DISCUSSION THREAD -- July 2022 -- 300 Word Writing Challenge #46

[Luiglin]

Biting my thumb at the sun, I sat in a coffee shop this morning with a hot latte, Portuguese tart and the 300s.

And the votes went to...

• @Aknot - nice grunt snapshot
• @mosaix - you can't get more gentleman explorer than finding a wall and firing cannonballs at it
• @Jo Zebedee - if you go down into the woods today...

Close calls @BT Jones , @chrispenycate , @Starbeast and @Perpetual Man

 

[Ursa major]

I sat in a coffee shop this morning with a hot latte, Portuguese tart and the 300s.

And yet only one of you voted....

 

[VRlass]

I am kinda disappointed. Most of the stories had broken endings…

my votes:
@Astro Pen for a story that was really easy to read
@Starbeast for making this story in so joyfull tone (love dogs)
@Aknot for stirring some emotions, with emotionless end
shortlist:
@BT Jones
@Christine Wheelwright
@Ian Fortytwo

 

[Swank]

I am kinda disappointed. Most of the stories had broken endings…

What's a broken ending?

 

[VRlass]

What's a broken ending?

For me its when story goes well, and the ending crashes it. Be it unforeshadowed plottwist, change of tone… Something out of place…

 

[Cat's Cradle]

For me its when story goes well, and the ending crashes it. Be it unforeshadowed plottwist, change of tone… Something out of place…

Sometimes - not always, but sometimes - I think that must be the result of having too much story to tell in so few words. Your story is really humming along, and then you realize you've only 25 words for the denouement. That happens to me, in the Challenges.
Also, when you have so much story you want to tell, and your first draft is, say, 560 words (I think that was my 1st's word count in this Challenge), and then you have to chop to approximately 300 words, a person might decide they like the details of their story more than the ending (ahem).
That's why it's always a marvel when one of these entries seems exactly right at 300 words, and you know the story would be less effective at, say, 500 words. When every word needs to be where it is, and the story wouldn't benefit from one word more. And there are always some of those wonders in every 300 worder, and I hope to vote for a few of these later today.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

For me I try to use the simple 3 act structure and just ensure that I at least think about ensuring there is an ending (I tend to rush them a bit)

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Good advice, Jo.

 

[Luiglin]

For me its when story goes well, and the ending crashes it. Be it unforeshadowed plottwist, change of tone… Something out of place…

I often have a start and end in mind. The middle bit is where it gets complicated. That's not saying my start, middle or end are any good.

However, I do like to start and often leave a story in mid scene. I find it quite fun.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

I agree with that too, Luiglin. That can really work. I think it's Phyrebrat who says here that you have to write these stories for yourself, you have to keep it fun and interesting for yourself (apologies to pH if this isn't you).
And I often like ambiguity in an ending, when it's done well.

 

[VRlass]

Well I think this is the very reason so often is see stories being mutilated

Sometimes - not always, but sometimes - I think that must be the result of having too much story to tell in so few words. Your story is really humming along, and then you realize you've only 25 words for the denouement. That happens to me, in the Challenges.
Also, when you have so much story you want to tell, and your first draft is, say, 560 words (I think that was my 1st's word count in this Challenge), and then you have to chop to approximately 300 words, a person might decide they like the details of their story more than the ending (ahem).
That's why it's always a marvel when one of these entries seems exactly right at 300 words, and you know the story would be less effective at, say, 500 words. When every word needs to be where it is, and the story wouldn't benefit from one word more. And there are always some of those wonders in every 300 worder, and I hope to vote for a few of these later today.

Well I think this is the very reason so often is see stories being mutilated. You have something good, and than you squash, cut and reduce. I think, whatever you do this way, will feel mutilated. I start small few words few sentences, just an outline and check what is missing in this story so that it gets where it should…
But hey, i am starter here, and never won anything. Seems like you‘r path is more dangerous to follow, but you manage it well.

The middle bit is where it gets complicated.

