Discussion thread -- August 2016 75-word Writing Challenge

Firstly, thanks to Victoria Silverwolf and Shyrka for the mini reviews, for those that have put me on their lists and for Cat's Cradle's vote and nice words! All very much appreciated!

I enjoyed reading all the stories (was an interesting and challenging challenge!) but please see below my short list and vote:

Wruter. Ohm. A chilling and sinister story of a father passing on the task of torturing, taming and exploiting an eternal loving being. I really liked the use of a simple, shed as a setting in this situation.

Glen. Untitled. A mysterious, unnamed entity/person sacrificing his/her own soul to help prevent a dark city descending further into darkness. I enjoyed the distant narration and noir tone that enhanced the surreptitious nature of the character. Good choice for having the piece untitled too.

Bowler1. Hungry and Homeless.
Effective, efficient, well written story. Using the disheartening yet common action of ignoring a homeless person to highlight the personal benefits of reaching out and helping a little. In this story the simple benefits are enhanced/magnified into a supernatural power. I thought the last 3 lines were particularly effective, highlighting the continuing missed opportunities.

Ashleyne. B. Young. The Spider Lady
A seemingly horrible creature (creatively envisioned in creepy crawly detail) that surprises you with benevolent benefits for her domestic neighbours, revealingly her in a new light. VOTE.
 
Coast - Heyday
JohnnyJet - Trashmen
Wruter - Ohm
Perp - Not Nellie, the Other One
AJB - The Ginger Bread Man
* The Dusty Zebra - Don't *
Phyrebrat - Homo supinus

Such a strange little group of stories. Dusty's seemed unique and innovative. She created her own weirdness.
 
Vote time again!

Short List:
sinister42 - Volant
shyrka - Spare the Rod
johnnyjet - Trashmen
Wruter - Ohm
WinterLight - The Ultimate Gift

Vote:
This month I struggled between AJB's The Ginger Bread Man, and Culhwch's Works Both Ways. Both were excellent, but in the end I went with Culhwch's effort.
 
Oh yes, here we are. My favorite time of the month. As usual the stories are all wonderful and deserving of a vote. So here we go. Honorables: Ashlene, Glen, Calli, ET, Perp, DG, Thomas G, AJB, Cul (oh so close), Mr O, Dusty (again so close), Robert Mc, Ph, Moonbat, CC and Her Honor. For me Mosaix had the most original this month, of amazingly original stories. Well done everyone.
 
With the quality of the writing in these challenges I never expect anything. And I usually get my wish. Now Glen and Beasty have messed that up. :sneaky: Thanks guys, it's a real treat.
 
@Droflet

You're very welcome bro. I know what you mean about the high caliber of writers here, which makes it exceedingly difficult to choose one winner. For example my Short List nearly included everyone, so I had to go with a finalist list, which I dubbed my Micro List.

But always remember my friend, you don't have to write an epic, just make it interesting.
 
Eating Out, @nixie – A xenophobic restaurant-goer is forced to come to terms with changes to the society he lives in.

The Shadows of Silence, @Mad Alice – A figure from the past saves innocent library-goers from eldritch forces living in the books themselves.

A Furry Friend, @The Big Peat – A passer-by aids a cat in need... with alarming consequences.

My Kinda Gal. Jo Zebedee – A woman in need of psychiatric help gets more than she bargained for in this ‘hair-raising’ tale.
 
A Massive thank you to the Dusty one for the Vote :)
Also thanks for the mentions and the reviews.
Loved the stories this month, not quite the fearsome genre we were expecting from chrispy he must have restrained himself.
My shortlist, shorterlist and Vote

Ashleyne – spiderlady
cory – horton heard
wruter – ohm
stillearning – an old secret
ajb – the ginger bread man

cul – works both ways
mosaix – just the two of us

tdz – don’t
judge – matches
the big peat – furry friend
 
I'm pretty sure this month is going to be my first 0-0 since entering the challenges. And the annoying thing is, I Had a really good backup story that I was convinced didn't fit the bill... Except it fitted better than my actual entry(n)

I didn't think my short list was so long until reading over the entries a second time. :whistle: Another good month!

Shortlist:-

Sinister
Luiglin
Cory
Aun Doorback
Glen
AJB
Cascade
TDZ
Hazelrah
The Big Peat

And my vote goes to Wruter. Great idea and execution :)
 
Don't forget there's still time to enter this month's anonymous 100-word competition, over in the workshop!

Assuming you haven't already, of course...
 
I'm just happy to make some short lists this time. I thought I had the genre nailed since wierd is my thing, but I'm apparently off target this time.
 
I'm pretty sure this month is going to be my first 0-0 since entering the challenges. And the annoying thing is, I Had a really good backup story that I was convinced didn't fit the bill... Except it fitted better than my actual entry(n)

I didn't think my short list was so long until reading over the entries a second time. :whistle: Another good month!

Shortlist:-

Sinister
Luiglin
Cory
Aun Doorback
Glen
AJB
Cascade
TDZ
Hazelrah
The Big Peat

And my vote goes to Wruter. Great idea and execution :)


I share your pain LittleStar, though that mention from you saved me from what I think was my first challenge without a mention or a vote (I am assuming that is what you meant by 0-0).
 
This whole month was shot. August was spent waiting for the repairman to fix the fridge. I started giving everybody a blow by blow about what happened but it got nutty. So I'll just say this instead: real life sucks rocks when the fridge breaks down.

This was a challenge to say the least. I wasn't sure if what I wrote fit or not but I hope those that read it enjoyed it. It certainly made me work my writerly muscles.

I will vote, if I'm not too late.
 

Back
Top