Tag: #flashfiction

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 440

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 440 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. Just a quick note: There will be no #ThursThreads next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. 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 Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for 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, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 440: Scottish Word Slinger, Dauntless romance author, and #ThursThreads host, Siobhan Muir. Facebook | Twitter | Patreon | EdenBooks | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “Keep your little secrets.” 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!

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#ThursThreads – Week 439 – Winners

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Week 439 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 Silver James 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 | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Catherine Ducourau | @cathducourau Mark A. Morris T.L. Reeve | @tl_reeve Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Eric Martell | @drmag00 Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Silver says: I don’t know why I volunteer to judge #ThursThreads because the quality of the writing always makes picking and choosing so freaking hard! On the other hand, I get to use the prompt and I don’t have to stop at 250 words. Anyway. Congratulations to everyone who entered. The quality and diversity of the various tales is amazing. I was thoroughly entertained by each and every one and I waffled back and forth, forth and back and considered just throwing darts. Alas, Siobhan is a harsh taskmaster and I can only choose one winner and two honorable mentions. So I did. And no darts were injured (or involved) in the picking of the winnters. Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Silver says: For all the feels! I was sniffling by the end. Evoking that much emotion in 250 words takes a good story and talent. Mark provided both! I loved this sweet little tale. Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Silver says: For an odd tale that me sit back and go “WTF?” No clue where it was headed. This was both humor and serious thoughts to ponder. A great blend. winner announcement Week 439 Winner Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver says: Bill’s use of descriptive language and imagery set up this “detective noir” perfectly. I was drawn in from the first sentence and enjoyed every sentence after. Well done! Turn of the Screwy Death For some reason I expected chiffon. Classic male boudoir thinking, eh. My predictability was shameless. Mona Monterey fooled me. She was squeezed into a stylish business suit, white, or light cream. She would look terrific in my coffee. Her hair, red as my first ever kindergarten crayon, glistened. “Come in,” she bid. I was pure putty. There are penthouses and then there are…penthouses. The windows were floor to ceiling, the furniture so modern, it seemed retro. I took an offered seat. And an offered brandy. If she was in mourning, you’d need a microscope to notice. I decided to be transparent. “The police resent people like me stepping on their toes.” “Is that what you do? Step on toes?” “Only when I’m dancing.” She almost smiled at that but simply sipped her brandy. I followed suit. Then she said, “I’m surprised you’re willing to work for me. Irv’s…wife…can’t have painted a pretty picture of me.” I opted for mute. The last thing I wanted was to be caught in the middle of a one-feline cat fight. “Oh, please, be a big boy. Tell me. What did she say to you about me?” “Here’s a big boy pronouncement,” I answered. “If you want me to find out who killed your mother, then, good. Anything else…spell it out.” “Okay,” she breathed deeply, “Keep your little secrets. I loved Helen. So, find the worm who snuffed my mom.” Halleluiah, I thought. A tough talking woman who gets me. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-SEVEN TIME WINNER Bill, and Honorable Mentions Mark 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, 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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#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 439

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 439 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 Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for 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, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 439: Renaissance Woman, Newfie mom, and Romance Author, Silver James. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “What did she say to you?” 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!

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#ThursThreads – Week 438 – Winners

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Week 438 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 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: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Catherine Ducourau | @cathducourau Elizabeth Munoz | @Chattmor Eric Martell | @drmag00 Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Karen Carr Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig George says: That was funny tale. A magical dwarf getting bested by the cat, that was great. I loved the back and forth banter between the two of them as they figured out a way to get into the fort. Karen Carr George says: Promises, promises. I like the sincerity of the story but I felt a little sad too. Because I came away thinking that this may have been a suicide pact partly because would you jump if your friends do says there’s a lot of hidden depression. My hope pushes me that it is an adventure and not an end. Nicely done. M.T. Decker | @mismhem George says: Nice twist at the end. Good setup of the split, while they are disagreeing as the guards approach only to see the split had worked by knocking out the guards. A good tension filled scene. winner announcement Week 438 Winner Elizabeth Munoz | @Chattmor George says: It’s a good tale filled with tension that pulled me in. Whether Amaya did or did not commit the crime doesn’t matter because that detective does not intend to look elsewhere which is sad. She wants to know who killed her sister yet without evidence the detective has begun his interrogation even though there may be someone more nefarious out there. Good story. Amaya paced up and down the corridor. “Ms. Moncayo.” Amaya looked up and there was Detective Miranda walking towards her. Handsome she thought, but it was a fleeting thought as he reached her, and said, “We have a suspect in custody.” “Who?” “Well, I can’t say, but he was found in possession of your sister’s jewelry and phone.” She stared at his brown eyes and waited for more information. “Would you like some coffee, tea…” “I would like my sister’s killer in handcuffs.” He nodded and motioned for her to follow him. They entered a small room with a long table and two chairs and sat down. “Tell me Ms. Moncayo, when was the last time you spoke with your sister.” “Well, probably the morning of her murder.” He nodded, “what did she say to you? Did she sound different to you?” “No, we were supposed to have dinner that day because she had received a promotion, so, if anything she sounded excited.” “I see and who is Chuy Rivera?” Her blood drained from her face; she could feel it. “He … he…” “Your boyfriend?” his tone accusatory. She stood, “Never, that man stalked me and when I lived in Ohio. I had to leave an extremely lucrative job because he would not give up. But he was never my boyfriend and I’ll tell you exactly, what I said to the detective in Ohio, he is a killer not a stalker.” She could see, he thought she killed her sister. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Elizabeth, and Honorable Mentions David, Karen, and M.T.! 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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#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 438

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 438 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 Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for 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, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 438: Dead Thing Specialist, Mining Geologist, and Original Book Boyfriend, George Varhalmi. Facebook | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “Exactly what I said.” 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!

