DISCUSSION -- August 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[TitaniumTi]

Personal chip-in, I'd say anything that has happened in the past, even if it is in the past second, counts as history ^_^

Yes. I'm not sure that the events even need to be momentous.

 

[Venusian Broon]

His story sounds interesting.

I was thinking that the reaction of authorities (scientific, ecclesiastical or government) to paradigm shifts could make an interesting story.

I think the same sort of thought sparked a little...but it didn't set anything in my mind on fire

Galileo or Newton might make a good characters - G. was a cantankerous and argumentative man, and N. had all sorts or insecurities and oddball quirks!

 

[holland]

Well, now that I'm reading other entries, I feel really bad about mine. Should've made it more obvious... That's what you get from posting early

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Welcome back. Now that you have taken some time to explore the rest of our fine city, it pleases me to see that you have returned here. Truly, there is no end to the wonders to be found.

In this dark corner HazelRah has revealed to us one of the saddest times in European history, when guilt and innocence seem to have been turned upside down. By adding a personal touch, the pain of that era becomes more evident.

Next we travel forward through the centuries to the climax of a great war. Note how the curators have chosen to illuminate this exhibit under a very bright light, which seems appropriate. In any case, here hardsciencefanagain reveals an untold side of a dramatic event, raising many questions.

During the same conflict, but a continent away, we find this example from TitaniumTi of a particularly cruel form of deception, the result of an insane ideology. Exhibits like this serve to remind us of what should never be forgotten.

Down this hallway we turn back the clock more than a century. Through the eyes of Grimward we witness a brave man standing up for the right. Note how the tale is told in a particularly colorful way.

As we move closer to the present, KyleAW offers us an intimate portrait of an act of courage in the face of overwhelming power. Surely you recognize the iconic image presented here.

By way of contrast, we travel next far into the past, into times that may be semi-legendary. By depicting the dreams of an ancient tyrant, johnnyjet offers us an allegorical account of earthly power and its limitations.

Not everything on display here is so serious. The curators enjoy a good laugh as much as anyone, and Bob Senior provides them one in this portrait of prehistoric times which may not be quite as accurate as it is jovial.

Of course, sorrow is as much a part of life as is joy. It is well worth your time to contemplate this sad display from Venusian Broon, which shows us that mourning can be a source of strength and courage.

 

[KyleAW]

Honoured and humbled that my part featured in your historical recap @Victoria Silverwolf.

 

[Ihe]

Personal chip-in, I'd say anything that has happened in the past, even if it is in the past second, counts as history ^_^

Then all fiction ever written is historical. At some point we have to draw the line .

 

[TitaniumTi]

Thank you for your review, Victoria. It's wonderful, as always.

 

[Dan Jones]

I love the discussion over what constitutes historical fiction. If I'm being honest, I was hoping for something like that (does naughty laugh ).

I'm sure I'm not the first person to be completely flummoxed by their own choices of theme/genre, and it's taken me days to come up with something that fit the bill. After some ponderous pondering, I've gone for something, um, historical.

 

[KyleAW]

I quite liked the theme

Liked your bit DG Jones, rather more artsy than my attempt

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

As a change of pace, allow me to point out this interesting and unusual artifact, donated by DG Jones. Note how both the formal poetic structure and the careful use of language create a true sense of the past.

 

[Dan Jones]

Why thank you Victoria, for the lovely review.

 

[chrispenycate]

The other reason for not writing in verse is that if the rhythm works, and there are a few spare words, you can't just add them in - they're wasted.

And that's me in.

 

[Dan Jones]

If you can do it in less, more power to you, Chrisp. And snap! That makes two poems - Essex homeboys keepin' it real

I might do a little list at the end of the challenge detailing all the specific times and locations cited in the works (where I can figure it out), as I love the scope and variation in people's works.

 

[KyleAW]

I tip my hat to both of you. I wish I could poem

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

In this fine case of intricately carved black oak we have, courtesy of LittleStar, a version of a famous incident. It offers the important lesson that things may always happen in ways other than what we expect. Next to it, making a fine contrast, we have a parchment donated by chrispenycate, obtained in the steppes of Asia. The strong marching rhythm of the ancient ballad inscribed on it offers us a vivid portrait of a mighty empire.

 

[hardsciencefanagain]

amazing,nothing less

 

[chrispenycate]

Now you can go back and read entries from previous months. Not to mention preparing your vote for this one

 

[Droflet]

Just jumping in here with a quick ad. Vladd has opened a new movie post in playrooms. It's fun. Join in film buffs. Mods, I'm not sure where to put this so feel free to move it to, ah, someplace else if you see fit.

 

[Grimward]

As always, thank you Victoria, curator, critic and tour guide extraordinaire.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Here we have a quite unusual artifact, which seems to combine the remote past with the near future. This epic account of an apocalyptic event, courtesy of willwallace, also makes use of both myth and history to awe the beholder.