Discussion -- November 2017 -- 75 Word Challenge

[Dan Jones]

The "western" part of Weird Western should be a given, so I was primarily judging stories on how well they brought the "weird."

Here's my long list:

Victoria
Ashleyne
Nixie
DA Xiaolin Spires
Parson
Mosaix
Starbeast
Joshua Jones
Delactivisto
Suzanne Jackson
Teresa
Hazelrah

Mosaix came dangerously close to walking away with the prize coconut with a beautifully structured story, but for me it didn't quite bring enough weird, and any challenge featuring "weird" seems tailor made for Starbeast, who delivered a curiously reined-in and nicely twisting piece. But it was Suzanne, whose alchemical tale of the heart (and the groin) delivered the message, "be careful what you wish for!" that won my (unrequited) love, and my vote.

Special mention to The Judge, whose pun made me want to eat my own face.

 

[Hugh]

Really chuffed to have been shortlisted. Many thanks @Stable

 

[Danny McG]

Like a ninja wearing wool slippers - cheers for the vote @dannymcg

Ghostbusters! Guaranteed vote

 

[Parson]

So this is what happens when the challenge ends on a holiday and after a special worship service. I get way behind, but hey, better late than never. So...

@Bob Senior .... INFESTATION .... when there's an infestation cooperation beats competition every time.

Clever! Bob, I didn't see that one coming.

@Stable .... An Extract From The Memoirs of Mayor Manuel Garfias Pasadena: Lion Taming and City Wrangling .... It's one thing when the circus comes to town, quite another when it takes the town.

@LittleStar .... All You'll Own Is Earth .... Is a political commentary on how the greatest show on earth is the greatest rip off.

@Dan Jones .... Being For The Pleasurance and Beneficitude of the eminent Senator Imminent J. Craptitude of Wichita, There Will Be A Pree-zentation by “Captain” Porcupine J. Winchester of Pennsylvania of Jess, The Talkin’ Hoss! .... gives a whole new insight into the term "internal conflict."

Dan, I've read every story in this challenge since the beginning and without research I feel confident in saying that your story is the winner of the longest title ever used.

@Abernovo .... Dead Shots and High Trails .... Reminds us that to be eagle eyed you need to be special indeed.

@The Judge .... Interview for The Stage newspaper (Deadwood Edition) .... Reminds us that what every good side show needs is a utility player; one that can do everything.

Your Honor, all I can do is GROAN!!!!

@HazelRah .... The Steal of the Show .... Reminds us that the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. Not if someone can do a little switcheroo anyway.

@Phyrebrat .... I Spite On Your Face .... Trouble's brewing when Sheriff Trump "leans in."

@Mad Alice .... Silver Heels .... Tells a totally mesmerizing tale.

@Ursa major .... Bill and Lill: the Night’s Takings .... Be careful when you take a five finger discount from someone, you never know what funny friends they might have.

I suspect you and T.J. are meeting at high noon; Punman to Punmam.

@TheDustyZebra ... Go West, Young Man .... Reminds us that the ancients were right, a picture steals your soul and feeds another.

I know a lot of people wait for the last minute, but 25% of the total comes in the last 2 days? Would someone, Dusty perhaps, set their alarm clock to wake us a few days earlier?

 

[Talysia]

I don't have much experience of reading Weird Westerns, so this month's stories have been a treat.

My shortlist:
Ashleyne
Luiglin
nixie
D.A. Xiaolin Spires
johnnyjet
paranoid marvin
The Judge

My top 3:
The Dusty Zebra
Abernovo
Chrispenycate

My vote goes to: Mosaix

Well done everyone!

 

[Dan Jones]

Dan, I've read every story in this challenge since the beginning and without research I feel confident in saying that your story is the winner of the longest title ever used.

I'll take that as a win! Do I get an award, or a certificate? I was trying to come up with a suitably weird / surreal title that wouldn't lose points for actually telling the story itself. Don't tell anyone, but I think I got away with it...

 

[paranoid marvin]

Thanks for the shortlisting Talysia!

 

[Phyrebrat]

Parson, I usually write something mid challenge then let it stew till the last few days. That helps me edit it with fresh eyes.

I said usually, but this month I had nothing and basically just couldn’t bear not trying so I started at 8.30 last night.

There are those who enter as soon as it goes up and those mid-termers, and then there’re us who like to use the entire twenty-something day window to either polish or wait for inspiration.

