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

[Kylara]

Thanks for the review Victoria

 

[Rafellin]

Well, that was an intriguing mix with interesting commonalities from such a neutral image.

Honourable mentions:

StilLearning for making me laugh.
Dusty Zebra for bringing the mystery.

Votes:

springs, telford, gdoc


Finally; thanks for my review, Victoria.

 

[WordSpinner]

As others have mentioned, there were a lot of great stories to choose from. I am copying a very efficient way of Shortlist, shorter, and *vote* I have seen around here. In no particular order;

Ballad
*Escape*
When the Salmon Run
Blutgift
Journal of Impossible Things
Event Horizon
Star Date
*A Better Man*
Ensnared
Live Long and Prosper
Me 'n' My Starman
*Lost Daughter*


In No particular Order-

Escape - by The Judge
Wow, I wasn't expecting that ending! I thought the narrator was a harrowed victim trying to escape the evil captors...boy was I wrong, and your delivery was superb. Your vivid word usage left me enveloped in terror and mystery. I wonder what this terrible creature's purpose and motivation is to hunt the hunters and feast on their jelly eyeballs! Does he do it for sport? I think so! This funny and creepy story left a lasting impression on me. Nicely done.

A Better Man - by springs
Great story! You gave me an emotional journey into the tenderness and terror of being hunted by someone you loved, and knows how you think. I could feel the pang of loss and regret as the narrator laments his misfortunes. In the end I really enjoyed the words of hope, that even against the odds he would not give up. Maybe some day Jayne would see him as the 'better man'? I think in the times to come He and Jayne will come to rely on each other and see the strengths in themselves that Tom's personality could never allow, by the sheer awesomeness of his presence in their lives. Now is the time for these two to show their own worth! Excellent Job!

*Lost Daughter - by Juliana*
This story stood out to me immediately! With only 300 words (or less) You have painted a rich experience full of mystery. I see a strange alien world with majestic moons, dangers lurking outside the 'protective walls', and the 'old ones' ruling from within. I see lore and tribes and fighting within, and between the cracks in their perception, a 'Daughter' escapes the turmoil and comes to our world? Perhaps. Now with the aid of incredible magic from her world and the mysteriously tempting magic of ours, a sister must find the 'lost' one. I really cannot believe the amount of lore and mystery you packed into 300 words and still maintained it's entertaining value. Great job!

 

[Kylara]

Thanks for the shorter-listing Really appreciate it! Especially considering how little time I had to write and stick it up! Thanks

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Rafellin and Wordspinner, many thanks for the vote and for your comments, Wordspinner. I'm fairly floored. in a good way.

 

[Juliana]

WordSpinner, thank you so much for the vote and the kind words. Glad you liked it!

 

[Droflet]

Wow, a vote. Thanks Rafellin.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Oh, too hard! I feel like apologizing to anyone I can't vote for...

..for shortlisting, springs, Victoria, Telford, Teresa, gdoc, Alchemy, UM, Dusty...I could name them all, it was an amazing month.

My votes:

The Judge--a brilliant twist at the end, and so well written.
Phyrebrat--beautifully, movingly written, well done!
Perpetual Man--possibly my favorite, it's lovely.

Congratulations, one and all!

 

[Droflet]

Thanks for the mention, CC.

Now for the ordeal. Honorable mentions (and all so close to a vote):
Alc - Aun - Victoria - Mosaix - Ursa - Khayos - TJ - TSP -

Abernovo - CC - Khayos - Culhwich.

Votes: Remedy - Mouse - GDOC (welcome)

Crikey, this isn't getting any easier.

 

[Ursa major]

Thanks for the mentions, Cat's Cradle and Telford.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Thanks, cat's cradle for the shortlisting!

 

[Ashleyne]

Wow! Thanks for the vote, A. Fare Wells

Oh and thanks to all of the people who commented on my intention of overcoming of my horrible experience.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

You're welcome, Telford, springs & UM! Fine stories, all!

 

[farntfar]

Ooh! Thanks for your shortlistings Mosaix and Wordspinner.
A lovely thing to find on my return from holiday.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for the vote CC and the very kind words.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Thanks, Kerry, for the vote.

I like your 75-er very much. and welcome to the Chrons!

 

[martin321]

Here is my shortlist and *votes*:

telford - Twinkling Lights
Remedy - Where the Star Trees Grow
*alchemist* - Me ‘n’ my Starman
StilLearning - The pride of Pan?
gdoc - Blutgift
*mosaix* - One For The…
Culhwch - Prologue
*Teresa Edgerton* - BALLAD

 

[farntfar]

Hell! They were all brilliant.

I especially enjoyed

Telford
Remedy
Mouse
Khayos
Phyrebrat
Victoria
JohnnyJet
Chrispenycate
Mosaix
Starbeast
Culhwch
Rafellin
The Judge
Kylarra
Abernovo
Teresa Edgerton


and I'm voting for
Victoria____________Night and the river
The Judge__________Escape
Kylarra_____________Ensnarred

 

[alchemist]

Huge thanks to springs, mosaix, nixie and martin321 for the votes! And also to those who mentioned my story. Now, to vote...


#

And within the edit window too!

The shortlist, with votes*

springs
Remedy
StilLearning
gdoc*
mosaix*
Culhwch*
The Judge
Abernovo

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Thank you mosaix, martin321, and Karn for the votes!

Also Cat's Cradle and farntfar for the listings.

***

I only have one list and the **three I voted for** because when I tried to divide it up between a long list and a short list stories kept slipping back and forth between the two. It was also very hard indeed coming up with the final three, because there were so many exceptional stories.

Khayos
ratsy
chrispenycate
Perpetual Man
TheDustyZebra
Kylara
Remedy
A. Fare Wells
gdoc
Culhwch
Ursa major
**springs**
**Juliana**
**Phyrebrat**