DISCUSSION -- October 2015 300-word Writing Challenge (#19)

[chrispenycate]

I took it as anelectric dinosaur - an electric dancing dinosaur - and had written too many dinosaur words recently, so downgraded it to special effects.

I actually did a tour where we had a couple of inflateable dinosaurs, so it wasn't out of character.

 

[The Judge]

I was really, really hoping someone would come in after Hex today, so I wouldn't be posting right after her agribusiness-owner-killed-by-Mars'-storm plot with my... er... *hits head on laptop*


(I'd actually written mine yesterday, as well, but I wanted to leave it to stew a little, to allow for tinkering before posting, since I had the unaccustomed luxury of +24 hours before the deadline.)

 

[Ursa major]

I've just finished writing mine -- what? already?! -- but I don't want to post it now (i.e. just before Doctor Who comes on) because I suspect I'll need more than just a few minutes of editing time.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Well, just so you don't have to sit and worry over me, I'll just say now that I won't be posting anything this time around. I never got any ideas, and tried to cobble together a pro forma attempt last night, but decided to stop stressing myself over it and just let it go.

Another one bites the dust.

 

[Ursa major]

Well, I'm in, and with over two hours to spare.


What with this and the 75-worder being "early", I must be going down with something serious (though I doubt it's inspiration.)

 

[Hex]

I was really, really hoping someone would come in after Hex today, so I wouldn't be posting right after her agribusiness-owner-killed-by-Mars'-storm plot with my... er... *hits head on laptop*

I had to follow alchemist's unreasonably fabulous story (it made me cry :| )

EDIT: And now I've read TJ's and it's brilliant.

So I will go with: AAAARGHHHH! Sandwiched between alc and TJ. What did I do to deserve that???

 

[Ursa major]

Well you can't all post after my entry (even though I've left time for someone to do so).

 

[holland]

And I'm in with some last-minute ridiculousness

 

[Ursa major]

The challenge has been closed to new entries.


The voting is now open. To cast your votes, use the link below.

Please vote for your top three choices; note that all three votes must be cast at the same time to count.

​

 

[David Evil Overlord]

I've voted, and there are now three writers on 100%.

So, it's time to close the poll, right?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I've voted, and there are now three writers on 100%.

So, it's time to close the poll, right?

Yes, please. (and ty)

I have a shortlist to sleep on. It's not actually very short.

 

[Droflet]

All I can say is thank (insert deity here) for three votes. Some entries were possibly quite brilliant, but I didn't get them. Probably me. I've mentioned I'm thick, right?

So, honorable mentions:
Juliana - JD Foster - Victoria - DG - Vas - Luiglin - Mr O - Still Learning - Her Honor - Cul - Alice - Holland. All worthy winners.

The three that stood out for me:

CC: Stunning wordplay, you cheeky lad.

Hazel Rah: Beautifully written and touching.

Mosaix: I like it that way too. Clever.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Hee-hee...maybe now the poll could close?? But thanks so much, Droflet, for the vote! I am - for these several seconds - tied for the lead in a 300 worder!
I have to do another read through; there are so many very good stories, and several handfuls of truly wonderful ones to choose from...what a great month for entries! Good luck to all in the voting.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Too hard, she whimpers. Too many good stories... Honestly, I think quality-wise this is one of the best yet.

So, two got my vote straight away - Glen's air guitar heroes and Tim James' lovely entry - a perfect little sf story in 300 words.

And then I was left with Juliana's moving story, JD Foster's nice sting in the tail, DG Jones' great voice and cool idea, Phyrebrat's lyrical, traditional-voice take, Luighlin's (I don't know why the challenges knock your confidence because I love your stuff, fwiw) funny take, and Alchemist's divine writing, darn him. (Must stop voting for Alc.)

So I went to bed and read them all again this morning, and whimpered again.

And then I went for Luighlin because it made me smile and because he's obviously visited Ireland, where it rains so much evolution really does seem over-rated.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Wow...I had thought to put up a list of my top ten, only...but I had eight stories that I wanted to give votes to, and too many others that would hurt to not mention. I've changed my votes twice now, but I have to post, or I'll go crazy worrying about this on a sunny Sunday afternoon. So, apologies to all of the wonderful storytellers I don't list here; what a terrific month for entries - there are so many others I'd love to list (but it would be everyone, which might be silly).

