Second Campaigner Challenge Of The Fourth Campaign

The Platform-Building Campaign was started by Rachael Harrie from Rach Writes...

I highly recommend checking out her blog; and if you don't know what the Campaign is all about, in very short form it's to bring bloggers/writers together. Learn more HERE.

About this Second Campaigner Challenge:

***If you know this stuff already, you can cut to the chase by scrolling to the line of asterisks.***

Prompt 1:

Two people are sitting together under the remains of a concrete bridge. Their backs are against a rusted bridge support. One person’s leg is cut. The other person has wet hair.

Prompt 2:

(Source)

Prompt 3

(Source)

Prompt 4

(Source)

Prompt 5

(Source)

Second Campaigner Challenge

Do one or more of the following:

1. Write a pitch/logline for a book based on the prompts (less than 100 words)
2. Write a short story/flash fiction piece of less than 200 words based on the prompts
3. Write a poem with a twist using the prompts as inspiration (in less than 200 words)
4. Write a story/poem in five sentences, each sentence based on one of the prompts
5. Write a poem/flash fiction piece (in less than 200 words) about the water pear *without* using the words “pear”, “spoon”, or “droplet”.

For added difficulty/challenge:

• Complete at least three of the above activities and tie them all together with a common theme (feel free to either state the theme in your post or leave us to guess what it might be)
• Write in a genre that is not your own
• Ask Challenge entrants to critique your writing. After the Challenge closes, you may wish to re-post your revised piece(s), and I’ll include a Linky List at the bottom of this post for those wishing more feedback on their revisions (note: revised entries will not be judged, so please label clearly your original post and your revisions. Please do not offer critique unless someone asks for it, as per the usual blogging conventions. If you do ask for critique, make sure you ask for it clearly so people know you want it, and please be prepared to receive feedback that may not be 100% glowing. If you are a critiquer, please be tactful and courteous, and remember to provide positives as well as negatives.)

********************

“That didn’t blow up easily, did it?”

   I laughed, though it was mostly out of nervous tension instead of amusement.

   Noticing a small trickle of blood oozing across the ground toward my leg, I asked, “You okay with that cut?”

   Xayne shrugged. “It’ll heal. You sure you ain’t gonna catch a cold, being all wet like that?”

   “Yeah.”

   He leaned back against one of the few remaining supports, and I saw a few pieces of rust fall into his hair as he hit the corrugated surface.

   Someone squealed.

   “Stupid kids,” Xayne muttered, closing his eyes.

   I craned upwards to see a group of children already exploring the scraps of bridge left behind from the blast. I felt like shouting a warning as a particularly brazen one walked too close to the edge, but an older boy hauled him away.

   Xayne said a moment later, “Think he’ll get the message?”

   “If an exploding bridge ain’t enough, then he’s even more insane than the Leader thinks he is. Which would mean we’re in pretty deep.”

   “Thought that was already established.”

   “True. Sending a lethal, acidic pear simulacrum to the hospital disguised as a food donation was damned low.”

Stats:

Used Prompt 1, Prompt 2, Prompt 3, and Prompt 4 

Flash fiction under 200 words (196)

And now, to choose an "added difficulty/challenge", I'm going to ask you to critique my entry. I probably won't post the revised one, but it would great to know what you think. Don't spare my feelings, either--rip away. :)

I'm #81 on the Linky List.


-----The Golden Eagle

The First Campaigner Challenge of the Fourth Campaign

From the host Rachael Harrie's blog:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count. 

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

• end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)

• include the word "orange" in the story

• write in the same genre you normally write

• make your story 200 words exactly!

Shadows crept across the wall.

   Terren, sitting on the chill marble floor, tried to ignore the shadows creeping across his shoulders as well. He knew he should focus on the orange object in his hands, the hot smoldering thing he’d been told to steal, but the dragging sensation of the spirits hidden within those shadows kept his eyes and body shifting every few moments.

   “You shouldn’t have taken it.”

   Terren nearly dropped the object in his hands as he shoved off the floor, his feet skidding along its smooth dark surface.

   “Who’s there?” he almost shouted, overcompensating for the fear he felt, the nervousness that was born from guilt and shame deep in his heart.

   “Me.”

