Monday, June 29, 2015

FLESH EATERS

SALVATION?????

“The Mayor and the town manager waved as their next victim approached.”

Salvation once again turned to horror. It took a few minutes, but the color, the cheerful greeting, the unbelievable outline of bodies under the plastic tarp alerted me -- I was just in time for dinner—again.

My escape had been for naught, especially when a voice behind me said. "Don't even cornsider runnin', yer surroun'ed. Cuss it all ain't yo' a purdy one?"

After I'd stumbled upon the malicious matriarch, she had given me water, food, access to a revitalizing bubble bath and clean clothes, but my mind couldn't erase her first words 'dinners arrived'.

I gushed my appreciation for their hospitality, despite the lustful, salivating attention of her sons, but I also dropped a bottle of Ambien into the milk jug.


Escape was easy. A backpack full of fried chicken, corn fritters, and a jug of water, but I'd run – right into a whole community of flesh eaters.

Yolanda Renée © 2015
150 Words

******



This is unique flash fiction challenge is hosted by Barb Beacham, where she provides a new photo each week, and the first sentence of a story.
Our challenge is to finish the story using 100-150 words, not including the sentence provided. Don’t forget to use the opening sentence… This challenge runs from Monday to Sunday! Get creative and have fun finishing the story!

Please include the photo with your bit of flash and a link back to this post. Do not forget to follow the link to Monday's Finish the Story and click on the blue frog. Be sure to add your link so that others can enjoy your story too! 

Now let’s have some fun!



I don't usually do this but I wrote a follow-up from the last challenge. How could I not? You can read it under the title HOSPITALITY. Enjoy!


*****

Sunday, June 28, 2015

W E P - FLASH FICTION IS BACK!


I'm thrilled to announce that Denise Covey has invited me, can you believe it, Moi, to co-host the WEP-Write…Edit…Publish Bloghop Challenges. 

If you read my blog you know my addiction to Flash Fiction Challenges, so this is perfect, don't you think?

Please check out Denise's Blog Post and read all the details there. Today, I'm celebrating, you know, doing the happy dance!



Join me – join us and help get the party re-started.


REMEMBER share the NEWS
Tweet one of these:

 is returning sign-up tell your friends follow   &  join our Flash Fiction Challenge  


Love a good Flash Fiction Challenge- Join    &  Follow the blog, comment, and post


Well, what do you think 
are you ready for the challenge?


Thursday, June 25, 2015

RUNAWAY


RUNAWAY

I've relocated before. Disowned at sixteen, I showed them and graduated college, then graduate school. I more than survived, I excelled.

The second time I was running for my life. Hidden bruises would never compare to the emotional baggage his terror produced.

The third time I went in search of opportunity because a manager refused to recognize my skills, after all, I'm merely a woman.

Today, as I walk that lonely road and explore my new cities crowded streets alone, I have to wonder, especially after thirty years together; maybe running is just an excuse for not trying harder.

99 Words
Yolanda Renée © 2015
*****



Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff Fields. She's provided the following PHOTO PROMPT via Kent Bonham -- the copyright belongs to Kent. Tell us where it takes you in a hundred words or less. 

What does this photograph provoke in you? Join the fun -- share your story HERE!


Wednesday, June 24, 2015

GALAXY NOMADS


Today I welcome Karen Elizabeth Brown and her rescent release Galaxy Nomads - Chronicles of the MacKenzie Clan, she's agreed to answer a few questions.

1. Tell us about a favorite character from a book.

One of my favorite characters from Galaxy Nomads is a mystic named Hestia. She is kind of like a mother to all the characters, who is fascinating, but with wisdom and foreknowledge. She mentors the protagonists throughout the book and is that steady character in the background. I created her with my own mother in mind. If my mother was here today, I’d tell her that this character was made as a tribute to her.

2. Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

I dream of making a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Since I live in Southern Oregon, it will be a major undertaking. I’m fascinated by the imagination that went into making the creation of the parks. I’ve been able to watch you-tubes of many of the areas and some on how they dreamed up their ideas. The Animal Kingdom is especially drawing to me. They created it like a savannah for the animals and one ride takes you through a number of areas that take you away from Florida and into the African lands. It’s that kind of imagination that tickles my own brain when I want to write about other people and places in outer space.

