DISCUSSION THREAD -- MARCH 2023 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge

[farntfar]

My vote went to Paranoid Marvin's story, The Final Level.
Close rivals were Victoria Silverwolf, Cat's Cradle and THX1138

 

[Luiglin]

Exactly why I never read other people's entries before I post mine....

I take that as read for my all entries. I tend to post early and not read in case mine is similar to another entry.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Fine entries this month, well done all!
I voted yesterday, and here are my lists, today:

Shortlist:
therapist, emrosenagel, Hugh, C.Robin, Parson, Peter V, chrispenycate

Finalists:
Victoria Silverwolf's The Best of All Possible Worlds, a story with a wonderful surprise ending that made me chuckle from first reading to last. I think no one in our Challenges better writes a story that feels exactly right at 75 words - that doesn't need one word more, or one less. Wonderful.

Phyrebrat's The Death of Ageing, a beautifully written entry that illustrates immortality as a condition perhaps not as desirable as it might seem to those unencumbered by its blessings. Another story with a terrific ending, and a really thoughtful piece.

Because it made me smile, I went with Victoria's entry, though both stories are very fine.

I want to thank johnnyjet, Christine Wheelwright, Parson, Peter V and farntfar for the listings, and also those who had kind words about my entry.

Huge thank yous to therapist and sule for the lovely votes.

Looks to be close right to the end of voting, good luck all, CC

 

[Astro Pen]

Went with @Daysman. Shadows of Ballard in there.
@johnnyjet was my runner up.
I have to say I almost wanted a second poll, one for titles. There were a lot of good ones, many of which seeded ideas independently from the stories.

 

[Wayne Mack]

Another set of interesting takes, but two really stood out for me. Finally, I voted for:

The Death of Ageing @Phyrebrat​

A really close second was:

The Best of All Possible Worlds @Victoria Silverwolf​

The remaining entries on my short list were:

The Final Level @paranoid marvin​

Empty @Luiglin​

Braised Pork @therapist​

Parole Violation @Peter V​

Daisy Deschain of Gilead @Lawrence Twiddy​

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Chancers
Burning Vengeance - @Snicklefritz
Member Benefits - @mosaix
No Second Chances - @Bowler1
Parole Violation - @Peter V
Daisy Deschain of Gilead - @Lawrence Twiddy

Top chancer
Love Unrequited - @Bren G

 

[paranoid marvin]

Thankyou so much for the votes Marvin and farntfar, and also to Wayne Mack for the shortlisting.

 

[THX1138]

Merci @farntfar for the mention!

 

[Lawrence Twiddy]

Thank you @Parson, @Wayne Mack and @M. Robert Gibson. Your mentions are very much appreciated.

 

[Starbeast]

The Muse showed up too late, then ate my bucket of chicken and skipped away down the street.

Never-the-best... I mean never-the-mess,,, (cough cough) Never-the-less, I've been quite busy. Hopefully I'll join in the fun next month.

Yes. I did vote after reading all of the stories twice. Excellent job to everyone.

 

[The Judge]

The muse came nowhere near me this month, so congrats to all who managed to grab hold of her pinny and wring a story out of her.

My shortlist:

BigJ -- A Reason to Live​

Bren G -- Love Unrequited​

Cat's Cradle -- Emergency Procedure​

emrosenagel -- The old astronaut, the Cosmos, and the moon-eyed child​

JS Wiig -- For Now, Goodbye​

Peter V -- Parole Violation​

Phyrebrat -- The Death of Ageing​

Shyrka -- Extra Life​

Victoria Silverwolf -- The Best of All Possible Worlds​

My vote was decided as soon as I read BigJ's tale of an encounter with not-quite-the-next-life as I loved the dialogue and the suicide's realisation he wasn't alone, with Bren G and Peter V coming in equal second place with their rather less happy realisations.

 

[Abernovo]

Aargh! Can I have two votes? Please??
@emrosenagel and @Phyrebrat writing of chances from different ends of the spectrum, almost.

My vote went to Phyrebrat for imagery, as I had to make a choice before losing my vote, but I'm still pretty much convinced that a coin toss between these two entries would land on the coin edge.

 

[Daysman]

Lost track of it all last month, but I'm back to give it another go…

My fave five inc. vote:

@Victoria Silverwolf (vote)
@Luiglin
@BigJ
@Phyrebrat
@chrispenycate

Thanks to @BT Jones, @THX1138, @Lawrence Twiddy and @Hugh for your mentions, to @Christine Wheelwright and @Astro Pen for your kind votes and comments, and also as always to @Parson and @Victoria Silverwolf for your reviews and reflections.

D

 

[Ursa major]

​

The poll has now closed and we have a winner:

Congratulations, Phyrebrat!​

​

 

[Guttersnipe]

Congratulations @Phyrebrat!
Thank you, @paranoid marvin and @Far Stranger for the votes!

 

[THX1138]

Congratulations @Phyrebrat!
And to @Victoria Silverwolf for a well-deserved second place!

 

[Yozh]

Congratulations @Phyrebrat! Well deserved.

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

Well done @Phyrebrat . I loved your story.

 

[therapist]

Wow 9 votes. That must be some sort of record. Congratulations!

 

[BT Jones]

Kudos, @Phyrebrat. A well-deserved win. Thanks to @Lawrence Twiddy for the mention / shortlist.