Tag Archives: 100-word flash fiction

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Sunday Musings


Another week has flashed by jam-packed with new things going on.

I’m working on the first update message to those interested in being a part of the flash collection I’m compiling. That ought to go out this evening. If you don’t know what I’m talking about but think you’d like to be involved, use this handy form to let me know you want in:

So my blog will have a new home as soon as I figure out how to move it intact. This is not proving to be as easy as I thought it would be. Worse come to worse, I ‘ll leave it here and make a link to it from the new location. I’ve bought my domain name. When it’s all set up we’ll have a housewarming party :) It’s going to be a combination website and blog.

Stacy Plowright (one of the Fictioneers who lives in Canada) sent this email to me the other day and it’s definitely worth sharing. Please take a few minutes to read the links and understand what’s going on and how this affects us as writers.

I was ashamed to admit I knew next to nothing about this subject. I don’t have television at home and the only news I get is whatever NPR discusses on my transit to and from work:

Hi Madison :)

I am up in Canadia (spelling deliberate), but I’ve been following the DOJ happenings going on down there. I presume other authors have too. I encourage American Fictioneers who want to voice their opinion on the subject to do so (and to pass the message along).


And these articles contain some of the industry thoughts on the matter:



“Comments must be submitted in writing by June 25, 2012.

You may send comments by regular mail or e-mail to:

John R. Read, Esq.
Chief, Litigation III
Antitrust Division, United States Department of Justice
450 5th Street, NW, Suite 4000
Washington, D.C. 20530

john.read@usdoj.gov

Please include a reference to the litigation:

United States v. Apple, Inc., et al., 12-cv-2826 (DLC) (SDNY). Comments on Proposed Final Judgment as to Defendants Hachette, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster.

All comments received will be considered by the Justice Department, published in the Federal Register, and filed with Judge Cote.”


Best,

Stacey 

(plowright.wordpress.com)

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100-words #FlashFriday Whoo-hooo! Go #Fictioneers!


Welcome to the madness of Friday Fictioneers!

Readers:

Go here. Mine’s the one under the pic and everyone else leaves links for theirs either in the inLinkz app (which is on the story page) or in the comments. Enjoy!

Writers:

  • Here’s the story. Leave your links in the inLinkz app or in the comment section, or in both places on that page.
  • Here’s the prompt page.
  • If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA, please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it.

***

We welcome readers and writers to enjoy and contribute to our collection of 100-word stories. Every Friday the Fictioneers gather here from all over the globe to share stories, offer criticism and encourage each other.

Many of us are published and have titles to offer – some of us are just starting out and are learning the ropes of both writing AND blogging. If you find yourself intrigued by one of our 100-word short shorts, then browse around that author’s blog and see if they can sate a bigger appetite for you too!

If you’re an author, you’re encouraged to leave a slug line to your latest title for sale after your 100-word entry. Also, a 25-word pitch would be perfect for this. Please limit it to that so this event doesn’t become a ‘Buy My Book’ push instead of the generous community it has become.

***

A new procedure

  • We’re going to try out a link organizer to see if it helps us any. If you want to also leave your link in the comments, that’s good too. I’m not sure how well it’s going to work, but this week will give us an idea.
  • To make sure everyone gets at least several reads, let’s try this. When you post your link, come back to read the two before yours and the three after yours.
  • If you are one of the first, then read back (if there is one behind you, if not consider mine to be the first) and read forward for a total of at least five reads.
  • Likewise if you are last – just read backwards for a total of five reads.
I think if we start doing this, it won’t be too big a burden to read and comment, plus everyone should get read at least five times. Those who desire to read more are certainly welcome to read as many as they want. I generally cover more than that in my reading but I haven’t been able to get to them all.
If anyone has a suggestion they think will work better to ensure everyone gets enough reads from this, please share it with me. If you’ve participated in other memes like this, perhaps you’ve picked up some ideas from them. I think the A-to-Z Challenge works similar to what I’ve outlined.

A couple other things:

  • If you have CAPTCHA (the word/letter scramble) enabled, please disable it at least on Friday and Saturday.
  • If you want crit, be sure to specify that in your comment when you leave your link. We have some very good editor types in this group who have valuable advice to offer.
  • If you do NOT want crit, it might be a good idea to specify that, too.

One more thing:

Don’t forget to join our Facebook page :)
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Mission Statement for the Friday Fictioneers


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First of all, participating in the Friday Fictioneers story shares here on my blog is totally FREE. There is absolutely no obligation whatsoever to buy anything at all from me now or in the future. Ever.

***

Networking with the Fictioneers

The Friday Fictioneers is a community I started for the purpose of building a network. It is intended to drive traffic to your blogs to read your stories and provide feedback on your writing in a flash Friday campaign. It is NOT intended as a business venture for me other than in the sense that it is building my network. It’s building your network, too. By participating each Friday or as often as you like, you will grow a healthy stash of 100-word stories for your portfolio. This is an asset to you. It’s one of the perks of participation, aside from the feedback and traffic and fellowship.

Motive

Yes. I do hope that by having developed a network, I have success in future endeavors. That doesn’t mean I expect anyone in my network to buy anything of mine, but I do hope it opens channels across the globe that will connect me to others who DO want to buy my books (whenever I have one to sell). When I have articles or stories published, I hope it leads to readers – if not directly then indirectly. That is what networking is. If you are in business, you should want to do this too. I invite you to take advantage of the things I’m learning and sharing as I figure out my own way in this world of business in the technical age. If I rise to higher levels, everyone in my network will benefit. If you are in my network and you rise to higher levels, I benefit. That is how networking works and there’s nothing dishonest or shameful about it.

Terms of Use for Photos

The photos I post as prompts were never intended to be part of anyone else’s portfolio. The photos I post are for sale but no one is required or encouraged or in any way made to feel they have to buy them ever. I have in the past let you know they are for sale. It is an aspect of the business I do here on my blog. On my side-bar I’ve posted that the photos are free to use on your blogs if you provide a link back to me. (It’s also okay if your blog posts through to Twitter and Facebook.)

If you want to collect the photos with your stories on your blogs, that’s perfectly permissible. Just link back to this blog. If you want to print your stories with the prompts for your personal use at home or to give to family and friends, that’s fine too.

However. If you intend to compile your stories with the photos in a collection to offer on a public forum (whether you’re selling them or giving them away free)  like Amazon, or Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords, or any other outlet for distribution of media other than your blog  – that is different. The pictures are for sale if you want to do that. But some of them have already been purchased by others who want to do that. So you can only buy the ones that are still available.

If you have a question about whether you can use a photo, feel free to ask. If the answer is “no” or if you’re not happy with the terms, please be civilized in your response.

***

( This note is to those of you who were here when this document first became a necessity – Thanks for the support and feedback and the disagreement because it helped me to develop this mission statement. )

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Sunday Musings


Flash Collection

Many of you have signed on to be included in the flash collection I’m planning to do at the end of this year. (I’m getting ready to send out the first update so if you’re not on my mailing list, send me an email if you want to be included).

Writerly Goals

I’m still working on editing. But now there are a few other things lining up to be done, and I’ll have to leave many of them on the back-burner until the editing is finished.

  • continue to edit Symbiosis
  • 100×100 collection
  • short story for contest (1000 words at least)
  • article for InDTales magazine (and flash contest I’m co-sponsoring) done
  • short story for Cthulhurotica II

Pitch Slaughters

So this week we will have reached the end of our first round of pitch dissection. There are still new ones coming in and I’m adding them to the calendar, but my turn comes around again this Thursday.

It must be a significant indicator that I’m finally growing some thick skin because I’m actually looking forward to it. I’ve been shredded once by the canaries and again by y’all, picked apart by the canaries again, and now once more I’m putting my 25 words on the altar here. I think I’ve bled out already because I’m not concerned about pain or threat of death anymore, ha.

