DISCUSSION THREAD -- August 2019 -- 75-Word Writing Challenge

[TheDustyZebra]

Indeed, here I am, predictably predictable. Luckily, since work kept conspiring to make me forget to write today.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The Judge pays tribute to a master of detective fiction, while displaying a knowledge of flora and wordplay.

TheDustyZebra looks more deeply into the meaning of a bit of folk poetry, while taking on the role of a famous character.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

For whatever reason, I seem to have come up with a very short Short List this time.

Peter V as the best of the serious stories.

Bruce MacLean as the best of the humorous stories.

But the vote had to go to:

dannymcg for a truly unusual and compelling use of the theme and genre.

 

[Parson]

@The Judge .... A Philip Marrow Story – The Gardener Always Digs Twice .... Her Honor with more allusions than seeds in a pumpkin, but like that pumpkin it makes a delicious pie.

@TheDustyZebra .... Pretty-made .... TDZ channels a gardening Colombo as she sees the clues in the rows.

 

[Hugh]

Good stories!

Vote: @dannymcg
Runners up: @Cathbad & @LittleStar

An early lead for @dannymcg

 

[Tywin]

Danny's got an early lead.

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Some cracking stories.

. Mentioned..
@Victoria Silverwolf
@Cat's Cradle
@nixie
@reiver33
@Marvin
@Ashleyne
@Serendipity
@LittleStar
@mosaix

Voted.
@dannymcg

 

[Danny McG]

Voted @johnnyjet "high places" (snort snort)

Thanks for the votes peeps

 

[Perpetual Man]

Just got a few minutes so I thought I would quickly post a sort of short list.

I say sort of shortlist - as I had a three-way tie and it took me a while to chose between them:

Stable, mosaix and J C Scoberg.

Then I walked up the garden and discovered the area I cleared three weeks ago is green again, smothered in dandelions, nettles and milky dashels. It just felt fitting.

 

[elvet]

Short list:
@Ashleyne The Pollinator
@johnnyjet the Flower Whisperer
@The Judge A Philip Marrow Story – The Gardener Always Digs Twice
@TheDustyZebra Pretty-made

Very close second @Marvin The Gardener
Vote to @M. Robert Gibson Everywhere the devil spits

 

[Vince W]

Tough month to decide. Shortlisted @dannymcg, @TheDustyZebra, and @Victoria Silverwolf, but had to vote for @Ursa major.

 

[Ursa major]

Many, many thanks for the vote, Vince W.

And many, many thanks for the stealth vote, Artoriarius.

 

[J.C. Scoberg]

Then I walked up the garden and discovered the area I cleared three weeks ago is green again, smothered in dandelions, nettles and milky dashels. It just felt fitting

I read this month's theme, scratched my head in puzzlement, walked outside for inspiration but I was struck instead by frustration - another afternoon weeding! Thought I'd opt for a story all gardeners could relate too - and it worked! Thank you for the vote @Perpetual Man

A very interesting choice @The Judge and well timed for my voting prospects

 

[J.C. Scoberg]

After this month not sure I can look at my flowers in the same way again!

Shortlist: @Cathbad @The Judge @M. Robert Gibson

Voted for @dannymcg - a very good twist! Also love the idea that that is how people sounded in those times cracked me up!

 

[Luiglin]

Top three for me...

• @Artoriarius - The Maltese Magnolias are not going to suffer the Big Sleep while Jake Burpee is on the case
• @johnnyjet - a worthy last line bad pun
• @Parson - someone always comes up smelling of roses

..and the vote goes to @Artoriarius, great first line.

Thanks for the vote @Bruce MacLean.

 

[Parson]

Thanks for the mention @Luiglin!

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Honorable mentions
The Maltese Magnolias - @Artoriarius
Turf Wars - @Hugh
Gone To Ground - @mosaix

But the vote goes to
Urban Agri-Fantasy - @Stable
mainly for the great last pun

 

[Parson]

I found I had a hard time with this. I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for so my picks were kinda all over the board. But here's what I came up with:

Shortlisted:

@Victoria Silverwolf .... Killing weeds .... for a story that's a true noir.
@dannymcg .... Starry, Starry, Night .... for turning Roman foot soldiers into mob wise guys.
@LittleStar .... Under Late September Skies .... for turning harvest into a slaughter.
@johnnyjet .... The Flower Whisper .... for the best worst pun I've heard in a while.
@Perpetual Man .... Carrot P.I. .... for a real vegetable medley.

Voted for Victoria Silverwolf. I thought she had the best grasp of the theme and genre while still telling a cracking good yarn.

 

[StilLearning]

I may not get the chance to compile a proper list, just started my first teaching placement, but alongside my vote I'd like to honourable mention Parson's tale.

 

[Parson]

Thanks @StilLearning. That you thought to add the honorable mention later is even more meaningful.

I also see I got a stealth vote from @Cathbad .... Thanks so much! Talk about a day brightener!

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

@dannymcg

Oddly, I had to read it twice (I'm getting old and I'm only a man) but once the cogs and sprockets fell into place it hit me like a thunderbolt from heaven.

Victoria's tale was winning until the guy from Bethlehem made his entrance. Sorry @Victoria Silverwolf