Discussion Thread - 300-word Writing Challenge #52 (January 2024)

[Provincial]

Oh bother! I’ve just submitted my story and realised it isn’t going to qualify, because it isn’t speculative fiction! Drat!

Oh, never mind. I’m not going to add in an alien or a ghost now…

 

[Astro Pen]

Oh bother! I’ve just submitted my story and realised it isn’t going to qualify, because it isn’t speculative fiction! Drat!

Oh, never mind. I’m not going to add in an alien or a ghost now…

I wouldn't worry. Besides, how can "What if mice could speak English" not be speculative?

 

[mosaix]

I'm in. Late for me, but better late than never.

 

[The Judge]

As ever, I'm rushing in at the last minute.

Unusually for me, I had an idea several days ago, courtesy of a Lord Peter Wimsey story, but TDZ's entry in the 75 worder effectively blew that out of the water. I liked the setting though, so spent the last couple of days trying to find new characters for it, found her late this afternoon, started writing, then realised I was on course for a 1,000 word story...

So the setting got junked, too, leaving only the overmantel behind -- Grinling Gibbons crossed with Robert Thompson -- and a rush job since dinner to try and get some semblance of a plot around it, and failing miserably. Glum.

 

[Astro Pen]

I wrote early, hastened by an impending visit to my partner's great grandchildren.
It's always useful to have a little story ready up your sleeve

 

[Parson]

@Provincial .... The Fish Can .... Sometimes the sweetest memories are found in the stinkiest places.

@mosaix .... Of Mice and Men .... A story which reminds us that results do not always speak the truth about the success of an experiment.

@Phyrebrat .... The Dancing Doctor .... A story that slowly slips the knife between your ribs.

@The Judge .... Mousehole .... Sometimes a story leads you in a direction that you don't expect at all, and The Judge has led us down a surprising path.

 

[BigJ]

Is it obvious I was struggling for ideas this month?

 

[Ursa major]

​

The Challenge is now closed to new entries...

...and the voting will be open not too long from now....

 

[Ursa major]

​

The voting is now open.

To cast your THREE votes, use the link below.

Please vote for your top THREE choices; note that all three votes must be cast AT THE SAME TIME to count.​

 

[Parson]

@BigJ .... The Writer’s Block .... This story helps me to understand that the writer's block can be defeated by a wooden block, or is that a blockhead?

@Ursa major .... Tableaux? .... This story reminds me that it's all a matter of perception, or the lack of same.


Well since the entry period has ended I can let everyone know that more than 30% of the stories arrived on the last day. Making me think that I working at a University and the end of the quarter was today.

 

[Stable]

I didn't even know I was going to enter the challenge two days ago. I'm glad I got an idea for a story at all.

Same!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Parson: The highly detailed realism of this portrait of an all too probable tomorrow intensifies the satisfaction of its resolution.

Starbeast: The magical appeal of the carnival draws the reader into this story, rendering the shock ending even more powerful.

Christine Wheelwright: The cluelessness of this chilling tale's unreliable narrator makes us wonder what else is unknown to us.

AltLifeAStory: The swashbuckling derring-do of this adventure's bold duo serves as a reminder that bravery lies within even the meekest heart.

M. Robert Gibson: The good-natured mood of this tall tale is sure to charm and delight all who peruse it.

Bren G: This anthropomorphic fable of faith and perseverance offers the reassuring lesson that may be found after defeat.

Stable: In this allegory of war and peace we find that courage is not limited to those who engage in battle.

Elckerlyc: The unexpected climax of this whimsical fantasy makes it clear that benevolence may be found in the most unlikely places.

Swank: The psychological depth of this tragic tale causes readers to examine their own consciences for the flaws that define us.

Provincial: The twist ending of this sentimental story portrays the way in which the past is never truly gone.

mosaix: The subtle way in which the author makes use of interior dialogue creates an increasing sense of tension in this imaginative science fiction story.

Phyrebrat: With profound insight into the complexities of the human mind, the author creates an unblinking look into the darkness within us all.

The Judge: A small touch of magic transforms domestic turmoil into the promise of a better future in this quiet but powerful tale.

BigJ: With wry humor, the author examines the Sisyphean task of creation in this post-modern work.

Ursa major: This surrealistic tale creates a genuine sense of unreality, along with an unnerving sense of what might come next.

________________________________________________________________

Votes to johnnyjet, Parson, and Phyrebrat.

 

[Stable]

My top rodents were:
@Yozh - No pets allowed
@Cat's Cradle - The Tithing of Grains
@The Judge - Mousehole

Missing from that list by the width of a whisker were:
@Victoria Silverwolf
@johnnyjet
@Phyrebrat

 

[Ursa major]

Many, many thanks for the vote THX1138.

 

[Provincial]

Good grief, this one is difficult!

Short list:
@Cat's Cradle - The Tithing of Grain - surviving in a corrupt regime
@Luiglin - Is The Light On? - a longed-for welcome home
@M. Robert Gibson - Time for Cheese - excellent Wellsian fantasy
@Stable - Small Honour - truth and humility foster reconciliation
@mosaix - Of Mice and Men - we really are the mice’s experiment!
@Phyrebrat - The Dancing Doctor - abuse in a clinical setting
@The Judge - Mousehole - finding refuge at last
@Ursa major - Tableaux? - Spooky, scary, unexplained.

Votes (not the best, just those I found most resonant):
@Luiglin
@Phyrebrat
@Ursa major

I am guessing that most of us late submitters were struggling for inspiration, but some of us (NOT me) clearly just spent the month perfecting their offerings…

 

[Ursa major]

Many, many thanks for the vote, Provincial.

most of us late submitters were struggling for inspiration

For some of us *cough* there'd need to be a "very" between "us" and "late".

 

[Parson]

Thanks for the vote @Victoria Silverwolf. It's really great to receive an early vote and I appreciate yours a lot.

 

[THX1138]

Voted for:
@Ursa major
@BigJ
@M. Robert Gibson

Also liked:
@Stable
@Bren G
@donrmontgomery
@Guttersnipe
@johnnyjet

 

[Starbeast]

I nearly forgot to say, thank you for the photo @HareBrain

 

[Rafellin]

That was an interesting selection, unfortunately with less stories to my taste than usual.

Anyway -

Top o' the stack (by a long way): @Christine Wheelwright
Second: @Astro Pen
Third: @johnnyjet

With honourable mentions to @THX1138 and @Parson