Celebrate: Flash Mob 2013

I'm participating in a flash mob event! It's a contest linked to International Flash Fiction Day, which falls on 22 June.

How to enter the mob:

FLASH MOB 2013 is a hybrid blog carnival and competition celebrating International Flash Fiction Day. To enter the mob, post a previously unpublished work of flash fiction (300 words or fewer, not including title) to your own blog sometime between now and June 10 (closing date of contest).

Then send the following (1-4 below)  to flashmobjune22@gmail.com

1. the link to the story

2. the story text in the body of your email without your name attached at the top

3. a brief bio

4. a picture of yourself looking mean or cool or funny or arty–nothing boring, no nudity.

For more details go HERE.

So here is my flash fiction in approximately 194 words:

                                CHERRY BLOSSOM MOMENT

The cherry blossom tree is in full bloom now. The pink hue of petals a reflection of your flushed cheeks.

I can visualise them now… your cheeks…

As a child, you’d return from the park, run up the steps and burst through the front door, breathless, flushed, eyes shining with wonder and excitement, the discovery of a tiny bug or plant the source of your newly-discovered pleasure, simple child-like moments.

As an adolescent, your cherry blossom cheeks remain flushed with fever as you battle your demons. The hardest of them all being the one of choice. Choice used to be such a simple concept. Milo or milkshake? Vanilla or banana-flavoured ice-cream? Polka dots or pinstripes? And eventually… quality over quantity? A limited quality-filled existence, rather than countless days, stretching on, filled with pain?

The cherry blossom tree stands erect, like a ballerina in a pink tutu, on pointed toes. The lustrous petals are overflowing, falling… falling… falling… scattered on the ground, yet the branches remain full; a testament to your indomitable spirit, so in tune with a song only you understand, its erratic rhythm dictating your graceful steps in the dance of life and death.

                           *          *          *          *          *

This post is part of the Celebrate the Small Things bloghop which is hosted by Viklit over at Scribblings Of An Aspiring Author.

                                

Each Friday, post in your blog something you wish to celebrate achieving / doing that week.

It can be writing related: I finished a tricky chapter! I finished my outline!
It can be reading related: I read two books!
It can be life related: I tidied my sock drawer! My child finally ate something green! I cleaned the shed!

Whatever you like.

I'm also celebrating over at the A to Z Challenge blog. Click HERE. Come and join me there for a fun-filled Friday post with loads of laughter! Can you think of a better way to start your weekend? So what are you waiting for? Get over there————————————

74 Comments

  1. Rebeccah Giltrow on June 7, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    The flash mob thing sounds exciting.  I wish I could be concise and write a story in 300 words or fewer, but I'm far too verbose!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2013 at 7:38 am

      You should give it a try. Write a longer piece, and then trim it down. It's a great way to get your writing lean and tight.

  2. J. A. Bennett on June 7, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    What a sad story, but a beautiful way to think of a person.

  3. Alex J. Cavanaugh on June 7, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    The analogy is great in the story.

    Glad you worked through the tricky chapter.

    And I can't think of anyone better at flash fiction than you!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2013 at 7:41 am

      Thank you for the vote of confidence in my flash fiction writing abilities, Alex! I love flash fiction.

  4. Julie Flanders on June 7, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    What a touching story and a beautiful analogy. Great piece!

  5. J.L. Campbell on June 7, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    A touching testament to a life well-lived. Once again, I'm amazed at what you can do in so few words.

  6. Beverly on June 7, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    Lovely story with touching emotions in the imagery.

  7. M. J. Joachim on June 7, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Sounds like you might be ready for the weekend after all that…congrats on a fun A – Z and a fabulous celebration here. Good luck with Flash mob!

  8. Viklit on June 7, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    Touching story. & Flash mob sounds interesting – best of luck!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2013 at 7:53 am

      Flash mob is my kinda challenge! Glad you enjoyed the story Vik!

  9. Tyrean on June 8, 2013 at 1:56 am

    Nice flash!!! Love the imagery! The flash mob sounds like fun, but I'm going to keep my nose to my goal list and keep going that direction this time . . . it's so tempting togo running off for a flash fiction moment, but no. 🙂

    I'll check out A to Z!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2013 at 7:56 am

      Sticking to your set goals sounds like a wise idea. 🙂 I must admit that flash fic is my Achille's heel.

  10. Brandy on June 8, 2013 at 3:53 am

    At first glance I thought you said that you tie dyed your sock drawer! Cheers to Fridays and celebrations!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2013 at 8:00 am

      I'm picturing a drawer filled with colourful tie dyed socks… LOL Cheers Brandy!

  11. Nana Prah on June 8, 2013 at 11:19 am

    Congrats on entering the event. Good luck.

  12. L. Diane Wolfe on June 8, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    The visuals really bring out the emotion of the piece.

  13. Carol Kilgore on June 8, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    Love your flash! Good luck 🙂

  14. Jemi Fraser on June 8, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Beautiful! Breaks my heart – well done.

  15. S. Katherine Anthony on June 8, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    What a touching story… and that analogy is also beautiful. Good luck with Flash Mob 😉

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2013 at 6:41 pm

      Glad the story affected you in some way SK! 🙂

  16. Crystal Collier on June 8, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    My goodness, that piece is gorgeous! And way to accomplish so much this week. You really do have a great reason to celebrate. 

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2013 at 6:43 pm

      I was nervous about submitting the piece… it's the first submission to a site outside of our cosy online writing community… 🙂

  17. Donna K. Weaver on June 8, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    What a fun idea. Seems kind of complicated, but what an experience.

