DISCUSSION THREAD -- April 2022 -- 300 Word Writing Challenge #45

[JS Wiig]

As always, a huge congratulations and thanks to everyone who submitted a story!

@Victoria Silverwolf for an outstanding use of the “non-human” senses to tell a tale of child wonder,

@worldofmutes for an interesting riff on an interesting character,

and

@Bren G because the forces of nature always win.

 

[Bren G]

This round had the greatest host of original stories that I can recall. Here is my list. There were one or two that could've qualified but, sadly, I couldn't link them to the theme.

In The Running

@johnnyjet - In Remembrance - a genealogical tale of an ill born genesis
@Mon0Zer0 - The Madness of Shoals - The only thing missing is Harvey Keitel in this story of a heist gone right
@Perpetual Man - It - a crafty piece of literary delight, with a scapegoat on top
@Christine Wheelwright - Fish-Man! - a comical look at the creative process

Votes
@magpie Asylum - Too Deep -Builds 'Deep' tension throughout in this monster-in-the-house tale
@Quokka - Love and Marriage Marine - a playful take on oceanic relationships
@M. Robert Gibson - A Little Fishy Tale - My favourite. Gibson reaches new 'depths' with this story as he 'schools' the competition. 'Sea' for yourself!

 

[Bren G]

Thanks for the vote @JS Wiig.

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Thank you to @Victoria Silverwolf for a brilliant review.

 

[therapist]

My Votes
@Victoria Silverwolf 300 words and it's chocked to the brim with creative and interesting world building. Beautifully captures the (first) child's sense of wonder.
@Astro Pen A well told story about xenocide and hubris.
@Perpetual Man A mysterious tale of destruction ending with people placing their blame on that they don't understand.

 

[Rafellin]

An interesting batch this quarter, with several refreshes and/or reweavings of classic themes.

Top o' the stack: @magpie Asylum
Second: @Starbeast
Third: @Aknot

 

[The Judge]

(And inevitably after I've posted and the hour for editing has elapsed I hit on a better idea for the ending. Grrr.)

And once again it happens... *hits head on laptop*

 

[worldofmutes]

Voted for @magpie Asylum , @Mon0Zer0 and @Ian Fortytwo

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Voted
@Cat's Cradle
@Victoria Silverwolf
@Teresa Edgerton

 

[Astro Pen]

And once again it happens... *hits head on laptop*

And, even if you make it before the deadline, the 'class snitch' will post:
last edited by The Judge 23 minutes ago
So even people haven't read it yet will know...

 

[Elckerlyc]

Is there some active Law that lets you see the flaws in your story only 1 hour AFTER you posted?

 

[Ursa major]

Is there some active Law that lets you see the flaws in your story only 1 hour AFTER you posted?

The law is more devious than you suggest, because while that can happen, the flaws may suddenly reveal themselves just before the editing deadline, such that you start to change your story when it is possible, but don't complete them until after the deadline has passed.

There are five possible outcomes:

1. if you save as you make the changes, you can end up with an incomplete edit (because you haven't been able to save all of it) which may (may? of course it does) -- produce a worse entry than you'd originally posted;
2. if you don't try to save until you've finished and the deadline passes, not only has your effort been wasted but you "know" that the change would have been worth it if you'd started earlier;
3. (non-mods only) the deadline has passed and the system doesn't allow you to edit your challenge entry (same as (2), but you never get to see how your edited story might have been, but you "just know" that it would have been wonderful);
4. (for mods only) whether or not you save as you go, if you try to save some or all of it after the deadline passes, the edits are saved, but you now have an invalid entry that has to be removed from the challenge;
5. (for mods only) if you don't notice the deadline has already passed (because the software doesn't stop you from editing), even the most inconsequential change in your entry will make it invalid and so it has to be removed.

 

[Elckerlyc]

The law is more devious than you suggest, because while that can happen, the flaws may suddenly reveal themselves just before the editing deadline, such that you start to change your story when it is possible, but don't complete them until after the deadline has passed.

There are five possible outcomes:

1. if you save as you make the changes, you can end up with an incomplete edit (because you haven't been able to save all of it) which may (may? of course it does) -- produce a worse entry than you'd originally posted;
2. if you don't try to save until you've finished and the deadline passes, not only has your effort been wasted but you "know" that the change would have been worth it if you'd started earlier;
3. (non-mods only) the deadline has passed and the system doesn't allow you to edit your challenge entry (same as (2), but you never get to see how your edited story might have been, but you "just know" that it would have been wonderful);
4. (for mods only) whether or not you save as you go, if you try to save some or all of it after the deadline passes, the edits are saved, but you now have an invalid entry that has to be removed from the challenge;
5. (for mods only) if you don't notice the deadline has already passed (because the software doesn't stop you from editing), even the most inconsequential change in your entry will make it invalid and so it has to be removed.

So, what you're basically saying is that I should be thankful if I only notice the flaws when it's too late to edit (and live with the assurance it 'would have been wonderful), contrary to noticing it in time to harbour some false hope of having time to correct them before the edit-deadline slams into your exposed neck story...

 

[Quokka]

Overall happy with mine but I wish I had left it a few more days and re-edited again. With only 300 words a saving of 20 or 30 words can open up so much room for another idea or tweak. I had a different story written, I didn't look at what had been posted until after I had written it and then once I had I felt it was just a little too similar to another entry and so started again... Even without that I'll still post too early next time .

 

[therapist]

The law is more devious than you suggest

A truly fascinating phenomena.
I've been ruminating today over a specific word choice that will be sole reason I fail to win this competition.

 

[Astro Pen]

You do sometimes spot mistakes late, but I have found they won't impact on people's voting decisions, as long as your cheques clear.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Why do you all bring attention to your errors? You’re far too honest

I think sitting on your entry for a week and going back to it cold will highlight invisi-typos and alternative endings/edits. Then if you’re happy leave it a day or two and before you post, read it aloud. When you read aloud your brain doesn’t automatically ’see’ the missing punctuation/error as acceptable and it’s a sure fire way to polish.

We have a month to write — use that time if you know you’re prone to the invisible typos.

But mostly remember this: if you were writing longform this wouldn’t slip past you; you have longer to write, perfect, edit. I know it’s frustrating, but the challenge is not just about grammar etc. Subbing a 300 is the feat.

Also the teacher in me would argue we learn more from our poorly received entries than our successes.

 

[Ursa major]

I've been ruminating today over a specific word choice that will be sole reason I fail to win this competition.

Looking on the bright side, that's better than ruminating over 300 (or more ) word choices....

 

[JS Wiig]

Also the teacher in me would argue we learn more from our poorly received entries than our successes.

Learning a lot over here!

 

[Phyrebrat]

Learning a lot over here!

You’re in great company