CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE ~ NO.#2
Here is the second challenge for the Writers' Platform Building Campaign hosted by Rachael Harrie .
Write a blogpost in 200 words or less , excluding the title . It can be in any format . The blogpost should :
~ include the word "imago" in the title
~ include the following 4 random words : miasma , lacuna , oscitate , synchronicity
For those who want an even greater challenge (optional) , make your post 200 words EXACTLY !!
So I decided to give it a bash and covered all the above-mentioned items .
AFRICAN IMAGO
The African tableau outlined three characters trapped in a mixed miasma of distant memories , faded dreams and dangerous deals .
"Are the children ready ?" His huge frame reduced the tiny , makeshift wood and tin structure to half its size . "You don't want to keep me waiting now , do you ?" The glossy , ridged scar stopped just short of his upper lip – the same lip that attempted a smile … it didn't quite reach his restless eyes .
"We do dis deal togeder ," the uncle reassured him . "Noting go wrong . Everyting is fine . Go as planned ." He was desperate to avoid a repeat performance of the previous encounter .
The boy stared at his plate . Flies buzzed around a lump of congealed food. "I don't want to go , uncle ," eyes downcast , to conceal fearful eyes .
"You be ungrateful . Dis people dey help you , send you to good school , pay de school fees . You leave tomorrow . No tell your sister anyting . She no go understand ."
The ensuing lacuna shifted the dynamics of their relationship . Synchronicity manifested in flashes … elusive memories of urgent whispers … hurried footsteps under cover of dark …
The boy wondered about the stranger he had called uncle . A gaping vortex seemed to oscitate before him .
AND THAT'S A WRAP ! 200 WORDS ON THE BUTTON !!
Very intriguing flash, definitely wanted to read more. ; )
Thanks for the visit and positive comment Sheri !
Great voice. I enjoyed the dialogue. Good job with the challenge.
To me , voice is the most obscure fictional element , so I’m really thrilled that you liked it . Thanks Raelyn .
excellent flash, i wonder how they all do after…
Well , I’ll leave that to your fertile imagination … shouldn’t be too difficult to work out ! LOL ! Thanks TTT 🙂
Wow Mish, you nailed it! The dialogue is great. I agree with Raelyn.
Thanks Jes … I really appreciate the thumbs up for the dialogue !
Interesting take on the challenge. Great job.
Thank you so much Mina … quite an odd collection of words to work with … but I gave it my best shot !
Hi, Mish,
I enjoyed your entry. The dialogue was quite intriguing. I really liked the accent.
I dropped by you blog and followed. I love your banner.
Thanks for dropping by and for the follow on Google Friends Connect … much appreciated ! The banner is quite the work of art , isn’t it … judging from your blog name , you must be an artist and would appreciate the design and other artistic elements incorporated on the banner .
I liked this line …the stranger he had called uncle. I would really like to read on to see what happens to the boy. Good entry.
Thanks for popping in and leaving a comment . The boy has no option (just like dozens before him) , but to accompany the man who had come to fetch him ! And we’ll leave it at that …
Wow, very nice! I was totally drawn in. Love the setting, the dialogue. Definitely feels like part of a larger work.
Nice blog you have.
Glad you were totally drawn in , Ron . Thank you for the visit and compliment ! *humble bow*
I enjoyed your use of exposition throughout; giving us a larger picture. Good job.
Thanks for the visit and comment .
Hi, Mish! Great entry you have here. The accent of the uncle really draws you into the character and setting. I feel a lot of empathy for the boy. Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting!~Candy
Yes , the accent places things in context . Your emotional response to the piece of flash fiction is exactly what I hoped to achieve ! Thanks Candy .
Well done! This was no easy task and you nailed it! Thanks for stopping by to read mine! christy
Yes , the words were quite challenging … thanks for swinging by !
Hi Mish – enjoyed this – nice setting and feeling of foreboding.
Ali B
Thanks Ali B – much appreciated !
That was excellent!
Loved the setting and the stakes of your character. There's much to be had with this story. That and I do enjoy reading accents.
Great job! 🙂
Thank you David . Yes , the stakes are quite high in this scenario …
Aww, poor kid! This was a very emotive piece, good job Mish!
You are so right , poor kid ! And thousands of others just like him … nice of you to swing by Trisha !
Hello, nice to meet you! I LOVE this post! Wonderful job!
I'm entry #112
Nice to meet you too ! Thanks for the visit and comment Jessica .
The only thing I don't like about it is you stuck to the 200 word limit and I don't know enough 🙁 I want to know more.
Seriously well tackled challenge. I think you used the words extremely well and created an atmophere I'd love to know more about.
Ah , have to stick to the 200-word limit … rules are rules after all … 🙂 thanks for popping in !
Very intriguing. I'm curious to know more! Great use of the words. 🙂
Thanks for stopping my my blog this morning. It's great to meet you.
Thanks for visiting . 🙂
Ooooh, very intriguing! Definitely one of those pieces begging for a longer treatment, so I hope you plan to expand in the future.
Mmm … begging for expansion , you say ? Let’s see what happens … thanks for the encouraging comment , Jocelyn .
I'm seriously intrigued now. I want to know what happens!
I’m so glad that you are intrigued … seriously intrigued , that is … watch this space for more … and thanks for popping in !
Great voice and characters. The action moves quickly. The scene is full of emotion — I really connected with this poor child. Love the accent!
Thanks for connecting with the piece in so many ways , especially with the helpless child … 🙂
Nice interaction in this piece, and I thought it was original and fresh. I'm over saying hello from the campaign. Catherine
Totally on the edge, like everyone else, over what happens from here! I loved your use of dialogue in this piece, as well as the way you incorporated the assigned words. (Tough assignment)
And thank you for your kind comment on my blog!
Ooh a nice bit of writing there. Like the accent, the setting, the tension.
Good job!
Wow, you left me wanting more! Great job.
Thanks, too, for stopping by and commenting on mine. I'm enjoying getting around today!
Great job, especially on voice 🙂
Thank you once again , to everybody for the concrits and encouraging words ! 🙂 🙂 I really appreciate it !
This one was really unusual! Great job! Glad I made it by.
jessica aspen #174