Discussion Thread November 2019 75 Word Writing Challenge.

[Daysman]

Yeah, I found this tough, a great exercise (I had a setting from the start) but...

 

[The Judge]

I'm a little worried about the number of hyphenated words in my story--they all seem fairly common to me, and I wasn't even thinking that they were compound words as I wrote them, but there's three. Should I edit the story to remove any of them?

If the words appear as compounds in two or more respectable dictionaries you're OK. Otherwise -- and most especially if it's a coining of your own -- before posting, check with a mod. If whoever you PM can't give a definitive answer at once, he/she will refer it back to the Staff Room to get collective agreement.

 

[mosaix]

I'm in. I really enjoyed writing this one. Two hours start to finish. First hour a completely different story then another idea then the second hour and a result.

I struggle sometimes but, for me, the golden rule is just start writing. Sitting there thinking does nothing. The action of writing itself triggers things.

 

[elvet]

As with most of the challenges, I get an idea fairly quickly. It is the formulation part that I struggle with. Sometimes the process happens quickly, Other times, like this month, it is all rather clunky. Just when I think it is ready, I tweak a word, then it falls out of balance again. I have learned to avoid the temptation to post early. I almost always find things that can be improved on a daily if not hourly basis. My new rule is that I post it if I have not been tempted to edit it for over 24 hours............or if I’m sick to death of seeing it on my screen for the umpteenth time

 

[Danny McG]

I'm in, and, as part of my new 'devil may care' attitude, I didn't finger count the number of words, I let Word do it for me

 

[Elckerlyc]

Like mosaix I have to start writing before the muse comes along. Quite often it is just a first sentence that appeals to me, but most of the time won't survive the whole process of writing the story.
This time it took me a week to get something decent 'assembled'. I have learned it is far better to wait and see if better ideas comes along or if the story can be improved. But once finished it becomes a struggle not to post (publish) it right away.
I will restrain myself, this time. Yes I will, I'm sure I will.

 

[Margaret Note Spelling]

That is something you should PM one of the moderators about, MNS. The Judge is very active within the challenges, as is Harebrain.

Okay, I've heard about PM-ing, but I've never done it. Should I start a conversation with the other person? Is there another part of this forum I might be unaware of? (I was recently startled by the appearance of the Writing Groups thread , and I only figured out how to edit my account information about a week ago. I'm still learning to navigate.)

 

[nixie]

Start a conversation, the writing forums only become visible after you reach a certain amount of posts.

 

[The Judge]

Yep, a PM is what we called messages between members that were private. Then Chrons was updated so they're Conversations now, but we've not updated what we call them!

 

[Parson]

@nixie .... A Guilty Mind .... Nixie writes the perfect style spy story, one in which you want those looking to look in the wrong direction. Happy Birthday Indeed.

@jackwinabox57 .... RECIPROCITY .... Jack has a surprise in store for everyone in his story.

@Alex The G and T .... Untitled .... Alex has a story filled with action, suspense, and "Surprise!"

@sketch_livingstone .... GAMES UP, BILLY .... Sketch sends us back to a story filled with gore; Leslie Gore.

@Calliopenjo .... Surprise! .... Calli reminds us that there's no surprise like a criminal surprise.

@Margaret Note Spelling .... Gatecrasher: Exterminate .... Marg tells us a true spy story because the ending is determined by how smart, lucky, and quick you are.

@Daysman .... Asset Management .... Daysman reminds us that for every action there is an equal (or is that unequal?) reaction.

@SPoots .... Break In .... Spoots writes a sad tale of love being blind in so many ways.

@mosaix .... Once A Spy... .... Mosaix pointed me to the fact that being a spy is like being a Parson, you never get to really retire.

@dannymcg .... The spy who came in 'cos he’s old .... Danny shows us that the management in the spy business is like management anywhere: You have to deal with the blasted employees.

@elvet .... Code Name: Peitho .... Elvet tells us a story with a surprize ending which will change forever the meaning of a common phrase.
I went "Oh no!" at the end of that story. Well done ... even if you planted a morally questionable scene in my mind.

 

[elvet]

@Parson Thank you for the review, and I do apologize for whatever trauma I may have inflicted.

 

[Parson]

Not to worry!

 

[Marvin]

@elvet .... Code Name: Peitho .... Elvet tells us a story with a surprize ending which will change forever the meaning of a common phrase.
I went "Oh no!" at the end of that story. Well done ... even if you planted a morally questionable scene in my mind.

Certainly raised my eyebrow on this family friendly forum

 

[Cat's Cradle]

I'm in too! Took longer than usual, but the stories have been so good I wanted to try and fit in. Good luck to all yet to write, CC

 

[Parson]

@Marvin .... All in a days work .... Marvin shows us a possible and certainly painful cost for undercover work.

@Shyrka .... Confidential Affairs .... Shyrka shows us the downside of having too many affairs. It always ends in a bang!

@Cat's Cradle .... Stop, Please – I’ll Tell You Everything .... The Cat shows us yowling at a whole new level. Who needs truth serum?

@Pedro Del Mar .... Don't believe the hype .... Pedro reminds us that the life of a spy is 99% a boring drudge and 1% stark terror.

@Culhwch .... The Gift .... Culhwch writes a story of a birthday gift which didn't succeed; or did it?

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Thank you for the fabulous review @Parson

Wrote my tale last night whilst the better half watched Emmerdale. Took me about 20 mins from start to finish. The inspiration came from a business trip I had to Amsterdam a few years ago.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Operative Alex the G and T assures the Agency that not every threat is a serious one.

Operative sketch_livingstone advises the Agency to train its personnel early.

Operative Calliopenjo informs the Agency that rivals can sometimes be helpful.

Operative Margaret Note Spelling reminds the Agency that making a dangerous choice is better than inaction.

Operative Daysman warns the Agency that even the best plans are fallible.

Operative SPoots notifies the Agency of the constant changing of sides in the business.

Operative mosaix directs the Agency to never consider any mission fully completed.

Operative dannymcg admonishes the Agency for having inflexible policies.

Operative elvet tells the Agency to make sure all workers understand the often degrading nature of their assignments.

Operative Marvin rebukes the Agency for demanding excessive sacrifices.

Operative Shyrka lectures the Agency on the importance of an excellent memory.

Operative Cat's Cradle teaches the Agency how to make use of seemingly innocent resources.

Operative Pedro Del Mar alerts the Agency as to the possibility of policies causing resentment.

Operative Culhwch cautions the Agency not to miss opportunities to settle conflicts.

 

[Calliopenjo]

Thank you, Victoria and Parson, for your reviews.

 

[Alex The G and T]

Thank you, @Victoria and @Parson, for your reviews.

 

[Parson]

@Shuffle093 .... Extraction .... Shuffle tells us the story of a covert mission with a successful failure.