Monthly Archives: October 2013
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 37
SPECIAL NOTE– The Mid-Week Blues-Buster will be on hiatus for the month of November… otherwise known as National Novel-Writing Month…
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 37.
This is a flash fiction challenge. The prompt is a song. You are not required to write about or even mention the song. It’s there only to get the ideas moving around in your brain pan. If you want to write about the song (or the video- it’s all good here) go for it but don’t feel like you have to.
The rules;
500 words, but it’s a slushy 500, meaning you can go up to 700 or as low as 300.
Post your entry right in the comments section of this post.
MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR TWITTER HANDLE NEXT TO YOUR WORD COUNT AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR POST. IF YOU’RE NOT ON TWITTER GIVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS OR SOME OTHER WAY TO GET A HOLD OF YOU!
The challenge starts whenever I post this on Tuesday and ends at 4:30PM Pacific Time on Friday. You read that right. Pacific Time.
In keeping with the Halloween spirit, this week’s tune is a spooky tune by the Squirrel Nut Zippers.
The song is… “The Ghost of Stephen Foster”. Here’s the link; http://youtu.be/KJzWGkgFcTU
This week’s Judge is… just back from holiday in Turkey… Miranda Kate!
The challenge is open from the moment you read this until 4:30 PM Pacific on Friday November 1st.
So go write!!!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 36 WINNERS
Week 36 of the Mid-Week Blues-Buster is over…
Judge Jules Vilmur has spoken;
With all the howlin’ going on in this great Black Keys song, I should have expected the full-press of werewolves in this week’s Blues-Buster. I had a blast digging into the stories and a hard time picking favorites. That said, here they are:
Miranda Kate’s sly, sexy werewolves clawed their way to the top of the heap. It’s true that I’m partial to guys named Dean who drive cool cars, but beyond that, Miranda’s story felt truly inspired by the song. A fabulous 1st place.
In Mark Ethridge’s mournful dirge, I could hear the actual howls of the coyotes who cried me to sleep every night the year I turned 16. Phrases like “The stars and the moon. I knew they were alone.” and “I’d done good … I didn’t cry.” convey such sorrow that they belong right here at 2nd place.
Dr. Magoo of Project Gemini slid into 3rd at the last minute with a great take on the howl, a sultry slow build and an ending that made me actually laugh out loud.
Jeff – Thank you for the good time and the honor. When I get better at reigning in my word count, I promise, I’m going to join in the fun.
Congrats to all of our Winners…
Miranda– mazel tov on another win. Here’s the Winner’s Badge;
Thanks to all of our writers & readers… and thanks Judge Jules!
See you all on Tuesday…
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 36
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 36.
This is a flash fiction challenge. The prompt is a song. You are not required to write about or even mention the song. It’s there only to get the ideas moving around in your brain pan. If you want to write about the song (or the video- it’s all good here) go for it but don’t feel like you have to.
The rules;
500 words, but it’s a slushy 500, meaning you can go up to 700 or as low as 300.
Post your entry right in the comments section of this post.
MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR TWITTER HANDLE NEXT TO YOUR WORD COUNT AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR POST. IF YOU’RE NOT ON TWITTER GIVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS OR SOME OTHER WAY TO GET A HOLD OF YOU!
The challenge starts whenever I post this on Tuesday and ends at 4:30PM Pacific Time on Friday. You read that right. Pacific Time.
This week’s song prompt is a groovy little tune by The Black Keys.
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The song is… “Howlin’ For You”. Here’s the link; http://youtu.be/A3scl0fl0zE
This week’s Judge is… that funky California writer… Jules Vilmur!
That’s all from me.
The challenge is open from the moment you read this post until 4:30PM Pacific on Friday October 25th.
So go write!!!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 35 WINNERS
The Dark Fairy Queen, otherwise known as Anna Loy, has rendered her decisions….
Week 35 is now in the books.
Take it away, Ruannasquash…
3rd place: Drmagoo
The imagery in this was quite vivid and it really struck a great balance between slightly creepy (“I’d set fire to my mother’s bed on her orders”) and ethereal. I definitely would not want to run into the protagonist any night they were doing their goddess’ bidding.
2nd place: Nick Johns
I loved the voice in this piece – it was strong and evoked a very mythic mood. I also enjoyed the Welsh flavor with the names and the storytelling. I really wanted to know about this world. It had a definite “Morte D’Arthur” feel.
1st place: Lisa Shambrook
Lisa really blew me away with her entry this week. She perfectly wound together darkness and beauty, tragedy and gorgeousness in this tiny piece of flash fiction. It really captured the essence of the song for me; I was really gripped by the melody of her writing and the ending sliced right through me. Brava!
TA DAAAAAAAAAA! Thanks for letting me judge and pick the song, Tsurky!
Congratulations to all of our winners….
Lisa– here’s the Winner’s Badge;
Thanks to all of our writers & readers, and thanks to Judge Anna…
See you all on Tuesday!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 35
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 35.
This is a flash fiction challenge. The prompt is a song. You are not required to write about or even mention the song. It’s there only to get the ideas moving around in your brain pan. If you want to write about the song (or the video- it’s all good here) go for it but don’t feel like you have to.
The rules;
500 words, but it’s a slushy 500, meaning you can go up to 700 or as low as 300.
