Tag: #faerypin

Faerytaleish Pinterest Contest Winners & General Gratitude

“I’m here for the winners of the Faerypin Contest, please.”

Once all the fun excitement of promoting a flash fiction contest has ended, I have to review the 50-100 entries and actually pick a winner. (Fairy Ring and Once Upon a Time Writing)

Every contest I run, I create one ineligible entry so I remind myself how jaw-droppingly difficult it is to create a story of depth and delight in 300 words.

If you open your favorite book, 300 words barely gives them enough time to introduce the protagonist. The author of flash fiction has not a word to waste – they must paint setting, character, detail in a broad brush. They cut to the bone; all the pretty adverbs and adjectives must go!

The Faerytaleish Pinterest Contest blended art and writing. Writers use images to inspire them, collecting images that embody their work. This time, I asked entrants to find a new image on the Faerytaleish Pinterest Page that struck them and then tell that story.

The results were kaleidoscopic. Please take the time to read all the entries and comment. The supportive comments in this contest were particularly delightful.

I am passing on the Flash Fiction crown to my friends Ruth Long and Lillie McFerrin. They are running a blog hop themed on Forbidden Love. I encourage those now addicted to writing flash to go enter.

As for me, I am taking a break from the madcap world of flash fiction contest. It’s been a lovely run. I have met more talent from this than I could have ever expected. Thank you all and keep writing.

Without further ado, the winners of the Faerytaleish Pinterest Contest:

Most Lyrical

La Belle Tristesse by My Vitreous Humour

The writing was savagely beautiful and troubling and vividly painted the chosen painting in words. This entry wins a copy of The Fairy Ring audiobook for the music of the words.

  

Most Transformative

Wish by Dawn Nikithser

I initially dismissed this image for my own shortlist as saccharine and one-dimensional. Dawn took the image and, through her story, transformed it into a touching and aching fable about love and loss. Dawn wins a paperback copy of Awake by Jessica Grey (thanks Jess!)

Honorable Mentions

Meg McNulty for “The Lady in the Lamp”

This little flash was chock full of well-considered details and a quick stick in the heart at the end.

Cameron Lawton for “Untitled”

Cameron created a perfect summer romance in 300 words.

Lisa Shambrook for “The Coat”

Such an innocent little girl…isn’t she? A well-crafted shocker from Lisa Shambrook.

Congratulations to all who entered and thank you! You have all created something new that did not exist before; I consider that a win as well.

Faerytaleish Pinterest Contest: Anna Meade 2

Here for the Plague

~

Ardo answered the door.
A momentary chill swept him, at the robed figure with the long white beak, but then he laughed, “Venetian Carnival! How excellent. When in Venice…”
“I am here for the plague,” the masked man said.
“Ah, Medico Della Peste!” Ardo stumbled with the Italian, “The Plague Doctor, ha – funny!”
He tweaked the smooth beak of the mask, ”Rather morbid though, isn’t it, chap? When I said ‘fancy dress party’, was thinking more of pirates and rogues. Plague doctor’s a bit of a downer, eh? But expats must stick together – come in!”
Ardo gestured with his drink, sloshing some on the terrazzo floor, “The party’s already started in here. Lovely Teresa-r’s dressed as Venus.”
Teresa’s laugh squeaked, “Ardo, I told you I’m Mother Teresa.”
“Ciao bella – in some countries, that costume would get you arrested.”
Teresa pressed her breasts against Ardo’s arm, “Who’s your friend?”
“This is…er-sorry, chap, what was your name?”
“I am here for the plague,” the masked man said.
“Not much one for conversation, love, but he’s perfect for you,” Ardo pawned the stranger off on Teresa and returned to playing Who’s Got the Button with Jacqueline.
Teresa’s scream yanked him back, “He smells like rotting flesh!”
Ardo stumbled back over, “Probably the herbs in his mask…” The room tilted more than ever, “Listen, chap, you’re killing my vibe here. Perhaps you’d better go.”
“I am here for the plague,” the masked man said.
“I heard you the first time. You’re scaring the ladies. Get out of here!” Ardo’s voice cracked as he pushed the masked man out the front door.
The eyeholes of the mask yawned empty and dark, but the man walked from the courtyard into the darkness.

Ardo closed the door.

In the other room, Jacqueline began to cough.
~

Faerytaleish Pinterest Contest: Anna Meade

MEDEA
You came to Colchis.
I pulled loose acanthus branches.
Though thorns cut my hands,
I wound them ‘round columns for you.
I honored your victory with laurel wreaths.
I wound them in your dark gloss’d curls.
I slept to murmured words of love,
My face buried in your bronzed throat.
I burned for you.

 
I did all to help you.

I gave you unguents and herbs.
Hecate laughed at my blind adulation.
They say: The gods laugh when they answer your prayers.
I killed my brother for you.
I cut him in a thousand pieces.
They never found them all to bury.
I did all to hurt you.
You left me for Glauce, princess.
Her wedding gifts: a gold coronet and dress of crimson cloth.
I worked hatred into the weft and poison into the weave.
I, whom you called barbarian,
I sent her our sons, bearing these gifts of my love for you.
She burned for you, her soft flesh melting like wax.
Now the wedding dress is her shroud.
I wander the ruin’d garden.
This twilight is never-ending.
The vines pull my dress and hair.
I walk up the crumbling steps.             
My skirts weigh me down.
The children pull at them.
I keep looking, looking for you.
I raise my right hand to the gods.
I implore for vengeance.
They turn their faces away.
I  hear Hecate laughing.
Leaves redden in the dying light.
My hands are too empty.
I killed our sons for you.
I wound my hand in their dark gloss’d curls.
I bared their bronzed throats, so like their father’s.
I cut them in a thousand pieces.
I scattered them to the sea.
I still hear their voices, feel their breath.
It pulls at me like a thousand vines, binding me to twilight.
300 ineligible words