December 2023 – Siobhan Muir

#ThursThreads – Week 591 – Winners

Posted on December 29, 2023December 31, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Tying Tales Together, #ThursThreads Year 11 Got a tale to tie on?

Week 591 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to George Varhalmi for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Mark A. Morris Siobhan Muir Kelex Bill Engleson David A. Ludwig LupusAnthropos Louisa Bacio M.T. Decker Honorable Mentions Louisa Bacio | Website George says: The hunter or the hunted. Add a dash of creepy real estate. Equals a great tale. I love the feeling of dilemma mixed in with the sad emotion of how one event changed a region. Awesome scene, I could feel the tension and even had that glimmer of a scent of the swill of the 40. Nice creepy tale. Mark A. Morris | Website George says: Decisions, decisions. Yeah, Honest Tony screams out like the ultimate con he is and is always looking to pull a fast one over anyone in his way. But his last line was the kicker. He admits to what he is, the lying con artist that he is but the one thing that he hasn’t done is kill someone and lays down the gauntlet on Agatha. Does her decision really result in his death? Wow, what a dilemma. Great story with an amazing knife twist back on to the start of it. winner announcement Week 591 Winner Lupus Anthropos George says: A simple tale of a factory reset, albeit a celestial one. What captured me was the bit of self-doubt on the creator’s end whether they should or should not do it. It gave him or her a level of compassion, humility, and maybe even regret should they choose to go through it. In the end, they remembered that they created both the heavens and the earth, here’s hoping for a better roll. Great tale and a wonderful ending. “Are you SURE you want to perform a factory reset?” Am I sure? Am I sure? I think about how it had been going. Things are really messed up. Is there any other way to make it right? But what if I don’t do it? What if I leave everything as it is? How much worse could it possibly get? Of course, I never imagined it could be as bad as it is right now. What alternatives are there? I wouldn’t be able to get back to the current conditions. No, it’s just too much. I confirm the reset. “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” Well, let’s see how it goes THIS time.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Four Time Winner Lupus, and Honorable Mentions Louisa and Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 591

Posted on December 28, 2023December 27, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 11. Holy smokes! Y’all kept with me past a decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for the past 11 years. I had no idea when I started it would keep going! This is Week 591 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. 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. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. 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 in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your social media handle or email in the post (so we easily notify 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, Bluesky, MeWe, and Mastodon, etc. Our Judge for Week 591: Dead Thing Specialist, Mining Geologist, and Original Book Boyfriend, George Varhalmi. Facebook | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “Are you sure you want to?” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

Merry Everything and Happy Always!

Posted on December 24, 2023December 24, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

I hope you’re having a very happy holiday season, full of joys and company and good food. I know a lot of people have suffered this year in a lot of ways, and we’re all hoping 2024 will be a lot better than 2023. For myself, I only published 3 books this year, but I still managed to write a whole bunch more that will be coming out in 2024. I also got myself a new tattoo which just made my year a little bit better. It really spoke to me of devotion, connection, and perseverance despite obstacles thrown in my way. There were plenty of things this year that tried to derail my writing and my motivation (and some worked), but this was a good reminder to stick it out because, This is the Way. The way I’m looking at 2023 is as a year of prep-work, sowing seeds of growth, abundance, and a promise for the year(s) to come. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t fun, but I suspect it’ll be fruitful and we’ll see the results in the new year. So I’m wishing all the blessings on you, for the end of this year, and the beginning of the next. This is the Way. Happy Holidays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21dBlN8AiFQ

