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Author Challenge 26: Flash of Winter

 

This is Challenge 26, in our On-board Author Challenge series. Join us by adding your new Winter-themed Flash Fiction entry. Please see rules, below

Congratulations to the winner of Authors Challenge 26--Flash of winter- Petra Newman

by Raymond Alexander Kukkee

A Winter Call. The orange machine sat  in the garage.  The old man  pulled  the dusty canvas. “Remember,  mixed gas”.         &...More>
3 articles  Write NowWrite

Welcome to Challenge 26 -- Flash of Winter

Join us here on the Challenge Zone and enter the competition.

We all have our own idea of what winter is. We all have an opinion about it. Some of us can write page after page on the subject, whether we love it, hate it or couldn't care one way or the other about winter and all it implies. But what about writing a story about winter, set in the winter or with a theme of winter? Anyone can write a little story, right? Well, how about a really itsy-bitsy, teeny weeny, tiny, little story...like say a flash fiction story? Can you do that?

Well, that's the challenge this time around. Writing a flash fiction story with a word count between 200 and 400 words. Yowza! That ain't much, is it? Can it be done? We'll find out soon enough!

Use this zone for:

  • Posting the URL to your (one) entered article for the competition.
  • For Voting, when the contest is closed to new entries and we all vote for our favorites.
  • For inspiration before writing up your flash fiction piece.
  • To relieve your winter duldrums, cabin fever and/or feelings of seasonal depression. (We'll help you through it)

Deadline for entries: To be determined.

Want to learn more, see other discussion about this Chalenge? Please visit:

The official thread for Authors Challenge 26: Flash of Winter

Please be sure to voice your opinion in the Winter Poll, center column, below. Your vote counts!

A Proviso

In addition to the other rules stated here, we're adding a proviso of sorts. We ask that each story receive gentle, informative and helpful critique.This is to make our experience at the Author Challenge a worthwhile endeavor. We should all learn something from this exercise, after all.

When all entries are in please read each and post:

1- A positive comment. What did you especially like about this story?

2- A gentle critique. What didn't work in this story? What could have made it better? Could anything improve it? How would you have done it?

We ask that these be kept short, one or two sentences at most so no one gets over-tasked or overwhelmed.

 

And now, to keep the lawyers happy, the fine print...



photo by Southbanksteve

Here are the official rules of On-Board Author Challenges as developed during the previous 25 competitions, and modified once again for Challenge 26.

 

  • These contests ARE NOT sponsored by, endorsed by, or guaranteed by Helium or any of its legal representatives
  • Rules of each competition are subject to change without prior notice, as deemed fit by your host, Jim Bessey. Any rule changes will be clearly posted on the challenge zone and on the forum thread, Challenge 26 comment thread.
  • Contests are open to all Helium members. Member must have an open and active account at the time the contest is concluded, in order to win
  • Entry is made by posting a reply to the group forum thread, Challenge 26. All entries will be listed in Reply #2 to this thread.
  • One entry per contestant.
  • All articles written and submitted to the challenge must be an open HELIUM TITLE in Creative Writing's "Other" channel (That's where they have the flash fiction. Go figure!)
  • Entries must be between 200 and 400 words.
  • The official starting date for each challenge will be clearly marked in the forum thread and also in the corresponding Zone.
  • Any TOS or User Agreement violations contained within an entered article may be grounds for disqualification.
  • Conditions for inclusion in a challenge may include the requirement to read and comment upon other authors' articles. Challenge 26 includes the following three special provisions:
  • JUDGING: Vote for your choice of "Best winter themed flash fiction story" ~ one vote per contestant.
  • PROMOTION: By participating, you agree to promote your chosen favorite Story using some means of Social Networking. Emails to friends, Facebook Posts, Tweets, Stumbles, etc are all acceptable choices for Promotion of entries.
  • PROMOTING THE WINNER: You also agree to promote the final Winner at least once, via some means of Social Networking.
  • Winner will be determined by which article gets the most votes.
  • Deadlines for entries  will be posted on the challenge zone and in the forum thread, first reply.
  • Decisions of the contest host are final. In the event of a tie, some  sort of Tie-Breaker will be created.
  • There are no Cash prizes. This is NOT an official Helium contest , and NO  EARNINGS ADJUSTMENTS be shown on the member's Earnings page.
  • The winner's article will be prominently featured on the Challenge Zone. 
  • These rules, and any changes to them, will be displayed in the third Post Reply (Challenge Thread) and on the matching Challenge Zone.
  • Additional information regarding this contest may be displayed in other areas of the thread or zone, and may also be supplied at a later time. Failure to modify these rules to include such additional information does not negate the inclusion of those conditions as part of the Challenge guidelines and rules.
  • Void where prohibited, cheaters will be publicly chastised, see Dealer for details, exclusions may apply, thank you for actually reading this far.

