Wednesday, July 11, 2012

55 Word Challenge: Week Sixteen

55 Word Challenge
Week Sixteen


After taking last week off, it’s time again for the 55 Word Challenge. No special judge this week so you are stuck with me. Mua ha ha. And I’ve got some great pictures for this week too! So get ready to write and get your creativity flowing.
For those that are uninitiated, the 55 Word Challenge is a contest to write a story in 55 words or less. Not an easy task, but fun and I have been blown away by some of the entries. See for yourself, all the past contests can be found here.
The challenge begins at noon Eastern time every Wednesday and ends at noon Thursday. The story is based on one of three photo prompts and can be written in any genre you choose. My only request is no porn. I don't want to hear graphic details. If it is erotic, make it titillating, not obscene. I know that can be done and done well.
The story is to be posted in the comment section below, along with your twitter handle or email address, so I can contact you if you are the winner.
And what does the winner get? This purty badge for one. For two, a gift card for $5.00 from Amazon or from Barnes & Noble. (The prize will be rewarded within a week and sent to your email.)
Photo Prompt:



This bottom picture is courtesy of ©DaStafiZ. His amazing art work can be found on Deviantart.com

Okay, most important, have fun!

Shameless Promo:
Flashes From the Grave and Tales of Terror are both 50% off all month on Smashwords. Use coupon code  SSW50  with both at checkout.







22 comments:

  1. My Name Is fear

    Penelope slowed, sensing the dogs had given up their pursuit. Any living thing had to rest eventually; therein lay her advantage. She was no longer a living thing.

    The plaque in the laboratory had proclaimed “Fear is what kills us.” If that were so, tonight when she returned there for revenge, she would be Fear.

    55 Words @klingorengi

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Face of Fear

    The photograph is horrible. Tattered and brittle with age, it shows a terrifying child. One eye stares out at me coldly, the other hidden by wind-tossed hair. The smirking mouth appears to be sewn closed with long crude stitches.

    “Fear is what kills us,” is whispered softly behind me. A small cold hand clasps mine.

    55 words {without title}
    @Angelique_Rider

    ReplyDelete
  3. Her impeded laughter seeps through the stitches. The most disturbing part is her lack of hue- a monotone visage set against a world of color. Oh God, my only daughter- the torturous things I put her through! Alcohol remains the culprit. She wasn't meant to die! I fear, now, she wants to return the favor.

    55 words
    @AdamIckes

    ReplyDelete
  4. She was born in the war.

    She must be older.

    Four days in the killing field at six. Do you think anything’s left from before that?

    Why the tarot nonsense?

    She has a very healthy imagination. It is the best way to reach her.

    The potion will heal her?

    In a sense. Alice will die.


    55 words
    @DavidALudwig

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tall, dark and handsome. My mouth watered as the heady scent of warm musk hit me. Anticipation flowed through my veins as I dealt the cards, and painted a future of love and wealth. And when he was at his happiest I drank him dry; savouring every drop. The cards never lie, but I do.

    55 words
    @tollykit

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amira could smell their fear from a block away, creating an invisible path for her to follow. She wasn’t in a rush, knowing there wasn’t anywhere for them to go. Turning the corner, she saw the pack huddled together, fright alight in their eyes. She hissed once before pouncing, devouring her prey.
    “Now who’s dessert?”

    ReplyDelete
  7. She laid down the money and clutched her hands to her chest. Ten dollars she had saved and scraped together to discover if the days ahead would be better.

    The old woman peered into the crystal glass. She sighed, sliding the money back across the table.

    “Take it. You will need it more than me.”

    55 words
    @RGraceAllen

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Psychic

    All stars and swirls as she walks round them; random words and phrases strewn out; she picks thoughts from their clothes to persuade them, and rings on their hands that tell tales. They leave in awe dumbfounded, spreading intrigue to their friends who return. She confirms the ritual to them, and the cycle begins again.

    55 Words
    @PurpleQueenNL

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's love distilled, congealed, fermented into a pulsing heat that sings to of all the forgotten birthdays, unanswered tears and gut-wrenching loss coating her childhood. A hollow echo of her mother's heartbeat to burn away the dark.

    It tastes like ashes and graveyard dust, layering false memories of what could have been.

    But it's enough.

    55 words
    No twitter handle sorry :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoops, typo. *sighs* Not a good shot for my first time out eh?

      Take 2:
      -----------------------------------------------------------------

      It's love distilled, congealed, fermented into a pulsing heat that sings of all the forgotten birthdays, unanswered tears and gut-wrenching loss that coats her childhood. A hollow echo of her mother's heartbeat to burn away the dark.

      It tastes like ashes and graveyard dust, layering false memories of what could have been.

      But it's enough.

      Delete
  10. The fortune teller down at the pier, she told me to look out for tall, dark and handsome. That has to be you, right? Thanks for the drink. Yeah, sure, you can walk me home. What’s that in your hand though? Oh shit… when she mentioned ‘blades’ I assumed she meant we’d go ice skating...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bollocks, sorry (it's been a while...)
      55 words
      @SJIHolliday

      Delete
  11. “And this—elixir—will—?”

    “Just read the label, dearie.”

    I eyed the bottle and its glowing red contents doubtfully.

    “‘Love Me?’”

    “Aye, aye.” The witch chortled.

    “I don’t want a love potion.”

    “Are you certain? Ambition such as yours… Success begins with adoration.” She sighed. “When they love you, they will follow you anywhere.”

    @caramichaels
    55 words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love where you took this. I bet she wants it bad enough to drink it.

      Delete
  12. Title: No More

    Fear is the mind-killer.

    Through the flames and the fires and the wars, this world will not best me.

    I will fight and I will win. I will continue. I will live. I will thrive.

    With bloodied lips and brow, I will see this to the end. It will be done.

    Only I will remain.

    @MLGammella
    55 Words
    Beginning and ending lines courtesy of Dune by Frank Herbert

    ReplyDelete
  13. Though, her thin, hard hands held mine, the world dropped out from under me. Like the curling poster on her screen door, my vision washed out grey.

    Me? A mother? She had to be wrong. It wasn’t possible. Medically.

    “Are you sure?” I persisted.

    “Hands never lie,” she nodded. “Your child will bring great change.”

    @J_M_Blackman
    55

    ReplyDelete
  14. The sign read “Psychic fortunes, $10 readings”, and Selina said it’d be fun.

    I’d trusted her, with her seductive eyes. I didn’t know the fortune teller was her grandmother, or that I had a soul for liaising between the living and the truly dead.

    So come in, sit down. Only $10 a reading.

    Bwahahahahaha

    54 words
    @SiobhanMuir

    ReplyDelete
  15. #55WordChallenge is now closed! It's not going to be an easy decision since there are so many great entries. I love all of the stories! I will try to have the winners posted by tonight. Thank you everyone. :-)

    ReplyDelete