Discussion Thread -- March 2016 75-word Writing Challenge

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Congratulations to Robert Mackay on a hard-fought victory!

Shouts of "well done" must also go to Bowler1 for a very close silver medal, and Culhwch for a very close bronze medal, and Bob Senior for a very close (tin? aluminum?) medal. Good job by all!

I am greatly honored to be among the many who received two votes, so special thanks to willwallace and johnnyjet for their kindness. I extend my gratitude also to those who thought my offering worthy of a mention.

"Science Fantasy" suggested to me those old stories of a watery Venus and a dry but inhabited Mars which are now only in the realm of the impossible, so that's what inspired me.

 

[Cathbad]

'grats Robert! Well done!

 

[Droflet]

Congrats Robert on a great entry. And thanks to Ashleyne for the mention.

 

[Culhwch]

Congrats, Robert! A very imaginative take on the theme and genre - a well deserved winner!

Many thanks to nixie, mosaix, Phyrebrat, Glen, and Venusian Broon for the votes, and thanks also to those who mentioned or short-listed my story - very much appreciated!

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Congratulations, Robert! Nicely done!

 

[Dan Jones]

Congratulations, Robert! Great idea and a worthy winner. With those seven votes you could almost call your story a Dominant Seventh...

Thanks to everyone who mentioned my story in dispatches, and mega fist-pumping, high-fiving, low-lying, booty-shaking, world-dominating thanks to @Bob Senior for the vote. Oh yeah.

 

[Starbeast]

Congratulations Robert Mackay



Well done to: Bowler1 - Culhwch - Bob Senior








​

@Ashleyne. B. Watts - By the way, my horse buddy, Tonto, fainted, when he read the first line of your story.

 

[LittleStar]

Congrats Robert! Great story, and came a close second to getting my ninja vote.

 

[Bowler1]

The voting is still open, you know (because the challenges operate on GMT, not BST).

When the Bear starts singing it's all over - or voting, either way, your goose is cooked. Leg anyone?

 

[Zoe Mackay]

Oh.

Oh gosh.

I'm both speechless and chuffed to bits. I never thought that I'd win one of these, and it's ... humbling. Thank you all so much - and particular thanks to The Judge, Mr Orange, Cat's Cradle, Ashleyne. B. Watts, Cascade, Shyrka and Alex Darion for the votes, and to DG Jones, Venusian Broon, johnnyjet, Glen, Juliana, willwallace, TheDustyZebra, Ajid, Vaz, Victoria Silverwolf and Parson for the shortlists/mentions. And to CC for the brilliant theme/genre that led to so many good stories.

Wow. Just wow.

 

[The Judge]

Congratulations, Robert! Commiserations to the runners-up (with the exception of Cul, on whom I am still venting my fury for reasons which will become clear in a day or two...)


I know TDZ got my title, and I daresay a number of others did, too, but just in case anyone else is interested, it's a deliberate misquote from the end of a line which everyone here will know at least in part: "O brave new world that has such people in 't". It's from a speech from Miranda in The Tempest, which is why I wanted a nasty storm in my piece (and it's produced by caliba-waves in honour of Caliban, and the world itself is named after the characters of Prospero and Ariel).

 

[Shyrka]

Congrats Robert. It's always great to see the story you voted for take victory. That said, I would have been equally happy for Bowler1 to win - I was extremely close to voting for him instead.

Now that the voting's over I figured I'd put up my alternate entry for your enjoyment. I vacillated terribly over which to submit so I didn't want it to go to waste.

Ravenous

The Fabricator looked on, actinic flares illuminating the umbral globe below. The devouring was in full flow, each tiny sun another desperate attempt to stall its progress. It mattered not, no weapon could deny his children their sustenance.

Some fled. The void-stalkers would see to them. It was cleaner that way.

He left his offspring to finish their meal and looked to the myriad stars. So many worlds to discover.

They would eat well.

 

[Culhwch]

Commiserations to the runners-up (with the exception of Cul, on whom I am still venting my fury for reasons which will become clear in a day or two...)

Eep! I'm not sure of my crime, but I just hope you are Judge only, and not jury and executioner as well!

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Congrats Robert! Your story was wonderful. It was such a close race, and there were so many terrific stories. I'm very happy my genre/theme choices inspired such a month. Can't wait for your choices in...three days!
Plus *ahem* there's a 300 worder, so could April be any better??
Shyrka, if I had posted my normal 20-story list, your original tale would definitely have been on it...I think this other story you've posted now would have been on it, too - well done.

 

[Sigfrid von Shrink]

Well done Robert Mackay! And well done to everyone who entered.

 

[johnnyjet]

Congratulations, Robert! An excellent tale. It was a close second place for me.

 

[Vaz]

Congratulations Robert!

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I know TDZ got my title, and I daresay a number of others did, too, but just in case anyone else is interested, it's a deliberate misquote from the end of a line which everyone here will know at least in part: "O brave new world that has such people in 't". It's from a speech from Miranda in The Tempest, which is why I wanted a nasty storm in my piece (and it's produced by caliba-waves in honour of Caliban, and the world itself is named after the characters of Prospero and Ariel).

Yeah, I liked your caliba-waves, too.

 

[Ajid]

Congratulations Robert, a worthy winner indeed.

Thank you for the mentions Drofelt, Glen and Cat's Cradle. To be shortlisted at all with my first entry really does feel great.

 

[mosaix]

Congratulations, Robert.