DISCUSSION -- April 2014 75+5 Word Writing Challenge

[Parson]

.

Parson - Dragons vs humans, I love it. And you made the giant intellegent reptiles the good guys in your story, while the humans are the crafty, little trouble-makers. Very cool idea which you illustrated marvelously. This would be great to see on the big screen. "Go get them Nogard!"

Thanks for the kind words. I really do like the dragon's name too. It makes me feel clever. It's probably a false feeling.

 

[Starbeast]

I think steampink is my favourite new genre... (Just kidding around... You are a kind and wonderful reviewer, Starbeast.)

Steampink? Oh my, the Masked Typo Master, has struck again.

Heh heh. Thank you for your nice comment about me, Juliana. You made my day shine brightly.

*tattered fairy hugs* she pulled my heart strings too. When it showed up in my imagination I loved the dank tattered look it took on and did my best to keep it as grime-y as it was. Then when I looked up and saw where she was panhandling, oh I nearly died laughing.

You're very welcome Hopewrites. I tell you, when someone pours on the heavy drama, I get all squishy inside.

Let me show you.

"Aww, you poor wittle kitty, you lost your mittens." (picks up cat) "Let's get you some tasty cat food, a warm bed, some catnip, and some cartoons to watch as you trip over the light fantastically."



Parson

You're welcome, pal. Hey, there's nothing wrong with feeling proud of a story which is well written, that you create.

Shine on!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks SB, your kind comment is greatly appreciated. And I like the idea of steampink...

 

[BenSt]

We're down for the count...just a few more hours left. I'm glad that I left reading all the new entries since my last review til now...it's been a nice hour diversion from work. We have some tough competition this month.

Hare Brain – Such a fun, I liked it a lot. To be honest it made me think of that Futurama episode with the wooden robots afraid to die lmao. Very nice.


KshRox – An intimate encounter between what I imagine to be a steampunk southern belle, and well, her ‘friend.’ Very naughty, if read a certain way...although I’m sure you meant it all innocently.


Azzagorn – A superhero or a superweapon? Either way, two perspectives on the conflict with this interesting entity at the centre. Nice!


Bob Senior – This almost had me believing the principle characters were twins, and that was the mystery for me. Very careful use of the names which brought this piece together for me.


A. Fare Wells – A steampunk set racing story. The vagueness of what the black sickness was and why it made drivers race better worked well for this piece. Over all, a very nice seed.


Still Learning – This fit the genre very well. A world of dragons and metal machines, the encounter here was not so much the letter sent by the deceased, but the clash between the old and new. Made me very curious about the motivations! Nice.


Bowler1 – Bowler, are you secretly Grendel? The reference to Odin and Valhalla shone through this for me, and despite the creative use of names... I very much saw and appreciated the reference to Beowulf (If I’m reading it right?) Was a joy to read. I’m not afraid though!


Perpetual Man – Dwarves on a river? Nice change from them being underground. Different take on the Elven-Drawfish relationships, and this almost read like it could be an interesting start to a comedy. Enjoyed it!


Hopewrites – Tinkerbell – post magic world? I loved the reversal of roles in this, how the...who I imagine to be Tink, has become so powerless. Yet, even in the cold world of industry, human warmth shines through. I liked it J.


Parson – Had all the qualities of a great novella, and a seed to grow from. Strong sounding character names, an interesting premise, and finally Humans knocked down a peg to become the apes that we are. Very interesting!


Culhwch – A glimpse of yesteryear in the Crystal Palace. You added to the mystique that already exists for me with the old Crystal Palace and the careful title followed the age old Victorian conventions. A fine piece.


AnyaKimlin – Human warmth and the hint of a tragic relationship came through in this family piece. At first I thought, an Ironclad Gordon Ramsay? The last line was brilliant.


Boneman – Oo what a delicious piece this was. The detail really gave me a clear picture and that last line was wonderful, humour, satire, and a little bit of irony.


Abernovo – A fantastic newsbrief. The wording was spot on, but gave enough details to be so much more. Dragons being bred illegally and killing bobby’s, very interesting premise.


