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

Astro Pen said:
I think many of us have felt like this, particularly over the last three years. It is hard to mobilise that delicate flower, creative thought, when normal civilisation is collapsing around one. I have found it hard to pick up the reins on the 2 novels I had in progress. Resorting to short stories and poetry as a means to keep moving. I still remember your brilliant winning story about the little girl who appeared on the London underground. You have the talent. Keep just putting pen to paper, sometimes for us, sometimes just for yourself. No one has to see it, indeed, the waste basket can be your friend sometimes throwing things away is more liberating than keeping them. Because you know you can express yourself freely, without restraint.
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Thanks for your kind words and encouragement Astro Pen. I'm just being dramatic, I think
 
Well, I'm in early (for a very specific and personal definition of "early")....
 
I got in just under the wire. I had an idea late last night, not having had much chance to look at the Chrons this month. Unfortunately, I was then busy, working etc., all day today, until I had an hour to finally get it down. I know it won't get votes, but I like the premise for something I may write later.
 
@Peter V .... Not Everything Can Be Fixed .... A story which defines the maxim "enough is enough."

@Ursa major ..... Blow It Up and They Will Come .... A story which shows going to great lengths to achieve great results.

@Abernovo .... A House Built On Sand ,,,, A story which warns about easy assumptions.
 
I voted for Frog Concert by @Perky
The language and the peaceful setting created such a nice, idyllic vibe.
"the music blended with the birds' chirping and the rolling hills where the rivers wound."
 
A very close run thing between Yozh and Peter V for my vote. I really wish I had 2 votes as I found them almost impossible to split. Peter V just wins out, although I think that Yozh entry is a great starting point for a longer story.

M.Robert Gibson makes my shortlist for a funny entry.
 
I whittled a very long Long List to my (still long) Short List and *** Favorite ***:

Plan B is a good plan - Justin Swanton
Material Storage - Astro Pen
Entitlement – Daysman
*** Wars of construction – StilLearning ***
The Eternal Lament of Music – Phyrebrat
All in all... – Yozh
To Make a Man of "Modern" Thought – emrosenagel
Elimination of Evidence – Starbeast
Not Everything Can Be Fixed - Peter V
A House Built On Sand – Abernovo

It was nice to see such a wide variety of interesting stories from my topic (which I'm sure was a topic that scared a lot of folks!).
 
My baseball team "The Minnesota Twins" are losing and therefore I am aggravated. It seems a good time to pick a short list and a vote getter in this 75 word contest. (Still 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth.)

Short listed because:

Heaven Can Wait by @Victoria Silverwolf because how can I not mention a clever twist on a Bible story.

Plan B is a good plan by @Justin Swanton because it's an obvious low tech fix to a difficult problem.

The Starship with Nine Lives by @Christine Wheelwright because this is just such a clever idea.

The Eternal Lament of Music by @Phyrebrat because of the clever marriage of prose and music history.

The End ? by @paranoid marvin because this is a story which reminds me of the classic tale "The Lady or the Tiger."

(Bottom of the fifth, still 3-0)

Frog Concert by @Perky because this story has a case of terminal sweetness.

----------

In the end I voted for The End by @paranoid marvin because it seemed the best at carrying out a very clever idea.

(Middle of the sixth, 3-1, come'n Twins)
 
Parson said:
My baseball team "The Minnesota Twins" are losing and therefore I am aggravated. It seems a good time to pick a short list and a vote getter in this 75 word contest. (Still 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth.)

Short listed because:

Heaven Can Wait by @Victoria Silverwolf because how can I not mention a clever twist on a Bible story.

Plan B is a good plan by @Justin Swanton because it's an obvious low tech fix to a difficult problem.

The Starship with Nine Lives by @Christine Wheelwright because this is just such a clever idea.

The Eternal Lament of Music by @Phyrebrat because of the clever marriage of prose and music history.

The End ? by @paranoid marvin because this is a story which reminds me of the classic tale "The Lady or the Tiger."

(Bottom of the fifth, still 3-0)

Frog Concert by @Perky because this story has a case of terminal sweetness.

----------

In the end I voted for The End by @paranoid marvin because it seemed the best at carrying out a very clever idea.

(Middle of the sixth, 3-1, come'n Twins)
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Ah the Twins! I remember KIrby Puckett thwarting the Jay's in 1991. But they were just warming up for two consecutive World Series' thereafter. Come to think of it. It's been too long. It's time for two more!
 
Shortlist:

@Justin Swanton "Plan B is a good plan" kinda like a setup for Planet of the Apes
@Abernovo "A House Built on Sand" misreading the built environment
@Christine Wheelwright "The Starship with nine lives" Schroedinger's cat will always make the shortlist!
@Guttersnipe "Unfinished Business" I like the twist away from horror
@StilLearning "Wars of Construction" questions in the difference between con- and de-struction
@reddishbird "Birthday" We are all so much cradle cap.
@Paul J. Menzies "The Mental Midget's..." Such a groaner, well done!
@therapist "The Track" very meta story for a writer's forum.

