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

[Dan Jones]

Hey @jastius , you're utterly welcome, I enjoyed it lots (you probably figured that out already)

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

alchemist -- Through the use of realistic characterization and subtle clues, the author unleashes an unexpected but logical conclusion.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Well I'm in, meandering through the gate at a slow pace this time around.

As stated earlier this is not my preferred piece, that is sitting on the hard drive somewhere complaining that it wasn't used. But cutting it back from the 1500 words it came in at proved to be more than it could take, and it languishes silently knowing that I'll try to turn my eye to it at a later date. Ironically when I do get to it the one thing that will almost certainly be dropped is the plane.

That being said a few lines words gave me the idea for what |I eventually went with, but even that strolled past the finish line closer to 600 words and once again the butchering was traumatic. (For me not the story). I'm not sure how much of it survived intact, it makes sense to me because I wrote it. Itried to keep everything in there that was needed but I'm not sure whether the reader will be able to make sense with what I cut.

Now to read back through all the others.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Perpetual Man -- The author brings the past back to life while simultaneously creating a new myth of remembrance.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks Victoria greatly appreciated as always!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Moonbat -- This sharply satiric story pokes holes in the inflated importance of those who think they have all the answers.

kerrybuchanan -- The author has fun with a popular literary figure while also offering some startling speculation about future technology.

johnnyjet -- This warm and touching story pays tribute to the power of courage and comradeship.

marmalade -- In a richly imagined fantasy world, the author teaches us not to underestimate others.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Thank you Victoria x

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks for the great commentary, Victoria!

 

[marmalade]

Many thanks for the kind wordsv Victoria

 

[marmalade]

Forgot to include the title, here it is: Mettle Over Mind

 

[Cat's Cradle]

That's a really good story, marmalade...and an impressive first-challenge entry, well done! CC

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Glen -- Through the use of highly original speculative technology, the author creates a powerfully emotional story.

crystal haven -- This vivid and compelling tale offers an astounding look at a universe which is stranger than we can imagine.

mosaix -- In a few words, the author creates a series of convincing character studies as well as great suspense.

 

[crystal haven]

Thank you, Victoria.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Venusian Broon -- This charming tale brings new life to a myth of the last century.

 

[Remedy]

After seeing Ashleyne get stuck in with the reviews on the 75er, I decided to stop talking about doing reviews one day... and do them.

First 10:


Cat’s Cradle - The Milk of Freedom (A Modern Fairy Dairy Tale)

Wonderful mammalian imagery blooms in CC’s epic tale. The milk-givers earn their place beside the humans. A new nation is born, an economy flourishes and cow culture spreads throughout the land. With bold bovine determination, CC captivates us till the cows come home. Light-hearted legend.

Jo Zebedee - WITH A WHIMPER NOT A BANG

Jo deftly lures you into her story. Routine will twist slowly into ruin as her smugglers leave the world we know. A banquet of fascinating description awaits as you lose yourself amongst the purple flowers. Unlike the characters of this tale of descent, you will be left to care… and reflect. Powerful passage.

Juliana - Whisper in the Wind

Opening with rich character detail, we follow Juliana’s young girl on a sinister trek. Her exhaustion is palpable and we urge her on with the mysterious voice. Will she make it? When can she rest? In perfect time, the dark and frightening world melts away as Juliana reveals all. A phoenix from the ashes warms our hearts as the spirits lead her home. Delectable detail.

Denise Tanaka - The Airplane

The strong voice of Denise’s character holds us here. Full of whimsy and amicable joy, it’s a pleasure to sit back and listen to the adventures from a mischievous shape-shifter. Share in the frustration of a power so close, but a long time to get there. Fixating fun.

willwallace - Passage

Will uses a fine brush to paint this picture of beginnings. Trace the rise and fall of the mighty Atoc as his subjects take for granted all he bestows. This spanning history fills the 300 words with skilful style. Hints of forgotten magic and discarded power lead us to the end, and that unanswered question: Where did we come from? Oozing Origin.

Starbeast - Driving Into Darkness

Slam your seatbelt into the holster for SB’s fast-paced adventure of desperation. Our character’s luck changes from bad to worse as murder and manslaughter cloud his mind. Escape is the theme, and we’re not sure if we want him to get it. This shotgun blast of SB grit reaches a climactic conclusion when the driver finds acceptance for his crimes. Awesome Action.

