DISCUSSION -- October 2017 300-Word Writing Challenge (#27)

[Victoria Silverwolf]

mosaix -- This tale of suspense proves that what is unseen is much more frightening than what is seen. Through the use of an unusual structure, the author engages the reader's imagination in full.

johnnyjet -- Managing to be both wide-ranging and intimate, this science fiction story shows us the dilemma of losing oneself in order to protect others. Whether this sacrifice is worth the heartbreak it causes is a question which is nearly impossible to answer.

Vaz -- The many exotic details found in this romantic fantasy create a strong sense of verisimilitude in the reader's mind. We are swept away into another world which seems as real as our own, and wonder about the many adventures to be had there.

Perpetual Man -- This post-modern chiller makes use of the technique of self-reference to create a sense of disorientation and unease. In this way a narrative method which has often been used for trivial matters serves the power of the story's ability to thrill.

 

[Cathbad]

Gads, I love this ^ woman's reviews!

 

[Vaz]

Stunning reviews, Victoria. Thank you

v

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I'm in. I hadn't read any of the other stories before I wrote mine, but now I see it's a big month (or in the case of my story, a big mouth) for dead grandmothers and now I've only added to the number. Oh well.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Teresa Edgerton -- With a touch of dark comedy the author examines the way in which previous generations exert their influence upon us. We are reminded of William Faulkner's contention that the past is not dead; it is not even past.

 

[Cathbad]

Tidying-Up, @Teresa Edgerton - Oh My Gawd! Granny ate the cat!! That alone makes this the most horrifying Halloween story ever told!! (And I guffawed so loudly, my Caretaker ran out here and asked what was wrong!!) No one can blame Granny, though. Clutter always bothered mine, too (but we never let her out of the coffin in the basement).

 

[DelActivisto]

I'm in. I hadn't read any of the other stories before I wrote mine, but now I see it's a big month (or in the case of my story, a big mouth) for dead grandmothers and now I've only added to the number. Oh well.

Hm, well, dead people anyway. I'm not sure if mine was about dead grandmas or not.

 

[Cathbad]

Unseen & Unsung, @Shyrka - When a Celestial being involves itself in humanity, nothing is impossible. Even our furious hate cannot abide forever, at the touch of that Heavenly Being.

 

[Shyrka]

Thanks for the lovely review, @Cathbad . This month was a real struggle - I had what I thought was a good idea early on but I couldn't wrestle it into a form I was happy with. I'm okay with what I've ended up with but, as ever, I felt like I had to hack out so much...

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Shyrka -- A sense of profound mythic power fills this mysterious and compelling story. Through the use of strong emotions readers come to understand the feelings of entities which seem far beyond us, yet very human.

 

[Shyrka]

Thank you, @Victoria Silverwolf, for the lovely review. You could make the telephone directory sound like a masterwork of literature!

 

[AlexH]

How is it the end of October already? I better write something, quick. The image reminds me of the film Don't Look Now.

 

[Vaz]

That's a fantastic movie. Good fit for the picture.

V

 

[Talysia]

I've entered, even though I'm so rusty you wouldn't believe it (and it probably shows!). It felt good to be writing again, though.

 

[AlexH]

After the first couple of paragraphs I thought "this will be well inside 300 words". When I'd finished it was 438 words - by far the most I've gone over. I was going to attempt another, but managed to get down to 299 eventually - a process that took 5 or 6 times longer than writing the story.

I'm looking forward to reading the other stories now, after some sleep - I have a feeling some might keep me awake otherwise...

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

AlexH -- In this quietly chilling tale of truth and rumor, we confront the uncomfortable fact that we can never be certain about anything. In particular, trust is inherently an inexact science, and failure to offer it may be as dangerous as offering it inappropriately.

Talysia -- By offering glimpse of the magical within the ordinary, this story opens the reader's eyes to the myriad possibilities in every day life. Through this it becomes apparent that reality is translucent, and what we know is partly obscured.

 

[Cathbad]

Collectin' Coins, @AlexH - Sometimes, the monster ain't very monstrous.

Suburban Legend, @Talysia - It's a good thing witches don't exist. Else I'd be looking at every frog I see from now on, wondering...

 

[Starbeast]

Starbeast -- This rollicking comedy casts a jaundiced eye at figures from pop culture. By re-imagining them in mundane situations, the reader is warned not to take larger-than-life characters too seriously.

Thank you Lady Victoria for your wonderful review. I originally wanted to do a horror tale, but I went for comedy.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Basgfull -- By creating a fully realized character and her environment the author offers the reader a richly imagined background for the unnerving events of the story. The way in which subtle hints are used to bring a sense of unreality stimulates the imagination.

 

[Cathbad]

Untitled, @Bashfull - Film developing was right up Teresa's alley. But it was what was developing right outside the darkroom that would change her view of the world - forever...