    • Michelle Wallace on June 8, 2013 at 6:46 pm

      Fun and complicated sums it up nicely! We'll see what happens…?

  18. Lara Lacombe on June 9, 2013 at 2:21 am

    Very cool–sounds like fun!

    I enjoyed your A to Z post! 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on June 9, 2013 at 8:06 pm

      Thanks Lara! And thanks for swinging by the AtoZ challenge blog to check out my post 🙂

  19. Medeia Sharif on June 9, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    I can imagine someone's rosy cheeks and what he or she is going through.

     

    I'll check out the link. 

     

     

  20. Milo James Fowler on June 9, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    This sounds like a great challenge — and I enjoyed your entry. One of my former students (graduating from high school this year) brought me a few cans of Milo last week as a parting gift. It's good stuff! =]

    • Michelle Wallace on June 9, 2013 at 8:20 pm

      Welcome to my place, Milo! Yes, it is great stuff. Milo brings back fond childhood memories. 🙂 As children, we were not allowed to drink coffee or fizzy drinks. Only Milo. And fruit juices, of course.

  21. Printed Portal on June 9, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    great post – lovely story.

  22. Nancy LaRonda Johnson on June 9, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    Nice emotional piece. I do love flash fiction and will be coming out with my book of flash fiction and poetry soon. I tell you, though, I've over done it with the blog hops this week! I think I need to slow down a bit with them, because I won't have time for anything else, which was why I didn't do the Celebrate the Small Things this week. 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on June 11, 2013 at 7:57 am

      There's just too much to do, and too little time in which to do so. 🙂

  23. celeste holloway on June 10, 2013 at 4:15 am

    I'm jealous! That says so much with so little words. It melted my heart. Good luck. If voting is open to the public, let me know. You've got mine! 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on June 11, 2013 at 7:59 am

      Thanks Celeste! 🙂 The judges decide on the winning entries.

  24. Sherry Ellis on June 10, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    I like your phrase, "Cherry blossom cheeks."  It's sweet!  NIce job with this!

  25. melanie schulz on June 10, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    What a lovely piece!

  26. Elise Fallson on June 10, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    I've missed your flash fiction. 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on June 11, 2013 at 8:03 am

      I really need to get back into my flash fic writing mode… 🙂

  27. Mary on June 10, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    Cool on the flash mob thing. And it's a very touching story. The analogy with the blossoms is very poignant. How'd it get to be Monday already? Make it stop, Michelle. lol

    • Michelle Wallace on June 11, 2013 at 8:04 am

      Oh, Mary. *laughs* My powers don't extend that far…  🙂

  28. C. Lee McKenzie on June 10, 2013 at 11:47 pm

    Didn't get to this in time, but I love the idea. And I loved your flash.

  29. Michelle Wallace on June 11, 2013 at 8:06 am

    It IS a great concept. Thanks C.Lee. Hope you enjoyed your hiatus.

  30. Gina on June 11, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    This sounds really great! Nice piece of flash fiction.

  31. Jocelyn Rish on June 11, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    That was really lovely! Both the imagery and the emotion you evoked. 

    I saw this too late to participate in the blog hop, but I did participate in Flash Fiction Day last year – it was fun!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 11, 2013 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks Jocelyn. I'm glad you enjoyed it!  🙂

  32. Julie on June 11, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    You really outdid yourself with this flash fiction piece! Now I'm heading over  to A to Z. You've been very busy Michelle!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 13, 2013 at 8:18 pm

      Julie, thanks for the wonderful response to my flash piece! I'm trying to be busy and productive… not sure whether I'm succeeding?  LOL

  33. Mark Koopmans on June 12, 2013 at 9:20 am

    Aloha,

    I love the idea of a Flash mob for writers… that would be hilarious to meet in a mall somewhere, do a little dancing, make a little chapter, etc 🙂

     

    I also wanted to say thanks very much for stopping by and commenting on my recent D-Day post. (I'm still working through all the comments!)

    CSM Ryan's story has received an incredible amount of support and a HUGE *Thank you* goes to DL Hammons – and all the Blitzers 🙂

    PS: Bill said to let everyone know he really appreciated all the personal comments directed his way 🙂

    • Michelle Wallace on June 13, 2013 at 8:20 pm

      I love your "mall concept"… sounds fabulous! I can picture the scenario!  🙂

  34. Morgan Shamy on June 13, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    Beautiful writing, Michelle! Truly. Loved it! 

  35. Michelle Wallace on June 13, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Thank you, Morgan. Your comment has brightened up my day!  🙂

  36. Lexa Cain on June 14, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    I enjoyed your flash fic. The images were vivid, and I really liked the use of the cherry tree as metaphor. The melancholy really came through — made me a little sad. Great post! 🙂

  37. Chris on June 21, 2013 at 12:23 am

    A sad and beautiful piece. There's a lot of story here in not even 200 words. So glad you joined the flash mob!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 22, 2013 at 10:19 am

      Thank you for co-hosting this awesome challenge Chris. I enjoyed the experience!

  38. Kari Nguyen on June 21, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    All it takes is one moment, sometimes. Happy to find your work.

    • Michelle Wallace on June 22, 2013 at 10:20 am

      Thanks for popping in, Kari. This is the first time I've signed up for a challenge on this scale…

  39. Michelle Elvy on June 21, 2013 at 11:53 pm

    I love the repetition in this story, Michelle. The rhythns work well. Great to meet you in the mob!

    • Michelle Wallace on June 22, 2013 at 10:22 am

      Great to meet another Michelle! 🙂 This flash mob concept has been a good experience… so many great flash fic writers… 🙂

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