DISCUSSION -- January 2016 300-word Writing Challenge (#20)

[The Judge]

As ever lots of good stories, but I'm ashamed to say several I didn't understand even on multiple reads. Anyway, my short list:

DG Jones -- La Baise de la Mer
Jo - The Way of the Hunt
Juliana -- Fish Kids
Mr Orange -- Ashes to Ashes
pambaddeley -- Sole Survivor
Phyrebrat -- The Rime of the Brackish Mariner
reiver33 -- A Snapshot, With Commentary
Robert MacKay -- Like a You or a Me
Ursa -- Thank God it's Friday
Victoria -- Stranger on the Shore


The first two votes were easy. Phyrebrat's lyrical horror story had me at the very first reading, and though Victoria's hold on me wasn't quite as instant, the sheer brilliance of the jazzmen idea had me by the second read. Then it became difficult, and I wavered between two or three for the last vote. In the end Ursa's imaginative take on what I think is hell just pipped Robert's poignant tale.

Victoria also gets this quarter's prize for the perfect title. And CC gets a special award for an absolutely bonkers entry. (So what else is new...?)


I had to do some extensive pruning to get my story inside the 300 limit, and I was worried I'd tossed out so much it no longer made sense, so I'm glad my fears weren't wholly founded. So heart-rending, footprint-leaving thanks for the shortlists/mentions Droflet, johnnyjet, Shykra (contemplates changing rules to allow for 4 votes...), Alex, Starbeast, Juliana, DGJ, Phyrebrat and VB (contemplates changing rules to allow for 5 votes...), and mimosa-scented, Guarneri-playing mega-thanks for the wonderful votes pam, J5V (thank you so much for the kind words), Robert (ditto), crystal, Denise, LittleStar, HazelRah, Mr Orange, and for the stealth vote Chris p.

 

[Dan Jones]

Lovely post, Your Honour

 

[Ursa major]

Many thanks for the vote, TJ.

 

[Ursa major]

Here are the votes of the Ursa jury, with the stories in posting order within the categories:


Honourable Mentions:

• Fish Kids by Juliana
• Ashes to Ashes by Mr Orange
• Everyone Likes A Day On The Beach by mosaix

Runners Up:

• The Way of the Hunt by Jo Zebedee
• Long Term Values by Ihe
• La Baise de la Mer by DG Jones

Winners:

• Quality Control by Shyrka
• Looking Back by Denise Tanaka
• The Song for the Seal-Kin by The Judge

​

 

[Juliana]

Lovely to have mentions by both TJ and Ursa. Thanks!

 

[Mad Alice]

I need to apologise. I attempted to vote three persons but the computer decided to be obstructive and kicked one vote off. I swear I ticked it. It just never happened. Been very upset about letting my end down on it.
Anyways the third vote was for Vaz and his story of how to steal the Dragon Emperors throne. Reminded me of that Futurama episode where Fry accidentally swallowed the alien king. And with uber cool bad guy dragons! Woohoo!
Sorry Vaz.
I had a too long short list and owe a lot of thanks. I just wanted to get this out there first.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Well, Vaz's chagrin aside, I'm glad Mad Alice had a problem with her voting today, because I had forgotten this was the last day for voting and wouldn't have noticed it if it hadn't appeared in the staff room!

Special mention to J5V for seeing what I saw first in the picture, even if I never got around to writing anything. That dog is glaringly obvious, and we appear to be in a distinct minority (Robert Mackay may have been going off of that as well) of people who saw it. I thought "Neverending Story", actually, but lolloping spaniels work, too.

Rafellin -- Anything for a Quiet Walk
*Victoria -- Stranger on the Shore*
*Jo -- The Way of the Hunt*
*Denise Tanaka -- Looking Back*
Mr Orange -- Ashes to Ashes
pambaddeley -- Sole Survivor
johnnyjet -- Homeless
Robert Mackay -- Like a You or a Me
mosaix -- Everyone Likes a Day on the Beach
Ursa -- TGIF

 

[Shyrka]

Here are the votes of the Ursa jury, with the stories in posting order within the categories:

• Quality Control by Shyrka

Holy crap! I'd given up getting any more votes since my initial flurry. To be listed alongside two of my absolute favourite entries is an honour indeed. Thank you @Ursa major

 

[Ursa major]

The poll is now closed.

Congratulations, Denise Tanaka!​

​

 

[Rafellin]

Congratulations Denise, and thank you for the honourable mention, TheDustyZebra.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Many congratulations to Denise Tanaka on a stunning victory. I believe this story was the leader from the start.

I am greatly honored to share the silver medal with the renowned Jo Zebedee.

 

[Starbeast]

Congratulations Denise Tanaka​

And a Mega "Well Done" to:
@Victoria Silverwolf - @Jo Zebedee - @Robert Mackay - @The Judge - @Mr Orange - @Ursa major​

I've been in deadly serious 4th draft re-write for most of this month (finished last night: does curtsey and takes the small scattering of applause...)

'Oooooh! prettier than a sunbathing Thotheen' list:
Droflet, Denise Tanaka, Starbeast, Alex Darion, Johnnyjet, HazelRah, Ursa Major

Thank you for the mention Venusian Broon. You made my night.

As ever lots of good stories, but I'm ashamed to say several I didn't understand even on multiple reads. I had to do some extensive pruning to get my story inside the 300 limit, and I was worried I'd tossed out so much it no longer made sense, so I'm glad my fears weren't wholly founded. So heart-rending, footprint-leaving thanks for the shortlists/mentions Droflet, johnnyjet, Shykra (contemplates changing rules to allow for 4 votes...), Alex, Starbeast, Juliana, DGJ, Phyrebrat and VB (contemplates changing rules to allow for 5 votes...), and mimosa-scented, Guarneri-playing mega-thanks for the wonderful votes pam, J5V (thank you so much for the kind words), Robert (ditto), crystal, Denise, LittleStar, HazelRah, Mr Orange, and for the stealth vote Chris p.

You're very welcome Judge. You always come up with an interesting tale.

 

[Denise Tanaka]

This is a very pleasant surprise indeed! Thanks so much to everyone for all the votes. I'm humbled to be in such good company. They were all fantastic stories!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

@Victoria Silverwolf said it all. Huge congrats to Denise, honoured to share the bridesmaid with Victoria. Good job, all!

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Congratulations, Denise! Very nicely done.

 

[Juliana]

Well done, Denise! Congratulations!

 

[Droflet]

Good for you, Denise. Yes, you're right. You were in very fine company. Come on May.

 

[Dan Jones]

Congratulations Denise! Great victory, and a wonderful story.

And thanks also Ursa for the runners-up listing - much obliged, and everybody else who mentioned me and got me my PB score, I'm delighted with my showing, especially when up compared against the other entries.

Well done to everybody who took part.

 

[The Judge]

Congratulations, Denise! A fine victory.


And more mimosa'd violin-virtuoso mega-thanks to Ursa for the last minute vote!


By the way, just to remind the old hands and to inform newer members, since we only allow positive comments here in the Discussion thread, if anyone wants warts-and-all feedback on his/her story, there's the Improving our 300 Word Stories -- READ FIRST POST! thread.

 

[crystal haven]

Congratulations, Denise!