tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post2351413160354613574..comments2024-01-22T07:38:36.759-05:00Comments on Musings of Alissa Leonard: FINISH THAT THOUGHT #17lissajeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-69469454906368845152013-10-31T17:34:49.300-04:002013-10-31T17:34:49.300-04:00Thanks, Bonnee. And thank you Ms. Leonard, I forg...Thanks, Bonnee. And thank you Ms. Leonard, I forgot to say.Patrick Stahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690555802232025818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-54711510985896549242013-10-31T08:04:49.583-04:002013-10-31T08:04:49.583-04:00Great work Patrick! This is cool :) Great work Patrick! This is cool :) Bonnee Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01513268628209169538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-88216246074507969662013-10-31T06:02:55.891-04:002013-10-31T06:02:55.891-04:00I'm not doing NaNo & would be able to judg...I'm not doing NaNo & would be able to judge if I win :) I'm writing a non fiction book instead & looking after 2 sick kids!<br /><br />This story went in a different direction than I was expecting... and I can see it being the start of a novel!Melissahttp://www.melissawrites.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-72450394968765273042013-10-30T18:31:53.052-04:002013-10-30T18:31:53.052-04:00Thanks for reading it. And commenting. Regarding N...Thanks for reading it. And commenting. Regarding NaNo I am not doing it. Whether to go next week or wait December, either way is fine with me. Whatever the majority wants. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-28308792528231177312013-10-30T16:25:44.354-04:002013-10-30T16:25:44.354-04:00Plan to do Nano. This was my first attempt at doin...Plan to do Nano. This was my first attempt at doing this here. Give me a couple of weeks to get the feel of how things work here, then I'll let you know about judging. <br />This was fun. I'm becoming a fan of these flash fiction sites. =)Jackie Castlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01069905579258709848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-85231839879243871702013-10-30T13:21:17.486-04:002013-10-30T13:21:17.486-04:00Third time is always the charm! Good luck on your...Third time is always the charm! Good luck on your writings and I hope your muse doesn't get nearly as snarky as mine does. =)JM MacFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13666182414570019539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-17822212057197803842013-10-30T12:55:11.124-04:002013-10-30T12:55:11.124-04:00I just adore this! Wonderful story.I just adore this! Wonderful story.JM MacFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13666182414570019539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-92059302057345452412013-10-30T12:06:12.516-04:002013-10-30T12:06:12.516-04:00I'd be up for judging, no problem. Not sure ab...I'd be up for judging, no problem. Not sure about whether I'll write any flash, probably depends on if I get inspired or not! This is only my second try at flash after all.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04960384891479990533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-91250791290667059072013-10-30T11:54:24.842-04:002013-10-30T11:54:24.842-04:00I am not doing NaNo this year. Yeah, I could judg...I am not doing NaNo this year. Yeah, I could judge.Patrick Stahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690555802232025818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-41060534054221452582013-10-30T10:12:43.729-04:002013-10-30T10:12:43.729-04:00Yeah, I rushed to get that story in around too man...Yeah, I rushed to get that story in around too many other things last night, and it shows. I'm all good with November - no way I can do NaNo. :)drmagoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15775058162003058562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-13562845970118589522013-10-30T10:12:07.463-04:002013-10-30T10:12:07.463-04:00suresureAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16446091993799311387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-2175820589100729112013-10-30T09:54:54.421-04:002013-10-30T09:54:54.421-04:00I really enjoyed this! The chirped in the beginnin...I really enjoyed this! The chirped in the beginning tipped me off, but then I kept reading and forgot about it. By the time you got to the kids having families 'next year' I thought there must be some confusion... perhaps it was her perception of time passing...oh, no, bird, yeah... hehehehehe. It worked well for me. And the car accident... :) You totally kept me thinking people even though all the clues were there. Thanks. That doesn't happen for me very often. :)<br /><br />Since you're not doing NaNo, I assume November is still good for you to judge if you win?lissajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-89862999448169312662013-10-30T09:49:48.904-04:002013-10-30T09:49:48.904-04:00I loved this, Kate! So fun! Let's promote heal...I loved this, Kate! So fun! Let's promote healthy daydreams! Such an activist! :) <br /><br />I know you're doing NaNo...are you up for judging in November if you win? Will you be doing any flash writing, or just your novel?lissajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-47132314489413720302013-10-30T09:47:08.408-04:002013-10-30T09:47:08.408-04:00So fun! I love the line about him surely making a ...So fun! I love the line about him surely making a million of something. That was great. Oh, and the wails coming out like a squawking goose...hehehehe! I could hear that!