DISCUSSION THREAD -- March 2021 -- 75-Word Writing Challenge

[Hugh]

There were more stories than usual this month that really interested me. Maybe it's because dragons really intrigue me.
In the end I voted for @sule 's "We Dragons Guard Our Treasure True ". I loved this take on the psychology behind a dragon hoard.

Shortlist, in no order:
@AlekseiVashchenko : something strangely spacious and haunting in this story
@Starbeast : beautifully poignant
@paranoid marvin : more wonderful doggerel
@Cat's Cradle : great build up to the last line.

And the longer list:
@Parson
@AstroZon
@M. Robert Gibson
@chopper
@Marvin

And many many much appreciated thanks to @Michael Bickford and the mighty @Starbeast for your votes. Such wonderful surprises.

 

[Astro Pen]

@Hugh gets the vote.
Almost drew a tear of my own.

 

[Parson]

Thanks @Hugh for the mention.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Thanks Parson, Starbeast and Hugh for the shortlistings and the great comments.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

mosaix -- Claws
Guttersnipe -- Rescue Mission
TEIN -- More Setbacks in the Fight Against Global Warming
*Wayne Mack -- The Tale of Icarus*
BT Jones -- Grace Under Fire
luriantimetraveler -- Untitled
Michael Bickford -- Here Be Dragons
Hugh -- Evensong
M. Robert Gibson -- A Salty Dog Story
reiver33 -- Emergence
Starbeast -- A Better Life



Extra special mention of Michael Bickford for the stunningly beautiful lines,
"So, writers wright the wheels
of time; fill the rills with runes".
I wish I could say I'm going to remember those forever, but alas, I know my memory.

Wayne Mack got my vote, for a brilliant and plausible interpretation of a time-honored tale, rendered in haiku. Not an easy feat, that.

 

[farntfar]

Terrific stories all
But shortlist
@M. Robert Gibson
@Cat's Cradle
@TheEndIsNigh
@Astro Pen
@Wayne Mack
@Hugh
@Laura R Hepworth
@BigJ

Vote to
@Peter V

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Well I'll be a Dragon's dinner another 'Stealthy vote'

This one from @Marvin. Thanks. It's very much appreciated.

 

[Ursa major]

Well I'll be a Dragon's dinner another 'Stealthy vote'

Are you sure it wasn't meant for my entry...?

 

[mosaix]

Are you sure it wasn't meant for my entry...?

Or mine?

 

[Ursa major]

Or mine?

What a cheek!

 

[nixie]

Was probably meant for me.

 

[Ursa major]

The sense of entitlement is strong in this thread.

I can't imagine where it came from.


And just a reminder, for those (mostly in Europe?) who've moved (or should have moved) onto daylight saving/summer time, that the poll closes just before midnight GMT, which is, 00:59 BST.

 

[Hugh]

Many thanks indeed @Astro Pen and @BigJ for the votes and @TheDustyZebra and @farntfar for the shortlistings.

I'm savouring this moment in the sun. It's very pleasant to find myself hanging on to the Victoria Silverwolf slipstream.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

So many stories to enjoy this month. I had trouble deciding which entry to vote for, but finally came around to one story. So, my lists:

Honorables:
AlekseiVashchenko, Luiglin, M. Robert Gibson, Laura R Hepworth, Parson, Starbeast

Shortlist:
Edoc'sil, Victoria Silverwolf, paranoid marvin, Hugh, Sule

Vote:
BT Jones
I really connected with this poem, and understand the wish that a new stewardship of our planet's future were in the offing. Dragons would have to be better than we are.

I enjoyed the poems this month; nice to see so many entered.
I'd like to add chrispenycate, Hugh and farntfar to my list of listings thank yous; they're greatly appreciated.

Looks to be a tight race! Good luck in the voting, all, CC

 

[paranoid marvin]

Thanks for the shortlisting CC. Down to the last few hours, another exciting finish in prospect.

 

[Hugh]

And many thanks for your shortlisting @Cat's Cradle !

And I’ll head off now. I’m more than content with the votes and listings and not optimistic of my story catching up with Victoria Silverwolf. However, if I wake in the night I’m sure I won’t be able to resist taking a look. Many thanks everyone.

 

[Daysman]

Among this month's scaly tales, here're my five faves, including my vote*:

@Victoria Silverwolf
@Luiglin
@Astro Pen *
@paranoid marvin
@johnnyjet

Have a better one!

 

[Ursa major]

It seems that we have a tie.


The tie-breaker poll is now up. It will be open until 23:59 GMT on March the 30th:

Tiebreaker Poll -- March 2021 Writing Challenge​

​

 

[Parson]

I had to go with my original choice. A vote for @Victoria Silverwolf

 

[BT Jones]

Thanks so much, @Cat's Cradle, for the vote; @therapist and @Lawrence Twiddy for the short-listings, and @TheDustyZebra and @Starbeast for the honourable mentions / menu entry.

I'm not much one for poetry, but I was happy with how it came out (aside from the desire to tack an extra line on the end to flesh it out closer to 75 words, which I maybe should have resisted).

Yes, @Cat's Cradle, I suspect many a more conceivably destructive creature would take better care of this big blue orb than we would. I wouldn't imagine they would be much for hiding wanton destruction behind the banner of politics and growth.

As the great Sigourney Weaver says in Aliens, "I don't know which species is worse; you don't see them #$%&ing each other over a goddamn percentage."