Discussion Thread -- May 2016 75-word Writing Challenge

[Droflet]

Thanks for the review, Perp.

 

[Dan Jones]

Thanks for the excellent reviews, Perp, Shyrka and Victoria. Good job, you guys.

 

[HazelRah]

Phew.
For a minute there, I thought I had run out of time to enter. Where has this month even gone?

 

[Zoe Mackay]

Who knows where the time goes?

 

[HazelRah]

Perhaps it's gone to a better place, where time is less fleeting and it can enjoy a longer, healthier life.

 

[chrispenycate]

Well, we're only one short of the 42, and with:- Ajid, farntfar, johnnyjet, Mad Alice, Starbeast, The Judge, TheDustyZebra and Ursa major yet to submit (and that's just the regulars - please don't feel that if you weren't included you aren't eligible, whether newcomer or not recently posted) I can't see us missing our life, the universe and all that total (not that it wouldn't be pleasing to get into record figures, but I see that as unlikely, now).

@HazelRah:- while time might well get healthier with a more laid-back approach, I can't really see a longer life available than eternity, as is the present contract…

 

[HazelRah]

@HazelRah:- while time might well get healthier with a more laid-back approach, I can't really see a longer life available than eternity, as is the present contract…

Good point.
Although (seen most frequently in the land of ten year olds), I do believe there may be such a thing as infinity times infinity plus one?

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

HazelRah -- A heartfelt, intimate account of emotional torment.

Culhwch -- An original concept used to illustrate a ray of hope within despair.

 

[chrispenycate]

Although (seen most frequently in the land of ten year olds), I do believe there may be such a thing as infinity times infinity plus one?

Just a suggestion - don't ever discuss infinity with a mathematician (even an outdated and unfrocked one like myself). As a starting point, infinity times infinity equals infinity - every point can be mapped onto an equivalent in the other set. A straightforward linear infinity can be mapped onto an infinite surface, or an infinite volume or even higher powers with no loss of data, or detail. When a single infinite dimension (using 'dimension' as a definition of size here, not direction as I generally do) enters the equation common sense ceases to be relevant. But only to a mathematician - common mortals consider 'infinity' as very big, even mind-blowingly big, but can't handle the extension to 'infinitely bigger than that'.

 

[Parson]

I'm seriously considering not entering any more of these. After reading the Judge's statistics which show that I haven't had a vote in well over a year, after regularly getting votes for the first couple of years, I'm just having trouble getting up the enthusiasm I used to have. The topic and the genre should be right in my wheel house, but I can't even seem to get myself to think seriously about it.

Sorry

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Now, Parson, that simply means you're due! Or possibly overdue, which ought to be even better!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I'm seriously considering not entering any more of these. After reading the Judge's statistics which show that I haven't had a vote in well over a year, after regularly getting votes for the first couple of years, I'm just having trouble getting up the enthusiasm I used to have. The topic and the genre should be right in my wheel house, but I can't even seem to get myself to think seriously about it.

Sorry

I've found since I've stopped entering them all a lot of pressure has come off. If i get an idea and time to write it, and like what I came up with, I'll pop it up. If not, not a problem. I do find less motivation for 75 than 300, though, as I don't seem quite as good at it (although my 300 bombed this month, so... ummmm), so there is something about wanting to get the odd nice comment, even if not a vote.

I hope you do enter, though - your entries always make me think and often come at things from a different angle than others.

 

[Phyrebrat]

I'm seriously considering not entering any more of these. After reading the Judge's statistics which show that I haven't had a vote in well over a year, after regularly getting votes for the first couple of years, I'm just having trouble getting up the enthusiasm I used to have. The topic and the genre should be right in my wheel house, but I can't even seem to get myself to think seriously about it.

We all feel like that from time to time, Parson. I think it depends on how you approach the challenges, and I can't imagine you enter just to win. However, as Jo says, it's nice to get a mention or a vote. The 300 word one is easier in that regard, because if you don't get a vote, you usually get a mention.

Whenever I see a new member in the writing subforum I always encourage them to enter the challenges, especially the 75 word one, because of the undeniable benefit it has on one's writing. To be honest I can't see the logic of an aspiring writer not doing the 75 worders. To me a vote or a mention is a side benefit; the main benefit is how much more our writing improves. I cringe when I read stuff I wrote before joining Chrons. Although the hands-on approach to helping and the crits are great, I think the greatest influence has come from trying to distill a satisfying narrative to 75 words over the past 3 years.

I've often posted entries knowing I won't get a mention, let alone a vote, but that is a case of me being true to the idea I had. And from feedback I have had from members I know my entries often polarise opinions. Sometimes it's not the technique in our entries that cost us votes, but the subject matter. I can speak from experience on that count, I think. There are some excellent stories each month that I just don't appreciate simply because of the subject.

Often lack of votes is a sign of our own partisan prejudices in taste, as opposed to a comment on the author's craft.

pH

 

[Parson]

Often lack of votes is a sign of our own partisan prejudices in taste, as opposed to a comment on the author's craft.

That is a good insight. And fits right along with what @Jo Zebedee says about coming at things from my own angle. I tend to see things more black and white and often more positive than the general view here. After posting last night I did sit down and work on a story. I might still post this time. Thanks to everyone who is encouraging me to continue posting.