Yeah, middles are the worst

However, I do like to start and often leave a story in mid scene. I find it quite fun.

But than you don’t have closure.

I think it's Phyrebrat who says here that you have to write these stories for yourself, you have to keep it fun and interesting for yourself

Well, it might be fun, but for me the whole idea of writing a story is to share it with others. If I’d write just for me it might just as well stay in m head.

And I often like ambiguity in an ending, when it's done well.

Awww...
Now i see i did something i didn’t intend to —I stated a personal opinion as, a fact.
Sorry.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I actually find cutting down can be fine within reason. More than 550 and I know it most likely won’t work but my first drafts normally come to around 4-450 words

 

[nixie]

Remember we don't critique the challenge entries unless the entrants ask in the improving thread.

 

[Daysman]

In the end, I didn't enter this time around (don't ask), so I just got to kick back and read.

My faves inc. votes:

• Appletop — @Rafellin (vote)
• A Walk in the Woods — @Victoria Silverwolf (vote)
• If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face . . . — @BigJ
• Diplomatic Failings — @Christine Wheelwright
• A Kind of Immortality — @BT Jones (vote)
• The lights shone — @Luiglin
• The Fireflies Dance — @The Judge
• Dazzling — @Ursa major

As always, thanks @Parson and @Victoria Silverwolf for your perspective.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Well, I'll be honest, VRlass I think we had some misunderstandings, so, no hard feelings, CC

edit: I've voted - my three favorite this month were:
Jo Zebedee
therapist
Phyrebrat

I'll post my listings, with a few thoughts on each story listed, later today.

 

[msstice]

So what you all are saying is that we should write the story backwards. Wait, now we have the same problem, but with the beginning. But that's all right. No one complains of an ambiguous opening if it's resolved at the end, right? right?

 

[Luiglin]

But than you don’t have closure.

Well, it might be fun, but for me the whole idea of writing a story is to share it with others. If I’d write just for me it might just as well stay in m head.

Awww...
Now i see i did something i didn’t intend to —I stated a personal opinion as, a fact.
Sorry.

No need to apologise. This is what gets the discussion juices flowing. Plus, if we were all the same the world would be a very boring place.

Now for me, both as a reader and a writer, I don't mind not having closure. No story ever has full closure. I mean, I'd have loved for Tolkien to carry on with tales into the 4th age. There are countless books where the end is not the end but a beginning of something else. Sometimes, I like to leave a tale hanging for the reader to make up their own ending. Not everyone reads the same story, interpretations can vary, which is great for the imagination.

I'm selfish, I write for me and me alone. If I don't like it, then I won't write it. If someone else likes it after... then that's a bonus

 

[Phyrebrat]

My general rules (for my own entry) are, in this order: tone; sympathy/empathy; last line reframes what comes before.

Certainly, writing for yourself is far more important than any other concerns imo.

 

[VRlass]

My standpoint probably come from cultural difference.
But now as I think about yours… makes sense.
I like this approach. I think I have learned something new today.
Thx.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

I only have a moment. I'm not a writer, I'm just a hobbyist, so I don't really know any rules for creative writing. Anything I say isn't meant to be a hard and fast rule, it's just my perspective on this hobby I undertake once a month at 75 words, and four times a year at 300 words.

But about writing for yourself - I don't mean write something that only you can enjoy. But to just use your own voice. Write what feels natural to you, and sounds like you when you read it out loud, say if you want to check the cadence of the sentences. I think the one fatal thing in these Challenges is to write trying to get votes. To try to create a story in a voice you think others might like and vote for. If a person is not true to their own world view, and sensibilities/beliefs, how can they write something that seems true enough for others to bond with. And it's not for votes that we write, using our voice (at least I hope not). It's to just be heard, and recognized. And it takes time to get your voice out there, and to be heard and understood. If you write in your own voice and get votes, great; if you do so and get zippo, that's fine too, if you are proud or at least content with what you've entered. So, just keep writing VRlass, and learn what works for you, and what doesn't.

Sorry all, I am a bit of a blowhard. CC