Discussion Thread -- September 2016 75-word Writing Challenge

[Starbeast]

STAGE FRIGHT
Science Fiction - part 8​

@David Evil Overlord - Yep. There's quite a few female superheroes that wear costumes that look at a lot like swimsuits (male artist's idea). Perhaps the crime-fighter should wear her skimpy outfit, it could give her the edge, by being a distraction. Voluptuous and awesome.

@Phyrebrat - An astonishing, heart pounding tale, that doesn't involve too many energy drinks, but the conjuring of much needed talent to perform at one's best. Using the latest technology to do it, rather than a seance. "Oh great sweaty Elvis! Do you hear me?" "Shut-up!" "He heard me."

@WordWarrior - Sometimes desperate situations can place a person in a dangerous position. However, with their help, it can save the lives of others. But, being a hero isn't an easy thing. That's what I like about this story, it makes you imagine what you would do in this scenario. Intense excellence.

@DG Jones - You've got to enjoy the mechanical sound effects and spurting dialogue that highlights this fast-paced story that hits the ground running. Plus a well written accent is the icing on the cake for that main narrating character. All aboard, for this wonderful entry, that isn't a train-wreck.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Ursa major -- A plausible look at technology of the near future, with a touch of wordplay for good measure.

 

[Starbeast]

STAGE FRIGHT
Science Fiction - part 9​

@Ursa major - Sure, TV and movies are recorded and presented with mind-numbing commercials, BUT, nothing beats LIVE performances, because there's always the chance that something may go wrong. It happens, and our great, white bear author did a spectacular job of emphasizing that in his tragic, yet humorous story. Now...RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!! That robot bear is coming this way!

 

[WordWarrior]

Thanks for the positive feedback StarBeast and Silverwolf

 

[chrispenycate]

Well, no risk of missing the target answer this month - not a record (probably) but even without Cascade, Mad Alice, Robert Mackay, sinister42, StilLearning and The Judge we're safe, even if the counting pixie pix off a few more. And seven newcomers - must be the beginning of term. Again, no risk of records, I just hope they are inspired enough by the experience to try again in the future (and to get into the voting).

Thank you Victoria and Starbeast (does that bring up an image of Lassie, or maybe even Godzilla, with the present theme?) for your commentaries - I do apologise for my eternal versification, but at least I'm not attracting imitators for the instant, and I won't promise to go prosaic in the immediate future…

 

[Parson]

@TheDustyZebra -- And just when I'd thought that all of the turns of "stage fright" had been dealt with, here you come with an actual "stage fright." Nice! and memorable too.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I thought they had, too.

(Thanks!)

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

TheDustyZebra -- This story of advanced technology reminds us that even one who seems perfect can experience doubts.

Alex The G and T -- This lighthearted tale reveals how some fears are unwarranted.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The Judge -- The author pays tribute to a literary classic in this tale of crime and consequences.

 

[The Judge]

I was going to announce I'd crept into the Challenge in my petty pace, but Victoria beat me to it! (She should have hied hereafter )

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

StilLearning -- This glimpse of a probable near future makes the reader wonder about the nature of sentience.

ErikB -- The consequences of one's actions, sometimes terrible, are depicted vividly in this tense tale.

Jo Zebedee -- This mysterious tale blends science fiction and fantasy to draw the reader into the narrator's emotions.

 

[Starbeast]

STAGE FRIGHT
Science Fiction - part 10​

@TheDustyZebra - Fear of an audience can be overwhelming for some people. Standing there like a deer frozen in time, with eyes staring into bright lights, then, WHAM-MO!!! Career, over. Shocking, and superbly realistic.

@Alex The G and T - During the exploration of a planet, that might be a forbidden destination, a welcome wagon races into the scene, sent by the unknown inhabitants. A stage of a trap, perhaps? Creepy cool.

@The Judge - A thief gets a befitting punishment, that can be considered, a torment in hell. Stuck, in a eternal time-loop after stealing a time machine. Mu-ha ha ha ha ha ha. Wonderful and horrifying, and horrifying, and horrifying...

@StilLearning - Even an android can get cold feet, when you program it's A.I. with emotions. Perhaps a drink might calm it's circuits. Too bad you can't turn off it's fear, like Data, from Star Trek Next Gen. Great engineered tale.

@ErikB - "Just thinning the herd." Heh heh, What a funny character, entertaining to the end. I believe the last thing he said when they threw the Death Switch was.."AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhgngngn......." (fizzle) Electrifying story.

@Jo Zebedee - Most people sweat when they are nervous, but the character in this entry, causes snow to fall. That quirk would be useful in arid climates. Strange, fantastic, and dripping with sweet perspiration. Yummy.

@Mad Alice - Some of us have the power to face our fears, during impending doom. And summon strength to go beyond the terror, and think about what's really important in their lives. A truly beautiful tale. Magnificent.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Mad Alice -- This emotionally powerful combination of song and prose depicts powerfully the depths of human courage.

 

[Starbeast]

 

[Ursa major]

The challenge is now closed to new entries.

Voting is open at the link below:

POLL -- SEPTEMBER 2016 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!

​

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

A tough theme and a tough choice.

In the end I had to go with Ihe for a story with great psychological insight.

 

[Droflet]

As always the quality of ALL the stories is annoyingly good. Some of you should write the occasional stinker, just to mess things up a bit. Works for me. Anyhoo, congrats to all on another bumper crop. Sigh. Here we go again:
Honorables: Wruther, Victoria, Reiver, Mosaix, Thomas, CC, Ashley, Chrispy, JJ, Cul, AJB, Andrew L, Justin S, Cory, Moonbat, DEO, Warrior, Her Honor, Jo and Alice. Yeah, I know it's a long short list but I canna cull no more.
For hitting all the marks and putting me on the floor I am compelled to cast my vote for the Beast.

 

[Alex The G and T]

Thank you, Victoria for, as always, a positive note for a review; and The Beastly One for a chuckle on an, also, always uplifting review.

Egads, the field is vast. ?????

 

[Parson]

This was an interesting challenge. When I first saw "stage fright" I thought we would really cut down the entries and have a lot of the same thing. WRONG!!! Lots of originality out. I was also surprised by the amount of bathroom humor, but it was all in good taste if not in good odor.

Short list
@Cathbad --- Thinking --- A captain with stage fright is death for his crew.
@Old_Man_Steve2016 --- Stage Fright --- Error 451 indeed!!
@Gnrevolution --- Babylon's Ashes --- A prophet who can't communicate is good for nothing.
@Moonbat --- Stage Fright --- A bashful badder in a room of unfathomable fixtures. (Bathroom humor)
@David Evil Overlord --- Victoria's Secret Identity --- A very silly interlude
@WordWarrior --- Untitled --- A true exposition of irrational fear.

Runners up
@Starbeast --- Lucio Argento Presenta: ORRORE DEI PAGLIACCI --- Some people will do anything for money. (Bathroom humor)
@TheDustyZebra --- Our Doubts are Traitors --- I never thought of a stage that could be frightened before.

Voted for
@johnnyjet --- In Ovvico Apparatus --- A robot president? with stage fright? Hilarious.

 

[mosaix]

Some great stories and difficult choices this month.