DISCUSSION -- July 2014 300-word Writing Challenge (#14)

[Phyrebrat]

That's why I couldn't find it -- I was looking too far back! I guess Feb 2013 is getting perilously close to being "a couple of years ago", isn't it?

I remembered that story, because it reminded me of Something Wicked This Way Comes, and it was fabulous.

I think you did get that same feeling in this story, though differently. Yes, that makes perfect sense, I know.

Look, I'm a dance teacher, okay; I only need to be able to count up to 8. One year's hard enough (5, 6, 7, 8, many, many, many, many) but two.... You can't seriously expect me to count that high.

You have probably solved a mystery tho; I was telling my sis that I recently read Something Wicked and loved it, and thanked her for recommending it. She said she hadn't so I'm guessing it was you who did(?)

And thanks for the lovely compliment!

Springs, in what sense do you mean 'authentic'? It read very well and even with the characters semi-veiled sexuality, it was still clear. I don't think I know more than a couple of bi people so I don't have a frame of reference. But what I would say is that we all think our sexuality is 'normal' or 'regular' so we rarely think about how we sound as a gay/straight/bi/queer person. I'm not sure if that helps. To be honest I work in an extremely homophobic environment, and I abhor the gay scene so my exposure to these things is minimal. I would just balk at an author who wrote an LGBTQ character and constantly wrote about their LGBTQ-ness.*

pH

* I fell out with a friend 20 years ago when she found out I was gay and told me off because I didn't tell her. I said it was a tiny, private section of my life that didn't define me, and that I'd never met a straight person who'd felt the need to say, 'Hi, I'm <name> and I'm straight'.

Okay, sorry, wayyyyyyy off-topic there.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Nah, you'd said earlier in the month you wondered if you'd pick it up first read, and I wondered if you had, or if I'd laid it on too thick (since I'm also of the you are what you are and that's a person school), so then I was intrigued to know. No biggie. fwiw, I don't think the voice should sound any different but, perhaps, that the frame of reference of your life should reflect your experiences, be that whatever they are*.

* which, like you say, means they only get referenced if it's relevant at any given point.

 

[Remedy]

This does make for much more interesting reading. I like to see where the ideas come from...

My story evolved from thinking about secret plants that only come out at night. That if no one had been in the right place at the right time, how would they ever be discovered? - So I built a scenario for that to happen... But the more I thought of the character, the more the situation for the star trees' appearance changed. Hence, the tale became focused on the character's life and the "morbid boy scout" line got stuck in my head.
Eventually I finished the story in the murky area of "does it count as fantasy / sci fi?" - But, I liked the questions it raised.

Am I allowed to ask if people thought my story counted as fantasy in the end? (explaining my question would explain my story, I don't think I should do that)

 

[Jo Zebedee]

It was fantasy enough for me, Remedy. But I also voted for Alc's which wasn't, really, I think sci-fi and Mosaix's which, as Bowler mentioned, wasn't clearly linked to the picture *

* which isn't a problem in the 300 - the picture provides inspiration only.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Nah, you'd said earlier in the month you wondered if you'd pick it up first read, and I wondered if you had, or if I'd laid it on too thick (since I'm also of the you are what you are and that's a person school),

Oh I completely forgot about that; yes you're right. Yes it popped right out with no overwrought-ness etc . Looking back now at my comment the other week - as I had not read your story then - I was anticipating a huge deal/reveal about the character saying or revealing his sexuality. As it turns out, it was organic and I got it it first-read.

Am I allowed to ask if people thought my story counted as fantasy in the end? (explaining my question would explain my story, I don't think I should do that)

Well, you can guess what I thought of yours. I knew it was a contender from the moment I read it. And I would have definitely categorised it as fantasy, but perhaps with a sci-fi hue to it, in the way Avatar has.

I find similar names appearing on my shortlists (both for this and the 75) and I usually like offerings from you, Brev, johnnyjet, Stormcrow & Hex. Overtime we get accustomed, not just to people's style, but the content they tend to lean towards in their writing. I know with TJ and Hex, for example that I am often going to enjoy a tale with a dark twist or some kind of misanthropic irony, and notes on the Human Condition.

I think I've only managed a small handful of more uplifting submissions for these challenges, and I envy when I read stories from people like you who have made something so beautiful, so gracefully (in fact now I think about it, I can't even recall one story I've posted that has been optimistic).

It was fantasy enough for me, Remedy. But I also voted for Alc's which wasn't, really, I think sci-fi and Mosaix's which, as Bowler mentioned, wasn't clearly linked to the picture *

* which isn't a problem in the 300 - the picture provides inspiration only.