   A girl stepped out from behind a stone column, her slippers barely making a sound as she walked toward him. The moonlight shafting in through the windows above hit her face at hard, harsh angles and Terren shifted backwards as she held up a pale hand.

   “Sorceress,” he murmured, as the shadows moved away from his shoulders to seep across the floor and twirl around her skirts, pooling into a gray squirming mass above her palm.

   “They’re hungry, Terren,” she said. “So hungry.”

Stats:

Included the word "orange"

200 words exactly

Fantasy is a genre I commonly write in (though SF is the most common)

**********

What do you think of my entry? (#175 on the Linky List of Campaign Challenge participants.)

-----The Golden Eagle

The Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

Yes, I've signed up for the Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign!

Never heard of the Campaign? From the creator's, Rachael Harrie's, site:

Basically, the Campaign is a way to link those of us in the writing community together with the aim of helping to build our online platforms. The Campaigners are all bloggers in a similar position, who genuinely want to pay it forward, make connections and friends within the writing community, and help build each others' online platforms while at the same time building theirs.

Are you joining in?

**********

***Also: Tomorrow, I'll be announcing something special that I'm really quite excited about--a blogfest, hosted here on The Eagle's Aerial Perspective. Be sure to mark your calendars!***


-----The Golden Eagle

Third Campaigner Challenge: Show Not Tell

A long, trembling scream made me sit up and open my eyes. I’d been lying there, arms spread out, trying in vain to find something to occupy my mind.

   Cool, soft air blew a piece of hair across my face, and I looked around, eyes traveling from the gray and distant mountains to the water sliding and rushing along the black sand in front of me.

   A delicate tinge of yellow and orange showed above the mountain ridge, and I sighed, the exhalation sharp and hard enough to startle a nearby bird. It emitted another scream and launched itself into the air, wings beating in a rhythmic whump, whump, whump.

   I rubbed water off my face with the back of my hand, salt and dirt hitting my tongue. Then I started to stand, the breeze growing stronger—and suddenly my throat constricted, lungs refusing to take in any more air. I fell back and gagged, wondering what on this planet could smell so awful.

   I reached out and drew a finger through the sand. The pattern I left glowed for just second, leaving a pale afterimage when I closed my eyes.

   The smell receded, thanks to the charm, and I breathed again. I turned, and saw a brown lump on the ground a few meters away.

   It looked like a synbatec egg.

   I knew this was their home planet, and I knew they bred on the sand. But I’d only heard of them in hidden files my mentor didn’t know I could access, watched one hatching in a vid—the dark creature inside had been ugly and fascinating.

   “Tacise!”

   I turned, and saw my mentor storming toward me.

   “Did you touch it?”

   “No, why—“

   He grabs my arm. “Because synbatecs kill the nearest living thing when they hatch.”

(299 words)

**********

About this challenge:

Write a blog post in 300 words or less, excluding the title. The post can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should show:

• that it’s morning (check)
• that a man or a woman (or both) is at the beach (check)
• that the MC (main character) is bored (check)
• that something stinks behind where he/she is sitting (check)
• that something surprising happens (check)

Just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: "synbatec," "wastopaneer," and "tacise." (NB. these words are completely made up and are not intended to have any meaning other than the one you give them).

I didn't use "wastopaneer" . . . I couldn't really think of a way to get it in there and still sound natural.

**********

What do you think? How'd I do on the "show not tell"?


And if you enjoyed my entry, you can vote for it HERE: I'm #95 in the Linky List, under The Eagle's Aerial Perspective. Just click the "like" button below my link.

-----The Golden Eagle

The Imago Has Finally Been Found—Or Not (Second Campaigner Challenge)

Jing strolled along the skyway, three hundred feet above the stifling masses. The city was an unending cacophony of sound, a ceaseless barrage of sights—and the smells, from the miasma of the poorest neighborhoods to the perfumed compounds of the rich, were enough to make your head spin.

   Coming from a backwater where time seemed to oscitate and nothing changed, Jing felt he had more of a right to be bowled over by the city than anyone else, to find it overwhelming. Yet the more he explored its corners, watched the city-goers—even spoke to them—he felt there was a lacuna.

   In his hometown you knew everything there was to know, both present and past, and it oppressed him; here, all you passed were strangers and unknowns.

