Discussion Thread -- August 2017 75-word Writing Challenge

[Shyrka]

The Other Side of the Mountain, @Hugh – Wracked with guilt and self-loathing, the mysterious subject of this story yearns to be reunited with a lost love.

So Near and Yet So Far, @johnnyjet – In the near future, an infirm youngster is given a new lease of life but one his loved ones will never be able to share.

Forever, @Perpetual Man – The heart-rending story of an artificially-intelligent toy that, faced with the impending death of its owner, resolves to help in the only thing wy it knows.

The Last Night, @Peter V – Faced with an impending, unknown doom, one man decides to use drugs to ease the suffering – but not his own.

 

[Starbeast]

OK. I joined the circus along with everyone. I'll be............one of Side Show attractions.




@Bob Senior - WELCOME BACK BOB!!!!!!!!!!!! Yippy!



@Luiglin - I kept coming up with lovey-dovey, mushy-mush too. It took a while for me to come up with something other than love chatting, coated in sugary ooze. Cheese Loo-weez.....

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

D.A. Xiaolin Spires -- The author creates a convincing character study of an unrepentant rebel.

cidetraq -- This vision of an all-too-possible future reminds us that we may miss what we replace, even if we are better off.

Starbeast -- In this sequel to a famous story we look deep into the heart of one who refuses to acknowledge loss.

Travis Woodward -- This science fiction fable outlines the eternal cycle of life.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

LittleStar -- This intimate portrait relates the experience most of us have known of feeling uncomfortably imperfect.

 

[Parson]

@D.A. Xiaolin Spires .... Brings us to a time and place where a life lived defeating the system takes whatever last pleasure is available in "A Carnivore's Scramble.

Nice story D.A. Welcome to the Chrons and the 75 word Challenge; an auspicious start.

@cidetraq .... Brings us face to face with the realization that a cyborg might not be the life that we would want after "The Operation."

A second newcomer and the second solid story in a row. Well done indeed.

@Starbeast .... Gives us a sad of love that will never be returned because it's battery/heart has stopped. "It's too Bad She Won't Live, But Who Does?"

@Travis Woodward .... Writes of a love that is coded at the kernel with a desperate chance of giving the next generation enough intelligence that they will not experience "The Lonliness of Singularity."

Travis, an outstanding story. You've created a genuine feeling of pathos.

@LittleStar .... In the age of Steampunk beauty still lies in the eye of the beholder. A Bride sees her pluses and minuses but her beloved knows her "To Be Beautiful."

 

[HazelRah]

So I was just about to come on here and bow out of the challenges for the next couple of months as I'm just too busy...

(getting married in October and clever me decided it would be fun and cheaper to 'make my own dress'... *nervous eye twitch*)

But then a story hit me. And I figured why the hell not. So I'm in, and if I don't appear for the next few challenges it's because I am knee deep in tulle and handmade decorations

I will do my best to return to vote

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

HazelRah -- This allegory vividly presents the pain and joy of creation.

 

[Heijan Xavier]

concerts always lighten me up!

Two of my faves, The Afghan Whigs and Brian Jonestown Massacre are coming to town. They're playing at like midnight at a Raleigh NC music festival. I have a 10 month old at home so I...just...can't...go....

So those concerts are dimming me down.

Anyone with time to spare who lives in the Mid Atlantic or South East US please go to one of these shows and tell me about it.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Heijan Xavier -- The author creates an evocative tale of love and hate.

 

[Parson]

@HazelRah .... Tells us a tale of the pain and joy of creating something of yourself when you are "The Maker."

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

@Heijan Xavier .... Shows the pain and difficulty of doing the "right" thing when you love the wrong. You just have to hope "It's Never too Late."

 

[Shyrka]

A Carnivore's Scramble, @D.A. Xiaolin Spires – A death-row prisoner wishes for something meaty to really sink their teeth into.

The Operation, @cidetraq – The loss of humanity is too steep a price to pay for the subject of this medical-themed sci-fi tale of an operation that may not be entirely voluntary.

It's too bad she won't live, but then again who does? @Starbeast – This sequel to a sci-fi classic takes the story to its ultimate sorrowful – and rather disturbing – conclusion.

The loneliness of singularity, @Travis Woodward – Set in the curious, electronic world of evolutionary software, this story offers two touching glimpses of the moment an AI gives life to its own replacement.

 

[cidetraq]

The loneliness of singularity @Travis Woodward A cyclical tale of death and rebirth, this writer captures the pain and struggle of an AI doomed to repeat its life cycle to become perfect.

The Maker @HazelRah A quirky, intriguing look into the sacrifice a machine makes for little people. Who are the little people? Why are they there? I want to ask

Make me numb or else I die. @WordWarrior This offers a flipped view on tenderness as something an AI would reject. Calls into question our own human mother instincts and reminds us why we should be glad to have them.

 

[Parson]

@WordWarrior .... helps us to understand that mothering without emotion is a sterile steel womb, but when emotion is added life is wonderful, even if you cry, "Make me Numb or Else I Die."

 

[Starbeast]

(getting married in October and clever me decided it would be fun and cheaper to 'make my own dress'... *nervous eye twitch*)

But then a story hit me. And I figured why the hell not. So I'm in, and if I don't appear for the next few challenges it's because I am knee deep in tulle and handmade decorations I will do my best to return to vote

Congratulations HazelRah​

@Victoria Silverwolf - @Parson - @Shyrka

Thank you all for your wonderful reviews. You're all so nice to take the time to comment on everyone's tale.

 

[Shyrka]

To Be Beautiful, @LittleStar – A woman, rebuilt as a steam-punk cyborg after a life-changing accident, struggles to get back in the dating game.

The Maker, @HazelRah – The best creators put something of themselves into their work. In this story of a Lilliputian locomotive engineer, this is literally the case.

It’s Never Too Late, @Heijan Xavier – In the aftermath of a bloody battle fought to bring evil to justice, the victor is left wondering what might have been if they had been a better spouse...

Make me numb or else I die, @WordWarrior – A synthetic, steam-powered carer struggles with the compulsions that their latest ‘upgrade’ instills.

 

[Bob Senior]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome back.
I wish I had waited for another month or so to re-join, had a rough time coming up with a story.
After several attempts I was about to give up, but I said I'd be back and "what the heck", what's the worst that could happen?
So here goes nothing!

Bob

 

[WordWarrior]

Thanks for the kind mentions. So happy to be back, it's been ages. The huge variety of entries is always so inspiring!

 

[mosaix]

Finally posted my entry. Always a difficult genre for me (yes, I know T.J!). I was starting to run out of time but had a couple of ideas and managed to knock one of them into shape.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Ditto.

:-€

pH

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

WordWarrior -- The author creates a moving study of the pain and joy of emotional connection.

Phyrebrat -- In this sensitive story we find compassion from an unexpected source.

Bob Senior -- This lighthearted comedy reveals one way to get results.

Dan Jones -- This dark tale paints a portrait of twisted love.

mosaix -- This story of indecision shows us how difficult it is to know the right thing to do.