Post your entry right in the comments section of this post.
MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR TWITTER HANDLE NEXT TO YOUR WORD COUNT AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR POST. IF YOU’RE NOT ON TWITTER GIVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS OR SOME OTHER WAY TO GET A HOLD OF YOU!
The challenge starts whenever I post this on Tuesday and ends at 4:30PM Pacific Time on Friday. You read that right. Pacific Time.
This week’s song prompt is a lovely tune by the talented Connie Dover.
The song is… “I Am Going To the West”. Here’s the link; http://youtu.be/VoW7LxQLttk
This week’s Judge is…. back by popular demand… The Dark Fairy Queen herself… Anna Loy!
That’s all you need from me.
The challenge is open from the moment you read this until 4:30PM Pacific Time on Friday October 18th…
Go write!!!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 34 WINNERS
Judge Jenn Monty has spoken!
Here are the results for Week 34…
Take it away, Jenn…
Ok. Here goes. First, thank you for allowing me to judge and for putting up a Zeppelin song.
First place goes to @drmagoo – his piece had a nice sinister twist at the end and a point of view I loved from start to finish
Second place goes to @bryanthetinker – female necromancer; need I say more? I enjoyed the descriptions and the use of dark magic.
Third place was a tough choice but I have to give it to @klingorengi – the picture in this piece is so clear, from the sweaty forehead to the tiny titts. Great descriptions and a good use of colloquialisms
Everyone did a great job and it was hard to choose just 3!
Mazel tov to all of our Winners.
Eric, here’s the Winner’s Badge for your collection;
Thanks to all of our writers & readers, and thanks Judge Jenn…
See you on Tuesday…
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 34
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 34.
This is a flash fiction challenge. The prompt is a song. You are not required to write about or even mention the song. It’s there only to get the ideas moving around in your brain pan. If you want to write about the song (or the video- it’s all good here) go for it but don’t feel like you have to.
The rules;
500 words, but it’s a slushy 500, meaning you can go up to 700 or as low as 300.
Post your entry right in the comments section of this post.
MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR TWITTER HANDLE NEXT TO YOUR WORD COUNT AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR POST. IF YOU’RE NOT ON TWITTER GIVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS OR SOME OTHER WAY TO GET A HOLD OF YOU!
The challenge starts whenever I post this on Tuesday and ends at 4:30PM Pacific Time on Friday. You read that right. Pacific Time.
This week’s song prompt comes to us courtesy of a little-known British rock group knon as… Led Zeppelin.
The tune is… “Gallows Pole”. Here’s the link; http://youtu.be/XMW2lbNVaXY
This week’s Judge is… the Brewed Bohemian herself… Jenn Monty!
The challenge opens as soon as you read this post and remains open until 4:30PM PACIFIC on Friday October 11th.
Now go write!!!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 33 WINNERS
Before I announce this week’s winners I want to take a second to thank all of you who show up here week in & week out and grace us with some very fine writing! You make running this challenge a pleasure.
Now, for the business at hand.
Judge Ang has spoken…. take it away, Ang…
Annnnd I’ve picked!
For the record, I made my mister help me because I’m cool like that, you know, I’m smooth like that.
Drumroll please!
Number One is: Missing Answers for the best use of Glenfiddich and a tip with hidden meanings. (Grace Black)
Number Two is: Missing for a tear shed over a missing mama. *sniffles* (Lisa Shambrook)
And lastly (but most definitely not least) Number Three is Lost And Found for an old love lost and a new love found, but mostly for hope. (Ruth Long)
My honorary mention is Never Go Back for getting Bang Bang by Nancy Sinatra stuck in my head. (Nick Johns)
I know that’s four but I’m a rebel, yo!
Just be glad I didn’t pick a fifth for the best use of a catastrophic event alarm (I want one like NOW). Or a sixth for throwing daddy down the stairs (HELLO!). Oh and…
It was so much fun reading all the awesome. Thanks for the opportunity.
Congrats to all of our Winners.
Grace… here’s the Winner’s Badge;
Thanks to all of our writers & readers and thanks to Judge Ang…
See you on Tuesday for another exciting episode of… The Mid-Week Blues-Buster!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 33
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 33.
This is a flash fiction challenge. The prompt is a song. You are not required to write about or even mention the song. It’s there only to get the ideas moving around in your brain pan. If you want to write about the song (or the video- it’s all good here) go for it but don’t feel like you have to.
The rules;
500 words, but it’s a slushy 500, meaning you can go up to 700 or as low as 300.
Post your entry right in the comments section of this post.
MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR TWITTER HANDLE NEXT TO YOUR WORD COUNT AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR POST. IF YOU’RE NOT ON TWITTER GIVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS OR SOME OTHER WAY TO GET A HOLD OF YOU!
The challenge starts whenever I post this on Tuesday and ends at 4:30PM Pacific Time on Friday. You read that right. Pacific Time.
This week’s song prompt comes courtesy of Hull’s favourite duo… Everything But the Girl.
The tune is… “Missing”. Here’s the link; http://youtu.be/W9VdJA6BCww
This week’s Judge is the adorable & very helpful writer… Ang!
That about does it for me. The challenge is open from the second you read this until 4:30PM Pacific Time on Friday October 4th.
Now go write!!!
The Tsuruoka Files 