Parson

 

[Heijan Xavier]

DG-Jones- Most working folk probably feel that way. Here today, gone tomorrow. The noose can come as retribution for an act of betrayal or as a lover who has grown tired of you. Hopefully we don't languish in the past.

Little Star- Technicalities, semantics, figures of speech. One person's tomorrow is another person's somewhere down the road I don't know when. How much heartache can be spared with properly agreed upon modes of communication? How many relationships preemptively saved? How much patience not needing to be tested?

Perpetual Man- I don't think I've logged enough hours here to respond to your story. Very clever though, as the general consensus of this forum is to expect from you.

Wruter- What happens when the human race is left to it's own devices? Does planet earth get a sabbatical ice age before we are given another go at it? Do we wipe ourselves out or does the universe do it for us?

Still Learning- Dude, you wrote that 10 days before the most recent Game of Thrones episode. Are you on the production team or something?

Mr. Orange- A great religious conundrum of our time. How can we have free will if the future is known by the all knowing? We see time as one looking through a tube sees a forest. The wind blows everything; we only see a shred of it. What a dark and humorous way to share that.

 

[Heijan Xavier]

I'm seriously considering not entering any more of these. After reading the Judge's statistics which show that I haven't had a vote in well over a year, after regularly getting votes for the first couple of years, I'm just having trouble getting up the enthusiasm I used to have. The topic and the genre should be right in my wheel house, but I can't even seem to get myself to think seriously about it.

Sorry

Last Challenge was my rookie forum and lucky for me there was a special edition of 3 votes per person! No, actually unlucky for me, it made not getting nary a mention, let alone a vote, all the more disconcerting. The disappointment was short lived though. I'm so happy to be here and to have found this forum that It's thoroughly irrelevant now except as an impetus for further moves. There must be a time when you felt as I did. Try to get back to that.

 

[Vaz]

Chin up Parson!

We all get down in the doldrums sometimes, but the best thing about the challenges is reading and enjoying each other's unique take and style on the monthly theme, and I for one think the challenges would be poorer without your voice added to the collective.

Keep posting!

 

[Perpetual Man]

Wruter – An outside element that has been hidden behind the scenes guiding humanity to a destiny unimaginable. Of course there is no evidence to say just who this agent is working for, whether a positive or a negative, but a desire to go home speaks volumes.

StilLearning – Ah science, can be so strange and almost mystical in its implementation. There is an element of farce thrown in here, it could almost be the Three Stooges at play, but it shows how science and different things can be seen as time passes. The biggest lesson though – as far as science goes there is always more to be discovered, we are still learning (Did you see what I did there?)

Mr Orange – A story that starts with the ability to twist your mind in knots, transforms into a lovely little piece that first makes you smirk at the absurdity and fatality of it all, then turns it on its head once again, with an abstract final line that cannot but make you laugh.

Sinister42 – When is tomorrow, the day after today or the next time one opens their eyes, no matter how long the sleep is? There is a good feeling of danger here, the merest whisper that long term hibernation might be risky, that technology might not be the only thing needed to see a long journey through, but tenacity and strength of will too.

ratsy – Speaking of tenacity, another showcase for the strength of human spirit, the ability to pick oneself up, no matter how far we fall, and try again. In many ways it tells of a strength of will, the stubbornness not to give in, but it is also a sign of something more precious – hope.

Robert Mackay – You never know what might happen tomorrow, or what it will be like, no matter how much you may think you might no. There are so many random elements that might change even the most carefully laid out plans. The future is a mystery and it is easy to wonder what it will be like, not so easy to predict what the future thinks of the past…

mosaix – an interesting look at the future and what it might bring, transferring the idea of time travel to a corporate environment. But what makes it all the more entertaining is the well envisaged backstabbing that influences decisions and motivations of those that get to interpret the future.

Johnny Appleseed – A deliciously fluffy alternative, as some kind of candy cane fantasy inserts itself on proceedings. Conjoining up some delightful images the succulent tales is only spoiled by the imminent destruction of all the sweet things. Of course a kingdom like that would not last long around here anyway. Yum!

 

[Perpetual Man]

@Parson - there are some people who are an integral part of these forums, in particular the challenges. It is nothing to do with success or failure, their mere presence add something to proceedings that just make it all the more of an experience.

Part of this is due to longevity of those partaking, but it is also personality and interaction and when one drifts away, in some way the community becomes a darker place. (Then we get newbies who start to settle in.)

But without a doubt you are one of these, and although the votes/mentions might not have been coming as much as we would like you presence is something that would be missed, by me and I hope many others if you decided to step back.

It is not only the votes and mentions that makes the challenges, it is the over all plethora of stories and styles and ideas that makes it worthwhile, and the mix of old favourite members with the new and all the magnificent interpretation of the theme and style that just build the incredible mosaic that the challenges are.

Besides it would not be right for me to be the only stetson wearing member of the challenges

 

[sinister42]

Wruter – An outside element that has been hidden behind the scenes guiding humanity to a destiny unimaginable. Of course there is no evidence to say just who this agent is working for, whether a positive or a negative, but a desire to go home speaks volumes.

Sinister42 – When is tomorrow, the day after today or the next time one opens their eyes, no matter how long the sleep is? There is a good feeling of danger here, the merest whisper that long term hibernation might be risky, that technology might not be the only thing needed to see a long journey through, but tenacity and strength of will too.

Thanks for the great summary!