Tag: #flashfiction

Week 464 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to David Ludwig 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: Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Mark A. Morris Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem David says: I really love how hard it is picking the winner and honorable mentions. Getting to read all of these stories was a lot of fun, and it’s an honor being part of such a strong community. Honorable Mentions Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin David says: Elves and magic immediately do it for me, but the guard who is also the brother sacrificing himself to save the princess put this one over the top for me. I especially love how his narration cuts off at the end. Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon David says: A fun little flash, and the part that made it for me was “Oh, I hear it now.” It says something about people that even huge problems like literally turning into a chicken (or thinking you have) aren’t caught in time. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David says: I am intrigued by this world of “hidden” and empaths, and our narrator being so supported by Deborah but needing to help this other hidden on his own. I especially love the way the narrative floats us through the narrator’s thoughts and feelings so we can experience piecing them together along with the characters. winner announcement Week 464 Winner Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck David says: I was particularly captivated by your conflict imagery amid a tale of fantastic betrayal. A fighting princess, banshees, and magic will always be of interest to me, and you assembled them in a way that let me feel the larger world they were moving in. I like that this scene stands alone for me, even though clearly critical events transpire before and after it. Also, as a fan of alliteration, the phrase “pyrite prize” pleased me tremendously. The battlefield was quiet now. Storm clouds drew forth, and the heavens rumbled as if recognizing my pain. Staring into the ravaging sea, waves crashed on the black rocks below. The wind whipped my blood-soaked hair all about, and I longed to rest. I ignored the warmth spreading from the wound to my side. Banshees danced on the wind’s violent breeze. Their screams mixed with the wind. “Jump, and —” they taunted. “And I can’t do that.” I shook my head. My breath came out in dying spurts—each whacking thud in my chest a part of my prophetic pain. I’d fought the good fight. Clenching my bruised fist, my sword fell to the ground. “But you must, princess. The ships are coming to take you back to Lugh’s court to stand trial for treason.” She said Lugh’s court, but I knew my patron by another name. His betrayal spiked my bloodstream like adrenaline. “They will never let me survive the trip, let alone be able to stand in Lugh’s court.” The court I’d betrayed willingly for a pyrite prize. I wobbled, dropped to my knees, unable to hold my weight. Runes puckered my skin as if branded. My blood dripped to the ground, pooling, causing a large sigil to form around me. It flashed to life with a roll of thunder. Hearing chains rattle behind me, I turned. There, I saw my heart’s betrayal holding iron chains, ready. “Hello, pet,” he said. It was too late. Chaos summoned me. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Five Time Winner Tina, and Honorable Mentions Miya, Richard, and Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

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Week 463 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Tina Glasneck 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: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Tom Walsh | @tom1walsh Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Tina says: What a great bunch of stories, and you did not make it easy on me — I enjoyed every story. So many of them hit those emotional notes causing visceral, immediate responses—either laughter, a smile. Others made me want more. There is so much talent in this group, for sure. Thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to read your stories this week! Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Tina says: Oh, when life and the day job create a quagmire! I loved the imagery and sprinkle of humor throughout —prune juice, anyone? There is also something significant about the villain being an older lady, which I appreciated. A wonderful tale that is sure to shape into a battle of wills. Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Tina says: I absolutely love history, and your writing naturally hooked me (especially with the hook line at the end, the big reveal), which brought it all together. The weaving of the fiction inside the historical facts had me longing for a good bowl of borscht and more great reading. Can’t wait to read it! M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Tina says: The way to my heart has to be with an awesome, take no prisoners dragon, who knows his worth. This hit all of the points for a great urban fantasy—snark, humor, and action! Of course, the fantastic sidekick of the ferret was the cherry on top of this UF sundae. I laughed out loud and wish I were on this mission. The story setting and imagery reminded me of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although rogue vampires weren’t on the menu, an enraged dragon and a ferret with sticky fingers can indeed make the most of chaos! Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Tina says: This story reminded me of the great times with my kidlets in the kitchen. The imagery naturally produced a smile, and I was transported right back to remembering those toddler years. Great job! winner announcement Week 463 Winner Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Tina says: Your fantasy had me wanting more from these characters and this world. Turning the gender norms around with the female soldiers and the heroine’s choices have deadly impacted someone she loves serves as a massive catalyst for a tale with depth and A+ world-building. How she cradled the pendant to tether her to this world instead of coming unraveled and possibly facing even more peril shows much of the human condition and how we find bits of hope even in hopeless situations. I’m sure that this will serve as a catalyst for the overall plot and the characters’ growth. Even from this snippet, the characters truly shine.  How it all will impact her world and worldview will be a joy to read. Very well done! The pendant weighs heavy in my hand, and it’s all I can really feel. That, and the pressure in my chest as my heart numbs, and the sounds around me go in one ear and out the other. “I’m sorry, Princess, but we must go.” I’m not even sure which of the knights helps me to my feet, guides me to a horse. But I’m glad she does, because I can’t see through the tears, through the blood that poured from my best friend as I watched him slip away. We can’t even take him back with us. My grip on his pendant tightens. I didn’t mean to take it, but I’m glad I did. It’s all that keeps me tethered, keeps me from losing myself to the grief. He’s gone. Dead. Dead because I couldn’t keep myself safe. Blinking the tears away, I take a deep, shuddering breath. The knight offers me her hand and pulls me up onto the horse. Pressing my forehead to her shoulder, I squeeze my eyes shut. If I look back at him, I’ll jump from the animal and refuse to leave. And I can’t do that. He wouldn’t want me to. So I hold on tight as she urges the horse into a run, bound for home. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Twelve Time Winner Katheryn, and Honorable Mentions Mark, Catherine, Mary, and Charlene! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

