DISCUSSION -- JANUARY 2020 300-word Writing Challenge (#36)

[ozmosis]

Thank you everyone who responded! I was curious about what a typical (i know there is no such thing) writer might spend on this. I spent about 45mins to an hour myself. I liked the entries! I see now the possibilities were much bigger than my original thinking.

 

[ozmosis]

@Rafellin much appreciate your vote!

My ideas come very quickly, and I can write the basic story in an hour or so. Then comes the editing, could be a few more hours to days. When I first started participating (just over a year ago), I would post my story quickly. Now I am pickier, and hold off until I lived with it for a while. Inevitably, I’ll find thing or two to tweak.

Very good point - I typed out mine, made a few immediate tweaks and then posted it. For the next one, I'm going to let it digest for a while to see if any ideas or angles pop up.

 

[Dan Jones]

Blimey, looks like my entry is talk of the town! And to think I almost didn't enter at all...

As TJ says, I cant comment on the real meaning of my story, but suffice to say I only write what I know.

 

[mosaix]

I have a stealth vote from Danny - thank you.

 

[Rafellin]

I'm curious - how long did you all spend on the 300 word story? You could break it down between writing and editing times?

Story: 45 minutes.
Editing (next day): 60 minutes.
Review pass (day after that): 30 minutes.

 

[mosaix]

I'm curious - how long did you all spend on the 300 word story? You could break it down between writing and editing times?

For me, it varies enormously. Sometimes I have to write two of three completely different stories before I’m happy enough to submit.

This month I knew what I wanted to write and after about half an hours research it worked first time. The basic story was down in about 45 minutes. I didn’t have too much difficulty cutting it down to 300 words then probably about an hour or so polishing it a bit.

 

[olive]

Thanks so much to @dannymcg for the stealth vote.

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Thank you for the vote @dannymcg .

 

[Abernovo]

Thanks for the listing, @Ian Fortytwo. Pretty distinguished company I'm in, on that list.

 

[AMB]

@Rafellin Thanks for the vote!

My votes went to @Victoria Silverwolf, @Perpetual Man, and @The Judge. I expect payment forthcoming in the mail, Perp.

 

[etaylor]

@AMB
@Phyrebrat
@Perpetual Man

In no order of preference.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Thank you @Ian Fortytwo and @nixie for the votes!

 

[olive]

This voting business is difficult. I haven't grown enough to shortlist. Maybe one day. Thanks very much for the great stories, everyone. Welcome to newbies from a newbie.

@Perpetual Man For the reminder we need more today than the day maps were new. (Dad is that you?! )
@The Judge For describing the path to the last line of defence so elegantly.
@mosaix For the great take on a brief moment in time travel.

Special thanks to @Victoria Silverwolf for reminding me not to get intimidated by the material at hand and push with whatever I have.

 

[johnnyjet]

Voting is always difficult. Too many talented and creative writers here.

However, my Short List and Favorites:

Compass Rose – Kerrybuchanan
From Hell's Heart I Stab at Thee - Victoria Silverwolf
To Whom Much is Given, Much Will Be Required - Jesse Harris
Not Long Now – mosaix
Once Upon a Timing – Eickerlyc
The Most Improper Introduction of Modern Innovations to an Older and Inflexible Mind - Perpetual Man
Defenders of the Realm – Shyrka
Beware the Paper Tiger - Star-child
Belief - The Judge
Putting the Cart Into Cartography - Ursa major

 

[Peter V]

My first vote was easy @ Victoria Silverwolf Atmospheric, beautifully written and with a brilliant reveal.

My other two were permed from seven or eighth worthy entries. In the end I opted for @ Guttersnipe for such imagination and @ Elckerlyc for such an original take on Bonaparte's exile.

If I get time later I will give my full shortlist.

Nicely done folks.

PV

 

[Elckerlyc]

Thank you @Peter V for your vote!

And thanks also to @Daysman for his stealth vote.

 

[Daysman]

Yeah, not in the best mindset yesterday (not connected with anything here), so I voted (the important bit) without comment...

As for my 300, I went too big again, the ending's truncated and I posted without rewriting, a step that usually loosens up the text... but I'm slowly getting a handle on things.

Thanks @Ian Fortytwo & @Kerrybuchanan for shortlistings.

Thanks @Rafellin & @Jesse Harris for your votes!

Thanks Victoria for your analysis...

I went with:

• @Victoria Silverwolf
• @Elckerlyc
• @Perpetual Man

 

[Star-child]

Big thanks to @mosaix @johnnyjet @Guttersnipe and @Jesse Harris for the votes. Sorry to have not read all the entries yet to pick my votes.

 

[Star-child]

I'm never going to win if I keep voting for Victoria. Alas.

Picks this time:
@Victoria Silverwolf
@olive
And @Phyrebrat for his timely warning about the malevolent origin of womankind just before Valentine's Day.

 

[olive]

Thank you for the vote, @Star-child ! And LOL