Tuesday, February 21, 2012

1st Campagin Challenge : 2 Hot 2 Handle

 Rachael Harrie has put together the first challenge for Writers Campaign! The rules are as follows:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count. 
If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:
  • end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)
  • include the word "orange" in the story
  • write in the same genre you normally write
  • make your story 200 words exactly!
And here is my entry --


Shadows Crept across the wall, the signal of the sun rising through the blinds. Shay already had her bag packed and her hiking boots on. It was going to be a good day.

Not that Shay liked to hike, she had never really done much hiking before, but she did get to go with Lance. Plus it didn't hurt that she got to hit up Eddie Bauer for the first time her life the day before. Because, where else can you find authentic hiking gear in the mall?

The doorbell rang and Shay scrambled down the stairs, poofing her hair as she went. She opened the door and leaned on the frame, biting her lower lip. "Hi Lance."

"Are you wearing shorts?" Lance said pointing at the carefully picked cargos that highlighted Shay's long legs.

"Well, yeah."

"It's like twenty degrees out here, and it's going to get colder towards the top."

Shay looked out over the snowy landscape and orange horizon.  "I'll be fine!"

Even though she said the words she didn't believe them. Her hands shook as she took her first step outside. Those one-hundred dollar hiking boots didn't hold up. She slid on the ice and everything faded.


***

P. S. Last Weeks giveaway winners are - Jenny Morris with a copy of Everneath, David Powers King with a copy of Pride and Popularity, and Larissa Hardesty with the $10 gift card. Congrats to the winners!

P.P.S I'm doing another giveaway tomorrow, so be here or be square.

42 comments:

Joanne said...

One step, and the day was over! I always enjoy flash fiction stories, they pack a lot of punch.

Kelley Lynn said...

Ooo, very nice J.A.! You had me chuckling :) Loved it!

Erin Shakespear said...

Fun entry...what a silly girl. But, oh, the sacrifices we make in the name of fashion. :)

Jess said...

Ooh really good one! Love it!! That's definitely something I would do :)

I'm entry #19

Super Happy Jen said...

Silly girl. My husband will wear shorts until it snows out, but I though women were more sensible!

(I'm #101)

Unknown said...

Oh dears, those really weren't very good boots were they?

Megan said...

Love it! It's much more important to look good than dress practically. :)

Mark said...

I'm really not too good at these flash fiction contests, but I'll kick it around in my brain...and I look forward to seeing what other come up with:)

David P. King said...

I could never go out in shorts in that weather. No way. No how.

You character is excellently rendered. Great job, Jennie! :)

Jenny S. Morris said...

Great job with the challenge. Poor girl. But maybe Lance will pick her and take care of her.

And THANKS again for Everneath. Can't WAIT.

Alyssa said...

Love it! Nice take on the challenge! :) Great job!

I'm #37

Anonymous said...

Congrats to the winners. (Jealous.) And is it bad I'm laughing at the end of that when she fell?

Unknown said...

Fun entry. Just loved the end...Ha ha, served her right.

Fairview said...

What a fun entry. I think we've all been there... I have. I love the ending!

Leigh Covington said...

LOL! This is hilarious. Love it.
And congrats to the winners!

Nancy Thompson said...

Whoops! Ouch. And right in front of Lance, too. How embarrassing. Fun entry!

YelenaC said...

LOL That was cute and funny.

Mine is #36.

Surely Write said...

Nicely done!

digillette said...

Too funny! What a ditz! And who goes hiking when it is 20 degrees anyway? No way that Lance is hot enough for that. I say stay in and snuggle! :)

Ann Cory said...

Fun entry :) Very much enjoyed!

Mark Koopmans said...

Hee Hee! Poor Shay... nice one :)

J E Fritz said...

Ha! This was really funny. You always want to make a good impression and it gets screwed up by Eddie Bauer. Great job :)

Krista McLaughlin said...

Oops, very funny! I loved your comedic entry!! :)

Amber Clites said...

Love. This is so something that would have happened to me in my teens! So cute and funny!

Komal Kant said...

Hehe, I like her little crush on Lance and I was just waiting for something to go wrong. I really enjoyed this!

Tasha Seegmiller said...

This is really well done and reminds me so much of the students I teach who would rather be cold than look like they were trying to stay warm. Fantastic!

ETowns said...

Scene right out of teen lit. Slowing down a little for some pauses here and there, but enjoyable and bright! Definitely a good twist on the challenge. #115

Precy Larkins said...

Haha! Very cute. ;)

Morgan said...

Oooo... Nice intrigue! Go J.A.! ;)

Unknown said...

Gotta love Eddie Bauer. :)

Laurie Buchanan said...

First step out the door and Ka-Boom! Great story.

Laurie Buchanan, entry #92

Melanie Fowler said...

Great story! If I was Lance I would have made Shay go back inside and change!

Unknown said...

LOL. How in the world did she miss the cold?!

alexia said...

Poor Shay! Hope she finds some suitable clothes.

Jay Noel said...

Doh! That was a funny story. I had a neighbor that would shovel snow from his driveway in shorts. And the guy was OLD. It was weird, and not a pleasant sight.

Christy Farmer said...

This is a delightful piece and a fresh take on the challenge, J.A.! Well done! Off to vote! I'm #61.

bridget said...

Yeah, shorts were probably a bad idea. Very funny. mine is #71

Sue Ann Bowling said...

Hiking? In new, not broken-in boots? She deserved to fall!

Sarah Tokeley said...

Oh dear - a lesson we all learn in some manner :-) Thanks for the chuckle!

Nick Wilford said...

Seems like attraction got the better of practicality. Cute little story. :)

Traci Kenworth said...

Nicely done.

Unknown said...

How embarrassing for Shay, I hope he picks her up! Well done!