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Week 462 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. 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. Entries: Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Silver James | @SilverJames_ Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Mark A. Morris Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Lexikon | @Lexikonical David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Louisa says: Over the years, I’ve probably judged #ThursThreads more times than I have won. Many of the contributors are regulars, and have become friends. This week, I did something different – I copied all the stories in a Word document, removed the author’s names, and read through. As a college professor, there’s the idea of grading without prejudice. So that’s my process this week. It’s not 100% because I’m on social media, and I definitely picked up on elements. Congratulations to everyone who participated and got words this week. Thank you again to Siobhan for hosting, and for your support in the creative world. Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Louisa says: With the prompt, there were a few twists on the theme of breakup. Silver’s piece focuses not on a romantic relationship, and unfolds at a steady pace. The descriptions of Rocker + “Sons of Anarchy” along with the “adulterated lust” creates a memorable and enticing read. David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Louisa says: Something about the powerful name Sentinel pulled me into Ludwig’s piece. There’s a juxtaposition of descriptions. It’s the overall feel of the story from the “elf professor” to the “break up the Devil’s Reef.” As a “rambling” academic, I connect to the storytelling, and am intrigued to know more. Lexikon | @Lexikonical Louisa says: Did someone say vampires? In such a short piece, the world building begins. As a reader, I’m brought into another world, even with the name Willem and the story’s tone. As someone currently writing about Mages and the paranormal realm, I’m drawn to the concept of the banning of magic, and the peace-keeping mercenaries. winner announcement Week 462 Winner Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Louisa says: This piece speaks to me on a magical level. The mystical storytelling captured interest, from the details of the cloak to the crawling through the “cold water and mud.” The end echoes myths like Hansel & Gretel, leaving a magical pathway to love. The creative way the prompt worked into the story also stood out. Finally, I realize at the end, I don’t know either of their names, and that’s all right. The selkie evaded him each time he tried to return her cloak. He hadn’t meant to pick it up when he gathered his laundry after washing it in the river. He hadn’t realized until he was back home and felt the soft pelt. “I didn’t mean to take it. I’m just trying to give it back,” he yelled, setting it upriver while he worked on this trip’s laundry. The water was so cold now his hands were numb and the soap didn’t lather. “You need to break up the bar or soak it first. Soaproot would be better.” Tall and curvy, the selkie picked up the skin and set a handful of stalks and leaves on the bank before stepping down in the water. Halfway out into the river, the maiden kept watching. “You’re not like most men.” He shook his head. “You’re lovely but keeping you from the ocean or this river leading to it wouldn’t be fair to you, and forcing you into my bed wouldn’t make you mine.” She swam to the shallows and beckoned him forward, and he hissed as the cold sank into his bones as he crawled through the cold water and mud. “I’ve been away from the ocean too long, but perhaps if you left a path of rocks for me to follow to your home, I could visit you one night.” She kissed him quickly, tasting of salt and woman, then was gone beneath the water. He had rocks to gather.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Miya, and Honorable Mentions Silver, David, and Lexikon! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