<br /><br />Are you doing NaNo? Would you be able to judge in November if you won?lissajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-22651679625224206772013-10-30T09:41:20.642-04:002013-10-30T09:41:20.642-04:00I liked your take on the prompt, rainbows and pupp...I liked your take on the prompt, rainbows and puppies to war zone worked well for me. The minotaurs came a little out of nowhere for me, but I liked your descriptions of them - quite scary. So many more questions!<br /><br />Are you doing NaNo this year? Would you be able to judge in November if you won?lissajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-88798522666373472082013-10-30T09:32:21.094-04:002013-10-30T09:32:21.094-04:00This story asked WAY more questions than it answer...This story asked WAY more questions than it answered!!! What happened?!?!?!?! Such a nightmare! Lesson Learned: Never go on a vacation to a remote location alone unless it's in all the tour books and whatnot.... sheesh.<br /><br />Are you doing NaNo? Would you be able to judge in November if you win?lissajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-11293149643549823682013-10-30T09:28:08.605-04:002013-10-30T09:28:08.605-04:00I was extremely confused about who your pov charac...I was extremely confused about who your pov character was until the end. I think the end would have worked better if that had been clear from the beginning somehow...I assumed a female helper during the first paragraph, so I was still adjusting to a male perspective when it finished. Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />Are you doing NaNo? Would you be able to judge if you won in November? I'm trying to decide what to do with the contest for the next month. :)lissajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-12890868332544752652013-10-30T09:18:41.556-04:002013-10-30T09:18:41.556-04:00:) No need to apologize! The Special Challenge is ...:) No need to apologize! The Special Challenge is optional. :) And your story is very sweet...I may have had a tear or two...ahem...but wanting to be near someone is not a very smart reason to start a business. :) Perhaps they will be a bit more intentional on their next venture. <br /><br />Are you doing NaNo this year? Will you be able to participate in November and judge if you win?lissajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-28424701185057808792013-10-30T09:09:35.298-04:002013-10-30T09:09:35.298-04:00HAHAHA! My favorite line: "Roll up your sleev...HAHAHA! My favorite line: "Roll up your sleeves and get off Facebook, for pete's sake." Loved it! That is one snarky muse! :) (btw, I'm 0 for 2 in my NaNo attempts...maybe the third time's a charm???) Thanks for answering my question! You should get bonus points for that...alas, I'm not the judge! They'll definitely keep coming, but I was wondering if anyone would have the time to judge! Apparently you will! I will have to ask everyone else again.lissajeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530061516614280887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-36964704106083508602013-10-29T23:17:34.000-04:002013-10-29T23:17:34.000-04:00I am not doing NaNoWriMo so whatever other people ...I am not doing NaNoWriMo so whatever other people want is fine by me. (As long as these prompts continue!) :) JM MacFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13666182414570019539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-996308174541532082013-10-29T23:04:15.813-04:002013-10-29T23:04:15.813-04:00Muse Abuse
500 Words
Special Challenge accepted
Em...Muse Abuse<br />500 Words<br />Special Challenge accepted<br />Email: macf.jm@gmail.com<br /><br />What, did you think it was going to be all rainbows and puppies? Writing a story is hard work. You have to have a plot. A theme. Characters developed. Where are they going? Why? How? What are they hoping to accomplish? What’s the problem and how will it resolve?<br /><br />Did you seriously think you could sit down with paper and pen and “just write” a story? Of course you started out well. We all do. The idea is fresh and I’m motivated. But after a few paragraphs, maybe a few chapters since you seem to be so gifted, it gets wishy-washy and becomes mumbo-jumbo. Look at what you just wrote. It doesn’t make any sense! Who is this Jaed who waltzed in on page seven and why is the dragon suddenly bi-polar?<br /><br />I don’t care that you’ve finished a novel. That doesn’t make you worth reading. What, you think you can force me to cooperate now that you’ve made a complete mess of this one? More coffee isn’t going to help. Staring at what you just wrote isn’t going to magically finish that sentence. It’s been 19 hours since you’ve slept and you’re only on day four. <br /><br />Sure, go back and edit. Re-edit your re-editing for all I care. You can make that fifth chapter as pretty as you want, but it isn’t going to do you much good if you can’t get chapter six to flow right. I told you to jot down your ideas in an outline, but did you listen to me? No. Now you can’t remember if he was supposed to propose on Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Honestly, I hope he doesn’t propose at all. He started out okay, but man what a conflicted, love-sick puppy he’s become! I can’t stand him or comprehend how you can still think he’s a catch. You’ve broken that backbone he was supposed to have (yeah, I remember you describing him like that and wish you’d hold him to it) and he’s done so many out-of-character things by now that you should just reinvent the guy.