#ThursThreads - Week 15 - Winners

Week 15 of #ThursThreads had some great tales and a great turnout! Thanks to all who entered this week. I'm honored to see all of you and read your stories. And it was great to have some new "faces" join us along with our regulars. Huge thank you to judge Anna Meade for reading through all of them.

Entries:

• Lisa McCourt Hollar | @jezri1
• Toni Wyatt | @Toni1777
• Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir (first entry)
• George Edwards | @WritingDystopia
• Charles W Jones | @ChuckWesJ
• Nicole Wolverton | @nicolewolverton
• @LupusAnthropos
• Nancy Porter | @ModernBard1024
• Stacy Bennett-Hoyt | @Rowanwolf66
• Wakefield Mahon | @WakefieldMahon
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• @Phoenixlavan
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir (second entry)
• Jen DeSantis | @JenD_Author
• Maureen | @Emyrldlady
• Kiera Packard | @laststop_intown
• Kimberly Gould | @Kimmydonn
• Jeff Tsuruoka | @JTsuruoka
• Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi 
• Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
• Jalisa Blackman | @J_M_Blackman
• Nellie Batz | @solimond
• Sarah Aisling | @SarahAisling
• Aurora Lee | @AuroraLee
• Greg Nance | @acenance
• Robert Mahone | @Computilizer

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Cara Michaels | @caramichaels

Anna says: The description in Cara's story was elegant and yet concise; it drew a picture quickly of a fearless heroine facing down an unknown threat, with a nice twist at the end.

Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi

Anna says: Jeffrey's use of the prompt was offered seamlessly as science fiction; without dumping information, he showed us a man yearning for home, surrounded by failing technology.

Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster

Anna says: Mark's post-apocalyptic visions were stark, where Facebook is still around, but there is no one to be social. Will we read about the end of the world on social media?

Week 15 Winner

Nicole Wolverton | @nicolewolverton

Anna says: Nicole's blend of humor and horrifying results made me laugh out loud. The balance of the plausible and implausible elements was strictly maintained and the end was just right.

Bullshit. That’s what it was, clear and simple. He read the texts and the prophecy, but there’d been nothing in there about this.

Katie’s fingers wrapped around Marvin’s chin, tilting his head right, then left. “Maybe if you wear a hat? A nice fedora will draw everyone’s eyes up. No one will even notice.”

He didn’t even need a mirror to see the large purple horn protruding from his forehead. Oh yeah, it was that big. Good thing Katie was short, or it would have poked her in the ear—she was peering at him out of the corner of her eye now, fumbling with something in the cabinet.

“I’m never leaving the house again,” Marvin said. Sulking and wailing wasn’t becoming of a sixty year old man, but who ever heard of a guy randomly sprouting a horn? All he’d done was light that good luck money candle he’d bought at the market down the street, and that’s when it had happened. Bam! It’d been like someone was shaking his head like a snowglobe.

Katie held a bottle of makeup. “Maybe if we put some concealer on it? We can say it’s just a big zit.”

The doorbell rang. Marvin snarled and stomped to the living room. It was Mrs. Hernandez, the lady from the market.

Katie’s voice called from the bathroom, “You can tell everyone you’re a unicorn!”

“What?” he asked after throwing open the door.

Mrs. Hernandez stared. “My son sold you the wrong candle.”

Congratulations Nicole, Cara, Jeffrey, and Mark! 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 and I hope to see you all back next week for #ThursThreads. :)

#ThursThreads - The Challenge that Ties Tales Together - Week 15

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. Did you see Avril Ashton's interview yesterday? No? Well check it out and you might find something new to read. ;) But now it's Thursday, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what! Welcome to lucky Week 15 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. 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 7 PM Pacific 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 15:

The writer, actor, aesthete, geek, & unrepentant, whimsical Luddite, Anna Meade.

 

  Anna on Twitter

Anna on Facebook

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

"He read the texts and the prophecy."

Away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThread. Good luck! :)

Breath of Spring - The Fairy Ring Writing Contest

I was invited to join the Fairy Ring Writing Contest on Anna Meade's blog, and when I dragged my feet, I was encouraged to get my butt in gear and write a short story.

Here's the rules: To win, write a piece of flash fiction (300 words or less) on your (fictional or not) first-person encounter with a faery, goblin, or fantastical being of your choice. Being a paranormal romance writer, that seemed like a good idea. So here's my entry:

Breath of Spring

I finished my coffee and waved at Iris, before ducking out of the Ironwood Café into the windy day. Spring had come to Three Lakes, MI, but the weather gods hadn’t quite gotten the memo. Snowflakes dusted the sidewalk and the front of my jacket. I struggled with the zipper, wishing I’d remembered to wear gloves.

“Sand bars!”

I was so focused on my coat, I didn’t realize anyone stood in front of me until I collided with her. The scents of warm summer rain and sun-baked rocks filled my nose as my unfortunate victim grunted in surprise.

“Sand bars, I’m sorry!”

I looked down to meet the periwinkle eyes of the most delicate and beautiful female I’ve ever seen. The top of her head barely reached my chest, but the power of her presence hit me like boulder.

“Are you all right?” Her voice made me think of the tinkling cascade of crystals. I stood there gaping until I realized she’d asked a question.

“Oh, yes. Yes, I’m sorry.” I closed my mouth. “Forgive me. I didn’t see you.”

She laughed and pleasure zipped up my spine. “That’s because I didn’t wish to be seen until now.”

Her words didn’t make any sense, but I nodded, dumbly. The sun peaked out of the clouds, bathing us in brilliant sunlight and I swear she sparkled. The snow melted under our feet and a soft spring breeze ruffled the mahogany locks of her hair. I reached out to brush it from her eyes, but she caught my hand and laid a feather-soft kiss on the knuckles.

“Very nice to meet you, Bruce Boulderson.”

She released me and darted away, taking the delicious warmth with her.

“Wait! What’s your name?”
She looked over her shoulder, winked, and disappeared into the swirling snow.

(300 words without title)

I hope you enjoyed my little story and feedback is welcome! If you'd like to read the other stories or join in the contest: