DISCUSSION -- July 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[Victoria Silverwolf]

AJB -- In a moment of weakness, we may practice deception in an attempt to cover up our mistakes. Eventually, however, the piper must be paid.

 

[TitaniumTi]

Thank you for the review, Victoria. This month, I'm reading each story, then re-reading it alongside your review. That's adding greatly to my enjoyment of the competition.

 

[Parson]

I have been disqualified for 76 words. For the first time my Word Perfect word counter let me down. I cannot tell what word. It could not have been a number or the word count would have been further off. And I don't think the spacing got me. I'm buffaloed, but by hand I count 76 as well.

Parson, I had no idea you were a Webber fan. Nice take on the theme.

I am one of the big Webber fans. I've read all of the early Harrington books a minimum of 4 times.

It was all I could do not to "like" that story, Parson! In fact, I really wanted to "like" and then "unlike" it, just so I'd know I had.

Thanks Dusty. This will have to do for a vote.

I liked yours too, Parson! It's been a great start to the challenge!

I appreciate the kind words C. C.

 

[Droflet]

Parson, that's so, i want to put an expletive in here but since its you, disappointing. A really good entry. Sad. I'm just waiting for my turn.

 

[Parson]

Parson, that's so, i want to put an expletive in here but since its you, disappointing. A really good entry. Sad. I'm just waiting for my turn.

(Grins) --- Thanks Telford. I'm disappointed but what can you say, a rule is a rule.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Aww, Parson, I know. You definitely should post it here in Discussion after the Challenge, so it can remain sort of in the record. I'm so glad, upon checking to be sure, that I didn't read it until two hours after you posted it -- otherwise I would be overcome with guilt for not counting the words in time to let you know!

 

[HareBrain]

Commiserations Parson.

Please, again, everyone, check word-count by eye.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

And by hand. And toe, if necessary. Please.

 

[LittleStar]

If i could I'd be happy to take one of Parson's words to make it work out, I have more than a couple spare this month.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Rats, Parson. Come join the disguinished 76 words club.

I have nothing, for either comp. I have just been so busy. But I'm chilling a little with the laptop closed up so might have a chance to come up with something soon.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

David Doherty-Jebb -- Deception is a common tactic in times of war. It is also important to remember that today's ally may be tomorrow's enemy.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Jo Zebedee -- Practicing a benign form of deception on the audience is a way for an artist to offer pleasantly unexpected surprises. Taken too far, however, this becomes a form of cheating.

 

[Mad Alice]

I have been disqualified for 76 words.

Ouch! That is a shame, Parson. I read your story, and thought it a spot on depiction of David Webber's famed character. You had Honor down to the very bone. I could just see her sitting there, bluffing for all she was worth in defence of her ship's well being. It gave me a chuckle.

 

[Remedy]

I have been disqualified for 76 words.

I'm not familiar with Webber, but I thought your story was brilliant, Parson. A fantastic take on "deception" and very well executed. I'm sorry it has been removed. Definitely show us again here!

 

[Dan Jones]

Sorry to hear that, Parson. It happens all too often. On the plus side, it means you get to join the Cool Persons Club (I'm a patron).

Some excellent stories up there already. Inspiration has yet to hit me, but I shan't be rushing it.

 

[Vaz]

Such a shame Parson your story was excellent. Do post it again here
Lots of great stories as always, this is only my 3rd challenge but I think I'm addicted already
Wish we could do them everyday!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Mad Alice -- In a universe of seemingly unlimited choices, we may deceive ourselves by imagining that there is only one path to follow. Unfortunately, our perception of those choices is rarely accurate.

Robert Mackay -- History teaches us that conquerors often disguise their intentions with deceptive promises of benign intentions. Because time has a sense of irony, often the exploiter becomes the exploited.

Ihe -- Magicians practice an entertaining form of deception through misdirection. By raising the expectations of the audience, then producing something completely different, they amaze and delight.

 

[Parson]

Aww, Parson, I know. You definitely should post it here in Discussion after the Challenge, so it can remain sort of in the record. I'm so glad, upon checking to be sure, that I didn't read it until two hours after you posted it -- otherwise I would be overcome with guilt for not counting the words in time to let you know!

Thanks DZ! But don't feel too bad I shut my computer down for the nigtht after posting the story. Didn't look at again for 24 plus hours --- I am on vacation.

If i could I'd be happy to take one of Parson's words to make it work out, I have more than a couple spare this month.

That's so nice. Thank you. We might be able to start a new kind of currency, "WFC" --- Words for a Challenge.

Ouch! That is a shame, Parson. I read your story, and thought it a spot on depiction of David Webber's famed character. You had Honor down to the very bone. I could just see her sitting there, bluffing for all she was worth in defence of her ship's well being. It gave me a chuckle.

Mad Alice... These words almost make up for not being in the challenge. I'll remember your compliment a long, long, time.

I'm not familiar with Webber, but I thought your story was brilliant, Parson. A fantastic take on "deception" and very well executed. I'm sorry it has been removed. Definitely show us again here!

Remedy, this really makes me wish I had counted by hand. (Something I've never done --- But my computer is refusing to do some things and when I tried to balance my check book I found that if I subtracted a figure, that number was wrong. If I added it back in, it came back a different figure still. I should have guessed there might be something fouled up.

Such a shame Parson your story was excellent. Do post it again here
Lots of great stories as always, this is only my 3rd challenge but I think I'm addicted already
Wish we could do them everyday!

I will post it at the end of the challenge.

 

[Mad Alice]

this really makes me wish I had counted by hand. (Something I've never done --- But my computer is refusing to do some things and when I tried to balance my check book I found that if I subtracted a figure, that number was wrong. If I added it back in, it came back a different figure still. I should have guessed there might be something fouled up.

It sounds as if you have picked up a virus, Parson. If you need it, here is a free anti-viral.

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

Until such time your computer is sorted out, here are two online word count tools I have found to be accurate and helpful. One of them also examines the ease of reading of any given block of text.

http://wordcounttools.com/

www.wordcounttool.com

And here is a check book balancer calculator tool.

http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/financial/checkbook-balance-calculator.php

Good luck with it, Parson, I hope it gets sorted soon. And happy vacationing!

And a review of my entry from Victoria Silverwolf!
Mad Alice -- In a universe of seemingly unlimited choices, we may deceive ourselves by imagining that there is only one path to follow. Unfortunately, our perception of those choices is rarely accurate.

A lovely review and deeply insightful synopsis, Victoria. Thank you. Very much appreciated.

 

[chrispenycate]

Um, pretty please. Could people be nice to my over-sensitive spelling bump (an essential in the pedant's qualification exam) by spelling David Weber with one 'b', as in the original Deutsch. As I slide my eyes down this thread it's like a series of speed bumps. I've learnt to accept Honour as lacking a 'u', but this keeps rising up and clonking me.

No, I have nothing written as yet, but in a couple of hours I'll be at the aeroport, always a fertile region for reflection. Fear not, all challenges will be fulfilled (even if by what is not entirely clear).