Discussion thread -- September 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[TheDustyZebra]

In order to make sure I don't forget to vote this time, I thought I'd come in a day (almost two) early. Horrors!

Many thanks to every kind soul who has mentioned my story! I think I can definitively say that Cyberpunk is not my thing, so it's gratifying to receive any kudos for my effort this month. Actually, it was gratifying to come up with a story at all, so everything else is gravy.

Robert Mackay -- Silence and Slow Time
Remedy -- Respiration Reparation
DG Jones -- Download Aborted
Ihe -- Crazy Pursuits
TitaniumTi -- The Pyramid Principle
johnnyjet -- Steel Mistress
Mad Alice -- Finding Time
ratsy -- If I could Take It All Back
*holland -- The Redemption and The Redemption*
StilLearning -- Redemption Lost
Moonbat -- The Unbalanced Machine
Ursa -- Shelved?

 

[Grimward]

All were enjoyable (sign of good choice for genre, perhaps?), these stood out for me:

far - last word, indeed.
Drof - Can't be a parent without a twinge for this one.
Parson - Or this.
Ihe - Twilight Zone feel...spooky (At least, it spooked me!)
Tim J. - Well imagined, sir.
Phyre - this month's Can't-Articulate-Why-But-I-Like-It
StillLearning - The virtual Milton applauds you, as do I.
Cul - "don't code angry, kids" Classic.
Moonbat - Creepy.
alchemist - It's not everyday the psychotic protagonist hears presidential voices; well done!

While these stood out just a little bit further...

Robert M. - Spare, yet elegant. Would that I might paint so vividly with but 75 brush strokes some day.
Juliana - Deft, lyrical touch; well done!
Mad Alice - Fascinating concept, and nice touch on the event transitions.

And this one stood just that fractional increment further, and got the vote:

Glen - GREAT idea, and clever title. Well done!

 

[Droflet]

Thanks for the mention, Grim.

 

[Dan Jones]

Thanks for the shortlistings, TDZ and Ihe

 

[LittleStar]

Robert Mackay had my early vote from first reading, and nothing quite managed to edge his story out, though the were a few contenders, including but not limited to CC and holland.

So now it's all square again and shaping up for a tough race for the line

 

[StilLearning]

My vote went to Holland, and inventive layout and a great way of presenting both sides of an morally grey tale.

I'd like to mention:

Glen
Asleyne. B. Watts
Victoria silverwolf
Farntfar
Remedy
Parson
Mr Orange
HazelRah
VenusianBroon
Littlestar
Saharren
Bowler1
HOLLAND
KerrBuchanan
Moonbat
Ursa Major

....and that is the shortened version, great stories this month!

Thank you to alchemist, Travis Woodward, and Kerrybuchanan for the votes. And to HazelRah, Phyrebat, TheDustyZebra and Grimward for the mentions! Lastly thanks to Victoria Silverwolf and Tim james for the lovely reviews

 

[Dan Jones]

Ooh, stealth vote!

Thanks, @mosaix!

 

[chrispenycate]

Oof - we made it to the answer, but no spare capacity. And my list is:- Ashleyne. B. Watts, Glen, Ihe, johnnyjet, Saharren, Ursa major and Victoria Silverwolf. Voting for - Victoria.

 

[Mr Orange]

thanks for the longlisting @Ihe and the mention @StilLearning

this month i have two finalists, @Culhwch and @StilLearning. really liked the stories and voices, but both of them had just one word that dropped them out of the running.

narrowly missing out on that vote too was my runner up, @Robert Mackay. a great story and nice imagery.

my vote went to @Juliana for the rhythm, flow and storytelling in an entry that i felt did the theme and genre justice

 

[Juliana]

Just ducking Bowler's curry and trifle guns to pop in here and say a few more thank you's for all the mentions, listings, and nice comments, Ti, Kerry, Travis, Ihe, and Grim.

And a special big thanks for the votes, Mr. Orange and Luiglin.

 

[Perpetual Man]

As always cutting things down is a cruel and near impossible task. Every story has merit, every one is glowing with talent.

