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

[Bowler1]

Sleep on an entry before posting. Then errors stand out and post only if you're still excited by the idea, is what I say.

Like most rules, I might or might not follow the rules myself. Or generally for me it's what rules and who wrote them - warning, not to be used with a police officer as this approach won't go down well.

 

[Elckerlyc]

- warning, not to be used with a police officer as this approach won't go down well.

And most certainly not while wielding a pitchfork...

 

[Bowler1]

Yeah, for some reason police officers don't like pitchforks, which is surprising as these can be used for enforcement purposes.

 

[Parson]

I am saddened to hear that people have sooo many ideas for this challenge. I have zero, zip, zilch, and in fact something less than that.

 

[THX1138]

@Parson I'll give you one of mine, if you're willing to take the risk in this game...

 

[Paul J. Menzies]

@Parson
If I'm stuck, I start asking questions.

A couple examples (I didn't use either):

What if such a story was set nearby me?
What if the main character was a gaslamp?
What if..."

Just random stuff. Story stuff. Looking for a unique take or stance but just brainstorm to start. Then read through what you've written and find something that grabs your interest.

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Okay going to go all Kierkegaardian and leap with Japan. Hopefully this doesn't get punished.

 

[Abernovo]

I am saddened to hear that people have sooo many ideas for this challenge. I have zero, zip, zilch, and in fact something less than that.

Parson, I have great faith in your abilities (no pun intended), based on your past performance. I have no idea what Iowa* towns and cities were like in the time of gas lamps, but I'm sure you can come up with a supernatural/fantastical element to go into such an environment. However, it's always up to you, so no pressure..

*Or many other US towns and cities, outside of NY, Boston, and Philadelphia, all gleaned from reading.

 

[Bowler1]

Don't mind Parson, he won a few months ago, so he knows what he's doing. And when it comes to faith he has that in the bag too, and then some. I'm sure he'll pull it out of the bag before the deadline.

 

[THX1138]

I was teasing him. There is a board game called Risk...
Parson is better at writing Flash fiction then he leads onto, as we all know...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Me too, Parson, me too. We can sit and have a drink of choice in the fine sunlight together.

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

I'm also struggling, although I've had barely enough time to think this month. I do like @Paul J. Menzies idea of making the main character a gas lamp.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

To anyone struggling (and this, I know, is basic-level advice) just don't panic. There is soo much time left! Take a walk, forget about the Challenge a few days, and set your subconscious mind free.

ps - soo much time!

 

[emrosenagel]

And I'm finally in! Who woulda thunk gaslamp fantasy would be hard to put into 75 words? Well, I hope I did okay. Life's been tough and that makes writing even tougher than it already is. But I liked my idea and I think that's all that really matters!

 

[Abernovo]

Don't mind Parson, he won a few months ago, so he knows what he's doing. And when it comes to faith he has that in the bag too, and then some. I'm sure he'll pull it out of the bag before the deadline.

That I know, Bowler, my ray-gunning friend. It's all those years of writing sermons. Practice, you know.

Me too, Parson, me too. We can sit and have a drink of choice in the fine sunlight together.

Sorry, how many times have you said something similar before putting something stupendous into the mix?

just don't panic

And know where your towel is. Sorry, I couldn't resist. I'll get my jacket.

 

[Parson]

@Paul J. Menzies .... The Ikebana of the Last Samurai ..... A story which lets us know that some arrangements are better than others.

@emrosenagel .... Portrait of Demeter .... A story which leaves us wondering if there's anything a mother won't do for her child.

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Oh, and now I have an idea for this month's 75 that I think @Jo Zebedee is just going to love, or at least go bonkers over.

 

[Bowler1]

Looks like Parson found divine inspiration at last.

 

[Parson]

Looks like Parson found divine inspiration at last.

Only in the sense that all inspiration is divine. The story I have in mind is more a nod and a smirk.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

"In this account of a strange experience in the land of the Mikado from Paul J Menzies, I am drawn back in memory to that time when it was necessary for me to fain my demise, during which I period I learned much of Eastern wisdom from the High Lama."

"Here from emrosenagel is proof, if any be needed, that there is more to be found underground than is suspected by passengers on the Metropolitan Railway."

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

"You will note that the report given by M. Robert Gibson of an unfortunate incident calls to mind the curious case of the Peruvian lady Mrs. Ferguson of Sussex."

 

[Parson]

@M. Robert Gibson .... The Fiend of Whitechapel .... Sometimes when something evil is afoot, something evil is most definitely afoot.