Friday Flash Fiction

The F-F-F tradition continues with Icarus' Flight To Perfection

2010-11-07T16:38:00.000-08:00

Even though Friday Flash Fiction is no more, the tradition will be carried on with Icarus' Flight To Perfection. It is a blog that is pretty much the same, except that there will be three sentences instead of one to chose from, it will be only once a month, and the mighty Nicole Hirschi is co-moderating it with me.

Go ahead, take the plunge.

F Cubed

2010-09-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

No, not that kind of "F." I meant as in "Friday Flash Fiction." Triple "F" turns a year old today! Come, let us cross the Valley of Tigers for our starter sentence.

"Well, this is goodbye."

Wait, that doesn't sound like a starter sentence, it sounds like a finishing one.

This is the end of this blog as we know it, and while I don't necessarily feel fine, I do feel that a great burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. I hope that you have found your inner Bukowski, your hidden Joyce Carol Oates, and the Hammett that was lurking inside of you. I also hope that you made yourself proud, or at least had a great time doing it. If that sounds familiar, that's because most of those words came from the original post.

I'm sorry that the shuttering of this blog will hurt or offend some of you. Yet, you will find another writing venue sooner than you think. I can only hope that if someone else takes up the mantle, that they will do it exactly as JJ did it. I also wish that if someone wants to carry on the F-F-F tradition, that they are not raising children or that their children are fully grown. A major part of me turning off the lights on this thing is because my wife and son are tired of seeing the back of my head as I sit in front of the computer screen. Your family deserves your love and attention, first and foremost.

Let me mention that I have a full-time job and that I work the graveyard shift. My second job is being a full-time parent and being there for my son when my wife cannot be there for him. My third job is writing and that has suffered to a degree because of this blog. That's fine, I knew full well about that going into this venture.

Unfortunately, Friday Flash Fiction has become the fourth job that overwhelms everything else. Now, I did get to read some outstanding writing for free, and I met some wonderful people. I also grew as a writer because I gained new insights into the craft. Everyone can stand to learn something and you have, "straight up schooled me," in the 90's vernacular.

I hate to mention that a couple of people have disappointed me as well. With Friday Flash Fiction, I was working with you and not for you. By a couple of people, I don't mean Mike, David, Doc, Flannery, Nicole, etc. I'm not going to call out the specific people by name. They were completely unaware before, and I don't see why that would be different now. Needless to say, please treat your next moderator or source for flash fiction with some kindness.

Now Coraline J. Thompson has been nice enough to respond to my request and she will be our final author, with "One In The Same." Thank you everybody who participated, supported or just stopped by to see this blog.

Now, goodnight, good luck, and damn, we sure plucked those chickens good, didn't we?

The Leftover Photos

2010-09-09T07:21:00.000-07:00

F-F-F #41, The Stories

2010-09-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

Matt and Ron Earl join us this week.

The Professor came up with the starter sentence, "He walked in and slid the photograph across my desk." A most inspiring beginning, so let's see the results-

Gabby reveals someone who knows how to turn the tables.

Matt shows us a woman that contemplates change.

Sue knows that uncertainty can be the worst thing in the world.

David tells us about someone who welcomes all with open arm (sic).

Cormac cackles over a world-changing event.

Joyce has a wagging good tale.

Randal sends chills down your spine.

Chad visits Poetry Town.

Doc goes to the gritty side of country.

Welles says sometimes hope is lost.

Flannery delves into the fourth estate.

Ron Earl says love hurts.

The Professor wakes from a dream.

MRM takes us behind the inner workings.

F-F-F #41

2010-09-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Ante scriptum- You will have until Wednesday @ 9 AM PST.

The people have spoken, and they have picked the following starter sentence-

The Professor says, "He walked in and slid the photograph across my desk."

All you have to do is build a story around that. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Wednesday @9 AM Pacific, September 8th, all right?

Good night, good luck, and you know that the monkey told you to leave those chickens alone.

Starter Sentence Poll #20*

2010-09-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

Don't let the Spanish Barbary Sheep hypnotize you! Pick a sentence! Pick a sentence! Choose from the following-

David says, "I can't handle this, cause if what you're telling me is true we're..."

J.C. Montgomery says, "You know...there is nothing as tempting as a locked door."

Flannery says, "You know you're screwed when Leo gives you the cold shoulder."

The Professor says, "He walked in and slid the photograph across my desk."

MRM says, "The price of admission was more than he/she/they could afford."

Doc says, "It's a little tricky at first cause sometimes you have to give it a bit of finger."

Randal says, "The magic of Satie did more than murder the parade of seasons."

Aussie Paul says, "When it came right down it, I guess it was better this way."

*Technically, Poll #19 never really got off the ground, but, hey.

Line up those Starter Sentences!

2010-08-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

You can line up Tomin (Tokyoites) by convincing them that there's a new iPhone 4G to be had...

...but wouldn't you rather line up a starter sentence, instead?

You know the drill or if you don't, check out the older posts to get an idea. Please remit a new sentence or submit an old one (that wasn't chosen previously) in the comment section. I will then load those sentences into a poll that will post, Thursday, September 2nd @ (amended to) 7:35 AM, Pacific Time.

F-F-F #40, The Stories

2010-08-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Who is that at the door?

MRM came up with this sentence last year, "I heard footsteps on the wet sidewalk and the sound of keys."

I felt it would make a fine starter sentence and inspire us all. Without further ado, let's see the results-

Gabby shows a woman who runs up against someone to be feared.

Chad says that you never mess with man's best friend.

Sue reveals to us three that lurk in the shadows.

David takes us four flights up.

MRM relates the tale of a strange voice.

Doc gives us the cold reality behind bars.

Deegan goes rawer than a slaughter house.

Flannery greets the coming storm.

Welles suggests that there's no honor among...

Randal teaches us about "Das Unheimliche."

Coraline gives a tale of profound horror.

Professor.

F-F-F #40

2010-08-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I did a test poll and it looks the Blogger Polling System is working again, but I will do another test poll to make sure. In the meantime? We have a starter sentence from last year-

MRM said, "I heard footsteps on the wet sidewalk and the sound of keys."

All you have to do is build a story around that. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, August 31st, all right?

Good night, good luck, and is that the patter of chicken feet that I hear?

F-F-F #39, The Stories

2010-08-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

Is it a good idea to think "outside the box?"

Let's find out. For the very first starter sentence poll, Randal came up with, "She knew time was running out, fast, but opening that door was Pandora's Box all over again."

It did not win the poll that week, but I felt that this prose was more than worthy enough to revive, and I know that you will agree, too. There was also the added challenge that no one could write in the same genre as the one that they used on their previous session. Without further ado, let's see the results-

Gabby takes us to the inner trappings of the mind.

Nicole goes south of The Border and far into the past.

Sue soars out of this world.

Coraline reveals a protagonist that has to face her demon head on.

Aussie Paul brings us to where the action is.

MRM puts us on a different list.

Cormac plays us a song.

David eavesdrops on our Two Blokes, as they take a stab at writing.

Flannery tells about a resourceful school marm.

Randal goes beyond space and time as we know it.

Doc flies to Netherland.

The Professor shows a prelude to...

