DISCUSSION -- June 2014 75 Word Writing Challenge

[Jo Zebedee]

I'd really like Springs to explain where the "the" in "the Bruce" comes from. If that won't offend your sensibilities, Hex.

Traditionally followers of the Bruce family referred to the head of the family as the Bruce. I can't say too much but in this case I used it so as to give a time in history as opposed to it being exactly true to this story.

(Mods if I've gone too far in explanation, delete please and I'll go hang my head in shame.)

I'll leave the political intricacies for others to explain (mainly cos I don't know them that well but I think it's around the disputed kingship of Scotland at the time (a lifetime of side-stepping political statements showing there. )

 

[JonH]

Thank you, Springs. Interesting. I wasn't expecting a response for a month and will leave any further discussion until July. We must tread carefully. There are all these new mods around and you know what new mods can be like.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Thank you, Springs. Interesting. I wasn't expecting a response for a month and will leave any further discussion until July. We must tread carefully. There are all these new mods around and you know what new mods can be like.

It's all right - the three of them are suckers for chocolate cake.

 

[JonH]

It's all right - the three of them are suckers for chocolate cake.

You should try them on seed cake. Then they could suck seed.

(I'll get my hat.)

 

[Hex]

Hey! I'm an eagle, not a parrot!

And since the definition of succeeding is acquiring cake, we do very well.

Though I prefer carrot cake. Seeds get caught in my beak.

 

[Ashleyne]

When I first saw this month's genre, I was like "No way. Historical fiction! How boring. How am I gonna fit a historical fiction with deception into just seventy-five words?" However, after researching and twisting a story together, I found it to be quite fun.

The other stories, so far, are really entertaining. I'm expecting there to be lots of witty stories this month and I'm looking forward to reading them.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Traditionally followers of the Bruce family referred to the head of the family as the Bruce.

I thought (for reasons of a few probably questionable historical things I've read that did so) that the heads of many prominent (local or otherwise) Scottish families had that distinction? Of course I'm familiar with "the Bruce", but I thought there were others. Until that's confirmed, I refuse to admit to what else I read that had a "the x" head-of-family.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

You're right, TDZ. I realised earlier but thought I'd posted quite enough on the subject.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Hey, the rest of us can keep talking about your story! (Not that I think that's really an integral part of the story, anyway -- it's not exactly "explaining" anything, to me, unless, of course, I'm missing something. Which has been known to happen.)

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I thought (for reasons of a few probably questionable historical things I've read that did so) that the heads of many prominent (local or otherwise) Scottish families had that distinction?

I believe (but Hex will set me straight on this if I am wrong) that it would be the head of the clan who would be "the."

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Good day, all! Wonderful Challenge so far, great entries!

I have a note about my own entry, a story which is almost done and that could be posted tonight or tomorrow...this is a heads up, and a chance for anyone to tell me off, beforehand. My story uses an ugly, racially‐offensive word, but this form of the word is used to show how truly ugly it is, and the ugliness of what it represents. I spell the word using the first letter, and then the asterisk symbol for the other letters. I checked with the Mods about this, and asked for advice and permission. I'm not sure of what else to say. I think the word is used with as much respect for its history as is possible, and to show how far we have come, and how bad things once were.

If it is universally suggested that I not post the story, I am fine with that...I wouldn't see this as censorship, but rather as a recognition of popular choice on a delicate matter. Thank you for your time! CC

 

[alchemist]

Good day, all! Wonderful Challenge so far, great entries!

I have a note about my own entry, a story which is almost done and that could be posted tonight or tomorrow...this is a heads up, and a chance for anyone to tell me off, beforehand. My story uses an ugly, racially‐offensive word, but this form of the word is used to show how truly ugly it is, and the ugliness of what it represents. I spell the word using the first letter, and then the asterisk symbol for the other letters. I checked with the Mods about this, and asked for advice and permission. I'm not sure of what else to say. I think the word is used with as much respect for its history as is possible, and to show how far we have come, and how bad things once were.

If it is universally suggested that I not post the story, I am fine with that...I wouldn't see this as censorship, but rather as a recognition of popular choice on a delicate matter. Thank you for your time! CC

Sounds like a story in which anything other than THAT word would sanitise racist behaviour -- it should be shown in all its ugliness. I say go for it.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Just seen this. What Alc said. Sometimes a story calls for it - I've used a sectarian term in a story because, sometimes, you have to see these things as the ugly, real thing they are.

 

[Kylara]

historical fiction! Ummmmmmm this may be rather tricksy

 

[alchemist]

A thousand posts there, Kylara ...

 

[Ashleyne]

If it’s the word I’m thinking of, CC, then as a mixed-race women, I'm a little on the fence. I suppose as long as it's thought provoking and contextual, I may not necessarily like it, but I wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I believe (but Hex will set me straight on this if I am wrong) that it would be the head of the clan who would be "the."

Err...yes, that's what I meant. I suppose "head of the family" and "head of the clan" are not precisely the same thing, are they? I should know that, from the Navajo clans around here.

 

[ratsy]

I'd planned on stewing on it for a while but when I thought about it, this idea came over me...deception indeed....

Anyways, I am posted

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Good evening! Just a quick note, I have been thinking about my little story all day long, and I think I need to modify it, and delete the word (that I put) in question. I apologize for the trouble, forgive me. I will post an altered version of the story hopefully tomorrow. Thank you to the folks who took the time to reply, and on with the Challenge! CC

 

[mosaix]

Wikipedia has the usefully vague definition: "Historical fiction is a literary genre in which the action takes place in the past", so it seems to me a fairly open kind of genre.

Thanks, Hex. This takes some thought. I started off thinking this was some kind of 'alternative history' (which, I suppose, it could be). But now I see that it can be any kind of 'action', as long as it takes place in the (historical) past.

Like you say, fairly open. And, to my mind, certainly not excluding SF or fantasy.