And The Winner Is... Flash Fiction Style

I hosted my very first Flash Fiction Contest. To sweeten the deal, I'm giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift card. It's time to announce the winner and share their flash fiction with you.

I enjoyed reading them all and appreciate those who entered. You all did a fabulous job and are talented writers. Unfortunetely, I can only choose one person.

So the winner is...

Patricia Marquez 

Congrats!!! I'll contact you with details on how you'll get the gift card.

This short story seaped into my blood, causing my chest to become heavy and my breath to slow. I felt like the world had faded away, leaving me alone in the thick of the words.

Without further adieu, I share it here:

Hunter's Moon by Patricia Marquez

Once upon a time the citadel had been a place of life. High marble arches, winding roads filled with stalls and every fruit under the sun a sweet scent in the air. The cherry blossom trees had peeked from above the tall walls that sealed its citizens safely within.

But the Hunter's moon changed all of that.
 

They'd watched their protector, the knights. They'd all been lined up along the great wall, ready to become the final barrier into their city, if she didn't make it.

But it was all for show. If it got past her, that would be it. The end. They knew it. She knew it.

Her cape, the vermillion that only one of her station wore, had covered her small frame. As always, she looked deceptively small, vulnerable even. But not her companions. They stood at her side, yellow eyes and snarling mouths, tamed by nothing but a touch of her hand, bodies alert and waiting just like Little Red.

Under the moon, a pale, pearl like globe in the night, the Shadow had stretched up and up, covering the forest in black, determined this time, to finally wipe out the spark of wilful strength that defeated it over and over.

But not tonight.

It was under the Hunter's moon that Little Red and her army walked into the shadowy lines of the trees, her head held high, wisps of golden hair escaping her hood. Her most trusted friend was at her side, always at her side, predatory tread matched to her steps, the others following just a little behind.

That was the night Little Red didn't return from the battle.

That was the night the darkness hooked her heart, a sinuous thread of poisonous malediction that infected her.

And Little Red said yes.

________________________________________________________________

Congrats again! Patricia, I will contact you shortly!

Writing. Jewels.

Month of March Goals

I usually don't post on Thursdays. But, hey there on this fine day. Anyway, I've seen a few people posting their monthly goals on their blogs. I think sharing them with the blogshere will help me accomplish them. Well, it's my turn to make goals now. And achieve them.

*woot woot*

I will report back at the beginning of April with my success stories and share my April goals.

March Goals:

• Finish another round of edits/revisions of my WIP and hand it off to CP's
• Participate in the second I'm a Platform-Building Campaigner Challenge
• Finish reading Forest Born by Shannon Hale
• Read Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
• Go see The Hunger Games on March 23 at 8:30PM (yes, I've already got tickets)
• Have a supercool St. Patrick's Day party. It's my favorite holiday. :D
• Not go crazy while waiting to hear back from editors as my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, is on submission

Now, what are your month of March goals? And do you already have you tickets for The Hunger Games movie in hand? Are you counting down the days to see it, too?

Writing. Jewels.

Belated Campaign Challenge Flash Fiction

Last week, Rachael Harrie, the host of I'm a Platform-Building Campaigner, gave us a challenge to write a flash fiction under 200 words starting with "Shadows crept across the wall..." Last week was super busy for me. Thus, I didn't know about it until it was a day too late to enter.

Well, I wrote one anyway. It's a few words over 200 but close enough. Enjoy!

A Father's Love
by Julia King

Shadows crept across the wall as she crouched, awaiting her father’s return. She’d been there two weeks now, trying not to let anxiety overcome her. But it had set in after five days. They needed food so he left, hugging her tight, saying he loved her more than anything in the world.

But the world had changed. No one was safe anymore, least of all healthy men like her father. Even though he was on the emaciated side, he could still fight if he were caught. Inside, she knew he was gone—a machete in his hand to slaughter the enemy, if not the enemy himself. Years before an epidemic infected the land driving some people insane—cannibalistic.

