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

[nixie]

And of course I still have Wally. The rumours surrounding what may or may not have happened to those who disappear may not be exaggerated.

 

[nixie]

Thank goodness you didn't go so far as mentioning the Chrons cells and the (chosen for their particular nastiness) demons that run them.



EDIT: Oops!

Who are you calling a Demon?

 

[Ursa major]

As per policy: any name mentioned would have to be redacted, so there's no point in mentioning them.

 

[ZroSkeerd]

So many great stories this go-round. There's really not a bad one among them.
I've spent more time than I should admit to at work today reading and re-reading the stories to try and narrow them down to a shortlist, much less only three I can give a vote to.
On the shortlist, I failed. Every story is strong and I just couldn't point one out that doesn't belong.
In the end, I voted for the three stories that have stuck with me the most. For that reason my lots were cast for @THX1138, @Victoria Silverwolf, and @The Judge.

 

[Starbeast]

In the Shadow Box
@donrmontgomery
@Yozh
@THX1138
@Astro Pen
@Guttersnipe
@Victoria Silverwolf
@JS Wiig
@Lacedaemonian
@Christine Wheelwright
@M. Robert Gibson
@Bren G
@Elckerlyc
@BigJ


Fancy Mice Mentions
@Rafellin
@Culhwch
@emrosenagel - Great title
@AnRoinnUltra
@Cat's Cradle
@johnnyjet
@cyprus7
@Luiglin
@Parson
@AltLifeAStory
@Stable
@Swank
@Provincial
@mosaix
@Phyrebrat
@The Judge
@Ursa major

​

@paranoid marvin Thank you for the stealth vote. Nice surprise. A ginormous THANK YOU for all who mentioned me.

You all made my day shine bright.

 

[AnRoinnUltra]

This was a tricky vote.

Especially liked:

A Quiet Reprieve from the War by @Culhwch ...for showing that every generation has to find its own way (surprised to see a few war related tales).
Epilogue by @Lacedaemonian ...for the flow of the language.
The Mouse House 2151 by @Parson ...for the world it created.
Mice-en-scene by @Elckerlyc ...a stroke of luck and a nice mice story.
Tableaux by @Ursa major ...groovy.

Ended up voting for:

Baffle by @Rafellin ...Those sneaky mice and their quality worldbuilding.
All in a Mouse's Night by @johnnyjet ...for the old school classic Sci-Fi AI.
Time for Cheese by @M. Robert Gibson ...only the finest.

Thanks all for all the stories, and for the reviews ...good luck all -still an open race I reckon.

 

[Provincial]

Looks like I got a stealth vote from @sule. Many, many thanks!

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Thank you for short listing my poem @AnRoinnUltra and @Starbeast

 

[Astro Pen]

Votes to
@cyprus7
@Christine Wheelwright
@Elckerlyc

 

[cyprus7]

Just finished reading all stories; well done, everyone.

The three that grabbed me the most are:
@donrmontgomery Those fancy, schmancy rhyming mice. An enchanting and uplifting tale.

@Luiglin I'm quite stunned at how the writer sourced this story from the image. Wonderful and poignant.

@Elckerlyc I've a soft spot for "Mighty Mouse" from my youth, and this story was like meeting that rodent's extended family. Delightful and touching.

 

[Luiglin]

Voted, but no shortlist. Sorry folks, we've had two bereavements in the family in last few weeks.

 

[THX1138]

Voted, but no shortlist. Sorry folks, we've had two bereavements in the family in last few weeks.

Condolences and prayers. PAX.

 

[Provincial]

Voted, but no shortlist. Sorry folks, we've had two bereavements in the family in last few weeks.

So sorry to hear that.

 

[Elckerlyc]

After much deliberation, consideration, reflection and re-reflections the Mousy Squeak Awards have been granted as follows:

Noticeable Squeaks:
@Astro Pen - P-awww
@johnnyjet - All in a Mouse's Night
@The Judge - Mousehole

Earworm Squeaks:
@emrosenagel - Marley's Marvelous, Mystical, Metamorphosizing Menagerie of Mostly Mammals but occasionally reptiles and birds and insects too (Perhaps the longest Title ever in the history of the Challenges?)
@JS Wiig - A Mouse in the House
@Christine Wheelwright - The Taxidermist

 

[JS Wiig]

@Elckerlyc thank you for the vote!

 

[Starbeast]

Voted, but no shortlist. Sorry folks, we've had two bereavements in the family in last few weeks.

My condolences to you. God be with you and your family.

 

[nixie]

Voted, but no shortlist. Sorry folks, we've had two bereavements in the family in last few weeks.

Sending virtual hugs.

 

[Parson]

Voted, but no shortlist. Sorry folks, we've had two bereavements in the family in last few weeks.

May you be surrounded by those you love in this time of grief.

 

[Ursa major]

Many, many thanks for the vote, Phyrebrat.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

I thought it was a really good 300 worder... fine stories all around.

Here are my lists…

Stories I could have voted for:
Yozh, Luiglin, Christine Wheelwright, Elckerlyc, Ursa major

Stories I did vote for:
johnnyjet, Phyrebrat, The Judge

I think my fave this time was johnnyjet's charming entry.

I want to thank Provincial, Peter V and Starbeast for listing my story. I'm very grateful to Stable, Ian Fortytwo and sule for the lovely votes.

Good luck the rest of ther way, all, CC