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

[Bashfull]

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.

Thank you, Victoria.

I must also confess that my protagonist’s name is a homage to you and Teresa E - a thank-you-for-having-me to the forum.

 

[Bashfull]

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...

Thanks, Cathbad. That could be the quote to use on the film trailer...

 

[Dan Jones]

I'm finally in, and on Hellowe'en, no less, which seems most apt for a challenge of this scope. I won't go into the details of my story, but I thought given the date, "Jack" seemed an appropriate name for my protagonist.

Here's to Jack O'Lanterns everywhere!

 

[Cathbad]

Convalescence?, @Dan Jones - Jack has been a bad boy... but he's paying for it. Night after night after night after...

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

And a reminder to those who are working on stories: there are only a few hours left to finish them and post them.

 

[LittleStar]

Just squeezed in. I'm not hugely happy with my output, but it's an entry at least

My prefered story (an idea I've been holding back for a challenge for about 18 months) turned out to be upwards of 600 words... So no chance I can squeeze that down to fit.
Ive been busy, so I only started that one yesterday, and had to quickly patch something completely didfferent together this afternoon

Ah well! Should be less busy now. Now to read the other entries ready for voting!

 

[Cathbad]

Witch House, @LittleStar - Do you remember playing "Dare" when you were a kid? Will remembers. Day after day, year after year, Will remembers...

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Dan Jones -- The opening scene of this psychological chiller creates suspense right from the start, with a protagonist in an inherently helpless situation. As the nightmare progresses it becomes clear that the horrors within are far greater than the horrors without.

LittleStar -- In this frightening tale of a local legend become all too real, the author draws readers in by creating a group of characters with whom they can identify. By presenting events from the point of view of the legend, it becomes evident that the haunted and the hunted may change places.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

ratsy -- Proceeding with the inevitability of an ancient tragedy, this horror story demonstrates the power of a classic format. Neither belief nor disbelief, it seems, can be entirely effective against the dark and irrational part of the world.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The Judge -- Two levels of reality collide in this surreal story of the creator and the created. The disconcerting question raised by this unexpected encounter is who might really be in charge.

 

[The Judge]

I'm in, too, though I didn't think I was going to make it. I had the setting for the story from the first moment I saw the incredible image, but I've spent all month rolling it around in my mind trying to get an actual story from it. Over the last few days I groped towards something that I thought might work but I couldn't get a plausible ending for the story I had, even if I could have got any of the alternatives down under the word limit. Finally put finger to keyboard three hours ago and was thinking I'd have to sit this Challenge out as I couldn't get the ending, then all of a sudden the figure gave me a different story altogether, and what I'd intended to be a comic story changed into something not comic. Still, at least I haven't descended to mass murder like everyone else seems to have done.

 

[Ursa major]

Some of our stories only have the one dead body (sort of...).

 

[Mad Alice]

In at the witching hour.

 

[Danny McG]

Still, at least I haven't descended to mass murder like everyone else seems to have done.

I really wish I'd opted for that now, my first idea on seeing that image was "post Apocalypse mutated cannibal stalks the forest seeking one final bloodbath survivor"

 

[holland]

No way, this can't be happening, I missed the deadline by seconds. And I thought I had another whole hour. Damn daylight savings time and time zones.

 

[Ursa major]

The challenge is closed to new entries.

The voting is now open. To cast your THREE votes, use the link below.

Please vote for your top THREE choices; note that all three votes must be cast AT THE SAME TIME to count.

​

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Mad Alice -- A vivid imagination is used to create an entirely new mythology from legendary themes in this story. It grimly illustrates the truth that sometimes the universe can be malevolent.

Ursa major -- This twist on a classic story brings the tales of the past to the present in a believable way. The important lesson to be learned is that one should never judge a book by its cover.

TheDustyZebra -- This bone-chilling holiday treat is sure to bring back memories of tales told in whispers. Exploring the nature of fear, it shows us how we can be brave with known dangers, but cowardly when they are unknown.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Votes, primarily for uniqueness, go to:

Wruter

D.A. Xiaolin Spires

TitaniumTi

 

[Cathbad]

Clementine the Cloaked, @ratsy - Bianca! ~smh~ Didn't you read the rules? #4 clearly states: "All Urban Legends become real on Halloween!

Model Citizens, @The Judge - Thank goodness for the Model World Police! Thanks to a veteran from the Human Relations Branch, this marriage is saved!

Little Men, @Mad Alice - He's here! Well... sort'a. Well, at least there's a gold band and a Rowan bush!

The Wherewithal, @Ursa major - You know the old saying, "No honor among thieves"? Well, I think it might apply to werebeasts, too!

The Quick and the Dead, @TheDustyZebra - Fear of the Unknown can rile the villagers to take action! It can also scare the resolve right out of them!



*** Wow.. I only took a few hours off!!

 

[Cathbad]

!!

Well... that was a fine glitch!!

I had my voting lists almost done - then poof- I'll have to start over!!

 

[Cathbad]

My Favorites

Untitled, @Bashfull
Little Men, @Mad Alice
Grandmother's Garden, @Ashleyne
I'll be sittin’ when the evenin’ come, @Luiglin
Up the Garden Path, @Peter V
The Veil, @Victoria Silverwolf
Twilight Bravery, @chrispenycate
Legend Unveiled, @Hoverdasher
A Long Way Home, @Kerrybuchanan
Toll, @Rafellin


The Best!

Collectin' Coins, @AlexH
Convalescence?, @Dan Jones
Witch House, @LittleStar
The Quick and the Dead, @TheDustyZebra
Breaking the Wall, @Perpetual Man
The Rogue of Roses and The Goddess, @Vaz


But I Voted For

Unseen & Unsung, @Shyrka
Tidying Up, @Teresa Edgerton
Lost, Then Found, @Cat's Cradle