F-F-F #39

2010-08-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

I had something planned and while it wasn't exactly grandiose, it was better than what you are getting this week. What? Settle down...

...I said, "settle down!" Calm down, please get off my desk...thank you.

So what do you get? You get an original Randal sentence, "She knew time was running out, fast, but opening that door was Pandora's Box all over again."

The other trick is you can't write in the same genre as the one that you used the last time. If you have written a story here before, whether it was the last session or the first session, you can't repeat that genre this week. If you wrote a sci-fi piece, please don't write another one this week. A western before? Not this week.

Good night, good luck, and give those chickens a Taiwanese-style beat down.

What, another break?

2010-08-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yep, because I do this all by myself, Eric Carmen. Come back on August 17th and until then? Send me all of your thoughts, wishes, hate, etc...psychically, and please don't fill up my inbox.

F-F-F #38, The Stories

2010-08-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

How does this tie in?

Keep reading.

Towards the end of JJ's Friday Flash Fiction, in lieu of a starter sentence, he would post four words, instead. The idea was that you were to incorporate those words into the story and it didn't matter in what order, but they all had to be in there.The four I came up with are:

Bubble

Toil

Rubble

Coil

Let's see the results-

Gabby goes heisting.

JC Montgomery takes us to the bottom of a bottle.

Aussie Paul gives us future intense.

Sue does a closeup of the aftermath.

Randal goes balls out.

David shows us HD.

Flannery calypsos across the keyboard.

F-F-F #38

2010-08-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Can you keep writing or will you burst?

The four I came up with are:

Bubble

Toil

Rubble

Coil

All you have to do is build a story around those words. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, August 10th, all right?

Oh, and MacBeth? If the witches are still making that soup? Let them pluck the chickens.

F-F-F #37, The Stories

2010-08-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Coraline and Gabby join us this week.

This week's starter sentence-

"As with juggling, the key to life is to keep the procession moving steady and don't look down."

Barring previous sessions that had multiple-efforts from MRM, this is the most stories that we have ever had in one session. Let's see the results-

Coraline shows us someone who will inspire us all.

Sue tells us about the grass not on the other side of the fence, but in another country altogether.

Unlike "Picnic At Hanging Rock," Aussie Paul does not leave us hanging...much.

Doc gives us a tale of leisure versus responsibility.

Flannery sheds light on a not-so secret evil society.

The Professor warns us that it's not too late.

Word Vamp goes balls out.

Welles takes us for a ride.

Freida gives us a partial-reconciliation.

MRM takes us on a heist.

David eavesdrops on our favorite two blokes.

Randal teaches us how to fly.

Lewis J. says, "It's war!"

Gabby reveals a woman that takes steps to get rid of her burden.

The "Uncovered" Clarity of Night Contest

2010-07-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

Two of my close friends have made it into the Top 40 of The "Uncovered" Clarity of Night Contest (huzzah!), Katherine Tomlinson and John Donald Carlucci. Please, take a look at their stories, as well as the other fine entries in the competition.

F-F-F #37

2010-07-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's the deal. I need to rest and you want to keep writing, so let's compromise.

First, word count? Anywhere between 250-1,100.

Second, the starter sentence?

"As with juggling, the key to life is to keep the procession moving steady and don't look down."

The deadline? Have it done by Wednesday @9 AM Pacific, August 4th, all right? Please pay attention to the deadline.

All you have to do is build a story around that. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so.

Good night, good luck, and keep roasting those plucked chickens over an open spit.

F-F-F #36, The Stories

2010-07-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well, you could've gotten angry, woke up in a cold sweat or you could have followed the circling birds...

You could've done all three, or you can now just read the stories. The Poll feature of Blogger wasn't recording all of the votes, so the poll was scraped and it was left up to the writer to select from these three choices-

MRM says, "Looking at it from your/their/his/her point of view, then yeah, I would be pissed also."

Sue says, "You know that feeling when you wake up sweating and think 'thank goodness it was only a dream'?"

Welles says, "In the distance I saw all kinds of birds circling over something, but I couldn't tell what from where I was."

Let's see the results-

ERR shows us a new perspective on a distant planet.

Nicole takes us shopping.

MRM reveals a would-be god.

Cormac hacks and hacks away, just like he always does.

Sue lets us into a knitting circle that is altogether different.

Aussie Paul shows that the past can have a haunting effect.

Welles says the word "treasure" is relative.

MRM pictures someone seeking sanctuary.

And MRM finally floors us with his finale.

Flannery crosses a dreamscape.

Randal travels through the looking glass.

Doc goes back to the Old West.

F-F-F #36

2010-07-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official...

...Blogger's poll once accurate polling system has now gone buggy. It's no problem, because if anything, adapting to unexpected changes is what writing is all about. So you, the aspiring scribe, can chose from the following three sentences-

MRM says, "Looking at it from your/their/his/her point of view, then yeah, I would be pissed also."

Sue says, "You know that feeling when you wake up sweating and think 'thank goodness it was only a dream'?"

Welles says, "In the distance I saw all kinds of birds circling over something, but I couldn't tell what from where I was."

All you have to do is build a story around one of those three sentences. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, July 20th, all right?

Good night, good luck, and keep plucking bugs from those chickens.

Starter Sentence Poll #19

2010-07-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

Sacré merde!*

C'est Le Tour de La Fiction Flash Vendredi! We will all talk like Jacques Pepin and break into Lance Armstrong's hotel room! Uhhh, actually, why don't we urge on a starter sentence, instead? Choose from the following-

MRM says, "Looking at it from your/their/his/her point of view, then yeah, I would be pissed also."

Sue says, "You know that feeling when you wake up sweating and think 'thank goodness it was only a dream'?"

Welles says, "In the distance I saw all kinds of birds circling over something, but I couldn't tell what from where I was."

The results will go live on July 16th, 2010, @ 9:00 AM.

*As you know, there is no such idiom in French.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-07-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Image from here.

Yeah, you know what you would rather be doing...anything but working. Why not line up a starter sentence instead?

You know the drill or if you don't, check out the older posts to get an idea. Please remit your new sentences or submit your old ones in the comment section. I will then load them into poll form tomorrow, Thursday, July 15th @ 9:00 AM, Pacific Time.

F-F-F #35, The Stories

2010-07-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

ERR joins us this week.

"Come into my parlor," said The Spider to the...wait, what?

Flannery came up with the starter sentence, "I don't disagree with you, but you have to admit, this puts me in a delicate position." Let's see the results-

Joyce has a new take on an old "hit."

ERR tells us of an offer that is hard to refuse.

Aussie Paul twists a tale of infidelity.

Sue shows us an awkward reunion.

Nicole whispers of the monster hidden in us all.

Deegan rewrites "do or die."

MRM says that sometimes the smallest have the biggest dilemmas.

Doc reveals that he who controls the information, controls the power.

Welles shows the ghost of Woolrich how it's done.

Randal gives some insight as to what really went on.

Flannery points out how a creative David might upend Goliath.

The Professor lets us in on extortion gone wrong.

F-F-F #35

2010-07-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

Let's get organized here, and if you don't know what this picture means, scroll down...

The people have spoken, and they have picked the following starter sentence-

Flannery says, "I don't disagree with you, but you have to admit, this puts me in a delicate position."

