Discussion Thread -- September 2014 75-word Writing Challenge

[Kylara]

of course they talk! How else would they decide who to eat

Maybe they could be speculately conversing about speculation in the speculative genre

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Amazing stories so far...a "Wow!" to every entrant! Isn't it interesting that the theme ANTHROPOMORPHISM is seemingly bringing out more...I don't know, human emotion, passion, personal pain, than last month's Innocence? I may not be explaining what I'm thinking very well, but these were wonderful genre/theme choices, Ashleyne!

Also, I knew what conkers was!! That excited me! Terrific story, Void.

 

[Ashleyne]

Thanks. I'm glad that people seem to be enjoying the theme

 

[Void]

Conkers were so much fun as a kid, but totally brutal on the knuckles! I'm glad you liked it Cat's Cradle!

 

[WinterLight]

IN THE DEEPEST, DARKEST HOUR.

I love this. You plucked some of my sad strings for a start.
Otherwise for me it conjures up a rich, almost pagan culture that extends back through their generations! An enticing insight into their mystery. Don't know why but they are black and white when I read it.
Great title too.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Oh, thank you so much. I took it, and the inspiration for the story, from a news story today. I shall reveal all when the voting is done.

And welcome to the challenges! Nice first entry.

 

[jastius]

anthropomorphism is different from personification, according to the oxford reference. personification is attaching human attributes to an otherwise unhumanlike animal object or symbol. (the wind howled, the birds chattered, the television glared shouting angrily) .
i think of castaway 's tom hanks talking to wilson the soccer ball as personification.
anthropormorphism is the change of other things into a human. like when 'family guy' the dog brian, walks around on two legs drinking a martini, and talking. or the 'uncle sam' figure representing the u.s.government.
the animals in george orwell's animal farm, becoming the masters where the pigs start living in the house, wearing clothes and walking on two feet, is considered the classic example of anthropormorphism.
anthro means man, and morph means to change into.(ism is of course the reference to the state of or condition of) ...
a commercial on now about the gum that chases away all the nasty breath smells that have grown legs and are following the man around in their chibi little fast food on the hoof designs are anthropomorphism.
anthropomorphism, becoming man.

i just thought i would throw the definition out there.
goes back into cave

 

[Ashleyne]

When I choose the theme of anthropomorphism, I was thinking along the lines or Roger Rabbit, Looney Toons, Watership Down, Arthur (the aardvark) or even a magical reason for anthropomorphism like the candle and the clock from Beauty and the Beast: non-humans acting like humans. However as far as I’m aware, anthropomorphism and personification are often used interchangeably. Furthermore, anthropomorphic is a synonym for human-like, so as far as I'm concerned, any depiction of a non-human coming across as being human-like in any way, shape or form should be considered t’ve been written within the theme.

Some of the entries, so far, are extremely artistic. Makes me almost (not quite, but ‘almost’) wish that I’d written something less cartoonish.

 

[Serendipity]

Ohh... lovely.... can I bring my pet robo-cat along? Will I get double votes for a double anthropomorphism?

[Oh my fibre-optic fur and whiskers... I wish I could delete my author's post, but the nasty computer won't let. So please, please, forget my author's post... I'll make sure she doesn't post a story about me... being a computer myself, I have the means...]

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Hex -- An unusually vivid horror story with powerful emotional impact.

springs -- A heartbreaking tale with characters for whom we deeply feel.

Talysia -- A stirring story of heroism with an unusually sympathetic protagonist.

Ashleyne. B. Watts -- A highly imaginative tale that transports to another world within our own.

Void -- An unusual story which makes use of a unique point of view to draw in the reader.

Robert Mackay -- A remarkably structured tale which carries its strongest message in what is left unsaid.

WinterLight -- A highly creative story which brings an unexpected character to life.

 

[Ashleyne]

Thanks for the awesome review, Victoria

Serendipity, it sounds like your pet robo-cat would fit in nicely. I'm not sure about the double votes, though.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Thanks, Victoria.

 

[Void]

Thank you for the thoughtful review Victoria Silverwolf!

 

[Bowler1]

I could have a talking bear, but who'd believe that... as if. Thankfully I can have robots, but I've done them, so I think I'll ponder some more and see what I can come up with. An interesting theme and already drawing in a raft of new members, which is good to see.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

anthropomorphism is different from personification, according to the oxford reference.

As always, it will be the voters who decide if a story fits the theme or not. Ashleyne is fine with a broader definition, and I suspect that voters will be as well. Part of what makes the challenges so exciting is the variety we see in the stories and interpretation of the theme each month.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Nice, Juliana. My, it's going to be a good month...

 

[Juliana]

It's been a while since I posted on the first day. Fun challenge!

Mine has a stoooory behind it; I'll tell when the challenge is over.

Edited to add: thanks springs!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Juliana -- This tale brilliantly captures the world of a child.

 

[Zoe Mackay]

Thanks Victoria!

I really liked "Knight Light" - I enjoy the commonplace being scary, and this has lovely echoes of the far side's Monster Snorkel cartoon. The last sentence, in particular, works wonderfully.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I have added a note to the Challenge thread:

** Please do not use the "Like" button in (the story) thread! **

This is not in response to anything that has occurred, but rather because I forgot to add it at the start. You're all doing fabulously so far!