When I joined Rachael Harrie’s Fourth Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign, my goal was to network with other writers and hopefully learn a few things about establishing an online platform for my pen name. The whole experience turned out to be incredible from both business and creative standpoints. I found myself in the mix of some pretty incredible writers, which makes my next bit of news all that more amazing.
I am beyond thrilled to report than my piece entitled Fatespeak won the Second Campaign Challenge! This was a difficult challenge not only because of the prompts involved, but due to some tough competition put forth by so many talented and creative writers. In all honesty, I felt totally out of my league! It’s an honor to be in the same company of writers I’ve come to admire so much.
To see my name at the top of the list is surreal at best. This is the first competition I’ve ever won, which makes this a pretty exciting milestone!
The prizes are pretty exciting, too! With my deadline of sending query letters out by the end of April, a critique of the first 30 pages of my manuscript is going to be very helpful. I can’t wait to have a neutral third party dig in and help me find the weaknesses! In addition to a critique, I also won:
Thanks so much to Rachael Harrie for running the campaign and all the judges for all their time and effort. The prompts were inspiring and the challenges irresistible! I’m already looking forward to the next campaign.
To celebrate, I thought it would be fitting to re-post Fatespeak. Enjoy the read!
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Fatespeak
Activity #1 – Pitch/Logline
The Fates meet their match in one small girl.
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Activity #2 – 200 word flash fiction based on the prompts
Aria peered through the Oracle Eye and smiled at her victory. Amanda and Ian were safe, hidden away from The Fates who had so cruelly decided they should die. She was supposed to lead them to the moment of no return, but broke her oath instead. Under Rosewood Bridge they would stay, until she found a way to spare their lives.
“You cannot save them.”
Aria jumped and spun towards the sound of her Elder’s voice. Mena’s deep violet eyes pooled with sympathy, but remained stern.
“Why not?” Aria asked, despite knowing the answer.
“Their fate has been written. Your interference has only delayed what will be.”
“It does not seem fair that beings with so much free will, should be so readily controlled.” Aria turned back to the Eye and watched Amanda bandage the gaping wound in Ian’s leg with what remained of his t-shirt. “They have done nothing wrong and do not deserve this end. How can it be right?”
Mena gently squeezed Aria’s shoulders, “She will drown and he must bleed,” the Elder replied. “Listen, my youngling. As a Fatespeaker you must deliver what The Fates demand.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I cannot protect you.”
(199 words)
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Activities #3 and 4 (Combined) – Poem with a twist/Five sentences using each of the prompts.
The Fates sing in unison . . .
Young love perishes too soon,
never to age, always joined
The orb shall fall as must innocence,
ignorance cannot reign
A delicate balance struggles to thrive
on the brink of collapse
The meek suffer with dirty hands,
to humble those who refuse to see
Natural order binds our will;
a ribbon between us,
no one is truly free
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Activity #5 – Flash Fiction about the water pear.
The Fates hovered in stasis overhead. Hands joined, eyes closed, and oblivious to the small girl below.
Aria stood her ground with a wooden staff firmly in her hands. One swing would destroy the only link between the human world and her own. The Oracle Eye pulsed with warmth and light, just as it had for thousands of years.
“Show me Amanda and Ian” Aria whispered softly.
A dark-haired girl and a tall boy instantly materialized, both wounded and frightened. In the back of a dark cave, they huddled together and shivered as their fire began to die. Once the link was broken, The Fates could no longer find them and they would be free.
She tightened her grip and arced the staff for a mighty swing . . .
“Stop!” Three voices cried.
“No!”
“You have no right to disrupt what has always been,” The Fates seethed with rage.
“You have no right to take what is not yours.” Aria said and unleashed her will with all her strength.
One blow was all it took. The glowing orb erupted into pulverized glints of light, all of which faded to nothing upon hitting the ground.
(195 words)
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To see the challenge prompts that inspired Fatespeak, go here.
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c.b. 2012
Congratulations!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Congratulations, CB. You deserve it. = )
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Thanks so much! 🙂
Thank you also for being so supportive – I’m so glad we connected!
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Beautifully written and thus a well-deserved award. Many congratulations! I’m so excited for you!
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Thank you! 🙂
It was such a surprise and I am beyond thrilled. And my muse is chattier than ever with this little boost!
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Yes, the award is well-deserved. You did a wonderful job with the Challenge. These pieces would make a marvelous novel, or longer short story, too. Congratulations, again. 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂 I’m in the process of expanding the story. To my surprise its all there and I know how the pieces fit together.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better through the campaign and beyond – thanks so much for all your support and encouragement!
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Congratulations! Well deserved in every way.
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Thanks! You were the first one I got to tell in person! 🙂
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Yay!!! 😀 Congratulations! Much much deserved and very happy for you! 😀
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Thank you! 🙂 I’m still doing a little happy dance!
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Congratulations! You completely deserve it!
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Thank you! 🙂 There were so many great entries, I can’t believe I won.
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Congrats!!!!! Your prizes sound really cool. And as usual with your flash fiction, I WANT to read MORE!!!!
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Thank you! 🙂 The timing for that critique couldn’t be better given my deadline at the end of April!
I working on more flash fiction . . . both on this story and others. Stay tuned! 🙂
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Congratulations!! How very, very exciting.
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Thank you! 🙂 I hope my luck continues as I submit and get more involved in other networks!
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Congrats again! Still love the story.
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Thank you! 🙂
Thanks also for being a constant presence here and elsewhere. Your kind words and interaction is so greatly appreciated and enjoyed. 🙂
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You’re welcome. Thanks for the belief that doing what is strongly suggested is doable-all the blogging, the reading of other blogs, the contests, the tweeting, the writing projects… guess you’re proof that it is possible.
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I am so incredibly happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The talent is in you, but I think blogging has helped you to blossom!!
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Thank you! 🙂
Blogging has definitely helped to pull me out of my shell. Writing was always something I kept very close to me and rarely shared. Now I’m excited for people to read what I’ve written. What a difference!
You were one of the first blogs I remember following and I’m so glad we remain connected. Thanks for always being so positive and inspiring. 🙂
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Congrats, CB! I can almost feel how thrilled you must be.
Truly enjoyed the reading also … it was …fascinating 🙂
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Thanks! It was a very different piece for me on a public level. I love reading fantasy and I often experiment with it in my journals and on a larger story, but I’ve never shared any of it or thought I could really do it. Now I’m rethinking my opinion on that!
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And this is only the beginning for you, I just know it. Excellent!
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Thanks for such a nice shot of optimism! I hope things keep growing and I don’t lose my nerve. 🙂
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Well done you!
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Thanks! 🙂
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Congratulations honey!!!!!!!
xx
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Thank you so much!! 🙂
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Congrats and well done!!
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Thank you! 😀
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I’m surprised you were surprised ;-), you’ve always been a winner in my book.
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😀 Thanks, Captain! Your encouragement is so appreciated.
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Congratulations!
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Thank you!! 🙂
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You are very welcome! 😀
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This might be a little late but I still want to congratulate you on this wonderful victory. I like what you write, always with suspense and a mystery that seems to linger behind the words. Keep writing, all the best!
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Thank you so much! 🙂
I always like to leave the reader wondering because that’s when imagination takes over. That way the story is open to interpretation and that’s what makes it fun to write and read (I hope so anyway!).
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