Monday, June 30, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #52




Welcome back! This week is the last contest of year one!!! It's amazing how fast this year has gone. Thanks so much for making this year great, and giving us some wonderful stories to read. Next week starts year two, so this week is kind of like New Year's Eve for the contest - Let's go out with a BANG!!! 

SPECIAL FESTIVE CHALLENGE: Streamers, noise makers, or other party items!!! :)



If you need to read the full version of the rules, go here. Otherwise, here's the short version:

Rules:
1. Up to 500 words
2. Keep it clean (nothing rated R or above)
3. Start with the given first sentence.
4. Optional Special Challenge
5. Include: Twitter/email, word count, Special Challenge accepted
6. The challenge is open for 24 hours on Tuesday EST



Oh, and feel free to change pronouns, punctuation, tense, and anything in brackets to fit the story/pov/tone. I'm not going to be TOO picky... Our judge however...


Our Judge today is Emily Karn
. Check out her blog hereRead her winning tale from last week here! Here's what she has to say about herself: I am a fifty-year-old woman living in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York State, USA. I enjoy reading, writing, cooking, and assorted crafts. I am the person of one cat.



 Your first sentence for FINISH THAT THOUGHT #52 is:


The massive 2:00 am explosion jolted the town awake.



 Your SPECIAL CHALLENGE from the judge is:


Rampaging dinosaurs


 
AAAAAAAND WE'RE OFF!!!






Thursday, June 26, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #51 - RESULTS!




We had a small group this week, but both were very fun stories. If you missed them, go read them both here. Otherwise, let's read what the judge had to say:



Thank you, Emily and Mary for participating in this week's flash fiction contest! You both provided interesting stories from different perspectives and included the special challenge.


Karnemily@yahoo.com - I like the twist on the trash bags and the vampire's reaction to them. It was a complete story dropping us right into the action.


Mary.lynne - Good use of sounds throughout the story. There was grumbling, clip clops of high heels, sweet talking the officer.




Grand Champion AND Special Challenge Champion - Emily Karn - You had intrigue and blood lust!






Monday, June 23, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #51




Welcome back for another week of madness and mayhem, fun and games, or somewhere in-between! You all never cease to amaze me with your offerings, and I don't expect this week to be any different. So get to it! Go check out the prompt and write us something awesome. :)



If you need to read the full version of the rules, go here. Otherwise, here's the short version:

Rules:
1. Up to 500 words
2. Keep it clean (nothing rated R or above)
3. Start with the given first sentence.
4. Optional Special Challenge
5. Include: Twitter/email, word count, Special Challenge accepted
6. The challenge is open for 24 hours on Tuesday EST



Oh, and feel free to change pronouns, punctuation, tense, and anything in brackets to fit the story/pov/tone. I'm not going to be TOO picky... Our judge however...


Our Judge today is Kelley Thibodeau
, also known as @KelleyThibodeau. Read her winning tale from last week here! She's still working on a blog, but she's a retired Air Force public affairs officer (the communication career field) with 18 years of nonfiction writing experience (newpapers, media releases, Web articles, regulations). Now she's freelance writing and trying her hand at speculative fiction.



 Your first sentence for FINISH THAT THOUGHT #51 is:


[Stupid] [gnomes], you'd think they'd know better.



 Your SPECIAL CHALLENGE from the judge is:


Trash bags


 
AAAAAAAND WE'RE OFF!!!







Wednesday, June 18, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #50 - RESULTS!




Thanks to everyone who came out to write! If you missed any of the stories, go check them out here. Otherwise, let's read what the judge had to say:




This was a fun week, with eight (8) entries! Unfortunately for me, I have to task of picking which one I liked the most, and offering some explanation of why.

@postupak - Seriously messed up words indeed. Took me a while to figure out what was going on. Then, everything clicked into place.

@Ali_OMalley - Quite a nightmare about a giant spider.

emilykarn - This was a good one, right up there with any bug scene from an Indiana Jones movie. A blast to read.

JM MacF - You should listen to LOTR more often. Some really nasty ants in this one.

@stellakateT - “Meet the Ex, soon to be second Ex.”

@kellythibodeau - Lovely little tale about a family curse.

@CaseyCaseRose - A completely different world. One I wouldn’t mind learning more about. :)

TechieJ - Like the warfare between the ants and the spiders.



Eight solid entries, but unfortunately, I get to pick only one winner. So, here’s how I feel about the entries.



Special Challenge Champion - TechieJ. The spiders using guerrilla warfare tactics is a fun idea.




Grand Champion - @kelleythibodeau - A curse, the Darkness, and magic. This one has it all. :)





Monday, June 16, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #50




And we're back for another round of shenanigans! (I love that word!) Welcome! I'm glad you're joining us today. :) Check out the prompt below and submit your story in the comments; easy as pie... Mmmmmm, pie..... Now, off with you! Write like the wind!