All you have to do is build a story around that. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, July 13th, all right?

Good night, good luck, and keep positioning those chickens.

Two stories and a contest

2010-07-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

David Barber placed second in The Land's End Contest with this gem of a story, called "Millennium Princess." I guarantee that you are never going to guess how it ends.

If you remember Beach Bum from last year, he cooked up a good one with "A Southern Fried Fairy Tale."

Finally, Jason Evans says that there is another Clarity of Night Contest coming up-

The time is fast approaching for the biggest Clarity of Night contest ever! Author Stephen Parrish is co-hosting in honor of his newly released novel, THE TAVERNIER STONES. It's a thriller which opens with the discovery of a corpse clutching what is believed to be one of the lost Tavernier Stones--huge gems of legendary worth and beauty.

And now, you're about to discover your own treasure in the Clarity of Night "Uncovered" Short Fiction Contest! The prizes are legendary. $290 in prize money will be awarded (Amazon gift certificates), including $100 for 1st Place, $50 for 2nd Place, and $35 for 3rd Place. You can taste it, I know. For now, I'm giving you an early glimpse of the photo prompt to get the juices flowing. What jewel of a story can you create? As always, you will have 250 words to prove yourself and claim your booty.

The contest will open on Monday, July 19th. Look for more announcements as the time nears. Steven will be joining us and bringing all his Amish friends! (Oh wait, Amish don't have internet.) See you there, and please help spread the word.

Starter Sentence Poll #18

2010-07-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

Cheyenne The Dog cannot decide between starter sentences!

Help her, before her eyes pop out of her sockets!

Choose from the following-

David says, "Oh my God, what the hell was that?"

Flannery says, "I don't disagree with you, but you have to admit, this puts me in a delicate position."

The Professor says, "It was hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk."

Aussie Paul says, "Stomping mudholes into the guts of bad dudes was all I knew how to do."

Über says, "Most smells wafted on the air; this one assaulted your nose like a drunken pub brawler's right hook."

Nicole says, "Her eyes held mine with some mysterious force making my breath hitch, until she removed the scarf and revealed the lower half of her face."

Sue says, "Killer heels and wild hair - she spelled trouble with a capital 'T'."

The results will go live on July 9th, 2010, @ 8:00 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-07-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

No, Li-Lo, I said line up those starter sentences.

F-F-F #34, The Stories

2010-06-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Rick joins us this week.

Let us try and hold it together for the last Friday Flash Fiction in June.

Me? I'm coming apart at the seams.

Towards the end of JJ's Friday Flash Fiction, in lieu of a starter sentence, he would post four words, instead. The idea was that you were to incorporate those words into the story and it didn't matter in what order, but they all had to be in there.

The four I came up with are:

Sculpture

Culture

Cult

Cohesive

Let's see the results-

Sue relates a tale where things have gone cold.

J.C. Montgomery takes a twist to the traditional.

Dave cooks up a variation on pub fare.

Freida shows the model's perspective.

Rick pits Doctor Courage against The Tiger Women.

Flannery brings an art form from east of The Mississippi, to the rest of the world.

Randal cheers us on as if we were Portugal.

Doc lets us in on a conversation between a patron and an artist.

F-F-F #34

2010-06-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the last Friday Flash Fiction for June, so please make it count.

Towards the end of JJ's Friday Flash Fiction, in lieu of a starter sentence, he would post four words, instead. The idea was that you were to incorporate those words into the story and it didn't matter in what order, but they all had to be in there.

The four I came up with are:

Sculpture

Culture

Cult

Cohesive

F-F-F #33, The Stories

2010-06-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

J.C. Montgomery joins us this week.

If you don't get the picture, check the starter sentence.

David came up with the starter sentence, "It was a shortcut that I would regret for the rest of my life." Again, this teems with possibilities, so let's see the results-

Lewis J. introduces us to a surgeon who might be too efficient.

J.C. Montgomery says sometimes you have to be a self-starter when it comes to business.

David shows us that all is not what seems in The Highlands.

Nicole says that tragedy is just below the surface.

Wells muses that love is hard-boilled.

Flannery reveals that everything can go downhill in a hurry.

Chad says wisdom among other things, comes from where you least expect it.

The Professor whispers of every writer's worst nightmare.

The Premiere Issue of Dark Valentine is here!

2010-06-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

It's finally here, the Premiere Issue of Dark Valentine Magazine, which you can download here on PDF.

Editor Katherine Tomlinson introduces* us to the newest venue in dark fiction-

The premiere issue of Dark Valentine Magazine is here. A quarterly magazine of dark fiction, the project is a collaboration born over a meal of pear cider and Cornish pasties at an Irish pub in Pasadena. Editor Joy Sillesen and Art Director Joanne Renaud and I liked working with each other at Astonishing Adventures Magazine so much that we decided we didn't want the fun to end.

The first issue is stuffed with dark tales and wicked words, all illustrated by artists like Joanne, Pamela Jaworska, Larry Nadolsky, Rena Ez, Jane Burson, Eleni Trigatz, Michael Lauritano, Jennifer Caro and Molly Brewer and more...The cover image, created by Joanne Renaud, was inspired by Stephanie Dray's story, "The Threshing Floor."

The table of contents is stuffed with goodies--flash fiction from Cormac Brown, Sandra Seamans, Carol Kilgore, and Blue Jackson. There's a paranormal noir from Agatha-nominated novelist Elizabeth Zelvin and Paul D. Brazill's innovative twist on an old monster. (Paul:s "Drunk on the Moon" is one of two stories from Poland-based writers in this issue, with Frank Duffy's evocative "The Fog House" being the other.)

There's a definite international feel to the fiction which comes from the UK (Peter Mark May's "Lurkers"), Canada (Julia Madeine's "Smashed")and points west. The artists hail from all over--Poland, Thailand, Greece, the UK.

And last but certainly not least, the premiere issue contains stories by Chad Rohrbacher, C.M. Saunders, Christine Pope, Sidney Harrison, James Hartley, Gerry Johnson and me. There's something for everyone in the first issue. (And if there's not, we'll be back in the fall with issue #2.)

*The names in bold are my doing.

F-F-F #33

2010-06-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

Don't follow me...

...I'm lost, too. The people have spoken, and they have picked the following starter sentence-

David says, "It was a shortcut that I would regret for the rest of my life."

Starter Sentence Poll #17

2010-06-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

You can crank it and crank it...

...but let's face it, you'll never get that jalopy started. Why don't you choose a starter sentence instead?

Choose from the following-

David says, "It was a shortcut that I would regret for the rest of my life."

Flannery says, "Taut and alert, she laid in bed with a cell phone in one hand and a candlestick in the other."

Nicole says, "I awoke and answered my ringing phone at 3:31 am. Where the caller immediately asked, 'Is this (insert name)- I was told you could help me?'"

The Professor says, "He (She) gritted his (her) teeth while wrapping the bandage tightly around the bloody gash on..."

The results will go live on June 11th, 2010, @ 8:00 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-06-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

Right about now, we are supposed to line something up. Hmm, what could that be?

Oh yeah, line up those starter sentences!

Good night, good luck, and Woody? I'm going to steal your girlfriend!

