Sacrifice

Anna sat comfortably where Joe parked her, enjoying the mingling crowd of family and friends at her thirtieth birthday party. She looked up and smiled warmly as her cousin came to crouch in front of Anna’s wheelchair for a chat. It had been a rough few weeks as Anna’s Multiple Sclerosis roared loudly as if to remind her it was bigger than she and would ruin her birthday party if it felt like it, but with her husband’s love and never ending devotion as caregiver, the party was a hit.

          “You look lovely, and I just want you to know what an inspiration your strength is to us all,” her cousin said, squeezing Anna’s hand.               

          “Well thank you, but the credit goes to him,” Anna replied, nodding at Joe who was busy filling a plate full of Anna’s favorite treats.

Link up your own SACRIFICE story here.
Check out past Five Sentence Fiction posts here.


Lillie

A Writer's Treasure Hunt - Week Four

After NaNoWriMo wraps up, we’ll all be proud of ourselves for our hard work, but also ready for a break. So, I would like to give away two books to one lucky winner as an end of November treat!

The first book you can win is an autographed copy of The NaNoLand Chronicles By: Chris Baty. The second is a surprise that you will have to uncover. Each week in November I will post clues so that you can hunt down one of the words in the title of the mystery book.

After all clues are posted, the first ten people to unscramble the words, and comment with the correct book title, will go into a drawing to win both books! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2011.

Clues for Week Four: The word you are looking for this week is five letters long.

1)    Head over to Becca's fantastic site.

2)    The first letter can be found under The Why tab. When you find out what Becca love's beginning, the letter is the last letter in that word.

3)    Under categories find short stories. The next letter is the seventh letter of the title of Becca's story.

4)    Locate Becca's post from January 20, 2011. The next letter is the ninth letter of the second subheading in this post.

5)    Go to the contact section for the fourth letter. Click the link to see Becca's twitter feed. The letter is the sixth letter in her blurb about herself.

6)    The fifth letter is in Becca's post from September 7, 20011. Becca gives an example for 'the alternative' in parenthesis. The letter is the eigth letter in her example.

If you need to catch up:

The first week's word can be found here.

The second week’s word can be found here.

The third week's word can be found here.


Once you have the title of the mystery book post it below.
Winner announced December 1, 2011.

Best of luck,

Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Sacrifice

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s inspiration word is: SACRIFICE

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below. Also, be sure to check out the other link ups! Any feedback on Five Sentence Fiction is welcome!

Lillie

Write on Wednesday: The saddest thing I ever heard

Write On Wednesdays Exercise 25 - I heard a song on the radio during the week and I thought the lyrics would make an interesting prompt for WoW. So, write the words "The saddest thing I ever heard" on your page, set your timer for 5 minutes and write the first words that come into your head based on the given prompt.

Everything about the weather is wrong. The sun is shining brilliantly in the clear blue sky, even while a storm ravages my soul. Chirping birds busy themselves near the stone bath, making a cheery fuss over the freshly blooming spring day. Even the blue tulips around my mailbox seem to dance in the light breeze.

It's all wrong. I would prefer rain falling steadily from a dark and angry sky, while lightning bolts pierce through the clouds like javelins. That, at least, would make sense.

With the perverse humor of the weather, Hunter strolls from the house with his last bag, whistling. Whistling! It is the final stitch unraveling from the tattered mess our relationship has become. He is happy to leave me. The last fifteen years meant so little to him that he can leave me behind humming a merry tune all the way. I watch him from the porch of our home that in an instant becomes just a house, a stack of bricks and mortar: a tomb of memories. He tosses his bag into the passenger seat as he climbs into his recently acquired cherry red coupé.

The last sound before he heads off into his life after me is the resolute slamming of the car door. It is the saddest thing I ever heard.

Be sure to check out the other WoW posts here.

Lightning

He pulled the bill of his hat lower over his eyes, shook his head once, twice, then nodded. Rolling his shoulders slowly back, he adjusted his fingers. Two seam, it was his money ball. Sucking in a breath he stepped back, lifted his right leg, twisted at the waist, and let out a whoosh of air as he dropped his shoulder letting it fly. He grinned discretely when the bat swung catching nothing but air, can’t hit lighting.