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Week 461 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. 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: Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier A.J. Walker | @Zevonesque Mark A. Morris Lexikon | @Lexikonical David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Honorable Mentions Lexikon | @Lexikonical Miranda says: Love the fantasy storyline and the bit of vengeance. Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Miranda says: Great epic fantasy feel to it. Intriguing opening to a larger story. David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Miranda says: Simple yet interesting. winner announcement Week 461 Winner Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Miranda says: I loved the rhythm to this one, how it read. It was simple and straightforward and felt like how the modern day generation would do relationships. It was also really funny, especially the end. Craig is a boy. He works with numbers. Jenny is a girl. She works with numbers too. They meet on a dating app. Craig and Jenny like each other, so they start talking. Every day. They decide to meet in 3D. At a bar. They drink beer and talk. Craig says he hates his job. He says he likes Jenny and likes beer. Jenny says she hates her job. She says she likes Craig and likes beer. Craig and Jenny pool their money and move in together. They drink beer and hate their jobs and gripe and fuck. Jenny hates her job so much she quits going. And she starts hating Craig. And hates fucking Craig. She sits around and drinks a lot of beer and hates Craig. Drinking a lot of beer helps her put up with Craig. Craig drinks beer and thinks about how much he hates Jenny, so he brings his work home with him and yells at Jenny for being home and making noise. Jenny tells Craig to go fuck himself. To get away from him, she turns tricks at the truck stop. Pretty soon nothing is going right. They go to a counselor who asks Craig what he hates about Jenny. He says, “Everything.” The counselor asks Jenny what she hates about Craig. She says, “Everything.” “You need to break up,” the counselor says. They share a mutual hatred for the counselor. “He’s all business and no fun.” This common interest brings them closer together. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Winner Charlene, and Honorable Mentions Lexikon, Catherine, and David! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

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Week 460 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Silver James | @SilverJames_ Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Charlene Mertz | @rratis1231 Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Siobhan says: The tale starts off like a police interrogation and yet the final offense is that of a ridiculous 1980s haircut. I laughed and I remembered (I may have had one once…) Mark A. Morris Siobhan says: Dancing seems to be a common thread this week and making a beetle dance, particularly when it has no rhythm made me grin. It also brought back the dancing frog from Looney Tunes… Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan says: I’ve been a parent for a long time, but I still get uneasy talking to other kids because I don’t know them or how they respond. I understood the narrator’s perspective and could picture myself there. Good tale. winner announcement Week 460 Winner Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Siobhan says: Oh my glory, I laughed aloud at Horace (my favorite Death) trying to dance stiffly like a teenaged boy at his first dance. All to just convince someone to cross over. Awesome. It made my day. Great tale. My brother stands beside me, both of us staring at the skeletal man with the always-billowing robes. Standing between us is a woman, whose soul was meant to be crossed into the afterlife tonight. She rotates her gaze like a ping pong match is taking place, clearly waiting for the climatic finish. “What did you want him to do?” I finally ask, my own purple sparkly robes still as I lean on my scythe. “I don’t know. Dance? Sing? Swing that great scythe and sweep me away to Heaven?” My brother, clad in his royal blue robes, stifles a giggle. “Well, he’s not that kind of death, I’m afraid. He’s all business and no fun.” Horace tilts his head, his empty eyes staring at the woman, a blue flame twinkling in each socket. It’s true, though, his sense of human is arid. He tries, though, he really does. “Dance?” Horace asks. “Like this?” He swings his hips from side to side, swaying like a stiff tree is a strong wind. The woman giggles, her brown eyes fixed on Horace. She mimics him and he swings his hips a little harder. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s having fun. “Sure. Dance me to Heaven!” Oh boy. God’s got a feisty one incoming. I wonder if I should warn him? ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Fifteen Time Winner Kelly, and Honorable Mentions M.T., Mark, and Bill! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

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