Woo-wee, we did it, y’all! TEN YEARS OF #THURSTHREADS!
Like all the other weeks, 519 of them, there were some amazing tales. I don’t envy the judge to pick through all of them. If you’ve been writing for my challenge for a while, thank you for coming back each week. It’s been a helluva ride. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash.
Ten Years and a 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:
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
- Patty Dump
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
- Nellie Batz | @solimond
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Mark A. Morris
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Joel B. Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Silver says: I’m always honored when Siobhan taps me to judge. Yes, I like to participate and win, but y’all make me stretch my “other” writerly muscles when I have to take deep dives into your tales because this is such a diverse and talented group! For the 10th Anniversary, y’all outdid yourselves. Sooo many excellent tales this week. Y’all always make it tough on whoever is judging and when a judge gets “extra” categories, there’s even more mayhem when it comes to deciding. I wish there was a prize for each of you! I think I was only supposed to pick one Honorable Mention but I couldn’t. So there’s three. Shoot me. LOL Without further ado or fanfare, here are the winners:
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
Silver says: When Bill gets into his “detective noir” voice, it’s always a treat. And he’s always good for a twist at the end.
Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles
Silver says: This tale is full of suspense and angst. I couldn’t help but sympathize with the MC. Getting a reader to care about your character in 250 words is hard. Well done.
M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Silver says: Mary had me at Mary Laveau and New Orleans. This is a fun, creepy little tale and I hope it stretches into a book. I’ll buy it!
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Most Romantic Tale: Eric Martell | @drmag00
Silver says: While not exactly a romance, this little tale touched my heart. Two who loved choosing to remain together forever, one waiting patiently for the other to “arrive.” Sweet stuff here.
Funniest Tale: David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
Silver says: David might have been going for the Villain badge, but this tongue-in-cheek Superheroes and Villains tale made me laugh. Sorry. That’s how I roll. Good tale here.
Scariest Tale: Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
Silver says: Facing one’s mortality is always frightening. And the end message? That sent a chill up my spine and isn’t that what scary is all about?
Most Dastardly Villain Tale: Mark A. Morris
Silver says: Okay, a god run amok is about as dastardly as you can get. I was just rolling along in what I thought was a space opera and wham! What an ending!
winner announcement
10th Anniversary, Week 520 Winner
Silver says: his entry touched my soul. The emotion evoked—the despair and in the end, the hopefulness. Great use of the prompt and excellent wordsmithing.
I really hate those two words. Perseverance and patience. Standing here looking in the mirror, seeing the emptiness, the soullessness that looks back at me, from where so many pieces of me are gone.
“Play the long game, right Doc?” That’s what my doctor taught me. Take a walk, put on my music, mow the lawn, weed the garden beds. Keep moving. Get a shower, have a glass of water, or tea. Eat three meals a day. Keep a schedule. Go down the list, and check things off as you do them.
One step at a time.
One day at a time.
“Play the long game.”
Staring at my eyes in the mirror, I wonder if what’s gone ever comes back. Maybe it stays a barren landscape, nothing but bare dirt, and cold, hard rock, with no life at all. Maybe it sits between me, and whatever hides on the other side of that desolation I can see in the mirror.
I don’t know.
I put my earphones in my ears, set my music player to play randomly. One song after another. Endlessly. I look at those empty eyes again. Straight into the barren, desolate landscape I know is there.
While the music plays, I see wildflowers growing there. A clear blue sky, with no dust storms in it. Wispy white clouds floating in that sky.
“Maybe…” I start into those lifeless eyes again, “Maybe that’s what I’m supposed to do. Fill that emptiness myself.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Thirteen Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Teresa, and Mary! Congrats to the Special Mentions Eric, David, Richard, and Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Winners, please message or email me to collect your prize.
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! 🙂
