Discussion Thread -- 300 Word Challenge #13

[Bowler1]

had to look up ogun tree. found it has to do with vodoun..

Great... some reading and research before I even start. Cool picture, whatever it is!

 

[Remedy]

I thought it was a metallic totem pole at first. Thank you for the clarification Jastius and others - the information is brilliant. I may not write an Ogun tale, but now I'll understand those who do

 

[Juliana]

As Teresa says, it doesn't really matter what it actually is. Its what it makes you think of.

 

[Ursa major]

I'm out again. Of both challenges.

One day...

As Teresa says, it doesn't really matter what it actually is. Its what it makes you think of.

For instance, Mouse could write a 300-word story (with an SFF slant, obviously) centred around how the topics and/or genres of the 75-worders, or images of the 300-worders, are just not right for her type of storytelling.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Or a 75-word story about her first encounter with the genre of Fantasy/Steampunk and how it made her have to go eat cake in the corner.

 

[Mouse]

For instance, Mouse could write a 300-word story (with an SFF slant, obviously) centred around how the topics and/or genres of the 75-worders, or images of the 300-worders, are just not right for her type of storytelling.

I'll give you a preview.

Once upon a time, there was a very grumpy mouse with a very big stick...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I have an idea, and some jottings which will need a bit of tidying. I'm also going to have to send an apology to someone on the Chrons and tell them it's not personal, and I have nothing against certain types of doctors. Really, nothing personal.

I also don't think it's going to help my 'I'm not a dark-minded little bunny' protestations at all.

Ooops. .

Maybe something else will occur.

 

[Ursa major]

Once upon a time, there was a very grumpy mouse with a very big stick...

Then I guess you're stuck....

 

[Bowler1]

I also don't think it's going to help my 'I'm not a dark-minded little bunny' protestations at all.

I've seen Watership down and since then bunnies have never looked cuddly to me. I'm going very, very dark this month. It just seemed to fit, what can I say. You'll have company Springs, and the rest of you have been pre-warned.

 

[Rafellin]

...it looks very ...Fantasy/Steampunk...

Can't be Steampunk. It doesn't have goggles with shiny brass rims on it.

 

[stormcrow]

Nice... once again. Let's see where this leads then..... ;-)

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I'll give you a preview.

Once upon a time, there was a very grumpy mouse with a very big stick...

...and on that stick, there were some horseshoes...

 

[Mouse]

...and on that stick, there were some horseshoes...

...that were covered in cake.

"Oh, glorious cake," said the mouse. "It makes me sad to eat you."

Forlornly, she licked at the cake-covered, horseshoe-adorned stick, and flicked a crumb from her whiskers.

 

[Starbeast]

Careful, Starbeast...it stares back...

I thought I saw it move, but I didn't want to say anything.

Actually, Starbeast, it looks very ...Fantasy/Steampunk... to me.

I can see that.

But is it a real photo for the 300 challenge?

I can wait for the challenge to open, by then I should have a tale for the 75 ready to post......hopefully.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

But is it a real photo for the 300 challenge?

Are you asking if people think it's suitable, or are you asking if the picture is honestly the one we picked for the inspiration image this time.

This is it. We try for variety in choosing an image each quarter. And this time we wanted a picture with a lot of different elements people could choose to write their stories about. Someone might spot the horseshoe and write about that. Someone else might react to the face and write a story about that. One story might be about a tree. Another about a totem pole. If someone looks at the picture as a whole and thinks "no way" they could start looking for details that do inspire stories all by themselves.


Right now, I haven't a clue what my story will be about. Not a clue. But I haven't given up hope that a story will occur to me at some point. I've got almost a whole month.

 

[Starbeast]

Thanks Teresa. I wasn't sure.

It's starting to grow on me. But one story at a time, the 75 first.

And I love variety. Thanks again. Now my mind is at ease.

 

[Phyrebrat]

And this time we wanted a picture with a lot of different elements people could choose to write their stories about. Someone might spot the horseshoe and write about that. Someone else might react to the face and write a story about that. One story might be about a tree. Another about a totem pole. If someone looks at the picture as a whole and thinks "no way" they could start looking for details that do inspire stories all by themselves.

I just wanted to say I love the picture. It reminds me of an African or Indonesian fetish icon so that's probably where I'll be going with mine.

pH

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Yup, they've never posted an April Fool's joke before, although we *have* wondered (every year, I think).

 

[Juliana]

I've seen Watership down and since then bunnies have never looked cuddly to me. I'm going very, very dark this month. It just seemed to fit, what can I say. You'll have company Springs, and the rest of you have been pre-warned.

Hmm, yes, mine went a bit dark and spooky, too. Should be an interesting month!

 

[The Judge]

But is it a real photo for the 300 challenge?

Be thankful we didn't pick any of the alternatives...

And this time we wanted a picture with a lot of different elements people could choose to write their stories about. Someone might spot the horseshoe and write about that. Someone else might react to the face and write a story about that.

In addition it sports a spiral shell, a snail, an enormous and dangerous-looking hook, chains, door handles, latches, bows, an arrow, a bladed weapon, a wizened hand, a candlestick, leaves, curlicues, and several mysterious objects which could be anything we want them to be. Plenty of detail for inspiration, we hope -- to me the face is a Green Man, but it could equally be an android or a witch/wizard imprisoned by a vengeful blacksmith -- but also there's the overall concept of a totem others have picked up, or of a smith's work generally.

So, good story-hunting everyone.