Welcome to the #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:-
“despicable cream”
And here is your picture prompt:
& good luck!
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“Lucifer!” God roared, “I know you are hiding behind that tree!”
A shiny angel peered around the tree trunk.
“I sent to the naughty step for that painting incident, who told you you could move? Look at you still covered in that despicable cream emulsion!”
“Neutral colours, like magnolia, are far better at reflecting the light.” Lucifer muttered, convinced of his superior artistic skills. Green grass and blue sky for goodness sake – did the Almighty One not know that blue and green was a fashion disaster?
“Now what’s this Eve’s told me about the apple? Not content with creating your own mischief you have to lead my other children astray.”
Lucifer shrugged, he was getting sick and tired of playing second fiddle; he should really get a place of his own.
“I heard that thought. Consider your prayer answered.”
A bolt of lightning fell from the blue, striking the tree and sending Lucifer to hell!
155 words
@reravelling
Logic
By Lisa McCourt Hollar
“Despicable cream, gave Shautzy the runs.”
Shaking his head, Eric looked at the mess on the floor. Holding a small kitten, Joanie stuck out her jaw. “It’s not Shautzy’s fault, I think the milk was bad.”
“I thought I told you no cats.”
The little girl’s lip began to tremble. “But I haddta daddy. She can’t take care of herself an.. and… her mommy is gone.” She began crying then, her words coming out in huge gulps. “Just like mine.”
“Joanie,” Eric began.
“She was gonna climb the tree. It was raining. IT WAS LIGHTINING! If I hadn’t a brung her in, then she would be dead too.”
How could he argue with that logic. Sighing, Eric knew she had won.
“Okay, well first, cats can’t drink cream, so don’t give her anymore.”
“I won’t,” Joanie promised, running off with the kitten and leaving her dad to clean up the mess on his own.
Word Count: 154
@jezri1
First there was the smell of ozone, and then a moment later the copper scent of burning atmosphere. There was a hissing sound followed by a bright white light. The heat raked Caleb’s skin.
Around the tree there was a wide circle of burned grass. All the other grass tossed in the storm’s sharp wind, but the burned grass did not. It stood in charred shock, like Caleb.
Matilda was beneath the tree when that searing thread reached down from the high columns of clouds and plucked her from the earth. Her black fur could not have gotten any darker.
It took all of Caleb’s strength to cross to where she lay. Her melted collar swam in the despicable cream of her organs. Something else glittered in her undone entrails. It was a diamond. The heat had twisted the band he’d slipped on his late wife’s finger years ago.
Word Count: 149
Bennett LaFond
roamingelk.wordpress.com
A Case of Wood
Lightening struck the tree, and Vodka jumped, dropped his twenty-sided die, and swore. “Despicable Cream.”
“You’re such a baby,” Sassafras said absent-minded. She looked up to find Vodka’s hair smoking, his fingernails black, and the tree behind him char-black. Turning around she looked where their mother had been.
“He simply told the truth,” Vodka said. “Now mother’s a little miffed and…” he motioned to the tree. “Set one less plate for dinner.”
“Where is she now?” Sassafras asked.
Vodka motioned to a black cat slinking by the garden gate. He knelt to retrieve his die. “Dad should know better than to double cross a witch on all hallows eve.”
“Her own husband turned into a tree.” Sassafras sighed.
“I think it was the romp with the fairy that set her hackles.” Vodka suppressed a giggle. “She turned his woody into wood.”
“You are so lame.” Sassafras shook her head. The cat mewed loudly.
@fetterslopez
154 words
Decorating
Matilda knew that what the challenge meant to her, to her family; if successful she need never worry again, if not Hell beckoned. Her work as an interior designer had lead to this, she had been chosen to update and modernise the waiting room for Hell and standing looking around she could see why.
Blacks and reds dominated the room, a living mural of lighting striking a tree over and over, the smell of sulphur saturating the air; all designed to ensure that the souls waiting would start their time in Hell, in fear. Her instructions had been clear – make the waiting room comfy, peaceful, an area of hope before all hope was stripped away for all eternity.
Matilda produced the colour chart; despicable cream, sickly taupe, lurid toffee, off-white. How she was supposed to produce anything with these choices she didn't know, maybe she could get away with stripes.
@lejamez
151 words
I expected more low-brow interpretations of the prompt. Guess we're all mature after all.
"One Rule"
Ain't but one rule in Momma's house, and I sure done broke it.
It was festival time, loads of fun for us kids, but Momma didn't have no fun there. Too busy preparin' for the cookin' contest. She never lost. Well, least not so far. It was my job to put everything together just right. How proud I was brining out that dish to the judges. That smile hurt my face was so big. But, not Momma. There was a storm in her face. What did I do wrong?
Dry electricity made my skin prickle, and I knew I done screwed up. And, when the lightning came down, it hit that tree over there, but I was sure it was me she was aiming for. Oh that despicable cream. I'm a Dummy. How could I forget? Momma always said "One rule in my house. Ain't real shepherds pie without creamed corn."
@Leo_Godin – 151 words
Competition is closed!