He’d told her if he wasn’t back in two weeks she should leave. It was time. She picked up her scant belongings and trudged out of their hiding spot. Upon leaving the alleyway, she tripped over something. Picking herself up and dusting off her pants, she found her father’s zombified form holding a knife, a jagged slit across his bloodied throat.  

He’d killed himself to save her, humanity still a part of him in some way. Tears trickled from her horrified eyes. She was alone now. But her father’s love would carry her through whatever lay ahead. 

_________________

Creepy, huh? I hope you don't have to sleep with the lights on tonight... 

PS: Don't forget to enter my flash fiction contest to have a chance to win a $25 Amazon.com gift card. The contest ends today, Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 5:00PM MST. For more information, follow this link.

Writing. Jewels.

Insomniac Writer Counting Sheep

Every so often, I won't be able to sleep--insomnia, the evil foe. Grrr. Ok, I don't have insomnia (thank the heavens), but my mind will start reeling right as my head hits the pillow. Don't get me wrong, loads of my writing/blog ideas surface during these sleepless moments. I would rather enjoy the rest, but when ideas come, you take em when you get em.

I'll write down one of the distracting thoughts to get it out of my mind just as another takes its place. The maddening cycle will continue for a while until my brain decides its tired enough to stop grinding its wheels at top speed. All thanks to the sheep creeping in the room for me to count briefly until I'm purring peacefully, blissfully in my dreams depths. 

*Bah Bah Bah* ---> Sheep sounds.

I've heard some people get there ideas while in the shower. Some while driving. Others while eating their bowl of cereal in the morning.

When do your writing ideas arrive, distracting you from getting sleep, massaging shampoo into your hair, swerving off the road, or totally missing your mouth while shoveling in another tasty spoonful of Lucky Charms?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: Don't forget to enter my Flash Fiction Friday contest. You could win a $25 Amazon.com gift card by writing your own flash fiction. For more information, follow this link. I'm going to extend the entry date to Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 5:00PM MST. Shout this out to the world. I want more people to enter. Wahoo!

Unforgettable Heart-Stopping Cliffhangers

A couple weeks ago, I was watching an episode of Unforgettable. In one of the scenes the cops were calling a phone number to connect them with the killer they were chasing. During the mere seconds as the phone rang, my heart felt like it stopped and I couldn't breath. I felt heavy as I sat waiting to hear the murderer's voice. If the phone had rung just a few more times, I'd have probably passed out for lack of oxygen.

The end of the episode left me feeling the same way--with one of those all dreaded cliffhangers. It hooked me in and definitely got me wondering how they were going to tie up the loose ends created with the episode.

I've read some books that have done that to me. It's insane knowing I have to wait so long until the next book is released. I'd name the books but don't want to lessen the heartache felt at reading the last few words.

Anyway, how do you take cliffhangers? Do you end up growling at the book for a full 30 minutes (I did that with one book--ok, I'll tell you which one: Delirium by Lauren Oliver--loved the book, tho)? Do these types of ends grab you by the wrists, bringing you deeper into the thick of the story? Do they make you die to read more? Or can you shake the feeling off relatively fast?

PS: Don't forget to enter my Flash Fiction Contest here! Plus, read my own Flash Fiction. :D

Writing. Jewels. 

Flash Fiction Friday First

It's Flash Fiction Friday--a first--here on my blog. I'm gonna make a wee contest out of it. All those who enter will have the chance to win a $25 Amazon.com gift card just to make it all the more tempting.

Rules:

1. You must follow my blog (comment on this post with your name as it appears on my followers sidebar)
2. You must tweet, blog, and/or Facebook about the contest (leave the links)
3. Write your own flash fiction and post it on your own blog (comment on this post with the link) 
4. Comment with your email address so I can contact the winner

* For my Flash Fiction Friday Blog Contest, you need to write something within a 650 word limit starting with the phrase, "Once Upon a Time..." Ok, I'm obsessed with that TV show.

