DISCUSSION THREAD -- December 2017 75-word Writing Challenge

[TheDustyZebra]

Nope, December 2010. You were undoubtedly thrown off by the inexplicable fact that I posted it on December 2nd.

 

[The Judge]

Oops, I picked on the wrong month! (Not that I hold any kind of a grudge against that other one. Oh, no. Not me. No, indeed not. No.)

 

[Danny McG]

. unless you happen to pick up on the fact that the story is being told by a magic duckling

At last!!!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Reminder: time to post a story is running out fast.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

For The Big Peat: A bulletproof vest.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I'll take it as a good sign that just as I pasted my story into the box to post it, the Amazon music station I have on my headphones popped up a certain song...

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

For TheDustyZebra: A storage facility.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

For Mad Alice: A jewelry box.

For Ursa major: The script for The Dictionary: A Play on Words

 

[Ursa major]

Th Challenge is closed to new entries.

Voting is now open at the link below:

POLL -- December 2017 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!
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[Victoria Silverwolf]

Oops! I see that we left at least one present unopened. Mea culpa.

For The Judge: A subscription to Popular Mechanics.

__________________________________________________________

Vote goes to SPoots for "Your New Present."

 

[Glen]

Splendid xmas stories. My favourites:

• Cat’s Cradle - Skype
• Luiglin – rude
• Victoria Silverwolf – Zob
• Perpetual Man – uncertainty
• Nixie – Uuurggh!
• ASleepyGiraffe – soon
• Shyrka – now
• Talysia – magic
• Cathbad – escape
• Jackwinabox57 – delivery
• Mosaix – attendees?
• Stable – Boom!
• Phyrebrat – freezer
• TheDustyZebra – milking

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[Parson]

@The Judge .... Wanted: a Drone from a Crone .... (The story you need) When you have too improve on what everyone things is a good thing.

@The Big Peat .... The Martyr's Fire .... (The story you need) When you need to make an impossible comeback.

@TheDustyZebra .... Twelve Days .... (The story you need) When you need to feel good about some stupid mistake that you've made.

@Mad Alice .... The Continuous "Has Been".... When you need to believe that protection will always be there.

@Ursa major .... The Time Projectionist’s First Day on the Job .... When you have to learn on the job.

A nice number of stories this month. Thanks to all the participants!

 

[Danny McG]

Feeling too tired to write a list (and check it twice!)

I selected my vote as the one that I thought fit the theme etc best @Peter V

 

[TitaniumTi]

Favourites:
@Shyrka Savour the Moment
@Talysia Blessings
@Peter V I Am The Ghost of Christmas Present
@Culhwch The Omnipresent
@mosaix Just a Minute
@Vaz Only the Wind
@Phyrebrat In the Rafters of Tibet
@The Judge Wanted: A Drone From A Crone
@TheDustyZebra Twelve Days

Vote:
@Victoria Silverwolf The Universal Roll Call

 

[The Big Peat]

HMs for

TheDustyZebra
LittleStar
Shyrka

But I will be voting for

Cathbad

 

[Talysia]

Many thanks for the shortlisting, TitaniumTi, and to Glen for the very unexpected vote! What a lovely surprise.

Right! Off to read the entries.

 

[Peter V]

Wishing all those who celebrate it a Happy Christmas and Seasons Greetings for any that don't but to one and all, have a splendid and prosperous New Year... (I know I am a little early)

And so on to the vote...

These are my personal favourites. There are others who deserve a mention and a couple or three beautifully written entries I just did not get (sorry).



Ashleyne A gift from a cat is always delivered with love and as in this case, almost always unwanted so much truth to this tale... especially if you believe in faeries.

Cat's Cradle A future setting but one that resonates in the real world where families are separated from loved ones by duty.

Luiglin I cannot help but smile at this very funny offering - especially love east and west as opposed to left and right.. and the double entendre punchline is great.

Perpetual Man Schrödinger based stories have always been a favourite of mine and I have based tales on them myself on more than one occasion (including here). I like to believe this is a happy ending and the cat is alive... although for some on these forums, the happy ending will be if it isn't

ASleepyGiraffe A sweet and poignant moment.

Shyrka And again for this, in many ways the same message but one that is so true.

dannymcg Definitely the most unique interpretation of the word present. And what a twist on Santa...

SPoots Clever and moving tale of what is essentially time travel... with a killer last line *shortlist*

Culhwch Another funny tale that put a smile on my face... I think this may be a metaphor for receiving socks for Christmas ho ho ho.

reiver33 A frightening tale of getting a wish fulfilled with a cruel twist. *Vote*

Stable A very clever and amusing tale, especially the last line.

Vaz A well written bitter-sweet tale

Phyrebrat An unexpected twist... is it a benevolent yeti or maybe Dan Simmons Terror turned over a new leaf? *shortlist*

The Judge Bringing a faerie tale bang up to date... so one ever thinks about what a princess really wants!

Well done to all.

Peter

 

[Talysia]

It's been difficult to pick a winner, as usual. High quality, all across the board, but my favourites were:

Cat's Cradle
Victoria Silverwolf
Perpetual Man
ASleepyGiraffe
reiver33
mosaix
Teresa Edgerton

My top three were Culhwch, The Dusty Zebra and LittleStar

And my vote goes to SPoots!

Well done all!

 

[mosaix]

Short list: CC, Perp, Cathbad, SPoots, Reiver33, Stable, JJ, TJ, TDZ.

Vote: Reiver33.

 

[Joshua Jones]

Short list: CC, Perp, Cathbad, SPoots, Reiver33, Stable, JJ, TJ, TDZ.

Vote: Reiver33.

As long as I am the JJ in question, thank you @mosaix!