Saturday, September 24, 2011

Second Campaigner CHALLENGE

The Second Challenge in the Third Writers Platform-Building Campaign was a tough one! (And I was happy to know I wasn't the only one who had to use the dictionary!) Here's what we had to do:

- Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title, in any format (flash fiction, nonfiction, blog musings, poem, etc.) (done!)
- Include the word "imago" in the title (done!)
- Include the following 4 words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchonicity" (done!)

Here's my entry:

*****

The Imagoes of Insanity

In the hours of the night, in the space where one minute surrenders to the next, the lacuna between logic and madness leers.

You stare it down.

But the blank, black space oscitates, its dark throat slurping down the few strands of reason that still hold you in place.

Your mind is now unbound.

But the synchronicity of relief and terror is sweet and short-lived.

Insanity swarms you, its horde of six-legged, multi-eyed imagoes skittering over you, in you, searching for a place to lay their eggs, to secure their future, to seal your fate.

The miasma of madness surrounds you.

You wear its stench like a perfume, your very own signature scent.

*****

(Hey, fellow Campaigners, I'm #85 in case you want to head over here and "Like" my entry!)

36 comments:

  1. Madeline, I love your way with words. Well done.

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  2. Thank you so much, Sally. This was a tough one, partly because of the words themselves but partly because I was going for a flash fiction/poem hybrid.

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  3. Well woven words. You got my vote. I like it!

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  4. Oh I truly love this one

    Beautiful flow to this - almost like a freeform poem?

    And the topic? Dark and sorrowful, creepy and kind of scary. Really loved this one. Well written. I barely noticed the odd words :D

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  5. Jamie - thank you! And thanks for the vote. :)

    K.T. - thank you so much! The fact you barely noticed the words means I did my job - it became less about the required words and more about the "story."

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  6. Poetic and vivid; very nice, Madeline.

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  7. Very vivid and almost like a poem. Good job on the words!

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  8. This is not only an interesting take on the challenge but also a beautifully percise description. Mine is #29

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  9. This was creepy and wonderful. I loved it.

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  10. Beautiful, creepy, flowing, and intense.

    Loved your description of insanity as it took over the MC.

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  11. This is beautifully written - very lyrical, and it has great imagery.
    Mine is #3.

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  12. Ah, some poetic prose, and beautifully done. Sad and scary -really enjoyed this.

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  13. Thank you all so much. I really appreciate your reading of my work and your amazing comments. This is what it's all about for me as a writer - touching, moving people with my words. Thank you all again.

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  14. Yay - I'm impressed. Like that you have gone for metaphor - and succeeded.
    (Me? I'm flunking this one!)
    AliB

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  15. It has a way of lurking through the shadows and... tickling you in your sides when you least expect it, this post does.

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  16. AliB - thanks! And don't give up - you can do it. :)

    MyTricksterGod - love that description! Thank you.

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  17. Very descriptive and emotional. Glad to meet another beach lover! ; )

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  18. Yeah, there's a word or two I'm not too sure about in there, either. But that didn't keep me from liking it a lot! :-)

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  19. Sheri - thank you! And welcome to The Shellshank Redemption.

    Cathy - thanks! (As always!) :)

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  20. Lovely poem. It showed a lot of feeling.

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  21. Loved your poetic pace! Both scenic and engaging.

    Great job, Madeline! :)

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  22. Thanks, David! Your comments are much appreciated.

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  23. Loved your description of the insanity taking over...creepy and beautiful, intense.

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  24. Thank you, Raelyn. I like that you thought it was "intense."

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  25. That was dark and intense. I loved this piece.

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  26. Excellently creepy! The second person works very well with this piece. And you really did work the words in seamlessly.

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  27. Yuck! You created a pretty nasty scenario here. I'm pretty creeped out.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  28. Jocelyn - thank you! I don't usually use second person so I'm glad it worked.

    Lee - I hope that's creeped out in a good way. If not, sorry about that!

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  29. Great imagery and creepiness factor. Nice use of the words too.

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  30. Great tangible imagery you've written here. I really enjoyed your piece!!

    #189

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  31. Thanks so much, Karen. I've already read and "Liked" yours. :)

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