DISCUSSION THREAD -- November 2024 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge

Short List:

Sweet Eyes by @Victoria Silverwolf for a story that made me tear up a bit while still leaving a pet and a pet.

In Faithful Service of His Master by @johnnyjet for a story that defied my expectations which I suspect is what the story was intended to do.

Gift from a Galaxy Explorer by @Starbeast for a story that kept getting both stranger and more wonderful as it went toward a very unforeseen future.

Murder Most Fowl by @The Judge for a story which has a wonderful twist while remaining very believable.


Vote: @Victoria Silverwolf for Sweet Eyes
 
I'm pleased I found time to read the entries (thanks to another lonely hotel trip for work in support of a job I really don't enjoy!) because they were highly entertaining.

Narrowed it down to Guttersnipe and AnRoinnUltra as my personal favourites but struggling to split them. Half a vote each?
 
Well done, all! A pleasant read.

I went with a top ten:

Shortlist (9): THX1138, Victoria Silverwolf, Provincial, Ian Fortytwo, Baeta, AnRoinnUltra, johnnyjet, Azzagorn, The Judge

Vote (1): nixie. Love that POV, and the pacing. Great last line.

Thank you nixie and paranoid marvin for the listings. :)

As always, big thanks to our reviewers for their fine work.
Best of luck in the voting, all, the rest of the way, CC
 
Phyrebrat said:
Lost track of the date so missed posting my entry
Click to expand...
This year I've lost track of everything. Sometimes I think I might enter, then forget. Sometimes I look at the challenge and immediately realise i dont have the energy for creativity. One or twice I have had a stab. I try and vote, if I get time to read them all... I think if someone has made the effort I really should. I'll bounce back - you can't keep a grumpy old sod down forever!

Enjoyed this one about pets. Lots of amusement and some heartwarming entries in there too.

Surprised my choice hasn't got more love. I think it captured a dogs personality perfectly
 
Voted yesterday, but figured I'd post a few half thoughts before the competition is done and dusted. 'The Incident' by @Elckerlyc got my vote for it's enigmatic style. Lots to enjoy -fair play and thanks to all ye storytellers.

As always thanks to the reviewers and mods keeping the show on the road. Looks like none of my horses are gonna come in, but best of luck to the authors involved in the Fluggle/ Kitchen Monster sprint to the line. It's gonna be close ;)

The Incident by @Elckerlyc (vote)
It's a numbers game -just really liked the style and quirky nature.

Cuddling Up by @Astro Pen
Fluggles may be nice, but you'd struggle to eat a whole one.

Why-Aye by @Luiglin
Some Cayeber punk aboot the toon, man.

Crows Feet by @Cat's Cradle
Dinner is served.

Sweet Eyes by @Victoria Silverwolf
Mavavianreptipets are nice, but costly to keep.

My Dog Bertie by @Bowler1
Champion dog.

Bloop by @Provincial
An Octopuses best friend.

Lily, Luna and Star by @Ian Fortytwo
It's a cat's life.

There is a monster in my kitchen by @nixie
The inanimate ones are the worst.

The Princess and the Rabbitt on the Other Side by @Baeta
A toy's story.

Poem in Catscratch by @thornCrab
Just what they (probably) always wanted.

What did you Expect by @mosaix
It's a dog's life.

Good Boy by @Guttersnipe
(almost voted for) An animal's nature always takes over.

In Faithfull service of its Master by @johnnyjet
Serving the master

Heavy Petting by @chrispenycate
Was that a hint?

Caring for your exotic pet by @genelewis
Why not just get a dog? (almost gave it a vote, felt like a bit of a satire)

I'll love you like a dog does by @Parson
Already house trained

Familiar Ties by @Azzagorn
Friends for afterlife

Gift From a Galaxy Explorer by @Starbeast
You won't want to bring it back (almost voted for because of the old school SF style)

Beyond Belief by @paranoid marvin
Only human after all

Murder Most Fowl by @The Judge
And I woulda gotten away with it if it wasn't for that meddling bird

Coming Home by @Bren G
Always happy to see you (almost voted for, because I liked the doggie view on life ...the later you are the happier they are to see you)

Pets Are Not Just For Christmas by @Ursa major
Going native among the living
 
No petty thing, having a Challenge about pets, so Good Boys and Girls all round for everyone this month!

