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

[Bowler1]

42?

That's the answer?

The universe does odd things.

I'm off, as Bowler1 waves a towel to hitch a lift.

 

[Starbeast]

I've been busy and sleepy. But I got my tale together and posted.

 

[emrosenagel]

Last minute entry! I spent all month working on the sekrit santa story, but I managed to write something for this last night.

 

[The Judge]

Thought I'd have to sit another one out, but the first line came to me out of the blue and I ran with it. (Though perhaps I should have run faster and away from it...)

 

[Ursa major]

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The Challenge is now closed, and the poll is now open at the link below:

POLL -- December 2023 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!​

​

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Bren G: A sly adventure of escape.

Starbeast: A wild comedy of terrors.

emrosenagel: A tropical miracle of climate.

The Judge: A surprising example of biotechnology.

Ursa major: A disappointing experience of flawlessness.

Phyrebrat: A dark tale of warning.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

It is very difficult to capture the feeling of magical realism. It's a subtle genre, somewhere on the borders between fantasy and surrealism, slipstream and mainstream. I do not claim to have hit the target myself. With that in mind, those who managed this challenging task, to my mind, are:

THX1138

Yozh

Astro Pen

nixie

LittleStar

johnnyjet

mosaix

emrosenagel

Well done, all.

But how can I not vote for my fellow creator of reptilian weirdness?

Vote goes to The Judge.

 

[Parson]

@Bren G .... Miracle on Main Street .... A story which reminds us to never trust a man with a red nose and a red suit.

@Starbeast .... Mr Talbot Visits Santa Town’s Return Department .... Starbreast brings to a store with a code for absolutely everything.

@emrosenagel .... Green Christmas .... A story where wishes and grandma's are very powerful indeed.

@The Judge .... See You Later, Alligator... .... After while Crocodile.

@Ursa major .... Paradise? .... A story which answers the question "When is enough, enough?"

@Phyrebrat .... The Wassail .... A story which reminds us that there are dangers we've never known.

 

[Bren G]

I was looking for something festive and light to close out the year. So MRG gets mine final vote of 2023.

Congrats @M. Robert Gibson and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 'See' you all in 2024.

 

[DaCrazyKat29]

42?

That's the answer?

The universe does odd things.

I'm off, as Bowler1 waves a towel to hitch a lift.

Yes 42, hello fellow hitchhiker

 

[Bowler1]

Lost on Parson, but maybe he is the question?

 

[Parson]

Lost on Parson, but maybe he is the question?

For years it was because I've read none of the D. A's. books. But eventually I was clued in. His most famous book I think has an incredibly stupid set up. --- And then you have to add in that I literally hate sarcasm and send ups. If you have something to complain about say it plainly without mocking someone who's likely trying very hard to do the right thing. (I know I've been the recipient of that kind of thing more than once.)

 

[Yozh]

Shortlist:

@THX1138 A really beautiful winter's tale. Struck a chord b/c my family has a tradition of going out to see the tundra swans that migrate through at Thanksgiving.

@Guttersnipe A fun story that hit the genre.

@LittleStar A heartbreaking holiday gem.

@johnnyjet A children's Christmas special waiting to be made.

@genelewis I do wonder when was my "midpoint's eve?"

I also enjoyed @JS Wiig and @emrosenagel opposite takes on magical holiday weather

My vote to @Phyrebrat for a a holiday celebration turned to horror by teenage orneriness.

 

[THX1138]

This time, I let my wife pick her favorite. She had two but, in the end, she went with:
@M. Robert Gibson

With @Bowler1 a very close 2nd.

Others that came close worth mentioning.
@Guttersnipe
@Provincial
@johnnyjet
@JS Wiig
@emrosenagel

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

My vote went to @Cat's Cradle

Long list too long as usual.

 

[Bowler1]

With @Bowler1 a very close 2nd.

You're still on the naughty list.

VRlass has made the nice list - thanks very much for my Christmas day vote.

Apologies to Parson, nothing naughty was meant by my post.

 

[Bowler1]

Lots of mentions as it's Christmas and a good job being done by all - Phyrebrat, Mosaic, THX, Nixie, Starbeast, Luiglin and AnRoinnUltra.

Vote to M.Robert Gibson, because the characters voices worked in 75 words, which is a very good job. Word of warning, if you win your on the naughty list.

 

[VRlass]

shortlist from me:
@Ursa major
@paranoid marvin
@THX1138
@Astro Pen
@Parson

And the winner:
@Bowler1 for "reindeer activists complained of animal cruelty and chained themselves to the skis."
It made my day

 

[Phyrebrat]

Well, still ashamed of my non-voting scandal from last month, I thought I better get in asap.

Shortlist with favourites*
THX*
Cats cradle
Yozh
Provincial*
Vicki*
Johnnyjet
Genelewis*
M Robert Gibson*
Ursa

And my vote went to THX by a country mile.

 

[Starbeast]

Misfit Toy List

@THX1138
@Cat's Cradle
@Bowler1
@nixie
@Luiglin
@johnnyjet
@M. Robert Gibson
@paranoid marvin
@mosaix
@JS Wiig
@Elckerlyc
@Bren G
@Phyrebrat​

 

[Provincial]

@THX1138 (great movie-related handle, by the way) and @Phyrebrat, wow! Thanks for the mentions of my rather weak but themed collection of haiku. I assume I tickled your funny bones!