Others of you have decided to go it again, too, and so we’ll have Rainy Kay and Denton Gay again in the following weeks along with new ones by others.

Something new

We’ll start the addition of a 30-second audio pitch. When you send in your 25 words, if you want to also post your spoken pitch (up to 30 seconds) send that to me in an mp3 or mp4 format. I’ll go first with that this week. If you’ve already sent in your 25 words and want to add the audio to it, just send it in. I used my iPhone to record mine and then emailed it to myself. So you can do that if you have one and email it to me from your phone. I don’t know how else to do it, but surely there are other ways.

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Running just a bit late this morning: 100-words #FlashFriday Whoo-hooo! Go #Fictioneers!


Thanks for joining the Friday Fictioneers today!

Readers:

Go here. Mine’s the one under the pic and everyone else leaves links for theirs in the comments. Enjoy!

Writers:

  • Here’s the story. Leave your links in the comment section there.
  • Here’s the prompt page.
  • If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA, please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it.

***

We welcome readers and writers to enjoy and contribute to our collection of 100-word stories. Every Friday the Fictioneers gather here  from all over the globe to share stories, offer criticism and encourage each other.

Many of us are published and have titles to offer – some of us are just starting out and are learning the ropes of both writing AND blogging. If you find yourself intrigued by one of our 100-word short shorts, then browse around that author’s blog and see if they can sate a bigger appetite for you too!

If you’re an author, you’re encouraged to leave a slug line to your latest title for sale after your 100-word entry. Also, a 25-word pitch would be perfect for this.  Please limit it to that so this event doesn’t become a ‘Buy My Book’ push instead of the generous community it has become.

***

A new procedure

  • To make sure everyone gets at least several reads, let’s try this. When you post your link, come back to read the two before yours and the three after yours.
  • If you are one of the first, then read back (if there is one behind you, if not consider mine to be the first) and read forward for a total of at least five reads.
  • Likewise if you are last – just read backwards for a total of five reads.
I think if we start doing this, it won’t be too big a burden to read and comment, plus everyone should get read at least five times. Those who desire to read more are certainly welcome to read as many as they want. I generally cover more than that in my reading but I haven’t been able to get to them all.
If anyone has a suggestion they think will work better to ensure everyone gets enough reads from this, please share it with me. If you’ve participated in other memes like this, perhaps you’ve picked up some ideas from them. I think the A-to-Z Challenge works similar to what I’ve outlined.

A couple other things:

  • If you have CAPTCHA (the word/letter scramble) enabled, please disable it at least on Friday and Saturday.
  • If you want crit, be sure to specify that in your comment when you leave your link. We have some very good editor types in this group who have valuable advice to offer.
  • If you do NOT want crit, it might be a good idea to specify that, too.

One more thing:

 Don’t forget to join our Facebook page :)
by

100-words #FlashFriday Whoo-hooo! Go #FridayFictioneers!


Thanks for joining us today!

***

Readers:  Go here. Mine’s the one under the pic and everyone else leaves links for theirs in the comments. Enjoy!

***

Writers:

  • Here’s the story. Leave your links in the comment section there.
  • Here’s the prompt page.
  • If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA, please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it.

***

We welcome readers and writers to enjoy and contribute to our collection of 100-word stories. Every Friday the Fictioneers gather here  from all over the globe to share stories, offer criticism and encourage each other.

Many of us are published and have titles to offer – some of us are just starting out and are learning the ropes of both writing AND blogging. If you find yourself intrigued by one of our 100-word short shorts, then browse around that author’s blog and see if they can sate a bigger appetite for you too!

If you’re an author, you’re encouraged to leave a slug line to your latest title for sale after your 100-word entry. Also, a 25-word pitch would be perfect for this.  Please limit it to that so this event doesn’t become a ‘Buy My Book’ push instead of the generous community it has become.

