Monthly Archives: May 2015
#SnippetSunday – Hard-Boiled/Noir WIP – May 31, 2015
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.”
I’m moving a bit ahead in the story, but not far.
It’s the evening of the day of the big fight in town. Jake is having dinner at Beau’s. Jed comes to see him there. They talk. We pick things up in the midst of a conversation about Marisa’s and Jed’s relationship.
“We met on the boardwalk over in Ocean City,” he said. “She dropped a silver ring through the planks. I went under and got it back for her.”
“Big Jed to the rescue.” I polished off my beer. “Classic.”
“It was good enough for her, bud,” he growled. “We had some fun after that. Three days later we were flying to Vegas to get hitched.”
“The whole, ‘go to Vegas, get married by Elvis’, thing.”
“Wayne Newton.”
I looked up from the remnants of my dinner.
“What?”
“It was a Wayne Newton guy,” he said, shrugging. “Must’ve been Elvis’ night off.”
“Fair enough. Wayne Newton it is.” I signalled Beau for another beer. “How long ago was this?”
“Two years.” He grimaced and curled his fattened upper lip like he smelled something bad. “Longest two years of my life.”
Thanks for dropping by and, as always, thanks for any feedback you feel inclined to leave. If you’re a fellow Snippet Sunday author, please don’t forget to visit your peers’ blogs to check out their work too. This onyl works if we all support each other.
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.52 – Two Years Before the Mast
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Year 2, Week 52.
Week 52. Know what that means? Two years. We made it to two years… Yay us?
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.
I wanted to choose something by a really big artist for Week 52.
I figure that The Who is big enough.
The tune is… “Eminence Front”.
Here’s the link; https://youtu.be/b5kkcOvPW6Y
I also wanted a big time Judge… and boy did I get one in the Mortuary Mama herself… Ruth Long!
The challenge opens the moment you read this post and runs through Friday May 29th.
Now… Go write!!!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.51 – The B.B. King Memorial Edition WINNERS
Okey then… the legacy of he recently departed blues great, B.B. King, garnered a whopping five entries.
Good thing we’re all about quality over quantity at the MWBB.
Judge Mona Bliss had some great stuff to read. Here are her decisions;
Three great B.B. King songs for inspiration this week. My hat is off to all our writers this week, so glad you showed up for some blues inspired writing.
With five entries we end up with one winner and one runner up.
Runner Up: Cara Michaels – Untitled I love this little scene. The two characters were clear and I immediately wanted to know why she couldn’t sleep, why they were in a hotel, why he would worry about her and when were they gonna get down to bizness. ‘Cause clearly there is some awesome sexual/emotional tension between them. Ultimately I was left wanting to read more…which is always a good thing.
Winner: Bullish – To Have And To Hold Such a wonderful view into how we struggle with these very human and mundane challenges and how we come up short day in and day out which isn’t remotely surprising. What’s so surprising is our capacity for love and compassion in the face of all those challenges and shortcomings. Made me smile.
Thanks for letting me judge.
Mazel tov to our Winners.
Welcome back to the Winner’s circle, Ruth. Here’s another badge for you;
Thanks to our writers & readers, and thanks to Judge Mona Bliss.
See you on Tuesday for another thrilling episode of the Mid-Week Blues-Buster.
I’ll alert WordPress to prepare for the deluge of entries I’m sure will roll in…
#SnippetSunday – Hard-Boiled/Noir WIP – May 24, 2015
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.”
This week’s snippet picks up where last week’s left off. Jake and Deputy Norris are still talking it all over…
“All right then.” He took another look at the Olds, seemed about to speak, then thought better of it. He pointed at my battered right hand.
“You ought to get that looked at,” he suggested. “I can drive you to the doc’s if you’d like.”
“Thanks,” I said, shaking my head. “Evangeline’s got a guy back at the Sunshade. He’ll fix me up.”
“Yep. Santo’s the best.”
Aches began to register in all of the muscles I’d used in the fight. I gave my arms a good stretch.
“You got any idea what just happened between Jed and Marisa?” I asked.
