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February 2020 Challenge
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message 51:
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Patricia
(last edited Feb 26, 2020 06:48PM)
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Feb 26, 2020 06:40PM
I just submitted my story. Thanks for hosting, Lynette.
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Thanks! Shae wrote: "Love your artistic style Patricia. nice story. Patricia wrote: "Emma: The Vacationer
Author: Patricia Fuqua Lovett
Word Count: 624
The bright yellow SUV hit multiple bumps on the concrete drawbr..."
Patricia wrote: "Emma: The Vacationer
Thanks for sharing, Patricia. Good story.
Thanks for sharing, Patricia. Good story.
Glenda wrote: "Lynette wrote: "... Glenda: is the rule still the same about the host/hostess? That they can not submit a story to be judged?..."In the Rules Of This Group it states: **Writers who host for the m..."
This month's contest is now closed. Time to vote for your favorite story. Voting will close Feb 29 at 11:00 pm MST. I will be posting the winners on March 1. Vote for you top 3 stories. 3 stars first place, 2 stars second place, 1 star for third place.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QVNHHQ5
Glenda wrote: "TERRY wrote: "WITHERED ROSES AND FADED PICTURES
When you wrote of the box of items, I..."
Glenda. I keep none of those things. When I get a Christmas card, I read it, think for a minute about the person who sent it and then in the trash. Same with Birthday cards. I have not seen a V card in a long time but it would share the same fate. That's just me. (and now you know why I haven't seen a V card in a long time. lol)
When you wrote of the box of items, I..."
Glenda. I keep none of those things. When I get a Christmas card, I read it, think for a minute about the person who sent it and then in the trash. Same with Birthday cards. I have not seen a V card in a long time but it would share the same fate. That's just me. (and now you know why I haven't seen a V card in a long time. lol)
Surprise ending. Nice story and so relatable. A queasy feeling swept through my body when I saw a moving van leaving Susie's driveway. I knew her family was moving to California but I did..."
Mod
You're going to think this is funny, but I keep Christmas cards from certain family members on the right side of my fireplace mantel where they continue to stay. I look at them each Christmas and (maybe) add to the pile. Some contain pictures of children growing older and some contain personal messages. I have anniversary cards in several rooms and on the refrigerator. This is how I knew my hubby bought me the same card twice. :)
Mod
Author: Patricia Fuqua Lovett
The bright yellow SUV hit multiple bumps on the concrete drawbridge before she drove onto the two-lane highway. I swear she mumbl..."
Sounds like Southern hospitality makes amends and gains a friend. Thanks for sharing.
Glenda wrote: "TERRY wrote: "Glenda. I keep none of those things. When I get a Christmas card, I read it, think for a ..."You're going to think this is funny, but I keep Christmas cards from certain family memb..."
LOL. we have a "picture" board i keep all the cards on. when it gets full, i take the oldest off.
Man. this is hard. so many great stories.
It says at the top: "Voting will start 12:01 am MST on February 27, 2020 and end 11:59 pm MST on Friday February 29 2020" - I'm hoping that's Saturday 29th, not Friday 28th?
... I was intending to (re)read all and vote/comment on Saturday morning. Been a somewhat busy week!
Mod
Glenda wrote: "Andy, I'm sure that was a typo. Voting usually ends the last day of the month."Thanks, Glenda
Some comments on the stories - I've really enjoyed reading them and I'm happy to be involved in this group once again , it has a special tone and spirit. So thanks all.I'll put brief comments in one post otherwise it will seem like I'm going wild with multiple posts and trying to take over!
SUNSETS AT THE JERSEY SHORE By Mirta Oliva – well-written drama of a sea hi-jacking seen from the woman’s point of view, like Penelope waiting for Odysseus. Seeking solace in poetry is relatable, to me. I would have been tempted to provide a location for the hijacking, to make it a but more visual, as I’m sure the narrator would have a mental image of what was happening to Jack, and then we could share that.
Love Returns to Alhoma By Chad Carroway – I was gripped by the set-up of this tale which has the makings of a ‘Nordic noir’ drama. As you said in your comment, Chad, there’s a lot to get in to 1000 words. I’d love to read the expanded version of this that adds dialogue and gets the character interaction going. Nice touch with the case notes and the timeline, I thought.
Love Prevails— by Gene Hilgreen. A sweet romantic, even angelic story. My memories of your stories, Gene, was of a fair bit of fast-paced ass-kicking going on and this shows another side. Have to say with chat-up lines like “Excuse me I need a cigarette” and “Sorry . . . you some liberal I pissed off?” he is one lucky dude to find a new - and somewhat persistent - lover :-) Nice warm-hearted tale.
