DISCUSSION -- February 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[TheDustyZebra]

Thanks for the long-listing, Cascade!

 

[Anne Martin]

I'm back to my old tricks. No long or short lists this time. Having read a LOT of Magical Realism, the winner was clear for me. Winterlight's The River King's Daughter caught the essence of the genre in just a few short sentences. The vivid description in it was so magical that the brief bit of action came to life for me.

 

[Droflet]

Groan. Another impossible task. So here we go again:
Honourable Mentions:
Mr Orange - Hex - Remedy - Glen - Phyrebrat - StillLearning - Azzagorn - Perp and Dusty.
Vote had to go to Starbeast. What a feast.
Well done to everyone, again this month.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Thank you for the shortlisting, Cascade. Nice to wake up to that.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for the mention telford, greatly appreciated.

 

[Bowler1]

My mentions are Hex, Cat's Cradle, JohnnyJet, High Eight and Mosaix.
It came down to StilLearning and Telford, but any line with bunnies in get a vote.

A good theme, laters.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

The culling and voting seem to me to be the most challenging parts of these challenges. Well done, everyone, on another great month of stories! And thanks springs for an intriguing genre/theme combo.

So, the lists:

Honorables:
DG Jones, Michael Colton, Teresa, TDZ, UM

Shortlist:
Luiglin, Locksmith, willwallace, Tywin, Culwch, Darkchrome

Semi-Finalists:
Victoria, mosaix, Phyrebrat, Culwch, TJ

Finalists:
Kerry--a really beautiful and timeless story of loss. I loved this, Kerry, and thought it was wonderfully written (and I LOVE the name Astrid!).
WinterLight--a lovely story..such joy, and beautiful imagery.

Vote:
Very close, but I went for WinterLight's spirit-lifting tale. Someone here has mentioned there are challenge stories you wish you had written..this is one for me. Truly beautiful.

ps--Thank you, Bowler!

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Wow, thank you for the finalist mention, CC.

 

[holland]

My vote goes to Culhwch.

Runners-up: Mr Orange and willwallace.

 

[Ursa major]

Thanks for the Honourable Mention, CC.

 

[Droflet]

Holy *@+#*%$*. A vote from Bowler. Thanks so much. Glad you like bunnies.

 

[Azzagorn]

@telford thanks for the honourable mention. Much appreciated.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Difficult one, but my longlist, shortlist and vote* are as follows:

Mr Orange, Juliana, Michael Colton, Crystal Haven, Phyrebrat and Culhwch; Teresa, Telford and Ursa; Luiglin*

The Dark Lord had me in stitches with his Google Glass specs.

 

[Droflet]

Thank you sooo much for the mention, Kerry.

 

[Ursa major]

Thanks for the short-listing, Kerry.

 

[willwallace]

Thanks for being a runner-up, holland, and Cat's Cradle for the shortlist.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Thanks for the short-listing, Kerry.

So much intense punning had to be rewarded, Ursa.

 

[Dan Jones]

Dear me batpants, the challenge is closed and I haven't even done all my reviews yet! Pull your finger out, Jones.

Right. Cracks knuckles. Ow, that hurt!

 

[Dan Jones]

Thanks for the Honourable Mention, Cat's

 

[Perpetual Man]

Parson - There is something incredibly sinister here. It particularly works well showing just how Scarface works, moving around doing his best to tempt his victims, happy that even the smallest infraction is enough to allow his taint in.

BigJ- Great minds, it is said, think alike, and who am I to disabuse that notion? A totally different take on the hurricane of 2005, one that comes down to perspective. As you start reading it, there is the feeling that the story is a little light for the subject matter, but as you get to the end you realise that those telling the tale might not be human after all.

TJ - A very entertaining story that is filled with all the felines the reader could want. It also is a lesson in jumping to conclusions, especially when one would be a smart-alec without having all the salient details. Sometimes a tiger is just a tiger and no matter what, you never, ever pull it by the tail.

Jastius - There is a line where reality blurs and interpretations of happens can become nebulous. Two normal people playing roles during carnival cross a line and actually become the creatures they play, or were they always those fey folk, or perhaps they were just two lovers role playing. Well executed and mind boggling. (Well mine anyway)

TDZ - There is always a price. It is a staple of every story in which a deal is struck and this is the case here, someone might achieve true love but there is a time limit upon which they may appreciate it. But the twist here is simple but nicely delivered, a little bit of slight of hand in itself. It would seem as though a sacrifice to bring back someone you love is going to happen instead we have a true unification. It might be death, but it's a happy ending.

Ursa - (written with crossed legs). As always a pun-filled entertaining piece, filled with some larger than life characters, great idea setting up the end with the regular skill. An ending that delivers a good, solid conclusion with nothing left dangling.