Discussion Thread -- October 2017 75-word Writing Challenge

[Hugh]

Many Congratulations Teresa!

And many thanks to @The Judge and @HazelRah for the mentions.

And again, thank you @Brev for the stealth vote. It was such a wonderful surprise.

 

[DragonAether]

Congrats Teresa!!!
No problem @Heijan Xavier, I appreciate the fact that you enjoyed my story.

 

[The Judge]

Congratulations, Teresa!! A well-deserved win. I'm surprised I managed to join Victoria in the silver medal as I expected her to forge ahead at the last moment, but it's good to stand alongside her on the podium!

And I see beautiful boating thanks are due for a few more mentions, so thank you Ashleyne, Hazel and Ursa!

 

[Ashleyne]

A massive congratulations, Teresa!!!

 

[Culhwch]

Congrats, Teresa!

Many thanks to Phyrebrat for the vote, and to everyone who listed or mentioned my story!

 

[Brev]

Well done Teresa. Emerging victorious from a great batch of stories...

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Congratulations, Teresa!! Well done, Victoria and TJ, for keeping it exciting till the end. Looking forward to November's challenge.

And thank you Dusty, Chris, and Heijan, for the late mentions.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Thank you everyone!

It was satisfying to come back with a story that was so well received after completely blanking last month (over fairy tales of all things, which I write a lot of) and not being able to come up with a thing. As compensation, maybe, I actually wrote two stories this month, but decided the mermaid story probably had a better chance. Here is the other one:



“You were fourteen days alone in the life boat?”

“Ever since I escaped the island. Thought I’d go mad for the sight of a human face. Ouch!” He slapped at his shoulder.

“Fleas, sir?”

“No. Lilliputians. Ouch! They’ve a nasty bite.”

“Sorry, sir. We’ll have to put you in quarantine for the rest of the voyage.”

He panicked. “What? No! More weeks in isolation. Why?”

“The captain won’t want the creatures infesting the crew.”

 

[The Judge]

A fun read! Has made me start itching, though!

 

[Joshua Jones]

A well deserved congratulations to @Teresa Edgerton and many thanks to @Bob Senior and @Bashfull for the votes and those who shortlisted my story. With so many exceptional stories this month, I was astonished to get any mentions, much less a couple of votes. As the novel I am working on is getting into some dark/tragic territory, it was a welcome break to write something more light-hearted which may or may not have been inspired by actual bath events...

Here's hoping (and looking squarely at you, Teresa) that I will be able make another one next month which doesn't involve dead family members and/or horrific acts of violence. Then again, my sole winning story touched on this...

 

[Joshua Jones]

Thank you everyone!

It was satisfying to come back with a story that was so well received after completely blanking last month (over fairy tales of all things, which I write a lot of) and not being able to come up with a thing. As compensation, maybe, I actually wrote two stories this month, but decided the mermaid story probably had a better chance. Here is the other one:



“You were fourteen days alone in the life boat?”

“Ever since I escaped the island. Thought I’d go mad for the sight of a human face. Ouch!” He slapped at his shoulder.

“Fleas, sir?”

“No. Lilliputians. Ouch! They’ve a nasty bite.”

“Sorry, sir. We’ll have to put you in quarantine for the rest of the voyage.”

He panicked. “What? No! More weeks in isolation. Why?”

“The captain won’t want the creatures infesting the crew.”

I like this second one as well, but I think you made the right choice with the mermaid. I am always impressed with the quality of your work, and I look forward to seeing what comes in November!

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Here's hoping (and looking squarely at you, Teresa) that I will be able make another one next month which doesn't involve dead family members and/or horrific acts of violence.

Well, I've chosen a theme that doesn't directly suggest dead people or horrific acts of violence, but the writers around here can find inspiration for blood and gore in any theme, so who knows?

 

[Luiglin]

Well, I've chosen a theme that doesn't directly suggest dead people or horrific acts of violence, but the writers around here can find inspiration for blood and gore in any theme, so who knows?

Blood and Gore, two pesky goblins who enjoy pinching ladies unmentionables off clothes lines.

 

[Bashfull]

I was too late to enter. Would it be bad form to post my effort for people’s feedback, please? I’m not sure what the etiquette is.

 

[The Judge]

If you're sure you don't want to keep it just in case it fits another 75 worder, then you can post it here if you want, but the only feedback you'd get is praise as we don't allow critical feedback in the Discussion threads. If you want something more by way of critique, then you can post it in this Improving... thread Improving our 75 Word Stories -- READ FIRST POST

(The first post states that only stories posted in the Challenge are allowed, but we make an exception for newbies who either joined too late or who want to practise a little before entering a Challenge in earnest, so don't worry about that.)

 

[Joshua Jones]

If you're sure you don't want to keep it just in case it fits another 75 worder, then you can post it here if you want, but the only feedback you'd get is praise as we don't allow critical feedback in the Discussion threads. If you want something more by way of critique, then you can post it in this Improving... thread Improving our 75 Word Stories -- READ FIRST POST

(The first post states that only stories posted in the Challenge are allowed, but we make an exception for newbies who either joined too late or who want to practise a little before entering a Challenge in earnest, so don't worry about that.)

I will second this suggestion; they allowed me to post a couple of my practice 75s on the critique thread before I entered one, and it really helped with my learning curve. 75s are an art form which I have far from mastered, but I would be wallowing in far greater mediocrity had I not sought out critique early and often. Hopefully my frequent requests and engagement in discussion on this haven't started wearing my welcome thin yet...

 

[Vaz]

Congratulations Teresa on the golden win.

Well done to Victoria and The Judge on sharing the silver medal.

v

 

[Bashfull]

Thank you for the guidance, Judge.

 

[DelActivisto]

I forgot to vote! I didn't know when the poll closed and opened. Seems odd to have the two challenges have different poll periods.

 

[Parson]

@Teresa Edgerton ... Your second story was good, but I agree you made the better choice.