Link up your own LIGHTNING story here.
Check out past Five Sentence Fiction posts here.


Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Lightning

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s inspiration word is: LIGHTNING

 

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below. Also, be sure to check out the other link ups! Any feedback on Five Sentence Fiction is welcome!

Lillie

Picture found here.

A Writer's Treasure Hunt - Week Three

After NaNoWriMo wraps up, we’ll all be proud of ourselves for our hard work, but also ready for a break. So, I would like to give away two books to one lucky winner as an end of November treat!

The first book you can win is an autographed copy of The NaNoLand Chronicles By: Chris Baty. The second is a surprise that you will have to uncover. Each week in November I will post clues so that you can hunt down one of the words in the title of the mystery book.

After all clues are posted, the first ten people to unscramble the words, and comment with the correct book title, will go into a drawing to win both books! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2011.

Clues for Week Two: The word you are looking for this week is three letters long.

1)    Head over to Maureen’s fantastic blog.

2)   The first letter can be found in the About section. It is the first letter of the month the comments were written in.

3)   On the opening page of the blog find her perfect take ‘On Writer’s Block’. The second letter is the last letter in the second word.

4)   Find Maureen’s post on ‘twitter jail’.  What does she say being booted for a whole day is for someone with [her] affliction? The second letter is the fifth letter in that word.

Once you’ve hunted down this week’s word hold on to it and link up below so other treasure hunters can check out your blog!

If you need to catch up:

The first week's word can be found here.

The second week’s word can be found here.

Best of luck,

Lillie

Conquering Fears

Tonight I did something I always try to avoid at any cost.

The idea of talking to a group of people makes me lose sleep, no matter the group or the subject. In my public speaking class in college I considered it a success as long as I didn’t pass out during my speech. Whenever I present to a group my face heats up and turns a lovely shade of red. I hate it. I know people see it, but no matter how hard I try to psych myself out there’s nothing I can do to prevent it from happening.

Two weeks ago, a fellow NaNoWriMo participant invited me to a creative writing group near my house that meets once a week. When he asked I was elated – just the thing I’ve been looking for! But, then the reality of it set in. I would be sharing my writing, MY writing, to a group of other writers face to face. That is scary.

Well, I sucked it up and went to the meeting. I’m so glad I did. Red faced, with a shaky voice, I read out loud an excerpt of my NaNoWriMo novel to them. The responses rocked my socks! Also, the pieces everyone else read were amazing. I never realized how much I could learn by listening to discussions of writing, any writing. When I left I was giddy and proud of myself.

For me, it was truly a fear conquered. Can’t wait until next time!

Picture found here.

NaNoWriMo: Halfway There!

It’s thirteen days into my first NaNoWriMo attempt, and I’m feeling pretty good. Two hours ago I reached twenty-five thousand words. Half way there! The best part - I adore my characters.

This is a new style of writing for me. It’s been a great thing, because I often get stuck in an edit-as-I-go routine, which slows me down considerably. The need to reach a particular word count in a limited time frame has forced me to dig in, put my head down, and keep typing.

It’s also my first time writing a novel with the assistance of a detailed outline. Wow! I’m hooked. It was like nails on a chalkboard to get the outline done, but it was worth every second. I haven’t followed it exactly. I’ve left things out, added things, moved things around, but that’s the way it goes. I am a definite reformed ‘pantser.’

Another huge contributor to my word count are my amazing Twitter buddies. Writers are a supportive, motivational group. They truly want each other to succeed and write their very best.

So, go visit some of these amazing writers!

Angela Goff

Angie Richmond

Becca Campbell

Cara Michaels

Stant Litore

Tonya

Where are you in your NaNoWriMo progress? What has helped you so far?

Delectable

Smooth and creamy, a hint of shimmer, they are beautiful. His mouth waters thinking about the pink and plump perfection. It’s been two long days since he's had a taste, only able to daydream about how perfect they felt on his mouth. But, the hunger ends now, today. He smiles in anticipation as he leans forward to press his lips gently to hers, delectable!




Link up your own delectable story here.

Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Delectable

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s inspiration word is: DELECTABLE

prettyprowler.blogspot.com

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below. Also, be sure to check out the other link ups! Any feedback on Five Sentence Fiction is welcome!