If you need to read the full version of the rules, go here. Otherwise, here's the short version:

Rules:
1. Up to 500 words
2. Keep it clean (nothing rated R or above)
3. Start with the given first sentence.
4. Optional Special Challenge
5. Include: Twitter/email, word count, Special Challenge accepted
6. The challenge is open for 24 hours on Tuesday EST



Oh, and feel free to change pronouns, punctuation, tense, and anything in brackets to fit the story/pov/tone. I'm not going to be TOO picky... Our judge however...

Our Judge today is Mark Ethridge
, also known as @LurchMunster. Go check out his blog here. Read his winning tale from last week here!



 Your first sentence for FINISH THAT THOUGHT #50 is:


Dead ants [were everywhere].



 Your SPECIAL CHALLENGE from the judge is:


Spiders


 
AAAAAAAND WE'RE OFF!!!






Wednesday, June 11, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #49 - RESULTS!




WooHoo! The judge has spoken! (or written...whatever.) If you missed the fun, go read the entries here. Otherwise, keep reading to see what Emily had to say!!! :)




One of the things I love about Finish That Thought is seeing how each author takes a common opening and puts a different spin on it, and you did an excellent job.

mysoulstears: I liked the sense of whimsy you gave your story when you made the beetle a tie-dyed Volkswagon. I also liked the apprentice's determination, despite 25 faliures in a row he just keeps trying. Favorite line: "You could have been a giant, live, Rhino Beetle, and poked holes in the walls, and run amok in the castle."

storeroomoftheheart: Your story took a turn that I never would have thought of. I enjoyed your description of the difference in time for the boy and the wizard. Favorite line: "The apprentice answered with a touch of sadness that he knew something they refused to believe, winter was coming."

Nada Adel Sobhi: I got a chuckle from the apprentice's name 'Nozo' and his description. Favorite line: 'He thought it had a sarcastic and proud air about it; but being a beetle, it couldn't possibly have such an air to it, he told himself."

JM MacF: I liked the air of menace you gave Instructress Zulu, I wouldn't want her for a teacher. Favorite line: "And if I fail, he is the least likely to be missed since he is scheduled to be dismissed anyway."

Patrick Stahl: I liked the competition between Clara and James. Favorite line: "She clawed at the skin until the cold flow of blood ran slick on her fingers."

Anonymous (asekingprinces17@yahoo.com): I liked the relationship between Alec and Elmira. Favorite line: "He needed something less defensive if he was going to impress Elmira with an elephant."





Special Challenge Champion: Anonymous (Marie) (asekingprinces17@yahoo.com) The beetle turning into a dragon was the best example of a magic spell gone horribly wrong.




Grand Champion: mysoulstears A delightfully whimsical piece with a serious tone (the implied connection between the subconscious and wizardry).






Memento

I wrote a flash over the weekend (or on Monday, actually) for Christian Flash Weekly #10. The prompt goes live on Friday and closes Monday evening. This week we had between 400 and 600 words (I used 599), and the verse:

Proverbs 3:3 (WEB)

Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you.
Bind them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.


Without further ado, here's my story:


Memento



“No! No! Don’t go away!” Claire cried in dismay as the charms on her necklace toddled off across her bed. “I didn’t mean it. And really, I just wanted to get a better look at you.”

“You insulted us.” Kindness said as she climbed over a particularly large wrinkle in the pink and white striped sheet.

“Well, I didn’t mean to…” Claire bit her lip in consternation.

“Yes you did!” Truth folded his tiny arms across his body, shuffled a few more steps away, and started to climb a different large fold in the bedsheet.

“I thought when my mother said not to let you leave me, she was speaking symbolically. Not that you’d actually try to run off if I didn’t keep you fastened around my neck!” Claire sat down hard on her bed, sending them bouncing and screaming.

“Please watch what you’re doing!” Kindness said, out of breath.

Claire continued, oblivious, “I mean, I just wasn’t expecting you to be so…cute,” she said with a grimace, “with your childish little shape bodies and your dangly arms and legs… I have no idea why mom would’ve thought I’d wear you, you know, out anywhere…”

“Well, at least that’s the truth,” Truth muttered and stopped walking away.

Kindness huffed, “Truth or not, that’s no way to speak to someone – telling them you’d rather not be seen with them! It’s just…” She flung her arms wide and toppled off the top of the fold head-over-heels, screeching as she fell. She landed deep in a fold and disappeared for a few moments before climbing out and brushing herself off. She took a deep breath and continued, “It’s just unkind, is what it is, and I’ll not stand for it.” She turned and continued her trek across my bed.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake! I’m not going to sit here and get a lecture from my jewelry.” Claire reached down and tried to grab Kindness, but she dashed out of the way. “How did you do that?”

“You can’t just snatch kindness when it’s convenient for you.” She continued walking away.

Claire reached for Truth instead, but he darted away so quickly that Claire flinched in surprise. “Not you too?”

“Truth isn’t something you grab, it’s something you embrace,” he said cryptically.

