Hello beautiful people,
I hope #ForFlashSake September is going awesome for you. I quite like these challenges because they give you a reason to write without the enormous pressure of other events like Summer Camp. Or is it just me who feels pressured by the sheer number of prompts?
One could say, "Christo, you should have plenty of reasons to write without someone prompting you. You can use the 'Get Inspired' prompts instead of waiting for an event to show up." Well, they'd be right, for the most part. Events give you more than that, though. The prompts are usually much more interesting, your articles and stories get more exposure, the community gets really involved, and all of this creates a rush that is hard to match.
I don't know whether you enjoy writing flash fiction. I've seen plenty of people feeling a bit stressed by the thousand-word limit while still coming up with several stories in the process, which honestly seems like part of the fun.
Maybe Flash Fiction September should be about writing as many flash fiction pieces as you can. Way to put more pressure on my shoulders.
Anyway, between the official challenge and Asmo's second year of #WhiskeyandWildflowers, I've written three short stories in my new setting, the Cluster, which can be found in the Short Stories section.
The Great Barrier is what started it all, my entry for the official challenge. A one-way trip into the unknown. A pioneer making a huge leap for their kind and opening new horizons. History in the making.
One last sunset is my entry for Whiskey and Wildflowers this year. Two stories, separated by time and joined by much more. Goodbyes and farewells. The circle of life. The meaning of it all. I really enjoyed writing this one, just as much as I enjoyed taking part in this challenge last time. Make sure to join in too. I am sure you will have a great time.
Instance Four is a piece that stands on its own. I had it somewhere inside me, asking, begging, trying to get out, so I let it. I gave it my blessing and let it sail. I think I owe it at least one good push by letting you all know it's out there.
And there you have it. One month, three short stories, or maybe four depending on how you count the middle one, each around a thousand words, and an entire new setting built to accommodate more of these stories.
If you read all the way down here, thank you for sticking through my rant.
As always, I hope you enjoy.
Cheers!
