DISCUSSION THREAD -- July 2021 -- 300 Word Writing Challenge #42

Luiglin: This darkly wry look at failure of communication aptly conveys the fact that errors are universal. If this entertaining fable reduces the reader's hubris to any degree, it will have performed an important function.

Dan Jones: With hypnotic intensity, the author paints a vivid portrait of the natural world. Through the power of this technique, the tale's speculative content becomes completely believable.

Elckerlyc: The cyclic structure of this emotionally moving story reflects the eternal circle of life and death that lies at its heart. The universality of this theme ensures that it will remain in the readers' memory.

mosaix: The excitement of scientific discovery fills this narrative with a true sense of wonder. The revelation at its climax only adds to the stretching of the imagination.

M. Robert Gibson: In this parodic comedy we find the undeniable truism that co-operation is far more difficult a task than competition. The pleasure offered by the genre of farce serves as the sweetener that allows this bitter lesson to be fully appreciated.

sule: The format of classic fantasy, with the feeling of a folk tale or fairy tale, serves to make the vital message of this story stand out with the importance of ancient wisdom. Truly, we must search within ourselves to understand others.

Abernovo: A word of caution lies within this imaginative account of beings who seem, at first, to be quite different from ourselves. Through carefully crafted characterization, the author teaches us to see how truly alike we are to these fiction creations.

The Judge: What stands out about this story-within-a-story is its refusal to cater to the reader's expectations, as all fine art must aspire to do. In this way, our emotions are touched in a way that a less original tale could never accomplish.

Perpetual Man: A most unexpected protagonist, depicted in full verisimilitude, causes the extraordinary speculative content of this story to seem entirely believable. In this way, the reader is able to relate to a tale of cosmic proportions.

therapist: Images taken from far-reaching tales of science fiction are used to remind us of the consequences of our actions in this colorful tale. In addition to the pleasures of operatic space adventure, it offers a critical reminder that we reap what we sow.

elle telle: The author draws us into into a world full of mystery and magic in this enchanting story. Not content merely to offer exotic wonderment, the story also provides a protagonist with whom one can fully empathize.
 
Bren G: This chilling tale of the future takes a theme that has been often used in an optimistic way and points out its darker aspects. The warning that not all technological advances offer perfection is an important one to remember when utopia seems to beckon.
 
Thank you for the review, Victoria.
 
I'm noy going to make it. I'm perhaps two thirds through, I'm running a fever and can't concentrate any which way. I hope this gives up before I need to start short-listing and voting.

I didn't need this.
Oh no! We'll miss you this month, Chrispy, but it can't be helped. Hope you feel better soon.
 
Jo Zebedee: An unnerving sense of the unknowable fills this chilling tale of a menace which is all the more threatening for being unperceived. The contrast with seemingly innocent phrases alternating with the narrative adds to the tension.

Daysman: A sense of disorientation arises as soon as one begins reading this intriguing account of a distant and unfamiliar future. This enhances the special feeling of the unique which is one of the primary aims of speculative fiction.
 
I second Victoria; it was exceptionally hard to judge this month's entries.

It felt truly harsh not to include virtually everything in this shortlist, such was the immense quality on show. That being said, I had to give special mention to:

It was very tough to extract 3 from an excellent bunch, but my votes went to:
I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of the image personally (and that had nothing to do with how long it took to bloody load), but it certainly stirred everyone's creative instincts, possibly to a greater extent than any other image since I've been a member.

Well done everyone.
 
Well, there was me thinking that Sunday was the last day of the month. Typical I finally come up with a decent idea, and it's all over :rolleyes:

But the good thing is I can sit back, enjoy the stories and take a keen interest in the voting.

Lots of great entries (as usual). CC, The Judge and sule make my shortlist but PM, Ursa and Daysman make my day and and get my vote.
 
So many entries this go around that remind me how far I have yet to go in this craft.

Truly awe inspiring, thanks all!
 
Top 5

@Astro Pen - so much wonderful characterization

** @Victoria Silverwolf - a wonderful tapestry of magic **

** @Luiglin - lol and so much more **


@M. Robert Gibson - a fitting tribute to the futility of pointless bickering

** @The Judge - well executed story within a story **

Honestly this list was quite arbitrary as there were many other entries that were equally suited for inclusion. It makes this part of the challenge rather difficult.
 

Back
Top