DISCUSSION THREAD -- 300 Word Writing Challenge #54 (July 2024)

[Astro Pen]

Votes to
@Peter V
@paranoid marvin
@johnnyjet

 

[Hugh]

And many thanks @Peter V for your vote.
Much appreciated.

 

[Parson]

Another vote? Very much appreciated @paranoid marvin.

 

[Guttersnipe]

Thanks for the vote, @THX1138!

 

[paranoid marvin]

Thanks for your vote Astropen!

 

[AnRoinnUltra]

Some votes and half thoughts -woulda never thought spooky by the picture, but there was a bit of an early Halloween theme in parts:

Eternal Flight by @Astro Pen -The worst thing about short term memory loss is short term memory loss

Our Lady of the Tides by @Victoria Silverwolf -You are having fish supper

Arms Askew in Altoona, Pennsylvania by @Cat's Cradle -Cheap at half the price (Vote, because of the fun retro feel to the story)

The Choice of Ones Eternity by @THX1138 -Caesar, never heard of him -wait, is that the man who invented salad?

My Body is a Temple by @Guttersnipe =Tsk, typical -shoulda known it was gonna end this way

Idols by @Rafellin -The price of opulence

Immobile by @RTGR -I shoulda had coffee

Hell Hath no Fury by @Appello -There’s a story to that statue

The Assassins of Herostratus by @Phyrebrat -Fight fire with fire

One foot after another by @Luiglin -Carefull now (Vote, for the insight into a ghostly drawback)

For the last time by @Peter V -The only way is up

The turn of a corner by @Daysman -Keep on moving (vote, just because I really liked the idea)

Neddie Seagoon Meets Grytpype-Thynne in 2150 by @mosaix -Primitive but effective

The Temple is my body by @johnnyjet -Careful with that mystical incantation Bobby

Psychopomp by @Hugh -Breakfast of champions

A room with a view by @Parson -Money can’t buy you love

A Piece of Cake by @The Judge -Lots and lots of Baking Soda

House of Books by @Starbeast -Million dollar prize

Stately retirement by @chrispenycate -The problem with eternity is that it can get boring

Justice by @paranoid marvin -Hell hath no fury like a gallows sister demeaned.

The Stairway of Forgotten Gods and Invisible Monsters by @Mad Alice -Steps to heaven

What Is This Life? By @Ursa major -Shoulda left well enough alone.

Thanks all for all the stories, and thanks to the reviewers

 

[johnnyjet]

My Short List and *** Top Three ***:

*** Eternal Flight - Astro Pen ***
*** Our Lady of the Tides - Victoria Silverwolf ***
The Choice of Ones Eternity - THX1138
One foot after another – Luiglin
For the Last Time - Peter V
*** A Room with a View – Parson ***
A Piece of Cake - The Judge
Justice - paranoid marvin

 

[Luiglin]

Close

• @Guttersnipe - My Body is a Temple
• @Appello - Hell Hath No Fury
• @mosaix - Neddie Seagoon Meets Grytpype-Thynne in 2150

Cigar

• @Parson - A Room with a View
• @Peter V - For the Last Time
• @Daysman - the turn of a corner

 

[Parson]

Wow! Great Day. I got votes from @johnnyjet and @Luiglin they are both very much appreciated.

 

[THX1138]

Voted for:
@Astro Pen
@johnnyjet
@Guttersnipe

Short list:
@Parson Too close to my own past, but just enough not to be.
@AnRoinnUltra
@Starbeast
@Luiglin
@Peter V

Fun one this time around!

 

[Parson]

@Parson Too close to my own past, but just enough not to be.

Sorry, that happened but it wasn't intentional. But I very much appreciate the short listing.

 

[THX1138]

Sorry, that happened but it wasn't intentional. But I very much appreciate the short listing.

No need to apologize, Parson! from my childhood into my early teens I have around 12 (Yes twelve) surgeries on my ear with a week stay each time. And to be honest, my time in the hospitals was far better than at home.

I was cared for, listened to and talked to not just by the nurses and Dr's, but at times also by the other parents as my own would just drop me off and pick me up. If I did see them, it was only for a minute or two (really).

