DISCUSSION -- MAY 2017 75-word Writing Challenge

[Danny McG]

For anyone who might have noticed the lovely comments on my story and suddenly wonder what is going on as it can't be found, I've had it removed for excessive word count. In my haste I used a few shortcuts to get the word count down, but in the end (and quite rightly) they may well have been used as a distinct method of speaking, but it did not really change the amount of words used.

When the challenge is over I'll post it so people can see it, find out what it was all about and indeed, the Arabian nipple clamps.

As is common in these cases there is always time for some friendly advice - it does not matter whether you are a newbie at the challenges or a long time partaker - check and double check your word count, and if you have any doubts check with a mod.

Aw that's a shame. It was at the top of my 'vote list' so far

 

[Perpetual Man]

Aw that's a shame. It was at the top of my 'vote list' so far

Thanks, very kind words and greatly appreciated.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

mosaix -- This subtle tale shows how great power may be used for small purposes.

Moonbat -- This surreal black comedy depicts dedication to one's duty in extreme circumstances.

johnnyjet -- This brooding account of a coming apocalypse excites the reader's imagination.

 

[Parson]

@mosaix .... Brings us to a world much like our own where even trivial fantasy world events can have life changing real world consequences "As Seen on TV."

@Moonbat .... If you live in a fantasy world being a paper carrier can call for extreme measures to protect you. Leading any sane 10 year old to ask "Why can't you read the news online like everyone else."

@johnnyjet .... Do not believe in the the peace of this world because in the dark fantasy beneath the street will truly destroy because they are "Sewer Rot Bred."

 

[Shyrka]

From Father to Son, @HazelRah – A son takes the life – and takes on the mantle – of his father in a touching act of mercy and self-sacrifice.

The City and the End, @pyan – This evocative account of the end of the world is rich with familiar landmarks and amusing mash-ups of pop culture references.

Northbound/Southbound, @Phyrebrat – This melancholy tale of grief leaves us with tantalising questions about life and our final destination.

As Seen On TV… @mosaix – This amusing tale of the trials and tribulations of a struggling football team shows that their fate may not have been entirely in their own hands.

Why can’t you read the news online like everyone else? @Moonbat – The virtual perils of the video game Paperboy pale into insignificance when compared to the magical assault course this delivery boy must endure.

 

[Parson]

@LittleStar .... When you wish at the well of Llandrindod's heart you might catch Merril's heart and wishes might not be for naught.

LittleStar that was was one sweet poignant story. Well done.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Culhwch -- The author provides a awe-inspiring vision of multiple worlds, as well as an intimate glimpse of specific lives.

LittleStar -- This modern-day fable blends the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Ursa major -- A suspenseful tale of the hunter and the hunted is found in this story, which has a sting in its tail.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

For those who have yet to submit their stories, just a reminder that the deadline is today at one minute to midnight GMT.

 

[The Judge]

I'm in.

The Judicial Helpmeet was mystified by my story (no change there, then...) wanting to know Why? for which I had a couple of mutually exclusive answers. I toyed with putting them in but in the end decided I preferred ambiguity to explicitness. Fortunately he didn't get onto How? as I've absolutely no idea for that one!

And I hope Parson will forgive the mishmash of the Isaiah quotation, as I picked from a couple of translations. (Owls and ostriches weren't quite as relevant!)

 

[Phyrebrat]

And I hope Parson will forgive the mishmash of the Isaiah quotation, as I picked from a couple of translations. (Owls and ostriches weren't quite as relevant!)

I was going to PM you to say you win for the best title ever but then I realised I had been posting so much the last week, I'd already passed the 3000 posts milestone I've been trying to avoid for the past 4 months and thought what the heck, I'll tell you here

Was the helpmeet questioning your morals or your logic?

pH

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The Judge -- This haunting myth of the future combines surrealism with allegory to create a powerful message.

Kerrybuchanan -- This fast-paced adventure story adds a touch of the fantastic to a realistic setting.

ratsy -- This vision of end times draws the reader into an apocalyptic battle of good and evil.

 

[The Judge]

Hoorah! I love having the term "allegory" used in connection with me, though admittedly only because of Mrs Malaprop's famous mangling: "She's as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile."

Was the helpmeet questioning your morals or your logic?

After the better part of 40 years together, he knows better than to question me on either score.


EDIT: And I see we still need another 2 entries to reach the magic 42. TDZ, get Facebooking!

EDIT: ratsy crept in as I was faffing, so only one more story needed!

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Bwahahaha! I managed to outwait ratsy at last.

Not outwit, note, but something else involving being a better procrastinator. And I got to be #42.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

TheDustyZebra -- This modern myth reveals something about human nature in our time.

 

[Ursa major]

The Challenge is now closed to new entries.

Voting is now open at the link below:

POLL -- May 2017 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!

​

 

[ratsy]

Bwahahaha! I managed to outwait ratsy at last.

Not outwit, note, but something else involving being a better procrastinator. And I got to be #42.

You little rat...wait...that's not right.

Yes, you did trick me into playing along. And I almost had that elusive last spot. If only you weren't hiding amongst that group of protesting referees, I'd have seen you.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

You little rat...wait...that's not right.

Yes, you did trick me into playing along. And I almost had that elusive last spot. If only you weren't hiding amongst that group of protesting referees, I'd have seen you.

Well, now, you know I'm going to get in. So all you had to do was wait, and you'd have had the golden spot. You know, that one that nobody reads because they've already decided two weeks ago who they're voting for.

 

[ratsy]

Well, now, you know I'm going to get in. So all you had to do was wait, and you'd have had the golden spot. You know, that one that nobody reads because they've already decided two weeks ago who they're voting for.

But I wanted that as a great excuse for lack of winning! Come on!

 

[Lumens]

Seems I was the first to vote.

Honorable mentions (it was very close):
Terminus Est - Shyrka
"I can't, I won't" - Ashleyne
When All Is Done - Joshua Jones
Peace In Our Time - nixie
Isaiah 34:13 - The Judge
Of Things Unknown - TheDustyZebra

In the end my vote went to
The Story at 610 McClellan Avenue - Tywin

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

I found myself torn between two stories with similar themes by Shyrka and Phyrebrat. After much thought, I voted for Phyrebrat.