Monthly Archives: June 2014
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.15 WINNERS
Week 2.15 of the Mid-Week Blues-Buster is in the books…
Judge Ruth Long had some good reading to do and some tough decisions to make.
So speaketh Judge Ruth;
As always, it was fun to read through the entries. There’s something to enjoy in every one of them!
1st Place – MARK – This was full frontal Hungry Wolf. Lust unleashed. Raw. Coarse.
2nd Place – NICK – Such a fun and suspenseful read – kept me guessing and worried all the way through! So fun to think about grandparents – were or otherwise – running amuck!
3rd Place – LISA – This tapped the theme of mate and the imagery was wonderfully lush.
Mazel tov to all of our WINNERS.
Mark – here’s a Winner’s Badge for you;
Thanks to all of our writers & readers, and thanks to Judge Ruth Long.
See you all on Tuesday…
#SnippetSunday – As Yet Unnamed WIP (Noir/Vigilante) June 29, 2014
Snippet Sunday is a Facebook group for writers I’ve been privileged enough to have been accepted into.
From the group guidelines;
“Welcome to Snippet Sunday, where writers come together to share a few sentences of their current project–whether it’s a recently released novel, a WIP (work in progress), or an older manuscript that’s being revived. Intended to hook readers, gather feedback and build an author’s fan base, Snippet Sunday is the FB group that does all three.”
My previous snippets have been from my serial noir novella. This one, however, comes from something else entirely. I’ve got a novel in progress. I don’t have a working title as of yet but it’s a vigilante story with noir trappings. Today’s snippet comes from an early scene between my MC and his new psychiatrist.
Here goes nothing… BTW, I’m cheating, posting more than 12 sentences. Life works that way, sometimes.
“I see you’ve kept up your exercise regimen,” she remarked.
“It keeps me sane, so to speak.”
She nodded, looking me full in the face. Her curiosity had not abated.
“Go ahead, Doc,” I said. “You can ask me.”
She flashed a self-deprecating smile, then looked away.
“Is it that obvious?”
“You want to know what I saw, don’t you? Where I went?”
“I’m sure you’re sick of hearing it,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s not every day you get to talk to an ex-dead guy.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder.
“Perhaps I will,” she said. “Ask you, that is. But not today.”
“Fair enough. See you next week.”
We shook hands, then I turned to leave. She walked me to the door.
“That question,” she said as I turned the knob. “When I do ask it, you’ll answer?”
I smiled at her.
“What do you think?”
Thanks for stopping by…
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.15
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Year 2, Week 15.
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 MIDNIGHT Pacific Time on Friday. You read that right. Pacific Time.
This week’s song prompt is a Los Angeles punk classic… The band is X.
The tune is… “The Hungry Wolf”. Here’s the link; http://youtu.be/X-VUFNz5WRc
This week’s Judge is none other than our own Mortuary Mama… Ruth Long!
The challenge runs from the moment you read this post through MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME on Friday June 27th.
Now… Go write!!!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.14 WINNERS
Week 2.14 of the Mid-Week Blues-Buster produced some fine writing… as always. I wish the number of entries was higher but those of you who choose to write for this challenge do a tremendous job with it.
Judge Bryan Taylor had a tough job.
So speaketh Judge Bryan;
There were several different spins on the way that breakups can go, and the consequences after, in the stories this week. As always, plenty of fine writing makes it very difficult to choose.
First Place: Lisa Shambrook’s Broken Up. Very evocative description of the alcohol taking effect. Nice how the police arrival slowly worked it’s way into the scene. The twist at the end was quite an unusual addition as well.
Second Place: Jim Lockett’s Untitled story. Nice twist at the end, and a good lesson to be careful about “forever”. Definitely an interesting bar with a lot more secrets to share in a longer story.
Third Place: mysoulstears’ Untitled story. Very lovely look back at the past and the balance between past habits and ideals of better situations. Also, it’s nice that the main character’s gender is never stated, but I found myself picking up a surprising direction. The description of people watching is quite amusing and very “nature channel”.
Mazel tov to all of our Winners.
Lisa- here’s the Winner’s Badge;
Thanks to all of our writers & readers, and thanks to Judge Bryan Taylor.
I hope to see you on Tuesday for another edition of… The Mid-Week Blues-Buster.
#SnippetSunday – Night Train (Noir) – June 22, 2014
Snippet Sunday is a Facebook group for writers I’ve been privileged enough to have been accepted into.
From the group guidelines;
“Welcome to Snippet Sunday, where writers come together to share a few sentences of their current project–whether it’s a recently released novel, a WIP (work in progress), or an older manuscript that’s being revived. Intended to hook readers, gather feedback and build an author’s fan base, Snippet Sunday is the FB group that does all three.”
Today’s Snippet comes from the latest chapter of my serial noir novella, “Night Train”, set in 1928.
You can read the whole chapter here; http://picspiration.blogspot.com/2014/06/jeff-tsuruoka-week-103-night-train-part.html
It picks up right where last week’s snippet left off; Moe and Madeline are about to make their escape when the people they’re ducking finally catch up with them… Moe has already killed one enemy back in New York. How is he going to handle a run-in with another?
“I’ve had it with running, Madeline.”
“Beats going to your funeral,” she shot back. “I’d look awful in a black veil.”
I swallowed what remained of my indignation and followed her out the front door.
The thick woods obscured almost all of the moonlight, leaving the entire area shrouded in darkness.
We spotted the headlights in the distance right away. The sound of their engines cut through the trees.
This time we cursed in unison.
“I needed to see O’Shaughnessy sooner or later,” I grumbled.