* Contest closes on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 5:00PM MST (New close date: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 5:00PM MST)

* The flash fiction entry I enjoy the most will win the Amazon.com gift card

* I will announce the winner on my blog on Friday, March 2, 2012 and share their Flash Fiction if that's ok
* Peruse the other entrees by following their links commented on this blog

Here's my flash fiction for some ideas (BTW: this is the first time I've shared anything I've written fiction-wise on my blog. Lucky you guys!):

The Purple Butterfly by Julia King

Once upon a time, a butterfly fluttered along a sunny path strewn with mossy shrubs and fragrant flowers, open and full of life. This particular day was the same as always—airborne, drinking the nectar of forest blossoms.

          Lexie never thought her life was quite right. Something was missing since she’d escaped from her cocoon. Maybe it wasn’t feeling comfortable in her wings like the other butterflies seemed to be. Most of all, it was the void in her heart. 

          Upon reaching the outermost corner of the woods—farther than she’d ever flown before, she smelled something different. It wasn’t the sweet smell of the forest but something stronger, not a bad scent but not what she was used to. Her delicate purple wings flapped harder to propel her closer to the source of the oddity wafting around her.

          The forest had thinned to a huge body of water with sand stretching into its depths. In the middle of the sea, a structure floated to and fro. Suddenly, something jumped off of it, splashing into the water. She watched the figure bobbing up and down, nearing the shore.

          Alarmed, she hid behind a rock. Once the tall form escaped from the water, he—a boy with suntanned skin—stepped over to where she veiled herself. Something about him spoke to her, made her want to be like him. He perched himself upon the rock almost crushing her. With a yelp, she dodged him, making a quick escape. His head turned, blue eyes narrowing on her.

          “Hello, beautiful butterfly,” he spoke sweetly. With a swift glide, he scooped Lexie into his hand. Fright overcame her, but his hand held her delicately. She didn’t try to escape. “What’s your name?” he asked, a coy smile glittered his handsome face.

          “Lexie,” she answered, shying away.

          He cocked his head quizzically to the side, then set her on the rock, backing away. “You answered me.  I…understood.”

          “What’s your name?” she asked as her heart thumped against her chest.

          “Max.” He drew closer, fixed upon her.

          “I’ve never spoken to a boy—a handsome one.” She fluttered her lashes at him. Without her control, she soared over to him until she was hovering near his face.

          “You are more beautiful than…” His wistful expression brought a bubbly sensation into her stomach. With timidity, she drew closer.  

          His searching eyes explored her. “Can I kiss you?”

          “Kiss me? I’m a butterfly the size of your palm.”

          “You’re the butterfly in my dreams. Today I’ve found you. I… I love you, Lexie.”

          A sigh escaped her mouth, joy heavy in her heart. “Then yes, kiss me.”

          Tenderly, he caressed her small form with a kiss she’d never forget. Then an unbearable stinging overtook her body. Falling to the sand, she felt as though she would die, if not from the fall, then from the anguish sparking up and down her limbs and wings.

          Perhaps hours later she awoke, Max bent over her, his hand brushing against her face.

          “Are you all right? I was so worried.” His jaw set.

          She tried to fly but nothing happened. Again, flapping her wings only resulted in them lifting up and down in the sand. Lexie’s gaze rested upon human arms instead of wings. With great panic, she stood, backing away from Max. “What happened?”

          “You transformed into a girl—a pretty girl with purple hair.” He drew closer with slow decided steps. “I saw the entire painful transformation. Are you okay?”

          “I’m…perfect. What I’ve always felt I should be. And I’m with you, even better.”

          “And I’m with you,” he declared as he gathered her into his lean arms. His lips pressed against hers passionately, then sweetly.

          They were meant for each other. Lexie from Max’s dreams, and him to transform her into what she was meant to be—a human girl.

          And they lived happily ever after.
______________

Your turn to write ---> Have fun and good luck!

Writing. Jewels.