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

[Luiglin]

I suspect the mods were caught between a rock and an even bigger rock. However, a humble suggestion if I may, how about instead of a ban he can only use 74 words this month?

I must admit @Dan Jones once I saw your message to @Parson I reread yours several times over, racking my brains as to the meaning of the seventy-six. Was it a reference to Douglas Adams, was it a prime number or some other mathematical weirdness, did it refer to a page in a favourite book. I looked so deep that my brain just popped and went no, if you go any further I'm packing my bags, taking the cat and leaving.

Luckily for me, the cat knows it's my hands that feed it.

 

[Dan Jones]

I must admit @Dan Jones once I saw your message to @Parson I reread yours several times over, racking my brains as to the meaning of the seventy-six. Was it a reference to Douglas Adams, was it a prime number or some other mathematical weirdness, did it refer to a page in a favourite book. I looked so deep that my brain just popped and went no, if you go any further I'm packing my bags, taking the cat and leaving.

I was cackling to myself when I wrote it, thinking that it'd be so obvious and everyone would have a good giggle, and if I got the entry pulled then it wouldn't matter so long as it raised a smile. Sometimes there is such a thing as being too clever for one's own good, unfortunately...

It reminds me of the old Bob Monkhouse one-liner: "You know they laughed when I said I wanted to be a comedian. They're not laughing now."

 

[Parson]

For what it's worth, I agree that 74 this month would be a just settlement.

 

[nixie]

I know it sounds harsh but if we pull an entry the author can't enter again that month. We didn't pick up on Dan's being over word count till after the competition had closed. We have to treat everyone equal, so to be fair to those whose entry has been pulled in the past ( including mods) we decided after much debate he had to forfeit this month.

 

[Luiglin]

I know it sounds harsh but if we pull an entry the author can't enter again that month. We didn't pick up on Dan's being over word count till after the competition had closed. We have to treat everyone equal, so to be fair to those whose entry has been pulled in the past ( including mods) we decided after much debate he had to forfeit this month.

Aha, as I said rock and bigger rock but when explained like that the decision makes sense.

 

[JS Wiig]

But I jest. I'll take my medicine, and throw my efforts into the 300 for this month.

Better go 299 just to be on the safe side.

And of course hindsight being 20/20, I found your entry and ensuing attempted tip-offs to be quite clever indeed.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Thanks both. It's a strange feeling that so many people enjoyed my story after I explained it, but it got almost nothing during the challenge. Surely, as someone has pointed out, the ignominy of such scant recognition is punishment enough?

But I jest. I'll take my medicine, and throw my efforts into the 300 for this month.

WHOA!!!!! Never said I liked it. Just realised what you were about. I also thought you might sneak under the wire with the hyphenation.

I suspect the mods were caught between a rock and an even bigger rock. However, a humble suggestion if I may, how about instead of a ban he can only use 74 words this month?

I must admit @Dan Jones once I saw your message to @Parson I reread yours several times over, racking my brains as to the meaning of the seventy-six. Was it a reference to Douglas Adams, was it a prime number or some other mathematical weirdness, did it refer to a page in a favourite book. I looked so deep that my brain just popped and went no, if you go any further I'm packing my bags, taking the cat and leaving.

Luckily for me, the cat knows it's my hands that feed it.

I'm still for the lashes myself.

Hey, but @Luiglin if you're minded to think 76 is a prime number your're spending too much time on this site. You need to get out more - That or invest in one of my Chairs especially made for Chrons members.

They have drip stands for intravenous feeding bags, commode facilities and special arms for holding the match sticks that keep your eyes open.

Resonably priced too. I'll send you a catalogue

 

[Luiglin]

Hey, but @Luiglin if you're minded to think 76 is a prime number your're spending too much time on this site. You need to get out more - That or invest in one of my Chairs especially made for Chrons members.

Mathematics and me don't get on. I'm a humanities sort of bloke. English lit, history, geography, stuff like that.