Discussion Thread -- JULY 2020 -- 300-Worder Writing Challenge (#38)

[M. Robert Gibson]

@-K2-

What a wonderful set of reviews. Obviously a lot of work gone into them. Well done

 

[-K2-]

Thanks everyone for the kind responses to my post, but @Victoria Silverwolf does the 'reviews' here. I just posted my thoughts on everyone, so 'I' could work out my three votes, since every single entry was a winner. Believe me, I'd not of mentioned them all otherwise...my now mushroom shaped fingers will attest to that

Well done everyone, superb creations one and all.

K2

 

[Joshua Jones]

I don't believe I've ever been this torn about voting on this forum as this challenge... Truly, I cannot think of a single story which I either didn't like, didn't understand, or would be otherwise disqualified from my votes.

Ultimately, @MikeAnderson, @Parson, and @The Judge won my votes, just barely beating out @M. Robert Gibson, @Jo Zebedee, @Ashleyne, and @Victoria Silverwolf.

Excellent challenge everyone! I hope some of these stories become novels on my shelf in the future!

 

[Joshua Jones]

mosaix: The matter-of-fact tone of this chilling horror story adds greatly to its frightening effect. Through the use of a deceptively calm narrative voice, the author creates a true sense of menace.

Daysman: The documentary-like style of this tale results in a convincing mixture of the familiar and the extraordinary. The combination of dialogue and narrative provides a two-pronged experience of reality.

Jo Zebedee: In a subtle, intimate way, this emotionally powerful character study brings us into the heart of one who feels rejected by society. Once a difficult choice is made, the possibility of freedom appears.

AMB: A new myth emerges in this surreal account of a quest that is far more meaningful than it appears at first glance. The story's theme can be seen as an allegory of human effort and its consequences.

Joshua Jones: The visceral intensity of this futuristic war story disguises a very human story at its core. The eternal truths that prejudice is always with us, and that altruism is not always rewarded, come across vividly.

sule: Careful reading is required to fully appreciate all the nuances of this cautionary tale. Through the eyes of characters who see things very differently than we do, we learn the possible outcome of our own failings.

Parson: An unusual mixture of science fiction and fantasy leads to a particularly imaginative story, with meaning for anyone who has railed against injustice. The truism that the conqueror must always be wary of the conquered's retaliation comes to life for the reader.

dannymcg: A sense of merriment transforms what might be thought of as a macabre concept into an entertaining flight of fancy. A truly unique idea makes for a fully satisfying experience.

Perpetual Man: The profound differences between the ways that children and adults see the world increases the effect of this quiet thriller. When the two viewpoints mingle, we learn that reality is truly unknowable.

Peter V: The power of human connections over seemingly insurmountable obstacles draws the reader into this fable of loss and hope. It would be a hard heart indeed that could not be stirred by it.

M. Robert Gibson: Familiar themes from space stories are affectionately mocked in this witty offering. The situation it presents is so full of potential that one wonders why one hasn't encountered it before.

Ursa major: This eerie tale of a gift with an unexpected price has the same artistic nuance of the music with which it deals. By thus transforming what cannot be described in words in the form of a story, the reader is able to experience the narrator's dislocation in a direct way.

The Judge: The power of a simple gesture of courtesy is demonstrated in this science fiction story with the feeling of a fairy tale. Perhaps an analogy is intended with the way humans should interact with other living things.

Mad Alice: A true feeling for the impossible made real fills this fast-moving dive into the world of surrealism. As a bonus, the story provides a profound symbol for the strength of literature to carry us away.

Land Under Wave: The original darkness of folklore that has been appropriated for less meaningful purposes by modern culture appears in this moody fantasy. The selflessness of the protagonist serves as a lesson from which we can all learn.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Votes go to:

BT Jones: Best SF story

chrispenycate: Best mainstream fiction

Ursa major: Best fantasy

I just realized I never thanked you for your kind words on here! My apologies! Thank you for the mention and the comments; I think you hit on the head exactly what I was going for. Thank you again!

 

[Margaret Note Spelling]

Ha! Slid in under the deadline, with votes to @BT Jones, @M. Robert Gibson, and @Land Under Wave.

And a special shout-out to M. Robert Gibson's story (before I even realized so many others agreed with me on it). The whole thing was so delightfully evocative of a Terry Pratchett situation, and believe me, that's one of the highest praises I can offer.

Meanwhile, Land Under Wave's story was the most pleasant, curl-up-in-a-chair read for me. It was such smooth writing, with the added bonus of a genuinely emotional and personal story (which raised far more fun questions in my mind than it answered, as the best stories should). Excellent craftsmanship!

And BT Jones' story was just so epic (and quintessentially human) an end. People will always destroy themselves with their own sheer stubbornness. Good job on leaving us to imagine the explosion for ourselves!

Good job, everybody!

 

[Astro Pen]

Hands up.
How many of us are dreaming of that magic day when after languishing with one vote for a fortnight you get 11 extra votes in the last 7 hours?

