Welcome to the twenty-fifth #SatSunTails microfiction competition.
Be warned – the prompts aren’t easy, but that’s so you can write to the best of your ability.
If you haven’t had a go before at this writing challenge, then please don’t hesitate to try this weekend.
Rules!
- Post stories in the comments
- Stories must be 150 words (margin of 5 words either side) AND based on the picture and written prompts.
- If you title your entry this is not counted in your word count.
- Only one entry allowed (so make it count)
- End each entry with word count and name/twitter handle (if you forget these REPLY TO YOUR OWN COMMENT with them before judging closes)
- Monday 11am GMT is the expected closing time for entries BUT the competition will be open until I put a ‘competition closed’ comment so you may be able to slip something in (because I’m extra kind like that). Got that?
If you do not comply with these rules your story will be disqualified from judging. Good spelling and grammar will also help to make a better impression on judges – the odd typo, however, will be overlooked so please don’t worry about that.
For tips, read through the critiques from last week’s entries.
Winners!
There will be ONE OVERALL WINNER and THREE RUNNERS UP. After that there will be THREE CRITIQUES of three stories that didn’t make it.
It would also be nice to those participating if you could promote your fellow competitors and those who win.
Today’s Prompt!
The following may be used as a sentence in your story OR provide a basis for it:-
“cochineal line/s”
And here is your picture prompt:
& good luck!
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You Are What You Snort
"Come on James," urged Michael, placing a small mirror on the table, "you have to try a cochineal line."
James considered himself an artist when it came to drug use, but this new narcotic mystified him. He had read articles online and heard the buzz around school but now he would be able to try it himself.
"Remember man," cautioned Michael, pouring out three lines of red powder on the mirror, "Snort, swallow, cough, and repeat."
It was derived from the cochineal insect and a combination of wild flowers. Users experienced changes in eye and mucous color but the best part was; it would get you high,
James, always looking for the next high; snorted,swallowed,and coughed his way through the three crimson colored lines.
"You took that like a champ," Michael acknowledged, snorting up any excess powder, "Want another line?"
James coughed exploding into crimson dust; giving everything back.
Words: 150
Twitter: @horror_nerd
Flipping in the air, she jumped across the open space, reaching for rope that swung for her. Catching it in her feet, she rocked back and forth, waiting for the right moment. When it came she launched herself into the air. She twisted again, the thread behind her coiling and catching as she intended. She reached for the highest point in her design, stretching herself thin. Missing her thread, she managed to grab the head of grass. Taking a quick breath, she quieted herself, shaking the head of flowers with her own shudders at the thought of falling. Pulling in her slack, she cursed her clumsiness. If it weren’t for the flowers anchoring her, her cochineal line would have been ruined, and she would have had to start again. As it was, she was nearly finished. Just in time, too. She saw a swarm of tiny flies coming her way.
150 words
@kimmydonn
Fulfilling A Purpose
Madame Dactylopia prodded the brood along with great irritation. They’d taken seemingly forever to gather up and now it appeared they’d be unfashionably late for the most important day of their as-yet pointless lives. Well, important to her anyway.
From the depths of their cluster came one tiny voice, “Please, Madame, please. You’ve been so wonderful in mentoring us. Why can’t we stay with you awhile longer?"
Not caring which of them had spoken without leave, she berated them quite unilaterally.
“Silence, all of you! You have disgraced the proud Cochineal line by being found quite unworthy to be boiled into dye. Such has been the heritage of our kind for three centuries. You will now do as you are told. Lady Arachnia may yet find a purpose for you.”
She hid her smile knowing exactly the use Arachnia had for them…as hors d’oeurves for her latest soiree. Dactylopia’s asking price would be gladly paid.
155 words @klingorengi
Competition is closed