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My flash fiction collection, Garden of Lost Souls, is FREE this week (Monday - Friday.) Think of these creepy tiny tales like those miniature candy bars - some are full of nuts, none are particularly good for you, yet they're so small, so yummy, they keep you coming back for just . . . one . . . more.
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I've opened up the Ask the Author feature on Goodreads, so if you're a member over there and have questions about my stories, my writing or how I sleep at night with all those creepy-crawlies lurking in my imagination, please stop by. I'll keep my eyes peeled for your questions. (Peeled eyes. Sleep? What sleep?)
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And so I won't be the only one around here not sleeping . . . . Back in September, I entered one of lit agent Janet Reid's flash fiction contests. (Some of the rules include keeping the word count to 100 or fewer and using the required words, which in this case were - snap, gator, ask, tie, iron.) My story didn't win or place, but it did receive one of my favorite mentions ever by the Shark herself -
Mwahahaha! Enjoy!
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Beneath a sky the color of iron, through air as heavy, Lily paddles her kayak. Spanish moss, gray and tangled, hangs like the hair of bent old women.
The river is blocked. Gnarled fingers of branches reach, twine across the water.
Gators watch with hooded eyes. Their silence ties her nerves in knots. Lily focuses on one task – leaving.
No breeze caresses Lily's skin yet the Spanish moss shivers. A rattling rips through the silence. She looks up. Hanging bones judder, collide. Lily's sanity snaps. She screams as a creature older, deeper than the dark, creeps down toward her.
The river is blocked. Gnarled fingers of branches reach, twine across the water.
Gators watch with hooded eyes. Their silence ties her nerves in knots. Lily focuses on one task – leaving.
No breeze caresses Lily's skin yet the Spanish moss shivers. A rattling rips through the silence. She looks up. Hanging bones judder, collide. Lily's sanity snaps. She screams as a creature older, deeper than the dark, creeps down toward her.
***
That was creepy! Cool you got some good feedback.
ReplyDeleteGood! Creepy was the goal. :)
DeleteWell, sleep is highly overrated. ROTFL!
ReplyDeleteI'd fall into Janet Reid's camp. I try not to read scary books (or see scary movies) because I will undoubtedly get nightmares. I have trouble enough now with my sleep. :)
For all the scary stuff I read, watch and write, my dreams are more weird than scary. But still, lack of sleep is not helpful. Sigh.
DeleteI've been fortunate to be hitting a great sleep-streak lately. Hopefully you don't let the spookies spook you out of finally getting some zzzzzz
ReplyDeleteI would so love a great sleep-streak! I could really use it.
DeleteI got my copy! You're the queen of being creepy- and I mean that as a compliment.
ReplyDeleteI will totally take that as a compliment - thank you! :) And I hope you enjoy the collection.
DeleteI can't say no to free! Plus I've got a reading challenge idea for myself for next year that I could definitely fit this into. :D
ReplyDeleteIt seems like I can never get enough sleep.
I don't know what your reading challenge entails, but Garden of Lost Souls will be one quick entry. :)
DeleteGonna grab that free book. Congrats on the super comment from the Snark! Now write that book.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Susan! I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteHmm, maybe I'll write it for Camp NaNo - it has more of a scary-summer feel. :)
That certainly sent a chill down my spine, Madeline. Perfect story for the season!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Patricia!
DeleteJust picked up your flash fiction collection. Looking forward to reading it in broad daylight so I don't get scared :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat! And you should be really careful - if you jump from fright, you might fall in the water. :)
DeleteGreat flash fiction piece! And it is the perfect start for a longer creepy work. I loved the Garden of Lost Souls collection. Exactly my cup of tea. Or glass of wine? One of those.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lee!
DeleteHmm, I think my stories would pair well with a chamomile or a green tea, a red or a white wine,...and a chocolate cupcake or a piece of cheesecake. :)
Oh, I love the flash! Delicious and creepy turns of phrase. And what an awesome mention!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon! And I was thrilled with the mention. :)
DeleteDude. That flash fiction is definitely creepy. I agree with her there that it definitely would be a scary start to something bigger. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm, maybe I should change my NaNo project.... :o
DeleteOo. Sounds good. I'll have to get a copy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it!
DeleteThis sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI hope so! :)
DeleteThat does sound scary!!! I hope she has a chance to do battle with her kayak battle, or paddle swiftly away somehow ...
ReplyDeleteHmm, I don't think escape is in the cards for her.... :o
DeleteYou write great creepy tales. I love your book too. It was a great read.
ReplyDeletePatricia, thanks so much! I really appreciate that. :)
DeleteI just bought my copy of your book. Congratulations! I can't wait to read it. I love your stories. The short story you submitted, definitely had my attention and I enjoyed it. You have a wonderful talent for telling awesome stories, Madeline. Congratulations again.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Murees! I really hope you enjoy the collection.
DeleteSpooky tale. I’d like to read a book with this opening as well. Congrats on getting the Sharks attention!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tamara! :)
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