***

A new procedure

  • To make sure everyone gets at least several reads, let’s try this. When you post your link, come back to read the two before yours and the three after yours.
  • If you are one of the first, then read back (if there is one behind you, if not consider mine to be the first) and read forward for a total of at least five reads.
  • Likewise if you are last – just read backwards for a total of five reads.
I think if we start doing this, it won’t be too big a burden to read and comment, plus everyone should get read at least five times. Those who desire to read more are certainly welcome to read as many as they want. I generally cover more than that in my reading but I haven’t been able to get to them all.
If anyone has a suggestion they think will work better to ensure everyone gets enough reads from this, please share it with me. If you’ve participated in other memes like this, perhaps you’ve picked up some ideas from them. I think the A-to-Z Challenge works similar to what I’ve outlined.

A couple other things:

  • If you have CAPTCHA (the word/letter scramble) enabled, please disable it at least on Friday and Saturday.
  • If you want crit, be sure to specify that in your comment when you leave your link. We have some very good editor types in this group who have valuable advice to offer.
  • If you do NOT want crit, it might be a good idea to specify that, too.

One more thing:

 Don’t forget to join our Facebook page :)
by

Gah! I can’t believe I forgot to post this: 100-words #FlashFriday Whoo-hooo! Go #Fictioneers!


Thanks for joining us today!

Readers:  Go here. Mine’s the one under the pic and everyone else leaves links for theirs in the comments. Enjoy!

Writers:

  • Here’s the story. Leave your links in the comment section there.
  • Here’s the prompt page.
  • If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA, please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it.

***

We welcome readers and writers to enjoy and contribute to our collection of 100-word stories. Every Friday the Fictioneers gather here  from all over the globe to share stories, offer criticism and encourage each other.

Many of us are published and have titles to offer – some of us are just starting out and are learning the ropes of both writing AND blogging. If you find yourself intrigued by one of our 100-word short shorts, then browse around that author’s blog and see if they can sate a bigger appetite for you too!

If you’re an author, you’re encouraged to leave a slug line to your latest title for sale after your 100-word entry. Also, a 25-word pitch would be perfect for this.  Please limit it to that so this event doesn’t become a ‘Buy My Book’ push instead of the generous community it has become.

***

A new procedure

  • To make sure everyone gets at least several reads, let’s try this. When you post your link, come back to read the two before yours and the three after yours.
  • If you are one of the first, then read back (if there is one behind you, if not consider mine to be the first) and read forward for a total of at least five reads.
  • Likewise if you are last – just read backwards for a total of five reads.
I think if we start doing this, it won’t be too big a burden to read and comment, plus everyone should get read at least five times. Those who desire to read more are certainly welcome to read as many as they want. I generally cover more than that in my reading but I haven’t been able to get to them all.
If anyone has a suggestion they think will work better to ensure everyone gets enough reads from this, please share it with me. If you’ve participated in other memes like this, perhaps you’ve picked up some ideas from them. I think the A-to-Z Challenge works similar to what I’ve outlined.

A couple other things:

  • If you have CAPTCHA (the word/letter scramble) enabled, please disable it at least on Friday and Saturday.
  • If you want crit, be sure to specify that in your comment when you leave your link. We have some very good editor types in this group who have valuable advice to offer.
  • If you do NOT want crit, it might be a good idea to specify that, too.

One more thing:

 Don’t forget to join our Facebook page :)
by

100-words Flash Friday, Whoo-hooo! Go Fictioneers!


Thanks for joining us today!

Readers:  Go here. Mine’s the one under the pic and everyone else leaves links for theirs in the comments. Enjoy!

Writers:

  • Here’s the story. Leave your links in the comment section there.
  • Here’s the prompt page.
  • If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA, please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it.

***

We welcome readers and writers to enjoy and contribute to our collection of 100-word stories. Every Friday the Fictioneers gather here  from all over the globe to share stories, offer criticism and encourage each other.

Many of us are published and have titles to offer – some of us are just starting out and are learning the ropes of both writing AND blogging. If you find yourself intrigued by one of our 100-word short shorts, then browse around that author’s blog and see if they can sate a bigger appetite for you too!

