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Monday, February 20, 2012

From Rising Flames

I’m participating in the Write Campaign sponsored by Rachael Harrie. The first challenge is to write a piece of flash fiction. Here are the rules:

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!
There are a lot of great entries, which are accessible here. If you are participating in the campaign, please visit them and be sure to vote for your favorite.
 
I decided to write a short scene that could fit in the sequel of ON FALLEN WINGS. It’s exactly 200 words and uses all the words listed above. I hope you like it. I’ve decided to give it the same title as the sequel.



FROM RISING FLAMES
 
Shadows crept across the wall of the cave, sharp angled reminders that I wasn’t supposed to be here, that none of this was part of the fate I had expected. They cautioned me with their silence and warned of the dangerous fortune that waited if the men knew where we were hiding.

How had it come to this? I stared at the wavering flames between us and tried to imagine the peace of my life before the red and the orange, and the smoke took my village. Before Sean was taken, and the man sleeping across from the fire had ruined my future. I had no reason to trust the bandit, and every reason to let him die. But there he was, and here I lay. Like the shadows and the light around us, we were two enemies facing the unknown together. And we needed each other.

I glanced again at Darian. So weak and frail, it seemed a miracle that he had saved me. I wondered if I could keep my promise—if I could heal him. Faeries weren’t that strong, I wasn’t that strong anymore. I stopped trying to focus and stared at the wall until everything faded.


I hope you enjoyed my little teaser. Have a great week.
~ Jamie

44 comments:

  1. Now I want to know more of the story!! You've got me hooked!! Great job!! Following along :)

    I'm entry #19

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  2. A lot of mystery to this piece. Lots of questions need answering, in a good way. Nice one! :)

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  3. I would so read more. Love your site!

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  4. Definitely got me hooked too! I loved it, good job!

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  5. Once again, great job! You always write pieces with great imagery, as if I'm in the same room with your characters. :)

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  6. This is really great. I love how they're enemies, yet they need each other. Nice work! :)

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  7. Interesting. :) You took a different approach than a lot of contestants I've seen.

    I'm stopping by from your Fantasy Campaigner group. Nice to meet you, and best of luck with the campaign!

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  8. Such nice comments. *blushes* Thank you. It was a fun piece to write.

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  9. Great scene. Definitely earns my vote. Way to go.

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  10. I like the juxtaposition of saving someone your character has no real reason to save. Says so much about both characters without needing much description. Nicely done.

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  11. You got me hooked! I really want to read more! :) Nice job!

    I'm #37

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  12. Wonderful! I wasn't expecting the faery. Well done! :)

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  13. I should have expected Faeries!! This was so well written! And so intriguing! I definitely want to read more!!

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  14. Indeed I enjoyed the teaser, and it left me interested to read more. Well done - can't go wrong with faeries!

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  15. Oohhh…I love anything with Faeries! You have successfully intrigued me, as I'm writing a faery based story myself. Nicely done!

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  16. I LOVED IT!! Well done! :)

    I'm a new follower - nice to meet you.

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  17. It's great to meet everyone and thank you for the comments. I'm trying to get around to everyone's entries-there are some fantastic pieces.

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  18. Ooo, this one leaves me wanting to know more. NIcely done! :-)

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  19. Now I want to read more about faeries! Nice post!

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  20. This piece pulled me in from the first line, with its great tension and description. I definitely want to know what's going on with the characters.

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  21. Reminded me of a western so the fairy element took me by surprise. Very well written and I would love to read more.

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  22. Once again a truly original take. I'm really enjoying these. Great job. Mine is # 71

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  23. I love the connections we're able to make through these contests. Wonderful people sharing our ideas about a common group of words. Everyone's comments have been inspring to me. Thank you. For those who've joined the blog, thank you. I look forward to getting to know you all better through this journey.

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  24. Very nice tease, Jamie. I think having trees in the background was a very nice added sensory experience. Thank you!

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  25. Very much enjoyed. I can't wait to read your novel when it comes out. It sounds very intriguing. Good job.

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  26. Ooo, fairies. I can't resist a story with them.

    #109

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  27. I too love fairies. What an awesome story.

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  28. the cave, and the tension somehow match each other... the need for strength and healing. even with enemies...so much here! thank you!

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  29. This was a total teaser!I'd like to read more.

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  30. Excellent little snippet, I do want to read more of this now!

    I'm making my rounds through the Fantasy group at the Campaign, can't wait to learn more about your writings!

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  31. Always leave 'em wanting more... you've definitely done that! I like the part about the enemies that have to rely on each other. Great plot device.

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  32. Very atmospheric, nicely framed teaser. Great to meet you, Jamie.

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  33. Nice to meet everyone. Looks like you've all been busy while I was away at work today. Gratitude is due to all of you for your comments. I'm making my way around to all of your entries. Good luck to you all!

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  34. 'Dangerous fortune' is a phrase that sets the tone so well. This was lovely.

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  35. This was great!! I'd love to read more. :)

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  36. And you're tagged!! http://www.tracikenworth.wordpress.com

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  37. I love the challenges among the characters around the fire and how they are intertwined. Would love to read more. Following you now! I'm at entry #151.
    A2ZMommy and What’s In Between

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