Discussion Thread -- April 2016 75-word Writing Challenge

Ooh three votes, lovely. Makes it so much easier when there's fractions between the top ones you really like.

And this month's - a very door and scratching selection of stories - that I picked were:

Mosaix - being body snatched by alien accountants?
BluePhoenix711 - body snatching of another type.
Glen - Just the sort of thing we Venusians might do, although we'd of course cheat to win and not just rely on beating an outside chance.

The others that for me almost broke into the voting circle: chrispenycate, Cascade, Starbeast, Culhwch, Phyrebrat, and J5V

Finally the ones right on the outside of my choices that I'd like to mention that stirred me: Luiglin, Parson, reiver33, TheDustyZebra (shades of Embassytown I thought, having just read it a few weeks ago) and Ursa major
 
I was very impressed by all entries, there are some fantastic minds on here! Nevertheless my votes were:

Luiglin - I didn't think 75 words could put me on edge, but they did!
Hazelrah - For some reason this reminded me of a sci fi twist on a concentration camp...
Bluephoenix - THAT twist at the end was awesome.
 
damn. i thought i had until tonight to get a story in. why on earth did i think that? oh well, that's a shame. best get voting. we get until the 1st, right?

and what? three votes? and an extra prize? has the world gone mad?
 
Thanks for the shortlist Phyrebrat! This was my first time letting anyone read my creative writing so I'm more than happy with a mention!
 
Victoria Silverwolf said:
Wow, this was a tough one. Choosing my votes was very difficult, making a short or long list impossible.

I finally had to go with three stories which were well-written, emotionally effective, and original. In order of appearance:

The Depreciation of Ploughshares by DG Jones.

Ponyboy by sinister 42.

The Outcast by Calliopenjo.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the vote!
 
DG Jones said:
Three votes! Ooh, yummy. You are spoiling us, Ambassador.

Here's my Top Ten for the month, then:

Guardian - Chrisp - a sweet, wry piece of verse that plays with words as would a cat with its quarry. I really enjoyed this, and your best for some time, Chrisp.
View From A Height - Victoria - quite a sad and ultimately chilling tale of why ignorance sometimes is bliss, but where the truth is ever more precious.
Ponyboy - Sinister 42 - themes of urban isolation are captured nicely in this painting of a future both desolate and advanced.
Selective Autism - Ihe - a poignant snapshot of a mind in turmoil, whether consciously or unconsciously it's difficult to say, but a nice image of the outsider as being trapped inside themselves.
What We Don't Understand - Cascade - a sour ditty that captures the visceral repulsion humans can feel at other humans, while all the while pointing out the things we have in common.
Outsiders? For now... - Mosaix - these sinister aliens are playing the long game. This sharp story captures the calm confidence of a society that knows it's on the rise and that the subjugation of the other will soon be complete. More knowing than it lets on.
tarrattarrat - VB - as the current holder of the unofficial Challenge Formatting Gimmick crown, I wholeheartedly approve of such shenanigans. And, crucially, the story is still well written, even at half the length.
No Angel Tonight - Reiver33 - hard boiled stuff with an MC whose conscience is notable for the conspicuous absence of a balancing presence (hence the clever double meaning in the title).
Homesick - Phyrebrat - I suspect there is more going on under the surface to this tale than meets the eye. The sad story of a man left to pick up the pieces as his family leave him, one by one, yet still they tug at his earthly self, never truly leaving him. It's an impressionistic vignette on the gnashing of the soul that is grief. Plus: "Bruised Jupiter." Phrase of the month.
Even if the Legend Never Becomes Fact, Print the Legend - TJ - a wry look at our tendency to conveniently forget facets of our own selves that don't fit the narrative of the day. We do sometimes sneer at the past from our position of present-day lofty superiority, sometimes forgetting what it took to get us to this point.

Some cracking stories in there this month. I did have one standout that I thought I would vote for from the beginning, but now I have three I can have a guilt-free month by spreading the love even further. So, my three votes went to...

Chrispenycate
Mosaix
Phyrebrat

Fabulous work, you guys (y)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the top ten!
 
Party Animals, @Bob Senior – A pair of party-goers discover that they are no longer on the guest list.

The Life of Riley Crusoe, @TheDustyZebra – A castaway resorts to whatever work she can get, no matter how unseemly, in order to make ends meet. No self-respecting soul would indulge in such perversion!

Rank Outsiders, @Ursa major – A devilishly cunning attempt to blend in become unstuck when something smells fishy. Or sulphur-y.

Even if the Legend Never Becomes Fact, Print the Legend, @The Judge – A kingdom’s ancient myths give tantalising clues to the nature of its founders and the violent fate of its rivals.

On the Wall, @ratsy – A silent witness contemplates the brutal murder by an invisible killer in this disturbingly intimate tale of voyuerism.

Home, The Wanderer, @Mad Alice – At the end of all things, a Norse deity employs a desperate gamble to win the souls of his children.

Parasites Lost, @Ajid – Lamenting the loss of her culture, an insurgent takes desperate action to defend her people’s heritage.
 
Shortlist:

Ponyboy, @sinister42
Selective Autism, @Ihe
Outsiders? For Now, @mosaix
The Life of Riley Crusoe, @TheDustyZebra
Parasites Lost, @Ajid

Votes:

Legal Entry, @farntfar - Loved the concept and twist on the classic 'Romeo and Juliet' theme.
Convert, @willwallace - A delightful twist on the swarm trope, artfully told.
Espionage and the Art of Blown Cover, @Robert Mackay - I was won over by the delightful melancholy of the despairing protagonist.
 
Damn my organisation! I had a decent idea for this one but hadn't gotten time to put it up until tonight thinking that the deadline was 26th. Ah well, will look at voting instead.
 
This month sees a good variety of strong entries, all 'within genre'. Some are crafted, others are plain and succinct. Some build worlds, others build emotions.

Looking at the voting so far, there's also a wide spread of tastes to match.

(my vote coming soon - this is a drive-by post)
 
Many excellent & highly unique entries! Congratulations to all.

However, my Long List, Short List and **** Favorites ****

  1. White Room – Luiglin
  2. Guardian – chrispenycate
  3. On a Blood Red World - Perpetual Man
  4. Legal Entry – farntfar
  5. **** View from a Height - Victoria Silverwolf ****
  6. The Depreciation of Ploughshares - DG Jones
  7. Ponyboy - sinister42
  8. **** Selective Autism – Ihe ****
  9. **** The Fruit of Her Hands – HazelRah ****
  10. Outsiders? For Now … - mosaix
  11. Just the Stars – LittleStar
  12. The Lone Patron - BluePhoenix711
  13. Long Shot – Glen
  14. Espionage and the Art of the Blown Cover - Robert MacKay
  15. tattarrattat - Venusian Broon
  16. No Angel Tonight - reiver33
  17. Homesick – Phyrebrat
  18. Fulfilment - J5V
  19. The Life of Riley Crusoe – TheDustyZebra
  20. Even if the Legend Never Becomes Fact, Print the Legend - The Judge
 
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