Discussion Thread -- July 2017 75-word Writing Challenge

[nixie]

Well I'm in. Even though all this talk of dolls will give me nightmares and I'll be checking the Wardrobe and under bed to ensure Matilda hasn't made an appearance.

 

[Luiglin]

I always hated the dolls scene in Barbarella.

 

[Cathbad]

Tegel Manor - an AD&D adventure, had a room where the dolls - some of them life-size - came to life. Very deadly. (And a great, fun adventure - true challenge for both player and GM!)


(Ad complete)

 

[Danny McG]

Seems to be some quite dark tales appearing this month.
It looks like we've got the 'must include a cat' issues over with (Phyrebrat's little diatribe shows results!)

 

[Cathbad]

The cat in my story ran off.

Cats aren't dumb!

 

[Luiglin]

It looks like we've got the 'must include a cat' issues over with (Phyrebrat's little diatribe shows results!)

Not at all. There's a cat in mine. He's blissfully asleep under the chair.

 

[Parson]

Parson checks the muse trap. Blast! The rump roast is gone, but there's no muse in the trap. ..... He goes to check the stories. Double blast! That muse seems to have been biting more rumps around here. Off to work and then to reset the trap.

@chrispenycate .... Reminds us of the danger of cats who have a god to gift them us so that they could show "Gratitude for the New Toy."

@Stable .... Gives us frightening toy story twist on The Portrait of Dorian Gray bringing us some love which is "Unrequited."

@nixie .... Brings us a light hearted look at the advantages of being Fairy when your baby toys grow up. If you're a fairy you don't have to deal with it if "It's Broken."

@Perpetual Man .... Answers the question: Where do Science Fiction and Fantasy writers come from? The answer? They come little boys and girls and "The Games they Play."

 

[Ursa major]

It seems that Parson is B-mused by the failure of his trap....


Would one be indulging in schadenfreude if one were to be M-mused by this?

 

[Parson]

Only a base person would find M-muse-ment in schadenfreude. It would certainly turn a major into a minor.

 

[nixie]

Thank you Parson.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

chrispenycate -- By looking at things from a new point of view, this sardonic story reveals how fragile we can be.

Stable -- The pain of allowing freedom to those we care for is strong conveyed in this bittersweet tale.

nixie -- The fickleness of our affections leads to an unexpected conclusion in this imaginative fantasy.

Perpetual Man -- With great insight into the psychology of children, the author offers a creation which is sure to raise a smile.

 

[nixie]

Thanks Victoria.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Thanks for the comments Parson and Victoria, as always greatly appreciated.

I've managed to get in early so I can sit back and twiddle my thumbs until the end of the month. (Leaves himself open to all kinds of comments about the 300 word challenge)

 

[Starbeast]

Starbeast -- This satiric comedy casts a jaundiced eye at the marketing practices of modern capitalism.

Thank you for the wonderful review, Lady Victoria.

Parson grumbles about some aggravating muse biting everyone on the same day...... I usually don't have this many reviews to do until the last day when everyone seems to realize they are about to be left out. Parson heads out to find his muse trap, and give the silly muse some training.

@Starbeast .... Reminds us to always read the fine print when buying a "Ryker, the Adventure Biker: A.I. Action Figure."

Thanks immensely for your review, Parson.

BTW - To catch a Muse, simply sprinkle your favorite cereal in circle, around your chair. Then use a butterfly net to catch the gentle Green Crested Muses that crawl toward the breakfast cereal. The medium-sized Cat-faced Muse, is usually attracted to a person who falls asleep in a chair, with their mouth open (moaning attracts them quicker). The giant Winged, Ape-like Muse can be easily attracted to you, when you stand on the roof of your home, repeatedly banging two trash cans lids together, while screaming, "I LIKE ICE CREAM!!!". However, if you only attract the attention of your neighbors and/or police, you're not screaming loud enough.

I hope this info helps, Parson.

A lot of people seem to be asking for some form of Muse to help them along this month, so please, allow me!

Interesting music video. The visuals, remind me of an old Heavy Metal magazine story called, "Free Fall" (illustrated by Moebius). I wouldn't be surprised if the video was inspired by the tale.

​

 

[Parson]

BTW - To catch a Muse, simply sprinkle your favorite cereal in circle, around your chair. Then use a butterfly net to catch the gentle Green Crested Muses that crawl toward the breakfast cereal. The medium-sized Cat-faced Muse, is usually attracted to a person who falls asleep in a chair, with their mouth open (moaning attracts them quicker). The giant Winged, Ape-like Muse can be easily attracted to you, when you stand on the roof of your home, repeatedly banging two trash cans lids together, while screaming, "I LIKE ICE CREAM!!!". However, if you only attract the attention of your neighbors and/or police, you're not screaming loud enough.

I hope this info helps, Parson.

Parson pictures self standing on top of the parsonage banging 2 trash can lids together and screaming "I LIKE ICE CREAM!" ---- Decides he'd rather let the muse bite whomever it will rather than to be confined to a funny farm somewhere.

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@Tywin .... Shows us a toy with a very sad story. The truth is hidden from the girl as "It Came Back in a Box."

 

[Vaz]

 

[Danny McG]

Insurrection!!!
How disturbing and uncomfortable that makes you feel.
I skimmed it the first time thinking it was just a 'toys come alive' tale... paused and blinked and then went back slowly read and fully take it in. OMG!

Unless someone can top it for darkness then I know who I'll be voting for .

 

[Parson]

@Joshua Jones .... Brings us to a place where the toys rise to the defense of the one they love in a meaningful "Insurrection."

Well done! This is a story which really grabbed me. You have set the bar very, very high.

 

[holland]

Well I didn't read any of the stories before I posted mine in, and I actually thought I stood some chance before I read "Insurrection". Damn.

 

[Danny McG]

Well I didn't read any of the stories before I posted mine in, and I actually thought I stood some chance before I read "Insurrection". Damn.

Is there any point continuing this month's challenge?
Get to the voting ......