#flashfiction – Page 54

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 400

Posted on February 13, 2020February 12, 2020 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 half way through our eighth year of weekly prompts! This is Week 400 of #ThursThreads… I need to take a moment to let that sink in… 400 weeks? How can that be? *counts on fingers and toes* Four Hundred Weeks, wow. This weekly challenge that ties tales together has been here almost 8 solid years. 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 400: Dark fantasy author, archer, and horsewoman, Daelyn Morgana. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “Do you think I’ll say no?” 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!

#LoveBites2020 – Forbidden Love

Posted on February 10, 2020February 21, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

It’s that time of year again. The time when everything turns red, white, and pink with a unhealthy helping of chocolate and flowers. This year, Katheryn Avila is hosting the Love Bites flash fiction challenge, but you get to pick the romance trope for your tale. #LoveBites2020. Click HERE to enter your link and see the other entries. WRITERS: Be sure to check out the challenge and add your story for a chance to win ($10 Amazon card for 1st place, $5 for 2nd). This year, we offered five different romance tropes found in romance novels to choose from to set your muse on fire. I chose the trope “Forbidden Love” for my ineligible entry, the trope of two people loving each other even if they’re not supposed to. And the story that jumped out for me is a plot bunny that just won’t leave me alone. Enjoy. SNAIFU. Roxanne thought the unit’s name was stupid – Supernatural Anomalies Investigative Field Unit – and sounded way too close SNAFU. She let her gaze slide over the landscape as the van pulled off the two-lane highway. They passed through a fence, rumbling over a cattleguard before heading down a hill. If she hadn’t been there before, she would’ve wondered if they were taking her to a Black Site. Might as well be for all I can talk about it. She didn’t think even her escort knew where they were actually taking her as they drove up onto another plateau. Leaving her team, friends, and family daunted her, but the chance to see Ambrose again overrode the last of her worries as the van pulled up in front of the wildlife sanctuary’s visitor center. She unclipped her seat belt and opened the sliding door before the men in front could get out. They both gave her a non-plussed look as she moved to the back to grab her duffle bag. It wasn’t much, but where she was going, she didn’t need the accoutrements of this world. Hell, she wasn’t even bringing her service weapon or her cell phone. She threw the bag over her shoulder and waited on the men. They didn’t say anything, just led her into the visitor’s center. She pulled off her cover and scanned the inside. She didn’t see anyone she knew, but that wasn’t a surprise. Mack had told her they hired students and interns to man the desk in the summer. Though the calendar said May, the weather wasn’t cooperating. “Can I help you?” An older woman with silver hair wrapped up in complex braids settled behind the desk with a warm smile. “Yes, ma’am. We’re here to talk with Major McMacken.” “Oh, of course. He’s in his office. Let me buzz him.” She picked up the phone and spoke into it while Roxanne went back to staring at a poster illustrating the different species found on the sanctuary. Antelope, mule deer, moose, elk, grizzly bears, coyotes, wolves, a whole host of rodents and birds and weasels, buffalo, skunk, cougar, bobcat, badger, and the occasional wolverine. And let’s not forget centaurs. Yeah, not on this side of the Rift. Roxanne let her gaze drift out the windows, but she wasn’t seeing the Wyoming wilderness. Her vision filled with the river valley around Cederfell, the centaur village where Ambrose had been stationed. She pictured his broad shoulders stretching his natural camouflage vest, held down by the leather straps of his bow and quiver. Tears filled her eyes and her throat closed. It had been so long. He was sure to think she’d abandoned him for her own world. Aw glory, please say he hasn’t written me off. “Staff Sergeant Bailey?” Her new rank in SNAIFU. Yay, promotion. Her CO, Major ret. Mack McMacken made her turn and salute. “Yes, sir.” “I’m glad you made it back all right. While I intend to go over a few things with you, right now I need you in the training yard. I’ll finish with your escort and meet you there.” “Yes, sir.” She saluted again and headed for the doorway to the back of the visitor’s center, her heart in her throat. Passing through the Rift always made the hair at her neck stand up, but her heart thundered with the anticipation of seeing Ambrose again. If he hasn’t been court martialed. That didn’t worry her as much as his rejection. They’d had a forbidden love. Centaur and human weren’t meant to be together. But her heart had other ideas, and she hoped his had, too. She stepped out of the stone temple into the light and held her breath. He stood bathed in the sunlight, burly arms crossed over his chest, and his dark head bent as if lost in thought. But she’d recognize him anywhere, especially with that one white sock on his left hind foot. He was so beautiful, the tears started again and she gritted her teeth to keep them at bay. “Ambrose.” She whispered his name like a prayer, but cleared her throat as she reined in her emotion. Hahaha funny. “Corporal Swift?” His head came up with a jerk and his nostrils flared as if taking in her scent. Then he was there, his arms wrapped around her back and his nose buried in her neck as he lifted her off the ground. “Sweet Goddess Epona, I’ve missed you.” 746 ineligible #PlotBunny words / © 2020 Siobhan Muir And just to give you a little teaser of where this tale is going, here’s the cover to The Siren and The Centaur, coming soon.

