Discussion -- January 2018 -- 75 Word Challenge

Well, if the road to he-- is paved with good intentions then you fine folks have escorted me there all this month. Every exit was interesting. The ones
where I had to stop for a short while were marked; Shelter, Flea, 3000 miles to ultimate music store, Last film in the series, Road out. Finally at the
end of my trek I found an immovable gate blocking the way forward so I sat on a curiously comfortable stone and decided to return to 1 of my 2 favorite
stories, Spring and Outrun the sun. My vote goes to Outrun the Sun.
 
Well after a slow start we really racked up the entries. Anytime the entry list is in the 50 range it's been a very good month. I'm not sure we've ever had as much variety as this month. There were even some humorous entries with the theme being Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic. --- I sure didn't see humor coming when I say that theme.

Anyway:

Shortlist:
@Cathbad --- The Meal Ticket --- This is the kind of story I expect of post apocalyptic, horror and this one had it in spades.
@Teresa Edgerton --- Occidere Nuntius --- An emotionally charged story with a surprising ending.
@EPT Henry --- Alone --- I really identified with the MC in this story. Alone can be so good.
@Glen --- Spring --- This story had me from the beginning, so filled with hope but you keep wondering if its false hope.
@Bob Senior --- Plan B --- A wonderful story whose Bible background won me over.
@The Judge --- Johnny Appleseed #2 --- A story in which contrariness not only expects the worst, but also works for the best.

Voted for: Glen's Spring, pretty much had me from Hello.
 
I voted for Victoria because the 'Road To' series came to my mind as well.

Tbh my original draft also referenced the films but her much more polished tale was posted before mine so I had to re-write :)

Well done, I really enjoyed her story
 
A nice challenge, Peter V, good choices! As always, I really appreciate the great diversity of story ideas these challenges engender.

Well, here are my lists. It was fun reading through all of the entries.

Honorables:
Ashleyne, reiver33, Glen, HoopyFrood, The Judge, HITECH_lowlife, Ursa m.

Shortlist:
mosaix, johnnyjet, Teresa, AlexH

Finalists:

EPT Henry, TDZ

I really liked both of these, but the last line (word) of EPT's tale just brought it all home for me.

Good luck all, in the voting. And finally, thank you Cathbad!! for the 'The Best' listing. :)
 
Cat's Cradle said:
A nice challenge, Peter V, good choices! As always, I really appreciate the great diversity of story ideas these challenges engender.

Well, here are my lists. It was fun reading through all of the entries.

Honorables:
Ashleyne, reiver33, Glen, HoopyFrood, The Judge, HITECH_lowlife, Ursa m.

Shortlist:
mosaix, johnnyjet, Teresa, AlexH

Finalists:

EPT Henry, TDZ

I really liked both of these, but the last line (word) of EPT's tale just brought it all home for me.

Good luck all, in the voting. And finally, thank you Cathbad!! for the 'The Best' listing. :)
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Thank you Cat's Cradle :) :) I probably gave quite a large hint to my personality with that entry even if it was a tad tongue in cheek ( I like humans really...honest). Sometimes it's just good to appreciate the world around you alone and think - the introverts dream!

I am looking forward to reading everyone's entries and casting my vote. Good luck everybody :)
 
neck and neck (and neck and neck and..) so far with, by my count, 9 people laying claim to first spot...
 
Old Man Steve, thank you for the vote, you really made my day. Very old man Bob could not be happier!
 
The Judge -- This portrait of a prophet without honor teaches us that doing good can be the best revenge.

TheDustyZebra -- In this wry account of the fragility of human culture the reader learns that some things will endure.

HITECH_lowlife -- This visionary tale offers a deep psychological study of one who is more than an ordinary person.

The Big Peat -- With the mood of a new legend, this story reminds us to be careful what we wish for.

Ursa major -- A playful touch can be found in this ironic look at the power technology has over its users.

Mr Orange -- This structurally unique piece vividly portrays the anguish of slow decay.

Mad Alice -- This poetic myth creates a evocative and mysterious mood.

AlexH -- This surreal look at a Sisyphean task can be read as a metaphor of the difficulties of life.

_______________________________________________________________________________

My vote goes to "Sisyphus" (whose metaphoric title I unconsciously stole for my final review, strong evidence for its effect on me) by johnnyjet for its sensitive character study of a loyal machine.
 
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I enjoyed reading everyone’s stories, and have ended up with a very long shortlist!

Nothing New Under The Sun... – Mosaix
Sisyphus – Johnnyjet
They Came in Peace – Nixie
Shelter – Warren Kramer
Road Trip – AsleepyGiraffe
Occidere nuntius – Teresa Edgerton
Spring – Glen
The Checklist – Old_ Man_ Steve 2016
A Spoonful of Sugar – Shyrka
Johnny Appleseed #2 – the Judge
Are we there yet? – TheDustyZebra
Keep Right On to the End of the Rowed – Ursa Major

But my vote goes to: How to write an apocalypse in 75 words by TitaniumTi
 
Hugh said:
I thought this was a particularly strong month, and there are a number of stories that I would have mentioned in another month.

These are the ones that caught my eye for one reason or another:
@SPoots
@Cathbad
@Joe Loomis
@Glen
@Bob Senior
@HoopyFrood
@Old_Man_Steve2016
@HITECH_lowlife

and these made my shortlist:
@mosaix
@Teresa Edgerton
@EPT Henry

and my vote went to
@Victoria Silverwolf


And many thanks to @The Big Peat for the pleasant surprise of a mention.
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Wow thanks for the shout out. I'm socked mine made it on anyone's short list. My first one.
 
My vote this month goes to Shyrka. As a parent this is exactly how I would have behaved so it touched me. Loved it.

My shortlist was a tight run and these three stories in particular stood out to me:

Luiglin How Far
Nixie They Came In Peace
Glen Spring

Incredible stories in my favourite genre, well done everyone, really enjoyed reading this months entries.
 
Pedro Del Mar said:
My vote this month goes to Shyrka. As a parent this is exactly how I would have behaved so it touched me. Loved it.
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Wow, thank you. This month's was a real labour - I had nothing for days and then I was stuck with a bunch of false starts. I honestly thought I was going to miss this month. Thank you very much for your kind vote and thank you to others for the short-listing too.
 
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