Camping may be better but not in this weather!

Direct links to our entrants

The Challenge Forum

Author Challenge 37: SUPERNATURAL
Did you see that? It was there and then it wasn’t. Did you hear it? It ... more
Mar 20, 12 at 01:02 PM
Challenge 36: Double dare ya!
We’ve all been there. Someone, probably the neighborhood bully, dares you ... more
Feb 07, 12 at 04:06 PM
I am Fresh and need Friends
My name is Jeremiah John. I have been writing for a long time but have never published or been pub ... more
Feb 01, 12 at 02:16 AM
New member announcement.
I'm Michael Ojelabi. I joined Helium November 2011, but started writing and getting published D ... more
Jan 09, 12 at 05:03 PM
Authors Challenge 35: The Thing Speaks!
Well, this is the thing....or rather we are not to know what it is...at least not yet. Wha ... more
Dec 30, 11 at 06:38 PM
Visit the forum

Who will be the WINNER ?

Ah, yes...there's some good in everything

Your thoughts on winter

How do you like winter?
Not too much but it's okay
Love it
Can take it or leave it
Hate it
Wish it were shorter
Wish it would last forever
Like it fine if I'm in the tropics

Further flashes of brilliance

As an added bonus, we now have another list of links for you but these are not part of the challenge. It seems this challange has inspired like no other challange has! Way cool...pun or not, it is!

table.MsoNormalTable { line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; }

Sister by MJ Joachim   

Thanksgiving by Terry Mahoney   

Dead of winter by Olivia Bredbenner  

New beginnings by MJ Joachim  

Reflections: Being the oldest child by Doreen Martel

Applause by Terry Mahoney

Winter hunger by Olivia Bredbenner

Winter hunger by Phyllis Wagner

Dead of winter by Glory Lennon

Pulled apart by MJ Joachim

The rumor by Alistair Marquise

Can we talk?



photo by

Wanna chat? Wanna rant? Wanna burst out with awesome news?

Wanna tell everybody about your latest, greatest article, how-to-guide, advancement at work, ascendency to supreme ruler or just tell us about your kid's latest amazing acheivement? Well, even if you don't, we want to hear it.

Try these threads perfect for one or the other. Chat, rant, brag and promote at will.

"The Castle Coffee House and Pub, rest for the weary traveler"

Here at the castle all is good in the world. No rants please! Just good news and positive attitudes. Post your latest articles, give us your sunny smiles and share your triumphs.

"I just gotta RANT, and you can't stop me!"

Well, when even the castle can't let you forget about the nastiness in the world, come to the rant room and spew at will. Let out the venom, get it off your chest, breathe out the bad stuff and then when you're all good again, join us at the castle.

Authors Challenge Facebook group 

Our place on Facebook-- just in case Helium comes down with a gremlin-induced virus-- where we can share and chat. All challenge entries are posted there too so read up and leave a comment if you like or just stop by and say hello.

Some don't mind the snow

Comments (1 to 10 of 13)

Raymond Alexander Kukkee
Feb 23, 11 at 08:19 PM
This zone is excellent! GREAT job!
Jim Bessey
Jan 27, 11 at 02:42 PM
PS to Glory -- OUTSTANDING job on this zone! It's frigidly fabulous.
Jim Bessey
Jan 27, 11 at 02:41 PM
Wow, folks!
Things are rollin' along, stories coming in like crazy, and the Eastern Seaboard is getting slammed again, over 12" expected. I'm on an audio project at the moment, but playing along by reading, and I have NEWS--
WE WILL HAVE AN ACTUAL PRIZE!
Yup, I have MUSIC for the winner, and will have details shortly. Pls stay tuned.
(I'll repost this on the challenge thread, too)
Petra Newman
Jan 27, 11 at 06:19 AM
Wow this was a real challenge:) I wrote under the title A Winter Call and my URL is
http://www.helium.com/items/2076879-winter-snow-frosty-weather-lonely
Petra Newman
Jan 27, 11 at 03:43 AM
Hi Glory I wrote a short story for flash fiction, but when i entered it their word counter said I was 46 words over. In my word counter in words, I have 395 words. I know I'm not over. What to do... should I cut it shorter or enter it in something other than flash fiction?
Glory Lennon
Jan 26, 11 at 06:26 PM
Just goes to show you, Diane, you should never say never. I didn't think I could do it and well, there ya go! :-) Glad you could join us!
Diane Quinn
Jan 26, 11 at 05:50 PM
Just when I thought that I would pass on this challenge, life intervened and reminded me of an issue that's important to me. Nature became my muse.