Lillie

Write on Wednesday - We are learning to make fire

Write On Wednesdays Exercise 23 - Write the words of Margaret Atwood at the top of your page "We are learning to make fire". Set your timer to 5 minutes. Write the first words that come into your head after the prompt. Stop when the buzzer rings.

A leaping, licking, luscious thing.

Flickers fly from heated skin, fireflies dancing in the wind.

Easy now.

Don’t look away, sparks turn to flames with a glance, a caress, a murmur.

A voracious, vicious, vibrant thing.

Feed the blaze, don’t let it wither to ash carried far and distant by the wind.

Don’t drown it in a hurricane of tears.

Embrace it, be consumed by it, care for it.

Be bold.

Grab the frenzied warmth with both hands, let it catch your heart ablaze.

Be sure to check out the other WoW posts here.

A Writer's Treasure Hunt - Week Two

After NaNoWriMo wraps up, we’ll all be proud of ourselves for our hard work, but also ready for a break. So, I would like to give away two books to one lucky winner as an end of November treat!

The first book you can win is an autographed copy of The NaNoLand Chronicles  By: Chris Baty. The second is a surprise that you will have to uncover. Each week in November I will post clues so that you can hunt down one of the words in the title of the mystery book.

After all clues are posted, the first ten people to unscramble the words, and comment with the correct book title, will go into a drawing to win both books! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2011.

Clues for Week Two: The word you are looking for this week is five letters long.

1)    Head over to Abby Fower's amazing blog.

2)    The first letter can be found in Abby's post "Bits of Awesome" from 9-25-2011. Find the word ALSO in the post. The letter you're looking for comes right after this.

3)    Find the categories section of Abby's blog. Click on "Blogs to See". The letter you're looking for is the 1st letter of the 12th word in the very last sentence of the post.

4)    Next find Abby's 'eye candy'!!! You need the middle letter of the 9th word in the caption. Enjoy.

5)    Check out her contest tab. Why not put in your suggestion while you're there? The letter you want is the 2nd letter in the 3rd subheading.

6)    Last, find Abby's post from November 7, 2011. You need the 3rd letter in this post's title.

Once you’ve hunted down this week’s word hold on to it and link up below so other treasure hunters can check out your blog!

If you need to catch up, the first week's word can be found here.

Best of luck,

Lillie

Bewitched

“Sarah, stop looking at me like I'm a huge piece of ooey gooey chocolate cake.”

“You stop looking at me like I'm a mint condition Captain America comic book.”

His eyes sparkled with delight as he said, “Seriously, stop, you're creeping me out.”

“Can't, may never be able to,” she said, taking his hand.

“I love you too,” he replied, entwining their fingers.

Link up you're own bewitched story here.

Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Bewitched

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the inspiration word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just take your inspiration from that word.

This week’s inspiration word is: BEWITCHED

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below. Once you've posted, be sure to check out the other posts. Any feedback on Five Sentence Fiction is welcome!

Lillie

A Writer's Treasure Hunt - Week One

After NaNoWriMo wraps up, we’ll all be proud of ourselves for our hard work, but also ready for a break. So, I would like to give away two books to one lucky winner as an end of November treat!

The first book you can win is The NaNoLand Chronicles  By: Chris Baty. The second is a surprise that you will have to uncover. Each week in November I will post clues so that you can hunt down one of the words in the title of the mystery book.

After all clues are posted, the first ten people to unscramble the words, and comment with the correct book title, will go into a drawing to win both books! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2011.

Clues for Week One: The word you are looking for this week is three letters long.

1)   Head over to Lora Rivera’s awesome blog.

2)  The first letter can be found in Lora’s March 2011 post "Turns out the Chicken was Bad." It is the first letter of the fifth word in the last sentence of the post.

3)   Find Lora’s post from Friday, January 21, 2011. The letter you want is the first letter in this post’s title.  

4)   The second letter can be found in Lora’s August 2011 post "A Little Calendar Fun." Find ‘How am I involved?’ The letter you’re looking for is the last letter in the word describing a four legged furry creature.

Once you’ve hunted down this week’s word hold on to it and link up below so other treasure hunters can check out your blog!

Best of luck,

Lillie