#ThursThreads – Week 399 – Winners

Posted on February 7, 2020February 7, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 399 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Katheryn Avila 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 Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Katheryn says: The tension between the characters is interesting – I can’t quite tell if they’re in an established, though strained, relationship or if they don’t know each other all that well yet. Either way, I want to know more about how they found themselves stranded, and if they eventually give in and use each other as radiators – a trusted romance trope I really enjoy! winner announcement Week 399 Winner Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Katheryn says: There was a real sweetness and longing about this scene that pulled at my heartstrings – from the imagery to Taye’s thoughts. His longing and desperation for human connection really come through, and makes it easy to feel for him. It was a really easy scene to picture fully, and that’s difficult to do with so few words. Great job! Hope stood by the balcony, gaze on the misty river below. The rising sun cast her in a halo of muted gold and pink, and his heart ached. His body wanted. “It’s okay, you know.” Hope cradled a cup of coffee in her hands, sipping as she turned, soft eyes steady on him. “If there’s something you want, just ask.” “And if I want you?” She set her mug down, lips curling up. “Do you think I’ll say no?” she mused. “Barring certain hard limits, I’m fairly comfortable with a provisional yes as my answer.” For almost a week straight, the morning had given him Hope. He was starting to believe she’d be with him every morning, and that was dangerous. Maybe he needed to go. Maybe he didn’t want to be used to this. The friendship. The comfort. The belonging. The attraction. They overwhelmed him, filling his empty soul. They surrounded him, tempting him to believe. To trust. When it all left him, he’d be right back to where he started. The freak in the shadows. But he’d be so much lonelier knowing for sure what was he missing. “I’m not going anywhere, love,” Hope said. “Reading minds is my superpower.” “I’m not reading your mind.” She chuckled, stepping closer. “Your fight-or-flight body language is telling me your worries.” Her soft sigh teased his lips as she leaned in. “I mean to keep you in my life, Taye.” She tasted of coffee and cream, and he drank her deep.~~~~~~~ Congratulations THIRTY-THREE TIME WINNER Cara, 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 Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, 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 399

Posted on February 6, 2020February 5, 2020 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 half way through our eighth year of weekly prompts! This is Week 399 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 399: Programmer by day, writer by night, Katheryn J. Avila. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “He didn’t want to be used.” 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 398 – Winners

Posted on January 31, 2020January 31, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 398 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. 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: Claire Davon | @ClaireDavon Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Silver says: First, a thanks to Siobhan for asking me to judge. It’s always a privilege and the writing is always amazing. Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver says: Bill Engleson’s sense of film noir gives this story a “Pulp Fiction” feel. Well written, complete story but hey, is there a sequel? Well done, Bill! Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Silver says: Memorable phrase: “…the spatter of Ed’s memories on his face…” Powerful imagery in this piece and the sense of desperation is palbable. Very well done, Joe! Special Recognition Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Silver says: Her pieces are always ineligible to win but she’s a talented writer and I want to give her SPECIAL RECOGNITION. I’m reading her entry and my brain is playing “dun-dun-DUN” music. Suspense. Trust issues. Geeky hero, kick-ass heroine. What’s not to love? winner announcement Week 398 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Silver says: The world-building is succinct but places the reader “right there.” The characters are also succinct and fully formed giving the reader most of what they need to know in very few words. And finally, a sentient planet FTW! Destination Unknown. Mac spat on the ground as he swore. Looking at the wreckage I could see why— the ship had been scythed in half. Acid had eaten through the cowling and at least half the electronics. “What the hell did Dancer do to this thing?” “She landed on 0213-78,” I answered as I pulled out the bucket and mopped up after Mac. I’d learned a long time ago that his spit tended to leave stains on the deck plating, and it was easier to clean up before it had a chance to set. “What was it?” “Class 2 planet, low atmo – possibly good for raw materials. He didn’t want to be used.” “It didn’t want?” “Yeah, sentient planet – said it didn’t want to be cut up for parts then did a number on the ship. Kept Dancer safe, out of respect and because he didn’t want to start a war.” “He? Goddamned planet ‘an y’re calling it ‘He’” “That was what the planet said,” I pointed out. I tend not to argue with large inanimate objects— Call it superstition – don’t provoke the place where you’re landing, especially when they can split a fuselage in half without blinking. “Shit,” he growled spitting on the floor again, his smile daring me to say anything. “I didn’t sign up for this.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him he had— or maybe it was just common sense finally kicking in. I mopped up and made myself scarce. It was safer that way. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Eight Time Winner Mary, and Honorable Mentions Bill and Joe! 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 398

