#WritingCommunity – Page 52

#ThursThreads – Week 403 – Winners

Posted on March 6, 2020March 6, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 403 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 J. Thomas Ganzer 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 Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Silver James | @SilverJames_ Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Joe says: Keeping with the pandemic theme, I easily imagined the place and time, the crushing despair of the end of things. And he kept digging. Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Joe says: Good use of the prompt, that moment when mom shows up and takes over a disaster. Relief and comfort, so long as we have them with us. Great moment imagined. winner announcement Week 403 Winner Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Joe says: We have pandemics on the brain and in the news lately, and this tale of loss and disease struck me. Lots of emotional heft in 250 little words. 1919 As Alice put another compress on Frankie’s forehead, I had my hand on her shoulder and felt her shuddering. “Don’t cry, Alice,” I said. But when I looked in her eyes, they were dry. She’d been suppressing coughs, so she wouldn’t wake Frankie. “It’s okay, honey. I’ll take over now,” I said. “Thank you, Frank,“ Alice said, pressing her cheek to mine. As she left the room, I heard her cough hard. I’d gone to France because I was drafted, not to make the world safe for democracy. I stayed alive there to take care of my buddies, but you can’t take care of someone vaporized by an 88mm shell dropped on his head. I fought to get home to Alice and Frankie, to see my boy grow up. To feel the warmth of my wife again. Now I felt heat. I heard the bed springs ring in the next room, then heard that cough again. And again. And again. Frankie stirred, but his breath came like a fingernail swiped on a washboard. It sounded so much like guys who’d caught just enough Heinie gas to singe their throat and lungs, but not kill them. Not until they got to the hospital in Étaples. They’d die there the next day. Fever. Lungs giving out. Like Frankie’s did that night. Alice lasted four more days. I’d been home two weeks. Some nights, screaming, I awaken from this nightmare where that 88mm fell on top of me instead. I wish. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Five Time Winner Joe, and Honorable Mentions Bill 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 403

Posted on March 5, 2020March 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 403 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 403: Lawyer extraordinaire, can say the alphabet backwards, and sometimes writes stuff, J. Thomas Ganzer. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “I’ll take over now.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 402 – Winners

Posted on February 28, 2020February 28, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 402 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 Crystal Brown for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Mark A. Morris Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Crystal says: who doesn’t love a good mermaid or this story Merman. Would make a great series. Hint hint. Great story and use of the prompt. Story of Mermen would be hot. Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Crystal says: Great story. Love your use of the prompt and your entire story leaves me wanting more. At first I thought Valmong was the bad guy but in the end felt like he was saving is lover. David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Crystal says: Everyone loves a good pirate tale. Had a feel of Pirates of the Caribbean feel. With ghost pirates and everything. Great use of the prompt. winner announcement Week 402 Winner Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Crystal says: can relate to your story. I have a father in law who is fighting Alzheimer’s and it’s a struggle everyday and now he doesn’t know who I am. But on another note I hate that insurance commercial with the Emu. I laughed when you called it a stupid fucking bird. Great story. “Where’s Rosalie?” Pat Bowman asked as he peered over his son Mark’s shoulder toward the front door. “She was here this morning, Dad,” Mark said with a sigh. He sighed a lot these days, though tried not to. “Wasn’t that Becca?” Pat said. “Well, yeah. Becca was here. Rosalie came this morning.” “I would’ve sworn…” Pat’s attention refocused on the television. “She’s the one who came earlier, Dad. Trust me.” Mark decided to hold a big inhale this time. Therapists explained his father’s condition would become frustrating. Then would come the hard part. “Who the hell thought this stupid ostrich was a good idea to sell insurance,” the retired executive said. “It’s an emu, Dad. But you’re right.” “Stupid fucking bird. Assholes must think we’re idiots. If some ad man brought me this concept I’d throw him out the window. See if he could fly like some damn ostrich.” “Relax, Dad. It’s only a commercial.” Mark was seeing more of these tirades all the time. “When the hell is Rosalie coming? Was that a car?” Pat said. “Sit. It IS Rosalie’s car,” Mark sighed with relief in his voice. “Hi. I’ll take over now. Hi, Dad,” Rosalie said as she breezed into the living room. “Thanks, Ro. Bye, Dad.” Mark said. “So, is there anything I can do? Need a drink, something to eat?” Rosalie said. She stepped between her father and the television screen. “Yeah, get outta the way and tell me who that kid was who just left?” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Four Time Winner Joe, and Honorable Mentions Silver, Katheryn, 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 402