   Jing stopped and leaned against the side rail, pressing his head to the clear glass. He stared at the city below.

   The synchronicity of the aerocars, buses, pedestrians—it all felt orchestrated by some grand designer who’d decided spontaneity was evil.

   The city had energy, but no soul, and nothing it did mirrored his own mind.

   He straightened.

   So.

   Off it was to yet another city, in another galaxy, for another try.

**********

About this challenge:

Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should:

• include the word "imago" in the title
• include the following 4 random words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchronicity,"

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional and included in the word count), make reference to a mirror in your post.

For those who want an even greater challenge (optional), make your post 200 words EXACTLY!

My piece is exactly 200 words, includes all four random words, has "imago" in the title, and I referenced a mirror. Also, the character's name--Jing--means mirror in Mandarin Chinese.

What do you think? If you enjoyed this piece, I would greatly appreciate it if you went over to THIS POST and clicked "like" for my entry, #137 in the linky list.

-----The Golden Eagle

Rachael Harrie's Third Platform-Building Campaign

It's time for another Campaign!

Once again, Rachael Harrie at Rach Writes... is hosting this event, meant to help boost your online platform, connecting you with other writers throughout the blogosphere. Find out more about how it all works HERE.

This Campaign is running from August 22-October 31, and the List of Campaigners closes August 31, so there's still time to sign up.

**********

Are you going to join in for the Third Platform-Building Crusade?


-----The Golden Eagle

Crusader Challenge: One Secret, One Lie, One Interesting Quirk, One Annoying Habit, One Character Trait, and One of My Favorite Things--Not Necessarily In That Order

To learn more about the challenge, go HERE.

*****

It’s likely I would die if thrown into a pool of dihydrogen monoxide and left without help.

I have occasionally been bloviate about a pastime I seriously enjoy—a pastime that has also demanded I fake being a boy, and an angel, and an insect (among other things) although I have never had the honor of being a rabbit.

I am constantly moving; whenever I’m sitting down or standing, I’m usually twitching, bouncing, or moving in some way and cannot stay still for long.

For me, sandwiches are not to be eaten whole. Top layer of bread first, insides layer by layer, and bottom slice last. Eating everything together in one bite? No way.

I love riding elephants and camels—the former of which I’ve done a few times and the latter is something I do at any opportunity. And while we’re speaking of exotic animals, I’ve also held a lion cub.

I cannot wield a blade with skill; try me with a keyboard instead, since I’m a writer and write practically every day. But I’ve never tried doing using it in a fuliguline manner—just isn’t my style.

*****

One of the above facts is not strictly true. Can you guess which one?

-----The Golden Eagle

*300+ Followers!* and Second Writer's Platform-Building Crusade

ANOTHER BREAKING NEWS ALERT:

I have over 300 Followers!

Thank you so much, everyone. I'm honored that so many people are following The Eagle's Aerial Perspective!