#ThursThreads – Week 590 – Winners

Posted on December 22, 2023December 22, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Week 590 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Louisa Bacio for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Entries: Bill Engleson Siobhan Muir Silver James David A. Ludwig Mark A. Morris Kelly Heinen Louisa says: Week 590 brings a special set of challenges. With such a small set of contributions, all contain elements that stand out and selection of the top proved extra difficult. One would think it’d be easier with a smaller competition field, but no. Elements considered were the use of the prompt, of course, the hook and the idea of flash fiction – how much of a story is told within the allotted word count. Thank you to all who caught some words and shared this week. Honorable Mention Mark A. Morris | Website Louisa says: Morris’ short offers conflict and provides a solution at the closure. It feels a bit like a “Tiny Tim” tale with Emily and her crutch. My favorite part, though, was the dialogue description of the prompt: “‘What is the problem?’” he asked, his voice ghostly and thin. ‘Why aren’t you playing like the others?’” winner announcement Week 578 Winner David A. Ludwig Louisa says: Perhaps it was the time of year and rendering of the “elves.” The piece intrigued and paid off with the individualization of three characters within such a short time. Traditionally, I don’t veer toward fantasy/sci-fi, but Ludwig had me at “demon sword,” “wood witch” and “tigerlings.” The elves had made camp among the roots of an ancient maple tree. Their rescuer was presumably still somewhere overhead. Sora had taken the first watch and now meditated next to his gear. It was Arashiko’s watch but Tenko was having trouble meditating. Perhaps Mana was as well. His pack sat abandoned. Noticing the direction of Tenko’s attention, Arashiko inclined her head toward the other side of the maple. Tenko nodded and quietly tucked her swords through her belt. Tenko’s childhood friend had his easel set up behind the tree. She smiled. Of course he brought it with him. Mana noticed Tenko watching him and patted the tree root next to him. “You seem troubled, Little Sister.” She sat next to him and considered his charcoal painting. “You have a demon sword.” His painting was an elegant abstract. It also had a dark, almost violent, undertone. “I do,” he sighed. “Can it kill the Wood Witch?” Mana stared into his painting. What was he seeing that Tenko couldn’t? “Yes. Are you sure you want to?” “I’m still weighing our options.” Mana nodded and turned firmly to Tenko. “Now, what’s really bothering you?” Tenko averted her eyes. “Isn’t that enough?” “I know you better than that, Little Sister. What is the problem?” Tenko sighed. “Do you think elves and tigerlings can be friends? Maybe, more?” “You’re thinking of our rescuer?” Mana placed a hand on Tenko’s shoulder. “If you want to find out, I’m on your side all the way.”~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY TIME WINNER David, and Honorable Mention Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

COVER REVEAL – CRETACEOUS CRUSHES

Posted on December 21, 2023December 20, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Yay! I have a cover reveal – because I have a new book coming out in March 2024. This book is going to be part of an anthology and you can get it on pre-order now! The anthology is called CRETACEOUS CRUSHES: A [GATECRASHING] CHARITY LGBTQIA ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY and it’s full of some great tales by some of your favorite authors, including me. My book is entitled FOSSIL BEDS BED & BREAKFAST and it’s a Sapphic PNR Dinosaur Shifter tale with some suspense elements. *shivers happily* Here’s the blurb: Maya Sorvino loves her life in Deadman, Wyoming. She has two great kids, a successful bed & breakfast, and enough room to freely roam as her dino self. Everything is perfect. Until a rich developer comes to town, trying to undermine her business and seize the town’s open land. Not on her watch. Persia Walker has been guarding the fossil rich lands since she almost became one, but she won’t let a billionaire destroy sacred paleo sites for vanity. She organizes a group to take on the developer at the public meeting in hopes of preserving her territory. Then she sees Maya. Finding another dinosaur shifter in Deadman is a dream for both Maya and Persia, but the developer has something up his sleeve. What’s a better first date than going Mezosoic on a bunch of drunk vandals-for-hire? It’s a match made in Prehistory! ~~~~~~~~~~ There you have it. I have the individual cover image for this, but it won’t be a standalone tale for a little bit. I’ll share it then. In the meantime, I hope you love this tale. Happy reading! Pre-Order here

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 590

Posted on December 21, 2023December 19, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 11. Holy smokes! Y’all kept with me past a decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for the past 11 years. I had no idea when I started it would keep going! This is Week 590 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. 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. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. 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 in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your social media handle or email in the post (so we easily notify 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, Bluesky, MeWe, and Mastodon, etc. Our Judge for Week 590: College professor, equality enthusiast, and romance author, Louisa Bacio. Facebook | Bluesky | Instagram | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “What is the problem?” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 589 – Winners

