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

[Parson]

Thanks for the short listing @VRlass

 

[Guttersnipe]

Voted for: @genelewis

Runners-up: @Provincial @LittleStar @M. Robert Gibson

 

[Provincial]

Voted for: @genelewis

Runners-up: @Provincial @LittleStar @M. Robert Gibson

Thank you kindly, @Guttersnipe, much appreciated.

 

[Provincial]

I voted for @LittleStar’s Just One Day, How It Used To Be, which is still bringing tears to my eyes this morning.

I had other favourites, which also fitted the theme and genre to my mind, in no particular order:

@johnnyjet - Bears Discover Christmas - I want that to actually happen!
@genelewis - Invisible Holidays - witty and humorous.
@Hugh - Sol Invictus - I could feel the overwhelming joy too!
@M. Robert Gibson - The Final Interrogation of Fingers McNastie - just great fun, though the title does suggest that Fingers was subsequently subject to some rather terminal police brutality…
@JS Wiig - Winter Festival - I just loved this and was reminded of a TV interview with Joanna Lumley, a model turned comedy actress who was raised somewhere permanently hot. As a child she thought the idea of snow, and the concept of the weather being cold enough to snow, really exotic and exciting.
@emrosenagel - Green Christmas - Lucy’s unfamiliar perspective gave me that thrill of the new when I first read this, and it also reminded me of Encanto which is one of my favourite movies of recent times.

This challenge has been a real pleasure, from start to finish. Looking forward to honouring the winner and showering them with praise!!!

 

[AnRoinnUltra]

I voted for 'Paradise' by @Ursa major - The only problem with perfection is that it doesn't exist.

Really liked:

The Wassail by @Phyrebrat - We sing for a reason son.

The Lantern by @Yozh - It's only superstition, but...

Bears Discover Christmas by @johnnyjet - Because it was good fun.

The Snow Geese by @THX1138 - for the line 'sparkling snow of the Yuletide followed, frosting the cold winter’s night.'

That typed it was very close all round, reflected in the voting so far I think.
Thanks all for all the stories -here's to another year of writing them

 

[johnnyjet]

My Short List and *** Favorite ***:

Siegfried on the Shelf – Parson
Sometimes wishes come true – nixie
Pilgrims - Victoria Silverwolf
*** Just One Day, How It Used To Be – LittleStar ***
Not-a-Christmas Carol – Elckerlyc
Miracle on Main Street - Bren G
Green Christmas – emrosenagel
The Wassail – Phyrebrat

 

[THX1138]

@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!

Your story was cute and fun to read!

 

[Parson]

Carving out time to read the stories one more time and vote.

shortlisted: Because

Just One Day, How It Used To Be by @LittleStar because it married the magic to the realism in such a sweet way.

Tools of the Trade by @mosaix because I could almost here the stifled laugh that went with the magic.

Not-a-Christmas Carol by @Elckerlyc because it reminded me of a better version of Ghostbusters.

Green Christmas by @emrosenagel because it made me think of how Christmas looks to others.

See You Later, Alligator... by @The Judge because it was hilarious.

In the end I voted for Green Christmas. I thought it was the best combination of theme, genre, idea, and writing.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Magical
A Yuletide Miracle, 1920 - @Guttersnipe
Santa Claus is coming to town… hopefully! - @Bowler1
They're Going To Find Out... - @paranoid marvin
Green Christmas - @emrosenagel

Most magical
Mr Talbot Visits Santa Town’s Return Department - @Starbeast

 

[Bowler1]

Bowler1 stomps on to the thread with a pen and clipboard, looking very, very angry.

Alright, your all just asking for this and it's not my fault at all. I've been talking names, and if I don't win you're all going on the naughty list. Everyone, except those who vote for me of course, will be on the naughty list.

This is the last warning, or your next Christmas will ruined... and it won't be my fault.

Bowler1 stomps off, grumbling under his breath.

 

[Ursa major]

Many, many thanks for the vote, An RoinnUltra.


(As an aside: if things stay as they are, the third-place podium is going to be very crowded, what with twelve stories currently in that position....)

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

Mentions:
@Bowler1
@genelewis
@M. Robert Gibson
@Elckerlyc

Vote goes to:
@LittleStar

 

[mosaix]

I have a stealth vote from @nixie!

 

[johnnyjet]

Vote goes to:
@LittleStar

Don't forget to make your actual vote. I noticed you hadn't voted yet.

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

Don't forget to make your actual vote. I noticed you hadn't voted yet.

Oops! Done now.

 

[Provincial]

It is good to see that third place on the podium is no longer a conveyer belt of contenders. Congratulations @Phyrebrat ! Also, I got a stealth vote! Thank you @JS Wiig .

 

[Hugh]

My vote's gone to @M. Robert Gibson 's "The Final Interrogation of Fingers McNarstie". I just couldn't resist.

As for the rest, I really struggled to reduce my shortlist to manageable proportions.
These are the ones I ended up with, but the original list was sixteen and not a lot between them. No significant order:
@nixie
@Phyrebrat
@VRlass
@Provincial
@Yozh
@Lacedaemonian
@emrosenagel
@Luiglin
@AnRoinnUltra

Meantime I'm delighted with my mention: many thanks @Provincial

 

[Astro Pen]

Shortlist Including several zeros that would be ones if I had more votes.
@THX1138
@Guttersnipe
@Yozh
@nixie
@johnnyjet
@JS Wiig

Vote to @THX1138 for crafting a moment

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Happy Holidays, all!

I enjoyed reading the stories, and have a list, and a vote:

Shortlist:
Lacedaemonian, THX1138, Yozh, VRlass, nixie, johnnyjet, genelewis, Elckerlyc, The Judge, Phyrebrat

Vote:
I went with LittleStar's touching Just One Day, How It Used To Be. Really moving.

Well done, all! CC

edit: I forgot to give thanks...

Thank you Phyrebrat and Starbeast for the listings!

And I'm grateful to Ian Fortytwo for the vote.

 

[Daysman]

I seldom seem to get the festive 75, but there's excellent examples here…

My festive 5 inc. vote:
@Lacedaemonian
@Bowler1
@Luiglin
@M. Robert Gibson (vote)
@Phyrebrat

Thanks to @Parson and @Victoria Silverwolf for your comments.

Wishing you all a convincing xmas backstory and a carefully foreshadowed happy-go-lucky new year!

D