WITHERED ROSES AND FADED PICTURES by Terry Turner – I enjoyed this story which is in a way about a decluttering of memories, psychologically/emotionally and then as symbolised in the well-observed physical action of going through the box of precious (but fading) keepsakes. Interesting study of when moving on is difficult, gets believably into the mind of the narrator.
(I keep all this stuff and more, btw. Even after moving on, it’s all part of my history … )
Roses are Red by Shae Hamrick – whimsical tale to which I think there may be considerable world-building background. Fun and I felt I was just beginning to know the characters and some of their foibles.
Love is Strange by Glenda Reynolds – Amusing story, well-structured and with a bit of artful misdirection. I guess we all have different objects of desire! The title gave the story a bit of a soundtrack running along in my mind as I read it (with a cameo from Michael Bolton, as well). Good fun.
Emma: The Vacationer by: Patricia Fuqua Lovett – well-written and engaging story of initial faux pas/misunderstanding being overcome. I like the way Emma is portrayed very frazzled and grumpy at the start, and gradually chills – nice characterisation. The scene seems set for a vacation romance …
Andy wrote: "Some comments on the stories - I've really enjoyed reading them and I'm happy to be involved in this group once again , it has a special tone and spirit. So thanks all.
I'll put brief comments in ..."
Thank you, Andy, for your review. Will you share your process? Do you read all the stories and then "remember" each or do you write down a review after reading each story and then compile?
I'll put brief comments in ..."
Thank you, Andy, for your review. Will you share your process? Do you read all the stories and then "remember" each or do you write down a review after reading each story and then compile?
Hi Terry - I usually read each story at least twice, and the first time is just for fun as a reader. Then before thinking about voting I go through again - this time making a few simple notes that become the basis for a comment later. I find doing this means that by the time I've read the last story I haven't forgotten things about the first ones. With 7 stories to look at it's easier to remember just using simple notes. When there have been more stories here and in some other groups I sometimes do actually put things down in a table to pick up the things mentioned in the judging rubric like “creativity, proper grammar, punctuation, and overall good quality of the story” and also characterisation, dialogue, thought-provoking ideas, any ‘wow’ factor that really grabbed me. A bit nerdy perhaps (it’s often the way I do stuff in my day job), but hopefully it helps me to be consistent.
As the writing quality here is pretty polished, I think the challenge is partly around literary flair and hitting home in at least some of those aspects.
Andy wrote: "Hi Terry - ..."
That is the way I would do it too. And now I am thinking of following your lead to post all comments in one post. Thanks.
That is the way I would do it too. And now I am thinking of following your lead to post all comments in one post. Thanks.
Patricia wrote: "Great story, Chad. Chad wrote: "Love Returns to AlhomaBy Chad Carroway
989 words
“I assumed it was going to be a quiet holiday on the beach...?"
Scanning the scene…a strangled victim; male-mid-3..."
Thank you -- I am on vacation and have been busy on several other projects -- sorry I didn't get back to you UNTIL LEAP DAY -- figures huh:)Sitting down to read "Emma: The Vactioner" as we speak
Have a great weekend Patricia!
Mod
Andy wrote: "Some comments on the stories - I've really enjoyed reading them and I'm happy to be involved in this group once again , it has a special tone and spirit. So thanks all.I'll put brief comments in ..."
Great insights Andy -- thanks -- will let you know when my SS goes long haul!
Hey guys -- great month of articles -- the variety of characters, settings and themes made February very exciting!
Thank you, everyone for your participation this month. This new survey thing was a bit unnerving, but I am up to take on new challenges.The stories this month were amazing. Each of you bring such an unique creative flow to the table. We actually had a tie for second place so here are your top FOUR stories:
1st place: Love prevails by Gene Gene Hilgreen
2nd place: Withered Roses and Faded Pictures by T Turner
Time to Change by Andy
3rd place: Love Returns to Alhoma By Chad Carroway
Andy wrote: "It says at the top: "Voting will start 12:01 am MST on February 27, 2020 and end 11:59 pm MST on Friday February 29 2020" - I'm hoping that's Saturday 29th, not Friday 28th?
... I was intending t..."
That was a complete typo. I didn't even catch that until I read your post.
The men dominated the month of February. That is great! Congratulations to all the winners.
Congratulations to Gene Hillgreen for having attained first place and to T. Turner and Chad Carroway for second and third places.
Congratulations Gene! And Terry and Chad - enjoyed your stories.
Great work Gene, Terry and Andy and thanks for votes guys—I was just sharing (with my wife) the enthusiasm I have over the March theme—so great to be a part of this group!
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