DISCUSSION -- February 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[Remedy]

What's wrong with this month Remedy? I love reviews, why wait?

I never felt the urge myself, but I do like to see what other people see in my attempts at creativity. Go on... give it a go.

Hey @Remedy , given it's my first month reviewing, I'd wholly recommend it. It makes you consider the stories in a different way, and is another excellent form of writing practise, and it's great fun - I think I really appreciate everybody's efforts more through posting the reviews!

I may take you both up on the challenge. I'm off to Sweden this week, for my first time skiing.

If I can find the time to write reviews for everyone, while I warm myself by the fire, I will. I'll be on the iPad though, so that could cause immense frustration. No promises

I might break a bone on my first day and end up writing reviews while I recover

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks for the nice reviews, DG and Victoria!

 

[Tywin]

Have fun on the slopes Remedy!

 

[Perpetual Man]

I might break a bone on my first day and end up writing reviews while I recover

Don't do this just so you can write the reviews....

 

[Perpetual Man]

Remedy - A very interesting and clever interpretation of the challenge, where a life of pure mundanity is transformed into something much more wonderful and colourful, just by being in the presence of one you love, be it a wistful crush to something more full blown.

Locksmith - Some beautiful imagery spun into a tale that revolves nicely. Is it reality touched by some form of enchantment, or could it just be silhouettes, chasing one another on an endlessly revolving display... of life.

willwallace - What to make of this one eh? There is enough innuendo to hint at something more than just the story, while at the same time maintaining an innocence that means the punchline makes you smile. There is also a great reality in someone just wanting to be something other than themselves during carnival!

Teresa - How much to people rely on what they are told, especially if they believe in what is doing the telling? While some might find the tarot to be mumbo-jumbo, others might live their lives by it, but even if they do can their interpretation of the cards be the right one, or do they just interpret what they have been told, taking it to mean what they want it to?

Tywin - Almost as though the collection of beads is some form of competition, we get to see just what some people are prepared to do to get the biggest and the best. There is a fun conclusion to the tale, with the caveat that this might be life in the microcosm...

telford - With a story that started reminding me of the Muppets, we get something that might be potentially one of the funniest as well as one of the most disturbing stories we have had in a long time. In my head that conclusion has somehow managed to creep around the front and sear my eyeballs. Good fun!

johnnyjet - something almost beautiful and evocative in this piece that shows a slightly different type of parade, one of passing by, a spirit procession that allows the people say goodbye to their loved ones, bringing peace, allowing life to move on, and celebration of those lives to continue.

High Eight - How easy it would be for arcane things to walk amongst us, especially in the creativity and chaos of parades and carnival? This tory works perfectly, the mythic figure catching the eyes, a throwback to earlier times, no less potent for all of that.

Bowler1 - A beautifully written story that pulls images and sounds from the air, delivering them to the imagination with some truly delightful language that rolls of the tongue like a fine scotch. Well perhaps bourbon in this case. Catches the feel and emotion of the celebration, while letting us know who just might be playing the tunes.

 

[Sancho]

I just submitted my story and my apologies in advance, I hadn't even heard of Magical Realism until this challenge so my apologies for any misplaced humour. My thanks to Teresa , Spring's and Harebrain's comments for pointing me in the right direction. I am now reading Shadow of the wind and loving it.

While I'm at it, my apologies to Farntfar I did not realise that we had similar last lines until I read yours just now...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I just submitted my story and my apologies in advance, I hadn't even heard of Magical Realism until this challenge so my apologies for any misplaced humour. My thanks to Teresa , Spring's and Harebrain's comments for pointing me in the right direction. I am now reading Shadow of the wind and loving it.

While I'm at it, my apologies to Farntfar I did not realise that we had similar last lines until I read yours just now...

Oooh, enjoy Shadow of the Wind.

 

[High Eight]

Victoria Silverwolf, D G Jones & Perpetual Man: Thanks for the lovely reviews. They gave me a warm feeling.

 

[Sancho]

Oooh, enjoy Shadow of the Wind.

I am, so much that I am reading well past my bed time. Thankyou so much, I love the way it is written and Barcelona has to be one of my favourite cities!

 

[willwallace]

Thanks to Perpetual Man for the review.

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks Perpetual Man for the great review!

 

[Droflet]

Why Perp, seared eyeballs? Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the kindly review. You're a star.

 

[farntfar]

I just submitted my story and my apologies in advance, I hadn't even heard of Magical Realism until this challenge so my apologies for any misplaced humour. My thanks to Teresa , Spring's and Harebrain's comments for pointing me in the right direction. I am now reading Shadow of the wind and loving it.

While I'm at it, my apologies to Farntfar I did not realise that we had similar last lines until I read yours just now...

First of all, Sancho, nor did I know the classification Magical Realism, so I looked it up on wiki. I hope I understood.

As for our similar endings, no problem at all, mate. Great minds, and all that.
It's the problem of not reading the others before you post. It really is too late to throw your story away at the last moment, just because someone else used the same words. ....

 

[Sancho]

First of all, Sancho, nor did I know the classification Magical Realism, so I looked it up on wiki. I hope I understood.

As for our similar endings, no problem at all, mate. Great minds, and all that.
It's the problem of not reading the others before you post. It really is too late to throw your story away at the last moment, just because someone else used the same words. ....

Thanks for your understanding, Matey (and not using the angry face)

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Yeah, I'll most likely be ducking out this month. If the genre was better, I could perhaps give a stab, but, I honestly don't have enough time and what little I do have this month-and perhaps for a couple more months to come, I don't know-I simply have other projects to work on.

 

[Bowler1]

Thanks Perp, as I splash and slosh scotch in one hand and bourbon in the other - well, if its going, why not have both.

Try saying this quick ten times - splash and slosh scotch.

 

[Remedy]

Thank you for the review Perp, I love your take on it

 

[Tywin]

Thanks for the review, Perp.

 

[Dan Jones]

@farntfar - Hidden Spirits - the first of two somewhat topical tales given the release of a certain film tomorrow. The sting in the tail pun notwithstanding, this short crams an awful lot of dark ingredients into a recipe that on the surface seems to be for the lightest of fairy cakes; but it pulls together a cabal of secret ghosts, a dash of creole arrowroot, and I think even manages to squeeze in a reference to Grayson Perry's Hansel and Gretel house in central Essex.... Full of delicious things

@Sancho - Colour Me Bad - Proof that you can't have too much of a bad thing, along comes the second riff on Christian Grey and his leather sock collection. Jeb's perspective of the frustrations of childhood - glimpsing an adult, sexualised world that remains tantalisingly out of reach - forms the backbone of this slightly sad story that ends on a non-sequiturish joke as Grandma becomes lost in the world of greys, golds and purple, while Jeb remains, evergreen.

@Fishbowl Helmet - Meeting of the Courts - now here's a tale that's as dark as the history of its protagonists. The way that blade caresses the throat of our female MC; it's almost sexual, thus exploring the role of sex in the power games inherent in the master-slave dyad. Our female MC seems untroubled by the threat of magical potions, cursed coins and the blade - it's all part of the role she plays. One could even stretch the relatinship to another Christian Grey reflection! But, filled with rich Haitian dialogue that recalls some of my favourite artists working in that style, such as Aime Cesaire, Derek Walcott and Rastamouse, this is a powerful, sensual headtrip.

 

[farntfar]

Thank you for your magnificent review, DG. Unfortunately I can't lay claim to the Grayson Perry reference. Chelmsford just seemed to fit.