DISCUSSION -- November 2018 -- 85 Word Challenge

[The Judge]

TJ! When will the thread be open? I have something rearing to go already and it's a good one!

I was planning on leaving it a good 12 hours from the time the thread was opened. But as you're champing at the bit, I'll make it 24 hours...


Only joking. The thread will be opened shortly. (But if anyone misses the notice and posts only a 75 worder in the next 12 hours, it's your fault.)

 

[mosaix]

Unremarkably, I don't have an idea and had to look up dyscalculia. Great word by the way.

Book of Numbers, Parson?

 

[Karn's Return]

Good, good. And I've taken best advantage of the extra words I can.

 

[Parson]

Book of Numbers, Parson?

Full disclosure: I had not read about the theme and thought the genre was going to be "horror" which is always a horror for me to do.

Numbers and S.F. sounds much more doable. I am already playing around with an idea. Inordinately early for me to have anything.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

'Numbers' is a very good choice, mosaix. And 10 extra is wonderful.

I have a story written, and down to 90 words, but it's a miserable little thing (a horror of a horror), and I'm not sure I want to post it. I like to go with my first idea in the Challenges, but maybe I'll have a rethink on this...plenty of time left, of course. Hope the muses are visiting you all, CC

 

[Mr Orange]

And to celebrate and commemorate mosaix's TENTH WIN in the monthly Challenges

we're delighted to announce we're all getting

AN EXTRA TEN WORDS

for the Challenge

does that mean if i ever win we can have, umm, 76 words? i feel like my first win will be more of an achievement than Mosaix's 10th...

 

[stormcrow]

Delighted to join back in at such an significant moment. 85 words? Seems extravagant. I'm thinking there's many ways to describe a nightmare...hehe

 

[paranoid marvin]

A special concession for a special achievement; very nicely done.

 

[Parson]

Good, good. And I've taken best advantage of the extra words I can.

I bopped over to the November Challenge to review Karn's story .... But no story. Parson now wonders what kind of advantage Karn took of the extra 10 words.

 

[Karn's Return]

Well, it's up there now, so...


Blame it on my connection and the fact I was in the shower. My internet connection is about as reliable as Chinese toys.

 

[nixie]

Sorry, I'll leave quietly.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Horror - my favourite!

 

[elvet]

I am very grateful for the extra words. I had my idea forming, and before I knew it, there were 70 words on the page. I got it down to 83, but had to sneak one more in as a last minute edit. A bit stressful, but fun nonetheless. I’m really enjoying getting creative with words. It makes a nice change to the reams of medical records I write daily.

 

[Danny McG]

Book of Numbers, Parson?

I wish I'd said that

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

1. Karn's Return: A terrifying horror story, with vivid imagery and a sense of karmic retribution.

2. nixie: A playful fantasy, with a sly touch of postmodernism.

3. jackwinabox57: A wistful reflection on loss and gain, with wisdom to be shared.

4. elvet: A cool vision of plausible future technology, with a subtle warning.

 

[Karn's Return]

Oh...some more entries. I'll have to look them over and review.

 

[Karn's Return]

Karn’s Return: ……



Nixie: Ah, the intellectual side of the taur race comes out. And a snarky one, this zebataur is. I feel like I’d get along well with him, at least to a point. Comical little entry that adds a smile.


Jackwinabox57: Pretty much anything can be summed up through mathematics. It’s a language, to speak with forces beyond ourselves. Even finding love can be possible through this…maybe I should try it someday.


Elvet: Whew. Obviously an entry into the horror genre, this. Reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine, this entry really just chills me to the bone. Anything to do with memory/history manipulation always makes me uneasy, and no amount of assurances or guarantees would ever convince me to undergo any such procedure. Our memories and experiences make us who we are, both the positive and negative, and if we lose one, we lose a part of ourselves, perhaps-most likely, rather-changing who we are entirely.


Victoria Silverwolf: A tale that tugs at the heartstrings, it has no real narrator or protagonist, yet it forces the reader to convey sympathy and sadness all the same. Hopefully, the pain will end in a happy way eventually, but from the feel of what was listed, it doesn’t sound like it will. A true, emotional, heartfelt piece.

 

[elvet]

@Victoria Silverwolf and @Karn's Return Your reviews are much appreciated.
I have a question about my entry, specifically a comment regarding an alternative title I wanted to use. Can that be discussed in this thread and at this time, or only after the contest is closed?

 

[The Judge]

It rather depends, elvet. If all you were planning to say is something like "Oh drat -- I've just found a Shakespeare quote that would have been ideal for my story -- Hamlet is just the best for that" or "I had two titles, and had to toss a coin and I think I picked the wrong one " that's fine.

It's best not to spell out or give details of the other/preferred title though, as anyone who reads this thread will then read your story with that in mind, and it might be thought to give you extra help when it comes to voting. So leave that kind of comment until everything's over, please.

A general discussion about titles is also fine, of course -- or if you pick out someone else's title and comment how good it is, that's always welcome!

 

[elvet]

@The Judge Thanks. That was exactly what I needed to know.