DISCUSSION -- January 2015 75 Word Writing Challenge

[Cat's Cradle]

Thanks for the review, JLB! CC

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks, JLB, for the cool & insightful review!

 

[Dan Jones]

@Luiglin I love your story! Even Dark lords need someone to snuggle up to at night. Or sacrifice at the Altar of Darkness. Same thing, really.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

J.L. Borstlap -- This emotionally honest cry of the heart movingly portrays a situation many of us will have to face.

crystal haven -- Along with creating an exciting adventure story, the author reminds us that there are things worth more than material goods.

Luiglin -- Through the enchanted lens of fantasy, this lighthearted tale offers a satiric look at modern mating rituals.

Moonbat -- The unique structure of this powerful tale reflects the sensation of having to make a decision with no time for thought.

Phyrebrat -- The subtle nature of this carefully constructed study of the power of symbols rewards close reading.

Prescott Fry -- This intricate and introspective poem takes itself as part of its own subject.

johnnyjet -- With a lightly satiric touch, the author examines some aspects of the business world.

Boneman -- This vivid and realistic story shows us the sacrifces demanded by daily life.

DG Jones -- This mysterious and open-ended tale shows us the impossibility of some decisions.

Robert Mackay -- Through a glimpse into the lives of two characters, the author shows us that the countless ways that fate may take us are not always perfect.

 

[Azzagorn]

First challenge post of the year posted. Tough subject, love stories aren't my thing. Fun though. Only 11 more to keep my new years resolution.

 

[Prescott Fry]

Awesome job man!!! When I first got on here I was like wtf, I don't even know if somebody could say anything good about what I wrote. Thanks for the feedback. Wow!

 

[Prescott Fry]

J.L. Borstlap -- This emotionally honest cry of the heart movingly portrays a situation many of us will have to face.

crystal haven -- Along with creating an exciting adventure story, the author reminds us that there are things worth more than material goods.

Luiglin -- Through the enchanted lens of fantasy, this lighthearted tale offers a satiric look at modern mating rituals.

Moonbat -- The unique structure of this powerful tale reflects the sensation of having to make a decision with no time for thought.

Phyrebrat -- The subtle nature of this carefully constructed study of the power of symbols rewards close reading.

Prescott Fry -- This intricate and introspective poem takes itself as part of its own subject.

johnnyjet -- With a lightly satiric touch, the author examines some aspects of the business world.

Boneman -- This vivid and realistic story shows us the sacrifces demanded by daily life.

DG Jones -- This mysterious and open-ended tale shows us the impossibility of some decisions.

Robert Mackay -- Through a glimpse into the lives of two characters, the author shows us that the countless ways that fate may take us are not always perfect.

Thanks also silver wolf!

 

[J.L. Borstlap]

Love Outcome - (@Boneman ) Tense story at the start, but when you finish and see the result is one of life's greatest gifts you can't help but smile.

Circular - (@DG Jones ) Interesting one this one, so many possibilities for what the problem may be. My mind will settle on a world destructing program/virus or whatever you want to call it. Hank must choose destroy the world forever and die in the process, Yousef already decided that saving loved ones is good enough to be locked away forever.

The Unbroken Chain - (@Robert Mackay ) Keeping the topic in mind, I was hoping to see a "Yes", but Robert made me realize that love can sometimes mean that o keep on loving someone and not lose a relationship, ending or placing things on a pause is a better choice.

The Power of Love - (@Azzagorn ) Twisted but good story, for anybody that has not been in the shoes of someone at their end of life won't understand. Not even me, but to think that struggling day in and out just to survive, making the choice of dying happy and with a loved one rather than struggle further was obviously a choice they had to make.

 

[Boneman]

Thanks so much Victoria and JLB for the reviews - it's great to see your own story shown in the light of another person's view. Terrific job.

And thanks Winterlight for the comment - you are a generous and perspicacious person!

