Reviews from

The Ocelot

a 75-word story

29 total reviews 
Comment from Patty Mazzurco
Excellent
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This 75-word flash fiction effectively humorously captures the writer's frustration with condensing a story to fit a strict word limit. The revision process is depicted with a touch of irony, illustrating the challenge of paring down a narrative while maintaining its essence. Overall, it's a witty and relatable snapshot of the editing process.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 21-Jul-2024
    Thank you, Patty
Comment from BethShelby
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This is funny way to come up with a 75 word story. When I think I've got about the right amount of words, I check and realize I've got to get rid of about 200 of them. 75 words doesn't take up much space. It would make a good paragraph. Heck, I have sentences longer.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 21-Jul-2024
    I guess we are learning something
Comment from giraffmang
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Hi Bill,

the most bizarre thing about this piece is that I'm pretty sure that's exactly how some folk write these shirt pieces. It certainly seems to be the case for those short-form poetry comps at least! lol

All the best
G

 Comment Written 19-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 19-Jul-2024
    The practice of conserving words has its good and bad effects.
Comment from judiverse
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At least it wasn't Snow White's Seven Dwarfs. What would you do then? That's the way it is with these 75-word deals. No room for development. This makes for an interesting subject. An ocelot is unusual for writing. It's good practice to do this, though. I know of one writer on the site who never seems to write more than 75 words, anyway. Best of luck in the contest. I'm glad you're still you. I recently have been seeing words by an A.Z. Schott and got confused. judi

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 18-Jul-2024
    My son.
reply by judiverse on 18-Jul-2024
    Oh, I didn't know that. He must have signed on fairly recently. I wish him well. judi
reply by judiverse on 18-Jul-2024
    Oh, I didn't know that. He must have signed on fairly recently. I wish him well. judi
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2024
    He wrote under a pen name until now. I think he is moving to publish soon.
Comment from Ulla
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Hehehe what are you like, Bill. This really gave me chuckle. What should have been an epic story had to shaved down to a mere hour, and eliminating all the siblings. Hilarious. All the best of luck. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 18-Jul-2024
    Thank you, Ulla. Someone said it should be entitled The Ocelittle.
reply by Ulla on 18-Jul-2024
    Yeah, I can see why, lol.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
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Making a story fit in with the word count is a process that takes patience and I enjoyed your clever post Bill and wish you luck with the contest, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 18-Jul-2024
    Thank you, Dolly
Comment from Wendy G
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Or maybe just a "minute" in the life of an ocelot. Yes, all that cutting and trimming back is a pain - and now, humour me, will you post a 1000 word piece about the lives of three ocelots?! Lol.Best wishes.
Wendy

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
    Thank you, Wendy. The three ocelots is in the mind bank now.
Comment from nomi338
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You see, that is why I am reluctant to enter contests with all their varied rules. I get off on being able to write whatever I feel, free of constraint. I understand the desire among some to conquer different styles and genres. I do not need nor do I search for that goal. I just want to write. I am very grateful to FS for that freedom.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
    You need eight more words to have a seventy-five-word review. : )
Comment from jim vecchio
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If you cut down the size of the ocelots to one, would he be considered an ocelittle?
Of course, I've been through that game many times, shaving words off writings so they are bones-bare but it's a good way to think twice about your words!

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
    Ocelittle is genius.
reply by jim vecchio on 17-Jul-2024
    If it's genius, it couldn't have come from my mind.
Comment from lyenochka
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Lol. This seems to be more of a meta-story than a story itself. You showed us the drastic reduction a story has to undergo in order to come up with a flash story of 75 words. Best wishes in the contest!

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2024


reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
    I should rename it "The Journey to 'The Ocelot'".
reply by lyenochka on 17-Jul-2024
    an oscillating journey?
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
    Another reviewer suggested ...The Ocelittle.
reply by lyenochka on 17-Jul-2024
    that's a good one!