DISCUSSION -- April 2015 300-word Writing Challenge (#17)

[Cascade]

Thanks for the review/ comments, Victoria and Starbeast

 

[Starbeast]

Thanks for the kindly review, Beasty. Wow, I don't know where you guys get the time to do so many quality reviews. Appreciated by all.

You're very welcome Telford. There are most definately a mountain of quality writers here, with great, far-flung imaginations.

Thanks SB! Glad you liked it

You're mighty welcome Ratsy. Keep em' flying.

Thanks for the review, SB!

You're welcome Tywin..

Thanks for the review/ comments, Victoria and Starbeast

You're very welcome Cascade.

 

[Remedy]

Thank you Victoria and Starbeast. Uplifting reviews as always. Much appreciated

 

[jastius]

thank you Starbeast! without the reviews from you guys, i would have no clue whether my stories made any sense to anyone. the feedback of the reviews you guys deliver, that personal take upon how our stories present themselves you offer us month after month is what makes these challenges so valuable an insight to ones writing experience and indeed, truly enjoyable. You guys really rock!

 

[Dan Jones]

Evening chaps and chapettes. Well, I'm over 301wordGate and am just about ready to start reviewing the rest of these fab stories.

@Victoria Silverwolf - Lucky Betty - a strange, and its own unique way, charming hallucinogenic love story between a man and his plane. Usually an MC's descent into insanity is a rather depressing affair, but here we're given a glimpse of beauty in the bleakness, and an stoical and uplifting acceptance of his lot. We're led to believe that Lucky Betty herself is just the product of Cruz's febrile imagination, but I think there's more going on under that robe than just a jack of hearts; what does Cruz see just before the end? I think Lucky Betty is Cruz's guardian angel, watching over him throughout his ordeals until such time was right to give him his final peace.

@Tywin - The Ace - we're all fighter pilots now. And we all have ugly monsters who live on the bottom bunk, too. But let's leave aside the tit-for-tat tattletale tail to this dogged dogfight tale and concentrate on the wonderful innocence of a child's imagination. There's something of Han Solo about our young pilot's romantic alter-ego, but who doesn't reckon themselves to have a bit of Han Solo about them? Never grow up, kid.

@telford - Skylarking - there's something extremely pleasing about the thought of Dave Grohl in his little flying saucer, probably with Learn to Fly on the wireless, sending green blob rays into the path of arrogant bully-boy skylarks hogging the limelight. Perhaps one might level the accusation that the ending was a tad telegraphed, but I think that just added to the fun. After all, what other end could such a witless oaf deserve? There goes my hero!

@jastius - A Gift Of Yesterday - this is pure, old-fashioned SF with a fascinating diaspora-oriented edge and carried by the philosophical undertow of cultural change. This is packed full of wonder, sadness and hope, but most impressively manages to squeeze in a substantial amount of world-building into its 300 words. Alena's story, in turns distasteful, despairingly sad and somewhat oppressed, finishes with a spark of... if not hope, then perhaps the potential for change. There's a huge universe out there, and though it might seem violent, or unfair, you can't simply bury your head in the sand and take no interest in it, because sooner or later it's going to take an interest in you. Your only option is to leave your mark upon it, in the most unexpected ways. In the space of 300 words Alena comes to realise this and the implications on her traditional way of life, so we're left asking ourselves: who are the real lucky ones? A staggering entry.

Phew! That's worn me out. Time for some more later, perhaps once the cricket's finished. Cracking stuff, everyone.

 

[Tywin]

Thanks for the review, SG.

 

[Dan Jones]

I used to own an SG. Cherry red, lovely sound...

Those were the days!

 

[Droflet]

Thanks. DG. Yes, I could see the end coming too.

 

[Perpetual Man]

My story has decided that it will not allow itself to be truncated down to 300 words in any shape or form so I'm going to have to scrub it and start from scratch.

It's a pity because it was really whetting my creative juices. Probably something I'll come back to at a later date.

Now I just got to think.

 

[johnnyjet]

I'm still trying to whittle my story down to size. However, I did want everyone to keep in mind what my name is. (Hint, hint.) You would expect that would give me an edge, right???

 

[Phyrebrat]

However, I did want everyone to keep in mind what my name is. (Hint, hint.)

Who is this?

pH

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Luiglin -- This vivid and suspenseful story shows us the power of myth in its most dangerous form.

Phyrebrat -- With sweeping imagination, the author provides an inspiring vision of humanity at its best.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

TitaniumTi -- By making use of multiple speculative concepts, the author creates an entire epic in a few paragraphs.

 

[TitaniumTi]

Thank you for the review, Victoria.

 

[Phyrebrat]

A lovely review, Victoria, many thanks.

pH

 

[jastius]

Thank you for the review DG! It was a staggeringly and completely lovely a gift to start my weekend with. Your reviews are always a wow in mybook! Thanks again!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Still thinking...

(Actually I've got something down to under 300 words, but does it work I keep asking myself. So much has been stripped out of it does it make sense?)

 

[Jo Zebedee]

We have to make sense now!? Steady on....

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

holland -- Through the use of convincing details, the author creates a believable future, and shows us our own time through different eyes.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Karn Maeshalanadae -- The author creates an exciting tale of past and future, technological dangers and mythical ones.