<br /><br />One week left to finish this rotten novel. No, I’m not going to come back from tea yet. I still have a cookie to eat. And perhaps pour myself another cup of tea. You need me to help with the epic battle? No dice, I can’t stand the smell of blood. Good luck, though. Don’t accidentally kill off your main character. If I get you a cup of cocoa, will you stop glaring at me like that?<br /> <br />Oh, hello. Is it time already? Let me put down my newspaper and we can discuss strategy. Two hours until the deadline? Piece of cake. Now to put all these pieces together that you’ve conveniently thrown all over the place. Roll up your sleeves and get off Facebook, for pete’s sake. No one cares about your pathetic NaNoWriMo complaints. You’re the bright one who wanted to do it in the first place.<br /><br />By the way, congratulations.<br />-MuseJM MacFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13666182414570019539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-13283536469442859882013-10-29T22:57:26.598-04:002013-10-29T22:57:26.598-04:00“What, did you think it was going to be all rainbo...“What, did you think it was going to be all rainbows and puppies?” Melissa whispered, a smile on her face. Her daughter Amanda was fast asleep in her arms, her mouth agape, sleeping without a care, sleeping the sleep only a child can. I was helping her mother put her to bed – carrying a blanket and a stuffed rabbit, its left ear worn from tiny fingers. Melissa was referring to the decoration in her daughter’s room, all purples and blacks and magic wands.<br /><br />“I grew up in a family of all boys – I didn’t see the room of a girl until I was out of college, and then that was a little different.” I hoped my blush didn’t show too obviously in the dim light. “Uh, what got her interested in all of this?”<br /><br />Melissa tucked her daughter in and gave her a kiss on the cheek, resting her hand on her forehead just for a moment. Taking my hand, she guided me out to the hallway and closed the door behind her before wrapping her arms around me. “You did know her mother was a witch, didn’t you?”<br /><br />189 words<br />@drmagoodrmagoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15775058162003058562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-13811139574281541422013-10-29T22:50:03.257-04:002013-10-29T22:50:03.257-04:00Seeking Shelter
476 words
@CharlesWShort
Sorry sp...Seeking Shelter<br />476 words<br />@CharlesWShort <br />Sorry special challenge not accepted this time. <br /><br />“What, did you think it was going to be all rainbows and puppies?” <br /><br />Jason looked at her and knew that she wanted an answer. She wanted a fight of some kind. But all he really saw was how pretty she was. <br /><br />“No, actually, I was expecting puppies and kittens.”<br /><br />Her eyes burned with fire, but Jason thought it made her even more beautiful. <br /><br />“This is no laughing matter. We have a responsibility to these animals.” Her tone was sharp, it was intended as a rebuke, but Jason knew her well enough to know she was stifling a giggle. <br /><br />The truth was he wasn’t emotionally invested in running a no kill shelter. He was only invested in her. He would give her anything she wanted, including this crazy animal shelter, which had no puppies, kittens, or rainbows. All it had was old cats and dogs nobody wanted. <br /><br />“I’ll go to the pet store and buy the food.”<br /><br />“What will you pay for it with, a smile?”<br /><br />“No, this time of the evening, Harold will be the checker. If we are paying with smiles you had better go.”<br /><br />She was not going to be put off the fight. “You can’t keep putting expenses on your personal credit card. We either need less animals or better fundraisers.”<br /><br />“We won’t raise any more money in this town. Everyone is tapped out.” <br /><br />“Then what are we going to do?” <br /><br />Jason realized she was about to burst into tears and he wasn’t sure he could take that. Only thing he could do was to look away. Finally he said, “Go back to basics. Remember why you wanted to open the shelter. The motive has to be strong enough to carry you through the hard times.”<br /><br />The silence went too long. Jason wanted to man up and check on her, but he knew there would be tears hiding in the silence. “I didn’t want to start this shelter.” She said it very quietly, like it was a shameful admission. <br /><br />The confession shocked Jason. He spun around and said, “Then why did you?”<br /><br />“I did it for you.” <br /><br />“What do you mean you did it for me?”<br /><br />“You said you hated shelters that put animals to sleep.”<br /><br />Jason blushed, remembering the day they met. “I only said that as an excuse to meet you.”<br /><br />“Then why did you start this shelter?”<br /><br />“I did it for you. You suggested it and I needed an excuse to be near you.”<br /><br />“You did?”<br /><br />“Yes, I love you.” Jason shocked them both with his own confession.<br /><br />“I love you too.” Her stare softened considerably and now she wasn’t the only one crying.<br /><br />Jason finally broke the silence. “So will you let me go put some more food on my credit card?”<br /><br />“Yes, if you will let me put up a sign saying we won’t accept any more animals.”<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-71366843340234273102013-10-29T22:24:26.299-04:002013-10-29T22:24:26.299-04:00Holiday of a Lifetime