F-F-F #32, The Stories

2010-06-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

No football heads, The World Cup hasn't started just yet...

...so until that time? Read some Friday Flash Fiction instead.

Nicole came up with the starter sentence, "So much for plan B." Now there's a sentence that teems with possibilities. So let's see the results-

Sue tells us of a death in Tuscany.

Deegan mentions murder and an art heist in Montreal.

The Professor speaks of a man at odds with age and other things.

Lewis J. wonders what goes on in the corporate world.

David takes us on a caper.

Wells takes us on through to Chapter Two.

Nicole says revenge is a dish that is actually best served piping hot!

Randal shines some sunlight on this session.

F-F-F #32

2010-06-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

Soar with eagles...

...or stumble with geese. The choice is yours.

The people have spoken, and they have picked the following starter sentence-

Nicole says, "So much for plan B."

Starter Sentence Poll #16

2010-06-03T00:40:00.000-07:00

It's simple enough, pick the starter sentence that is just right for Friday Flash Fiction #32 or...

...these birds will go Alfred Hitchcock on yer neck.

Choose from the following-

Paulie Decibels says, "If everything Tony says is true then this time next week we'll be kings of the world."

Flannery says, "Let's not count our chickens before they hatch, gentlemen."

Sue says, "You break eggs to make an omelet, but you break legs to make a point, or maybe just for revenge."

Lewis J. says, "As last laughs go this one was short and sweet."

Nicole says, "So much for plan B."

The Professor says, "The sound was much like a hiss..."

The results will go live on June 4th, 2010, @ 10:30 AM.

Joyce is the winner of Dark Valentine's "Through A Lense Darkly 2"

2010-05-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

If you get a chance, check out Joyce Juzwik's winning entry for...

...Dark Valentine's "Through A Lense Darkly 2" flash fiction contest. The story is called "Penance."

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-05-30T23:58:00.000-07:00

I'm back from vacation...

...and it's safe to say, that surfing with alpacas is overrated. Some of you are chomping at the bit and some of you are new to this process. This is where you come up with a sentence that you believe is worthy enough for all of us to write a story around. If you still don't get it, check out the older posts to get an idea. Please remit your new sentences or submit your old ones in the comment section. I will then load them into poll form, Thursday, June 3rd @ 12:30 AM (the time was moved up yet again, so I could get some sleep), Pacific Time.

Note that the time will be early than usual and that if you turn it in after that time, it won't be added to that session. Now, there once was an alpaca from Peru...

Dark Valentine's "Through A Lense Darkly" Flash Fiction Contest

2010-05-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

From editor/author Katherine Tomlinson comes this item-

I always enjoy photo story prompts, so we've put another one up at Dark Valentine. We're looking for flash (under 1000 words) inspired by the photo. Here's all the info.

We don't pay for the stories published on the site but Dark Valentine is a paying market for stories published in the magazine. Our first issue will be available in mere weeks, but we're open for submissions to issue #2 now. Here's a link to our guidelines. Dark Valentine is looking for any sort of dark fiction--you pick the genre.

Yeah, vacation time again...

2010-05-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

Too much blog with too little time, will lead to...

The blog might be back in two weeks, it might be back in three, but don't EMAIL ME.

F-F-F #31, The Stories

2010-05-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

The pic relates to one of the five words, more below...

Towards the end of JJ's Friday Flash Fiction, in lieu of a starter sentence, he would post four words, instead. The idea was that you were to incorporate those words into the story and it didn't matter in what order, but they all had to be in there.This time I came up with five:

Batch
Catch
Latch
Patch
Coriander

Let's see the results-

Randal goes magical in Spain.

Joyce goes hard-boiled procedural.

David goes dark and gritty.

Sue goes quasi-gourmet.

The Professor goes on, and then goes Southern.

Flannery goes for parlor and mystery.

F-F-F #31

2010-05-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Uh...

...worst imitation of one our authors, ever. It's supposed to be, "who wants cupcakes?"

Towards the end of JJ's Friday Flash Fiction, in lieu of a starter sentence, he would post four words, instead. The idea was that you were to incorporate those words into the story and it didn't matter in what order, but they all had to be in there.

This time I came up with five:

Batch

Catch

Latch

Patch

Coriander

Once again, they can be in any order, but your story must contain all five words. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, May 11th, all right?

F-F-F #30, The Stories

2010-05-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Author J.F. Juzwik joins us this week.

What does this picture have to do with anything? Keep reading...

The people have spoken, and they picked two starter sentences-

Sue said, "Is it me, or does this coffee taste weird?"

And...

Maggie/Rhapsody said, "I know what I saw and years of anti-psychotics and group therapies couldn't convince me otherwise."

So let's see the results-

Sue says that you're late...

Joyce...well, I don't want to give her story away.

Doc tells us a tale about la pasión.

Flannery offers up some morning humor.

Randal gives us a "crooked" short.

The Professor dedicates one to a famous papa.

Nicole takes us exploring.

Maggie/Rhapsody ventures into thriller territory.

F-F-F #30

2010-04-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

Uh-oh...

...This is Friday Flash Fiction's 30th Session...

...run, Logan, run!

Well, I just spent five minutes looking it up and we've had one two-way tie, and one three-way tie before. This will be our second two-way tie:

Sue says, "Is it me, or does this coffee taste weird?"

And...

Rhapsody says, "I know what I saw and years of anti-psychotics and group therapies couldn't convince me otherwise."

All you have to do is build a story around either or both of those sentences. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, May 4th, all right?

Starter Sentence Poll #15

2010-04-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

In Ukraine, you don't pick your Starter Sentence...

...the Starter Sentence picks you! Apologies to Yakov and Randal.

Choose from the following-

Flannery says, "Hitchhiking wasn't my preferred method of transportation."

Paul says, "Comedy is a very personal thing, I know, but was what I did really THAT funny?"

Sue says, "Is it me, or does this coffee taste weird?"

Doc says, "I'm tired of sucking the hind teet and today I'm going to do something about it!"

The Professor says, "I sat at the table, bleary eyed, and watched as a fruit fly made love to a banana."

David says, "You/I/we/they either run away or stay and fight this thing!"

Rhapsody says, "I know what I saw and years of antipsychotics and group therapies couldn't convince me otherwise."

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-04-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Er...

...that's just odd. Anyway, line up those starter sentences!

Good night, good luck, and pigs, tigers and pigs! Oh, my!

F-F-F #29, The Stories

2010-04-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Rhapsody Belle joins us this week.

Did you ever had the feeling that you're being watched?

This week's starter sentence was- "I said that you don't have to believe me, and I certainly wouldn't...if I were in your shoes."

Let's see the results-

Sue tells an ethereal tale.

David takes us down to the pub.

Flannery gives us a witchy sequel.

Doc speaks of spirits.

Welles continues his crime spree.

Randal rolls us into the rubber room.

Chad spins a story about stories.

The Professor does Kafka proud.

Rhapsody Belle shows us the shady side of big Pharma.

F-F-F #29

2010-04-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Friday Flash Fiction is back, did you miss me? No, you just want me for fictional purposes. I know that you were at all those other flash fiction sites...carrying on like that, and you thought I wouldn't find out? Sigh, fidelity went out with stereos.

