Discussion - December 2011 - 75 Word Challenge

[Abernovo]

Thanks for the mentions, hopewrites and Perp.

Yes, Parson, I suppose certain workdays are pretty much mandatory with your Boss.

[alchemist]

Thanks for the review, Perp, and the mention, Hex. With the difficulties I had writing a story this month, that has exceeded my expectations.

There are many months when people say the standard has risen and risen, but I think it's particularly true this month. There were many excellent stories I had to leave off even my HM list. Particularly good were (* denotes shortlist)...


reiver33*
HareBrain*
Hex
Mith
odangutan
hopewrites
Aun Doorback
Culhwch
TDZ
Bob S Sr*
Perpetual Man
Teresa Edgerton
mosaix*

Despite the temptation to find out out just what sort of challenge reiver33 would set, I plumped for HareBrain by the width of a rivet on a toy ironclad.

(and kudos on the exceedingly clever title, which I only copped on to at the third read)

[Mith]

Cheers for the mentions High Eight and alchemist

You're very welcome indeed Boneman, hope the early pressie started the day off well

[springs]

Thanks for the mention, Mith, I really struggled with this one, having never read Steampunk. I see we're getting a couple of frontrunners.

[TheDustyZebra]

Thanks for the mentions, hopewrites, nixie and alchemist! (That doesn't look right, but you don't often get three people with no capital letters all in one sentence.)

I don't know if I'll get a chance to think about a vote today, but I'm on vacation this week so there will eventually be time.

[Hex]

Thank you for the mentions, hopewrites, High Eight and alchemist! (a bit better than TDZ's sentence because High Eight has capitals! Yey!)

[mosaix]

Thanks for the shortlist, Alchemist.

[AnyaKimlin]

Thanks for the mention Hope - not going to do a shortlist this month because I am not sure I have one they all had something

Nothing quite beat Hopewrites though it was cute, christmassy and fantastic last line.

[hopewrites]

*hugs* and thank you's for the mentions and vote!
my life turned upside down this week and I dont know what kind of internet my parents have, I"ll be moving there soon, so I wanted to get in a quick thank you and some hugs for everyone here who has made being me a little easier.

[Boneman]

So: another challenge, another year, and another impossible task of choosing one from the many. It was terrific reading them all for the first time on Boxing Day, but the realisation of just how hard it was to choose meant I put it off until today. Here's my shortlist with Finalists.

Reiver 33
Harebrain
Hex
Mith
High Eight
Hopewrites
The Spurring Platty
Phyrebrat
Parson
Highlander
Chrispenycate
Perpetual Man
The Judge

I suppose it's too late to ask for five votes?? There was virtually nothing to separate them... but in the end I chose Harebrain.

[springs]

HW, glad to hear things are better, but we'll miss you; make sure you find an internet cafe nearby and touch base when you can!

[nixie]

Votes in, went for Cul in the end. Very hard decision.

[The Spurring Platty]

After some whittling down I ended up with a top 16.

reiver33 - The House On Jeter Lane
HareBrain - Naval Engagement
Hex - THE TOYMAKER'S LEGACY
Mith - Poor Rudolf...
odangutan - untitled
springs1971 - CHRISTMAS ON THE CUT
Phoenixthewriter - Wind Up
Abernovo - The Mechanics of Christmas Shopping
hopewrites - Serenade in the Nursery
nixie - Lost Boy
Quokka - To mop and murder
JLawrenceDavis - Airship in the Window
Aun Doorback - The Trojan Plan
TheTomG - SEEING FURTHER
Culhwch - The Toymaker
The Judge - NURSERY CRIME

Vote went to hopewrites

(and thanks DZ for the vote)

[HareBrain]

Thanks so much everyone who voted for mine or shortlisted it so far. My own vote goes to Reiver, as I always suspected it might. If I had more votes, I would have a hard job choosing from the following, the longest shortlist I've ever had:

Hex
Spurring Platty
Quokka
Phyrebrat
Aun Doorback
Highlander
Chrispy
Culhwch
Boneman
Teresa
Mosaix
The Judge

(I'm not sure what to make of the fact that, in this season of peace and goodwill, the top three scorers so far are those in which venality, emotional blackmail and tyranny all emerge triumphant. Go us.)

[nixie]

Thanks for the mention SP