Today’s Picture Prompt
Today’s Word Prompt!
The following may be used as a sentence in your story OR provide a basis for it:-
understated caramel
Read on for the rules!
Rules!
- You may enter as soon as this post appears.
- Post entries in the comments – you may simultaneously display them on your personal blog etc but please show a link back to this competition post.
- Stories must be 150 words – margin of 5 words either side – AND based on the picture and written prompts.
- Entry titles do not count towards the word count.
- Only one entry per entrant.
- 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 usual 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 judge/s – 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.
The Judge
This week’s judge is…
That’s right. This week it’s me. Sorry to disappoint, but if you are interested in being a judge then please send me an email on the address supplied on my contact page.
How You Can Help
Give a +1 or a tumblr reblog or click the ‘tweet this’ link up on the right hand side or share from the facebook fan page or retweet from my twitter page to spread the word.
Or, even better, go on the #SatSunTails twitter search results and retweet other entrants.
The more people that hear about #SatSunTails, the more entries there are and the better the competition becomes!
So What Are You Waiting For?
Go on. Have a go!
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"A Glass Half Empty"
by Dr. Mike Reddy (@doctormikereddy)
[150 words]
"Look I get it. I thought 'whine tasting!' was a typo. We'd get sloshed. Meet some adults. Have conversations. Get out of the house for the first time in eight months!"
Jake squeezed his wife's hand "Ok, Jill. The babysitter' paid for. We'll give it a try." He led her nervously into the restaurant.
A buffet at the far side remained untouched, as numerous couples, dressed to the nines, stood attentively listening to the 'whine tasting' coach sermonising. "Like fine liquor, there's an 'understated caramel' here. A soupçon of emotional blackmail." he judged a recording of a nest of hungry chicks. Several onlookers nodded agreeably. Others tilted heads to catch the nuances. "Now we move on to a baby's cry. A hint of saddle…?"
"Oh my god, this is such bullshit!" Jill blurted out. "Fifty Pounds each! For this?"
The whine tasters turned, stared, and applauded. The coach sighed happily.
Natural Selection
Melvin didn’t wish to unnecessarily alarm his siblings but he had every reason to believe their mother would not be returning. While their nest had been built in a sturdy protected location, mother was constrained to leave that security on a regular basis to provide sustenance for her children.
The woods abutting the park offered an ample supply of the worms and small insects they so enjoyed but those woods contained, as well, creatures for whom birds were considered every bit as enjoyable a repast. As the sun climbed higher in the sky without his mother returning, Melvin could not help but wonder if she had run afoul of one of those.
From the woods, he saw it emerge. The hulking brute exuded an air of menace, blending into the foliage by dint of the natural camouflage provided by its understated caramel fur. The feather caught among its sharp, rending teeth confirmed his worst fears.
155 words @klingorengi
Redemption
The bone crushing waves finally ebbed. I could not open my eyes; the salt water had bitten them with vengeance. Gathering my flailing legs, I managed to pull myself up. Lifting the heavy eyelids, I surveyed the deck. “Mandy,” I called out. My voice was weak, and she did not respond. I turned around with an effort and gave another yelp. No Mandy. Fear seized my mind like a bird catching the prey in its talons. Mandy, my best friend, the partner in an ill-advised adventure!
Slowly, the boat drifted to an island. The battered trees waved their pleading branches. I spotted an understated caramel color blob drop in the water. I leaned over just in time to spot the floating nest and tentatively picked it up. The nestlings nervously fluttered their wings. I scanned the skies for mama bird, unsuccessfully. I must save them, at least! Mandy’s bright yellow jacket floated away without her.
155 words
@needanidplease
Competition is closed