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 To enter the mob, post a previously unpublished work of flash fiction (300 words or fewer, not including title) to your own blog sometime between now and June 10 (closing date of contest).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————————————
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!
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.
What a sad story, but a beautiful way to think of a person.
Thanks Jenn. 🙂
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!
Thank you for the vote of confidence in my flash fiction writing abilities, Alex! I love flash fiction.
What a touching story and a beautiful analogy. Great piece!
Thanks for the kind words, Julie!
A touching testament to a life well-lived. Once again, I'm amazed at what you can do in so few words.
Thanks Joy! I really love writing flash pieces.
Lovely story with touching emotions in the imagery.
I'm glad you were touched by the piece Bev.
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!
Bring on the weekend… I'm ready! Thanks M.J.
Touching story. & Flash mob sounds interesting – best of luck!
Flash mob is my kinda challenge! Glad you enjoyed the story Vik!
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!
Sticking to your set goals sounds like a wise idea. 🙂 I must admit that flash fic is my Achille's heel.
At first glance I thought you said that you tie dyed your sock drawer! Cheers to Fridays and celebrations!
I'm picturing a drawer filled with colourful tie dyed socks… LOL Cheers Brandy!
Congrats on entering the event. Good luck.
Thanks Nana!
The visuals really bring out the emotion of the piece.
Thanks Diane!
Love your flash! Good luck 🙂
Thanks Carol. 🙂
Beautiful! Breaks my heart – well done.
Your response is exactly what I wanted! 🙂
What a touching story… and that analogy is also beautiful. Good luck with Flash Mob 😉
Glad the story affected you in some way SK! 🙂
My goodness, that piece is gorgeous! And way to accomplish so much this week. You really do have a great reason to celebrate.
I was nervous about submitting the piece… it's the first submission to a site outside of our cosy online writing community… 🙂
What a fun idea. Seems kind of complicated, but what an experience.
Fun and complicated sums it up nicely! We'll see what happens…?
Very cool–sounds like fun!
I enjoyed your A to Z post! 🙂
Thanks Lara! And thanks for swinging by the AtoZ challenge blog to check out my post 🙂
I can imagine someone's rosy cheeks and what he or she is going through.
I'll check out the link.
Thanks Medeia! 🙂
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! =]
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.
great post – lovely story.
Thank you!
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. 🙂
There's just too much to do, and too little time in which to do so. 🙂
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! 🙂
Thanks Celeste! 🙂 The judges decide on the winning entries.
I like your phrase, "Cherry blossom cheeks." It's sweet! NIce job with this!
Thanks for your sweet comment!
What a lovely piece!
Thanks Melanie! I appreciate it.
I've missed your flash fiction. 🙂
I really need to get back into my flash fic writing mode… 🙂
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
Oh, Mary. *laughs* My powers don't extend that far… 🙂
Didn't get to this in time, but I love the idea. And I loved your flash.
It IS a great concept. Thanks C.Lee. Hope you enjoyed your hiatus.
This sounds really great! Nice piece of flash fiction.
Thanks Gina!
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!
Thanks Jocelyn. I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
You really outdid yourself with this flash fiction piece! Now I'm heading over to A to Z. You've been very busy Michelle!
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
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 🙂
I love your "mall concept"… sounds fabulous! I can picture the scenario! 🙂
Beautiful writing, Michelle! Truly. Loved it!
Thank you, Morgan. Your comment has brightened up my day! 🙂
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! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it Lexa! 🙂
A sad and beautiful piece. There's a lot of story here in not even 200 words. So glad you joined the flash mob!
Thank you for co-hosting this awesome challenge Chris. I enjoyed the experience!
All it takes is one moment, sometimes. Happy to find your work.
Thanks for popping in, Kari. This is the first time I've signed up for a challenge on this scale…
I love the repetition in this story, Michelle. The rhythns work well. Great to meet you in the mob!
Great to meet another Michelle! 🙂 This flash mob concept has been a good experience… so many great flash fic writers… 🙂