Fine, be that way. Here's your starter sentence-

"I said that you don't have to believe me, and I certainly wouldn't...if I were in your shoes."

Flash Vacation

2010-04-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

This blog will be on hiatus while I get this rock up this hill...

So, Friday Flash Fiction will be on vacation for a week, possibly two. Until then? Good night, good luck, and ow, ow, ow, leg cramp!

F-F-F #28, The Stories

2010-04-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Some days, it's so hard to get clean, you know?

Paulie D. Brazill came up with the starter sentence, "The trouble with me is that I never realise how deep in the shit I am until I'm choking on the stuff."

Let's see the results-

Sue tells an escape tale.

Paul says even hit men have it hard.

Welles speaks of a different seduction.

Flannery says favoritism can lead to unfavorable things.

The Professor weaves a tale where the protagonist is not just knee-deep in it.

Randal narrates a tale of someone who meets a nasty end.

Nicole whispers of a story that will take you away.

David wonders about the price of infidelity.

Chad has a gritty bar yarn.

F-F-F #28

2010-04-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

What a contest, the votes on lucky Poll #14 are in!

Paulie Decibels says, "The trouble with me is that I never realise how deep in the shit I am until I'm choking on the stuff."

Finally, an excuse to use this picture!

Starter Sentence Poll #14

2010-04-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

As Rabbit Ultimate Fighting goes, this poor sap seems done for before he even gets into the ring...

...still, you can give him a fighting chance, by picking out the best starter sentence.

Paulie Decibels says, "The trouble with me is that I never realise how deep in the shit I am until I'm choking on the stuff."

The Professor says, "On the porch of the decrepit rental home, a Big Gulp cup had fallen, splaying its soda like a pool of blood."

Flannery says, "He could almost feel tumbleweed cross the desert of his throat as he pondered how to answer her question."

MRM says, "Would you care to look at our Dessert menu?"

Sue says, "This was no time to be squeamish, so I forced my hand into the hole and felt..."

Aussie Paul says, "They say rules were meant to be broken - not bones."

Nicole says, "Examining a piece of bacon with a picture that perfectly resembled the rose tattoo on her buttocks, realization hit her, 'I fell alseep and you guys ate my ASS?!'"

Doc says, "The pizza boy looked up from his ticket long enough to look her in the eye and see the hints there."

The results will go live on April 9th, 2010, @ 10:30 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-04-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

You can wager all of your money on Rabbit Ultimate Fighting...

...or you can come up with a starter sentence.

Good night, good luck, and bet all of your carrots on Mr. McGregor.

F-F-F #27, The Stories

2010-04-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Hot Spa Macaques say, "simmer down and relax with some fine flash fiction. There isn't a bad banana in the bunch."

Cache
Cashew
Eschew
Through

Let's see the results-

Sue tells a tale of company efficiency and redundancy.

Randal narrates a game of global proportions.

David does a word twist, and then ends with a twist.

Aussie Paul weaves a tale about women in peril.

Flannery revisits an old TV favorite from a new viewpoint.

Doc's own creation turns upon...

Nicole stages a prequel to old tale.

Welles recites a brief poem.

Post #100: Do Some Damage Podcast gives F-F-F some love

2010-04-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

I had too much on my plate to pay attention to the hints when it came out. Over at the podcast version of Do Some Damage, apparently Jay Stringer and Steve Weddle had a discussion about flash fiction. They even gave a brief mention to this blog, though it's mostly about what flash fiction is and the state of it, in general.

Some of you might remember author Steve Weddle, from F-F-F #13. The podcast finishes off with Sherlock Holmes. Please, go on over and it give it a listen.

Then, read Do Some Damage, a blogging collective of some of the best crime writing authors.

F-F-F #27

2010-03-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

You have made the Moderator happy...

...Friday Flash Fiction #26, was one of the best, ever. There wasn't a dog in the bunch and what is your reward? No poll...yeah, no poll. Settle down, settle down. Quiet!

Do you wonder if dogs say, "Not a human in the bunch?" Or would they say, "Not a cat in the bunch?" But I digress, tri-gress (sic), even. Towards the end of JJ's Friday Flash Fiction, in lieu of a starter sentence, he would post four words, instead. The idea was that you were to incorporate those words into the story and it didn't matter in what order, but they all had to be in there.

The four words that I came up with were:

Cache

Cashew

Eschew

Through

Once again, they can be in any order, but your story must contain all four words. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, April 6th, all right?

F-F-F #26, The Stories

2010-03-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sue joins us this week.

This week's starter sentence was- "What do you see when you close your eyes?"

Let's see the results-

Flannery gets good and steamy.

Doc weaves a mystery.

Sue tells a tale of a date gone wrong.

David goes M. Night Shyamalan on us.

MRM stumps me...just read it, damn it.

Aussie Paul shows us the life behind the Silver Screen.

Chad tells a tragic noir tale.

MRM doubles down.

Nicole opens an x-file.

Welles goes Westlake on us.

Randal waxes poetic.

The Professor speaks of a woman that knows how to quell anger.

F-F-F #26

2010-03-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

Wait, no poll again?

Sorry, your moderator has writing problems, contractual difficulties and other oddities to contend with. The good news is that you will have extra time to come up with a story.

Once again, you too can have the Cormac experience, by taking on a sentence from my "this is too difficult for me, pile." Though you really need the sleep deprivation to get the full effect and you will have to snarl at people at random. The password is...no, wait, that's not right. The starter sentence is, "What do you see when you close your eyes?"

All you have to do is build a story around that. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, March 30th, all right?

F-F-F #25, The Stories

2010-03-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

Flannery Alden joins us this week.

No one can hold Friday Flash Fiction back!

It's powered by the collective imagination of writers on the verge of bigger things, as well as huge portions of dim sum.

This week, Aussie Paul came up with, "He had been told crawling would get him nowhere."

Let's see the results-

Flannery tells a tale of a man who finds religon.

MRM keeps it short and sweet.

Aussie Paul relates a tale of confined determination.

David narrates a story about a very exclusive show.

Nicole brings us back to the Old West.

The Professor broadcasts with brevity.

Randal bops his way through America and across The Pacific.

Welles tells a tale of foolish pride.

Doc mixes genres.

F-F-F #25

2010-03-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

Maybe the moderator has had too much cough syrup?

Oh...like, wow.

Anyway, the votes on lucky Poll #13 are in. Aussie Paul came up with, "He had been told crawling would get him nowhere."

Starter Sentence Poll #13

2010-03-18T09:38:00.000-07:00

You can paint the toenails of mercurial coked-out models...

...or you can pick a starter sentence. Chose from the following-

David says, "Oh, is that a gun in your pocket or..."

Aussie Paul says, "He had been told crawling would get him nowhere."

Nicole says, "She woke up to the sound of a click next to her ear and found herself looking into a set of hard set eyes."

The Professor says, "He/she ran up to the police officer, and gasping for breath, said..."

Welles says, "The worst part about March 18th is washing green vomit off the walls."

The results will go live on March 19th, 2010, @ 10:30 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-03-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Friday Flash Fiction won't let you take the checkered flag...

...unless you come up with a starter sentence!