My shortlist:

Astro Pen -- Cuddling Up​
Bren G -- Coming Home​
Cat's Cradle -- Crow's Feat​
johnnyjet -- In Faithful Service of His Master​
Provincial -- Bloop​
Starbeast -- Gift From a Galaxy Explorer​
THX1138 -- Memories Together​
Victoria Silverwolf -- Sweet Eyes​

A difficult one this month, as I had three stories in the running for a vote, and after a lot of agonising got it down to two, but had to toss a virtual coin which came down in favour of Bren G's story of a dog pining for his mistress, just beating Victoria's tale of a creature whose old owners will soon be pining for him.

And my Title of the Month Award goes to CC for his dreadful pun!


Many Missing Talkative Bird Thanks for the lovely mentions/shortlistings THX, Hugh, Provincial, Parson, Starbeast, CC and Phyrebrat and Ginormous Dead Parrot Thanks for the wonderful vote Bowler! And further Norwegian Blue Parrot Thanks for the ninja vote Artoriarius!
 
Another poll closes, another tie-breaking poll will soon be open....
 
I lost track of time after a busy week and came to vote but was too late. Apologies for that. My unofficial vote would've gone to he Judge this round. Sorry @The Judge. I really liked the subtle reveal on your Psychological Psittaciformological Thriller!
 
I couldn't cuddle up to a vampire puff ball, so I went with Nixie's "what is in my house?" monster.
 
Vote for @nixie.

And a thanks to @Victoria Silverwolf for the vote.

And a thanks for the short listings from:
@Provincial
@nixie
@Cat's Cradle
@The Judge


Well, with the main voting over, it's safe to post that our blood thirsty Ausi Terroir tore her hind leg up and is off to surgery next Friday!
Tore her ACL and all doing what she does best. She'll go through 6 weeks of home PT afterwards.
 
A translation...

Yes, of course (Why-aye)​

The thrum of electric under charge became a song to his ears.

Hand shaking, his finger stabbed the green button. Air locks on the ten life tubes clicked as one, pressure escaping in a welcoming whoosh as the doors whined open.

Yes, he’d done it. After years alone.

Mouth dry, he risked, “Hello, ladies?” (Alreet, pets - 'pet' or 'pets' is often used as a term of endearment and not necessarily limited to any gender or age. It can also be used in a patronising way, especially to women, as in this case)

Ten perfect women stepped forth.

"I'm going into town, are you also out tonight?“ ("Am ganna hit the toon, yee oot the neet?”)

As one they answered, "Go away, you crazy man." (“Haddaway, yee radgie.” - 'haddaway' can be used to express encouragement, annoyance or to tell someone to stop doing something - 'radgie' can be used for aggressive or crazy person)
 
The root of my story:

I am not much of a pet lover. As a kid I lived on a farm with lots of dogs, cats, geese, et. al. As an adult we've had a dog and several cats. But none now. What made a "Grinch" of me was a couple of things. First, was meeting people who treated their pets better than their children. They would fawn over their dog and have nothing but venom for that "blankety, blank, child of mine, who __________ (understand was rebellious in some way)." Second, I learned a few years ago that if the money spent on pet food were spent on food for the hungry that by value (maybe not in reality) there would be no acute hunger in the world. Third, (far less serious but it always makes me roll my eyes) when someone my age says that they are babysitting the "grand dog."

So when it came to writing a story about pets I was reminded of a Country Song "Like My Dog Does" by Billy Currington

[Verse 1]
He never tells me that he's sick of this house
He never says why don't you get off that couch?
He don't cost me nothing when he wants to go out
I want you to love me like my dog
He never says I need a new attitude
Him and my sister ain't always in a feud
When I leave the seat up he don't think that it's rude
I want you to love me like my dog does baby

[Chorus]
When I come home, he just goes crazy
He never looks at me like he might hate me
I want you to love me like my dog

[Verse 2]
He never acts like he don't care for my friends
He never asks me where in the hell have you been?
He don't play dead when I want to pet him
I want you to love me like my dog does honey
He never says "I wish you made more money"
He always thinks that pull my finger's funny
I want you to love me like my dog
He don't get mad at me and throw a major fit
When I say his sister is a bitch

>>> I mean if that isn't the most self-centered narcissistic view of a relationship ever, I'm not sure what is.

So you put that all together and you have a story where a person is willing to be a pet for someone just so they can get a livable life.
 
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