Week 468 of #ThursThreads had so many fantastic tales, the judge had a tough time picking. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to long time flash writer and multi-time winner 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
- Miranda Boers | @PurpleQueenNL
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Mark A. Morris
- Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier
- Nellie Batz | @solimond
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites
- Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Silver says: First, I’m honored to be the 9th Anniversary Judge. Second, DANG, PEOPLE! You made this so tough I had to pull out a whiteboard. No, seriously! Every last one of you deserves recognition. There wasn’t one tale that didn’t touch me in some way. Which made it double difficult to make choices. Still, our gracious host, Siobhan, insisted that I do so.
Honorable Mention
Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
Silver says: I’m a sucker for a fantasy/urban fantasy that involves Death and any reapers/ferrymen (ferryfolk?). This story intrigued and teased and I want the whole thing.
Most Romantic Tale
Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin
Silver says: While this story ranked high in the LBGTQ category, I chose it for Most Romantic because this was a complete story full of sweetness and hope and the romance was so…there! I hope these two have their forever HEA.
Best LGBTQ+ Tale
Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
Silver says: Oh the feels! Separations and second chances, taking risks to be together, and set somewhere in a universe maybe not so far away. Well done.
Best Sci-Fi Tale
Mark A. Morris
Silver says: Dude! You made my head explode. In a good way. What a twist for the ending.
Best Suspense Tale
Miranda Boers | @PurpleQueenNL
Silver says: Okie dokie! That was a dandy little escape tale with an interesting MC. I hope there’s more to come from this story.
winner announcement
9th Anniversary Week 468 Winner
Silver says: This line is perfect! The call of space is in my veins and I was born with stardust in my eyes. I’d really like to read this book if it becomes one. It’s a complete story as it stands–hard to manage in 250 words, used the prompt perfectly, and is beautifully written.
Indiglow
As I escape into the indigo, my afterburners trace my path and I can breathe again. I don’t belong on the ground. Some people need the greens of growing things, the browns of fertile earth, the green people, the grounders.
Its funny how we can look at the same thing and see something very different. People have claimed colors for their causes and used them to draw political lines but for me, the colors we choose are the colors of our worlds.
The blue people like the oceans and the skies, the greensmen like the growing world of earth, the gray and gold are drawn to the cities, that grow up between the blue and the green worlds. Worlds between worlds within worlds
Worlds of sand and snow. Worlds of fire and cool winds. They are beautiful, but I am bound to the indigo of space. Alone I chart my course, traveling to worlds of ice, and chemical mixes that would eat the paint off of their ivory towers. They call me a pariah because I can’t live in their world. I don’t belong there any more than they belong in mine. But I will always welcome them.
The call of space is in my veins and I was born with stardust in my eyes. Stars are born and die out here, and no matter how many times I leave, it takes me back, as it always does.
They say I’m just a pilot, but I am so much more.
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Silver says: One last note: Each of you should be getting an award. There wasn’t a bad tale in the bunch. They were all interesting, tightly written, were good stories in a lot of different genres and I wish there’d been more categories! Not that I’d want to make Siobhan make more badges or anything. Anyway, it was my absolute pleasure to read each story and if y’all don’t keep writing, I will personally hunt you down and tie you to your computers. Just sayin’…
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Alrighty then! lol Congratulations Nineteen Time Winner M.T., Honorable Mention Kelly, and Romantic Winner Miya, LGBTQ+ Winner Cara, Sci-Fi Winner Mark, and Suspense Winner Miranda! Don’t forget to claim your badges (right click and save as) and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! M.T., please contact Silver for your FB/MeWe header.
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! 🙂
I agree with Silver. That line about stardust in the eyes is amazing!