Discussion Thread -- September 2014 75-word Writing Challenge

[Ashleyne]

Thanks, johnyjet, for the shortlisting

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Wow-wow, thank you so much, Boneman! Very surprising stuff, to have my story in contention with so many wonderful tales...it's very humbling. Looks like another exciting finish! Best of luck to all!!!!!! CC

 

[Jo Zebedee]

lots of thanks for the mention, TDZ and Tein. Tomorrow I will reveal the inspiration behind it all.

Ooh, close at the top.

 

[Juliana]

Thank you for the mentions, JJ, TDZ, TEIN and Boneman. Lovely to wake up and find myself on so many lists.

 

[The Judge]

When I first read through the stories I was my usual pernickity self in assessing theme and genre and made mental "Does not Qualify" lists, but oddly when I came to choose my shortlist the quality of some pieces made me overlook the fact they didn't meet my strict definition of anthropomorphism and/or sneak into the speculative fiction requirement. Anyway, my short list, which is a bit longer than usual:

Boneman -- KitchenSink Drama
Bowler1 -- The Smart Car
Culhwch -- Felis Familiaris
HareBrain -- Linen
Hex -- The Screamers
Juliana -- Knight Light
martin321 -- Dropship Sweethearts
Teresa -- Foreboding
Victoria -- Sublimation

The two that stayed with me from my first read were Juliana's and Teresa's, and although the others in the shortlist were very good, none could o'erleap them even on second and third readings. After a long tussle and a tossed coin Teresa just made the vote, with Juliana having a consolation prize for the best title this month. And a special prize for Boneman for his "Mary had a little lamb" joke which had me spluttering into my tea!

Loving thank yous for the mentions/shortlistings Juliana, Chris P, Parson and johnnyjet, and for the runners-up-ship, Talysia, and huge ship-kissy thanks to Bowler for the vote!

 

[farntfar]

My shortlist
Mosaix
Talysia
Nixie
Cat's Cradle
Teresa
Boneman

Vote Teresa Edgerton

 

[hopewrites]

thank you @TheDustyZebra for the listing

 

[Talysia]

Many thanks for the shortlisting, Farntfar.

 

[HareBrain]

At the risk of repeating parts of TJ's post ...

I was quite strict choosing a list only from entries that I thought had anthropomorphism as the theme, rather than the genre. The best of those that qualified were from Juliana, Teresa and The Judge, and I voted for Teresa's.


ETA: thanks for the stealth vote, Remedy!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Wow, I wake up (yes, I'm waking up at this hour) to a flurry of votes. Thank you all very much!

 

[Juliana]

Thank you very much, HareBrain and TJ! And TJ, I'll take the consolation prize.

 

[Ursa major]

I had to make the following list on the sly: if Thread Bear hears that inanimate objects can come alive, it'll freak him out. (And that's never a good thing.)

​

Honourable Mentions:

• IN THE DEEPEST, DARKEST HOUR. by Springs
• The Moral Growth One Evening Of Those Inside a Dishwasher by Cat's Cradle
• Delicious Dealings with Dimwitted Deities by Perpetual Man
• Felis Familiaris by Culhwch

Runners Up:

• Sublimation by Victoria Silverwolf
• Knight Light by Juliana
• Foreboding by Teresa Edgerton

Winner:

• The Alternate View... by mosaix

​

(In the above, each category is ordered by time of posting.)

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Thank you, farntfar for the listing! A listing is golden!

And congratulations to Teresa on the swell of votes that crashed ashore for her! An impressive seizing of the reins of control here, so I think I can get to bed a bit early tonight! Your story is beautifully written, Teresa, and very effective.

Forgive me, I have approximately 1 glass of wine a month to relax, and tonight--and this past hour, actually--saw that imbibing, so my mind is newly untethered, and I think my bed is calling (I, sirs and mesdames, am a lightweight!). It was a tremendously fun challenge this month, and I think so many of us presented stories that we can be proud of. Looking forward to two writing challenges in October! We'll all do terrifically well! Night all! CC

ps--thank you you big Ursa Bear for the listing!!!

 

[ratsy]

Congrats Teresa!!! Well done (and you were my runner up)

Thanks to Tein and Boneman for the short-lists

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

That's very kind, but congratulations are premature. Another handful of votes and there are several people who could seize the lead!

 

[Ursa major]

The poll is now closed and we have a winner.

Congratulations, Teresa Edgerton!​

 

[Juliana]

Well done Teresa! Well deserved.

And thanks, Ursa, for the mention.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Hey, good on you, TE.


Let's get some Halloween specials here.

 

[Ashleyne]

Congratulations, Teresa. Looking forward to seeing what genre and theme you choose for next month's challenge

 

[ratsy]

Okay...now I can say Congrats! It was 5 pm or something here so I figured we were close enough