Posted on February 27, 2020February 25, 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 402 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 402: Hard working Children’s RN, with the love of reading to relax, and sports fan, Crystal Brown. Facebook | Twitter And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “She’s the one who came earlier.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 401 – Winners

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

Week 401 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 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: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Catherine Derham | @cathencl_ M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Eric says: Someday I’ll read one of her longer works. This one certainly drew me in. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Eric says: How painful to be haunted by the dead who need you so badly and be unable to do a darned thing. winner announcement Week 401 Winner Mark A. Morris Eric says: As we get closer to dying, if we live long enough, we lose everything more often than not. Mark painted this beautifully and painfully. The nurse came to see me half an hour ago. Her name is Jill, or Jayne, or something else with a ‘J’. She’s a lovely girl, and she smells of honeysuckle, just like Julia did. “Mr Swanson? It’s Jackie. It’s time for your meds. You know you need to take them every day.” I look up and see her. It’s the nurse. I knew I recognised her. She’s the one who came earlier. She’s a new girl, someone I have only seen one time. She seems patient enough, although I doubt that she’ll last. The nurses never do here, always changing, none of them here more than a day. I don’t know what it is with them. No-one seems to care much these days. “Mr Swanson? Open up. Please, do it for me?” The nurse pulls me upright, slipping a pillow behind my back. She smells of honeysuckle like Julia did. She’s a strong girl, and she’s large, with hands the size of a ditch-digger’s, her fingers boring in so I can’t not open my mouth. She gives me a mouthful of horse tablets and a drink to make me swallow. They taste like ash or flint or some other impalatable muck. She reminds me of someone; somebody I loved. I think she was smaller though – or is it me? Have I changed? It seems so long ago now. I know she used to smell like honeysuckle. And I’m sure she was called Julia – either Julia or Joan.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Sixteen Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mentions Silver 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 401

Posted on February 20, 2020February 20, 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 401 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 401: Scientist, Dad, and flash fiction author, Eric Martell. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “Someone I have only seen one time.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 400 – Winners

Posted on February 14, 2020February 14, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 400 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 Daelyn Morgana 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_ David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Honorable Mention Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Daelyn says: What can I say? I’m a sucker for fantasy and when I see a potentially dark character hinted at I get hooked fast. A part of me wonders if what I think Valmong is, isn’t actually what he is though. Hmm. A well written tale that I would love to see more of. winner announcement Week 400 Winner Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Daelyn says: I fell in love with the cold truth of this tale. It packs a punch of reality that squeezes at the heart and also makes you shake your head at the troubles of our world. I adore the mystery factor, too. How you know what happened but also don’t know what happened between the two characters, and that you also don’t really know the two characters. This was quite craftily written and very well done. Sometimes, the dreams happen with my eyes wide open, and the sun shining outside. Even then, I still see them, every time I blink, every time I pause, and close my eyes. One keeps repeating, endlessly. Someone I know. Someone I have only seen one time. I wrote a message to her once, “If you ever ask for my help, I’ll find a way.” I haven’t spoken to her in years now. She’s gone. A classic falling out, politics, and religion, and all that crap that turns people into enemies, and drives friends apart. Yet, there she is, in that dream. “You left, you know. It was you, not me.” Those blue eyes, drilled right through me. “I didn’t leave you. I left your friends. Your environment.” Always, I tried to explain, even though I knew no one had ever understood. “You told me you would find a way, if I ever asked for help.” “I meant it then. I mean it now.” Somehow, I knew she would never ask. I knew she couldn’t understand. “If you were to ask, do you think I’ll say no?” “Yes.” Those blue eyes were gone. I’d never see them again. Regret? Maybe. Past mistakes? Of course. Fixable? Never. And that damn dream kept reminding me of that truth. And when the dream ended, there I was, like always, asking God to let me die. Knowing damn well it wasn’t my time. And that dream would happen. Again. Endlessly. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Six Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mention Katheryn! 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 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!

#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!