If you’re an author, you’re encouraged to leave a slug line to your latest title for sale after your 100-word entry. Also, a 25-word pitch would be perfect for this.  Please limit it to that so this event doesn’t become a ‘Buy My Book’ push instead of the generous community it has become.

***

A new procedure

  • To make sure everyone gets at least several reads, let’s try this. When you post your link, come back to read the two before yours and the three after yours.
  • If you are one of the first, then read back (if there is one behind you, if not consider mine to be the first) and read forward for a total of at least five reads.
  • Likewise if you are last – just read backwards for a total of five reads.
I think if we start doing this, it won’t be too big a burden to read and comment, plus everyone should get read at least five times. Those who desire to read more are certainly welcome to read as many as they want. I generally cover more than that in my reading but I haven’t been able to get to them all.
If anyone has a suggestion they think will work better to ensure everyone gets enough reads from this, please share it with me. If you’ve participated in other memes like this, perhaps you’ve picked up some ideas from them. I think the A-to-Z Challenge works similar to what I’ve outlined.

A couple other things:

  • If you have CAPTCHA (the word/letter scramble) enabled, please disable it at least on Friday and Saturday.
  • If you want crit, be sure to specify that in your comment when you leave your link. We have some very good editor types in this group who have valuable advice to offer.
  • If you do NOT want crit, it might be a good idea to specify that, too.

One more thing:

 Don’t forget to join our Facebook page :)
by

100-words Flash Friday, Whoo-hooo! Go Fictioneers!


Thanks for joining the Friday Fictioneers!

  • Here’s the story. Leave your links in the comment section there.
  • Here’s the prompt page.
  • If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA, please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it.

***

We welcome readers and writers to enjoy and contribute to our collection of 100-word stories. Every Friday the Fictioneers gather here  from all over the globe to share stories, offer criticism and encourage each other.

Many of us are published and have titles to offer – some of us are just starting out and are learning the ropes of both writing AND blogging. If you find yourself intrigued by one of our 100-word short shorts, then browse around that author’s blog and see if they can sate a bigger appetite for you too!

If you’re an author, you’re encouraged to leave a slug line to your latest title for sale after your 100-word entry. Also, a 25-word pitch would be perfect for this.  Please limit it to that so this event doesn’t become a ‘Buy My Book’ push instead of the generous community it has become.

***

We gather every Friday here to post a very short story. It’s a great way to showcase your voice, but to do it in 100 word is almost an extreme challenge. It forces you to choose strong verbs and concise phrases.

Hop on board and post one of yours or visit ours, or do both.

by

100-words Flash Friday, Whoo-ho… OMG! There’s been an uprising!


It’s 0430 here on Friday morning. So it appears the Fictioneers have already been busy in the world! This looks like one of those things where there can be no going back. Wow. There are already 22 comments on the photo prompt page and 16 on the actual story page…

Here’s my 100 words. Here’s the original post for the prompt.

***

Here’s how it works: My story is here (or it will be when I get it written.)  When you comment, post a link to yours. Then comment and add your link to the other Fictioneer’s stories.

***

Post your link and start reading! There are so many stories now, it may be impossible to read and comment on them all. Let’s just do our best and try to make sure everyone gets at least a few comments. Usually those who post first get more, so I may try to read the later posters first to ensure they get visited. Then I’ll skip around at random.

Tweet your link, too, and add the #FridayFictioneers hashtag so we can easily find you and if you @madison_woods in your tweet, I’ll RT.

I’m always open to constructive criticism if you see mistakes or ways to improve upon what I’ve done. This is a learning exercise for me. However, not everyone feels that way, so if you don’t see an invitation to critique on their post, don’t do it. A lot of people just want and need encouragement!

We gather every Friday here to post a very short story. It’s a great way to showcase your voice, but to do it in 100 word is almost an extreme challenge. It forces you to choose strong verbs and concise phrases.

Hop on board and post one of yours or visit ours, or do both.