DISCUSSION THREAD -- 350 Word Writing Challenge #50 (July 2023)

[The Judge]

Some terrific stories this quarter -- I found voting really hard. To begin with, my shortlist was rather a long list until I made some hard decisions. Here's what's left:

​

BigJ -- A promise made; a promise kept​

Cat's Cradle -- Meet Whalesong, Alaska's Newest Family​

Christine Wheelwright -- The Excursion​

emrosenagel -- La Loba Without Teeth​

Elcerklyc -- The Water Merchant​

Paul J Menzies -- A Hoary Song of Ice and Ire (winner of the Punniest Title Award!)​

Phyrebrat -- Under Starlight​

Rjalex -- Archives and Records​

therapist -- Yeti Encounters Camping Expedition​

Victoria Silverwolf -- Best Friend​

And that was the easy part. I had an unusually hard job choosing just three stories to get a vote as there were five I really wanted to vote for, something which has never happened before. In the end I went with CC's tale of the mistreated becoming a family, which I loved; BigJ's story of promises kept which was heartbreaking and beautifully written; and emrosenagel's feminist tale of abuse and revenge through wolves and teeth.

Just missing votes this time round were Phyrebrat's lyrical tale and therapist's conversation piece. And a special mention to Paul J Menzies, who wins the Punniest Title Award!


As for my icy tale, many Sorcerous Glacial Blizzard thanks for the lovely shortlistings/mentions johnnyjet, MRG, Swank and Starbeast, and tremendous Highly Flavoured Ice Storm thanks for the wonderful votes therapist, Yozh, Stable, AnRoinnUltra, Christine, CC and Elckerlyc! Oh, ninja votes -- so lots of Avalanching Magical Serac thanks nixie, BigJ, JS Wiig and Aknot.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Many thanks to M.Robert Gibson and Elckerlyc for the votes and Starbeast for the shortlisting.

And good luck to those still in the running for the winner's spot. It will be a close run thing this time around.

 

[Daysman]

Wasn't sure I'd have an entry this month, but I got something in…

My pack ice seven inc. votes:
@Victoria Silverwolf (vote)
@Cat's Cradle
@genelewis
@Luiglin
@Phyrebrat (vote)
@emrosenagel (vote)
@The Judge

Thanks to @Christine Wheelwright and @Luiglin for your much appreciated votes, and to @Starbeast for the listing, and as always, thanks @Victoria Silverwolf and @Parson for your reviews.

D

 

[Ursa major]

Many thanks for the mention, @Phyrebrat.

 

[Luiglin]

The results from my hometown of Misanthropia.

CC
Genelewis
Paul J Menzies **
CW
Parson**
Astropen **
Ursa

Hey, where's my mention. I wrote a Dark Lord tale just because I know it's your fave

 

[Parson]

Gracious, I've just discovered I haven't voted. I'll see if I can beat the clock.

 

[Ursa major]

You have about one hour thirty-eight minutes. (The countdown is now automated, with the closing time given in GMT.)

 

[Parson]

It turns out my time was also limited by things at the house, so here is my short, short list and my votes without comment.

Short list

@Aknot --- A Daughter's embrace
@Phyrebrat --- Under Starlight
@Christine Wheelwright --- The excursion

Voted for:

@Victoria Silverwolf --- Best Friends
@BigJ --- A Promise Made, A Promise Kept
@paranoid marvin --- A Promise Kept


-----

Thanks to @Phyrebrat for the wonderful vote.

 

[Paul J. Menzies]

Sooo hard.

I feel like I could come back after supper, read through again and have a completely different short list. I looked at my three votes for a good minute before submitting... Are you sure? was the mantra sledding across my mental tundra.

The Ice cream of the crop:

@mosaix -- too funny, a bit generic possibly, but well executed.
@JS Wiig -- story right up my alley. Resonated.
@Phyrebrat -- writes so beautifully, breaks my heart

Tasty popsicles:

@therapist -- always seems to find the soul in the story
@johnnyjet -- in my short experience he always chooses the hardest thing to do in short format--action, Jackson.
@Aknot -- really good job of setting the feeling of the world, tone etc. World felt bigger than 350 wds
@Swank -- unique, enjoyable yarn. I was cheering for the old fart.
@Elckerlyc -- good concept, quite liked it
@Victoria Silverwolf --such smooth delivery
@paranoid marvin -- also quite funny, tough choice between this and mosaix's entry
@BigJ -- plucks at the old heart strings

 

[Paul J. Menzies]

Wow, I have 6 votes. Holy crap! I submitted time-constrained and thought it was a bit rough, so was not expecting that. Well that makes for a most enjoyable first excursion. I should add some thanks...

First off to @THX1138 for the fantastic photo.

And for the votes, deep gratitude to:

• Phyrebrat
• Peter V
• Astro Pen
• therapist
• emrosenagel
• genelewis

 

[THX1138]

Two votes and an honorable mention, WOW!
Thanks again to @Luiglin and @Astro Pen for the votes and to @sule for the mention!
Yeah, Saga's are not the easiest to write nor are they for everyone, so it means a lot to me coming from you three!

And a big thanks to the Mods for choosing one of my photos this time around!
Great stories from everyone too!

 

[Ursa major]

​

The poll has now closed and we have a winner:

Congratulations, Victoria Silverwolf!​

​

 

[Yozh]

Congratulation, @Victoria Silverwolf for a great entry well rewarded!

Thanks to @Rafellin , @Swank , @elvet for the votes, and thanks to @Starbeast and @johnnyjet for the mentions.

 

[Parson]

@Victoria Silverwolf runs victorious yet again! Congratulations and well done indeed.

 

[Swank]

Congrats, @Victoria Silverwolf!

I really need to stop voting for you so often.

 

[THX1138]

Congratulations @Victoria Silverwolf! And to @The Judge for a very close second!

 

[therapist]

Many congrats Victoria! And to The Judge for just missing out. I was watching the polls early on, and remember a time after almost ten votes, when The Judge surged ahead to 4 votes, and Victoria had yet to recieve one.

Thank you all who mentioned me and to my 7 voters: mosaix, starbeast, bigJ, Rafellin, Elckerlyc, JS Wiig, emroseangel. I cringe every time I read the title I chose. I wish I could just change it to 'The Yeti' instead of 'Yeti Encounters Camping Expedition'.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Congratulations to Victoria! And a well done to The Judge for a close second.


Thankyou Parson for the vote and Paul J. Menzies for your shortlisting.

 

[mosaix]

Congratulations Victoria!

Commiserations TJ.

 

[Daysman]

Congrats @Victoria Silverwolf !!!