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

[Ursa major]

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And June's Challenge, courtesy of Hugh, is up: JUNE 2020 75-Word Story -- READ THE FIRST POST!

Theme: Unusual

Genre: Pastoral Science Fiction or Fantasy


Good luck, everyone!

 

[AMB]

@Hugh can I take back my vote please?

 

[Phyrebrat]

Me too

 

[Luiglin]

What-the-what-now?

Edit: I wonder if I can shoehorn in a Dark Lord?

 

[Parson]

Theme: Unusual

Genre: Pastoral Science Fiction or Fantasy

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Parson prepares to read a whole raft of stories about himself.

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Seriously this is more of an established category than I imagined.

Themes : Pastoral : SFE : Science Fiction Encyclopedia

 

[Hugh]

Hmm...looks like I could be the only entrant.. cue lengthy self-justification
It's probably a sign of age, but in all seriousness this has come to be much my preferred genre over the past 20 years.
In fact I'm actually reading it right now in both categories
In SF: The Complete Short Fiction of Clifford D Simak edited by a certain @2DaveWixon. His best stories tend to be set in rural Wisconsin.
In Fantasy: I've just finished the early chapters of the LOTR - the Shire and the Old Forest hit the genre dead centre (and the "unusual"'s there in Elves, Black Riders, Old Man Willow, Bombadil)
And on DVD, I recently caught up with Mackenzie Crook's version of Worzel Gummidge, again spot on. His "The Detectorists" also hit the genre perfectly but doesn't quite have the SFF component (maybe in series 4...).

 

[Justin Swanton]

Quick one: what is 'pastoral science fiction or fantasy'? I kind of visualise a replicant herding electric sheep.

 

[Culhwch]

Is this the first time in challenge history that the theme has perfectly described the genre?

 

[Luiglin]

Quick one: what is 'pastoral science fiction or fantasy'? I kind of visualise a replicant herding electric sheep.

Silent Running?

 

[scarpelius]

Something like this, probably will fit the theme

 

[Justin Swanton]

How about this?

 

[Cat's Cradle]

When we have a genre I'm not overly familiar with, I tend to overthink things, and worry. But I have read Way Station, by Simak, and figured I'd just give Pastoral a shot, from that experience. Not sure I hit it, but I wrote the story up fast, and posted it, so no worrying.

Also, with the adjective 'unusual' as a theme, I guess we're trying to make our stories seem unusual. I'm not sure I hit that, either, but here's hoping.

I'm really curious to see what everyone comes up with from these prompts. Should be a lot of really unique stories this month. Interesting choices, @Hugh.

 

[Astro Pen]

Ok new story is going in now. I liked the theme.

 

[Parson]

@Cat's Cradle .... The Harvest .... The Cat brings us to a world where farming is superfluous and so is humanity.

@Astro Pen .... Stilling the scythe .... A.P. helps us understand the real green revolution.

 

[Danny McG]

I'm writing one with an evil Mr Ed but I'm getting a bit stuck on the unusual.

 

[Starbeast]

Hmm...looks like I could be the only entrant.. cue lengthy self-justification

You certainly surprised me. After looking up the word, "Pastoral", (accompanied by your reasons), I must say, you thought up an interesting challenge.

Every month a new winner announces a challenge. Some people may groan, others may chuckle, while some may think to themselves, "great idea". Yet, some might be overwhelmed and faint when the theme and/or genre is whipped out. But you did a marvelous thing by giving everyone who enters this month, insight to your choice. Thank you bro.

I'm already thinking.................

 

[Culhwch]

I wrote something yesterday that I was quite pleased with but on rereading this morning released I completely missed the theme. Back to the drawing board...

 

[Parson]

I wrote something yesterday that I was quite pleased with but on rereading this morning released I completely missed the theme. Back to the drawing board...

It's amazing how things look different the next morning.

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@Guttersnipe .... The Brilliance of the Bellwether .... Brilliance is only really brilliance when others recognize the brilliance.

 

[Calliopenjo]

Pastoral Science Fiction? That's a new one. I'll see what I can do. Cheers.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Cat's Cradle: Some traditions outlive their usefulness.

Astro Pen: Even the meekest may seek retribution.

Guttersnipe: A leader is worthless without proper followers.

SaulAHerman: A single sacrifice may work wonders.