Monday, February 20

First Challenge of the 4th Platform Building Campaign

Kicking off the Fourth Platform-Building Campaign is our very first challenge. The challenge is presented by our lovely Campaign host, Rachael Harrie at Rach Writes. I must admit this challenge intimidates me because I don't do flash fiction, and this likely doesn't fit the description of flash fiction, but *shrug* here goes. The challenge is to write a flash fiction/short story in 200 words or less beginning with the words "Shadows crept across the wall." Bonus points for ending with "everything faded," including "orange" in the story, writing in the same genre you normally write, and ending at exactly 200 words.

This is from my most recent WIP, a paranormal romance, though it's modified to fit the challenge. I did begin and end with the challenge words, it is my genre (thus vampires and hand-holding), "orange" is included, and it ends at exactly 200 words. Even if this only qualifies as a scene, I'm a little proud for cutting it this short and still keeping the meat of the scene intact. This exercise is great practice!

Shadows crept across the wall, stretched long by the orange glow of a solitary streetlight. Graffiti plastered the crumbling exterior and streaked the double-doors.

Kade shoved them wide, the shriek of the hinges echoing through the cavernous interior. Dust choked Val’s throat, and she had to fight back a coughing fit, wrinkling her nose at the smell of disuse and rust.

A feral scream tore the silence and froze her insides. That had to be Will. The sound of a scuffle followed, and then more silence. Her hand tightened on Kade’s.

“Sure you’re okay?”

She looked up at the concern on his face. “I have to be.” He flashed an encouraging smile, and her heart squeezed. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Good. Let’s do this.”

When they entered, there was no recognition on Will’s face. His fiery gaze burned into her with lust and famine, as he’d look at any human, like a walking meal. Hungry sounds came from the back of his throat, and he strained toward her. The deranged was half-way changed, his face, torso, and fingers lengthened and his eyes at the cusp of a slant.

Shock slammed into her. Then her ex-husband reached out and everything faded.

A few notes: Huge Thank You to all my new followers. I'm trying out Bloglovin' after reading HR Sinclair's review to see if I can get better organized with following my buds, and I'm also a little behind with keeping up because of my recent push to finish my WIP (and it's done now-YAY!). To top it all, I'm prepping to make the journey to California on Friday. I'll move out of my hotel and move into another hotel, lol. Homeless yet again for a few more weeks, but soon this'll all be over.

Also coming up is the big release of CassaFire by Alex J Cavanaugh. If you haven't followed his blog yet, you must go check it out. He's the best blogger bud evah, and if anyone's great at making likeable characters it's him (pro'ly cause he is one--don't get a big head, Alex, lol). I'll have more details on his sequel to CassaStar on February 28.

19 comments:

  1. Oh, I dare say you can write flash-fiction very well! I like it!

    (I'm #60)

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  2. Good job on your flash fiction. I didn't to the campaign this time around, as I have a hard time keeping up with the minuscule number of followers I have already. Still, thanks for stopping by my place and saying hello earlier today.

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  3. "His fiery gaze burned into her with lust and famine"

    Now THAT is good writing. Nicely done! :)

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  4. Such vivid imagery! The ex-husband bit was great!

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  5. Atmospheric and engaging - nice work!

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  6. Woah! That was really cool! Great descriptive language here! Nice work!

    I'm #37

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  7. I think it qualifies as a flash fiction :-) I'm not campaigning (like a few others, I can barely keep up with what's on my plate) but I am getting around to read what I can. Maybe I need Bloglovin' too!

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  8. Great surprise ending! Never expected it to be her ex. Great entry!

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  9. Ooh! Lust and famine - great line! I liked it very much:)

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  10. So well written and I'm definitely intrigued.

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  11. Yep, I liked the 'lust and famine' line too. Nice entry.

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  12. Good descriptive language, makes me want to know more of the story.

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  13. I really enjoyed this and would definitly read more. Mine is #71

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  14. Good job, well-written. I'm curious to know what happened to her ex-husband to make him like this...

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  15. Nicely done scene.


    Lee (#126 on the Campaign Challenge List)
    An A to Z Co-Host
    Tossing It Out
    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

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  16. Awesome writing, as usual.. call me, Love ya, Jason :)

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  17. Very well-described scene. I'm curious about the backstory too! Kade must be a vampire too, but a good one, because Will's not looking at him the same? I'd love to know what happened next.

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