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

Eliminating stories was extremely difficult. I spent many hours pruning my (supposedly) short list. Here is the result, featuring:- AltLifeAStory, Astro Pen, Dan Jones, Daysman, Jo Zebedee, The Judge, Ursa major and Victoria Silverwolf. But there were too many others that deserved places. I voted for Daysman, Ursa major, and Victoria Silverwolf,

Silly to fall sick at the last minute, but hey! You can' win 'em all.
 
No worries, Guttersnipe! It's not always easy with so many stories to get your check marks in the right boxes. The Mods will just not count the vote in the final tally, but I've come close myself, over the years. :)
 
Thank you to all who have mentioned and / or voted for my entry. I will in due course respond with a proper thank you but please be assured that I really appreciate any recognition.

Now my turn...

As others have already pointed out and what became clear to me very quickly, the standard of entries for this month’s 300 is exceptional. To that end I have had to pare my favourites somewhat for fear of listing almost every entry.


@ Rafellin
I enjoyed this unusual and evocative tale of return, albeit temporarily to a loved one. I really felt it conveyed a sense of wonder and anticipation from our protagonist and particularly the inherent realism in the human interaction.

@ Astro Pen
This poignant tale of selfless love touch something within me. I am undecided if the last paragraph is our protagonist dreaming his own dream, or maybe someone else is dreaming happiness for him. Either way, I enjoyed it.

@ Victoria Silverwolf
In this beautifully written piece, Victoria, as always, paints an emotive and descriptive lyrical vision. It is not just our protagonist who is whisked away to a world of magic and wonder, this reader gladly went along for the ride.

@ Cat's Cradle
I thought this was great. A well-structured SF piece – what I call a “proper short story” with good use of exposition. I kind of guessed the ending but that did not detract from this contender.

@ Lawrence Twiddy
This tale was imaginative and nicely done. I enjoyed the pacing and thought the ending spot on. I am unsure if the protagonist is being punished or helped but both ways works. A powerful piece.

@ Luiglin
This was different! I really enjoyed seeing it from the innocently destructive POV of a well meaning BEM. Funny and gruesome at the same time.

@ Dan Jones
I will hold my hand up and say I am not completely sure what happened here but I loved the style and wording which painted such a descriptive picture leading up to…. whatever happened. I was thinking Nessie from the description and that fact it's not too far to swim home…

@ sule
A nice take on the magic mirror tale, pointing out the glaringly obvious; that a mirror reflects. I like that we find the mirror is not filled with dark magic after all – though it is clearly magical.

@ The Judge
What starts out as an extremely well written and engaging tale within a tale, is elevated to brilliant by a very powerful and painfully tragic ending.

@ therapist
I really enjoyed this and really could not see where it was going. Very imaginative and very entertaining with a strong ending. I’m with therapist. I hope somewhere, someone doesn’t pull the trigger!

@ Bren G
Another unusual tale inspired by the image and another I was not sure where it was going until human nature asserted itself. Ouch!

@ Jo Zebedee
An excellently written and intriguing tale, which I was drawn into as I attempted to determine what was happening. Above all, I really liked the way this tale was structured.

@ Daysman
This well crafted SF tale has an epic feel about it. I really think it could be part of an expanded tale I would really like to read. I really enjoyed the mix of the "normal" day to day existence with the fantastic.

@ Ursa major
Another very imaginative and well written tale which I enjoyed reading but was elevated from the good pile to the great by an excellent and amusing ending.


Well, these are my favourites and shortlist. Reading them again and composing my thoughts here, really has not helped greatly in making my mind up. Of the ten I have shortlisted, I am really struggling to rule even one out.

I will do my utmost to return and vote without resorting to pulling out of a hat!

Well done all

Peter
 
Votes to
@Victoria Silverwolf
Douglas Spaulding from Dandelion Wine finds himself swept into one of those Python animations crafted from 19th century engravings. That was my imagery anyway, apologies if it was off target.

@Lawrence Twiddy
Are you responsible for a crime you have no memory committing? What does punishment achieve then? It is a philosophical whirlpool.