Honrable mentions:
Vaz, Denise Tanaka, DG Jones, Travis, Mr. Orange
Semi-finalists:
Glen, JD Foster, Hazel Rah, Kerry
Finalists:
Victoria, mosaix, Phyrebrat, Luiglin, Robert Mackay, Venusian Broon, The Judge, Mad Alice

Votes:
As of this moment:
Phyrebrat - This is so lovely, and moving, and makes me want to write more (and wish I could write better).
Venusian Broon - So moving, and beautifully paced. A truly wonderful story.
Mad Alice - Another beautiful piece of writing, and possibly my favorite of the challenge. Really amazing, Mad Alice.

Oy! I just changed one of my votes when I pulled up the polling thread. This was hard! Twelve stories already have votes! Well done all, and best of luck everyone, in the voting.

 

[Juliana]

I agree with Jo, this was an amazing month. I originally had so many stories on my shortlist that I had to get horribly tough and it felt awful. Well done to everyone who took part.

Votes: Very hard. I ended up with 4 favorites. First was Jo Zebedee's which captured my heart from the moment I read it. Second came Hex's offering, with one of the best endings ever. Third was a draw between Alchemist and Mad Alice, but after a lot of back-and-forth I ended up with Alc's so Alice, you're my Honorable Mention.

Shortlist: Tim James, Victoria Silverwolf, Hazel Rah, DG Jones, Chrispenycate, Luiglin, Venusian Broon and The Judge.

Thank you to Ensign Shah for the vote; such a nice thing to wake up to. And thanks Jo and Drof for the shortlisting and lovely comments.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Hex -- What is remarkable here is how the author juggles a mixture of genres without losing control of the story. The tale's matter-of-fact tone serves to bring together science fiction, fantasy, and a touch of surrealism in a tasty stew.

The Judge -- This tightly plotted story features many twists and turns for the reader to follow. The rather cynical, hard-boiled mood of the narration proves to be an effective contrast to the emotional content.

Culhwch -- A realistic extrapolation of future technology gives this story a great deal of verisimilitude. This makes the power of its account of sacrifice for a higher cause all the more powerful.

Mad Alice -- The author creates a new, poetic myth, making use of an elevated tone and elegant language to draw the reader into the world created by the story. Yet the protagonist is someone we can empathize with, not merely a symbol.

Ursa major -- An intriguing science fiction concept features in this introspective and philosophical story. The author has also elected to take on the daunting challenge of making use of serious wordplay, one of the most difficult of literary tools.

holland -- After coming up with an interesting idea for a continuing series of stories, the author takes a step back and looks at the concept through the wry eyes of metafiction. By making use of this distancing effect, the story enables the reader to ponder the fascination we have with tales of the unreal.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Short List:

Droflet
Glen
Tim James
Travis Woodward
willwallace
mosaix
johnnyjet
Culhwch
Ursa major
holland

VOTES

Juliana

Jo Zebedee

Robert Mackay

 

[Mad Alice]

QUOTE="TheDustyZebra, post: 1968903, member: 25358"]Well, just so you don't have to sit and worry over me, I'll just say now that I won't be posting anything this time around. I never got any ideas, and tried to cobble together a pro forma attempt last night, but decided to stop stressing myself over it and just let it go.

Another one bites the dust.[/QUOTE]
Who bit you Dusty? No cake for them!

Thank you for the really lovely review Victoria!
Your feedback keeps me writing every month.

Votes? I got a vote? I got two votes? Does happy dance. Thank you Cats Cradle and David Evil Overlord!
And mentions? What a lovely thing to see. Been flat out with bronchitis, and this just makes my day.
Thank you for the honourable mention, Juliana! And thank you drofleT!

 

[Droflet]

Thanks for the mention, Victoria. Oh, and the marvelous reviews as well.

 

[Starbeast]

Winners

Ashleyne B. Watts - Mosiax - Chrispenycate

Runners Up

Farntfar - Drof - Glen - Cat's Cradle - LittleStar - DG Jones - Vaz - Luiglin

Honorable Mentions

Tim James - Juliana - J D Foster - Victoria Silverwolf - HazelRah - Denise Tanaka -

Travis Woodward - Willwallace - TitaniumTi - Bowler1 - Ratsy - Phyrebrat - Mr Orange -

A. Fare Wells - Jo Zebedee - Johnnyjet - Robert Mackey - StilLearning - Kerrybuchanan -

Venusian Broon - Alchemist - Hex - The Judge - Culhwch - Mad Alice - Ursa Major - Holland​