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

[Ursa major]

needless violence

Surely you're the last person who needs less violence in your life: it's your modus operandi (if not you reason d'etre).

 

[BigJ]

Congratulations to @M. Robert Gibson on a well deserved victory! I've tried the dialogue-only 75 worder before, obviously whether it works or not is a matter of talent and not choice of format!

I got stumped by magic realism this month, besides being busy with work, the holidays, trying to put together something respectable for the sekrit Santa, etc etc. I actually threw 75 words together at the eleventh hour, just to have something to enter, but missed the deadline and didn't think much of what I'd written anyways. I was also trying to write something positive or happy or whatever, in the spirit of the holidays you know, and as soon as I read @LittleStar's entry I wasn't sure I could do anything as emotive, and it got my vote. I was also fond of @nixie's tale, which I admit may be due to me spending time at my folks place over the holidays and seeing the family dog again.

 

[Ursa major]

I was using "the uncanny" to represent the magic realism aspect of the story and attempted to add an extra twist -- I assume no one noticed it (perhaps I should have capitalised the word) -- by mentioning the holiday destination, i.e. the village**, which is itself an uncanny place (with at least one well-known fantasy/SF-ish element) and becomes more so when someone there is treated so well (to the extent that they found its perfection unnerving).


** - Another version of the Village can be found in a novel I read recently, a novel I won't identify because doing so might be seen as a spoiler.

 

[Bowler1]

Surely you're the last person who needs less violence in your life: it's your modus operandi (if not you reason d'etre).

Meh - pokes the Bear with a pitchfork.

Why be original, when I'm operating to a winning formula.

Pokes the Bear again, simply because I like to live dangerously.

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

Congratulations @M. Robert Gibson

 

[Provincial]

I was using "the uncanny" to represent the magic realism aspect of the story and attempted to add an extra twist -- I assume no one noticed it (perhaps I should have capitalised the word) -- by mentioning the holiday destination, i.e. the village**, which is itself an uncanny place (with at least one well-known fantasy/SF-ish element) …

** - Another version of the Village can be found in a novel I read recently, a novel I won't identify because doing so might be seen as a spoiler.

I wish that I had noticed the ”The Village” reference (yes, capitalisation would definitely have helped) because then I would have understood where you were coming from, and realised how delightfully funny your story really is.

Would you PM the name and author of the novel to me, please? Don’t worry about spoilers, I always forget why I chose a book by the time I get round to reading it.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Just a quick note to say thanks for all the adulation

I must admit to being a bit surprised, mainly because my effort heavily relied on the reader knowing the lyrics to Santa Claus is Coming To Town

Anyway

Big thanks for the votes
@Ursa major @Starbeast @Bowler1 @Hugh @Peter V @Daysman @Bren G @THX1138

Thanks for the mentions
@Phyrebrat @Guttersnipe @Starbeast @Provincial @Christine Wheelwright @emrosenagel

 

[paranoid marvin]

Congratulations M.Robett Gibson!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Many congratulations!

 

[JS Wiig]

@M. Robert Gibson congratulations!

 

[Luiglin]

Congrats @M. Robert Gibson.

Apologies folks, I missed the vote deadline. Not had a great Xmas.

 

[nixie]

Congrats @M. Robert Gibson.

Apologies folks, I missed the vote deadline. Not had a great Xmas.

Hope all is well @Luiglin

 

[Astro Pen]

Well done @M. Robert Gibson

 

[Ursa major]

Santa Claus is Coming To Town

There can be few people who don't know the jingle Santa (and his distributors) use when delivering... er... snow and coke to young and old at this time of year....

 

[VRlass]

Thanx for shortlistings @Cat's Cradle, @Hugh
And congrats on the win @M. Robert Gibson

 

[Starbeast]

Congratulations M. Robert Gibson
@M. Robert Gibson

Silver Medal @LittleStar
Bronze Medal @THX1138

​

@M. Robert Gibson I returned today and was stunned by your Stealth Vote. You made my day along with those who mentioned my story.

My Story: I wanted to do something centered around a Return Department. With help from the Muse, my tale mutated nicely.

Huge THANKS to Lon Chaney Jr. RIP

 

[DaCrazyKat29]

yes well done @M. Robert Gibson congrats

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Thanks for the nominations people, much appreciated. Oh and apologies for not posting my incredibly long shortlist sooner but here it is:

@Ursa major
@emrosenagel (always like your stories)
@Bren G
@JS Wiig
@AnRoinnUltra (always like your stories pal)
@Luiglin
@Hugh

And my vote went to @Guttersnipe - this story really resonated with me.

Congratulations to @M. Robert Gibson - a deserved winner.

 

[Hugh]

Thanks for the nominations people, much appreciated. Oh and apologies for not posting my incredibly long shortlist sooner but here it is:

Many thanks. a lovely surprise!

 

[LittleStar]

Congrats, MRG!

I know I’m a bit late to come round poking my head back in here, but wow! Thank you very much to mosaix, johnnyjet, BigJ, CC, Provincial and Christine for the very unexpected votes. I‘ve barely lifted a pen in the last 5 years, so it is very warming to know that so many of my peers would find joy in my writings still.
Though I’m glad there weren’t just a few more, I feel bad enough that I missed the voting (THX would have taken it I think) i would feel awful if I’d left everyone hanging around for the theme and genre for Jan as well.

I do want to try enter some more this year, but we’ll see how long that intention can fend off life commitments