“It’s not my place to discuss domestic matters.”
“Unofficially?
He chewed on his lower lip for a few seconds, then looked away.
“Unofficially, their relationship’s combustible at best. Combative at worst.”
“Sounds rough.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “And the thing of it is, I don’t know which one of them I feel sorrier for.”
“I have some thoughts on the matter.”
“Just stay away from Jed, Mr. Tunner.’”
“Sure,” I said. “As long as he stays away from me first.”
He looked at me the way you look at a dog you thought was housebroken.
Thanks for stopping by and, as always, thanks for any feedback you feel inclined to leave.
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.51 – The B.B. King Memorial Edition
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Year 2, Week 51.
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.
We lost a music legend last week with the passing of blues master B.B. King.
B.B. is just too big a figure in the music world to pick just one song for a prompt so we’re doing something special in his memory.
This week there will be three song prompts. You can choose one, choose two, or find a way to tie in all three if you like.
The tunes and links are;
“Three O’Clock Blues”… https://youtu.be/nPeTtg3fTB8
“The Thrill is Gone”… https://youtu.be/buP4ZjXjOgA
“There Must Be a Better World Somewhere”… https://youtu.be/V__g_D8TLTI
This week’s Judge is author, theatre addict, and music aficionado… Mona Bliss!
The challenge opens the moment you read this post and runs through MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME on Friday May 22nd.
Now… Go write!!!!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.50 WINNERS
With five entries this week we’re clinging to the edge of relevance on the flash circuit here at the MWBB.
Still– I’ll take quality over quantity and we got five strong stories for Judge Mark Ethridge to sort out.
Here’s Judge Mark…
OK. Managed to reach some form of decision, using some process even I don’t understand. So. Here.
Five entries this week. All of them deserve a winner’s badge, but unfortunately, that’s now how this works. I’ve only got 2 awards. One winner, and one runner up. So, I get to be totally subjective, and random, and pick which stories get what.
@MissBliss – As I read, I found myself thinking, “Wow. I wish I could describe things anywhere near as well.” Phrases of the story stuck in my head, like, “I knew I’d feel my heart cracking into a mosaic of loss and despair.” Maybe in a century or two, I can learn to write such phrases. Just, wow. Love how you captured this moment in time, this calm before the storm.
@blurosemd – The joys of a family curse. Is it an illness? What’s up with the father? I can see the daughter making like Miss Marple, snooping around, looking for clues, trying not to get caught.
@harmony77uk – You leave me wondering if Danny will come back as a ghost and seek revenge for his wrongful death. It’s also a grand place to end the story. Where the bad guys win, and the hero dies.
@caramichaels – Ah, hell. Such a wonderful place. And it seems even hell has mysteries, and deals with searching for the truth. “This is Hell, kid. Nothing stays secret here.” What a line. Interesting personification of the Reaper. Like how the MC knows when the Reaper smiles, even though the Reaper is only a skeleton, and can’t smile.
@bullishink – That’s one prehistoric ‘gator. One old crone in the swamp. One mystery best left alone. And one human who can’t leave puzzles unsolved. Makes for some well crafted conversation. “There is a foul breath at my back,” indeed.
Thank all five of you for writing.
As for who I give the winner and runner up to. Well. That’s a tough one. After arguing with myself for a while, I have managed to come to some form of decisions. If I were to continue the arguments with myself, I might change my mind. But, for now, as I write this, here’s what I end up with.
Runner Up – @caramichaels – Because. Hell. What a concept.
Winner – @harmony77uk – Because. The bad guys win. And the MC dies. And that makes the story different.
Congrats to the winners. And if I could, I’d hand out awards to all five of you.
Mazel tov to our Winners.
Harmony– here’s a Winner’s Badge for you;
Thanks to all of our writers & readers and thanks to Judge Mark Ethridge…
Join us next week for something different here at the MWBB… Stay tuned for details…
#SnippetSunday – Hard-Boiled/Noir WIP – May 17, 2015
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.”
This week’s snippet picks up pretty much where last week’s left off.