Claire rolled her eyes and sighed. “Then I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I was kind to my mom by telling her I loved her present, but you got mad at me for not being truthful.” She said, exasperated, to Truth. She turned to Kindness, “But you got mad when I told you my honest feelings because they’re unkind. How can I do both?”

Kindness and Truth stopped and turned toward her. “Do you really want to know?” Kindness asked.

“Yes!” Claire shouted.

“No need to yell,” Kindness said as she made her way back toward Claire. “Kindness is all about relationship. Do you want to know why my body is round?”

Claire raised her eyebrows, skeptical. Kindness stopped. “The kind answer is yes.”

Claire considered. “Then yes,” she sighed.

“I’m round because kindness is like a hug to another person – it is always personal and always beneficial.” She replied and started walking toward Claire again.

Claire turned to Truth, “What about you? Why are you a square?”

Truth smiled, “Because I’m right and perfect.”

Claire half-chuckled and placed her hand, palm up, on the bed. Truth and Kindness climbed on.

“You need both of us to speak love – speak life – to people.” Kindness added.

Claire placed them both back on the chain and clasped it around her neck. 





Monday, June 9, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #49




Welcome back! I'm so excited to see what you all make with the prompt this week! So I won't beat around any bushes (Why is that a saying, anyway?). Go check out the prompt and write an awesome story (then share it with us!). :)



If you need to read the full version of the rules, go here. Otherwise, here's the short version:

Rules:
1. Up to 500 words
2. Keep it clean (nothing rated R or above)
3. Start with the given first sentence.
4. Optional Special Challenge
5. Include: Twitter/email, word count, Special Challenge accepted
6. The challenge is open for 24 hours on Tuesday EST



Oh, and feel free to change pronouns, punctuation, tense, and anything in brackets to fit the story/pov/tone. I'm not going to be TOO picky... Our judge however...

Our Judge today is Emily Karn
. Go check out her blog here. Read her winning tale from last week here!



 Your first sentence for FINISH THAT THOUGHT #49 is:


The wizard's apprentice scratched [his] head, staring at the beetle in consternation.



 Your SPECIAL CHALLENGE from the judge is:


Include a magic spell gone horribly wrong.


 
AAAAAAAND WE'RE OFF!!!






Thursday, June 5, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #48 - RESULTS!




The results are in and the judge has spoken! (or, at least, emailed me the things she wrote... ;) ) If you missed the fun, go check out the entries here. Otherwise, on to the decisions!



Emily - I adore the names you gave these gnomes, and let us not forget The Swiftwing, without which Bimkink would not be acting as a real gnome and beyond. She is a clever one.

 Mary - Not an otter, or a prisoner, or a pet, Jireh is a dragon. A blue dragon who is in fact blue, being torn between the world he knows and the one he should know…it was beautiful.

Patrick - You created a remarkable blend of piety and stubborn independence in this family. The concept of ‘steamist’ was brilliantly conveyed, and walking past the smoldering stake was chilling.




Special Challenge Champion: Patrick, for making a contraption powered not by steam alone, but by God who gives all life and breath.



Grand Champion Runner Up: Mary, you struck the cord I was hoping someone would play. Thanks for that! But seriously, don’t let any real dragons hear you calling them *contraptions* if you don’t want the full power of their steam flying towards you. 




Grand Champion: Emily, What a delightful use of the prompt, the challenge, and wonderful stupid hormones. It was my favorite!




Monday, June 2, 2014

FINISH THAT THOUGHT #48




WELCOME BACK! And Happy June!!! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE!?!?!?!? I can't believe we're almost halfway done with this year... I need to be more efficient; my to-do list isn't shrinking. I will be going to my first ever writers conference this month, so I'm excited about that. I also have plans to write my very first "short story" (8,000 word limit, rather than the flash I typically write...or the novels) for a contest. I don't know what I'm writing yet, though, so it may not happen. :) Also, I took a break from editing. I've been binge reading tons of stuff and I wrote another scene on my second book (not related to the first). So, I've been busy. Anyway, enough about me, you're here to write! So get to it!



If you need to read the full version of the rules, go here. Otherwise, here's the short version:

Rules:
1. Up to 500 words
2. Keep it clean (nothing rated R or above)
3. Start with the given first sentence.
4. Optional Special Challenge
5. Include: Twitter/email, word count, Special Challenge accepted
6. The challenge is open for 24 hours on Tuesday EST



Oh, and feel free to change pronouns, punctuation, tense, and anything in brackets to fit the story/pov/tone. I'm not going to be TOO picky... Our judge however...

Our Judge today is Marie Johnson
. Read her winning tale from last week here!



 Your first sentence for FINISH THAT THOUGHT #48 is:


"I will be a real [gnome]," [she] said, hoping no one remembered [her] vehement protestations to the contrary for, well, [her whole life].



 Your SPECIAL CHALLENGE from the judge is:


Include a flying, steam-powered contraption.


 
AAAAAAAND WE'RE OFF!!!