@Phyrebrat
I'll be honest. It resonated with me because a story I wrote about swans and love has recently been picked by an editor and was printed in an anthology a couple of weeks back.
Phyrebrat and I independently wrestling to capture swan's emotional lives on the page would seem unlikely but was nevertheless true!
 
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Chris 1978 said:
Is there an August 300 word challenge? #43? I can't seem to find the info.
Click to expand...
Nope. The 300 worder is quarterly, the seventy-five is monthly. However, if you slide acroee to 'workshop' there is the anonymous (hundred words, but you can write as many submissions as you want 'cause nobordy knows it's you) Read the explanations carefully, as it's organised a biy differently from the others.

And just occasionally (not recently) someone will organise a 'Sekrit Santa', different again, a lot more words and ome writer by theme.
 
Astro Pen said:
Votes to
@Victoria Silverwolf
Douglas Spaulding from Dandelion Wine finds himself swept into one of those Python animations crafted from 19th century engravings. That was my imagery anyway, apologies if it was off target.

@Lawrence Twiddy
Are you responsible for a crime you have no memory committing? What does punishment achieve then? It is a philosophical whirlpool.

@Phyrebrat
I'll be honest. It resonated with me because a story I wrote about swans and love has recently been picked by an editor and was printed in an anthology a couple of weeks back.
Phyrebrat and I independently wrestling to capture swan's emotional lives on the page would seem unlikely but was nevertheless true!
Click to expand...

SO elated to get a vote! Going into the weekend with a big smile now, thank you @Astro Pen. :giggle:
 
I feel so honored for your votes @Bren G, @Wayne Mack, @BT Jones, @Lawrence Twiddy. Thank you @farntfar, @Dan Jones, @johnnyjet, and @chrispenycate for the mentions. I've learned through this site that writing can be a very humbling experience. With that humbling can also come great joy, which is what I feel right now from your recognition. Thank you all so much for your time.

There are so many writers with powerful prose skill and beautiful writing on this site. I've narrowed my three down to the following, but have an incredible respect for so many more of your writings. My top three are from @Cat's Cradle, @Mon0Zer0, and @Ursa major .
 
I've just seen that I got 2 stealth votes.
So without wishing to break the stealth, (You know who you are. :)) I'd just like to thank you both very much. I am very pleased to have received them.
 
I'll mention first that I voted a few days ago, so I won't be changing the voting numbers today.

Great month for stories... I can't imagine there've been many better in my 7+ years of entering these things. Well done, all. Thanks again to TDZ for the truly inspiring picture that started it all off.

I had trouble culling, so forgive my longish lists (that still have left off a number of worthy stories). Here we go:

Honorables:
farntfar, Rafellin, Astro Pen, Elckerlyc, sule, therapist, Jo Zebedee, Ursa major

Could I have extra votes, please?
AltLifeAStory (brilliant first 300 worder, AltLife), PeterV (my fourth vote, if allowed), Dan Jones (beautifully written, DJ)

Votes:
Victoria Silverwolf - Once in a blue Challenge moon a story comes along that I wish I could have written. This time, it's Victoria's Eclipse. It reminds me of Bradbury, and that's all I think needs said.
Phyrebrat - The Reedy Shoals of Havisham So well written that I don't even aspire to something this good. Wonderful, pH.
The Judge - The Maker of Rings Your last-minute stories are terrific, TJ. Stop that! ;) Excellent as always.

Okay, close race still, best of luck with votes, every one.

I'm going to give some thanks now. I'm so pleased to've received so many mentions and votes in such a good Challenge. I'm grateful for the mentions to: therapist, Dan Jones, Peter V and Elckerlyc.
And a tremendous 'Thank you!' each for your vote to: Parson, johnnyjet, Victoria Silverwolf, farntfar, Rafellin, M. Robert Gibson, BT Jones, sule, AltLifeAStory and WhitneyW12.

Finally, thanks so much for the kind words on my story to those who put some thoughts out there. I'm already excited about October's 300 worder!! Hope you all are well, CC
 
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