Sorry to add to your reviewing burdens

pH

 

[TheDustyZebra]

There are those who enter as soon as it goes up and those mid-termers, and then there’re us who like to use the entire twenty-something day window to either polish or wait for inspiration.

There are also those of us who don't start thinking of something until the last two days, and sometimes almost miss the deadline. I call it "living on the edge".

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Sorry to add to your reviewing burdens

I think it was Thanksgiving that did that. Fortunately for Parson, Thanksgiving won't fall on the 23rd again until 2023.

 

[Abernovo]

Thank you for the review, Parson.

And a top three spot from Talysia. I am flattered! Thank you.

 

[Starbeast]

The "western" part of Weird Western should be a given, so I was primarily judging stories on how well they brought the "weird."

Here's my long list: Starbeast, and any challenge featuring "weird" seems tailor made for Starbeast, who delivered a curiously reined-in and nicely twisting piece.

Thank you, Dan Jones for the listing. And "yes", as far back as I can remember (3 years old), I was always the different one. I didn't want to be like every one else, I just wanted to be my natural-self. Today, "strange people" are common, and I seem to be the normal one, except for "one-sided" people who think I'm weird.



Honorable Mentions

@Victoria Silverwolf - Woman who can SEE your inner thoughts.
@Glen
@mosaix
@Antimon
@Suzanne Jackson
@Dan Jones - Man with the biggest TITLE
@HazelRah


Sideshow Celebrities

@Ashleyne
@Bashfull
@dannymcg
@Talysia
@Luiglin
@Cat's Cradle
@Cathbad
@nixie
@jackwinabox57
@D.A. Xiaolin Spires
@Droflet
@Jo Zebedee
@SPoots
@Parson - Man who can SEE you in the present time.
@Hugh
@Pedro Del Mar
@Shyrka
@AstroZon
@johnnyjet
@chrispenycate
@Kerrybuchanan
@Joshua Jones
@Ajid
@paranoid marvin
@DelActivisto
@Peter V
@Mith
@Perpetual Man
@Teresa Edgerton
@Bob Senior
@Stable
@LittleStar
@Abernovo
@Phyrebrat
@Mad Alice
@Ursa major
@TheDustyZebra

 

[Parson]

Sorry to add to your reviewing burdens

No worries man! I was muttering because I am getting pushed this week. I had to work on Sunday's sermon and now an unexpected funeral to do on Tuesday. But hey, that's what I signed up for.

I think it was Thanksgiving that did that. Fortunately for Parson, Thanksgiving won't fall on the 23rd again until 2023.

It shouldn't matter in 2023. If I'm still around and kicking I can't imagine I'll be a lead or solo pastor. I retire May 1, 2018.

 

[chrispenycate]

So, my shortlist contained:- Cathbad, D.A. Xiaolin Spires, Mith, Parson, Pedro Del Mar, Talysia, Teresa Edgerton, TheDustyZebra and Victoria Silverwolf. Finally went for Victoria.

Um, I don't think my western's weird enough, but thanks to the Lady of Autumn for my mention.

 

[Phyrebrat]

My vote goes to Mosaix.

pH

 

[jackwin]

Hi, this is my 1st month in this thread and the biggest surprise is the way all the stories work together to create a very SFF universe. I read them all again today and I can't make a short list because every story left me with a character and an image.
In a herd of storming vocal Stallions, one very eloquent Zebra stood out and like a good Simon and Garfunkel song keeps playing in my head. My vote goes to Chrispencate's haunting poem.

ps; Kerrybuchanan made me laugh and forgo my next Mc rib sandwich!

 

[nixie]

Favourites
Jo
Mosaix
Ajid
Ursa
Dusty

Vote
TJ

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Enjoyed this month being a big fan of Westerns. Really found it hard to pick a winner!

Anyhow, my finalists were:

Victoria Silverwolf, Nixie, Droflet, Teresa Edgerton, Peter V, Abernovo

With my vote going to kerrybuchanan

Many thanks to chrispenycate for my first ever shortlisting!

 

[DragonAether]

Voted for chrispenycate
Liked a lot also Luiglin's story.

 

[Antimon]

Wow thanks for the honorable mention Starbeast!

And thanks to this forum for these crazy and cool challenges, where even such people as I can dare post poorly written fever dreams.

Many entries are packed with excitement and drama, impressively over 75 words. Casting my vote, I decided to go for the entry that made me feel the most emotions, setting aside any further analysis. @Droflet 's entry made me emote, so I vote for that one.