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Week 589 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Miranda Kate for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson Sheilagh Lee Mark A. Morris Lexikon David A. Ludwig Kelly Heinen Cara Michaels M.T. Decker Honorable Mentions Cara Michaels | Website Miranda says: An intense little piece, and compelling, making me want to read further and know more about Mars! Sheilagh Lee | Website Miranda says: I found this an interesting concept, and it left me wanting to know more about the story. winner announcement Week 589 Winner Lexikon Miranda says: This developed fast and delivered everything needed to make a complete short story. I loved the concept too. It’s a great opening to something longer. I let my forehead slump down onto my desk as I connected the next call. ‘Hello, which service do you need?’ I was five hours in to my shift and I swear time was starting to slow down. ‘Hello, is there anyone on the line?’ ‘Er, yes.’ The voice was male, mid-thirties and very uncertain. I pulled over a notepad just in case. ‘I well, I was told to ask for…’ He paused and cursed under his breath. ‘The special service?’ ‘Prank calls are an offence.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘No, no, it’s not a prank. Sorry, I can’t remember what he said. It all happened so fast but he said to ask for the, sudden? No…’ I sat up a little straighter and adjusted my headset. ‘Subter, that was it, subter service.’ I froze for a second, remembering the protocol. I keyed commands into my computer and waited for the call to go onto the separate server system, alerting the top bosses immediately. ‘What is the nature of your request?’ ‘You know it? You can help?’ ‘Sir, what is the problem.’ ‘We were attacked, this guy helped but my friend was hurt and the other guy told me to call you if things got…weird.’ ‘Your friend was hurt how?’ ‘He was bitten!’ My fingers flew across the keyboard as I traced the call. ‘Sir, I need you to get into a different room from your friend, quickly as possible. And if you can, you’re going to need a crucifix.’~~~~~~~ Congratulations Winner Lexikon, and Honorable Mentions Cara and Sheilagh! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 589

Posted on December 14, 2023December 13, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 11. Holy smokes! Y’all kept with me past a decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for the past 11 years. I had no idea when I started it would keep going! This is Week 588 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. 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. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. 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 in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your social media handle or email in the post (so we easily notify 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, Bluesky, MeWe, and Mastodon, etc. Our Judge for Week 588: Cat afficionado, Editor, and Mid Week Flash host, Miranda Kate. Facebook | BlueSky | Goodreads | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “Which service do you need?” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 588 – Winners

Posted on December 8, 2023December 8, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Week 588 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Mark Ethridge for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson Gora Shade Mark A. Morris J. Thomas Ganzer Silver James Sheilagh Lee Cara Michaels David A. Ludwig Siobhan Muir M.T. Decker Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris | Website Mark says: Technology run amuck. Kinda reminds me of other such stories, like Ghost in the Shell, and Robots. Gora Shade | Website Mark says: A deserved reward to a real estate agent. Although I wonder if the agent has a soul to be eaten. winner announcement Week 588 Winner J. Thomas Ganzer Mark says: Love how the AI can’t figure out what’s happening in the little story. A story of where AI could take us, if we’re not careful. Okay, don’t panic. Throat closing…don’t panic. What the hell did I eat? Shit. Phone, need my phone.Press 9911. Shit. 9111. Shit. Focus…911 “911. How may I direct your call?” “Amblanche. Help!” “Okay, I didn’t catch that ma’am, how can I assist you? And please, speak more clearly.” “Ambwants! Need help! I can’t bwee-“ “Ma’am, please calm down. How can I assist you? And please, speak more clearly.” How can this idiot be so calm, I’m dying here!“Can’t…bweet!! Allergee!” “Hmmm, let me find someone to assist.” I know that voice, that’s the same dude from half my reels. Why the hell is he- “911. How may I direct your call?” “I…can’t…”*gulp*“…bweeethe. Hep!” “Ma’am, I show that you live at the following address: 825 West Lindmore. Is that correct?” “YESSS!” “Great. We have many services, police, fire, ambulance, and poison control. Which service do you need?” I know that voice too, the other half of my reels. “Speak…to…a…oprato.” “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.” Christ, there has to be someone. One fucking human being. I’m fucking dying! “I nee-” … “It’s been thirty seconds with no response. We will send a patrol to check on you. Response times vary. Be advised this AI 911-auto response system is here for your convenience.”~~~~~~~ Congratulations Three Time Winner J. Thomas, and Honorable Mentions Mark, and Gora! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 588

Posted on December 7, 2023December 6, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 11. Holy smokes! Y’all kept with me past a decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for the past 11 years. I had no idea when I started it would keep going! This is Week 588 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. 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. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. 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 in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your social media handle or email in the post (so we easily notify 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, Bluesky, MeWe, and Mastodon, etc. Our Judge for Week 588: Computer IT master, flashfiction writer, and human, Mark Ethridge. Bluesky | Discord | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “There has to be someone.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!