TJ Tjheart John The Words Crafter Mist of the blossom rain The Library Lurker Misha Mathew Alison Jessica Canfield Bobbye Terry Bleah Briann Bamba Karen Gowen Kenzy Icewolf Taylor Alex ~Prism~ Julie Shimmer Bleah Briann Jayden Black Memzie Jojo Shantal Quintessajazz Sarah Bekah Hayhay Bridget Liliejane Hannah Audrey Liberty Miss M Kristen The Neverending Shelf Adria Milli Guinevere Roland D. Yeomans Lizzy Caroline Cornet Crazie Katie Krinkleberry Maryo Shaynie Laughingwolf RA Elliot Grace Alyssa Kirk Elana Shelley Julie Artistaplastico Jessica Nicole Kulsuma Brooke Samantha Cx2 The Artist Kelsey Opsahl In The Hammock Blog Darlyn LadyViolet Orchid Peaceful Reader Dog Trainer In Training Oceanwing Brian Jenna B. Bobbi Marie Sunsinger Amy Ant Brena Tate Arlee Bird Alex J. Laurel Of Green Dahlia Sammy Sleuth E.J. Stevens Medeia Sharif Theresa Crystal Jigsaw Debbie Curran Cruella Collett Clarissa Draper Becca & Zippy Deepali Anne Sepulveda Kelley Lynda Young Elena Solodow The Alliterative Allomorph Renae Mercado Christine Fonseca Michelle McLean Lola Sharp Talei Tere Kirkland  Sandra Ulbrich Almazan N. R. Williams Lisa Potts Shannon O'Donnell Sharon K. Mayhew Jen Chandler Pam Torres Misha Gericke RaShelle Elizabeth Mueller Len Hannah Kincade Whiskfang Cinette Julie Nelson Kathi Oram Peterson Quinn Angela Felsted Sabryna Lauren Parkinson C. N. Nevets Brave Chickens Emma M. Ishta Mercurio-Wentworth Hannah Joe64 Tyrean Rachel Morgan Gail Kiki Deni Krueger Marieke J.C. Martin Jamie Aleta Carolyn Abiad Patricia Stoltey Nature Freak Nicole MacDonald Jennifer Hillier DEZMOND Lydia Kang Angela Ackerman Simon Kewin Sangu Francine Paul C Mary Jeffrey Beesler Ellie Great KILLER CHICKS Holly Ruggiero Brenda L. Diane Wolf Christine Danek KarenG Stephen Tremp Jackee Ann Emily Talli Roland Joann King AFIcionado Old Kitty Robyn Campbell Liz Maria McKenzie Rachael Harrie +Flamingo Pink+ Angus and Robertson Edwardstown Reading Lassie Regina Linton Jayne Michelle M. Merrill Swirly Girl Claire Goverts Kris Kaumeyer Lucy Westenra James Deagle Theresa Jane Kennedy Sutton L'Aussie Jessica M Stanford Pk Hrezo Adina West Susan Wilcox The Blogger Formerly Known As Jewelknits Colene Murphy Jai Joshi Mohamed Mughal Jesse Noe Mendez Julia C Dominic de Mattos Cherry Brian Madeleine Tuncerni Jemi Fraser David J. West Hart Angie Summer Ross Susan Fields Shannon Whitey Messenger Patricia A. Timms Liz Pezzuto Lisa BLHmistress Mason Canyon Elizabeth Spann Craig/Riley Adams Kanespock Mary Mary Chary Johnson Ali The Weed Tessa Quinn Milo James Fowler Ellie clp3333 Laurel Garver Flamestorm Emma de Mattos Samantha Verant Lazy Girl Crystal Celery Tree Amparo Ortiz Klahanie Julie Musil Tessa Conte ~Chris Life 101 Heather M Amanda the Aspiring Tracey Neithercott Michael Di Gesu Susan Gourley/Kelley Ricky Nicole Duclerior Jacqueline Howett Tricia J. O'Brien Creative Chaos Summer Frey Susan Kaye Quinn Jamie Burch Sarah Ahiers Erin Laura Eno Katie Mills Sash Bess Weatherby Charli Mac Tony Benson Katrina Lantz Dancing Through Life Janet Johnson Aaron Vincent Julie Dao Ben Edith F Jodi Henry M. J. Fifield Sajack88 GryphonFledgling E. Elle Dempsey Sanders Ellen Amy  Margo Benson Gabriela Pereira M Moonlight Gleam T C MckeePlamena Schmidt W. B. Alexia Elaine AM Smith Angelina Rain SariBelle Madeline Bartos Donea Lee VR Barkowski MJA Ware Kindros Aracelis Indigo cal12 Heather Hellman Dimitris Nikogloy Rachna Chhabria Ellen Abby Minard Walk2write Alison Stevens Flying high in the sky Marie Rearden Tuca Zamagna Gail Zuniga Miles McG Gary Baker Carole Ann Carr

(If I do not have your link, no, I certainly haven't got some agenda! It's either I can't find you, or your name is different than the one I see you commenting with. Do comment if I don't have the link, your name is wrong, I'm not following you, or Blogger says you're following but you're not listed above! Thanks!)

*****

Don't forget that the Second Writer's Platform-Building Crusade has begun! This event is hosted by Rachael Harrie at Rach Writes.... and is exactly what it sounds like--a way of increasing your blogging platform through followers, comments, etc.

I joined up for the first (but too late for the challenge) and it's been fun so far; there are some great Crusaders out there!

Sign up and learn more HERE.


-----The Golden Eagle