DISCUSSION THREAD -- February 2020 -- 75-Word Writing Challenge

[Marvin]

Before I started entering these challenges, I had never written a story, of any sort. Not since school at least (for context: thirty plus years ago) and never for ‘fun’.
In the blissful ignorance of a newb, I thought, hay this is fun and just cracked on throwing whatever down and enjoying myself.
Then, like I do with most things, I start to overthink it, get bogged down in the how and not the creative process.
(Did the same with bowling, used to enjoy just chucking it down the lane with moderate success. Start thinking about where your legs go and spin etc, and the fun has gone.)

These less common genres are an opportunity for everyone to embrace their inner newb, and just go for it!

 

[LittleStar]

Just to weigh in quickly on theme/genre. I think it’s a great choice for a challenge, and one I’ve toyed with choosing before.

As pointed out romance in the classic sense was a more Arthurian/chivalric story. What might be better described as Adventure these days. Maybe damsels in distress appear (sometimes not so in distress or in need) but there are also werewolves, mages, angry spurned knights, and plenty of challenge material fun.

But even in the general sense of things in my opinion romance is far more wide ranging than boy meets girl/rom-com/Nicolas sparks white folks almost kissing tension. It covers buddy-cop stories, bromances, deep friendships, mentors... in short any meaningful personal relationship can be a romance, doesn’t have to be romantic.


That’s my thoughts on it at any rate (As an aside, 9/10 times my vote goes to the best romance (my interpretation of the word), because that’s where the heart of all stories is)

 

[Luiglin]

Apologies, edited.

 

[olive]

I have a question. The grammar app says, "weird looking" should have a hyphen, is that correct?

 

[The Judge]

I'd probably hyphenate it, but if you need it to count as one word rather than two, I'll have to check that the other mods agree with me that it's a compound adjective.

 

[olive]

Yes, I need it to count as one word. Thank you.

 

[The Judge]

I forgot to confirm the requirement for a compound adjective -- I take it you are using it in advance of the noun ie "It was a weird-looking ostrich" rather than afterwards ie "That ostrich was weird looking"?

 

[olive]

Yes. '...that weird-looking stranger ...'

 

[Calliopenjo]

I got something in. Keep in mind I (beep beep dubeep beep) at romance writing. One of those genres that I just can't. Yes, I tried and failed. Twice. Never again. But I got something. lol.

Anyway, it's good to be back.

Good luck everyone.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I'm in.

And with Valentine's Day this month, it strikes me as an excellent theme/genre.

 

[elvet]

I'm in.

And with Valentine's Day this month, it strikes me as an excellent theme/genre.

Romance and dance! A woman after my own heart.
I just came back from a weekend of salsa dancing. Always great fun.

 

[Parson]

All right already a record for recent discussion early in the contest, even if the discussion was about the contest, and to begin we have a story that I didn't expect to see given the previous discussion.

@dannymcg .... If I was.. .... Danny starts us out with "bodice ripper" and then throws us a curve ball. I had to chuckle because it was so true to life.

@Elckerlyc .... “Long Live the King!” .... Elck writes a story with a true understanding of the Roman thumbs up signal.

@AMB .... Sweet Lovely Nancy .... AMB not only tells a tale of Sweet Lovely Nancy, but also writes a sweet lovely story.

@scarpelius .... How Jack got betrothed on a distant planet .... Scar tells us how Jack's rocket got squeezed and why it was important.

@Calliopenjo .... The Living Rock .... Calli tells us a tale that is true in essence if not in fact.

@Teresa Edgerton .... One Pair of Glass Slippers, Only Worn Twice .... Teresa brings us a dash of realism along with mystic romanticism.

 

[AMB]

Thanks for the review, Parson.

I'm another who found this challenge to be a challenge. I only hope it hits the right notes for the genre.

 

[The Judge]

I have a question. The grammar app says, "weird looking" should have a hyphen, is that correct?

Yep, as a compound adjective coming before the noun, it's "weird-looking" with the hyphen, and it will count as one word.

 

[Parson]

@olive .... All that glitters is just shiny .... Olive writes a story where the ring is not the thing!

 

[Parson]

@telpereon .... The Heart Flowers... .... Telper shares an emotive piece which points to the truth that love is far more and far beyond physical.

 

[telpereon]

Aw, shucks @Parson. Thank you for the review.

@Luiglin and @Ursa major lol, I loved the "some Watery Tart" conversations. It made me chuckle as I read it. For me, it was Highlander series that came to mind when I first looked at this challenge...not sure if that is better in any way

 

[Calliopenjo]

Thank you, Parson. I appreciate it.

 

[Karn's Return]

There we are, one for you fine ladies. I suppose. Something struck me tonight...but it's in.

 

[Parson]

@Karn's Return .... In The Sun’s Zephyr .... Karn makes me think that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.