Discussion Thread---December 2024---75 Word Writing Challenge.

[paranoid marvin]

Thankyou so much to everyone who voted or shortlisted my story, and for all of your kind words. Thanks also to Parson and Victoria, our ever constant reviewers and to nixie for providing such an interesting and open theme to write about.

I also hope everything goes well for you, Paul Meccano. Your missed entry was quute an unusual, deep story, and I'm sure would have received positive feedback in the voting.

Good luck to everyone with the January Challenge that has been passed to the mods for confirmation. Hope you all enjoy it.

And lastly I wish everyone a happy New Year, and a most excellent 2025.

 

[Hugh]

For those who are still wondering about the identity of Mr. Ahasver, 't was the Wandering Jew.

Many thanks @Hugh and @Astro Pen for your vote and @THX1138, @johnnyjet, @Starbeast and @The Judge for noticing my story.

And room 808?

 

[Hugh]

And
CONGRATULATIONS @paranoid marvin

 

[mosaix]

More than happy with three votes this month. Many thanks @Artoriarius, @Elckerlyc and @Provincial.

My story, as mentioned by @Provincial, was centered on on the Voyager space craft. I referred to them as V1 and V2 and pondered on giving them their full names or not but decided to give a clue instead with a reference to Carl Sagan's presentation of Voyager 1's photo and his description of Earth as 'a pale blue dot'.

I suppose it's always a risk giving clues rather than spelling things outright but I think readers enjoy having a bit of work to do even if not everyone gets it.

 

[Provincial]

Congratulations @paranoid marvin.

Mine was based on an urban legend, that a quick search will let you know its false.
The train supposedly entered the Lombard tunnel but never exited it.
The passengers apparently ended up in a Mexican psychiatric ward in 1840.

I assume the 'Mexican psychiatric ward' bit is also part of the urban legend? If so, it's just as amazing as a trip to the future.

 

[Elckerlyc]

And room 808?

The number 8 is in some numerology the number for eternity. In Mr. Ahasver's case it's an eternity to the Second Coming, so 808, whereas 888 would stand for full eternity.

 

[The Judge]

Congratulations, pm.

No votes for me and only a few mentions... wondering if peeps didn't get the gist...

I got the main part of the plot (though my grasp of time dilation is far too shaky for me to have attempted to work out how much time had passed for the rest of the universe!) but I was left a bit confused as to exactly who had contacted the AI about waking the colonists, and I clearly wasn't savvy enough to pick it up from the title. Sorry! But yes, definitely one to flesh out a little and add to a collection.

For those who are still wondering about the identity of Mr. Ahasver, 't was the Wandering Jew.

Feeling smug as I got that!

My story, as mentioned by @Provincial, was centered on on the Voyager space craft.

Double-smug as I got that, too!

 

[nixie]

I assume the 'Mexican psychiatric ward' bit is also part of the urban legend? If so, it's just as amazing as a trip to the future.

Yes, I thought I'd mix up it a bit instead of completely plagiarism the whole myth. Apparently the train also carried a skull and appeared to some 11th Century monks.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Congratulations, paranoid marvin! Looking forward to January's Challenge.

Thank you, all of our reviewers, for your work.

Thanks TJ for the listing, and thank you AnRoinnUltra for the thoughts on my story (and again, for the vote!).

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Congrats @paranoid marvin

Many thanks for the unexpected vote @Karn's Return

and for all who thought my effort mention worthy
@Hugh @Starbeast @paranoid marvin @Parson @Daysman @The Judge @Elckerlyc

 

[Peter V]

More than happy with three votes this month. Many thanks @Artoriarius, @Elckerlyc and @Provincial.

My story, as mentioned by @Provincial, was centered on on the Voyager space craft. I referred to them as V1 and V2 and pondered on giving them their full names or not but decided to give a clue instead with a reference to Carl Sagan's presentation of Voyager 1's photo and his description of Earth as 'a pale blue dot'.

I suppose it's always a risk giving clues rather than spelling things outright but I think readers enjoy having a bit of work to do even if not everyone gets it.

Sussed it was the voyagers. I am fascinated that they are both still transmitting

 

[Phyrebrat]

Congratulations @paranoid marvin and thanks for the vote @mosaix, and the handful of mentions I got.

I voted for @nixie — I had a few I liked but when I got to her story I knew it was my going to get my vote

 

[Starbeast]

Congratulations Paranoid Marvin
@paranoid marvin​

 

[Karn's Return]

Congrats @paranoid marvin

Many thanks for the unexpected vote @Karn's Return

and for all who thought my effort mention worthy
@Hugh @Starbeast @paranoid marvin @Parson @Daysman @The Judge @Elckerlyc

Well, you gave me a good chuckle, Gib. That's why you got that vote of mine.

 

[Bren G]

Congrats @paranoid marvin ! Your tale was in my top three, but you certainly didn't need any additional help in what might've been the largest landslide victory ever. Well done!

My vote went to @Heijan Xavier's funny tale that received bonus marks for tapping into current events in a clever way. @M. Robert Gibson's and @The Judge's Christmas tales where top of my house too.

Thanks to @Cat's Cradle and @THX1138 for your votes! Much appreciated!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Many congratulations!

 

[Heijan Xavier]

CONGRATS TO @paranoid marvin! Wow you crushed it.

Thank you @Starbeast for the mention!

Thank you @Bren G for the vote! What a great way to get back into the fold. I figured you voted for me because you either are fascinated by the drone news, or because you're from Philly or NYC and you love a good Jersey joke!

 

[Bren G]

CONGRATS TO @paranoid marvin! Wow you crushed it.

Thank you @Starbeast for the mention!

Thank you @Bren G for the vote! What a great way to get back into the fold. I figured you voted for me because you either are fascinated by the drone news, or because you're from Philly or NYC and you love a good Jersey joke!

@Heijan Xavier - this kid's from Canada but it made the rounds up here! I'm surprised it didn't get more votes but alas that's the way it goes.