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

[nixie]

I think I've managed the genre, not sure about theme.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

I'm in too.

Sorry, @nixie - I posted my entry a moment after you ... if I was aware I would have posted later today, as I do not like to steal a person's thunder right after they put up a story; I think the stage should belong to the newest entry alone, till it is absorbed a few hours by one and all. Apologies, CC

also - hope I hit the genre, but not really sure.

 

[nixie]

I'm in too.

Sorry, @nixie - I posted my entry a moment after you ... if I was aware I would have posted later today, as I do not like to steal a person's thunder right after they put up a story; I think the stage should belong to the newest entry alone, till it is absorbed a few hours by one and all. Apologies, CC

also - hope I hit the genre, but not really sure.

Not a problem CC, I think most leave reading the entries till voting time

 

[elvet]

I am so pleased to see the entries coming in, and one from @Karn's Return . Good start, and nice variety. I’m enjoying them all!

 

[telpereon]

I know I am new here but I am wondering...generally...do people spend a lot of time developing background for the story or do you focus on the theme only for something like this?

...I spent even more time paring the word count down to 75 than anything at this point. That is still a real challenge for me. I tend to be upwards of 150+ words on the initial passes. I still (after a whopping two challenges, lol) feel like I loss stuff that I hope and think make the story richer. Not sure that is the right word to use for this conversation but I am wondering about other peoples thoughts on this.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and/or advice.

 

[Luiglin]

I know I am new here but I am wondering...generally...do people spend a lot of time developing background for the story or do you focus on the theme only for something like this?

...I spent even more time paring the word count down to 75 than anything at this point. That is still a real challenge for me. I tend to be upwards of 150+ words on the initial passes. I still (after a whopping two challenges, lol) feel like I loss stuff that I hope and think make the story richer. Not sure that is the right word to use for this conversation but I am wondering about other peoples thoughts on this.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and/or advice.

For me, it's all down to the original idea.

However, one key part to the 75 is that they should be self-contained. Adding back story, even if you don't use it, can lead you to a point where the end result makes sense to you but not necessarily to the read.

It's a mistake I've often made and one not easily solved.

Chrons - home to the fiendish 75.

 

[telpereon]

For me, it's all down to the original idea.

However, one key part to the 75 is that they should be self-contained. Adding back story, even if you don't use it, can lead you to a point where the end result makes sense to you but not necessarily to the read.

It's a mistake I've often made and one not easily solved.

Chrons - home to the fiendish 75.

@Luiglin - that makes a lot of sense. I had not thought about that but now that I do, you are right I spent most of my time pulling things out that I could not explain. lol, blinders much...

 

[The Judge]

I'm in Luiglin's camp. Since I rarely get any ideas for a story until the last minute, I don't have time to construct elaborate backstories. It's a question of an idea, an opening, an ending, and something in the middle, making sure both theme and genre are there and important (ie more than just add-ons and expendable) and then chopping my indulgent 90+ (or worse) words down to 75.

If it helps you to devise a backstory, as I know it does for some, all well and good. But it's certainly not necessary and can land people in a quagmire of trying to shoehorn in all the world-building where there is simply no room for it.

Have a look at the Improving... thread. I'm pretty sure there are examples there of where stories have perhaps suffered from too much backstory and not enough plot in the present.

 

[Luiglin]

The ultimate is the six word story, the best of which being;

For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

Simply brilliant.

 

[AMB]

I came; I saw; I conquered.

That one's three words in Latin

 

[Luiglin]

I came; I saw; I conquered.

That one's three words in Latin

Ah, but I'd argue that's a statement rather than a story.

 

[AMB]

Nah. It's just someone who tells more than they show.

 

[Star-child]

I've not looked at a formal definition, but anything that has both fantasy and romance/something romantic in it -- as long as they're an integral part of the story and not just window dressing -- would meet the genre as far as I'm concerned

These contests are judged in part by adherence to the theme. "Romantic fantasy" doesn't seem to defined by a romantic relationship - though it can:

Romantic fantasy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"One of the key features of romantic fantasy involves the focus on relationships, social, political, and romantic.

Common plot archetypes[edit]

1. A teenager, typically either from an overly strict or abusive family (or alternately from a family or a village that has been slain by bandits or monsters) runs away and discovers that they possess either magical or psychic powers and a glorious destiny. This destiny often involves saving a city, kingdom, or other large group from harm by a powerful villain or a dangerous monster."

Given that some will score down a piece that doesn't meet the theme, can someone make the official call which kind of romantic fantasy makes the cut?

 

[The Judge]

Nope. It's up to each person to make a decision about genre, whether when writing or when voting. It's no different from having a genre of science fiction and there being disagreements as to what constitutes SF.

As for me, I'm taking the words at face value -- viz Romantic and Fantasy -- and in the knowledge that elvet chose this genre as February 14th is Valentine's Day. If someone want to approach it from another angle, using the older term of "romance" to include what we'd now call adventure, that's his/her prerogative. It likely means the resulting story will probably not meet the genre under my definition, but in practically every single Challenge there is at least one story I think doesn't meet one or other of theme or genre, so that's nothing new.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Adding back story, even if you don't use it, can lead you to a point where the end result makes sense to you but not necessarily to the read

Guilty as charged, yer honour

 

[Star-child]

Romantic relationship it is. Thanks.

 

[AMB]

From a quick google, it looks like a lot of people can't work out what falls into this genre. Gives plenty of leeway.

 

[Daysman]

I'm in... I think I ticked enough boxes...

 

[Parson]

@Guttersnipe .... "I Will Always Be With You" .... G. Snipe brings us a whole new definition of "I'll always be with you."

@nixie .... How Far Would You Go? .... Nixie shows us what a Pixie Druid thinks of both Paternalism and love.

@Cat's Cradle .... As True as Stone .... Cat tells a tale of love wasted and a life as well.

@Azoraa .... A purple scale .... Azoraa reminds us that even those who are last still love.
Welcome to the 75 and to the Chrons! I liked your story a lot.

@Daysman .... Evidence .... Daysman slides us into a great and tragic love story.
It definitely ticked enough boxes for me.

 

[Azoraa]

thanks
I've never participated in anything like this. Who would have thought that you can write a story that short? I didn't!