Wednesday, August 28, 2013

55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Two


 
 
 
 
 
Welcome back to #55WordChallenge!
 
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, past contests can be found here. (I am a bit behind in getting this updated.) The challenge begins at noon Eastern time every Wednesday and ends at noon Thursday. The story is based on one of three photo prompts. 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? Besides bragging rights? This badge, which can proudly be displayed on your blog or website. You can even have it tattooed onto your body, but that might be a little weird.  
 
I have also added 2 new badges. An Honorable Mention badge and an Overachiever badge. To be eligible for the Overachiever Badge, you need to use all 3 prompts.
 
If anyone is interested in contributing a prize, a book, cover art, whatever you want, let me know and we will work something out. If you are an artist that would like to have your work featured, let me know!
 
Photo Prompt:

This weeks prompts come courtesy of my children.
 
Scarecrow,
by Caleb Hollar

Cyclops,
by Sarah Sprague

Dust Storm,
by Rylie Roser


 

Winner 55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-One


 
 
Sorry, sorry, I forgot today was Wednesday. My daughter and I went and visited her grandparents and I was home and just relaxing when it hit me. So here we go…
 
Honorable Mentions:
@DavidALudwig: I love the way the story flows.
@bullishink: Powerful and tragic.
@drmagoo: Great use of the prompt.
 
Winner:
@JamesMender: Gave me chills. I want to know more.
 
Aftermath
by James Mender
 
I have my suspicions but, even if I’m right, there’s nothing I can do.
 
In some places, folks are rioting. In others, the faithful are praying because they believe themselves unraptured. This neighborhood, at least, is quiet.
 
I kneel and pick up a forgotten teddy bear.
 
All across the world, the children are just ... gone.
 
~ ~ ~
Author’s note: 55 words.
@JamesMender
 
 
Overachiever:
 @doctormikereddy: Great job using all 3 photo prompts!
 
When young I hugged him. When he could sit he hugged Bear. When he could walk Bear hung by a dangled paw. When he was hit Bear flew, then lay still. With him.
 
Later, I followed in his footsteps. Dangling Bear. Stepping out. Being hit. Flying. Bear stayed behind. I flew on. He hugged me.
 
Ok, I have 2 new badges. Honorable Mention and Overachiever!
 
HM's, Winner and Overachiever, Please take your badges!
 


 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-One



 
 
 
 
 
Welcome back to #55WordChallenge!
 
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, past contests can be found here. (I am a bit behind in getting this updated.) The challenge begins at noon Eastern time every Wednesday and ends at noon Thursday. The story is based on one of three photo prompts. 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? Besides bragging rights? This badge, which can proudly be displayed on your blog or website. You can even have it tattooed onto your body, but that might be a little weird.  
 
 
If anyone is interested in contributing a prize, a book, cover art, whatever you want, let me know and we will work something out. If you are an artist that would like to have your work featured, let me know!
 
Photo Prompt:
Baby With Mother



As you can see, I have a theme going this week. You can either choose one picture, or work all 3 in. I will be awarding an over achiever badge this week to one person that works all 3 in.

Winner 55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy

 
It’s been a long wait and you all have been so patient. So without further ado…
Honorable Mentions:
@doctormikereddy: LOL, I think I have smelled that perfume before.
@DavidALudwig: I love poetry, especially when it is so well written. J
@needanidplease: I think this witch would make a good politician. She’s good at double speak. Still, I feel her pain.
Winner:
@JamesMender: BRAVO! I love the chill this story sends through me. Very well done.  J
 
Wrong as Rain
 by James Mender
 
I arrived under a tree, nothing in view but gray skies and a nearly empty street.
 
When the first drops fell, the lone woman opened her umbrella and raced away as if the devil himself was after her.
 
Then one drop hit my exposed hand. It burned.
 
In the distance, the woman began to scream.
 ***
Ok, now I go forth and get the next challenge ready. Thanks to everyone for participating.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy

 


 
 
 
 
 
Welcome back to #55WordChallenge!
 
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, past contests can be found here. (I am a bit behind in getting this updated.) The challenge begins at noon Eastern time every Wednesday and ends at noon Thursday. The story is based on one of three photo prompts. 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? Besides bragging rights? This badge, which can proudly be displayed on your blog or website. You can even have it tattooed onto your body, but that might be a little weird.  
 
 
If anyone is interested in contributing a prize, a book, cover art, whatever you want, let me know and we will work something out. If you are an artist that would like to have your work featured, let me know!
 
Photo Prompt:




 

Winners 55 Word Challenge: Week Sixty-Nine


 
I hope you all have had a wonderful week. I’ve tried to be productive. JAnd now I’ve had the difficult decision of choosing winners from last week’s contest. So here we go.
Honorable Mentions:
@lissajean7: I loved the playfulness of this story. 
@solimond: Ha! Poor crew. I hope Cthulhu has been appeased.
@doctormikereddy: Beautifully written. Life has a way of bogging us down. I loved the analogy.
 
Winner:
@Klingorengi:

Sometimes I just have to admit that Jeff is brilliant… in a sick twisted kind of a way. As a rule, he is usually not eligible for the win since I feel I might be a bit biased and want to make sure I’m not showing favoritism, but when it is as well written as this, funny and just plain demented, well it would be wrong for me not to give him the recognition he deserves. Read what his warped, little mind came up with.
Quite A Catch
 
Zeke’s gaze scanned to the west and he growled with frustration. The fog showed no signs it would break any more today than it had all week.
 
Pulling his last trap aboard, he grinned at the contents. As mermaids went, she wasn’t especially curvaceous or alluring, but she did have her an awful purty mouth.
55 Words
 
Okay, we have less than 2 hours before the next challenge. Get your pencils ready!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

55 Word Challenge: Week Sixty-Nine


 
 
 
 
 
Welcome back to #55WordChallenge!
 
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, past contests can be found here. (I am a bit behind in getting this updated.) The challenge begins at noon Eastern time every Wednesday and ends at noon Thursday. The story is based on one of three photo prompts. 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? Besides bragging rights? This badge, which can proudly be displayed on your blog or website. You can even have it tattooed onto your body, but that might be a little weird.  
 
 
If anyone is interested in contributing a prize, a book, cover art, whatever you want, let me know and we will work something out. If you are an artist that would like to have your work featured, let me know!
 
Photo Prompt:
Hauling Traps

Overcast Sky

Fishermen

 

Winner 55 Word Challenge: Week Sixty-Eight

 
We had a lot of fun entries last week and judging was not easy. Not easy at all.
Honorable Mentions:
@lastwordy: I was reminded of days, long gone, when I would take that walk and jump. Fun times at Crystal Lake. (Not the same one that Jason attended… I don’t think.)
@needanidplease: This is so sad and happens so often.
@klingorengi: Again, this story made me sad. I can’t imagine the grief of losing a child and then revisiting the place they died.
Winner:
Oh my gawd… I can’t see this going wrong… in the most horrific way. “Mommy, wake up.” “Little Janie, why are you holding that knife?” Hee hee… but really, put me in mind of the Stepford Wives, only children. Delicious possibilities. Read the story below.
 
“They look so real! They even fidget!”
 
“Of course. Our scientists were very detailed in their design.”
 
“So they act like other kids?”
 
“In all appearances, yes – minus the hassle of training and discipline. They come pre-programmed.”
 
“Doesn’t that defeat the point?”
 
“Parents want good children with little effort.”
 
“You’re sure?”
 
“Our studies were conclusive.”
 
55 words
 
Ok, the next #55WordChallenge starts at noon! See you all there.