Tag: #WritingCommunity

Week 386 of #ThursThreads All Hallow’s Eve had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale even on Halloween. 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 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: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Silver James | @SilverJames_ Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Honorable Mentions Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Louisa says: The short captured me from the start. I wanted to know more about this veil between life and death. I also like the integration of the prompt. Although the physical description works well, the added telepathy at the end pushes the believability a bit more. Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Louisa says: Maybe it’s because I saw “The Addams Family” recently, but this short had me at “’I couldn’t even kiss Morticia if I wished.’” I definitely want to know more about Death not being able to love. Mark A. Morris Louisa says: Simply put: The zombies. It’s a Halloween challenge, and zombies bring it home. Or hopefully, the generator holds. winner announcement Week 386 Winner David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Louisa says: Witty interpretation of the prompt. Sadly, I oddly can relate to it being so comfortable, you’re not really comfortable. David burrowed under the skin of the reader. Plus, nice continuation of the ST Universe. Melody Fayth blinked and rubbed her eyes, not sure how to interpret what she saw. This place was strange to all her senses. The temperature was so uniformly comfortable as to make her uncomfortable, the air still but not stale. What she saw was strangest of all. “I’ll wager yer fancy maester never been anywhere like this.” Cat N. Kinnery puffed her chest out proudly, little fists on her slim hips. They were in a sort of tunnel, curving and composed of some metal-like substance the young priestess had never seen before. Panels of magic lights were set into the walls at floor level as well as into the ceiling as far as she could see. Breaks in the walls looked like doors, but without handles or nobs to open them, and the floor was carpeted! Melody shook her head. “This isn’t?” “Star Trek.” “What?” “I suppose what ye need to know,” Cat purred, “is we be on a ship. The sort what sails the stars.” Before Melody could formulate a more coherent question an imposing man with ridges on his head came around the corner ahead of them. He wore a strange uniform of black and yellow with a metal sash across his chest and a scowl on his face. Melody quickly stepped to the other side of Cat from the stranger. “Captain Kinnery,” he growled. “If you are going to be bringing guests with you, I must insist you tell me how you keep getting aboard The Enterprise.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Six Time Winner David, and Honorable Mentions Katheryn, Daelyn, 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 385 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: Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Mark A. Morris Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Dakota Trace | @dakota75 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Patty Knowles | @pattydump1 M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Ever Addams | @everaddams Silver says: Dang! Every last one of the threads was terrific! Every. Last. One. Each told a great story. Each made me want to find out more about the characters. Each was technically well done. I almost resorted to flipping coins, drawing names, or just mentioning everyone. I could have easily given all of you honorable mentions and in fact, as I took notes while reading, realized that I’d listed every story as notable. However, our esteemed hostess says that’s not in the rules so I had to just go with my gut reactions to each one.  Honorable Mentions Ever Addams | @EverAddams Silver says: This was an intense bit of writing. This scene from a larger story was succinct and compelling with emotional overtones that made me want to know a whole lot more about what is happening. Mark A. Morris Silver says: This thread was sweet and desperate and hurt my heart a little, all while giving hope that the main character would find happiness and their place in the world. Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Silver says: This story shows both sides in a disturbing and fascinating way and the ironic (to me, anyway) ending was the ribbon on the funeral wreath. winner announcement Week 385 Winners Kel. J Heinen | Joe Hesch Silver says:There’s a tie for Winner. I couldn’t help myself. While I had different reactions to each story, both moved me. Aightball: I laughed out loud at this one. It’s quick, complete, with a bonus satisfyingly surprise ending that I loved. I’ll often grin while reading something, but to literally LOL? Doesn’t happen often. Good job! Joe Hesch: This one touched my heart. I want to know who the entities are. I want to know who “He” is, why he’s the way he is. Mostly though, I love the story structure–the complete circle of beginning and end. Well done. more, perfectly so. ~~~~~~~ In the movies, many things make noise that are quiet otherwise. And so it seems to be on the Dark Plane. The silver shimmering sliver of light is bright but silent and I turn to my friend and boss Adrianna. “What is it?” I ask, blinking away the orange floaters in my eyes. “Besides bright.” Adrianna shrugs, blinking as well. “No clue. Maybe it’s an anomaly?” “This isn’t Star Trek,” I say, rolling my eyes. “We need to do something about this before someone sees it.” Adrianna turns to me, shrugging. “Like what? Say ‘bibbity bobbity boo’ and wave it away?” “If it helps. What if it’s a demon coming through?” We both laugh, until the thing expands, and something starts coming through. “All right, Cinderella, give it a go!” I say, stepping back. Adrianna side-eyes me but waves her hands, mumbling in Latin. Darned if the portal-thing doesn’t close on a startled squeak. “Well. Guess we’d better report that to the higher ups.” She turns to me, eyes wide. “I *am* the higher ups! What do I do?!” We re-enter the Dark Plane and I shrug. “Call Ghostbusters?” I deserve that punch to the arm. @Aightball ~~~~~~~ We need to do something about this. I know. If this goes on much longer, I doubt he’ll ever be able to – you know – again… Don’t even think that. If he stops for good he’ll just lose the will to go on…with anything. Then we need to do something. He’s tried almost everything, walks, music, reading. God, look how he just sits there. A blink, blink, a sigh. I caught him crying the other night. No you didn’t! Yeah, in bed, alone, staring, like he was expecting someone to come to him from out of the ceiling. Or past. You know how he likes the room totally dark and cool. So how do you know he was crying? Heard him. Like a stage whisper. Said her name and then…well, a sobbing sound. Like he couldn’t catch his breath. No kidding! Maybe we should suggest he reach out to her. And yeah, we both know she’ll eventually make him more damn paralyzed with misery than he is now. Humming away in his chair one minute and then… I know. But he can’t go on like this. I’m afraid he might just…you know, POOF, gone. And what about us? Okay, you go to his right and I’ll go left. Wait. Listen. The laptop. Is he writing her? Think she’ll answer? I mean kindly? What’s he say? Let me check. Oh… Well at least he’s trying. Okay, but what’s he written? It says, “We need to do something about this.” @JAHesch ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Ten Time Winner Kel, and Four Time Winner Joe, and Honorable Mentions Ever, Mark, and Richard! 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 384 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 A. 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: Eric Martell | @drmag00 Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil (first tale) Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Dakota Trace | @dakota75 Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil (second tale) M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Jo Hawk | @JoHawkTheWriter David says: Details like Jake seeming older than ever before and it turning out to be years later were superbly setup and executed. In particular, the twist at the end being setup by the celebratory cliff jump—which made me nervous even while the story was still light and sweet—was exemplary. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David says: You set up the perfect little slice of life tale that threatened to turn to horror, but the real twist was remaining slice of life. Bonus points for being seasonal! Cara Michaels | @caramichaels David says: I’m a sucker for the fantastic and epic feel of this one. Still, it’s Jesse and Joon’s sincere desire to help even though they’re both out of their depth that really drives this one home for me. Silver James | @SilverJames_ David says: The details of Ms. Harrington’s outfit were the perfect way to setup the upset of her being the real badass. I was quite satisfied with how she handled herself as well! winner announcement Week 384 Winner Eric Martell | @drmag00 David says: This story struck me as one of those special accomplishments that is rare even in our circles. Your slow deliberate lead-in with the narrator’s red face lasting for hours set the scene perfectly. The way you play with the conversation with the doctor, always implying where the story is going before overshooting it dramatically at the end, was very compelling. Absolutely outstanding job on this one! The doctor pushed the curtain aside as she stepped into the room. My face was bright red – had been for hours. If it lasts longer than