55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Six

Welcome back to #55WordChallenge!

 

 There IS a special prompt this week so be sure to read the instructions right above the photo prompts.

 

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 FINALLY caught up.) 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!

 

 

 

As you may know, A Cherokee Rose Blog Hop is going on now. So to help inspire your muse, I have a Zombiefied prompt. The pictures below could be images from the zombie apocalypse. Write me their story in 55 words or less... oh, and if you could work Daryl in, that would be great. If not, that is ok, but make sure if you enter the Cherokee Rose Blog Hop, not to leave him behind. He wouldn't leave you.

 

Photo Prompt:

 

Girl



Unknown Woman

Old Barn

 

 

Ok, now go have fun!

Winner 55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Five

 

 

Looks like I am getting this done at the last minute, once again. So here we go.

 

Honorable Mentions:

@nickjohns999: Chilling story and gave me the heebie-jeebies.

@BethAvery: Tragic tale. Stuck with me.

@bookwormattack: Wow. Made me shiver. I wasn’t sure… was she a vampire or a ghost.

Overachiever:

@ducknado: I loved every part of this story.

 

 

 

Winner:

@bullishink

This story was fantastic, especially since the bridge in question does have a past. The picture is showing the side of Cry Baby Bridge, in my town. It has a history… car accident, dead baby crying. So it makes sense that a murder would take place there too. 

 

Laid To Rest

 

The metal angles reminded him of sitting in church beside his mama. The way the sun pierced through the stained glass, casting a panoply of crimson shades and shapes across Father Fitzgerald’s skull, was a grim memory. Fortunately for everyone, the priest now rested, forever, beneath the triangle of cool blue water and river rocks.

 

-----

55 words / @bullishink

55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Five

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 FINALLY caught up.) 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:

 

 

 

 

*All photos are mine, taken at various locations around my home town.

 

Shameless Plug:

 

His dreams were haunted by the dead. Amy accused him of abandoning her; his mother hissed that he was worthless. His father… his father chased him down the hall, his belt slapping against the wall.

“Boy, when I get hold of you,” SLAP, “you won’t be able to,” SLAP, “sit down for a week.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I tried. I couldn’t stop them.”

“Coward,” his father accused.

***

You can read more of this excerpt at Bullish Ink. Check out the other fun posts for Zombie Week and stay tuned Friday for an announcement.

Undead Ahead: Zombies is available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo and in DOC format on Gumroad.

Winner 55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Four

 

Great stories this week!  I went back and forth a few times. In the end, this is what I decided...

 

Honorable Mentions:

@bookwormattack: Chilling tale, in more ways than one. Really gives me the shivers. 

@Siobhan Muir with her stirring plea. This story really tugged at my heart.

 

Overachiever:

@DavidALudwig: If it were me, I would make sure the weird guy always got invited. I would hate to be on his bad side.

 

 

 

Winner:

@JMnumber6: This was an excellent 55 words that told so much. Well done.

 

Perception

 

It always starts small. It’s us, the hedge wizards, who notice the small things.

 

This time, it’s starting with a spiderweb of cracks in an alley window. Remembering the last time Faerie invaded, the devastated neighborhood, I unpacked my gear in the alley and began gathering my power.

 

I’m not homeless. I’m saving the world.

 

@JMnumber6

55 words

 

Check back this Wednesday for the next 55 Word Challenge and a special theme!

55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Four

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:

Broken Window

Magic

After Party

 

 

 

Winner 55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Three

 

Sadly there were only 5 entries this week. Usually I have 3 honorable mentions, but I decided with so few to do one HM, one Overachiever and one Overall winner. I hope to see more entries next 55 Word Challenge!

 

Honorable Mention:

@by_wjhoward: This story made me chuckle and put me in mind of my own Grim Reaper Tales. Death is such a fun character.

Overachiever:

@DavidALudwig: Great story, David, but why doesn’t anyone know for sure? Go back there! Find out. Oh… and I hope you survive. Muahahaha.

 

Winner:

@lastwordy: Loved. It. So creepy and perfect.

 

The Bouquet

 

"She loves me."

 

The pile of petals was about the size of a child's snowball and almost as white. He'd been at it most of the morning, plucking flower by flower.

 

She'd liked daises. He remembered.

 

"She loves me not."

 

He liked the petals. They pulled off so easily.

 

Not like fingers.

 

Fingers were hard.

 

@lastwordy

55 words

 

Thank you to everyone that entered this week. I am sending you all a copy of No Zombies Allowed. I will send the coupon code via Twitter DM. Have a great week and see you back here Wednesday.

55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Three

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!

 

Ok, tomorrow is my birthday, so I have a theme! Let's make this fun.

 

Photo Prompt:

 

Winner 55 Word Challenge: Week Seventy-Two

 

Honorable Mentions:

@fetterslopez: OMG, it’s hard enough being a teenager, but add mutation to it… I can feel her pain.

@redshirt6: Child’s art come to life, or maybe the child had a premonition. Chilling story.

@James Mender: Another chilling tale.

Winner:

@lastwordy: I love the twist of horror at the end. The games we play…

 

 

October Games

 

It was simple: hang a mirror on the dead tree, hold hands, and chant. It was five tries before we could do it without laughing. Then the silence was eerie, and we were glad to hear the wind rustle the dry cornstalks.

 

Until Mary screamed. And we realized too late that hadn't been the wind.

 

55 words

@lastwordy

Overachiever:

@doctormikereddy: I loved this twist on The Wizard of Oz. Great tale.

"Not Oz Anymore"


Oz had changed since Dorothy had last left. The scarecrow's benevolent dictatorship had been overthrown by the One Eyed Man is King, but the Cyclops had eventually lost the people's support when dust storms from the edges of Oz had eaten into the safer lands.

Dorothy rolled up her sleeves. "Toto, we've lots to do!"

 

Here are the badges. Wear them proudly!

 

 

 

 

Okay people, My children’s book, The Tooth Adventures of Fanny Nightsky goes on tour, beginning the 5^th, (which by the way happens to be my birfday,) and will be free for Kindle Sept. 5^ththrough Sept. 9^th. Please spread the word.

 

“Good sweetness, Zip, will you hurry up?”
“I’m trying, Fanny, but I don’t know what to bring with me.”
“Pixiesticks! Zip, we’re just going on a blog tour. Why are you putting all those cat treats in there?”
“Just in case there are cats, Fanny. Remember what happened the last time there was a cat?”
“Don’t remind me of that Cat-astrophy.”
“Fanny, why are you laughing?”
“I’m not laughing, Zip… ok, I’m laughing. I can’t help it. You should have seen the look on your face when you were cornered by that cat.”
“Shhh… Fanny, I think there are kids listening.”
“Where? Zip, I don’t see anyone.”
“I thought I heard a child. They’re very sneaky you know, always trying to catch us with their fairy traps.”
“I think your imagination is working overtime, Zip. Now what else have you got in your bag… Peanuts and Popcorn! ZIP! What are you doing with all those copies of our book?”
***

Fanny Nightsky is going on tour Sept. 5th through Sept. 9th, and she's going to be bringing Zip with her. She will be visiting blogs around the world, sharing her magic with children everywhere. The Tooth Adventures of Fanny Nightsky will be free on Amazon that week.and Fanny may even have a story or two to share with you.

There is even going to be a chance to win a free paperback version of the book, signed by Fanny Nighsky and Zip Moonfall, as well as the author, L.Hollar, so be sure to check back here on the 5th.