Tag: Winners

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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Week 459 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 Stacy Bennett 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: Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Silver James | @SilverJames_ Charlene Mertz @rrats1231 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Mark A. Morris Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Stacy says: Pirates and bureaucracy. They seem to go together frequently, don’t they? Well I suppose they are two sides of the same thematic coin. Of course, it’s easy to reel me in with words like wisp and magic and demon. I do love me some magical realism. Also makes me wonder about the nature of the perpetrator and the prototype. There is a deeper game afoot here and it reeks of the supernatural – my favorite. Nicely done. Mark A. Morris Stacy says: This one was fun. It had the surreal glow of a truly fantastical universe where underwater game shows lead the way to hell or perhaps heaven. Or perhaps just to the other side. It evoked a kind of Gaiman-esque irreverence which I wholly appreciated on this rainy Thursday.  And even I spent long minutes pondering… how IS a raven like a writing desk? Well done! winner announcement Week 459 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Stacy says: I love a good dog story. And here we had a warm-hearted vet hosting a radio show for nervous pet owners. Something reminding me of 1950s suburbia. So I blindly stumbled straight into the fantastical surprise, lulled by the apparent normalcy of the story. Until… Cerberus. Just think if that pup had chosen to “get lovies” from the poor bastard who broke in! Don’t talk to strangers “Hello, you’re on the air with Dr. Francis,” DVM Mark Francis stated as the board op took the first call. “I was wondering if you could help me with my dog. He hasn’t been acting like himself lately.” “Well, that’s why we’re here— although please remember, while we can offer advice we should not be seen as a replacement for your vet.” “It’s not serious, at least I don’t think it is it’s just— he’s not acting right.” Dr. Francis nodded to himself as he listened, not only to the man’s words to his tone and how he spoke as if he had all the time in the world. “So— can you give me an example?” “Well, someone broke into my house,” the caller answered. “And he froze… like he wasn’t sure if he should attack, herd the person out, or get lovies.” Dr. Francis smiled at the phrase ‘get lovies.’ It never ceased to amaze him how the coldest person out there could melt at the thought of their dog.” “Well, those are three very different drives coming into play and all of those are normal reactions, albeit any given dog will usually only have one reaction. What did you want him to do?” “I guess I just wanted him to scare the person away.” “And did he?” “Sort of,” the man answered. “But I think that was more the three heads than anything he actually did.” “Three? Sir, what’s your dog’s name?” “Cerberus.” “…as in…” “Yes.” “Next caller!” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Eighteen Time Winner M.T., and Honorable Mentions David 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 458 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 Isabella Muetzel 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 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Teresa Eccles| @TeresaMEccles Stephanie Backus | @stephaniebackus David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Marci Baun | @MarciBaun Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Isabella says: This piece was so wholesome and cute! It melted my heart! Marci Baun | @MarciBaun Isabella says: Where can I find one of those magical swords? Silver James | @SilverJames_ Isabella says: Her character interactions and descriptions always get me. They’re so fun! winner announcement Week 458 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Isabella says: Truth be told, I hate present tense. However, while I read this, I hardly noticed and genuinely enjoyed the short. It was well written and flowed well throughout the piece. I absolutely loved those sensory descriptions! Banish Misfortune “I imagine too much.” Sometimes it feels like the therapist wants me to fill in her blanks. I was never good at that. I prefer multiple choice it gives me guidelines— a clue as to what is acceptable. How do I tell her that the sound of branches brushing against the house become demons dragging their nails against the clapboard; that the wind blowing through the trees is the hot breath of the enemy closing in? How do I make her understand that these are images but memories? How do I tell her that I have seen that glint in her eyes as she writes, binding my fate to her words? Her word is the power keeping me here— binding me to this place, and I’m not sure if the 36 psychiatric hold will stand. It’s up to her and she knows when I’m lying. “Can you give me an example?” she asks, her thumb strokes the ring in her middle finger.” The demon in my dream had done the same thing, and I’m not sure which side of the dream is real now. I calm my breathing, trying to reach the images, and she smiles at me. “Imagine,” she prompts. “Imagine the power you hold; imagine what you could do with it.” I let out a trembling breath and nod as I see the greed in her eyes. “Three wishes,” I agree, and the deal is struck. When she releases the circle, all bets are off. Imagine. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Seventeen Time Winner M.T., and Honorable Mentions Charlene, Marci, and Silver! 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 457 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 Mary Decker 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: A.J. Walker | @zevonesque Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Nellie Batz | @solimond Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Silver James | @SilverJames_ Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Mary says: You all do not make this easy, but that is part of the amazing thing about Flash Fiction – you can give a prompt, and everyone takes it and makes it theirs. Once again, you all are amazing! Honorable Mentions Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Mary says: I love your mix of tech and magic- it is a fresh view with some very dire consequences. Bravo. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Mary says: I love the mood you set, and the sense of frustration at not being able to feel what’s coming. Sometimes that makes things worse. I want to find out what happens! Nellie Batz | @solimond Mary says: That last line, oh that last line. Yes, there is power in not being seen, not being noticed— The paradox that anonymity gives you power. Well done. winner announcement Week 457 Winner Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Mary says: I love the tension you have in your story and the regret/hindsight— but I also love the insight and the question – is it the thrill of the hunt, and capturing your prize, or using it that really matters. I need more! My hand wraps around the siberite gem, its pulsating energy giving off a faint purple hue, drawing me in. Before I realize what I’m doing, I take it off its stand and bury it in my bag. The Insight feels heavy, the weight of it not quite solid but triggering a pressure in my chest that wasn’t there before. “Did you feel it calling you?” The voice comes from the other side of the curtain behind the stand. He steps out into the light – a tall, elegantly dressed elf. I can only assume it’s Noquate. Dressed in black, he almost blends into the shadows. Noquate’s hair is slicked back, revealing pointed ears adorned with too many earrings for me to count. If this world has taught me anything, at least half of them must be enchanted. I step back, nearly falling off the dais. Maybe I should have waited for Valmong, but it’s too late to think about that. Before I can react, he continues. “It’s tempting, isn’t it? The power to see through anything – deceit, illusions. Imagine what you could do with it.” His voice is smoother than honey, and I wonder if that’s natural or another piece of subtle magic. “I don’t intend to use it.” I take another step back, hoping I can make it to the door, but knowing that running away probably isn’t an option. “What a waste. Might as well just give it back.” He smiles a predator’s grin. Shit. I’m screwed. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Eleven Time Winner Katheryn, and Honorable Mentions Miya, Mark, and Nellie! 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 456 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 Bill Engleson 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_ M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Marci Baun | @MarciBaun Mark A. Morris Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig A.J. Walker | @zevonesque Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Bill says: As a very occasional TT judge, it is an honour to offer my take on the contributions to #456. I have to say that I love the number…it would make a respectable partial hand of crib. I offer this quote from Einstein (Albert, not Gregor) to set the stage for my observations. “Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods.” I noted on Facebook the obvious fact that I am not Einstein. My father did have a Cousin Albert, however. That’s the closest I got to genius. The prompt this week was “These are the words you must unlearn.” I am sure that many of us might agree that some of those words are “Covid-19”, “Coronavirus”, “mask”. “lock-down”. Irregardless (I am so happy that this word is now kosher even though Spellcheck has yet to buy in) words are our currency as writers, words and ideas. I enjoyed all of this week’s contributions, yet my assignment was clear. And I confess I like to have a bit of creative merriment with this process. Honorable Mentions M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Bill says: A couple of years back, I referenced Stephen King in a TT judgement. That time, it involved the movie Christine. This time, it is Carrie. Of course, this Carrie is not as inflammably damaged as King’s Carrie…so far as we know. Regardless…irregardless, she is quite irritating. Or is it ritating? Which my Spellcheck immediately wanted to spell “rotating”. But that would be Regan…what she does with her head in the Exorcist. I guess I am mixing apples with oranges and oranges with pears… In any case, I enjoyed the linguistic lesson, the clash of personalities, in the story, although M.T. or rather Martha Roberts, did dig somewhat of a numerical hole to fall into when she said, “and unlike math, you cannot add a negative to a negative and make a bigger negative,” which probably had little to do with M.T.’s counting of her words, sans title, and coming up with 146…10 square short of the actual finish line. But I don’t mean to quibble. And probably shouldn’t have mentioned it. Mark A. Morris Bill says: I am not a sci-fi guy, but this little tale had me from the get-go especially with the second line, “The images strobed before his eyes. There was a pigeon, a smoothing iron, a pair of high heels. Every time the picture changed, he described what he saw.