3. I hope you get there soon, but you have quite the imagination, does travel play into the writing of your books?

Absolutely! I love to have my characters explore new places and get lost in other times. My own experience with traveling as a young person probably has much to do with it. My parents would take us camping on the weekends and on holidays. They would take us to the desert or the beach, where we would put up our own tents and wander the area. I also traveled to Europe and Japan which gave me insights into different cultures and landscapes.

4. How exciting Europe and Japan, congratulations. Tell us about your next release.

I’m presently working on a sequel to Galaxy Nomads which I’m calling Gemini: Chronicles of the MacKenzie Clan. It’s about a pair of twins that have the predisposition of getting into trouble. They’re actually good seventeen year olds, but happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Their pranks catch up with them and they are faced with the antagonist’s wrath. I won’t tell you how it ends; sorry, no spoilers. However, it won’t be out until 2016.

5. Has someone helped or mentored you in your writing career?

Aside from teachers and critique partners, the person who has helped me the most (as a mentor) has been my sister, Retta Stephenson. Actually, she is an accomplished artist and did the cover for Galaxy Nomads. But she has the ability to speak her mind to me, good or bad, which keeps me growing as an author. I appreciate her feedback, which she does regularly, and it helps me see myself from another’s perspective. Thanks, sis.

6. Teachers are a wonderful influencee, but sister's are awesome! Are you a plotter or Pantser? Why?

My first attempts at writing were as a pantser. I just sat down and started writing. They were terrible! And one was for an inclusion in an anthology. The editor sent it back covered in red, suggesting I re-think my story. It was then that I started outlining my stories. Since then, I find that if I outline first, I have an idea of where I’m going and why. It makes writing the rest of the story much easier.

7. A manuscript covered in red is very familiar, and a good reason to rethink your approach, congratulations. Do you use a pen name? How did you come up with it?

I do use a pen name. Actually, it’s my maiden name. I decided to use it since I’ve been married twice and I didn’t want any confusion between names and my books. I’ve heard that some authors have more than one pen name according to the genre they’re writing in, but I’ll stick with the one.

8. I think it's a great name and your reasoning is sound. Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what?

I love to listen to one particular album by Future World Music called A Hero Will Rise. The music is inspiring and has all kinds of moods in the music. It helps me create different worlds and scenes. It also obliterates the background noises that distract me while I’m writing.

9. Music does influence creativity, I'll check out A Hero Will Rise How do you develop your plots and your characters? Do you use any set formula?

My plots are usually developed while I’m writing my outline. Sometimes I can get stumped and it takes me days to figure them out. My characters are developed along with the outline also, but I use a character interview to help flesh them out. This is a long set of questions that I answer about each character; physical, emotional and psychological aspects of their character. After I’m done, not all the information may go into the book, but I’ve got a good grip on the character. In my next book, I want to add more in the book so the characters are deeper and the reader gets to know the characters better.

10. The formula changes as the story and characters change, you seem to have it down! As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you pursue it or follow your heart/dreams?


I wanted to be a musician when I was a child. I even traveled to Europe with an orchestra as a teenager. I went to college and began studying music diligently, practicing at least eight hours a day on my viola. I won a scholarship to study at USC-Los Angeles and even played for the famed Yascha Heifitz, who gave me a critique on my playing. But, I fell in love, got married and had three beautiful children. I continued to play on the side, but discovered writing while I was at home. I then went back to school, studying to be a registered nurse, so I could have a good job. I continued to write in my journals, but it wasn’t until I retired that I went back to school and studied writing formally. Now I enjoy it fully and spend my time at the keyboard creating unique characters and worlds.

Thanks, Karen, appreciate your sharing so much with us. We all love learning about the talent behind the masterpiece. Now onto to your release...

Galaxy Nomads
Chronicles of the MacKenzie Clan

The MacKenzie clan is forced to flee from the devastating destruction of a supernova and is challenged to a ruthless game of survival. When all seems hopeless, a new generation arises to battle their worst enemy in a unique battle of wits. Will the MacKenzies survive betrayal, pirates and wormholes to the outer quadrants? Here they find a new race of people on the Patchouli planet where the female is Alpha. They learn wisdom from the mystics and seers on their jaunt through the universe and from across the galaxy two brothers are reconciled to each other. They experience love and hate in the Merridian sector when a prince is abducted and must be rescued before a cruel cousin steals the throne. An epic read that will send you spiraling at warp speed through all the MacKenzie generations.