You know the drill or if you don't, check out the older posts to get an idea. Please remit your new sentences or submit your old ones in the comment section. I will then load them into poll form tomorrow, Thursday, March 18th @ 9:30 AM, Pacific Time.

Good night, good luck, and go Speed Racer, go!

F-F-F #24, The Stories

2010-03-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Forget Lady Gaga, because here at Friday Flash Fiction?

We have "Lady Choco-ha." We were going to call her "Lady Hoo..."

Actually, nevermind.

This week's starter sentence was- "A kiss as sweet as..."

The one stipulation was that there could be no guns or knives allowed in this week's stories. Let's see the results-

Nicole tells a tale where a kiss unleashes a flood of memories.

David weaves a stunning story of love.

Aussie Paul shows some steam down under.

Über gives us a slice of life.

Randal turns prosaic.

Doc says it is all about the build up.

Chad whispers of a woman that is coming unraveled.

F-F-F #24

2010-03-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Wait, no poll this week? Yeah, yeah, put the torches and pitchforks down. It's time to change things up, and for some of us to get out of the rut. Here's this week's starter sentence-

"A kiss as sweet as..."

Oh, and just like a nightclub? There will be no guns or knives allowed this week.

All you have to do is build a story around that. Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, March 16th, all right?

I'm sorry

2010-03-11T09:40:00.000-08:00

Here, these are for you.

Well, first I'd like to thank not only Doc, but everyone else, as well. Everybody has been kind enough to thank me on their blog, and that's going to make this that much harder. I can't comment on your stories anymore.

When we have a low turn out, that's four stories a session. That adds up to over twenty minutes just looking them over and linking them. This week we had eleven stories, and if I have to say something for each and every one of those...well.

So here is where you all come in, this is your community as much as mine. You all have to step it up, in my place. Take last week for example, Robert C. popped in here and only four people commented. So...

F-F-F #23, The Stories

2010-03-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

One fiction site makes you larger...

And one story site makes you small...

But the one labled "Friday Flash Fiction," spins your mind like a squall
Go ask Alice, when she's hanging out with Aussie Paul

MRM came up with, "I/He/She/It/They/(place name here) had to kick out the back window to escape."

Let's see the results-

Nicole whispers about a woman that just can't seem to sleep at night.

Randal goes all Romero on us.

Aussie Paul weaves a quick spin about a man who seemingly vanishes into thin air.

MRM mixes pulp with my favorite joke from my teen years.

Doc tells a tale of a man who loses by winning.

Über says not all heroes walk upright.

Deegan gives us twice the pulp in one session.

Chad shows that we should always be aware.

Welles goes the thriller and espionage route.

The Professor lets it bleed.

Remember, what Randal said...

"Right said, Fred!"

"Drink Moosehead!"

Postponed for at least a day

2010-03-09T07:24:00.000-08:00

This blog will be postponed for at least a day. It's not an emergency and don't email me, please.

Dark Valentine Magazine is here!

2010-03-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

Image from http://www.myspace.com/odbal-imaging

Katherine Tomlinson is one of my favorite authors and certainly one of my favorite editors.

Joanne Renaud is one of the artists that I admire the most, and if you are a regular reader of my other blog, you already knew that.

Well two of the driving forces of Astonishing Adventures Magazine have gotten together with Editor Joy Sillesen to form Dark Valentine Magazine.

Katherine shot me an email with all the details-

The first issue will be in May, deadline is April 1.

We’re soliciting entries for our THROUGH A LENS DARKLY (they’re not paid) and we will pay $10 for stories and $10 for illustrations that run in each of our quarterly issues of DARK VALENTINE. We know that’s not much but it’s coming out of our own pockets.) Web design is by the multi-talented Sarah Vaughn, whose stories and art you may remember from Astonishing Adventures Magazines #7 and #8.

We will be specializing in dark fiction—mystery, horror, romance, slipstream, urban fantasy, fantasy, sci fi, cyberpunk, you name it. Our influences range from E.A. Poe to Tanith Lee. We know you’ve got a story to tell us.

Here’s where you send it: submissions@darkvalentine.net.

If you look over the FAQ, you will notice that they are taking both story submissions and illustrations.

F-F-F #23

2010-03-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

Let's see, Poll #12, and "Twelve Angry Men," coincidence?

The Ghost of Henry Fonda says, "I'll cut you, I'll cut you for real!"

The votes are in, and MRM came up with, "I/He/She/It/They/(place name here) had to kick out the back window to escape."

Starter Sentence Poll #12

2010-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

Why are these eleven men angry?

No, it's not because Über flaked the last session, and no, it's not because Randal ripped one and blamed it on Nicole. It's because you haven't chosen the sentence that will kick off Starter Sentence Poll #12. Pick from the following-

David says "As the journey began, he patted the gun in its holster and smiled."

MRM says "I/He/She/It/They/(place name here) had to kick out the back window to escape."

Aussie Paul says "The chances of this plan gaining him entry in the Darwin Awards were pretty high, but he had to try - he had no other choice."

The results will go live on March 5th, 2010, @ 10:30 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-03-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Friday Flash Fiction will drop a moose on your head...

...unless you come up with a starter sentence, instead.

Good night, good luck, and oh no, not the moose!

F-F-F #22, The Stories

2010-03-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

Robert C. joins us this week and since he doesn't have a blog, his story is posted right below the links.

Samir The Siberian Tiger says...

..."Friday Flash Fiction doesn't wanting mascots with good tastes, Friday Flash Fiction wanting mascots that tastes good. Da, and Friday Flash Fiction Seal tastes good. Приятного аппетита (Prijatnogo appetita)!"

Manic, Panic, Organic and Non-corrosive.

Check out the results-

CJT/Nicole says there's a way around violence in the workplace.

MRM goes beyond the microscope to get to the essence of the story.

Aussie Paul whispers to beware of strangers.

Randal goes all free verse on you, you free birds.

David redefines "alienation."

Doc gives you tension that you could cut with a knife...or wire-cutters.

THE HIGH COST OF WISDOM
by Robert C

Billy took what some snake oil salesman insisted was organic acid. Organic acid? That's kind of like synthetic water!

Billy, loaded and manic as werewolves, blatzed into a 7-11, holding his dick like he hoped the store guy would think the thing was an Uzi. What a stone fucking panic that was!

The guy laughed his ass off and pulled out a .38 special.

Anyone could have told Billy; drop TNT down your gullet and that kind of shit is what happens.
Sadder but wiser, Billy decided to stick with the weed. Weed--non-explosive and way non-corrosive as far as his mental state went. He hated those space wars bouncing around in his eyeballs…

Yeah, he'd stick with weed…assuming he ever made bail in this lifetime.

F-F-F #22

2010-02-22T10:24:00.000-08:00

In the immortal words of W.C. Fields...

..."Go away kid, ya bother me!"

You want Friday Flash Fiction? You have got Friday Flash Fiction...on a Monday, no less.

Towards the end of JJ's Friday Flash Fiction, in lieu of a starter sentence, he would post four words, instead. The idea was that you were to incorporate those words into the story and it didn't matter in what order, but they all had to be in there.

The four words that I came up with were:

Manic

Panic

Organic

Non-corrosive

Once again, they can be in any order, but your story must contain all four words.

Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, March 2nd, all right?

You want to write so bad?

2010-02-21T20:50:00.000-08:00

Finish Paul's meme.

P.S. What, only Welles is game? Be careful what you wish for, Flash Fictioneers.

Yeah, well...

2010-02-19T07:06:00.000-08:00

...you ruined my week, but that's my temper blowing things out of proportion.

Peace.

Flash Vaction

2010-02-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Time waits for no one, not even if you hire someone in Manchester to stop it...

...So, Friday Flash Fiction will be on vacation for a week, possibly two. Until then? Good night, good luck, and keep taking time-lapse photos of people plucking chickens.

F-F-F #21, The Stories

2010-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Friday Flash Fiction Seal laughs at you all...

...needless to say, because of that? This is his last appearance on this blog.

Deegan came up with the starter sentence, "In matters of life and death, one could not forever rely on the judgment of his fellow man."

Let's see the results-

Randal has your religon by the Magic Eightballs.

CJT/Nicole gives us a dose of canned reality.

Aussie Paul says that one particular section of people does not measure up.

Welles goes Horace Greely on us, or is that Zane Grey?

Deegan tells a tale that I guarantee will have you never looking at cribbage the same way again.

Chad says that sometimes a simple song can haunt you.

MRM mixes genres, check the results.

The Professor rages against the machine.

F-F-F #21

2010-02-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

Friday Flash Fiction Seal is watching you...

...honestly, a less creepy mascot is needed here. Well it is Session #21 here, folks. Let's make it a lucky one, skeevy seal or not.

Deegan came up with the starter sentence, "In matters of life and death, one could not forever rely on the judgment of his fellow man."

Sounds like a simple enough sentence to work with, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, February 16th, all right?

Starter sentence poll #12

2010-02-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

Friday Flash Fiction Seal says that it's the Year of The Tiger!

Of course, I speak very little Chinese and I can't read a single word of it, so we will just have to take the Seal's word that this written symbol is a tiger.

Chad says, "He had $1.17 in his pocket, a bruise on his thigh, and the residue of pear juice on his chin; maybe life was turning around."

Jimm says, "Margaret had never seen one of such length and girth and certainly not one with such a luminous green glow."

Australian Paul says, "For six days straight Gary had gone without it and now it was really starting to get to him."

CJT/Nicole says, "In the event that he/she/it fights back..."

David says, "You're having a laugh at that price, I'll do it myself."

Deegan says, "In matters of life and death, one could not forever rely on the judgment of his fellow man."

MRM says, "He looked at the tooth in his hand and shuddered."

The results of the poll will go live on February 12th, 2010, @ 10:30 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

You can ride around and around, in Mumbai's "Circle of Driving Death." Until the wood gives way, or you run out of gas....

...but wouldn't it be easier to come up with a starter sentence, instead?

From last week, we already have for this week's session-

Chad says, "He had $1.17 in his pocket, a bruise on his thigh, and the residue of pear juice on his chin; maybe life was turning around."

Jimm says, "Margaret had never seen one of such length and girth and certainly not one with such a luminous green glow."

F-F-F #20, The Stories

2010-02-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Australian Paul and Deegan join us.

Maybe in the school zones, Ladies...

...but not with Friday Flash Fiction Sessions. I thought I told you that we won't stop, I thought I told you that we won't stop, uh-uh, uh-uh.

Here is #20, in all of its glory-

David came up with the starter sentence, "His life would have been a lot simpler if he'd just said no."

Randal whispers of a character that indulges in too much music.

Aussie Paul says the Devil is in the...

Chad goes Wordsworth on us.

The Professor tells us a story of someone that looks back at us from above.

CJT/Nicole punches you in the gut with the denouement.

David whispers that there's a moon out tonight.

Deegan goes all dialogue, with interesting results.

MRM relates to just what is in the basement.

F-F-F #20

2010-02-05T10:44:00.000-08:00

The Moderator has seen his shadow...

...which means that there is flash fiction for two more weeks. Sorry Randal, England has stuck back and that retribution's name is David. He came up with the starter sentence, "His life would have been a lot simpler if he'd just said no."

Sounds like a simple enough sentence to work with, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, February 9th, all right?

Starter Sentence Poll #11

2010-02-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

Help the red panda find the starter sentence...

...or he'll leave yellow snow on your porch. Chose from the following sentences-

David says "His life would have been a lot simpler if he'd just said no."

Doc says, "Some say that the bomb is the worst of our ills but I say that the mirror has killed so many more."

Australian Paul says, "The lights went out on the fourth day - but that was the least of our problems."

The Professor says, "The glint of sunlight reflected off the hard metal surface in a way that..."

The results will go live on February 5th, 2010, @ 10:30 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Contrary to popular belief, the chicken didn't cross the road just to get to the other side...

...it was actually because the ghost of Colonel Saunders was hobbling after her. Come up with a starter sentence, or the Colonel is going to fry you.

Good night, good luck, and keep plucking those chickens, Officer!

F-F-F #19, The Stories

2010-02-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

CJT/Nicole joins us this week.

Friday Flash Fiction has you by the tail...

...and don't claw The Moderator.

This week, Friday Flash Fiction allowed you to have the Official Cormac Experience, minus the sleep deprivation and the sociopathic tendencies. The starter sentence was from my incomplete story pile- "As far as Jack was concerned, even a field of four-leaf clovers couldn’t turn things around. He was convinced that because he was born in a leap year, that he was under a secret thirteenth Zodiac sign and its symbol was a giant screw."

Let's see the results-

Randal goes way out there and pulls us back in with the last line.

Nicole shows us why alcohol and Nevada don't mix.

Welles weaves a tale where a redhead walks into a bar...

David tells a tale of a real piece of work that pulls everything with him as he goes down the drain.

Doc takes us out on the road.

F-F-F #19

2010-01-27T00:02:00.000-08:00

Yea, verily, my writing gives indigestion to tigers everywhere...

...now you too, can have the Cormac Experience! First, get no sleep. Second...uh, I can't very well give that away, and have you all be me. All you need to really do anyway, is to make sure that you are good and Travis Bickle'd up.

This week's starter sentence- "As far as Jack was concerned, even a field of four-leaf clovers couldn’t turn things around. He was convinced that because he was born in a leap year, that he was under a secret thirteenth Zodiac sign and its symbol was a giant screw."

Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, February 2nd, all right?

F-F-F #18, The Stories

2010-01-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

What, ya don't like the name of the brand? Póg mo thóin! Finish yer drink up 'n keep readin'!

David came up with the starter sentence, "As the sixth shot of whisky burnt its way down, I suddenly remembered what I left the house for."

So what kind of stories will this produce? Let's find out...

Doc goes shopping and takes us for the ride.

Randal drinks alone and snows us in with some noir.

Über burns our tongues with a taste of Utopia.

Alan has us crawling into a pub, instead of pub-crawling.

Chad says Mountain Dew can roll uphill.

Lewis J. evokes Burns, and I don't mean Monty.

Welles turns the heat up and hard-boils us.

David says the familiar can be a bit too much sometimes.

MRM tells us a tale about a man looking for answers at the bottom of a glass.

Check out...