“  Of course, what immediately came to my mind was the memory portion of the previous tenant in the White House’s cognitive test, ”Person, woman, man, camera, TV.“ I doubt that Mark was thinking of that or wanted the reader to be thinking of it but that is the freedom of reading, and judging. I enjoyed Micah’s creation, his orientation into his existence, but sadly could not stop thinking about you know who. Perhaps in time I will. Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Bill says: This inquisitive tale of ancestry also had an intriguing list: “She was a direct descendent of either a werewolf, a vampire, a robot, or even a prefabricated monster, a la Frankenstein.“ Additionally, Charlene took the prompt, referenced the aforementioned list and has her character, Stella,  milk it relentlessly, purposefully, mindfully as follows, “These are the words you need to unlearn. Forget them, totally. Eradicate them from your mind. Remove them from your vocabulary. They are irrelevant to you, do not define you, have nothing to do with you. Your past is in the past. Move on; reinvent yourself.“ So, kudos. winner announcement Week 456 Winner David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Bill says: This beautiful little story, a flash lullaby I suppose, easily transported me into an unfamiliar realm. I am not always packed and ready to go along into new emotional territory but this time I went quite willingly. I particularly enjoyed the use of the prompt or rather, the third sentence at the end of this trio of sentences, “These are the words. You must unlearn the primacy of vocalizations. The most powerful sounds in our world are the ones we can’t hear.” I would think that a child named Melody would usually be willing to feel the magic of any song. “What is your favorite lullaby?” Maester Sforzando smiled at Melody. The five-year-old knew the answer to that one; but considered it seriously just the same. “I like the Winter Wind Lullaby!” She declared. “That is a good one!” her teacher laughed. His smile was so pretty, and he was different from the priests. Sometimes Melody thought he must be an angel. “I would like to teach you a different way of singing it.” He continued, laying three scrolls flat on top of one another where the light from all the candles collected in the center of their table. “These are the words. You must unlearn the primacy of vocalizations. The most powerful sounds in our world are the ones we can’t hear.” Melody scrunched her face at the marks on the scrolls. They didn’t look like words to her, and she was Mother Josephine’s best reader! “I will…

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Week 455 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 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: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 A.J. Walker | @zevonesque Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Rose says: So much drama. Nicely woven and went in a direction I didn’t expect. Great tale. David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Rose says: Loved the tension in this tale and how it ramped up with the discovery. Nicely done. winner announcement Week 455 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Rose says: She reminds us that magical or not, words have power, power that can lift you up and define yourself. Words There are words, phrases we should never utter. Words of have power here, the power of intent. When you speak them, whether they are heard or not, the power goes where it will and intent has consequences. These are the words you must unlearn.” Then there are the words and phrases, whose power is stronger than any other. Soft words, that can overpower even the strongest of emotions. Words like ‘love’, ‘kindness’, ‘agape.’ These are the words that you must learn. When you put evil out into the world, it takes on a life of its own. It strikes at people needlessly— people who are already alone, and hurting and they see it as a sign that the universe is against them. It is not. The universe itself does not care. It is inanimate, and it is we who must make our way in it it does not help or hinder. It simply is. As for the man who hates? You can say ‘he should have been alone’ and to that I say, he was and that was where his hate was born, under the full moon of self-loathing and pain. He should have been alone in his hate, but put those words out into the universe and they were answered. I say— he should not have been alone. There should have been someone to correct him and bring him back to the words of true power. Hate destroys what love builds, but love echoes on. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Sixteen Time Winner M.T., and Honorable Mentions Mark 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 454 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 Eric Martell 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 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Nellie Batz | @solimond Eric Martell | @drmag00 Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Silver James | @SilverJames_ David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Teresa Eccles| @TeresaMEccles Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Eric says: Hospital time is slow time (and when it’s not, that’s usually not a good thing). This had a nice nightmarish quality of being stuck in a never-ending time loop. M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Eric says: A feeling I know all-too-well, a tale full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. You could feel her frustration, and more than that, her acceptance that the days might all spiral away.for a tale! winner announcement Week 454 Winner Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Eric says: I loved the writing style and dialogue… it’s morbid and deep. The last line artfully closes the tales up, twisting the story and its meaning just a bit more, perfectly so. The sounds of splashing came from his en suite, rousing him. Climbing out of bed in the early dawn light, he stood in front of the door, frowning. Water seeped into his bedroom, over the threshold and under the door. It slid a few inches across the floor and touched the tips of his bare toes. “What the…?” He took a step back. He stood alone in front of the closed bathroom door, staring at the corona of light running along its frame. Someone was in there, in his bathroom, using his bath, and flooding the place. He heard humming. He should have been alone. He hadn’t had a visitor to the house in over two weeks – and that had been the social worker, checking him to ensure he wasn’t self-harming. The humming got louder, and then a baritone voice burst into song. “Shut up and take your medicine,” boomed the voice. It was a lyric the man had never heard before, more of a sing-song admonition than a piece of music. He opened the door and pushed it inwards. The bath was running – overflowing, in fact – so he ran to it and turned off both faucets and pulled out the stopper. The bathroom was empty. He collapsed onto the toilet and looked around in dismay at the thick film of water all over the floor, anxious and uncertain. Had he taken his pills the previous evening? “That’s what I’m saying,” the voice said. “You haven’t.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Winner Richard, and Honorable Mentions Charlene 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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Week 453 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 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Mark A. Morris Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Silver says: I had to read, reread, reread, and again because every blasted tale is awesome, each in it’s own way. My choices finally came down to the ones that resonated just a little bit more to my inner reader. Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver says: Cliches are cliches for a reason and I love it when they are used cleverly. This was a whale of a tale and despite the subject matter, it made me smile. Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites Silver says: This tale had all the goods–setting, characterizations, and a sense of emotional urgency in the action. Also, fae for the win! winner announcement Week 453 Winner Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Silver says: All the feels to this tale. It was emotional, heart-wrenching, filled with a sense of desperate loss. Plus, I’m a sucker for metaphysical conversations. Very well done, Joe! In the conversation we never had, you didn’t say, “Life’s subjective. One person’s joy could trigger another’s despair. Like someone else’s woe could bring another cheer.” “We’ve lived each,” I would’ve said. “You, often, the latter,” my eyes would blink in code. But we weren’t really talking about Life (like I said, we weren’t really talking at all), unless you consider just getting out of bed Life. Really about living, opening those eyes, taking that big inhale, letting it go, sometimes with words strung thereto, just to get to the next gulp of existence. “You know, there was a time I didn’t care if my last exhalation, whether preceded by a sob or a snore, was indeed my last. Go to sleep. Wake not. I wouldn’t have considered that failure. THAT might’ve brought someone solace.” I could’ve revealed. “That’s what I’m saying,” you didn’t say. “I wish you would’ve talked to me about it,” I wish I’d said. “There was no point. I wanted to talk to very few people and you weren’t one of them.” Ergo, the non-conversation we’re not having. “Would you like to come talk now?” I might say. “No. I’m not going anywhere with you.” “Yeah (or is it ‘No’), we’ve each made that clear,” I could whisper. “What didn’t you say?” You’d probably ask. There was so much. “I’m not going anywhere with you, either,” I’d say. It’d always been a one-step-toward-and-one-back thing with us, symbiotically going nowhere.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Seven Time Winner Joe, and Honorable Mentions Bill and Stacy! 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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