DISCUSSION THREAD -- NOVEMBER 2022 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge

[RobSanders56]

Just posted my entry, which is also my very first post on the site. Hi, everyone.

 

[Shyrka]

Welcome and congrats. The first of many, hopefully!

 

[Bowler1]

Just posted my entry, which is also my very first post on the site. Hi, everyone.

That's a good first post and brave too. Most (even me) lurk about for a while before dipping a toe into challenges, but you just dived right in. What you now need is a good old Pitchfork, everyone has one and for all new members it really is a must have.

Here... have a pitchfork....

 

[Parson]

@RobSanders56 .... Hastings .... This story tells us about passions stirred and battles lost,

@Peter V .... Long Have Historians Questioned the Disappearance of the Renowned Ninth Legion in Caledonia, AD 108 .... This story reminds us that regardless of technology war is war and great leaders are great leaders.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Deathbird: Do we really know when and where we are?

bretbernhoft: Are we prepared for the truth?

Guttersnipe: Can one by both wise and brave?

JS Wiig: What opportunities have been missed?

VRlass: Does popular culture reflect our deepest beliefs?

Luiglin: How fragile are technological creations?

Cat's Cradle: Are our differences more important than our similarities?

Mon0Zer0: How do we know what changes will have desired effects?

Perky: How can we free ourselves from our pasts?

Shyrka: Can we face proof of our mistakes?

Bowler1: What is the best socioeconomic system?

RobSanders56: Can one person alter the path of the future?

Peter V: Are we prepared to change our plans in an instant?

 

[THX1138]

I had a nice little Steam Punk story put together and posted.
But, with just 5 mins left until it was permanent, I had a new idea and deleted what I had, and quicky wrote this...on the fly. Oh, I feel queasy!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

THX1138: Are we able to adapt to new strategies?

 

[RobSanders56]

That's a good first post and brave too. Most (even me) lurk about for a while before dipping a toe into challenges, but you just dived right in. What you now need is a good old Pitchfork, everyone has one and for all new members it really is a must have.

Here... have a pitchfork....

Thanks! As soon as I read 'history' I thought 'Hastings'. I'm a bit obsessed with that period of English history.

I've entered challenges on FWO too, this isn't my first go really.
I've lurked here a while but not had reason to post - is there an 'introduce yourself' type thread somewhere?

btw explain the pitchfork thing.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

redzwritez: Can we afford the price of altruism?

 

[Elckerlyc]

BTW if you're wondering about the choice of genre, I'd interpret it as either "alternative history" ie Hitler won WW2 as in Man In The High Castle; or, something speculative set in a historical period (so, could be steampunk, could be a ghost story in a Roman garrison...).

I had to Google to discover that Speculative Historical Fiction is "Science fiction set in a historical time (not alternate history)."

Speculative History. Now, is it 'alternate history' as Dan says, or '(not alternate history)' as our googling Parson discovered?
As soon as you start playing with history, speculating, it quickly gets alternative.
(just need to know whether I have to rewrite my story. Or jump over to an alternative timeline to enter my story in an alternative Challenge.)

 

[RobSanders56]

Think Bernard Cornwell!

 

[Peter V]

Speculative History. Now, is it 'alternate history' as Dan says, or '(not alternate history)' as our googling Parson discovered?
As soon as you start playing with history, speculating, it quickly gets alternative.
(just need to know whether I have to rewrite my story. Or jump over to an alternative timeline to enter my story in an alternative Challenge.)

Can we pretend mine is speculative? I found out a lot on interesting facts from the greys who abducted me in 1827, including what actually happened to the 9th legion (and before anyone pours cold water on the timing, I have of course experienced time dilation). Mary Celeste anyone? Now the non speculative facts around her crew disappearance are entertaining to say the least...

 

[The Judge]

I've lurked here a while but not had reason to post - is there an 'introduce yourself' type thread somewhere?

We have an Introductions sub-forum if you want to make yourself official! https://www.sffchronicles.com/forum/introductions/

btw explain the pitchfork thing.

You're better off not knowing...


(If you really want to know -- Bowler is obsessed with fomenting revolt, revolution, rebellion and general mayhem here in the Challenges, usually in the form of trying to chivvy members into becoming a screaming mob with pitchforks, other bladed farm weapons of one's choice, and blazing torches, though the odd RAY GUN (very odd...) makes an appearance from time to time. The water cannon unfortunately turned out to be something of a damp squib.)

 

[VRlass]

@AnRoinnUltra somehow managed to squze my unfinished not yet seen by anyone short story into 300 words XD

 

[Bowler1]

Obsessed is a strong word, but otherwise it's a fair assessment of my ongoing efforts.

The RAY GUNS are mine and I rarely share these, but pitchforks are the next best thing and ideal for general mob activity. I like to think of it as a group keep fit class, although it might be short lived for the mob victim, but hey... the world is not perfect.

So anyone, everyone... grab a pitchfork and let's get mobbing.

P$ I've not given up on the water Cannon just yet, but it has proven problematic.

 

[AnRoinnUltra]

my unfinished not yet seen by anyone short story

apologies, a story's a story -am full sure you'll make a better fist of telling it

 

[Parson]

Speculative History. Now, is it 'alternate history' as Dan says, or '(not alternate history)' as our googling Parson discovered?
As soon as you start playing with history, speculating, it quickly gets alternative.
(just need to know whether I have to rewrite my story. Or jump over to an alternative timeline to enter my story in an alternative Challenge.)

I agree it's very difficult to parse that out. As I reflect on it, I'm not sure there is an easy way to change history and not have it some kind of alternative history. The best I can come up with is to work with the normal timeline of a story, say the 1850's, but change one thing in it, say, the electric guitar was invented. How would that change things for classical music, or some such as that.

 

[Parson]

@THX1138 .... 1776 .... This story reminds us that the historical thread can easily be broken.

@redzwritez .... How Much Damage? .... This story asks a question which demands an answer that impossible to come by.

@AnRoinnUltra .... Ah sure nobody'll ever know the difference .... This story gives us a different answer to a question that seems to have an apparent answer.

@Christine Wheelwright .... The Angel of Chaos .... This story leads us to understand that there is hope even when small things make large differences.

@Phyrebrat .... A Question of Faith .... This story gives us a brilliant, surprising, and yet not shocking answer to an old questionable belief.

 

[Parson]

@BT Jones .... The Question Everyone Forgets to Ask .... This story has a real surprise narrator, and maybe helps you to understand his motives.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

AnRoinnUltra: Is overachievement as problematic as underachievement?

Christine Wheelwright: Are we the captains of our fates?

Phyrebrat: Can complete equality ever be reached?

BT Jones: Can turning away from problems be justified?