The Judge – Oh Judge, if only this had come to... and 30 books is a hopeful number. I liked this version of reality. Game of Thrones gone mad. Very neat idea, and that Impish smile could only belong to one man. Loved it.


The Dusty Zebra – I enjoyed this nod to Isaac Azimov and his laws, with the slight satirical quality of the steam... over all, a nice piece.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Bowler1 -- An action-packed adventure yarn is turned upside down in this droll bit of self-parody.

Perpetual Man -- Within this convincing account of the impact of technology on the world of the fantastic is a thoughtful meditation on the reasons for our actions.

hopewrites -- The author creates a subtle, mysterious, and moody piece, not unlike music.

Parson -- By showing us events through the eyes of others, this tale of an epic battle invites us to consider who is right and who is wrong.

Culhwch -- Through the use of matter-of-fact narration, the author presents both the aspirations and the foolishness of humanity.

AnyaKimlin -- In what seems to be at first a light comedy, a sudden revelation leads to a heartfelt burst of emotion.

Boneman -- Making use of wordplay and telling details, the author creates a macabre bit of black comedy.

Abernovo -- A journalistic style is used to ponder the lengths to which people will go to achieve their ambitions.

The Judge -- Multiple ironies abound in this sardonic story of power and its price.

TheDustyZebra -- Themes from science fiction and fantasy are mixed to create a unique vision.

jastius -- The good-natured rollicking of this whimsical yarn does not prepare the reader for the unexpected punchline.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks to Ben and Victoria for the comments.

Ben, I like the idea of it being the start of something. I might come back to it one day. (And welcome to the comment giving community.)

 

[jastius]

its in.. with the faintest whiff of steam pinkiness to it.. (so doan even pick up that raygun in my direction bowler or i will have a certain lost ship drop a sneezing dragon down...)


and star beast you are brilliant even in typos.. lets get gary to do a steam pink antho and get the susan b anthony people behind it..

 

[AnyaKimlin]

Thank you to Starbeast, Ben and Victoria for your reviews. An Ironclad Gordon Ramsay was very much my inspiration.

 

[Tisiphone]

Just posted....breathless now....

 

[hopewrites]

Hopewrites – Tinkerbell – post magic world? I loved the reversal of roles in this, how the...who I imagine to be Tink, has become so powerless. Yet, even in the cold world of industry, human warmth shines through. I liked it J.

Thanks! I'm glad you pegged my MC from the title hint. I attribute the proprietors warmth to his upbringing. Though I would hope that in such an industrialized world as even ours has become, there will always be a place for panhandling fairies.

hopewrites -- The author creates a subtle, mysterious, and moody piece, not unlike music.

I couldnt be more complemented by your succinct summation. Thank you

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Thanks for the lovely reviews, Starbeast, Victoria and Ben!

Jastius, are you sure that's not the Susan G. Komen people you're looking for?

Steampink. I like it! And Fantasy Steampink begins to sound very ... steamy. Just my thing!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Tisiphone -- With a delicate touch, the author shows us how beauty can be found in unexpected places.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Ursa! That's dreadful!

 

[Ursa major]

Really?



Surely, it's pastel with flying colours....

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I'm dyeing to hear how it turns out.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Ursa major -- The reader is in for a surprise in this playful piece of whimsey.

 

[Ursa major]

The Challenge has been closed to new entries.


You can vote here:

Poll - April 75+5 Word Challenge​

 

[Ursa major]

Thanks for the mini-review, Victoria.

I'm dyeing to hear how it turns out.

They're arrested by the Boys in Blue and read their rights; someone turns out to be yellow bellied.

 

[TitaniumTi]

Yea! First vote.

Long list
Victoria Silverwolf
Remedy
stormcrow
HareBrain
StilLearning
AnyaKimlin
Abernovo

Short list
springs
cats cradle
AJB
jastius

Vote
chrispenycate

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

This one was very tough to judge. I came up with a long "short list," and I can't cut it down. Anyway:

springs
Remedy
stormcrow
martin123
mosaix
SirGeoffrey
AJB
TacticalLoco
Tywin
johnnyjet
hopewrites
Tisiphone

The vote goes to

"The Chemistry Between Us" by Aun Doorback

My selection was made primarily on the basis of outstanding originality.