DISCUSSION -- July 2015 300-word Writing Challenge (#18)

Ihe – Escape out of Steelbark

Rich description blooms in Ihe’s metallic briar patch. The characters sweat out a real sense of desperation during their escape from Steelbark, a place where heartless machines appear to use humans as building material. Will the storm bring freedom? Industriously Intense

Cascade – They don’t grow on trees…

A highly-creative farming tale as we enter Cascade’s glorious world of cultivation. Using an inspired combination of agricultural and mechanical wording we see factory and farm melded together. Organic farming, however, does not necessarily mean “better”. Captivating Concept

Holland – Searching for Emma

In Searching for Emma, we begin with a hope that slowly fades. Using a structure which neatly engenders strong emotions, Holland conveys the sense of loss and yearning. The careful release of clues unravel the mystery of Emma’s fate. Harrowing Heartbreak

Willwallace – Journey’s End

Psychological horror unfolds in Will’s story. The fever-ridden mind of our hero is painted skilfully as we to-and-fro between the man and the incoming monster. The consistent voice supports the building tension as we approach a final showdown. Sublime Suspense

Victoria Silverwolf – Pipe Dreams

Victoria gives us a solid character with strong foundations. Miklos is intriguing from the start and mysterious to the end. A humble man of unequalled talent and few words. His disappearance adds another chapter to his remarkable legend; compassion and leadership. Carefully Crafted

Mad Alice – Love Song

Mad Alice lures us into a false sense of security from a well-paced beginning. Her sinister beasty lives below and terrifies from its first introduction. Just as Köle cannot escape his captor, our eyes cannot escape the page as this thrilling story unfolds. Malevolent Marvel

Jo Zebedee – Le Scorpion

A story of artistic obsession, sacrifice or true love… perhaps all three. Jo’s mystery develops in expert timing as all threads of her plot converge into a dramatic end. The bittersweet resolution will leave you contemplating your own decision under similar circumstances. Whether the choice would be easy, is up to you. Curiously Complex

LittleStar – To Ascend

This action-packed adrenaline rush moves at breakneck speed, surging forward so fast that you will never believe you just read 300 words. LittleStar’s vivid futuristic race is well-painted, using essential words to convey the scene over a frenzy of action. Two believable characters give the picture a pulse. Superbly Swift
 
Very in depth reviews from both Remedy and Victoria. It must take as long to write the reviews as it does a story. Thanks for the time and effort you each put your posts :)
 
Thank you, Victoria.
 
I'm amazed at the completeness in the reviews, specially with big stories like these. It's already impressive when they take the time to do it in the 75-worder, but the 300w as well? Nice.
 
Damien Barker --The author creates an eerie mood of suspense in this mysterious story. I felt like the protagonist, moving slowly into this tale's world, not knowing what to expect next.

JoanDrake -- The playful mood of this story enhances the effect of its surreal concepts. By making me feel at home in a place which is very strange, this story offered me visions I had never imagined.

Void -- The vividness of this story's sensory images and its striking use of second person narration enable the reader to fully experience it. I felt as if I were wearing a virtual reality outfit of the future.
 
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Thank you for your thoughtful review Victoria. I frequently feel as though your reviews are better written than the stories I submit to these challenges!
 
Damien Barker - *untitled*

By using present tense, we traverse the depths of DB’s sinister construction together. Gloomy metal surroundings, reminiscent of Alien, lend themselves to a terrifying atmosphere. Precise descriptions allow us to sense everything as John does, up to the last frightening discovery. Eerie Exploration

JoanDrake – The Copper Snakes

Through concise and realistic commentary, Joan offers a programme you can play in your mind. Kick-starting our imaginations into overdrive, we see the copper snakes come to life as they trail through the air in a blaze of colours. So much fun for all the family, I’ll see you in Nottingham next year! Vigorously Visual

Void – MMORPG

Like elements from the periodic table, Void’s game takes all forms; gaseous, liquid and solid. Almost as if predicting our future gaming experience, we’re shown how we will see more, hear more and feel more. The tremendous excitement from reading this story, however, may never be replicated. Sensory Stimulant
 
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I'm really struggling for inspiration this month. A few tendrils of ideas, but nothing to weave them all together.

I hope I get something soon because I'm putting off reading the other doubtless excellent entries until mine's in!
 
Remedy -- Compassion and empathy fill this emotionally powerful story. The author refuses to descend into sentimentality, instead presenting the feelings of the characters in a very real way. I was carried away with sympathy when darkness entered this tale, and uplifted by the spark of hope which ends it.
 
Victoria Silverwolf, Thank you for the lovely review! "Heart racing"? "Weird and terrifying tale"? "Compelling vision of madness",
Definitely like that review!Three mad thumbs up! I had reread and reworked the story so many times I had thought it to have lost all impact by the time I was done. Glad to see it was still an "unnerving story".
High praise, indeed!

Remedy, I delighted in your sobriquet of "Malevolent Marvel". Indeed I had thought the beastie had not an ounce of oomph left to flaunt about, much less that it "terrifies from its first introduction". "Our eyes cannot escape the page". Must remember to feed my monsters before I unleash them in the challenges. This sort of capturing reader's eyes and holding them business. Tut tut! Bad form, my monsters! No random zombie cheerleader snacks tonight. Thank you for the review, Remedy.

This is delightful feedback from you both!
 
DG Jones -- By making use of and unusual narrative structure, with multiple flash forwards, the author creates a sense of fate. Combined with fine skill when it comes to creating three dimensional characters, this vision of destiny made me feel as if I were looking into the future, seeing the light of hope after the darkness of despair.

Glen -- Painstaking effort was required to create this story's startlingly new and internally consistent language. This difficult literary technique serves to bring the narrator to life. I felt that I was sharing this character's adventures and tragedy.
 

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