DISCUSSION -- April 2016 300-word Writing Challenge (#21)

well after kicking myself for missing the 75 closing time, i made sure i got something in for this. i ended up repeating a couple of themes from January. one which i might take all the way to the end of the year and include in the next 300'ers, the other which i sincerely hope i won't be able to...
 
Ursa major -- The author begins with the classic structure and tone of crime fiction, only to lead the reader into something darker and stranger. At first only a subtle touch of the fantastic is suggested, but as the story goes on we are drawn deeper and deeper into the extraordinary. At the end, we witness a tale of vengeance beyond imagination.

StilLearning -- A modern setting is used in this story to make a strong contrast with a plot which delves deep into the past. Many of the reader's assumptions about history are imaginatively upturned here. The final confrontation is sure to create a sense of awe at the vastness of time and space.

Mr Orange -- This surreal comedy makes use of the trappings of science fiction in order to point out many of the absurdities of the bureaucratic world. An outrageous premise is treated in a matter-of-fact tone which heightens the amusement. Add an ironic conclusion and you have quite an entertaining romp.

Mad Alice -- A touch of poetry can be found in this mysterious and evocative tale of myth, magic, and miracles. By combining elements of ancient legends with a modern setting and characters, a sense of the timelessness of the uncanny is conveyed. The subtle underpinnings of this story reward the reader who peruses it carefully.

____________________________________________________________

Well, this was tough. I had to look over all the stories again and again to make up my mind. In any case, here goes:

Long List

Ihe

Shyrka

Robert Mackay

mosaix

Ursa major

Short List

johnnyjet

Glen

Wruter

VOTES

Jo Zebedee -- For perfectly capturing a subtle and unusual tone of wicked merriment.

Juliana -- For genuine, heartrending emotional appeal.

DG Jones -- For perfectly integrating an unusual style and a clever plot.
 
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Hmmm. An interesting diversity this month, but with some common underpinnings, or so they felt.

Anyway, top o' the stack: johnnyjet

Tied for second: Ihe & Robert Mackay

Honourable mention: wruter
 
Another good month. My favourites tended to have a less literal interpretation of the pic:
  • Shyrka - best served cold
  • The Judge - more payback (though could have done with a spellcheck, TJ, tut, tut, I'm surprised).
  • Cat's Cradle - alternate dialogue
  • Cascade - comedy gold
  • Venusian Broon - something
  • Moonbat - day trip
  • Ursa major - a weight off my mind
 
Wow! Thank you so much Glen! I'm surprised, and thrilled to have received your vote. And I'm in such good company! :) Merci, CC
 
'Short list'/honorable mentions:
Shyrka - Patience
The Judge - Letter Home from Merlyn's Mage School
Wruter - Bird Girl
Starbeast - Chapter 13: Hellboy Gets the Boid
Phyrebrat - Missing Stock
Ihe - Late Return

And voted for:
Juliana - Tiny Bones
Victoria Silverwolf - Fossils
Littlestar - Easy Choices
 
Many impressive pieces. My shortlist/favorites:

Jo Zebedee
Victoria Silverwolf
Robert Mackay
Cathbad
cats cradle
jonnyjet
Venusian Broon

And my votes:

The Judge - clever and funny, really enjoyed it
DG Jones - what can I say? Masterful stuff. DAMN IT DG JONES STOP MAKING ME LOVE YOU
Juliana - the most emotive piece for me
 
This month really had a lot of great stories inspired by the image, making it very difficult to trim down to only three votes. After much deliberation I gave my votes to the following:

Ashleyne B. Watts, for Beautiful And Faceless
Victoria Silverwolf, with Fossils
Finally, Glen's entry, Fractured.
 
That's how I look at it, Glen. I think it's an individual choice, how directly the picture is represented in the story...but tenuous is typically a good description for the connection that can be made between what has inspired (the picture), and my story that evolved from that inspiration.
And that's one reason I love these challenges so much...that 50 people could look at a photo and come up with 50 unique stories inspired by it is a true testament to the wonders of individuality. :)
 
Well, I failed to get anything written, anything I'd be prepared to let anyone else see, that is. I actually wrote five, each worse than all the others. Nothing wrong with the image (splendid), just I'm coughing nasty stuff out of my lungs, can't see the screen for conjunctivitis, all muscles and joints ache, and inspiration was sadly lacking.

But I read, and judge, and vote, with a short list of:-

Cascade Transcript of a speech by Gomen Humblot
DG Jones Unwanted Baggage
Juliana Tiny Bones
LittleStar Easy Choices
The Judge Letter Home from Merlyn’s Mage School
Venusian Broon The Bone Forest
 
Glen said:
It shouldn't matter if the connection is tenuous or even non-existent? The image is meant to inspire, not inform. Discuss.
Click to expand...

The images always set off a path of ideas for me with each step another jump towards the whole tale. The original image still exists at the heart of the tale whether or not it exists in the text.

That's how I create and how I read the other submissions :)
 
A lot of fun reading these, this month.

The majestic golden Eagles I went for and voted, were the stories of Ihe, DG Jones and Moonbat (yay! finally managed to vote for you...)

The slightly smaller pair of fighting kestrels that missed their kill: Wruter and Mosaix

And the flock of sparrows, that I noticed doing one of those amazing three-dimensional shapes in the sunset: Juliana, Luiglin, The Judge, willwallace, johnnyjet, Glen, Phyrebrat, LittleStar, reiver33, Ursa Major and StilLearning.
 
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