Discussion Thread -- April 2016 75-word Writing Challenge

[Bowler1]

Thank you Ratsy and pambaddeley for the votes, much appreciated.

Bowler1 glares at the Cute Bear (we all know what this can lead to) and wonders if this three votes each is a one off. I like voting....

 

[The Judge]

Hmm. As a voter, three votes was not a blessing this month since I'd picked my first winner as soon as I read it, but I've had to spend ages reading and re-reading to try and winnow out two more!

As ever there were some stories I didn't get, a number that seemed a bit same-y, and there was one I loved but which to my eyes simply didn't meet the genre, as wide as it was. Anyway, herewith the judicial shortlist:

Bowler1 -- Duck and Cover
Culhwch -- Outsiders
DG Jones -- The Depreciation of Ploughshares
J5V -- Fulfilment
Luiglin --White room
mosaix -- Outsiders? For now...
Perpetual Man -- On a Blood Red World
Phyrebrat -- Homesick
reiver33 -- No Angel Tonight​

Anyway, after a good deal of deliberation, DGJ and Luiglin joined Bowler in having a Judicial Vote.

And VB gets a special mention for his gimmicky gimmick!


However, as a votee, I was most definitely in favour of three votes this month! So some blind but highly sensitive sense-whiskery thanks for the shortlistings/mentions DGJ (and a lovely review, thank you), CC, Phyrebrat, johnnyjet, TDZ and crystal, but farsighted and even more bewhiskered genocidal mega-thanks for the delectable votes Perp, mosaix, Moonbat, Cascade and BluePhoenix!

 

[willwallace]

Thanks, Ashleyne, for the vote, and those who gave me a mention.

Sent from Note 3

 

[J5V]

I'm pleased that I had three votes to cast. My top two were tied: @farntfar and @BluePhoenix711, with @mosaix earning my remaining tasty vote.

The "I see what you did there" prizes go to:

• @Venusian Broon, for knowing Unicode,
• @Droflet, for dropping the punchline in as late as possible, and
• @TheDustyZebra gets the self-referencing prize, for self-referencing.

There were a few stories I just "didn't get", or had no impact, which makes me a little sad: a combination of my own possible lack of understanding, and perhaps authors trying to do too much within the word count. I'll have a think. If you think this might be you, I'd be happy to crit or explain myself.

On a personal note, thanks for the shortlistings: @The Judge, @LittleStar, @farntfar, @TheDustyZebra, @Venusian Broon, @johnnyjet, @chrispenycate, @Parson ... so far - quite a haul, which tells me I'm doing something (but not everything) right. I'll grab that, plus the handful of actual votes, and run

Hat-tip also to our brave reviewers: @Victoria Silverwolf, @Shyrka, @Calliopenjo.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I can't keep track of the time changes, but I'm positive it's late enough to close the poll, so I did so.

Congratulations to mosaix!

 

[Droflet]

Congrats Mosaix on another great story.
Thanks to Ratsy and J5V for the mentions and huge thanks to Pam B for the vote.

 

[Cathbad]

CONGRATULATIONS, @mosaix !
​

 

[Calliopenjo]

Hip Hip, Hurray! Hip Hip, Hurray! Congratulations, Mosaix!

I just want to hug everyone for reading my story. I'd also like to thank those that voted for me.

 

[Starbeast]

Congratulations MOSAIX​

A tremendously, massive thanks to Culhwch, Crystal haven, reiver33, Starbeast, Mr Orange, sinsiter42 and Cascade for the votes, and to anyone kind enough to mention my little story.

You're immensely welcome Ratsy. Keep up the awesomeness.

In addition to the mention of mentions when I voted, thanks to:- Cat's Cradle, Glen, johnnyjet, Venusian Broon and crystal haven for more mentions, and obviously Starbeast for the vote.

You are very welcome Chrispenycate. Don't exchange your talent for less than five goats and a bag of cookies. Heh heh.

Ahem, <cough cough>.

Now turn your head, and cough very loudly please.

My miniscule list: Starbeast.

My three votes go to Perp, willwallace and farntfar.

Aww. Thank you, Ashleyne. I am honored to be the only one on your list. You made my night shine bright.

Good stories this month everyone, a good spectrum of interesting takes on outsiders which is always nice to see

My shortlist this month is Starbeast

Thank you LittleStar for placing me on your Short List. You made my night.

Thanks, Ashleyne, for the vote, and those who gave me a mention.

Sent from Note 3

You're mighty welcome Willwalace. You deserve a mention in my book. Keep up the great work.

 

[Vaz]

Congratulations Mosaix!!

 

[Dan Jones]

Congratulations Mosaix, a very knowing story and a worthy winner. And while it's nice to have voted for the winner, it's even nicer to know that I didn't lose to your story by a single vote!

I was quite pleased with my own effort this month, but I thought it'd be a bit grim for many tastes, so I was pleasantly surprised that so many people seemed quite keen to sample a plate of peacenik pakora.

So it is with pleasure that I provide extra spicy lemongrass-infused genuflections of gratitude to of those who gave my story a mention or shortlisting.

But super-charged, insurance-waiver requiring, 26-pints-of-lager-with-extra-Naga-chillies-on-top thanks must go to @The Judge, @StilLearning, @Luiglin, @Victoria Silverwolf, @sinister42, @farntfar, @Robert Mackay, @Cascade, and @Wruter for the votes. The beatnik bhunas are on me.

 

[farntfar]

CONGRATULATIONS MOSAIX.

And furthermore, thanks loads for the vote. (When did that happen? I didn't see that happen.)
And thank you tons too to Ashleyne and J5V.
Wow. I've been spoiled this challenge. (Smiling from ear to ear.)

 

[Luiglin]

Congrats @mosaix for the win and cheers to @The Judge, @TheDustyZebra, [USER=26206]@Droflet and @Duttster for the votes plus thanks for the mentions/shortlists etc.[/USER]

I rather enjoyed doing a more serious this month. Next month though it will be in the style of Barbara Cartland. I'm already girding my well muscled bronzed loins to write honey dripping descriptions of beautiful people in the first days of angst ridden love triangles.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Congratulations, Mosaix, on a terrific story, and victory! I loved your entry! Looking forward to your choices for May.
It was an exciting race, and congrats to DG and everyone else who kept it interesting till the end.
And a big thanks to farntfar for the listing!

 

[Bowler1]

Well done Mosaix. I always thought your post would be the one this month, I liked it from the first.

Bowler in having a Judicial Vote.

- OMG!

 

[crystal haven]

Congratulations, Mosaix!

 

[SilentRoamer]

I missed the voting!

I was sure it was the last day of the month, my mistake. Although my votes wouldn't have changed the overall result.

 

[The Judge]

Congrats, mosaix! A good win!


If anyone is wondering about the title of my piece, by the way, it's a deliberate misquote from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence which hinges on the fact people believe a lie and the press continues to promulgate it even knowing the truth, which I thought was apposite for a tale of deliberate genocide.

Bowler in having a Judicial Vote.

- OMG!

Now, now... Let's not get carried away. Oh My Lady is quite sufficient when you address me.

 

[Bowler1]

Now, now... Let's not get carried away. Oh My Lady is quite sufficient when you address me.

Yes, My Lady (OMG!!!)....

 

[Ashleyne]

A massive Congratulations, MOSAIX!!!

Although I didn't list many, this is actually one of my favourite months of stories to read through.