Jake, fresh off the fight with the big guy who’d sucker-punched him and grabbed Marisa at the hotel, is discussing the matter with the local constabulary, in the form of Deputy Norris.
Jake has just asked if there was a problem. The Deputy’s reply was… “You tell me.”
“You’ve been here three days,” he continued. “Two fistfights.”
“Wouldn’t call that first one a fistfight. Assault is more like it.”
“Going to press charges, Mr. Tunner?”
I looked over his shoulder down Main Street. Jed stood on the corner, with his back to us, talking to one of the men in work clothes.
“No,” I said.
“Maybe you do things different in New York City but around here, two fights in three days is two fights too many.”
“He was handling her pretty rough in the cab of that truck just now.”
The corners of his mouth moved as he bit back whatever he was about to say. He rested his hands on his hips and gave me an earnest stare instead.
“I’m prepared to look past this little tussle, Mr. Tunner. Only thing hurt today is Jed’s pride.”
“Jed’s face. And my hand.”
“We’re kind of talking about the same thing, don’t you think?”
“Fair point.”
I was starting to like Deputy Norris.
He raised his hat and rubbed at the reddened spot where brim met forehead.
“Couldn’t help but notice the concealed carry permit,” he said. “Is the weapon in your car?”
“At the motel,” I replied, “packed away.”
“See to it that it stays that way.”
“That’s my plan.”
Thanks for dropping by to read this… and thanks for any feedback you feel inclined to leave.
And don’t forget to check out the other Snippet Sunday authors.
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.50
Welcome to the Mid-Week Blues-Buster Flash Fiction Challenge, Year 2, Week 50.
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 by the gritty, grubby American troubador… Steve Earle.
The tune is, “Meet Me in the Alleyway”. Here’s the link; https://youtu.be/yorccRrntAY
This week’s Judge is a true master of flash fiction. Say hello to Mark Ethridge!
The challenge opens the moment you read this post and runs through MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME on Friday May 15th.
Now… Go write!!!
And when I say that I mean more than four of you!!!
Mid-Week Blues-Buster Week 2.49 WINNERS
So… Not much in the way of entries for this week’s MWBB.
Still, Judge Theresa Johnson Miller had a job to do. Four entries,in which quality trumps quantity, which means only one Winner and a Runner-Up.
Judge Theresa had this to say (in a classic no-nonsense style that warms my heart to read– really!)
The winner is Neighbors by Bullish. The writing was very well done and I really felt like I knew the characters. I loved the simple lasting affection between two such different people.
#SnippetSunday – Hard-Boiled/Noir WIP – May 10, 2015
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.”
We’re moving ahead a little with this week’s snippet. Last week’s saw the law come calling on our friend Jake. This bit is from the ensuing conversation.
Deputy Norris nodded toward my Oldsmobile and gave me a smile packed with professional courtesy.
“Why don’t we continue our conversation over by your vehicle,” he said.
We crossed the street, stopping near the hood of my car. He ran his eyes over the dents and scratches in the paint.
They matched the dents and scratches in me.
I dug out my wallet and handed it to him when he finished inspecting the car.
“Jacob Tunner,” he said after a quick but thorough tour through my collection of cards and licenses. “All the way from New York City.”
“Call me Jake.”
He handed the wallet back. I put it away.
“Says you’re a private investigator,” he said. “Are you working on something in town?”
“I’m just passing through, deputy.”
“Passing through,” he repeated, rolling the words around in his mouth to get their taste. “Most people who pass through tend to, I don’t know, pass through?”
“I’m not following you.”
“You’re paid up at Evangeline’s for a week, Mr. Tunner.”
I must have made a face.
“Don’t worry about Evangeline,” said Norris. “She told me what the law requires and not a word more. She’s as good as they come.”
The wind carried an understated salt tang on it. The ocean, even in the middle of town, made its presence known.
“Is there a problem, deputy?”
“You tell me.”
Thanks, as always, for stopping by to check me out, and thanks for any feedback you feel inclined to leave.
The Tsuruoka Files 