#ThursThreads - Week 142 - Winners

Week 142 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write and for helping me celebrate these years of flash. Great thanks to Cheryl Dragon for judging this week. Be sure to check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on FB to keep up with news, etc.

Entries:

• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Toni Morrow Wyatt | @Toni1777
• Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke
• Sandi Layne | @sandyquill
• Nellie Batz | @solimond
• Ruth Long | @Bullishink

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Silver James | @SilverJames_

Cheryl says: Very intriguing. There wasn’t a dump of backstory and info, which is great. Just enough detail to keep me reading. Since it is a life or death decision, I wanted more feeling. The character might need to verbalize willingness to give up their life. It was a quick trip to thinking about giving up a limb to life…it says a lot about the character but need a bit more to justify it (which I’m sure was trimmed to meet the word limit :) Great start!!

Nellie Batz | @solimond

Cheryl says: Love bad genie! Pawn shop setting could be anything so definitely draws you in. I know there were word constraints but a little more setting detail just to feel grounded. We get a lot of what she’s feeling but is it a nicer pawn shop or a super nasty part of town? Of course, awesome genie powers means she’s safe and can take when she wants. I do hope, later in the story, she makes whoever stole the bottle repay the pawn guy…and that he’s not forever a frog.

Toni Morrow Wyatt | @Toni1777

Cheryl says: I want to know more…which is always a good thing. What plague? Why her? What does she look like? Those details would help (again…word constraints, I understand). But how bad can she look? And eek, spilling your own blood like that…it’s got to be bad but what is this world’s beauty standard? Sooo many questions. Very glad I’m not that vain! I can see reverse beauty and the beast coming and it’s a cool concept.

Week 142 Winner

Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke

Cheryl says: This one kept it simple and direct yet had a great twist and made me want to find out more. We know why she wants it, we know the problem and the hint of powers is cool. The extreme action she takes solves the immediate problem but there will be consequences or at least a cover up. I’d love to see how that is resolved. The flip of using sex to using violence is awesome but that big of a move must have repercussions later on. Excellent set up and a lot to build on. This gave not too much and not too little…just right!

“I would have to pay what?” Kristin’s eyes bugged as she stared over the paperwork.

“Three hundred fifty thousand and some change,” the irritating man said, his smug expression never wavering.

Kristin looked back to the old house. Peeling paint, a dangling shutter, yellowed windows. Once it’d been a stately place to call home, but now not so much. But three hundred fifty K? Such a huge amount would wipe her out. Unless…. She ran her tongue over her teeth and leveled her gaze on the person standing between her and her family’s legacy—a deed that meant little to the stranger holding it.

Just this once she could use it, just this once couldn’t possibly hurt. She ran her tongue over her teeth once more, before she flashed her most flirtatious smile. The street was deserted, not many lived this way which worked to her advantage.

She cocked her hip, drawing on her feminine wiles. “How about we go inside before I make my final decision. I’d like to see what I’m buying.”

She winked, and the man’s face split into a grin. “Sure sweetheart.”

Kristin hid her revulsion as a long repressed hunger kicked in. The wind rustled and stirred, dark clouds clustering as the two disappeared within the home’s shadows. Minutes later a feral howl pierced the air, shortly after terrified screams.

Kristin had gotten her family’s deed, now the only thing left—figure out how to get fresh blood stains from the wallpaper.

Congratulations THREE TIME WINNER Olivia, Silver, Nellie, and Toni! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - Week 130 - Winners

Week 130 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write and for helping me celebrate these years of flash. Great thanks to Bronwyn Green for judging this week. Be sure to check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on FB to keep up with news, etc. Just note, there will be no #ThursThreads next week as I'll be out of town.

Entries:

• Anna Lund | @AnnaLund2011
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke
• Sandi Layne | @sandyquill
• Cate Derham | @Cate_Derham
• SJ Maylee | @SJMaylee
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Josh Peters | @joshbgosh
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Hunter Frost | @HunterFrostMM

Bronwyn says: Oh man...#ThursThreads - you people are trying to KILL me. Thank you so much, Siobhan and everyone for giving me the chance to judge Thursday Threads. You've all inspired me to get some writing done today! There were so many wonderful entries, but choices had to be made.

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

 

Silver James | @SilverJames_

Bronwyn says: I felt like I was right there with Georgie - burning eyes, wobbly heels, nerves and all. Silver does a great job of making the reader empathize with the POV character. Nicely done, Silver!

Hunter Frost | @HunterFrostMM

Bronwyn says: What a hot little snippet. Great use of 1st person POV and an excellent job keeping the reader right in the moment with nicely balanced action and internal thoughts. That balance can oftenbe tricky with 1st person narratives. Well done, Hunter!

Sandi Layne | @sandyquill

Bronwyn says: This was some awesome description of prepping to skydive. As with Silver's piece, I felt like I was right there with the POV character. And the character's voice was quite strong - the the reader really gets a feel for her/him. Also, I'm intrigued by the idea of a skydiving elf. Awesome snippet, Sandi!

Week 130 Winner

Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke

Bronwyn says: Her visual imagery is stunning - the opening paragraph was positively brilliant. Her characters leapt off the page. And even though I read it a couple hours ago, I find I'm still thinking about it. That is the mark of good storytelling. Great job, Olivia!

A heavy mist clung to everything—trees, cars, buildings, lamp posts—a live crawling thing drawing the warmth from those unlucky enough to be caught within its chilly grasp.