 

[crystal haven]

Thank you, Victoria.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Thank you JLB & Victoria

pH

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Azzagorn -- This moving story shows us the ability of simple humanity to endure through the horrors of war.

holland -- This bittersweet tale portrays the haunting memory of the road not taken.

 

[Luiglin]

@Luiglin I love your story! Even Dark lords need someone to snuggle up to at night. Or sacrifice at the Altar of Darkness. Same thing, really.

Cheers. The Dark Lord has many mundane issues ... most of his own doing.

Thanks for the review Victoria.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Phyrebrat - A story that opens with some stunning imagery before slipping into something that could be conceived as a bit darker. The loss of a loved one in tragic circumstances can lead to many possible results, searching for signs and meanings in the most innocuous of places, and even these can lead to hope and some form of peace of mind.


Prescott Fry - Something a little different but that does not make it any less entertaining. In fact is is a rather clever poem that mixes the reality with the fiction, blurring the lines between a message of love to some unidentified person and the actual writing of the 75 words. A great idea and well executed.


johnnyjet - this is one of those stories where an idea is sent spinning into my head and then no matter what I cannot remove that image. Anything else the story might be about is subsumed by that initial thought. In this instance the whole thing is a metaphor for a uhhh, hook up (although to be fair it’s a bit more complex than that). If this is the case I’m a genius, if not I’ve got a smutty mind. What can I say?


BM - A very clever piece that leads you down a path that seems very sinister, the kind of promise between two lovers that has failed and things cannot get much worth. But it is the last line that turns it all on its head and makes it feel like a ground piece, well written and very real. Excellent job.


D G Jones - Hmmm. Freedom. It’s a big concept, and this story touches on it in different ways. There is the big picture, the freedom of the masses, the effect that others might be able to have on that to change the world. But there is also the freedom of the individual, to amke choices. To hold a gun to anothers head. To sacrifice a life. To press a button. A strong, thought-provoking tale.


Robert Mackay - Another excellent story that manages to hit upon a massive picture. Very clever within just 75 words. It is such a small story in many ways, yet is positively universal in scope. All the possible outcomes to every different decision bringing people to a certain point. But the pay off is in that last line. Something so huge, then all put in perspective as a proposal is rejected.


Azzagorn - Something that shows how powerful love can be. Here we see a couple that stood together and faced the end together. No matter what. The whole thing is a strong counterpoint, the warmth and humanity of love, to the blistering and cold conclusion to the story. Better to die with love than to live cold.


holland - It is a good idea, as someone sets off to take another step in their life to meet the woman that they love, a fiancee it is a massive, massive thing on the person side of things. So what does it mean if you are on your way and meet another woman? Do you really fall fully in love, or is it some part of you, reacting to the changes ahead?

 

[Dan Jones]

@Perpetual Man, you clearly are possessed of enormous and possibly illegal levels of cool. Thank you for your brilliant review.

@Victoria Silverwolf, thanks also for your continued support.

@J.L. Borstlap, I love your interpretation of my story, thank you for sharing it. It made me feel a bit like Goethe. But only a bit.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Wow, Perp. You're the bossest of boss. Thank you so much for your review. How spoilt are we to have Victoria, you and JLB commenting on our entries!

pH

@Perpetual Man, you clearly are possessed of enormous and possibly illegal levels of cool. Thank you for your brilliant review.

Seconded!

 

[Azzagorn]

@Perpetual Man @Victoria Silverwolf @J.L. Borstlap thank you for the reviews. I really found this one taxing and its always nice to see some positive words.

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks, JLB, Victoria & PM for your fascinating and varied reviews of my piece!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Sancho -- With sly wit, this pointed satire on modern social norms is sure to raise a few eyebrows.

 

[Sancho]

Sancho -- With sly wit, this pointed satire on modern social norms is sure to raise a few eyebrows.

Thanks for the review Victoria and Great Challenge this month
I love the diversity of the entries. However I find this genre particularly challenging...Is it just me?
I must have binned about 6-7 storylines before settling on this one.