Well done.

Quellist - Firstly, nice to meet you. And second, I was taken back by your intense drama. I liked the fact that you showed that Death, is affected by tragedies he sees. Superb story.

Victoria Silverwolf - Outstanding tale of curiosity, and the Styx boatman of Death. Once again you've created a magnificant offering that both delights and enchants the reader.

Farntfar - Alright! A Dr Who episode, written by you. I was thrilled to read this fine story that entertained me thoroughly. No apologies are nessessary! I loved it.

Juliana - This is a wonderful story you've constructed, it makes me think of those black and white classic movies where they show that the afterlife is not much different from normal life. Very cool.

Alchemist - Mu-ha ha ha ha ha ha. You shook me to my funny bone with this one. First you grabbed my attention, then stunned me with racism, and clobbered me with humor. A tremendous treat.

Telford - Death's job isn't as easy as most of us think it is, and you've showcased that here masterfully. Just as us humans ask "why", the answer is usually simple and uncomfortable. Nicely done sir.

Bowler1 -Mu-ha ha ha ha ha. A perfect title that sums up this dark chocolate treat of grim Death. Situated at (what Americans call) the Internal Revenue Service, but in another realm of course. Fantastic.

Martin321 - Another great bone-tickling tale. Terrific entry that make me chuckle. Which was stuffed with the nonsense of bureaucracy in the pit of the hellish underworld. Good stuff.

Teresa Edgerton - A superb spooky story that entertains well as a very grim fairy tale. Grand nightmare imagery of the dead princess, which reaps the familiarity of a "Cinderella-styled" zombie tale. Enchantingly dark.

Cat’s Cradle - Firstly, no apologies are nessessary for your first challenge submission. You wrote an exceptional dark fiction of the death of a warrior. And second, nice to meet you.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Thank you, Starbeast! I actually came here to compliment you on your own hilarious story! I'm sitting here in Finland on a particularly dreary, rainy day (oh, there is mud everywhere in this rural setting), and your story really helped brighten up the atmosphere around here! I actually LOLd (to use a horrible old acronym). Great story, and nice to meet you!

 

[Cat's Cradle]

A Starbeast ps--"KRUN-SQUISHT" must be the best creature-being-smooshed sound ever!

 

[Starbeast]

Victoria Silverwolf, thank you for your wonderful review.



Cat's Cradle:Thank you, Starbeast! I actually came here to compliment you on your own hilarious story!

You're welcome Cat's Cradle, and thanks a bunch. I was shoveling snow when the idea popped into my mind.

I'm sitting here in Finland on a particularly dreary, rainy day (oh, there is mud everywhere in this rural setting), and your story really helped brighten up the atmosphere around here!

Glad I brightened your day. I'm surrounded by snow near the (almost completely) frozen Lake Michigan. And I always try to keep my sunny-side up. Writing weird stories always takes the blues away for me.

I actually LOLd (to use a horrible old acronym). Great story, and nice to meet you!

And you as well. I chose the talking animal trilogy over three other ideas that were, too gory I thought. I'll keep them on mental file though.

A Starbeast ps--"KRUN-SQUISHT" must be the best creature-being-smooshed sound ever!

Heh heh. I thought it was a good one too.

See you around the SFFC.



Chrispenycate, I know the Muse will visit you at some point in time and space.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Ty Starbeast, you're fab as always!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Thank you for the review, Starbeast!

_____

OK, I am obviously unobservant. I kept wondering what everyone was talking about that was so clever in TSP's story. It took me until now to see it. It is very clever.

 

[farntfar]

Thanks for the great review Starbeast.

 

[Juliana]

Starbeast, thank you for your review.