“It sort of has that 1930s film noir feel to it, right?” Kelly whispered. “The way the fog creeps in like this.”

“Fog like this holds ghosts from the sea.” Dana lowered her voice. “If you look closely enough you’ll see ghoulish sailors searching for living companions.”

Kelly nudged her in the ribs. “Shut up, that’s not true.” But her friend searched harder in the swirling mists.

Dana chuckled at her friend as she swung the flashlight beam. The orange-y light did little to penetrate the gloom. Everyone was sleeping in the small coastal town. Even the distance sea sounded lazy as it licked the sandy shoreline.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Kelly said. “There’s other ways….”

Her friend trailed off, what else could be said? The plan was in motion; no turning back now. Dana didn’t bother to comment as they walked around the back of a small antique shop. The owner hadn’t bothered to put in a security system, but why should he? The crime rate here only demanded a deadbolt lock, which Dana made short work of.

Once inside, it took only minutes to find the parchment scroll. With gloved hands she unrolled it to double check. “Bingo,” she said. All her financial worries vanished as she eyed what shouldn’t exist—Black Beard’s treasure map.

Congratulations Two Time Winner Olivia, Silver, Hunter, and Sandi! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 128

 

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. It's Thursday today, so get your flash ready. Writing a #flashfiction thread! Welcome to Week 128 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? You're welcome to join the FB #ThursThreads group where we'll do events and make announcements. Need the rules? Read on.

Here's how it works:

• The prompt is a line from the previous week's winning tale.
• The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count.

Rules to the Game:

• This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250.
• Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count).
• Post your story in the comments section of this post
• Include your word count (or be excluded from judging)
• Include your Twitter handle or email (so we know how to find you)
• The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time
• The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up.

How it benefits you:

• You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we're all about promotion - you know you are!)
• You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog!
• Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus

Our Judge for Week 128:

Dr. Who fan, Mammal-mama, and paranormal romance author, Olivia Starke.

Olivia on Facebook

Olivia on Pinterest

Olivia on Twitter

Olivia on Goodreads

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“Perhaps we should start again.”

All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads - Week 124 - Winners

Week 124 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write and for helping me celebrate these years of flash. It was also wonderful to have some new folks stop by. Welcome! Great thanks to Dianne Hartsock for judging this week. Be sure to check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on FB to keep up with news, etc.

Entries:

• Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke
• Alice Wilson | @Ali_OMalley
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
• Josh Peters | @joshbgosh
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Cate Derham | @Cate_Derham
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Anna Lund | @AnnaLund2011
• Theresa Breaux | @theresabreaux
• Nellie Batz | @solimond

Dianne says: Thanks again Siobhan for letting me participate. There was something I enjoyed in every story and it was very hard not to choose all of them as winners. Keep up the good work everyone!

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

  Cate Derham| @Cate_Derham

Dianne says: A very interesting storyline. A prison break, magic, a snarky side-kick. Hopefully Ejan makes it! But I think Sorin can handle anything thrown her way. Would love to know what happens next.

Silver James | @SilverJames_

Dianne says: A well-written piece. Love the characters, the feisty heroine, the stone cold predator who'll make her his pet. Wonder just how far she'll go for this client of hers. Must be someone very important to her.  *winks* I wouldn't mind a glimpse inside that club…

Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir

Dianne says: This story has me intrigued. We've learned a little about Ms. Stanton, her staff likes her better than her father. We also know she's missing and the rescue group is very determined to bring her back from wherever she's been taken.  They're military but unidentified as yet. Wonder what happens when they reach 'the site'.

Kelly Heinen | @Aightball

Dianne says: This story scared the life out of me! Well written, nicely paced, and I shared in that father's fear as his daughter walked the beam. I don't think I could have stayed as calm as he did, though. I probably would have gotten sick on the grass. Excellent flash.

Week 124 Winner

Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke

Dianne says: Sci Spanks is a great story, well written, full of emotion.  I love the way we're drawn right into Kylla's self-doubt and hopes and can cheer with her when Mel gives her the answer she's longed for. I'd like to read more about these two.

If only she had half of the wit her lifelong friend had, she’d prove herself the best of leaders. If only the Fates would’ve saw fit to make them one person, and not two.

When the worst of the tempest passed, Kylla pushed back and stared into her friend’s eyes, finding them glassy with tears. She’d known those moss green eyes a lifetime.

“What am I to you, Mel?” she asked.

Mel blinked then wiped her tears away. “What do you mean?”

“If I am not your leader, then am I only your friend?” Kylla dared to reach up and swipe away one last trail of wetness on Mel’s satiny cheek. “Will I ever be only a friend?”

The blur of stars filled her peripheral vision as she watched the play of emotion over Mel’s face. Confusion, and then the dawn of understanding. What if she’d make a terrible mistake—this couldn’t end well.

Would their friendship survive if the answer was indeed yes? Could Kylla ever survive without her solid other half should Mel turn her away? Leaders should be strong, and with Mel at her side, they’d take back their solar system from the Master. Kylla knew without her to balance her own shortcomings, not only would she crumble, but so would her people.

“Let this be my answer,” Mel said, barely above a breath. Her velvet lips were on hers, their kiss sweet, long, and incredible. A kiss to seal a shared lifetime of love.

Congratulations Winner Olivia, Cate, Silver, and Kelly.! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)