Second Crusader Challenge and Sundry Items
avourite song of the moment:Rach has posted the Second Crusader Challenge:
"Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, "The goldfish bowl teetered" These four words will be included in the word count. If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional, and not part of the judging criteria), see if you can write the story in your own genre (eg if you're a horror writer, write a horror story; a romance writer, a romance story, etc)."
I can't usually work on more than one project at a time. So, since my brain is currently filled with Out of the Water, my historical romance set in 1492, and I was looking for a way to bring an animal on board (!), I'm going to do the challenge from main character Rosa's point of view. Here, in 99 words, are Rosa and Baha, sharing a stolen moment on board ship...
The goldfish bowl teetered as a sudden heave of the ship tossed her backward. Baha's hand shot out, fingers covering hers as he resettled the bowl on her knees. Her fish didn't seem hurt, placidly swimming from side to side.Does the above count toward my Round of Words in 80 Days goals? It did involve some editing to bring the word count down... I did actually do a lot of editing yesterday, and am on page 105 of 194. There's no way I'll finish editing before the end of the challenge, however, especially not with all the overtime I'll be doing at work this week. When oh when will the story be ready for betas?
Baha twined his fingers in her hair, trailing kisses along her temple. She lifted her chin, seeking his lips with hers, and he tightened his hold on her across the bowl.
Back the ship canted, and water sloshed onto their arms.
He rose to his feet. "I'm sorry, Senorita, to have led you this far. It won't happen again."
By summertime, I hope...
In other news:
My review of Melissa Bradley's Byzantine Provocateur is up!
Theresa's having an awesome 500 followers contest!
The Paris Review features a free short story by Marilynne Robinson!
Comments
Thank you for the shout out, Deniz!
:)
Like the goldfish - I cannot think what to write!
See you in the next round
keep smiling
Enjoyed it, Deniz!
Nikki
Great. The fish bowl in a historical. Is it a glass bowl? And you left us hanging!
Thank you Carole Anne!
Thanks Liz! I do have a cameo by a certain Admiral at the start of the book...
Thank you Lydia!
I'm glad you liked it, Charity [g]
Ooh, Alberta, really? Where'd you get the name Baha from? I took my grandfather's name.
Thanks J.L., Cherie and Carol! I just can't stray too far from my characters.
I'm glad you liked it Talli and Nikki!
Actually, Ben... I tweaked the scene a little for the challenge. The scene in the novel definitely has a kiss - same ending though.
Ha ha, Sierra! Poor goldfish! I think he's just hungry...
Thanks so much Margo, Nas, Summer, Trisha and Cally. Ooh, research! i wonder if it is a glass bowl or not, in 1492...
I wouldn't worry, Samantha - I missed a whole lot of blogfests last week and am doing lots of overtime at work, so will probably miss a few more until spring. Thanks for dropping by!
I have a historical WIP that has some time on a ship and I always wonder if it was hard to make out when you reek of fish & likely haven't bathed or brushed your teeth in quite awhile. Lol! I finally decided i would hollywood my characters and make them have good hygiene and fresh breath. ;)
Very nice.
~Angela
I know how you feel Amanda! I throq in a few random references to washing because my character's a girly girl and doesn't like to have gritty, muddy hands [g] For the most part, though, they happen to be privileged passengers on a merchant ship, so are cleaner at least than the captain and sailors!
Thank you so much Angela!
I like your use of opposites Alberta [g] I think my Rosa thinks her Baha is a magnificent man [vbg]
Well... do you want the truth? In the original scene she has a painting balanced on her lap. It became a fish bowl in flash fiction [g]
Denise<3