Not only that, but I would learn from the staff that many times my own parents would spend a good part of the day visiting the other kids on the ward, including bringing them gifts. Me, zip.

So, even now at 59, the sights, sounds and smells of a hospitals are place a comfort and rest. Strange to say, give me a blanket and I'll be just fine. Ask my wife, she thinks I'm nuts!

 

[THX1138]

@Parson @Hugh No sad faces! I'm a fighter and I won. Now back to 300 worders. I remember my first one, terrible!

 

[Cat's Cradle]

A classy photo inspired a collection of classy stories, well done all.

I have lists, and I hate to leave any stories off, but sometimes you just gotta cull, so...

Shortlist:
Astro Pen, Phyrebat, Daysman, johnnyjet, Parson, chrispenycate

Just Missed My Vote:
Virginia Silverwolf, Starbeast

Votes:
Appello, for a well-written, classics-feel tragedy.
AnRoinUltra, just so entertaining, and politically wise.
The Judge, for her truly imaginative, and wonderfully written tale of retribution.

Thanks to our amazing reviewers.

Many thanks to the folks who voted for, or listed, my story: Christine Wheelwright, Appello, AnRoinnUltra, and Starbeast.

Looks to be a close one. Best of luck the rest of the way with the voting, CC

 

[The Judge]

Hmm. I don't often worry about genre when we're looking at the 300 Worder, but this quarter there were some stories which were good in themselves but weren't fantasy or SF and for me didn't hit the "speculative fiction" catch-all, so despite their quality I had to discount them. There were also two or three more which I didn't understand even on third and fourth reads.

Nonetheless, I've got a longish shortlist:

Cat's Cradle -- Arms Askew in Altoona, Pennsylvania​

johnnyjet -- The Temple is My Body​

Luiglin -- One Foot After Another​

mosaix -- Neddy Seagoon Meets Grytpype-Thynne in 2150.​

Parson -- A Room with a View​

Peter V -- For the Last Time​

RTGR -- Immobile​

THX1138 -- The Choice of Ones Eternity​

Victoria Silverwolf -- Our Lady of the Tides​

My first two votes were easy as I found Peter's tale of a child performing a last duty for her grandfather's spirit very moving, and I enjoyed RTGR's updated Medusa story with the victim lamenting at the little he can see. The third vote though had 3 contenders, so I've been re-reading and considering a good bit, and Parson's story of long-awaited change and possible revenge just won out over CC's amusing tale of houseproudness and THX's contemplation of the best memorial for the dead.

Many Presidential Palace thanks for the lovely mentions/shortlistings Starbeast, paranoid marvin and johnnyjet and tremendous Floating Cake thanks for the glorious votes Parson and CC! And more Wedgwood Blue Cake thanks for the ninja vote, nixie!

 

[Daysman]

Been mostly staring at the perfectly plastered liminal space from hell this month.

Naturally, my mind wandered, and the tale followed.

Faves, including votes:
@Astro Pen (vote)
@Victoria Silverwolf
@Cat's Cradle
@THX1138
@Luiglin (vote)
@Peter V (vote)
@Hugh

Thanks @AnRoinnUltra , @Luiglin and @mosaix for your votes, @Starbeast for your honourable mention, @Cat's Cradle for your shortlisting, and @Victoria Silverwolf , @RTGR , @Parson and (once again) @AnRoinnUltra for your kind comments.

Gonna have to redecorate the kitchen.

D

 

[Parson]

Thanks for the shortlisting by @Cat's Cradle and the wondrous vote from @The Judge both are much appreciated.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

It's coming right down to the wire!

Thanks so much TJ and Daysman for the listings.

 

[Ursa major]

​

The poll has closed and we have a winner:

Congratulations, Astro Pen!​

​

 

[Parson]

Congratulations @Astro Pen that was a well deserved victory. I loved your story from the beginning!

----

And Wow! I got 8 votes? I humbled and pleased that the story resonated so well with so many people. Thanks to all of you who voted for and mentioned my story. I wanted to tap into the frustration that people feel when they are not being recognized for who they are. You don't have to look too far or too hard to find people who are belittled because of their physical, emotional, or social conditions. --- Parson bites tongue, he feels a sermon coming on. --- Thanks again.