2010-01-23T02:28:00.000-08:00

One of your fellow contributors, Rum, a.k.a. Chad Rohrbacher has a story up at A Twist Of Noir. Please, go check it out. While you're over there, don't miss author Eric Beetner's effort, as well.

And speaking of your fellow contributors, Paul D. Brazill, along with another writing friend of mine Kevin Michaels, have gotten in on the ground floor of a new pulp magazine called "At The Bijou." Please, pop on over and take a gander.

F-F-F #18

2010-01-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

Friday Flash Fiction will go through the fire to find the perfect starter sentence...

...but you voted instead, and thus, saving a horse's oysters.

David says, "As the sixth shot of whisky burnt its way down, I suddenly remembered what I left the house for."

Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, January 26th, all right?

Starter Sentence Poll #10

2010-01-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

We have two of London's most astute coatis overseeing this poll, and they will make sure that everything runs smooth as a São Pauloan sea breeze.

David says, "As the sixth shot of whisky burnt its way down, I suddenly remembered what I left the house for."

Über says, "You insolent pigs aren't getting one more thing from me!"

Lynn says, "Do you ever use..."

MRM says, "So what did I do this time to piss you off, Baby?"

Doc says, "He had turned his back on a few things in life before, but now he knew he had to turn his back on her and walk away."

The results will go live on January 22nd, 2010, @ 10:30 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Friday Flash Fiction will just drive around aimlessly...

...unless you build a speedbump, or you come up with a starter sentence!

Good night, good luck, and what do you mean, there's no such thing as "a drive-through bed and breakfast?"

F-F-F #17, The Stories

2010-01-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

Flies cringe in fear, while the French rejoice!

This was the first time that we had three starter sentences to chose from, as there was a tie at the polls-

MRM says, "I am not supposed to remember any of this."

Randal says, "'But Vladimir Putin will always permit break dancing.'"

Lewis J. says, "As soon as he heard the cell phone notify receipt of the text message he knew there was no going back."

Let's see the results...

Freida tells a tale where changes abound.

Randal narrates a tale that must break you, Comrade.

MRM goes with three stories, one for each starter sentence. Then he freestyles. And then he haunts Jim Hensen.

Rum says payback is...

Lewis J. goes all Charlie Bronson on us.

David adds another chapter to his last story.

Doc gets us into Olympus (there, entendre-less Doc, okay?).

Welles weighs in with another sci-fi tale.

Über proves that life isn't as easy as soap operas make it to be.

F-F-F #17

2010-01-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Holy Cow!

Yes, it's the first ever three-way tie for our starter sentence poll!

MRM says, "I am not supposed to remember any of this."

Randal says, "'But Vladimir Putin will always permit break dancing.'"

Lewis J. says, "As soon as he heard the cell phone notify receipt of the text message he knew there was no going back."

You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, January 19th, all right?

Starter Sentence Poll #9

2010-01-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hold that tiger!

He's running away with our starter sentence!

MRM says, "I am not supposed to remember any of this."

David says, "Don't you just hate it when that happens."

Randal says, "'But Vladimir Putin will always permit breakdancing.'"

Paulie Decibels says, "When Karen looked into the room it was empty but the moment she closed the door the sounds started up again."

Lewis J. says, "As soon as he heard the cell phone notify receipt of the text message he knew there was no going back."

The Professor says, "It always seemed to be at sunset when I would remember..."

Über says, "Most people attempt to rescue their captured comrades using stealth and strategy."

The results will go live on January 15th, 2010, @ 10:30 AM.

Line up those starter sentences!

2010-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Friday Flash Fiction won't let you break dance...

...unless you come up with a starter sentence!

You know the drill or if you don't, check out the older posts to get an idea. Please remit your new sentences or submit your old ones in the comment section. I will then load them into poll form tomorrow, Thursday, January 14 th @ 9:30 AM, Pacific Time.

Good night, good luck, and white lineeeess, blow awaaayy!

F-F-F #16, The Stories

2010-01-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

Rum and Wells Fan join us this week.

The whole trick with flash fiction, is to get the balance right, Depeche Mode.

Yours truly came up with the starter sentence, "It was an honest mistake...or it was honestly stupid. Either way, I didn't mean anything by it."

Let's see what the results were-

David whispers of hi-infidelity.

MRM narrates a mystery involving fences.

Anton sets you up for the very last line.

Rum tells a tale of an era that we of a certain age, barely survived.

Lewis J. gives a mystery version of "Connections."

Wells Fan's yarn is coming up all sevens.

Doc takes us to the movies!

And finally, an add-on from Randal The Vandal-

It was an honest mistake...or it was honestly stupid. Either way, I didn't mean anything by it. Look on the bright side. Better your throat slashed by me than by some stranger. Of course, now my shoes are sticky like buns. Next time, I'm using gasoline.

F-F-F #16

2010-01-07T18:11:00.000-08:00

Call it "celebrating Earth Day, early." Reduce, reuse, recycle, Ladies and Gentlemen.

"Yeah, but a starter sentence?" you say. Well, you've never seen it, "so, it's new to you" (as that obnoxious NBC TV network slogan said, not too long ago). I'm going to give you one of my discarded starter sentences from my own fiction files, so you can get your own Cormac experience on...minus the sleep deprivation.

"It was an honest mistake...or it was honestly stupid. Either way, I didn't mean anything by it."

You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, January 12th, all right?

You are ready to take the pebble from my hand

2010-01-06T20:47:00.000-08:00

There will be no poll this week, and as to what the sentence will be? I already forgot it, because I'm sleeping in about four different shifts. I will tell you this...

...You are ready to take the pebble from my hand, you're just not aware of it yet. Sandra Seamans, a fine author in her own right, always has a wealth of writer-related sites and helpful advice sites. Sandra has also linked to this blog, and she has one upcoming challenge, and a flash contest on the same link.

The latter link is for The Clarity of Night's "Silhouette Contest," a 250 flash challenge and you can click here for the rules and details. Goodnight, good luck and keep taking pebbles from the ghost of Keye Luke's hand.

F-F-F #15, The Stories

2010-01-05T09:16:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010! Anton joins us this week.

Faith, The Two-Legged Dog walks down Chicago's Michigan Avenue, barking about Friday Flash Fiction and The New Year! Unfortunately, no one in Chicago speaks dog. Luckily, you the reader, speak Flash Fiction.

The Professor gave us the starter sentence, "He/she saw the orange Necco wafer on the counter top and started to cry."

Über weaves a torrid tale.

Anton tells us about someone who has lost that...well, you're going to have to click, to find out.

David relates a tragic tale that does not end well...or does it?

Lewis J. speaks of tragedy and chemistry.

The Professor triggers a memory and a dream.

Randal channels Ed Wood.

MRM narrates a winter mystery.

F-F-F #15

2010-01-01T21:05:00.000-08:00

Let's start 2010 off right!

No, not by jumping off the Kuala Lampur Tower, but by tackling this starter sentence, instead.

The Professor gave us the starter sentence, "He/she saw the orange Necco wafer on the counter top and started to cry."

Sounds simple enough, but if you've done this before, you know better. You know the deal, if you are in, please say so. Have it done by Tuesday @9 AM Pacific, January 5th, all right?