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

[The Judge]

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

If you'd like feedback as to why it perhaps didn't hit the mark for some readers, why don't you put it up in the Improving thread? Improving our 75 Word Stories -- READ FIRST POST

PS. Thanks to TJ for the genre choice. I really enjoyed this challenge as it took me well outside of my comfort zone.

Glad you enjoyed it! A pity we didn't have a few more entrants, but it's good to know it wasn't a complete wash-out!

 

[Cathbad]

*hopes no one realizes he missed the genre*

 

[Danny McG]

I

 

[Abernovo]

Congratulations, @dannymcg - a well-deserved win for a well-written story.

For me, it was a toss-up between Danny, Parson, and Victoria. However, I almost missed voting, being down with Con Crud.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Many congratulations to dannymcg on a stunning victory, leaving everyone else behind in the dust.

 

[Daysman]

Congratulations @dannymcg !

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Well done @dannymcg I'd like to say it was a close run thing, but I'd be deluding myself

Massive thanks to @elvet @LittleStar @johnnyjet @David Evil Overlord for the votes
And big thanks for all the shortlistings and mentions everyone
And thanks everyone for reading.

This has been my most successful 75 worder (I think), 4 votes and second place

My plant/garden based puns/references come in at a paltry 11
stem, roots, broadleaf, deadwood, Basil, root, redwood, mud, Toxicodendron Radicans, Poison Ivy, herbicide

As for the title, Everywhere The Devil Spits, I did my usual of finishing the story, then trawling the net for apt quotes to nick borrow.
Shakespeare was no use, but I did find one from Alan Chadwick, Everywhere the devil spits, poison ivy grows, which actually becomes even more relevant to the theme because it turns out he is quite a famous gardener Alan Chadwick - Wikipedia (although not to me)

It was that or Another Fellow's Spinach from George Ade's quote One man's Poison Ivy is another Fellow's Spinach.

Looking forward to whatever dannymcg throws at us next month

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Congratulations to M. Robert Gibson for winning the silver medal! Well done, given the competition!

Congratulations also to Stable and johnnyjet on splitting the bronze!

 

[Bruce MacLean]

Congrats @dannymcg. Looking forward to your story challenge.

@Luiglin - It was the punchline that swung it for me!

Mine originally started as a Private Investigator and was titled 'The Swede' to make the vegetable theme obvious, but also due to Sweden's ambition to become a carbon neutral country. I decided to go with The Swiss as their neutrality is so well known, and let the characters actions and clothing do the telling. There was a gag about a carbon footprint in there, but I couldn't fit it in. I'm working on a story featuring an unusual detective, maybe I'll put him on the case of the infamous assassin called The Swiss!

 

[Artoriarius]

Congratulations, @dannymcg!

And thanks for the vote, @Luiglin!

 

[Culhwch]

Thanks, @dannymcg!

Many thanks for the vote @Christopher Lee, and thanks also for the mention @Starbeast!

 

[Stable]

Oops, I missed the vote!

My shortlist was M. Robert Gibson, Culhwch, Parson, and Luiglin though, so I wouldn't have changed the outcome.

I was ridiculously impressed with how many garden references some of you were able to plant in 75 words.

Thank you so much for the votes and mentions. I wasn't expecting anything from this month so you've really made my day!

 

[Parson]

My story was birthed by reading the book "The Botanist" (I must have the title wrong because I can't find it) where the detective follows clues in nature and he finds some that no one else can because he knows what kinds of plants grow first in earth where someone is buried and the idea that a gardener could be a hit man. I THINK if fit the genre of noir/hard boiled.

 

[Karn's Return]

Congratulations, Danny. It just wasn't my genre, I've never had interest in Noir or indeed, anything from Prohibition era.

Perhaps next month.

 

[Serendipity]

Congratulations dannymcg!

 

[Cathbad]

I've never had interest in Noir or indeed, anything from Prohibition era.

Not even the bathtub gin!?

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Not even the bathtub gin!?

Bought my wife a bottle of that recently!

 

[Karn's Return]

Not even the bathtub gin!?

Especially not the bathtub gin. Quite often that stuff would be made poorly and wind up poisoning those who consumed it. I'd rather not take the chance and get a nice bottle from a legal liquor store instead. XD Not that I'm into gin anyway. I'm more of a rum man.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Congratulations Danny!

 

[Ashleyne]

Congratulations, Danny!!!

A ginormous thanks for the votes, Starbeast and CC. And also thanks to Ian Fortytwo and elvet for the listings.
My list was:

Crash!, Bang!, Wallop! By nixie
Home Economics by Cathbad
Detective Comics: Daffodil & Thorn in Botanical City by Starbeast

I voted for The Flower Whisperer by johnnyjet