Here is my submission: http://www.helium.com/items/2076323-flash-fiction-winter-hunger

I also found that I liked my 500 word version better! This 400 word version is a little flashier than I would have preferred. I was on a roll with lots of descriptive phases only to have "word count" dash my creative juices. (Also, thanks to M.J. for the nudge!)

April May Maple
Jan 24, 11 at 01:18 AM
http://www.helium.com/items/2071638-winter-walk Here is my submission.
R. Renee Bembry
Jan 23, 11 at 10:37 PM
OMG! Looks like someone took a picture of my house and planted it in this wonderful winter wonderland! 200 - 400 words... Okay!:}
Glory Lennon
Jan 23, 11 at 10:06 PM
Yes, Jimmy, that's the point! :-)

Zone Manager

Helium member since Aug 20, 07
Company:
D'Zyne Construction
Title:
Owner
Education:
Finger Lakes Community... AAS Business Administration
Number of Zones: 12

In case you live where it is very warm, this is snow

Prizes? Oh, yeah...about that.....

If you're thinking of entering this competition with $$$ in your eyes, fageddaboudit! There ain't none!trophy

 

So the lure of  gaining riches is out. But we still have the thrill of an almost captive audience, some feedback on our work, and in this challenge we also have the added bonus of having our flash fiction article story promoted for us, assuming someone likes it enough for such.

Of course, there also is The Glory. (No, not the co-host!)

So, those are the "prizes" offered for this challenge....a chance to get promoted, on Facebook,  Twitter, StumbleUpon and any other social media you can think of, the Glory of winning, plus getting loads of accolades from friend and foe alike!

What do you say? Pretty good, huh? Yeah, well, it's gonna have to do!

What's that? Jim just said there is a prize! Well, blimey! Why didn't he say so before? The winner will even have a choice. Oh Joy!

Wanna see? Go here.

Winter in song

Lookie here! Former Challenge Winners


Challenge 25: Home for the holidays

Winner: Short Story: Going home by Raymond Alexander Kukkee

Challenge 24: Annual Halloween Scary Stories


Winner: Reflections: Living in a haunted house by Revel Arroway

Challenge 23: Can you make the grade?

First place winner: Reflections: School by Raymond Alexander Kukee


Challenge 22: Pitch and Query
First Place winner: The Best decade to grow up in by Petra Newman
Second Place winner:  Burying the "N" word  by Ann Hinds

Challenge 21: Your best advice

First Place winner: How to recognize good writing advice by Glory Lennon


Challenge 20: Know Your Place

First Place winner:  Reflections : Smalltown Baseball by Ann Hinds

Challenge 19: Characters Welcome!

First Place winner:  Short Stories: Despair by Abagael MacAskill

Challenge 18: Leapin' Losers!

First place: Getting over writer's block by MJ Joanchim

Challenge 17: What about friends?

First place:   Essays: Friendship by Raymond Alexander Kukkee

Second place: Best ways to break up with a girlfriend by Jim Bessey

Challenge 16: Giving Thanks.

First place:   Thanksgiving Day: A reminder of why we are thankful by Olivia Bredbenner. 

Second place: Reflections: The art of giving thanks by Diane Quinn.

Challenge 15: All about Cats!

First place:  Memoirs: How my cat adopted me by Jim Bessey.

Second place tie: How big cat habitats are altered by people by MJ Joachim,

and  Memoirs: How cats guided me through life's journey by EJ Young.

Challenge 14: How to ___your own___.

First place:  How to propagate plants from cuttings by Glory Lennon.

Second place: How to develop your own writing style by Jim Bessey.

Lovely to look at but to be in it?
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