So are the stories that just appealed to me:

Travis Woodward
Glen
Farntfar
Droflet
WillWallace
Titanium Ti
Venusian Broon
Mad Alice
Ratsy
Kerry
Ursa

Two winners in ratsy and Droflet, and I really could not make up my mind. A toss of a copin did it in the end, and lady luck shone on... Droflet.

 

[Droflet]

Wow, Tim, thank ye muchly.

 

[Dan Jones]

Ahoy ahoy, what's this? A second stealth vote?

Why so shy? Is my story some sort of guilty secret pleasure, like a copy of Now That's What I Call Music 67 hidden in a Puccini cd case?

Either way, I'm happy

Thanks, @Maieius !!

 

[martin321]

There were lots of interesting stories this month. Here's my longlist, shortlist and *vote*:

Cat's Cradle - I've Killed Phosphorescent Blue
Robert Mackay - Silence and Slow Time
Travis Woodward - The ultimate upgrade
willwallace - Bad Boy
Juliana - The eWitch and Cyberpunzel
StilLearning - Redemption lost
*Culhwch* - epocalypse [VOTE]

 

[Parson]

Well I've got my list sorted. I am fairly sure that I know what a Cyper punk story is, but not nearly sure what clearly is not cyber punk. I took a a rather hard line in that sense and my list looks like this:

Victoria Silverwolf: The Bodyguard
Robert Mackay: Silence & Slow Time
DG Jones: Download Aborted
Bowler1: Salvation Wars
Phyrebrat: 29March.GMT
Culhwch: Eplocalypse

Eplocalypse had my heart from the beginning. Great work Cuhwch.

 

[Dan Jones]

Morning, Parson. Thanks very much for the shortlisting.

Say hi to the Big Man for me

 

[Moonbat]

What a fun month, great stories all round. Its always impressive how far our ideas diverge, I really enjoyed reading them all.

Here's my shortlist, runner-up and vote

travis woodward – the ultimate upgrade
remedy – respiration reparation
wil wallace – bad boy
dg jones – download aborted
mr orange – not redeemable for cash value
venusian broon – captive convert
bowler1 – the salvation wars
holland – the redemption and the redemption
culhwch – epocalypse


Thanks for the mentions. I'm currently reading Synners so cyberpunk is right up my street at the moment. And I think this is the first time my entry deserves to be written into a full short story, so I may (hopefully) write it out in full - if I can find the time.

 

[chrispenycate]

Remaining time reckoned in hours, and my list of those who submitted but have not yet voted runs to:- Ashleyne. B. Watts, Culhwch, farntfar, Glen, Jo Zebedee, Mad Alice, ratsy, Remedy, Robert Mackay and The Judge. (the list of those who have voted without submitting is:- A. Fare Wells, Ensign Shah and martin321, thank you very much. The list of those who have neither submitted nor voted is rather overwhelming).

Obviously, the list may be wrong - I had prepared it all, then the site wasn't talking to me, and when it came back MoonBat required transplanting…

 

[Moonbat]

Hey, I'm not sure I agreed to a transplant

Do I get to keep my hats?

 

[johnnyjet]

Many excellent and unique entries this month. In fact, I enjoyed all of them. So this was a particularly tough challenge to pick favorites. However, at last, my Long List, Short List and **** Favorite ****:

I've Killed Phosphorescent Blue - Cat's Cradle
The Bodyguard - Victoria Silverwolf
Silence and Slow Time - Robert MacKay
Silicon Insanity – HazelRah
The eWitch and Cyberpunzel – Juliana
Finding Time - Mad Alice
Saving Innocence - Saharren
If I Could Take It All Back – ratsy
The Redemption and the Redemption – Holland
Night, Night. <SLEEP TIGHT> - Jo Zebedee (AKA springs)
Wetware BOPper – chrispenycate
The Mission – Kerrybuchanan
29 March 2050: GMT – Phyrebrat
**** epocalypse – Culhwch ****
Grimm Futures – TheDustyZebra
A Hitman Reconsiders His Vocation After His Employer Seeks To Terminate His Employment, Permanently - The Judge
Dead Presidents – alchemist
Shelved? - Ursa major

And thanks for the short-listings, Phyrebrat, TheDustyZebra, and chrispenycate!