Discussion Thread -- December 2015 75-word Writing Challenge

[hopewrites]

HUZZAH! A spider massacre!

 

[Droflet]

Ah, you might want to hold off on the voting until everyone has submitted and the voting thread is open.

 

[Judderman]

All the submissions are great! I don't know if any are by professional or semi-professional or hopeful writers, but they are all entertaining and well written. I'm glad I have diverged a little from the book and tv discussion threads.
Obviously with the steampunk subject a lot go for the Victorian theme, and often include inventions. Also a death is a sure fire way to end a story, in what is hopefully a surprise to the reader. All the tales have interesting styles and description or dialogue.

Droflet: Bowled Over.
Very well written. Great start to the thread. Starts out as a jolly christmas tale, you can almost feel the atmosphere. But then comes with a truly unexpected shock.

Luiglin: That time of year again.
Begins out with a great description and followed up with some witty discussion. Very good writing and atmosphere again.

Ashleyne B.W: The Boiling Man
This is a very unusual tale and shows a strong imagination. It is not entirely clear what the boiling man is. A steam powered robot I think. A delightful invention!

Reiver 33: The Blunting of Damocles
Starts with a classic Victorian steampunk style. A clearly mad and dangerous scientist is struck dead by the level headed hero. Entertaining.

Cat's Cradle: A Christmas ‘Repair All’ Ordered At S & M Steam Engine Shop
A lovely, rhythmical style to describe a desperate workers trials. I'm unclear if the last line is really an ending but there is some great wordplay here.

Harebrain: Harbinger in the Smoking Room
The Victorian theme comes through clearly with some delicious dialogue. It seems the second character is displeased by the thoughts of petroleum taking over from steam power. A funny one.

Ratsy: Satan Claus
The intro has an alternative vision to Droflet's Santa arrival on a roof. Dark humour and a joy to read.

Victoria Seawolf: Sea Change
Every sentence has a new surprise and a lot of events and time is packed in to the word limit. We are left hanging and eager to know what the informer and is and what they/it are saying. Presumably the joy reflects that Whitcomb will be saved.

Littlestar: Gifts For the Wise
Another superb dialogue and finishes with a surprising, funny reveal. You get some sense of the characters with just a few words of what they are doing. I like the way one character finishes another sentence in the flow.

Robert Mackay: Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum
This is written like an adult recalling a story from his youth, almost as if it was legend. Again showing a vivid imagination and enjoyable to read. One of the best candidates for really being a story.

Tim James: Never The Last Christmas
An excellent tale turning our perception of Elves and even Santa on its head. Very different to any Christmas horror film I have seen, though it could easily be the basis for one. In terms of the original idea it is amongst the best here.

Gonk the Insane: The Golem's Christmas Miracle
Another high quality story. There is emotion in the words in this one and you get some sense of the backstory. I like it, the sentences are short and sharp.

 

[Droflet]

Thanks Judderman. Welcome to the critter's circle.

 

[Alex The G and T]

The suspense is killing me. Great reviews Judderman... but you stopped just one short. Gaaaaahhhh!

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Yay! Great reviews, Judderman, thank you!! It's very exciting to see your own story reviewed so often. What a wonderful feeling! I really pity anyone whose story hasn't received this extra review yet...it must feel terrib-- oh...Alex, uh, wow...sorry buddy!
(I've been there...you're just so anxious to get your own review!)

 

[Alex The G and T]

I'm not known, especially, for my patience. (Though, in my mind, my patience is extraordinary)

 

[Cat's Cradle]

I bet Judderman will return very soon, with more! (It must take a fair while to get through so many stories.)

Second post a challenge entry...well done, Cathbad! Nice story, too! CC

 

[Dan Jones]

More noobs!

 

[Cathbad]

Excellent ratsy!

First time I've written a steampunk story. Feelin' outta my element.

 

[Droflet]

First time for many of us. Welcome aboard.

 

[Cathbad]

First time for many of us. Welcome aboard.

Thanks Droflet, and well met.

 

[Cathbad]

I bet Judderman will return very soon, with more! (It must take a fair while to get through so many stories.)

Second post a challenge entry...well done, Cathbad! Nice story, too! CC

Thanks!

 

[Bowler1]

Bowler1 arrives on the thread looking very secretive and holding something close.

What is it I hear you all ask (ask, or I SHOOT YOU!!!).

Its my 75 word entry and its almost ready to post -with hysterical laughter, Bowler1 exits.

 

[Perpetual Man]

My goodness, what on earth is that you are holding so close?

It must be something terribly interesting.

(There that's me out of the firing line)

 

[Perpetual Man]

Langadune (Good – A peppermint spray and bug trap) – Excellent story, but then anything that fights the good fight against the incoming hordes of arachnid incursion gets a cheer. (Except money spiders.)

Cathbad – (Good – a drone) – Ah the joys of a lovely ride into the country, a jaunt through the hills and meadows. What could be better? Uh, where are we going again? Oh dear.

 

[Bowler1]

(There that's me out of the firing line)

Actually, haven't I been looking for you?

 

[Perpetual Man]

No, no not me.

That was someone else.

Perp or something

 

[Droflet]

Hey Bowler, I've offered myself up for shooting before but you're not interested. What's the matter. I'm not good enough to shoot? Come on mate, one quick zap and I'll feel sooo much better. Pretty please? (Yeah, I know. I've got problems. Meh.)

 

[Bowler1]

Hey Bowler, I've offered myself up for shooting before but you're not interested. What's the matter. I'm not good enough to shoot? Come on mate, one quick zap and I'll feel sooo much better. Pretty please? (Yeah, I know. I've got problems. Meh.)

OMG!!!

I have a nagging suspicion that Droflet may have a death wish and that what I'm about to do is wrong - but I don't care....

ZzzzzaaaPPPP - ZZZzzzzzAAaaaaPPPPP - ZAP - ZAP - ZZaaappppP - etc. until my batteries run out.

Now to find Perp and give him the same treatment!