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

[mosaix]

First off, many congratulations to @ Bren G for winning with a worthy entry. It was on my shortlist but just missed the final cut between @ mosaix and @ Perpetual Man who's use of puns for the proverbial punchline were simply masterful. It was extremely hard to choose between the two and in the end Perp got the nod for using a great word (dilettante), although I must admit to being extremely partial to a Liquorice Allsort! (@ mosaix I wonder how many from outside of the UK simply did not get your story?)

Always a risk so I usually do a bit of research, @Peter V. Surprisingly liquorice allsorts are an almost global confection.

Looking back there were a couple of improvements I could have made but I doubt very much if I could have overhauled @Bren G.

 

[Luiglin]

I found this challenge to be challenging. I am not a fan of Steampunk. And unlike @Luiglin I am religious, but did not want to use a Biblical Proverb.* I thought I would use a business proverb but instead went for a classic S.F. proverb. from Robert A. Heinlein.

After I wrote it I realized that I had been massively influenced by the social unrest here in the States.

*Proverbs for me is just about the hardest book in the Bible to preach from. Not because it doesn't have much to say, but, rather, I have to work really hard to help people realize that Proverbs is really composed of proverbs; things that are usually true, but not universally true. Proverbs is often quoted by preachers who have an axe to grind about personal behavior and therefore lead non-discerning listeners to believe the God "commands" such and so behavior.

I agree on that last part @Parson, which is a great pity because when you look at their wording, whether you believe in a God or not, the majority of them make so much sense.

 

[Danny McG]

the majority of them make so much sense.

Wot, like a perfume manufacturer?

(It only works if you say it aloud!)

 

[Starbeast]

Congratulations Bren G
@Bren G

A huge WELL DONE to the Reviewers and all the Authors.


​

Here's my non-submitted entry. (rough draft)


Sweet Mr Candy

"Wrench."

"Wrench"

"Screwdriver."

"Screwdriver."

"OK. Now turn up the water pressure."

"Blue valve is set."

"Ah good. Our steam mobile is running fine again."

"Look, Oliver. There's that nice Mr Candy. Such a kind man, always smiling. He may not have much, but he loves to make people laugh, even strangers."

"Dave O McKay, was right. True happiness comes only by making others happy."

"That;s Candy. Bless his heart."

"Aye Laura. Let's go shopping."

 

[StevenF]

Well done to Bren G! You were actually in my mental shortlist too I'll be sure to write them down next time.

I voted for nixie as I liked the imagination that it caused to swell up in me. I don't know if your entry is considered poetry but something about it made me think it was, which to me is difficult to do (another art form in itself I imagine). Finally, the proverb itself reminded me of the line from Sean Connery's character as Indy's dad in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade which was always a favourite movie of mine.

Great stories and looking forward to the next one.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Just in case anyone cares, the Led Zeppelin songs I used in my entry were:

I stared at the presidential zeppelin steaming overhead, its light-emitting diodes spewing meaningless propaganda.
(L.E.D. Zeppelin, see what I did there? )
Irritated, I recalled announcing my anarchic plan to friends these ten years gone.
"Poor Tom," they'd said, "he's sick again."
They were right.
On that supposed celebration day, there'd been a communication breakdown, the assassination failed and in the ensuing chaos,
I'd been trampled underfoot, leaving me dazed and confused.
Today? I'm still president and it's nobody's fault but mine.

I also tried to get in the line:
I told my 'friends' I'm going to 'ramble on' 'over the hills and far away' to 'the ocean' so I can live 'down by the seaside'.
but I just used up too many words trying to be a smart alec