Yup, that's one of the things I love about this challenge over the 75: You get the picture in your mind and whatever comes out is fair game. Just look at the array of stories this month. I just wish more people would submit stories.

pH

 

[Rafellin]

Had a bit of trouble with this picture. For me, the first thing that sprang to mind was 'why are they there?' Stepping away from slasher movie and Sunday afternoon TV film reasons, it had to be something powerful. I like a bit of dynamism, if not 'in camera', then in motive.

Which led me to observers, as in commemorative of something.

Which woke an 'old friend'...

The Templar conquest of the universe is a loose, catch-all heading for several stories of mine, drawn from the fact that to go forth, one needs reason. In a world riddled with profiteering, it's fun to rework it to be a faith-driven thing - plus it gives scope for all the power, majesty and atrocity that religious drives can provide.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I like hearing the stories of the stories. I'm trying to think who I vote for a lot. Harebrain, definitely, and Alchemist often gets a nod. TDZ, too, and Hex, and Mosaix, and I often like Chrispy's poetry. But, really, there're loads I love the style of writing of.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

and Mosaix's which, as Bowler mentioned, wasn't clearly linked to the picture *

* which isn't a problem in the 300 - the picture provides inspiration only.

I see the link in mosaix's story as being the fact that the guy came from the stars. Andromeda, specifically, which is bound to be in the picture somewhere, with all those stars.

 

[Remedy]

Which woke an 'old friend'...

The Templar conquest of the universe is a loose, catch-all heading for several stories of mine, drawn from the fact that to go forth, one needs reason.

I like that Rafellin. The universal crusade is a wicked concept.

Phyre - Thank you for the vote and your very kind words.
I tend to use the 300 to try out new stuff. Last 300, I tried to dip my toe in a bit of Greek Mythology (which I would never usually do)... and it failed miserably! However, I was glad to have tried out something different.

I notice recurring names appearing on my shortlists too. Its always great to see a new one there though.

You don't have to write optimistic stories - I like your dark and gritty horrors.

ratsy - Your entry really sold that mood to me. If I hadn't been lazy and I had posted my short list, you would have been there - I really liked the ending.

springs - Thank you. I'm glad it was fantasy enough for you. I find that sometimes a story or idea in my head has to come out and be written. Whether it can fully meet the criteria or not (possibly not the best way to tackle these challenges though)

 

[Perpetual Man]

A shortlist:

Springs
Ratsy
Alc
Mouse
Victoria
Johnnyjet
Cul
Teresa

Votes:
Alc
Cul
Teresa

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I can't look anymore.

*peeps*

Thanks Perp for the the lovely mention

 

[ratsy]

Thanks for saying that Remedy

And Perp, I'm most grateful to be on your list

Good luck to the front-runners, this is a close one!

 

[Boneman]

So, I've no idea of the voting thingies, because I've read all the stories, and I'm about to vote, sight unseen. To stand out in this challenge is unbelievably difficult because there are so many excellent entries. Any of my list could have gained a vote, and eight votes would have made me happier, beause I hated separating them. But there can be only one... erm, three... and those are in bold. I'm actually quite relieved I didn't take part in this challenge, it wouild have been very intimidating, but well done to the photo-chooser!

Springs
gdoc
Mosaix
Culhwch
Ursa Major
The Dusty Zebra
Abernovo
Teresa Edgerton

 

[Rafellin]

I like that Rafellin. The universal crusade is a wicked concept.

Thankee. One day I might knit all the bits together... One day...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Good luck to the front-runners, this is a close one!

The mods and the Irish (and a couple of others - I'm just keeping it simple.) We could line up in a Riverdance sort of stand-off. Except I'm pretty sure that Alchemist's about as good at a celidh twirl as I am...

Thank you, lovely Boneman for the mention. We'll see you back here next time, sir, right? Right.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Thank you, lovely Boneman, for the vote!

 

[Ursa major]

Celidh? Give or take the spelling, isn't that another name for lemonade powder (or crystals)?

 

[johnnyjet]

So many excellent stories! Everyone pulled out all the stops and produced some fine writing and creative concepts.

So after a lot of painful whittling:

Long List, Short List and *** Favorites ***:

1. Falling - Cat's Cradle
2. A Better Man – springs
3. Where the Star Trees Grow – Remedy
4. Live Long and Prosper – farntfar
5. Change – ratsy
6. The Lost Daughter – Juliana
7. *** Me 'n' My Starman – alchemist ***
8. (And I Feel Fine) – Mouse
9. *** When the Salmon Run – Phyrebrat ***
10. *** Night and the River - Victoria Silverwolf ***
11. Blutgift – gdoc
12. No Mere Accident - Ursa major
13. A Journal of Impossible Things – TheDustyZebra
14. Ensnared – Kylara
15. Ballad - Teresa Edgerton

 

[johnnyjet]

And thanks to farntfar & Perpetual Man for the short listings!!!

 

[farntfar]

Thank you Johnnyjet for your shortlisting. That really cheered me up after a tough day.