four hours, contact a doctor. Welp. She smiled gently at me. “I spoke to your wife in the hallway. I know this is uncomfortable for you, but you understand we deal with things many people find embarrassing all the time.” I couldn’t really speak, so I just nodded. “Okay, let me see what’s going on here.” I turned even redder and lifted the flimsy gown. The doctor’s eyes didn’t quite bulge, but they did widen. She recovered quickly, however, and spoke quietly. “I see she didn’t overstate the issue.” Now I found my voice. “No, ma’am, she didn’t.” “And it’s been like that for six hours?” “Going on seven.” “And what is your pain level? On a scale from one to ten?” “You’d think it would hurt, but it doesn’t. Not even a one.” “And it started as soon as you took the pill?” “A little after. I know, I shouldn’t have ordered them over the internet, but my insurance wouldn’t cover them, and they’re so expensive. And, well, we were missing that part of our lives.” “I understand. There’s no need to feel awkward about needing this kind of medicine.” “Thank you.” “But yes, we need to do something about this.” “I don’t think that it being rainbow-colored seems healthy, does it?” “Well, it could be worse.” “How?” That’s when it started flashing. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWELVE TIME WINNER Eric, and Honorable Mentions Jo, Mark, Cara, 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 383 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 Patty Knowles 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 Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Eric Martell | @drmag00 Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Mark A. Morris Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Dakota Trace | @dakota75 Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Patty says: This entry has a good mix of characterized vocabulary. The sister’s vocabulary is complex. In contrast, the brother’s is mostly fragments. On the theme…which is worse—the betrayal of a lover or the betrayal of a brother? I like that she refuses to betray her uncertain future happiness. I hope she holds to this rejection of her brother. He knows her. How will he use his knowledge against her? This hook catches my attention. I could read more. Dakota Trace | @dakota75 Patty says: Ever the romantic, I felt the character’s emotions as this story began with that hopeless feeling of being alone, the relentless nagging of the friend, and the heart-stopping moment when hope begins again. Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Patty says: Touché. This scene reads quickly with no surprises. Gracie makes easy work of getting the truth. I’m sure the prosecutor is standing behind the scenes with his mouth hanging open. Every detail fits perfectly, even the cry of fake evidence. winner announcement Week 383 Winner Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Patty says: This is an innocent story that has a rather dubious-sounding introduction. A double-bribe to get someone to do Bree’s will. Life often works that way. I paused at the word “instructions.” My brain had to reset but in a good way. The unexpected twist at the end had me smiling. I hate assembling anything myself. The Mississippi Mud cake would convince me to try! I like that this whole scene rounds itself out. Doubt and desperation fill Bree as she faces the fallout of her recklessness. Turning to her best friend, Treena, she pleads, “Could you get Darius on board?” Nodding, Treena responds, “I could.” “Work on him. We need his help for this to come together.” “I just have to work my womanly ways on him. And he’ll expect you to give him a little something as well.” Treena wiggles her eyebrows at Bree. “I’ve already got something in mind he’s really gonna like.” “I’ll call him.” Treena walks out with the phone to her ear. Bree hears her friend’s muffled voice, but can’t make out her words. Hoping for the best, Treena begins her preparations for Darius’s arrival. A half hour later brings a loud knock on the door and Darius bursts in. “Okay, ladies. What have you got for me? Mmmm . . .” He breathes in a deep breath. “Somebody’s got it smelling gooooood in here.” “Darius! Hi!” “Treena tells me you need my help with a little problem?” Darius’s head swivels around the room. “I see she didn’t overstate the issue. Payment?” “In the kitchen. It’s a recipe called Mississippi Mud Cake. I think you’re gonna like it.” “So, you threw away the instructions?” “It was an accident! I dumped all the parts out and heard the garbage truck coming down the street so I ran out with the box. It’s Erin’s birthday and she really wants a doll house!” “No worries. I just did one like this for Rachie.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Teresa, and Honorable Mentions Silver, Dakota, and Atticus! 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! 🙂

Read More