DISCUSSION -- January 2015 75 Word Writing Challenge

[ratsy]

TBN (@The Bravest Newbie ) thanks a lot, and yes I'm glad you found it funny.

Victoria, thanks for the great review once again!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Juliana -- By revealing only one side of a conversation, the author creates a great sense of the unexpected.

 

[Juliana]

Thank you Victoria.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I'm worried my entry is a bit too…controversial or some word like that. Can someone tell me?

We aren't worried about challenging subject matter. This is a family friendly forum, and we were getting worried because there seemed to be an escalation in the shock value in many of the stories, but what concerns us most is how a story is handled. If there had been graphic descriptions of strangulation, your story probably would not be appropriate for this site -- and an overtly sexualized story might be a problem, too. But you focused on the characters, their situation, and their desperation, which made a more powerful story, and without the gross details. The same with Cascade. We didn't see the sex, we saw the aftermath, which was poignant and true to life.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

I'm in.


Don't say I didn't put anything in. It was spur of the moment, but it's in.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Karn Maeshalanadae -- The author creates a sense of emotional suspense, and adds a comic twist.

 

[willwallace]

Karn , I had to laugh at your entry, then showed it to my son, who laughed too. Every night he has cookies and milk, and the only two brands he eats are Oreos and Chips Ahoy.

ps, he's a college junior.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Spur of the moment. I had to get something in and I've been pretty serious lately anyway with my entries.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Okay, I could not wait! I had been saving the 75 worder as a reward for some other work I needed to do...I hadn't even read the genre/theme yet. BUT, a little while ago, my weaknesses overwhelmed my resolve, and I peeked...and I loved the choices! I love your choices, Victoria! And I'm about to post my story.

So many great entries so far, gang! I really like the wide range of concepts the genre/theme choices have inspired in us. Hope the muse of each person who hasn't entered yet strikes soon, and strikes well!! Best of luck all, CC

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Cat's Cradle -- The author creates an emotionally powerful story with the hope of redemption.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Thank you for the review, Victoria!

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Many thanks for the review.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Oh dear...there were some posts recently in another thread where folks were talking about the folly of trying to write while drinking alcohol. Well, I'll mention first that I am a chronic insomniac. I couldn't sleep last night, so I took half a sleeping pill. I still couldn't sleep so I came here and took a look at the 75 worder's genre/theme choices. And then I wrote and posted a story, *sigh*. I would advise also not writing while on sleeping pills! Well, there's always the 300 worder.

 

[farntfar]

Oh dear.... Some of us can't write that well drugged up or not.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

That's very kind, farntfar...but I wish it wasn't so dark. I should have written a romance, and this isn't very happy. But enough said, except I hope it isn't so dark it bothers people.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Big J - One man and his dog. It should be remembered that there is much more to love than pure romance. What about the unconditional acceptance that can come, not from a human soul mate, but from the pure undiluted love of a dog for his master. And if the master is asked to make a choice between the human and canine? Well perhaps it is a question that should not be asked...


springs - What is more powerful the love of your life, or the love of your people? It is a question that is not always considered and in just 75 words the writer manages to convey just how heart wrenching such a thing could be. But then there are the little victories, the things you can take when you leave.


Ashleyne - A great humorous piece, that even winks at itself when one of the characters asks the very question. But who is to say that what our principal character asks for is not fair? After if love equates to happiness, surely you take the path, whatever it maybe to take you to that happiness. Even if it does make you a right swine.


willwallace - a truly touching story that somehow makes you smile a couple of times. A nice look at the living dead, seen from the angle of them trying to adjust to living ‘normal’ lives. I liked the way he had to be careful when slapping hand, and the end is just to die for.


Farntfar - How much do we ever truly know about those we love? What is clever here is the number of angles that are naturally placed in the story, whether it is the mismatched love of two people who would be possible opponents, through to the suggestion of an idea that love might exist in a beautiful friendship and little more.


Cascade - A story that perhaps tells it as it is for many. The brilliant ambiguity of the opening three lines ‘might’ tells us so much of what the situation is and what is going on. There is a haunting feeling of what might be and then the onging exit of a possible lothario.


Victoria - When you are in a position of power choosing a partner can mean more than just love. You need to have things that balance your own strengths; you need to have things that strengthen the lands that rule. So what do you choose? Well ooh-la-la you can have all three.


telford - And love takes a twisted turn into another aspect, the dark attraction of addiction and all that goes with it. Not only does it examine the meaning of songs to one in love, but as a grimmer reality takes hold, it shows how addiction can transform meaning into something else entirely, a justification for a love that claims you and just will not let go.

 

[farntfar]

Thank you Perp for your terrific review.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Runs in, grabs Perp, swings him round and gushes about welcoming him and thanking him and hoping he's feeling better all in one breath.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Picks up Perp and dusts him off.

Sheesh, you're gonna scare him!

 

[ratsy]

Pats Perp on the back, hands him a Reindeer beer ( last one left from the holidays ) and slowly backs away