DISCUSSION THREAD -- February 2020 -- 75-Word Writing Challenge

[Ursa major]

The challenge has just closed to new entries.

The poll is now open at the link below:

POLL -- February 2019 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!​

​

 

[AMB]

Well done TDZ. You couldn't have cut it much finer

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The Judge offers a memento to one who knows some things are worth waiting for.

Ursa major offers a memento to one who seeks retribution, no matter how difficult.

TheDustyZebra offers a memento to one who will choose the path without the control of others.

_______________________________________________________________________

Vote goes to Teresa Edgerton for showing us what happily ever after really means.

 

[Parson]

@The Judge .... Heart of Oak .... Her Honor graces us with a touching myth of eternal love.

@Ursa major .... Home Truths From Abroad .... Ursa tells a tale of the bloody business of love.

@TheDustyZebra .... Knight Error ,,,, TDZ tells us a tale of knights with poor gaydar.

 

[Parson]

What a month of princes, princesses, dragons, true love, and false all with mementos of no value and great and either possibly priceless.

Contenders:
One Pair of Glass Slippers, Only Worn Twice by @Teresa Edgerton for a wonderful story about when love really is for better or worse.

How Far Would You Go? by @nixie for a modern take on ancient mythology.

As True as Stone by @Cat's Cradle for a story that reminds everyone that love at first sight is actually a con job.

Till Death by @Victoria Silverwolf for a story with a wicked twist.


For me the story that touched all the right notes was One Pair of Glass Slippers, Only Worn Twice @Teresa Edgerton melted my heart with that story.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Thank you for the votes, and the kind words, Victoria and Parson!

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

I've voted for @dannymcg . At some point I will reveal my shortlist.

 

[Shyrka]

Thanks for the lovely reviews, as ever.

Whew, that is the absolute, utter closest I've ever come! It stinks to high heaven (ducks), but for a story that wasn't even a kernel of an idea ten minutes ago, it will have to do.

Any landing you can walk away from...

 

[Azoraa]

My short-list:

@BT Jones -- A Highland Echo
@johnnyjet -- When Smoke Gets in Her Eyes
@StilLearning -- Memento from fear
@TheDustyZebra -- Knight Error

I voted for @johnnyjet ! It blew my mind that there could be romance with smoke? Well, I was convinced

There many great stories! I picked those more my shortlist because I liked the unconventional take they offered.

 

[BT Jones]

Plenty of good stories. Shortlist:

@dannymcg - If I Was..
@Elckerlyc - Long Live the King
@Culhwch - Love Eternal
@Parson - For Want of a Ring
@Mr Orange - And Now for Something Completely Different

But I had to vote for @Parson 's For Want of a Ring. I just loved the cynical take on the theme, and especially the stark closing line.

 

[nixie]

Was an easy choice for me this month @Teresa Edgerton hit the genre and theme beautifully.

Runners up
@mosaix
@TheDustyZebra

 

[nixie]

Thank you @Karn's Return for the stealth vote.

 

[Karn's Return]

Well, despite the fact that a dragon was being slain, I felt like your entry, Nixie, was the best choice for my mental and emotional state. XD Kind of have a hard time when dealing with any kind of romance in literature...and let's leave it at that.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

A great number of great entries results in a slightly longer shortlist...

How Far Would You Go? - @nixie
As True as Stone - @Cat's Cradle
Till Death - @Victoria Silverwolf
...Before You Find Your Prince. - @mosaix
For Want of a Ring - @Parson
Love Requited - @Vince W
With This Token of My Love - @Peter V
Knight Error - @TheDustyZebra

And the vote goes to
One Pair of Glass Slippers, Only Worn Twice - @Teresa Edgerton

And a special mention goes to And Now For Something Completely Different - @Mr Orange - just for the Monty P references

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

We had a good turn-out for a month when people were a bit wary about the genre. But our community here is always up for a challenge!

___
Thank you nixie and M. Robert Gibson for the votes. (And chris for the stealth vote.)

 

[Parson]

But I had to vote for @Parson 's For Want of a Ring. I just loved the cynical take on the theme, and especially the stark closing line.

Talk about having your day brighter; this does it for me! Thanks @BT Jones

Short listed is grand! Thanks @M. Robert Gibson

 

[Danny McG]

Thank you @Karn's Return for the stealth vote.

I did a stealth vote for someone as well

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

My long list, short list, and vote:

Calliopenjo
Telpereon
Karn's Return
Guttersnipe
mosaix
Simbelmynë
Ian Forty-Two
BT Jones
Marvin

AMB
Dan McGrew
The Judge

Culhwch

 

[nixie]

I see I've picked up another stealth vote, thank you @Jami.

 

[chrispenycate]

(And chris for the stealth vote.)

It was never intended to be a stealth vote - I had a shortish list, that I've further truncated to: Cat's Cradle, Culhwch, Daysman, mosaix and Teresa Edgerton, plus a remarkable effort from the Dusty one (considering time intervals), but I knew after my first read through it was going to be Teresa's Cinderella that stayed in my memory.
So I voted for that, and got down to final pruning.