Discussion thread -- October 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Moonbat (verb) -- To take an unexpected look at things from a unique point of view. ("Modern art will often Moonbat what classical art views in a familiar way.")

 

[chrispenycate]

Hey, folks, this could be serious. Holidays are finished, return to the daily rhythm. Tomorrow is the last day to post, and only thirty-three entries. And worse, I'm having trouble finding among the regulars nine more writers to be leant on - I find:- alchemist, Bob Senior, Cascade, Culhwch, Grimward, holland, Ihe, Mad Alice, Parson, TheDustyZebra and Ursa major. Many of the original stalwarts have fallen by the wayside, which is hardly surprising after so many pieces submitted - but I had thought they were being replaced. Last month we just attained the fourty-two, and seem likely to miss entirely now, the first such miss in more than five years. And a subject that every wordsmith must have an opinion on

Could it be the tide is on the ebb? That, although we hardly find ourselves among the 'shallows and miseries' yet, the flood has passed, leaving the seaweed on the beach and a handful of the determinedly nostalgic?

Arise, nostalgophyles, go forth and proselytize the unconverted, with Ray-gun or collection plate. Despite term's reconvention we are not terminated. Relight the spark in those who may have forgotten the satisfaction of having encaged a concept in fewer words than I need to write a rallying cry. Corner the newcomers who may not yet have understood how challenging, and how rewarding, such an exercise might be. March, myth-creators, into the maw of sloth and illiteracy, there are potential converts amassed in each sub-forum!

Umm, a little over the top, methinks?

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Aaargh! Gotta get writing. Thought we had ages yet.

Oh phew - it's the 75er. I thought you were talking about the 300. Keep beating, heart.

 

[Dan Jones]

You know, Chrisp, I have been thinking how quiet it's been here over the last week or so. After summer usually the world of work accelerates and starts dumping great loads of work upon people as people return from their getaways refreshed and rejuvenated, so it could be that everybody is just flat out with Real World stuff.

Pretty sure Cul will put in as he mentioned something to that effect yesterday, and Ursa always finds a few seconds before midnight to get something in. But the only murmurations are coming from the starlings.

 

[Glen]

Arise, nostalgophyles, go forth and proselytize...we are not terminated. Relight the spark...March, myth-creators, into the maw of sloth and illiteracy...

"a little over the top, methinks?" Not at all! Wonderful language.
Could be the first time a discussion post gets as many votes as the stories.

 

[chrispenycate]

"a little over the top, methinks?" Not at all! Wonderful language.
Could be the first time a discussion post gets as many votes as the stories.

But - but even the rant, without the lead in, is 83 words (which just goes to show I can't write anything in seventy-five words).

I've left off the Broon, as being in transit oop north, but he has logged in, so maybe this was too early a judgement - but it is worrying how few remain

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Mad Alice (noun) -- The literary device of giving the characteristics of living organisms to inanimate objects in order to create a sense of enchantment in the reader. ("In The Brave Little Toaster, Thomas Disch makes use of Mad Alice to create a fairy tale for modern times.")

Venusian Broon (verb) -- To foolishly rely on subordinates who are unable to work well together. ("Let's show some real teamwork; we don't want to Venusian Broon and lose this contract.")

 

[holland]

Yeah, what DG said. I've been so busy with work the past month and a half that I've barely had the time to think about writing, let alone actually sit down and write something half decent. But I have a couple of ideas for this and I'll definitely try and enter by the deadline tomorrow.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

I for one would be happy to enter 4-5 more stories....Ashleyne??

I am worried though, as well. There was a time, in one of the recent 75-worders, when we went 4-5 days without a new story (if my memory is working today). I don't recall that happening a year ago. I have seen that there can be burnout with this monthly challenge -- this exercise in short-short story creation; it's been mentioned a number of times recently. I wonder if there is anything that can be done to re-excite folks who've left the challenge? Could a panel be convened to discuss ideas? A few mods, a few non-mod volunteers?

I've wondered too about the 100-word anonymous challenge. I believe that virtually everyone entering the 100-worder also enters the 75-worder...I don't think people have stopped entering this official contest because they prefer the unofficial one. But is it possible some of the specialness/uniqueness has been stripped away from the 75-worder because there is an alternative now?

No one benefits if the challenges wither away (I think even the 300-worders are down in entrants from a year ago); and many-many people benefit from their existence...I personally have learned so much about writing by entering these. So, what can we do? Or is there really a problem...is this a seasonal issue? (The realities of global warming, say, versus the "Nothing is wrong, weather patterns are cyclical!" viewpoint.) Any thoughts? Also, should any conversation be moved to the 'Improving Our 75 Word Stories' thread? CC

 

[Bowler1]

Last day with only 36 in - we can do better.

 

[Bowler1]

Time to shake things up.

Bowler1 pulls the pin, throws and runs away in the right direction (that last bit is very important).

BOOM!

I need better grenades.

 

[Juliana]

*brushes off shrapnel*
Hey, Bowler, watch where you point those things!!!

 

[Vaz]

Damn! Shrapnel in CHERRY PIE! DAMNNNNN!!!

 

[Ursa major]

I can't understand all the panic. After all, my entry is in and it's early....

 

[Jo Zebedee]

@Cat's Cradle -- I think the 100 worder should have been an occasional rather than monthly/regular event because fatigue does set in. For me, it's just time killing me (and that writing is more serious that fun these days) but I barely managed an entry to either this month.

 

[ratsy]

Now that I've won a 100 word anonymous we can retire it!

I do still enjoy the challenges a lot but yes, I too struggle to get something some times. It does seem the #'s are down a little bit but this could just be the valley before the peak.

And Ursa, I don't know where you come up with this stuff but....GROAN

 

[Bowler1]

I can't understand all the panic. After all, my entry is in and it's early....

For once.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

TheDustyZebra (noun) -- An unexpected result due to unwarranted assumptions. ("Because the chemist failed to measure the pH of the solution, the TheDustyZebra was an explosion.")

Culhwch (noun) -- The opposite of a practical joke, as when the intended target receives a pleasant surprise. ("The woman in the cake was a fine Culhwch for the birthday boy.")

HareBrain (verb) -- To demonstrate the power of language to change the world. ("Only those most gifted in rhetoric can hope to HareBrain our modern society.")

The Judge (noun) -- Simplicity hidden behind complexity. ("Some modern poetry seems to use The Judge to conceal its meaning.")

Ursa major (verb) -- To make use of a great amount of wordplay within a short space. ("The comic forced the audience to pay close attention because she was tried to Ursa major to a great degree in her routine.")

 

[Dan Jones]

And Ursa, I don't know where you come up with this stuff but....GROAN

I'm sure Ursa's copy of Russ Abbott's Bumper Big Book of Puns is looking decidedly dog-eared.

EDIT: just remembered. You're Canadian. You won't have a clue who Russ Abbott is.
EDIT #2: then again, he did a sketch with a moose. So maybe you do.

 

[Ursa major]

I've heard of Rasputin, but am unacquainted with any Russian abbots.