Posted on January 30, 2020January 29, 2020 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 half way through our eighth year of weekly prompts! This is Week 398 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 398: Renaissance Woman, Newfie mom, and Romance Author, Silver James. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “I didn’t sign up for this.” 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 397 – Winners

Posted on January 24, 2020January 24, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 397 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Miranda Gammella 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: Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Miranda says: I enjoyed reading all of the stories. You guys made it tough to decide! Honorable Mentions Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck Miranda says: I think just about any person can relate to being hit on by someone who just couldn’t catch a clue or came on too hard or just flat out gave you the heebeejeebees. Loved the story and cringed several times as the narrator went on. winner announcement Week 397 Winner Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Miranda says: As someone who enjoys the great outdoors and the occasional hike, the fear of getting lost or disoriented is quite real (for me anyway). The ending was delightfully ambiguous. Were the human voices friendly or would they hurt our hero and his date? Great story. I really want to I what happens next!! Soliloquy at Dusk We have been walking since dawn. Through the dense wood, a tangle of skinny pine, twisty arbutus, and ever-reliable fir. “Never been this lost before,” she says, just as a scrub branch gets away from me and smacks her in the kisser. I stop, turn, and touch her cheek. “Sorry. I’m not much for leading the way. You okay?” “That hurt, Sammy,” touching my hand and smiling. “Yeah, just cold hungry and…” “Lost,” I toss in. “I know. We should rest. I feel like we’re not getting anywhere.” “Really. And I thought you were a real Hawkeye.” “More a Natty Bumbler, I’m afraid.” It’d been my idea for a pleasant day hike. The first part had gone well. Breakfast at a truck stop, then a leisurely drive up to the State Park, talking, getting to know each other better. “Two maybe three hours…there and back,” I had said, but though the hike had started out warm and promising, we’d lost track of time. And our direction. As the warm sun had disappeared last night, I stated the obvious. “We’re in trouble.” “I didn’t sign up for this,” she’d cried. “This isn’t me.” “Pull yourself together,” I said. “Getting all panicky won’t help.” “No, I get it. Sorry. I’m scared, though.” “Me to. The smart thing’s to find a safe place for the night.” Which we did. Huddling warm. Body heat. Now we were buried in a jungle. “Listen,” she said. “You hear that?” “Human voices?” “Yeah! Voices.”~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-SIX TIME WINNER Bill, and Honorable Mention Tina! 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 397

Posted on January 23, 2020January 22, 2020 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 half way through our eighth year of weekly prompts! This is Week 397 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 397: Desk Jockey by Day, Writer by Night, Pecking her way through life, Miranda Gammella. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “No, I get it.” 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 396 – Winners

Posted on January 17, 2020January 17, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 396 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. 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 Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Ashlie Harris | @EmpathUtopiast David says: I’m always honored to see what a strong writing community I’m a part of, and really had to consider the use of the prompt to break some ties this week. Honorable Mentions Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio David says: This is a hot fun bit of morning after–both a romp between the sheets and a night of crime fighting. My favorite line was “How was that fair, when I looked like a raccoon in the morning?” Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David says: This one got an edge from the way the phrase prompt really felt integral to the heart of the story and the question of “what do people want us to say?” I also tend to enjoy writing about writers. winner announcement Week 396 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ David says: The phrase prompt opened the scene and really drove it for me. The frustration of both Wizard and Jen searching for what else to say hit me viscerally. I found the missed communications elegantly handled and very relatable. This one won, because it was the train wreck I absolutely couldn’t look away from. Wiz paced the length of the room, muscles rippling beneath his T-shirt as he flung out his arms. “What else do you want me to say?” He sounded so angry and there was no warmth in his eyes as he glared at me. What did I want him to say? That he loved me? That I was his…mate? Wasn’t that what the other old ladies called themselves? “I don’t have time for this, babe.” He turned his back on me and stomped to the door. Evidently, I wasn’t worth more than a few moments of his time. I’d waited too long to respond, hadn’t thought fast enough on my feet. He’d surprised me earlier and I’d just blurted out the words that brought us to this impasse. “Did you ever care?” The words came from the very darkest bottom of my soul. “Or was I just a pity fuck?” His lips pressed so tightly together a white line appeared around them. I caught that red glint in his eyes. My time was up. I sank my teeth into my bottom lip, hoping the physical pain would keep my face from giving me away. Wizard’s chest rose and fell, his nostrils flaring as he breathed deeply. And there it was. The same look of disgust on his face that I’d seen on my brother’s. “Jen.” “No.” I backed away. “I get it. Totally. Sorry to have bothered you. I won’t again.”I whirled and ran, ignoring his voice. “Jen!”~~~~~~~ Congratulations FORTY TIME WINNER Silver, 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 Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, 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 396

Posted on January 16, 2020January 15, 2020 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 half way through our eighth year of weekly prompts! This is Week 396 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 396: Fantasy Author, and Holder of Several Stories, David Ludwig. Facebook | Twitter And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “What else do you want me to say?” 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!