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#ThursThreads – Week 437 – Winners

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Week 437 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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: Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Catherine Ducourau | @cathducourau David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Mark A. Morris Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Louisa says: So we meet again. Siobhan knows how much I enjoy some of the special, themed #ThursThreads #FlashFiction prompts, and this week proved to be just as much fun. Thank you for all the contributions. Happy Halloween, Louisa Honorable Mentions Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Louisa says: The active descriptions and word choice made this story stand out. The axe swinging, and the laughter “sliced in two.” Totally effective, and haunting. Mark A. Morris Louisa says: “This place was like home but without the softening of mercy.” Morris’ piece reminds me of the “Dark Tower” from horror writer Stephen King. As Bran slings that pack over his shoulder, I imagine the opening of an epic adventure. And my hell would most certainly be cold! winner announcement Week 437 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Louisa says: Oooh, how I love me a fierce heroine in a standoff with bikers! Justice doesn’t disappoint, and I was intrigued and left wanting to read more, especially about that “favorite sheriff.” Good use of the prompt, and overall dialogue. Justice stared down the two men. The bikers should have intimidated her. They didn’t. Between her military stint and working with a bunch of guys at the fire department, she was used to being the token woman. Until she proved herself. She didn’t back down. From anything or anyone. “You need to get off my property.” Low, forceful voice. Eyes focused on the scruffy jerks. Hell Dogs. She wanted to roll her eyes. She’d encountered some real bikers back in June in the aftermath of the tornado. The Nightriders pretty much scared everybody spitless, but they and that SpecOp team riding with them rescued Pops, Elena, and the girl they’d fostered. “Angel says he likes this place and wants it.” The larger of the two bikers smirked. “My ranch isn’t for sale.” “He don’t plan on buyin’ it, bitch. You need to clear out.” “No.” Her fingers flexed on the Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun she held out of sight behind the porch post. “What the hell does that mean?” “Exactly what I said. Not only no, but hell no. Now get off my property.” The big one swaggered forward a few steps. Justice shifted just enough to lift the shotgun and pump it. She had six shells, a combo of heavy shot and slugs, and she never missed what she aimed at. The shorter biker’s head jerked and he turned to look toward the road. She caught the sound then. Sirens. She smiled. Her favorite sheriff was on his way. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FORTY-FIVE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Teresa 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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#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 437

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 437 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 Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for 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, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 437: College professor, equality enthusiast, and romance author, Louisa Bacio. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “What the hell does that mean?” 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!

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#ThursThreads – Week 436 – Winners

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Week 436 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 Rose Sogioka 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 Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Mark A. Morris Catherine DuCourau | @cathducourau Joseph P Garland | @JPGarlandauthor Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Rose says: I liked how he worked in so many elements within the 250 word limit. winner announcement Week 420 Winner Catherine DuCourau | @cathducourau Rose says: Masterful work in with the suspense. Tom Alvarez‘s presidential campaign was gaining momentum and it was my job to stop him. “You’re the best political operative we have, Dani,” Jake said over the phone, after the DNC hired him, and he turned to me to dig up any dirt on the candidate. Jake was my ex. If you call a one-night stand a relationship—even when a pregnancy and baby daughter are the result of said one-night stand. “Jake, I got his file from my contact at the State Department and it’s not looking good for Congressman Alvarez. They suspect his wife of being a foreign operative.” I hung up the telephone and emailed the key elements of the file to him, and waited for a reply. It didn’t take long. You need to do something soon. Jake texted me after he’d read the email. What the hell does that mean? I texted back. It wasn’t my job to plant stories in the press or on the internet. Did he expect me to confront the candidate and blackmail him into quitting the race? Jake’s terse reply came from a secure server. The convention is in two days. Move fast. I was used to this work. Digging up the dirt on a candidate. But was I doing it for the sake of the country, as I believed? Or was I merely a pawn of the leaders of the political party that hired me? I thought about it. And I thought about my daughter. And I made my decision. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Winner Catherine, and Honorable Mentions 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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#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 436

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 436 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 Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for 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, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 436: Medical assistant fueled by caffeine who loves getting lost in world of a book, Rose Sogioka. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “You need to do something soon.” 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!

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#ThursThreads – Week 435 – Winners

Posted on by Siobhan Muir

Week 435 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 Nikki Prince 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 | @billmelaterplea Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Catherine Ducourau | @cathducourau Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Honorable Mentions Catherine Ducourau | @cathducourau Nikki says: Loved this even though it was a cliffhanger. Now I want to know if she helps him. LOL winner announcement Week 435 Winner Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Nikki says: Hauntingly beautiful and not what I was expecting. I like that. Diferent read for me. “Help me find him,” I begged. “We’ll help you back home, ”a lady cried. She took me to a home I didn’t recognize. “He’s here child. You need to do something soon.” I heard her say into a phone. The man came shortly after that. Speaking of things, I didn’t recall, talking as if I were listening prattling on about the weather. Saying he’d be back tomorrow and I was to stay here. He came back the next day and he started yelling at me. I really didn’t like this man he reminded me of my grandfather. Was he my grandfather? Things had slid away from me; my memory wasn’t what it had once been of course this was my grandfather and he was looking after me since I was only a child. The next day I looked for him again. I didn’t know why I couldn’t find my son; but I knew I would have no rest until I did. It was then he came back, the man that reminded me of my grandfather. He came back with a slew of people with weird phones, cameras held in their hands. “Do you know where he is?” I asked. “There,” the woman answered pointing to him. It was then I saw him as he once was my boy. “Go into the light,” She commanded, “All is well.” I took one more look at the man and then the world drifted away an eternity of light and goodness awaiting me. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Thirteen Time Winner Sheilagh, and Honorable Mentions Catherine! 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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