Special mentions to @sule and @Phyrebrat for pushing boundaries of theme and format in fun and though-provoking directions.

My vote to @Peter V for a well-told fable.
 
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Peter V said:
Unexpectedly, I have entered (unexpected by me I should add). Unlike last month, when I simply stared at a blank page many times, with no sign of inspiration, this time I did not try and did not intend to. Then I noticed it was the twenty third and thought is there anything there? It took ten minutes.

I don't particularly like it but I do not have the brainpower or energy to come up with anything else, so it was a choice of post it, because it is written or delete. It is a creation, regardless of quality, so I didn't want to simply erase it from existence. I'm wondering if there is some of my lamented and repressed OCD involved in that decision.

I'm jaded and worse still apathetic; a trait I dislike immensely. Apathetic is pathetic, though currently I think I may have a better understanding, or at least acceptance that it happens and sometimes our state of mind is a demon that can get the upper hand. I work hard, carry quite a lot of responsibility and have the trust of the powers that be, which in itself adds stress, especially during more challenging times in my industry. I am drained and I dare say to some extent, feeling my age. Early starts, late finishes and three mad and disruptive cats don't help but I think the prospect of a milestone birthday this weekend is getting to me. My family want to celebrate, to make a big thing of it but I'm dreading it. I'm not really sure why, because it is just a number, albeit an alarmingly high one.

Sorry to again blather on but this place appears to be the only place I can comfortably write down my thoughts and I must say that writing them down helps a little. Only the good folk on here know I suffered (suffer!) from OCD - if you read beyond the first couple of paragraphs of my previous ramble (and I wouldn't blame anyone for not doing so) and now only you (again those still reading) have some insight into my current grumpiness. I do apologise, as this is undoubtedly not what people come here for.

I can see myself earning the nickname of Marvin at this rate.

But I feel a little better.

Peter
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Hi Peter, just seen this post. I think we all go through stages in writing when things don't come easily, or don't come at all. Which I think is why we need to make the most of it when it does. There's lots of influences on our lives; the last few years I think are ones that few will look back on with any fondness, so you're definitely not alone (if that's any consolation). For some people it brings out their best (I'm thinking of the war poets) for the rest of us it makes writing at times enjoyable, at others challenging.

Fwiw I think your entries are always enjoyable to read, and some like this month are exceptional (which is why I voted for yours, and was in the category of 'I wish I had written that'), and I'm very glad that you did enter your story.

And sorry, the post of Marvin is already taken.;)
 
Peter V said:
Unexpectedly, I have entered (unexpected by me I should add). Unlike last month, when I simply stared at a blank page many times, with no sign of inspiration, this time I did not try and did not intend to. Then I noticed it was the twenty third and thought is there anything there? It took ten minutes.

I don't particularly like it but I do not have the brainpower or energy to come up with anything else, so it was a choice of post it, because it is written or delete. It is a creation, regardless of quality, so I didn't want to simply erase it from existence. I'm wondering if there is some of my lamented and repressed OCD involved in that decision.

I'm jaded and worse still apathetic; a trait I dislike immensely. Apathetic is pathetic, though currently I think I may have a better understanding, or at least acceptance that it happens and sometimes our state of mind is a demon that can get the upper hand. I work hard, carry quite a lot of responsibility and have the trust of the powers that be, which in itself adds stress, especially during more challenging times in my industry. I am drained and I dare say to some extent, feeling my age. Early starts, late finishes and three mad and disruptive cats don't help but I think the prospect of a milestone birthday this weekend is getting to me. My family want to celebrate, to make a big thing of it but I'm dreading it. I'm not really sure why, because it is just a number, albeit an alarmingly high one.

Sorry to again blather on but this place appears to be the only place I can comfortably write down my thoughts and I must say that writing them down helps a little. Only the good folk on here know I suffered (suffer!) from OCD - if you read beyond the first couple of paragraphs of my previous ramble (and I wouldn't blame anyone for not doing so) and now only you (again those still reading) have some insight into my current grumpiness. I do apologise, as this is undoubtedly not what people come here for.

I can see myself earning the nickname of Marvin at this rate.

But I feel a little better.

Peter
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Near as dammit exactly how I've been over the last year now. Apart from stuff on here, which from my perspective, has been poor, I've not written anything in anger. I've even given up my local writing group.

I made an effort to tweak an entry for the Bridport Prize. Then found out it couldn't be used as I'd already submitted a longer version for this forum. Sod's Law eh?

I enjoy writing my comedy. Even if no one thinks it's funny (and I've been told that on here). I find it therapeutic. So, I'm going to bulldoze this self built brick wall and try again - aha Pink Floyd.

Just thought I'd tell you @Peter V that you're not the only one. Maybe it will help, maybe not, but there's one here who understands.

I have one less cat though, one of which has only 3 legs. So maybe, 1 and ¼ less :)
 
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