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

[TheDustyZebra]

You know, I came to find out when the next 300 word challenge was. Impeccable timing, if I may say so myself.

It must have been calling you!

 

[Juliana]

Thanks, CC!

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Finally got the damn thing in. It's a shame my original was so freaking big; I really wanted it to go without the brutal cuts of editing.


But this one turned out alright, I think; the final paragraph not intended to be such, but it works. I think.

 

[alchemist]

For the cool kids on Twitter, I've re-animated #300wordchallenge

Spread the word!

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Nice story, Khayos! I thought the dialogue was very well done.

 

[Khayos]

Thank you Cat's Cradle! Dialogue was always something I struggled with in the past so that's nice feedback to get!

All the stories are really good, I've never really looked at the 300 word challenge, but I'm enjoying it so far, the picture concept is interesting.

 

[HareBrain]

Sadly, I've had to remove an entry for being over the word-count limit. For those of you who haven't posted yet, and for future challenges, please be careful with word-count. Don't rely on Word etc to count them unless you know exactly what it will count as a "word", and especially be careful with hyphenations and combining two words into one (which can happen by accident if you miss out the space between a full-stop/period and the next word). If you're in any doubt whether hyphenated or combined words count as one or more, count the elements separately to be on the safe side, or PM one of the mods before you post your entry, so we can gather by candlelight and ask some underworld entity what they think.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

That's a bummer, HareBrain, would have loved to have you in the mix.

I hope we can read the story after the Challenge ends. Sorry again, CC

 

[HareBrain]

It wasn't mine, CC -- I had to remove someone else's. Which is a shame, but it happens from time to time.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Ah, I see, sorry--poor reading on my part, HareBrain! Condolences to the person whose story was over 300...I think we'd all love to see the tale at some point. CC

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

And that is the reason why I don't like to automatically utilize all the words allotted in the challenges. Best to give yourself a bit of wiggle room just in case things like this happen. The very first 300 we had, my entry was removed because of this reason. I learned my lesson quickly there.

 

[Juliana]

And that is the reason why I don't like to automatically utilize all the words allotted in the challenges. Best to give yourself a bit of wiggle room just in case things like this happen. The very first 300 we had, my entry was removed because of this reason. I learned my lesson quickly there.

And watch the hyphenated words; I always count them as two words just in case.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

It's best to do the count yourself rather than relying on your word processor -- at the very least to confirm that the word processor got it right. Maybe get a friend or family member to count as well to see if you both get the same number. If you don't ... well, it's time for one of you to do another count.

If you know that you had a lot of words to spare, then it's not so necessary to count and count again. Although it's not a bad idea. But if you were close to the allotted word count, then make sure that you didn't go over. It's always very sad when someone's efforts turn out to be in vain because they didn't verify their own count and we have to remove a good story.

 

[StilLearning]

Ummed and ahhed about mine, but in the end my alternatives just wouldn't fit into 300 words.. or wouldn't stretch to anything like that!

 

[Aun Doorback]

Well I haven't done this for a while but had some time this morning so sat out under an umbrella in my garden in the rain with a fine cigar and enjoyed myself!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Cat's Cradle -- This surreal story, full of vivid sensory images, presents us with the dilemma we all face, of making the correct choices with limited information.

springs -- By creating characters we can feel for, the author allows us to feel the full force of their tragedy.

telford -- The author combines the sweeping vision of classic space opera with the poignancy of an individual's courage in the face of doom.

Remedy -- This touching allegory of despair and hope is sure to fill the reader with complex emotions.

farntfar -- By using a point of view which takes in the vast tapestry of time, the author creates a story with a staggering revelation at the end.

ratsy -- With a carefully crafted mood of gentle sadness, the author aloows us to confront the monsters within ourselves.

Ashleyne. B. Watts -- A three-dimensional portrait of a young adult yearning for independence reminds us of our own fears and desires as we leave childhood behind.

Julia -- With the touch of an enchanter, the author creates a true sense of wonder in this otherworldly tale.

A. Fare Wells -- Through the ingenious use of an inanimate object as a narrator, the author offers the reader a powerful fable of the thoughtlessness of humanity.

Karn Maeshalanadae -- Like a true folktale, this realistically told cautionary tale captures the imagination of the reader.

alchemist -- The vastness of the universe which surrounds us is movingly portrayed in this encounter between the mundane and the extraordinary.

reiver33 -- In a striking way, the author makes use of an unreliable narrator who leads the reader into a labyrinth of the fantastic.

Mouse -- Through the use of seemingly ordinary language, the author builds a sense of terror with deceptive gentleness.

Khayos -- The author creates a remarkable new myth of loss and regret, while offering us a fully realized character.

WordSpinner -- With a true sense of the uncanny, this horror story is sure to chill the reader's spine.

StilLearning -- With the skill of a juggler, the author manages to mix religion, myth, science fiction, and bawdy comedy into a merry mixture of fun.

Aun Doorback -- This bittersweet love story reminds us that what we have lost may sometimes be found again.

Phyrebrat -- A love of nature and a poetic touch can be found within this romantic fantasy.

 

[Droflet]

Thanks, Victoria.

 

[Juliana]

Thank you very much Victoria!

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Wow, lovely story, Victoria...I wish I had your gift for reviewing, it deserves a more fitting description, but I will say again that it's lovely. CC

ps‐‐thank you for the terrific review of my own tale!

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Many thanks, Victoria. A bit of a thing with my original version, but, it would have been horribly massacred by putting it in size.