Tag: #WritingCommunity

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! 🙂

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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! 🙂

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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! 🙂

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Week 395 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. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Catherine Derham | @catederham_ Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan says: A great story with a twist at the end. Surprise and innocence seemed to be the theme until the very last line. This was a game to her and the Sheriff wasn’t nearly as amused. Loved it. Mark A. Morris Siobhan says: What I liked about this tale was the ease of the narrator’s energy. He was good to go to cheer on his friend or walk away. He was happy being support staff nor nothing at all. In this world of competition, it was a refreshing breath of gentleness. Wonderful. Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Siobhan says: What I loved most about this tale was the encouragement and love at the very end. There is nothing cooler than a dragon man, but the way the older character delivered it showed a loving connection that is one of the reasons I love fantasy quest type stories. Great tale. winner announcement Week 395 Winner Mary Decker | @mishmhem Siobhan says: This tale seemed like the usual not-quite trusting conversation between uneasy partners – until the end. That one line about the Sig Sauer put it into perspective real quick. Great tale. Nice doggy “Is that all you’re going to say?” The man’s tone was sharp, nasal and almost as annoying as he was. “What else do you want me to say?” “I want to know you’re going to stand up for me: Most of the time I would, but since I didn’t know which way he was going to jump these days, I couldn’t guarantee how I’d react. “If you say something I could get behind, I’m there— but I’m not going to follow you blind. You know where I stand and you know which side of my bread is buttered, the rest is up to you.” “So, you’re going to dictate the terms of our friendship?” I rolled my eyes. “The terms of our friendship are the same as they always been – be honest, be true, don’t take BS.” “I’m not asking you to violate that.” “Yeah, but you aren’t telling me which part is going to apply.” “Be honest, be true…” “No B.S.?” He smiled, taking a sword from its wall hanging. He inspected it for a moment and then lunged at me, backing me up to the wall, the tip of his blade against my breast bone. I smiled. He had a point, and as long as it was one thrust away from my heart, he had my support… at least until I could draw my Sig-Sauer.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Seven Time Winner Mary, and Honorable Mentions David, Mark, and Cara! 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 394 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale halfway through 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 Paige Prince for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Eric Martell | @drmag00 BA Tortuga | @batortuga Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Cara Michaels | @caramichaels M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Eric Martell | @drmag00 Paige says: What a lovely interaction between what I assume is a new husband and wife before she takes out her new stepdaughter. Eric beautifully captures the trepidation every new stepparent feels and it’s so genuine and heartfelt. BA Tortuga | @batortuga Paige says: I absolutely love this scene between what I assume is a father and his children. By the end, I totally feel his frustration at dealing with his hellion kids and am also in need of a beer. Fabulous job! Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Paige says: OMG I love it! I can totally picture a conversation with an ancient dragon going exactly like this! (The dragon might have Sean Connery’s voice in my head, thanks to a certain movie) He’s so arrogant and AWESOME. I’d love if this were expanded. Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Paige says: Special honorable mention. The action is immediate and I’m drawn to the characters right away. They’re dry and dark and gritty—like every cop I’ve ever known. And like I’d picture a vampire to be (no sparkles here!) Siobhan captured the image of vampire cop perfectly and I hope to see so much more. winner announcement Week 394 Winner Mary Decker | @mishmhem Paige says: I’m very intrigued by the premise. What are shamblers? Are they zombies? Will there be more of the story? I’m already hooked! There was quite a bit of world building in such a short amount of words. Excellent job!! Mistaken Identity I did my best to keep to the shadows. Being seen these days was rarely a good thing. People were roving in gangs if they were roving at all. More and more people were being divided into the shamblers and those who would be shambling soon enough. I opened my senses as I tried to get a feel for the over sized mall. Even before the dead stopped dying, this place had been abandoned. It was built in the ‘70s to serve the shopping needs of folks on the west side of town. Time, competition and a series of murders kind of took the charm out of the place. That made it the perfect place to set up camp, mainly because there was nothing left to scavenge here. I staked my claim to one of the storerooms on the second floor.and was on my way out when I met Oscar, or more the point, I met his Louisville Slugger. The introduction ended in a lot of sparks and pain, and then blackness. When I came to, I was sprawled out on the floor, with Oscar standing watch. I guess he realized things weren’t quite what they seemed. “Hello?” I asked experimentally. “Hey, sorry— thought you were a shambler.” I blinked. “Do I look like…” “I’m twelve?” he half asked, half stated. “Everyone looks like they’re big, shambling and dangerous.” He had a point.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Six Time Winner Mary, and Honorable Mentions Eric, BA, and Cara! 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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