Discussion Thread -- December 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[TitaniumTi]

Wow... (rustle of paper as protagonist unwraps review) ...thank you, Santa Claus, I mean Tim James.

 

[holland]

Sorry guys, but I won't be entering this time. Didn't have any time to think about the story for this month, plus steampunk is reaaaaly not my cup of tea But see you all in the January challenges

 

[Ursa major]

Just because I've posted doesn't mean -- well, not this time -- that there isn't time to post a late entry.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Hex -- This sardonic tale reminds us that all is fair in love and war.

Ursa major -- With great skill the author weaves together multiple layers of wordplay.

 

[Mad Alice]

Done and in. All rayguns to be taken off this target, please and thank you very much.
Actually wrote seven for this and they all went long. One nearly short story length and you've seen in crits the bit from the one that transmogrified itself into a book story. Have to stop feeding them the good idea fertilizer.
. I attacked this one with axes and pitchforks and torches and finally tamed it down into its seventy five word cage.

 

[Judderman]

You've just got to feel for the author. Hard work down the pan for a simple mistake. Commiserations whoever you are.

Surely they can just trim a couple of words before the deadline.. Unless every word is gold.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Mad Alice -- The breakneck pace of this tale of deals made and unmade strengthens the passion of its theme.

StilLearning -- This variation on a theme shows us that turnabout is fair play.

The Judge -- Within this story of technology wonders lies the important lesson that one should always read the fine print.

 

[Venusian Broon]

Nope. Nada. Not even a hissing piston. I put all my inspiration into Christmas presents for loved ones this month. Plus like @holland, steampunk....meh!

 

[Starbeast]

Santa wears an Army Jacket by one Starbeast - $60 is a touch steep for two kids. What, Minion? You mean only one? None? He's been conned, what a chump.

Thanks for the review Luiglin. Are those minions, Oompa-loopas, Hobbits, Imps, Munchkins or children of Dagon?

SB (Good – A bag of assorted nuts) Selfishness is transformed into selflessness and the reward is a charming and beautiful one.

Thank you for the review Tim. Now I don't have to worry about the Krampus visiting me. How did you know I like assorted nuts?

 

[Alex The G and T]

T How did you know I like assorted nuts?

You spend a lot of time associating with the membership of Chrons. QED.

 

[Ursa major]

The December Challenge is now closed to new entries, and voting is open at the link below:

POLL -- DECEMBER 2015 75 Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!​

​

 

[Juliana]

Getting my vote in before all the festivities begin.

There were several entries that I really, really liked but felt weren't properly Steampunk. My two favorites were both stories which I think captured nicely the flavor of the genre (besides being terrific entries), and I had a tough time choosing between HareBrain and Hex's tales. In the end, the rabbit took the vote by a whisker.

Runner-up: TDZ
Shortlist: Robert Mackay, TitaniumTi, Bob Senior, Culhwch and Jo Zebedee.
Honorable Mention: Luiglin for completing his mission of 12 consecutive Dark Lord entries. Well done, you've earned a glass or three of your favorite tipple.

 

[Luiglin]

Are those minions, Oompa-loopas, Hobbits, Imps, Munchkins or children of Dagon?

The Minion is a solitary fellow. Whether he is the last of his kind or just or a one off oddity, no one knows, not even the Dark Lord.

 

[Luiglin]

Honorable Mention: Luiglin for completing his mission of 12 consecutive Dark Lord entries. Well done, you've earned a glass or three of your favorite tipple.

Cheers. It has been a headache inducing blast.

I'm sure that the Dark Lord will finish his comments as soon as I get my PC back from being rebuilt.

 

[hopewrites]

last of the reviews be for I go back and review for my vote

Krakasnower wakes
lovely imagery delivered via syllables that are a joy to combine. I'm sure the over all effect is going over my head, but that doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the scenes presented.

Mysterious Ways
chilling *oddly smiling shiver*

Paint and Powder
Rahahaha


We Two Kings
steampunkery shenanigans

With Apologies to Blitzen
hehe an offer he couldnt refuse huh?

Dont you cry
*humms "Foggy the man-cloud" (Otherwhere heard as "Frosty the snowman")*

Taken for a Ride
*malicious giggle*

The Promised Land
aw

Lacquer Blue
*smirk*

Grate Expectations (An extract from Locomotives in Love)
*A musical I'd love to see*
aw

Fortune's Fool
*bemused and bewildered*

Expect the Spanish Inquisition
OH now THAT's Unexpected!

Risk of Lost Profits = Certainty of Lost Prophet
oooooh *chills*

 

[TitaniumTi]

Thank you for the listing, Juliana.

Thank you for the review, Hopewrites. I feel truly spoilt this month - so many excellent reviews.

 

[Droflet]

Here we go again. Bah humbug I say. Anyhoo my sharp knife still drips blood from the many fine entries I've had to cut. So to the honors list:
Tim (just pipped by a hair) HB Bowler Lenny Mr O Beasty (sooo close) Bob Snr Cul (should have won for the head in the bed alone) Dusty and Ursa.
The gold goes to Robert Mackay. Yours and Tim's stuck with me for weeks. Well done to everone.

 

[Hex]

Thank you for the reviews, Victoria and hopewrites. And thank you for the by-a-whisker mention, Juliana!

There were a number of stories this month I really liked but didn't completely understand (which was frustrating). I winnowed my candidates down to five:

Reiver33 -- The Blunting Of Damocles

HareBrain -- Harbinger in the Smoking Room

Langadune -- STAND

PhyreBrat -- We Two Kings

StilLearning -- Expect the Spanish inquisition


Further winnowing got me hopelessly stuck on whether to vote for HareBrain or StilLearning. I agonised, re-read, and finally, by another whisker, voted for HB.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Short List

Ashleyne. B. Watts -- For its unique idea.

reiver33 -- For its vivid portrait of another reality.

HareBrain -- For its satiric look at modern technological society.

Saharren -- For its awe-inspiring vastness of concept.

Lenny -- For its charming humor.

Juliana -- For its beautiful images.

Starbeast -- For its emotional power.

TitaniumTi -- For its touch of magic.

The Judge -- For its ironic turn of events.

VOTE

"Time Travails" by Alex The G and T, which I thought was a perfect blending of style and plot.

 

[Alex The G and T]

Yeow! Thank you Victoria. A mighty fine thing to wake up to, on Christmas Eve morning, indeed.