“Gonna shoot him too?” She ran a nervous hand through her hair.
“I don’t know, babe. That kind of depends on him.”
Thanks for stopping by!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.14
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Year 2, Week 14.
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 MIDNIGHT Pacific Time on Friday. You read that right. Pacific Time.
This week’s song prompt is another oldie but goodie- an early ’80’s radio classic by the Greg Kihn Band.
It’s… “The Breakup Song”. Here’s the link: http://youtu.be/VgbsEz15SGg
This week’s Judge is back for a return engagement… the Rogue Tinker… Bryan Taylor.
The challenge opens the moment you read this post and runs through MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME on Friday June 20th.
Now… go write!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.13 WINNERS
Week 2.13 of the Mid-Week Blues-Buster is in the books.
Judge Laura James had some good reading & tough decisions ahead of her.
So speaketh Judge Laura;
What can I say an awesome song choice and seriously great tales, a very difficult choice for me this week. So on to the results :
3rd place to The Rouge Tinker and Devil’s Cards. I just loved the idea of a monthly poker game with the devil and the devil losing every time.
2nd to Cory with his untitled end of the world tale. Nothing better than driving fast with Motörhead blaring from the speakers, my type of bloke. If you have to go then boy that’s the way to do it.
And finally my 1st place goes to C Connolly and Betwixt and Between. Something about this tale just captured my attention and wouldn’t leave my mind, I mean we’d all do anything for our kids right, even deal with the devil if we felt we had a chance.
Thanks so much to all for joining in and making my choice a difficult one this week, happy writing Laura xx
Mazel tov to all of our Winners.
C Connolly… here’s our Winner’s Badge;
Thanks to all of our writers & readers and thanks to Judge Laura James.
See you on Tuesday…..
#SnippetSunday – Night Train (noir) – June 15, 2014
Snippet Sunday is a Facebook group for writers I’ve been privileged enough to have been accepted into.
From the group guidelines;
“Welcome to Snippet Sunday, where writers come together to share a few sentences of their current project–whether it’s a recently released novel, a WIP (work in progress), or an older manuscript that’s being revived. Intended to hook readers, gather feedback and build an author’s fan base, Snippet Sunday is the FB group that does all three.”
Today’s Snippet comes from the latest chapter of my serial noir novella, “Night Train”, set in 1928.
You can read the whole chapter here; http://picspiration.blogspot.com/2014/06/jeff-tsuruoka-week-103-night-train-part.html
Things have moved along a little since the events of last week’s snippet. Madeline has decided that it’s time to un-ass the AO. Some kind of cunning escape plan of her devising has been alluded to… Is it time to put it into play? Here’s the snippet…
“Time to go,” said Madeline. She put her arm around me and tried to guide me to the door.
“This is your escape plan?” I asked.
“No. My escape plan involved negotiation and much less facial damage. You kinda put a bullet in that one, honey.”
“That leaves my plan.”
“You have a plan?”
“I always have a plan!”
She gave me the stink-eye.
“I usually have a plan,” I mumbled.
“That’s what I thought,” she growled. She grabbed a hold of my hand. “Let’s go.”
Thanks for stopping by…
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.13
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Year 2, Week 13.
Week 2.12 was a wash with only two entries submitted. I hope to do better this week.
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 MIDNIGHT Pacific Time on Friday. You read that right. Pacific Time.
This week’s song prompt is… let’s just say it’s something special. It’s one of my favorite tunes by one of my favorite bands.
So get ready to enjoy the dulcet tones of… Motorhead!
The tune is… “Ace of Spades”. Here’s the link; http://youtu.be/HpwUTJsI3xI
This week’s Judge is the sultan of Office Mango… flash fictioneer extraordinaire… Laura James.
The challenge opens the moment you read this post and runs through MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME on Friday June 13th.
Now go write!!!
#SnippetSunday June 8, 2014 – Night Train (Noir)
Snippet Sunday is a Facebook group for writers I’ve been privileged enough to have been accepted into.
From the group guidelines;
“Welcome to Snippet Sunday, where writers come together to share a few sentences of their current project–whether it’s a recently released novel, a WIP (work in progress), or an older manuscript that’s being revived. Intended to hook readers, gather feedback and build an author’s fan base, Snippet Sunday is the FB group that does all three.”
Today’s Snippet comes from the latest chapter of my serial noir novella, “Night Train”, set in 1928. We pick up the action right where we left off in last week’s snippet, which can be found here; https://thetsuruokafiles.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/snippetsunday-night-train-noir-2/
To set things up physically, our hero, NY gangster Moe Shabansky, is in a bind. A sheriff’s deputy, nicknamed Lazy Eye by Moe, has a hold of him and our hero’s arms are pinioned behind his back. Another deputy, Tobacco Man, is keeping an eye on Madeline… Last week’s snippet ended with the line… “If you touch me again,” I rasped, “you’d better kill me.”
“That so?” asked the sheriff.
I let my stare do the talking.
“That sounded a little like a threat,” he said.
He jammed his thumb into my bullet wound.
I yelled and threw all my weight into a head butt. His nose exploded under my forehead. His hands went to his face as he dropped to one wobbly knee.
Tobacco Man cursed and made for the sheriff’s side.
Madeline got in his way. I couldn’t see how. The stomping of feet on the hard cabin floor and Tobacco Man’s language told me most of what I needed to know.
I took a quick look to locate her, then drove Lazy Eye straight back.
The glass door held for half a second, then gave it up. Shards flew everywhere as we crashed through.
Thanks for stopping by to read…
The Tsuruoka Files 