Available at:



Meet Karen Elizabeth Brown:

My passion for writing is what fills my entire life with exhilarating inspiration. I spend my days writing, doing research, and studying about the characters of my stories. Having done some traveling in my earlier years to Europe and Japan, I find those experiences have helped color my stories with a variety of ideas for the characters and places.

When I'm not writing, I enjoy music and reading, especially fantasy and sci-fi. Born in Southern California, I migrated to Southern Oregon in 1974 where I now reside in the Rogue Valley with my family and friends.



What about you - who was your biggest influence? 
Do you have a question for Karen?


Monday, June 22, 2015

HOSPITALITY


HOSPITALITY

Hey boys, how ’bout y’all makin’ yer Ma some wind chimes?”

The words sounded authentic, the scene before me, even more so. A small two story house the color of the sky with white trim and a wraparound porch shouted welcome. The green trees and colorful flowers said water was plentiful. I licked my dry, cracked lips with an equally dry swollen tongue.

Each step up the wide expanse of hot red clay mixed with sharp gravel was sheer torture on bare feet. Three days ago my car broke down; I thought I could walk out, but the road changed and when I attempted to go back to my car, I ended up on a path to nowhere.


The Matriarch sitting in the rocking chair on the porch reminded me of my grandmother until she spoke.

 "Lookie hyar, fellas. Dinner's arrived, cuss it all t' tarnation. Come on now, put out th' welcome platter, we'll hafta fatten her up fust."

149 Words
Yolanda Renee © 2015

*****


This is unique flash fiction challenge is hosted by Barb Beacham, where she provides a new photo each week, and the first sentence of a story. 

Our challenge is to finish the story using 100-150 words, not including the sentence provided. Don’t forget to use the opening sentence… This challenge runs from Monday to Sunday! Get creative and have fun finishing the story!

Please include the photo with your bit of flash and a link back to this post. Do not forget to follow the link to Monday's Finish the Story and click on the blue frog. Be sure to add your link so that others can enjoy your story too! Now let’s have some fun!



Friday, June 19, 2015

SUPERNATURAL

 

Blogging and writing friend Chrys Fey
is talking about the supernatural today.
Welcome, Chrys - now take it away!

With two short stories titled Witch of Death and Ghost of
Death
, it’s no real secret that I have a thing for the supernatural is it?
I’ve always loved the supernatural and like to twine it into my stories
whenever I can. I have such a deep love and fascination for the supernatural
that I even have a list of my favorite supernatural beings.

My top ten supernatural beings/creatures:
 
1. Witches
2. Ghosts
3. Angels
4. Gods/Goddesses
5. Vampires
6. Fairies
7. Mermaids
8. Shapeshifters
9. Dragons
10. Unicorns



QUESTION: What are your favorite supernatural beings?
 

Title: Witch of Death
Author: Chrys Fey
Genre: Supernatural/Suspense
Format: eBook Only

Page Count: 45 (short story)
Release Date: May 20th, 2015
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:
Detective Reid Sanders doesn’t believe in the
supernatural, but when he’s faced with a crime scene that defies the laws of
nature, he has no other choice but to start believing. And solving a magical
murder involves working with a witch.

Liberty Sawyer embodies the look of your classic evil
witch, so, it’s no surprise when she uncovers the murderer is a witch that she
becomes Reid’s number one suspect. If she can’t convince him otherwise, more
people could lose their lives to dark magic, including her.


BOOK LINKS:


Excerpt:

Liberty Sawyer glided swiftly through the horde of police
officers, reporters, and on- lookers. Black hair fell from a rigid part in the
middle of her scalp to her hips. Her eyes were a soul-stabbing blue and her
lips were blood-red. She towered over the other officers on the scene, and wore
all black, which set off 6 the pallor of her skin.

Showing her badge to the officer, she slipped under the
crime scene tape. A few paces away, she spotted Detective Corbin talking to his
new partner, a man she knew by name but hadn’t had the privilege of meeting
yet.

