Prompt-based Flash Fiction Contest: Scribble!

I love prompt-based fiction exercises. Although I've sort of dropped many of the ones I used to do (such as Three Word Wednesday and the Friday Prediction) in the pursuit of hardcore writing a book*, that doesn't mean I don't still love them. What they can produce from a few simple words is amazing. And I typically go to One Word two or three times a week to get the juices flowing.

Recently, I spotted a "wacky prompt" flash fiction contest, hosted by Diantha Jones. Checked out the prompts, let them ferment for a few days, and started working on something, which I just submitted. Why don't you give a swing, too? $50 Amazon gift card for the winner, and if you don't win, it's still fun. I loved working on mine this week. Broke me out of a little rut.

Scribble

Let me know if you do enter! Er, the deadline's fairly close. So get on it.





*By "hardcore writing a book," I mean a couple thousand words a week and equal that in cups of tea and minutes spent staring out the back window at the lavender coming in. And writing notes for said book and petting the kitty who sits on the keyboard. And whining about it over beer at the Trolley Stop to my love, who suffers living with a writer with grace.

Horrifyingly Good News

So much news today. All good.

First, An October Birth got a DD over on Deviant Art. Really thrilling, especially considering this Daily Deviation comes after it was rejected three times by various magazines. One was a form rejection, and two were personal, explaining how it did not fit their 'zines. It's a tough story, I admit, with horror and sadness wrought by incest, and after doing a lot of research, I couldn't find a good fit. I guess DA was a perfect home!

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Next, I've got two pieces of micro-fic in 101 Fiction's December issue, Hijo and Stages. The theme for the issue was a deliciously morbid two-fold delight: "undead" and "winter." And I love EVERY ONE of the stories in this issue! Each one is a perfect little gem, hard and glittery. Congrats to my fellow contributors, and thank you to editor, John Xero.

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Last, voting is on for Fantasy Faction's monthly story contest (November's theme: doors), and my short story, "The Dragon in the Attic," is one of six vying for fame and glory! Despite the title, it's horror. Seems to be today's theme :)

The submission thread, where you can read the pieces (each under 1500 words) is here. The voting thread is easily found.

Please vote! I did; there were two that really grabbed me, and it was tough to decide which one to vote for, but I did it and SO CAN YOU, my pretties!

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Well, this is a lot of horrifically good news. I feelz like a real writer today, yo.

While nothing else is under submission, two short stories and a creative non-fiction essay are finished... but I have no idea where to submit them. Sometimes my stuff is a bit wacky. I dunno. Maybe I'll start my own publishing company for weirdos like me. If there are any out there. Doubt it. Probably alone, playing solitaire.

/P.M. Dawn reference

xx

RS

Flame and Ash Short Story Contest

I keep an eye on the lit contests over at DA, but one hasn't caught my eye in months. A few days ago, one did: The Flame and Ash Short Story and Poetry Contest. You can find out more at the link, but basically, it's a contest based on this sculpture by sleetwealth:

Word count max 4000, and go wherever the art inspires you. I did not read the interview with the artist, as I didn't want it to affect my story. Will do so now. Mine, btw, comes in at 1500 words: Rivers of Gold.

Some nifty prizes: first place gets a year's paid sub, plus features, plus -- and I think this is really cool -- the winning story becomes the subject of its own contest, one for artists creating art based on the story. Whoa. A Mobius strip of coolness and art.

In other news, hurrah! I finished my second piece for A Twist of Noir. I'm 638 and 655, baby! The train just left the station today, so get on over and hop aboard. There's a handful up today, and it starts off with a bang -- Jimmy Callaway's appropriately titled Six Hundred. And hey, I think Christopher might have a few spots left. You like writing noir? Crime? Thrillers? Contact him and see if there are any spots left.  

Regarding my 638 (no, I ain't telling you the title!): I sent it to Christopher with this note: It's that time a year, when an author's fancy turns to bloody toilets. See? You totally want to play along, don't you? Yeah, I thought so. ;)

Fragrance, Six Word Story Contest

Six Word Story Contest. Just what it says! One entry per person, open until May 13th.

I don't think I'll enter, unless I actually think of one. So far, I've come up with a grand total of one, several days ago, written for someone else. I think mine might be, Why can't I use more words?

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I haven't worn fragrance in years, but I do enjoy it. Recently, I ordered four samples from Theme Fragrance on etsy. I know that BPAL is quite popular, but I do wonder if it isn't solely based on their poetic descriptions. Many of the ingredients seem heavy and musky, and going by other people's reactions, you've got an approximately 1-in-10 chance of liking one. What I liked about Theme is that their ingredient list is short, the ingredients themselves simple and clean, and their feedback page is wonderful (and now I've left mine, too). In addition, the shipping was wicked fast, and the conversation I had with Theme was quick and very friendly. As for the fragrances:

Sarong: their bestseller, and I can see why. Vanilla/coconut with a bit of soft floral on the drydown. The sort of fragrance I could totally see people wearing on vacation. While the vanilla and coconut were apparent, it was a very sophisticated, womanly perfume.

Seashell: Grapefruit/citrusy. The grapefruit is entirely apparent, and the fragrance is very bright and pure. My only complaint is that all day, I kept imagining a butler standing just behind me, ready if I turned around: "Orange, madam?" Unlike the others, this didn't make a big difference in the drydown. Still a crisp citrus.

Lilavati: Mangoes and floral. Very mango-y at first, but it dried to a sort of sweet floral that I just didn't care for. It seems very familiar, though, and I imagine that many women would love love love this. Just not me, although I can see why others would appreciate its sophisticated, floral scent.

Amuse: Easily my favorite. By a mile. Described as "gourmand vanilla," I would probably agree. Like Sarong, it's absolutely elegant, with a nice drydown. I couldn't stop smelling myself! Every inhale was wonderful. Mr. LB loved it as well. This isn't some cheap, imitation vanilla scent -- there's divine, gourmet vanilla in there, but something else, as well. Also like Sarong, feminine. Womanly. I adored this. And dare I say it -- this might make some people not want to buy it -- it slightly reminded me of opening a fresh can of Play-Doh. Ahhhh. WONDERFUL.

All of the fragrances lasted an entire day, until I showered. And that was with only one or two spritzes. Very important: I'm really sensitive to fragrances, and none of them gave me a headache, not in the slightest. And finally, bright, pure scents with that sophisticated edge. Not heavy or musky at all. I'd try other samples from Theme, but I think I just need a small bottle of Amuse. It's something I can see wearing every day.