Five Sentence Fiction – Charmed

The Five Sentence Fiction is a simple idea: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week, Lillie chose the word "Charmed," and what could be more charming than a fairy being born?

***

Millicent's fairy wings beat swiftly as she raced across the wide sea to the land where the tulips bloom.

They called it "Haven," and it was here that the newest fairy would soon be born.

A gathering like this only happens once every thousand years, and to miss this birth was unthinkable--the very thought of it made her sad--so onward she rushed through the tall grasses near the shoreline, up to the garden where the fairies bloom into life.

"Always lucky Millie" landed among her friends just in time for the precious one to open his eyes and look directly at her.

The choice had been made: she would raise him, teach him, and love him as her very own. 

"Memories of the Dead" is on sale!

Amazon has placed Memories of the Dead (paperback edition) on sale. You can save 10% off the price by hopping on over now. Not sure how long this will last, so now is a great time to take advantage of the situation!

Five Sentence Fiction – Accident

The Five Sentence Fiction is a simple idea: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.


This week, Lillie chose the word "Accident," and sometimes they happen...

***

He really screwed up this time, and, boy, were his parents mad.

It was totally unintentional, creating the big mess like he did. 

Just a simple spark and... KABLOOEY!

"It's yours to deal with," his mother said with a frown.

"And when you're done, Yahweh," father interjected sternly, "be sure to wash your hands for dinner." 

MINIMAL Beta input and other madness

Having received the beta input from MINIMAL, I can safely say that the book is not in as crappy a condition as I had feared. This is good. But there are some needed edits to take place--most of those are of a grammatical or spelling sort. There was one boo-boo where I mistakenly used the wrong gender pronoun, which was odd that I didn't catch that. Regardless, looks like soon I will be entering the "fix it up" phase. Shouldn't take too long...I hope!

One thing that more than one of the beta readers mentioned was the word "Nitrile." They weren't keen on the word being capitalized; but if you do a quick check you will see that it's capitalized every time it's used when referencing the type of exam gloves that doctors use. This, I think, is because it was once, or may be currently, a brand-name product. So, when you see it, kindly do not point it out...I know. ;)

The feedback, in general, is positive. Which is always nice. Not one person said that the idea sucked, which is also nice. Since this was a major departure from "Memories of the Dead," I figured that it might end up being harder to pull off than it was. Still a long way to go, but we'll get there.

Forward thinking: One thing I'd like to point out is pricing. When the book is available, the e-copy will be $2.99 (USD). This will convert to every currency in use. I won't set anything weird by location. I feel that, as an indie author, that price isn't insane, it's affordable, and it doesn't go into the area of "You're price-gouging." Some indie authors charge even more--some up to $8 a copy--and I think that's a little too high, considering that the print edition of the same book is only marginally more expensive. Maybe I'm crazy, but the e-copy should be, in my mind, at least, significantly cheaper than the paper edition.

I'd like to thank the beta readers for their effort in making MINIMAL better. I hope it meets with approval of all readers.

Five Sentence Fiction – Goggles

The Five Sentence Fiction is a simple idea: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.


This week, Lillie chose the word "Goggles," and sometimes, just as was foretold, they do nothing.

***

Sometimes I wonder what "happy" is.

I put on my magic face, and I try to understand it.

But I can't.

It's too much to take in, like looking at the blinding light of the sun.

And me, sitting there with no eye protection. 

Mount Everest -- a poem

Feeling a bit poetic this morning, so here is a little something that just popped into mind.

***

I will not climb Everest

The mountain does not need me

I will not add to its splendor

Nor can I call it my own

It will not weep for me if I do not ascend

And it will not call my name to the heavens if I do

Those who climb the mountain say it is breathtaking

I agree: witness the colorful corpses that lay along the path

Five Sentence Fiction – Festival

The Five Sentence Fiction is a simple idea: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.


This week, Lillie chose the word "Festival," and some forms of fun are anything but.

***

Not all the torments in the Abyss take the form of physical suffering.

In Hell's Carnival there is no mirth, only the numbing pain of loss.

No ride thrills, no game pleases, and there is no life in the hollow faces of the clowns.

Neither pain nor suffering, neither laughter nor joy; and where there ought to be warmth there is just cold, emotionless nothing.

You can pass the time there if you choose, for to be condemned to Hell one must first seek it within their own heart, but if you are sane you would be well away from the lure of its false, hopeless light.