“I cannot believe you called her,” the new man was saying
when she came up behind them. “We don’t need a damn psychic!”

“Actually, I’m a witch.” She smiled when Reid jolted and
turned to face her. “I’m
Detective Liberty Sawyer.” She stuck out her hand.

“Detective Reid Sanders,” he grunted back and took her
hand.

The feel of his palm against hers sent tingles of lust
from the tips of her fingers to her shoulder blade, and she knew he felt it too
by the way he jerked his hand back. She winked at him playfully, hoping it
would unnerve him even more.

ALSO AVAILABLE:


Blurb:

Jolie Montgomery, a twenty-one-year-old woman, wakes up
in an alley next to her corpse. She has no memories of her murder or the night
she died. She didn’t even see the killer’s face before he or she took her life.
Wanting justice, Jolie seeks answers in the only way a ghost can...by stalking
the lead detective on the case.

Avrianna Heavenborn is determined to find the person
responsible for a young woman’s death. She gets closer to the killer’s identity
with every clue she uncovers, and Jolie is with her every step of the way.

But if they don’t solve her murder soon, Jolie will be an
earth-bound spirit forever.

Book Links:

 

Chrys Fey is the author of Hurricane Crimes and 30
Seconds. She is currently working on the sequel to Hurricane Crimes that’ll
serve as book two in the Disaster Crimes series.

When Fey was six years old, she realized her dream of
being a writer by watching her mother pursue publication. At the age of twelve,
she started writing her first novel, which flourished into a series she later
rewrote at seventeen. Fey lives in Florida where she is waiting for the next
hurricane to come her way.




You can connect with her on Facebook and her blog, Write with Fey. She loves to get to know her readers! 


Author Links: 
 
Thank you all for visiting and hopefully commenting. ;) 


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

SPIDERLIGHTS


 
The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Where does it take you? Tell your story in a hundred words or less.
It seems a small thing to ask, but when posting your story, even if you’re using more than one prompt, please post all prompts to give the reader a sense of connection.
 
SPIDERLIGHTS
The farming of the planet earth is proving quite simple. Morphing into light fixtures in elaborate, ostentatious buildings gave the troop's ample access and a varied population for consumption. Our greatest success came in buildings known as museums.
Of course, leaving the bodies outside nearby fast food restaurants kept the populace apathetic, as the nourishment this stock consume is far more harmful than we are.
 
Thank goodness, our need is only the DMT (Dimethyltryptamine, a psychedelic drug) found in the pineal gland.
This mystic drug is what keeps our species light-years ahead of mere humans.
95 words
Yolanda Renée © 2015
 
 
 
To participate in Friday Fictioneers - Just click the link.
 
 
 

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

KALEIDOSCOPE


This is a unique flash fiction challenge hosted by Barb Beacham. Barb provides a new photo each week, and the first sentence of a story.

Our challenge is to finish the story using 100-150 words, not including the sentence provided. Don’t forget to use the opening sentence…

This challenge runs from Monday to Sunday! So get creative and have fun finishing the story!

Please include the photo with your bit of flash and a link back to this post. Do not forget to click on the blue frog and add your link so that others can enjoy your story too! Now let’s have some fun!

This week, thanks go out to Eric Wickland of Momusnews who came up with the opening line to go with this week’s photo!

 
KALEIDOSCOPE

 

"At first it looked like an ordinary marble, but it was far from it."

 

Celine carefully glued each piece into place, and then bowed her head in prayer.
 
She recalled the flash in the sky. First on the scene, she found the glass ball glowing with a kaleidoscope of unique colors. She heard a voice in her head. "Do not break, hazardous to your planet's health."
 
"This is just too pretty to break, so you don't have to worry about that." She spoke aloud, and then laughed, shaking off the eerie warning. She hurried home with her prize.
 
For ten years, the glass ball sat stately as the centerpiece on her mantel, but a dusting accident changed everything.
 
Celine finished her prayer, crossed her fingers, and hurried to the window of her New York City condominium. Nothing had changed; hundreds of senseless bobble heads still filled the streets. Humanity had not returned to normal.
 
Celine screamed, and screamed, and screamed.
 
146 words
Yolanda Renée © 2015
*****