 

[Ursa major]

Ha! Slid in under the deadline

To those who are concerned that there's no time for them to vote, there's another 8 hours (and 3 minutes) available.

 

[The Judge]

Lots of good stories this quarter, but the ones which caught my eye and formed my shortlist as follows:

BT Jones -- The Last Day​

Cat's Cradle -- Expiration Date​

Elckerlyc -- Fated ​

Jo Zebedee -- BARREN​

-K2- -- Whispers on Boot Hill​

Land Under Wave -- Dark Trade​

Peter V -- Greater Than the Sum​

Phyrebrat -- The Release of Wonderful Things​

Rafellin -- White as Snow; Red Like Blood​

Ursa major -- Chasse-neige: A Study in the Transcendental​

My first choice of a vote was easy as Jo's story of loss and freedom grabbed me on very first read, as was the second as I loved Peter's tale of love overcoming evil. The third choice took a while but in the end Elckerlyc's unwilling and lying prophet just pipped Land Under Wave's sister who sacrifices herself.

And two special prizes -- Phyrebrat for outstanding lyricism (as ever) and MRG for making me laugh!

I was scraping the bottom of the muse's barrel this quarter when it came to inspiration, so I'm particularly happy at the notice it received -- so crystalline rock thanks for the shortlisting johnnyjet, and elegant, sinuous birch-like thanks for the wonderful votes BT Jones, Parson (thank you, both, too, for your lovely comments!), CC, Peter and Joshua! Oh, and I've got two stealth votes, too -- so crystal tree thanks Chris p and elvet!

 

[-K2-]

How very kind @The Judge ; placing me with some tall company there. Thank you so much for the encouragement

K2

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Thanks for the vote @scarpelius .

 

[mosaix]

Good to see everyone get at least one vote.

 

[Daysman]

I found this tough — for weeks I had nothing, hopelessly fixating on the image, until I decided the light was not a single distant source...

So thanks to @elvet , @Rafellin & @MikeAnderson for your votes, they are much appreciated!

And thanks to @BT Jones , @Victoria Silverwolf and @-K2- for your kind comments.

Shortlisted 7 this month, the ones that stayed with me, with votes to my favourite three:
@johnnyjet
@CarBear
@Jo Zebedee
@AMB
@Joshua Jones
@Perpetual Man
@M. Robert Gibson

Have a great rest of the weekend!

 

[Joshua Jones]

I found this tough — for weeks I had nothing, hopelessly fixating on the image, until I decided the light was not a single distant source...

So thanks to @elvet , @Rafellin & @MikeAnderson for your votes, they are much appreciated!

And thanks to @BT Jones , @Victoria Silverwolf and @-K2- for your kind comments.

Shortlisted 7 this month, the ones that stayed with me, with votes to my favourite three:
@johnnyjet
@CarBear
@Jo Zebedee
@AMB
@Joshua Jones
@Perpetual Man
@M. Robert Gibson

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Also, looks like I have a stealth vote... I won't name the perp who did so, but know I'm perpetually grateful for your support!

 

[BT Jones]

Ha! Slid in under the deadline, with votes to @BT Jones, @M. Robert Gibson, and @Land Under Wave.

And a special shout-out to M. Robert Gibson's story (before I even realized so many others agreed with me on it). The whole thing was so delightfully evocative of a Terry Pratchett situation, and believe me, that's one of the highest praises I can offer.

Meanwhile, Land Under Wave's story was the most pleasant, curl-up-in-a-chair read for me. It was such smooth writing, with the added bonus of a genuinely emotional and personal story (which raised far more fun questions in my mind than it answered, as the best stories should). Excellent craftsmanship!

And BT Jones' story was just so epic (and quintessentially human) an end. People will always destroy themselves with their own sheer stubbornness. Good job on leaving us to imagine the explosion for ourselves!

Good job, everybody!

Wow, thanks so much Margaret. Yes, destruction & humans... I think, secretly, its our one true religion.

 

[Ursa major]

The poll has now closed and we have a winner:

Congratulations, M. Robert Gibson!​

​

 

[Ursa major]

Many, many thanks for the vote, Phyrebrat!

 

[-K2-]

Well done @M. Robert Gibson ; well done and well earned. A fantastic and funny story in all regards!

Well done everyone, not a bummer in the bunch, great stuff!

K2

 

[mosaix]

Congratulations, MRG!

And commiserations, Parson who lead for such a long time.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Yay! Many congrats, Robert. I loved your story. commiserations to @Parson who I’ve given the lovely purple bridesmaid dress to

So many thanks for the votes for mine. I genuinely didn’t expect any as it was really rushed but it did seem to write itself and have something to say so I posted it anyhow.

 

[Joshua Jones]

Congratulations @M. Robert Gibson and commiserations @Parson! There were so many worthy stories this month, as evidenced by the lack of a story with 0 votes! Excellent, excellent work everyone!