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

[Stable]

I voted for @Peter V - Maintaining the Status Crow

My attention was caught by the title pun, as if by hundreds of CDs hanging from string. But it was the characterisations that really gave me something to crow about. Caw blimey! What a story.

My runners up were:
Cat's Cradle - The Harvest
johnnyjet - The Bells of St. Stephen Hawking
sule - The Llanwelly Case

There was a bountiful crop of great writing this month, so thank you to all for your stories. Also, thanks for the great prompt, which was outstanding in its field.

 

[Peter V]

Thank you for the vote and high praise @ Stable

I must say, masterful punning in response

 

[BT Jones]

Another strong round. So many good stories. I could honestly have shortlisted 90% of them. Shortlist below, super shortlist in bold, vote underlined.

@Cat's Cradle – Speaks of a very possible tomorrow.

@Guttersnipe – Brilliant – shades of animal farm, also channeling one of my favourite bands: Pink Floyd.

@SaulAHerman – An all too thankful reminder we don’t exist in the realm of gods.

@Victoria Silverwolf – Enchanting, as always. I’m sure it’s not in anyway effortless, but your writing always feels effortlessly poignant.

@dannymcg – Not for the first time, I was feeling essence of Hitchhikers in tone and scope.

@Stable – Although I can’t claim to understand it entirely, your story was utterly beguiling, and very well titled.

@Daysman – I didn’t get this at all (Maybe it was the red wine), but, but it still resonated with me. I’m not sure if we’re supposed to admit this, but I’m increasingly prone to speak the truth and to hell with the judgement.

@Ambrose – Delightfully innocent.

@Luiglin – Delightfully acerbic, as usual. This one triggered memories of a Swiss hillside.

@Marvin – A wonderfully telling indictment on human nature.

@CarBear – Strangely enticing.

@Avelino de Castro – Lyrical and evocative. I also loved the blue thingy you were able to conjure.

@chrispenycate – Just immaculate.

@Starbeast – Simply beautiful

@Parson – The first story in this challenge that made me chuckle, wickedly.

@Fogged_Creation – I loved the flow and lyricism.

@sule – Is ‘groan’ a compliment? It brought a big smile to my face.

@Bren G – Deceptively & darkly exquisite.

@Perpetual Man – Genuinely moving.

@David Evil Overlord – Utterly preposterous, but curiously engaging.

@Peter V – Punchy and quirky.

Ultimately, I had to go with Victoria. Her writing consistently sings to me.

 

[mosaix]

I have a stealth vote!

Many thanks @David Evil Overlord !

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

I have voted for @dannymcg . Hopefully I'll make a shortlist, however it could be quite tricky to keep it short, as there are so many brilliant stories.

 

[Danny McG]

I have voted for @dannymcg . Hopefully I'll make a shortlist, however it could be quite tricky to keep it short, as there are so many brilliant stories.

This guy knows what he's doing, a classic example of how to vote correctly

 

[mosaix]

This guy knows what he's doing, a classic example of how to vote correctly

I have to say that I think David Evil Overlord seems to have a more sophisticated taste!

 

[Peter V]

Though Stable clearly has the soundest judgement

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Thank you @dannymcg for the vote.

 

[sule]

I cast my vote for The Harvest. A lot of great entries this month, made the choosing difficult.

Honorable mentions:
The Caretakers
The Brilliance of the Bellwether
Lamb Becomes the Tiger
Death by Chocolate

 

[JNG01]

I cast my vote for Parson's piece. Really grabbed me. This is my first 75, and it's been great to have the chance to read so much talented writing.

 

[Bren G]

Here is my dazzling shortlist and vote. A great slew of entries this month. Everyone's a winner!

1. dannymcg - Traveling through hyperspace ain’t like dusting crops, farm boy. - A 'fresh' take on bountiful human potential!
2. BT JOnes - Aesculus - Proves the only way to salvation is to hit rock bottom. Totally took me for a ride!
3. Luiglin - Rambling summer days -. Could be called the 'Dark Lord Strikes Again.' Looking forward to the sequel!
4. Parson - The birds and the bees - People will travel far and wide for the salacious stuff. Somethings never change. A humorous take on the facts of life!
5. sule - The Llanwelly Case - A metaphor for the darkness inside of us that yearns to break free!
6. Vince W - Grass Wars - Loved it but why don't they bring in the sheep cavalry brigade??
7. paranoid marvin - unnatural - A brush fire of literary proportions!

And my vote goes to : The Caretakers - Victoria Silverwolf -> Cleanly written, great scene building from the get go and a fabulous ending. A haunting tale of caring among carnivores. Well done @Victoria Silverwolf

 

[Parson]

I'm really feeling good right now two short listings! Thanks @BT Jones and @Bren G.

And then a glorious vote from @JNG01!! Made my day.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Vince W: Sometimes the most dangerous enemy is the one that is most unsuspected.

Bren G: One should be careful to consider all the possible outcomes of one's actions.

paranoid marvin: Nobody knows what it's like to be the bad man.

elvet: If you can accomplish one impossible thing, you can do anything.

Perpetual Man: Our memories are what define us.

scarpelius: Some mysteries have explanations beyond understanding.

Maya 13: Dreams can be shattered by other people.

David Evil Overlord: Too much of a good thing can be a serious problem.

Peter V: It's hard to find just the right career.

M. Robert Gibson: Some things continue, when it seems that all is lost.

The Judge: Be sure to read the small print before taking action.

AMB: Things look different through the eyes of another.

Ursa major: The younger generation always seems strange to the elder.

______________________________________________________________________________

Vote goes to Bren G for a powerful allegory.

 

[Danny McG]

I have voted for @dannymcg . Hopefully I'll make a shortlist, however it could be quite tricky to keep it short, as there are so many brilliant stories.

Thank you @dannymcg for the vote.

Some may feel there's a bit of collusion going on here.
Let me reassure....I read the stories every couple of days as they are entered, I don't usually take note of the writers, just the stories.


It came to casting my vote and I was like
"the one where they march the sheep off to feed a dragon, it reminds me of the herds of wherries in the Pern Dragons books"

I skimmed through them all and did a "yes, this one here" and duly voted. It wasn't until looking at this thread and seeing if I'd got any mentions that I realised we'd voted for each other.

 

[Stable]

Though Stable clearly has the soundest judgement

I like to think it is always well balanced.

 

[Stable]

@Stable – Although I can’t claim to understand it entirely, your story was utterly beguiling, and very well titled.

Thanks BT, very kind! I'll explain after the voting has finished.

 

[mosaix]

Some may feel there's a bit of collusion going on here.
Let me reassure....I read the stories every couple of days as they are entered, I don't usually take note of the writers, just the stories.


It came to casting my vote and I was like
"the one where they march the sheep off to feed a dragon, it reminds me of the herds of wherries in the Pern Dragons books"

I skimmed through them all and did a "yes, this one here" and duly voted. It wasn't until looking at this thread and seeing if I'd got any mentions that I realised we'd voted for each other.

I don't think anyone thought otherwise, Danny.

 

[Bren G]

Wow! Thank you @Victoria Silverwolf. You are too kind!

 

[chrispenycate]

All right, my short list consisted of: elvet, Hugh, Luiglin, Marvin, mosaix, Stable, The Judge and Ursa major. I finally voted for Stable, but that might have been different on another day.