Flash Fiction Friday
Last week I wrote a 160-word piece of flash fiction for Flash! Friday, and it was selected as “First Runner Up”! (That is, it didn’t win, but it nearly won.) Call me an under-achiever, but a near-win is great in my book. This is the best I’ve done so far in the Flash! Friday challenges, so I thought I’d share the story with you, my blog readers.
The challenge was to write a piece of flash fiction of 150 words, with a 10-word leeway either side, based on the novel GONE WITH THE WIND. They gave a range of GONE WITH THE WIND-related prompts from which we were to choose two to incorporate into our stories.
I used the prompts: “a pair of mischief-making twins” and “the American South during the Civil War.” Here’s my story:
“War-Torn”
We approach the barn. Sam and Wiley take positions behind trees, and I tread cat-like up to the open window.
Billy–remember that time we snuck up on Laurie Atkins? She was singin’ away in the bathroom, an’ she’d left the window open a crack. Not enough to see nothin’ we shouldn’t’ve, but enough to drop a field mouse in. Her scream near woke the dead!
I pull my rifle up to the window frame, quiet as can be, and get sights on the captain.
An’ remember when you was seeing Rosie McNeil, an’ I switched places with you that one night so I’d get to taste a girl’s kiss? She never knew it weren’t you. No-one could tell us apart.
I close my eyes.
Then you had to move to New York. Go to college. Marry a Yankee. Become a Yankee. Why, Billy?
A tear strokes my cheek as I squeeze the trigger.
Why, Billy?
Part of me dies.
FYI: Here’s the original contest article, and here’s the results article (includes the judges’ comments).
Colin, have you ever thought of making money from your awesomeness? If I could write flash fiction as well as you I would =) Deets here.
You are too kind, AJ! In fact, I have been thinking I need to start doing more “professionally” with my writing (aside from writing novels and querying)–i.e., trying to earn some money for my words. After all, competition wins are encouraging, and not unimpressive, but actually having someone pay money for your writing, whether via book sales or story acquisitions, is far more affirming. Thanks for the link–I might give that a try. 🙂
Good luck if you do (let me know!). I often think it would be nice to be making some money from my writing =)
Long time no read. As always, you tug at my heart strings and twist the knife at the end. Well played.
Hi, Scarlet! Thanks for the return visit and your kind comment. 🙂