Discussion Thread -- July 2017 75-word Writing Challenge

[mosaix]

I hope you didn't take my comment as a complaint.

Not in the slightest, JJ.

 

[The Judge]

For all those having conniptions at my having posted an entry, DON'T PANIC! It isn't the last day for posting yet. It really is only the 7th of the month at the moment, and you've not lost a fortnight.

For once, inspiration struck early, so I thought I'd wrestle it into shape and post it before the muse hit someone else with the same idea.

 

[Danny McG]

My original idea was some kid building a Belsen gas oven out of Lego and then noticing something strange about his action figures!
That would have been a bit too close to Auschwitz so am really glad I found God in my story instead

 

[Parson]

@The Judge .... Reminds us that when toys tell their stories it's not always one of fun and games. Sometimes it's very serious stuff like "The Rag Doll's Story."

This one is a little too true to be comfortable. Good story!

@Stuart Suffel .... Sorts out the life story as told by the toys of daughter of "Dead Eyes Full of Life."

Another good story, many more like these last two and I'll be too teary to read them!

 

[Joshua Jones]

So... is it too late for voting to be changed to three votes for this month too? I know it is was a one time thing, but we can have two one time things in a row, right?

 

[Parson]

@ErikB .... Brings us back in time to find retribution paid by a mother long tooth, even though it's true that "While the Cats Away the Tribe Will Play," there will come a time when the cat comes back.

 

[Stuart Suffel]

So, just read the stories thus far (i don't like to do so, until I've submitted my own.)
WTF? Has the prize been upped to $1000 or something?
Exceptional standard for the most part.
Quite amazing how powerful 75 words can be. Btw, I also request we get 3 votes, otherwise 'twill be pretty tough going.
Long Live Chrons Micro-Stories!

 

[Heijan Xavier]

Honestly if, without forcing the issue, I can't come up with something more dark and disturbing then what's been posted I think I'll sit this month out and focus on the 300.

 

[Ursa major]

Has the prize been upped to $1000 or something?

No.

It's just that, come the voting, we only have half a vote each....

 

[Joshua Jones]

Honestly if, without forcing the issue, I can't come up with something more dark and disturbing then what's been posted I think I'll sit this month out and focus on the 300.

I understand how you feel, but I would encourage you that, if you cannot find something darker or more disturbing than what is present, you could try a different approach. I know I have gotten votes for mediocre stories that are not dark (or, in the case I am thinking of, bloody) simply because the majority of people posted dark ones. It doesn't have to be a race to top George RR Martin...

 

[Joshua Jones]

No.

It's just that, come the voting, we only have half a vote each....

So, what, we have to agree with someone else to place a vote?

 

[Cathbad]

It doesn't have to be a race to top George RR Martin...

Whom?

 

[Joshua Jones]

Whom?

Sorry; wrote Song of Fire and Ice, upon which Game of Thrones is based.

 

[Cathbad]

Sorry; wrote Song of Fire and Ice, upon which Game of Thrones is based.

Whassat?



(have never watched an episode)

 

[Ursa major]

One doesn't have to watch an episode of a show in order to know its inspiration, particularly when the show is often mentioned in contexts other than reviews of the said show or the chatter of its fans.

Oh, I don't think the books in ASoIaF are necessarily his darkest works. After all, he's also written some horror.

 

[Cathbad]

No, I've seen the commercials and clips. I know it's very bloody, but I didn't take it as "dark"?

 

[Joshua Jones]

One doesn't have to watch an episode of a show in order to know its inspiration, particularly when the show is often mentioned in contexts other than reviews of the said show or the chatter of its fans.

Oh, I don't think the books in ASoIaF are necessarily his darkest works. After all, he's also written some horror.

Truth be told, I have only read synopses of ASoIaF (as should be obvious from my getting the title wrong...whoops!) and I knew of some of his futuristic work, but I wasn't aware of his horror. I saw a few episodes of the show, but it never really piked my interest (too much of it seemed to be for shock effects or fan service, rather than integral to the story, but I could just be prematurely judging it).

Any suggestions for his books other than the ASoIaF series?

 

[Ursa major]

There's a two-volume selection of his shorter works, Dreamsongs: A RRetrospective: both volumes are available on Kindle. (I was able to borrow them -- in the hard back version -- from the library.)

There's a list of the included stories in the Wiki article on Dreamsongs.

 

[nixie]

[QUOTE="Joshua Jones, post: 2157780, member: 40321"Any suggestions for his books other than the ASoIaF series?[/QUOTE]

Fevre Dream, An excellent take on vampires, set late 19th Centuary on a river boat in the deep south.

I have also read some of his short stories, The Tuf Voyaging ones are the ones I recall , a fun light read.

 

[Parson]

@HoopyFrood .... Brings us a very dark toy story. If you Jack out of his box be afraid: be very afraid! The only way to be safe is to keep "Jack in his Box."