Ashleyne B. Watts - HEELS OVER HEAD (ALTERNATE LIFESTYLE)

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air said it best: Now, this is the story all about how my life got flip-turned upside down. ABW is in complete control of this thrilling rollercoaster, leading us toward her imaginative anatomical-manipulations. This excellent horror-adventure will have you turning it over and over in your mind. Ghoulishly Good.

Victoria Silverwolf - The Survivor

A refreshing castaway story pours out in fluid Victoria-fashion. Original descriptions layered into this realistic setting, draw us into the character’s world. Cruz’s Wilson is the beautiful Lucky Betty, his only company in isolation. Victoria lets us decide if Betty truly came to him there, or his broken mind got the better of him. Simply spellbinding.

Tywin - The Ace

For the perfect experience of flying a plane, The Ace, is the tale for you. In-depth descriptions transport you into that cockpit: the sights, the smells, the feelings and the sounds! Detail thrives in Tywin’s adrenaline fuelled adventure, almost as if it were conjured from an imagination without boundaries… Like a child’s. Innovative innocence.

telford – Skylarking

Banter and brashness abound in this journey with Max and Joe. Telford enlightens us on the rare phenomenon of foo fighters, but all is not as it seems. Well-structured characters tell the story through careful dialogue, culminating in the sci-fi twist to reveal all… They came from outer space! Aerial excellence.

 

[The Judge]

Well, we're at 30 entries. We should get at least another 3 stories, since our usual late-entering suspects (among who I count myself, of course) have yet to appear, but it doesn't look like it's going to be a record month. Unless we start nudging other members hard to get them to cough up a tale! *thinks about nagging Hex and HB*

Unusually for me I had a germ of a story relatively early, ie a few days ahead of the last day instead of only on the last day. It came well over the limit when I wrote it up, so I've pruned and pared, then tweaked and polished, and I've had the Judicial Helpmeet read it a couple of times to ensure it can be readily understood. I've given it a structure I've never employed before (though I'm worried someone else here has and I've pinched it without realising), and it seems to work, and overall as a story it's OK. But, but, but...

When I first saw Phyrebrat's great photo it was the atmosphere which drew me in -- the derelict among the lush hills, with an air of sadness and decay and seediness, but thanks to those louring clouds there's also a feeling of oppression, as if there's a hidden threat, something not civilised and tamed, but rampant and wild. That's what I wanted to write about. And have I had a scintilla of an idea which encapsulates all that, or even has a nodding acquaintance with it as well as being SFF? Have I b*ggery. *hits head on laptop*

 

[ratsy]

So I was just on a plane last weekend, coming back from the lonely island of Maui, and was trying not to think of the fact I was flying for four hours or so over nothing but the vast emptiness of ocean before we came to land. The turbulence was horrible for half the flight and the seatbelt signs stayed on for about 2 hours while we bounced around. My mind flashed to Phyre's picture, and all I could do was hope there were no winged creatures waiting for me at the back of the plane...so I used the washrooms in the middle

 

[Jo Zebedee]

TJ, the atmosphere you got was the same with me. Except it also reminded me of the film Bird on a Wire, the bit where the guys get lifted for drug running, and then became a jungle clearing specifically for that.

 

[Phyrebrat]

When I first saw Phyrebrat's great photo it was the atmosphere which drew me in -- the derelict among the lush hills, with an air of sadness and decay and seediness, but thanks to those louring clouds there's also a feeling of oppression, as if there's a hidden threat, something not civilised and tamed, but rampant and wild.

My mind flashed to Phyre's picture, and all I could do was hope there were no winged creatures waiting for me at the back of the plane.

TJ, the atmosphere you got was the same with me.

.


Then for once I am the beacon of hope around here, seeing as my sense of the picture is coloured by the day when I took it.

I like to think my nagging at VenusianBroon to enter has had some small effect as he's entered this time.

This challenge has been a real delight to watch; reading the stories as they came in on my picture.

pH

 

[Venusian Broon]

.

I like to think my nagging at VenusianBroon to enter has had some small effect as he's entered this time.

pH

I'll happily admit that, yes, your nagging has been a big factor. Especially when I saw it was your piccy as well.