Discussion 75 Word Challenge -- MARCH

[HMart]

Originally Posted by Karn Maeshalanadae

HMart: Hmm...there certainly is that sense of mystery to this one. For the most part, I'm asking myself, what is The Remedy for, why is it so important? It just gives me a sense of foreboding, something that could be a bit expounded upon.

I suppose I wrote it up as if for a Back Cover rather than a 75 word story. Maybe something more directly connected to the Remedy, toward the end, would have been better. I was of the mindset that I needed to shoot for a quick plot twist/insert to maximize what I could do within the constraints.

[Aun Doorback]

Have to say some very entertaining entries this month - Well done everyone. So very varied

[Tisiphone]

Loving the theme this month!

[stormcrow]

Still early in the month too!

[Kaladan]

I'm over-encumbered with ideas for a change but now I can't make my mind up which to use >:[

Really enjoyed the entries so far, well done.

[Bob Senior]

Howdy,
Hey Perp Man, thank you for the kind words once again, I posted early this month because I needed them after last months close call (bad nerves).
Tactical Loco, Thank you for the shout out, you seem to get the point on a lot of my efforts.
Karn, get better.
Memory Tale, Bob?

And a question, what is it about clowns and flaming birthday cakes that makes little kids scream in terror?

[Warren_Paul]

Originally Posted by Bob S. Sr

And a question, what is it about clowns and flaming birthday cakes that makes little kids scream in terror?

Clowns are scary. fact. And I don't think its just kids that find them scary.

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Originally Posted by Bob S. Sr

Howdy,
Hey Perp Man, thank you for the kind words once again, I posted early this month because I needed them after last months close call (bad nerves).
Tactical Loco, Thank you for the shout out, you seem to get the point on a lot of my efforts.
Karn, get better.
Memory Tale, Bob?

And a question, what is it about clowns and flaming birthday cakes that makes little kids scream in terror?

Thank you. And as for the clowns thing, it's as I said before: Pennywise.

[TheDustyZebra]

I'm not sure if I ever liked clowns (I don't think I had an aversion to them, but I don't recall ever having one or wanting one), but reading It was certainly enough to put me off them if I did!

My late brother's wife collects clowns, and the whole bedroom is full of shelves and shelves of them -- I would never sleep in that room!

And on that note, I'm off to post my very first obligatory critique thread....

[Phoenixthewriter]

Clowns are supposed to be goofy, but, they end up looking more like something other than human. You could say uncanny They are the unfamiliar, which makes them creepy.

[MemoryTale]

Originally Posted by Bob S. Sr

Howdy,
Hey Perp Man, thank you for the kind words once again, I posted early this month because I needed them after last months close call (bad nerves).
Tactical Loco, Thank you for the shout out, you seem to get the point on a lot of my efforts.
Karn, get better.
Memory Tale, Bob?

And a question, what is it about clowns and flaming birthday cakes that makes little kids scream in terror?

It was either Bob, or Romanadravetnulunda.

[AnyaKimlin]

Thanks Perp and Karn for the beautiful reviews. I'm glad some people got the complete reference

[TacticalLoco]

Thanks for the cool review, Karn.

For the record, I've never read Mr. Anthony, so any similarity is natural.

[David Evil Overlord]

What are you people doing to me? My short list is getting longer and longer.

[Perpetual Man]

Phoenixthewriter – A very disconcerting story that catches what it is trying to do brilliantly. I could almost feel the pull as Maribeth leaned forward and the pop as she was drawn into the sculpture was almost audible. Left me with a feeling of unease that won’t go away...

Aaron Stone – I chuckled at the end of this one for all the right reasons. The story is rather simple, which is what it needs to be. In some ways the end is predictable, but the way in which it is told overrides that, the perfect ending is the word ‘coo’ which nails the story completely turning it into another superb entry.

Esfires – The first thing that struck me about this piece was the beautiful rhythm that ran through it, it just flowed as I read it, so much so that I was taken by it more than the story to start with. A man wakes and finds himself in a room that is not his room, but a dark space. However it seems deeper than that, and this is a punishment for a bad life.

Starbeast – Clowns again SB? I really liked the story though, simple but poignant at the same time, it really pulled a strong image to my head of this man who existed to make people laugh, but that talent was not inherent, rather bought and the price... well I could just imagine a sad clown with a happy face realising that it was time to pay his dues.

Johnnyjet – Another original take on the idea, and this was a clever look at the way a world could be with the mystical common place, the magic would be everywhere, even the highest political level. The clever part of this one was the way people reacted, it almost felt real, which sells the twist so much more than over colouring it.

Grizzgreen711 – Another excellent look at life in the uncanny world. Prison life, well if the prisoners are going to be more uh, endowed than ours they need nastier things to oversee them. Not so sure that this might be a case where the keeper is worse than the criminals. It works well though, and would probably keep anyone in line...

Alcubierre Warp – One of the things that I think really works in this story is the feeling that no matter how powerful someone may believe themselves to be there is always someone a little more powerful - but the bit that really works for me is that the warlock does not seem to know it. In an extra-normal society you would not think about what you were facing, the spectacular made mundane and easily overlooked.

Tisiphone – There has been a run of stories that really seem to hit the nail on the head you actually feel as though the fantastical world the present could be real and this one is another. The way it is presented is so natural that you just accept it, a forest spirit watching lovers cavort and using her own abilities to become part of it. It just seems so natural. Or supernatural.

TacticalLoco – What a refreshingly brilliant entry. What kind of strange show would that have been to the people listening to the hawkers words? Science seen as some kind of freakish carnival attraction, obviously entertaining and strange, but in the sense that it must be fake, well because this science stuff just cannot be real, eh?

Chocoweeble – This is like a snippet of something greater, a snapshot in time. It is like a fairytale ball with an air of hidden menace, a metaphor that says when perfect happiness with all the bright lights and wonder that comes with it is within reach, there is always a dark underside - someone or something - that might want to snatch it all away.

HMart – The first thing that struck me about this one was the way the first line worked; almost a thing of beauty in its own right. I just loved the way the words sound when read aloud. To me the story feels like a realm that has been kept at peace through mystical means, but someone has stolen or lost that 'thing' and the perfection is shattered.

Chris - Ahh, rock and roll in another world. I'm wondering whether there is something autobiographical in this piece, will have to try and get a close up look at Chris' ears. The story itself clearly catches the superimposing of the mundane with the supernatural. Not only did I enjoy the story, but I liked the idea behind the story, it just worked, from the elves more inclined to folk music, to the colourful displays and so much more.