494 Words
Challenge Accepted...Holiday of a Lifetime<br />494 Words<br />Challenge Accepted<br />@MissieK<br /><br />"What, did you think it was going to be all rainbows and puppies?" He sneered as he left me alone with my thoughts.<br />To be honest, I thought it was, or at least it wasn’t going to be this. This was to be the trip of a lifetime, a holiday I had been saving up for the last year. But it was so different than what I had expected.<br /><br />The brochure caught my eye one winter day as I walked past the travel agent on my way home from work. The picture showed an idyllic destination with clear white sands and blue sea. The sun shone and it was a wonderful escape. The logo of the resort had a unicorn dancing on a rainbow – that had to be a good sign, right?<br /><br />I scrimped and saved, often going without that slice of cake over coffee and even using the cheap teabags at home so I could get the money together. I was determined to escape the cold grey of winter, even if it was only for two weeks.<br /><br />The disappointment started from the moment I stepped off the plane. The weather was worse than at home! Although instead of cold and wet, it was hot and wet. The resort was nothing like the brochure, and even their website, had promised. The floorboards were cracked and the bed was lumpy. The fan worked intermittently at best. It was when I plucked up the courage to complain to the manager that things really started to get bad.<br /><br />The manager was an imposing man who looked kind of slimy, a bit like a used car salesman in some of those old ‘80s movies. When I said I’d like to talk with him, he took me to his office. After I had laid out my complaints, he just sneered, telling me there was nothing else available and to put up with it. Instead of taking me out the door we had come in, he directed me through another door, practically pushing me through.<br />I landed on the floor. It was rough, bare boards, and I got a splinter in my hand. The room was completely bare, with only a dirty skylight preventing it from being in complete darkness. I turned to face him, wondering what on earth was going on.<br /><br />He stood in the doorway, blocking my escape, and looked down on me. His face was contorted like nothing I had seen before. I was terrified and couldn’t move.<br /><br />"What, did you think it was going to be all rainbows and puppies?" He slammed the door behind him and I could hear a key turn in the lock. I pulled my knees up under my chin and picked at the splinter, trying not to cry. This was supposed to be the holiday of a lifetime, and now I was locked in an empty room with no idea what I’d done or how I was going to get home.<br />Melissahttp://www.melissawrites.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996679476368835656.post-72684295552404438002013-10-29T20:03:44.510-04:002013-10-29T20:03:44.510-04:00Escaped from the Labyrinth
247 words
Challenge Acc...Escaped from the Labyrinth<br />247 words<br />Challenge Accepted<br />patrickjstahl@yahoo.com<br />@patrickjstahl<br /><br />"What, did you think it was going to be all rainbows and puppies? Look around you, soldier. You’re in a war zone.” Sergeant Hutchison drove his rifle butt into my ribs.<br /><br />I leered at sarge’s bloodshot eyes. “No, sir, but them?” I jabbed a finger at the crest of the next hill. Dozens of minotaurs, each large enough to topple one of our tanks—I saw one do it before—tore down the slope. “Lord,” I whispered. “Don’t let my rifle jam again.”<br /><br />A snowflake hit my shoulder, probably one of the first of the year here in the Lefka Ori. It’s Christmas back home, I thought. I almost forgot. The image of my wife, tears streaming down her face as she waved me goodbye, burned in my mind. Did she even bother to put up a tree without me?<br /><br />“Get to your positions,” screamed Sergeant Hutchison. “And for the Lord’s sake, kill something.” He dropped to his knees, put his rifle to his shoulder, and fired.<br /><br />I tried to copy him: hit the dirt, mounted my weapon, placed my finger inside the trigger guard, and froze. One of the minotaurs bent down to pick up a boulder. I saw his biceps ripple despite the distance. “Lord, please,” I muttered, then squeezed the trigger.<br /><br />The minotaur stumbled. It lurched as if to toss the boulder aloft, but instead collapsed beneath its weight.<br /><br />I smiled in spite of things. One down, God knows how many more to go.<br />Patrick Stahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690555802232025818noreply@blogger.com