Overcoming Adversity Blogfest

                             

This bloghop is hosted by Nick Wilford from Scattergun Scribblings. Participants were required to write about overcoming adversity for something you believe in. This could be in the form of a flash fiction piece, or an episode from real life, or even a poem. For more details go here.

My fictional piece weighs in at approximately 220 words. Enjoy.

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She was from the wrong side of the track. The side that sported dusty, pot-holed, rutted roads, strewn with an assortment of papers, broken bottles, stones and other debris; where mongrels scavenged for left-over scraps from a nearby heap of dirt…  far removed from the green, freshly-mowed, sprinkler-studded, well-manicured lawns of suburban existence.

You know the side where street smarts is the order of the day and the concept of keeping fit is a compulsory course, learned the hard way in life's lesson of survival, instead of via a buy-one-get-one-free gym membership deal.

Among her collection of childhood titles were colourful and cryptic phrases which had always baffled her. Words such as social nuisance, domestic inconvenience, dregs of humanity…

She had survived the fires of adversity, the power of scorching flames that had threatened to consume her. As the dark shadows advanced, curled their long talons around to suck her into an abyss of no-return, in the midst of a bleak world when it seemed that all was lost, she had overcome the odds.

As sure as the sun would rise in the east, she would get up and welcome a new day, greet the world with a smile upon her face.

You could never hold her down for long.

Like a phoenix, she would rise from the ashes…

                                 *          *          *          *          *

Well, that's it folks. It's more of a general piece about overcoming adversity. I look forward to visiting some of the super talented participants who have signed up for this bloghop.

64 Comments

  1. Alex J. Cavanaugh on February 3, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    Learned the hard way – great line. Excellent entry! Wow, I hope mine doesn't suck.

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:09 am

      Your entry suck? Never. You are a genuine person and it shines through in your writing. It's as simple as that. 🙂

  2. Shelly on February 4, 2013 at 12:12 am

    Very intense stuff, Michelle. Great anologies.

    Hugs and chocolate,

    Shelly

     

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:11 am

      Thanks Shelly!

  3. Tonja on February 4, 2013 at 12:52 am

    I thoroughly enjoy all the fiction you write here.  Nicely done.

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:13 am

      Thank you Tonja. That means a lot to me. It inspires me to go on…

  4. Julie on February 4, 2013 at 7:54 am

    This is another tough woman that I would not want to meet in a dark alley! You always create the richest characters Michelle!

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:15 am

      Thank you Julie. Your comment has made my little heart sooooo happy… 🙂

  5. J.L. Campbell on February 4, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Hey, Michelle,

    So many people can and do overcome the odds they face in daily life. Makes you grateful for everything, including the challenges.

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:17 am

      It's a testament to the power of the resilient human spirit! Yes, we should be grateful for the many, many blessings that come our way…

  6. tara tyler on February 4, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    sweet stuff, mish! hopeful!

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Thanks Tara! Hope springs eternal in the human breast… (who said that? I forgot…)

  7. Morgan Shamy on February 4, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    Really great, Michelle… thanks for this! 

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:18 am

      Thank you Morgan. Glad you visited. Hope to see you again…

  8. Louise on February 4, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    What a strong and powerful image of hope, Michelle. Thank you for sharing!

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:19 am

      Thanks Louise.

  9. Laura Diamond on February 4, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    What a fun blogfest. I love any imagery relating to a Phoenix.

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:20 am

      The Phoenix imagery is a fiery one… it reinforces triumph over adversity in a powerful way! Thanks for the visit Laura.

  10. L. Diane Wolfe on February 4, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    Very vivid description of overcoming. It is like the Phoenix rising.

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:21 am

      Thanks L.Diane.

  11. Shell Flower on February 4, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    I love how you portray the haves and the have-nots with such wonderful images. Nice writing here. Way to overcome!

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:24 am

      The haves and have-nots is part of the socio-economic problem in every country, a day-to-day reality, and it won't disappear anytime soon… thanks Shell Flower.

  12. Carolyn Brown on February 4, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    She certainly took on the battle of life! Great little story Michelle.

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:25 am

      The battle of life… quite a daunting prospect… thanks Carolyn!

  13. PK Hrezo on February 4, 2013 at 9:36 pm

    Wow Michelle our pieces are so similar, yet different all the same. Great minds, eh?

    I love your writing in this. Nice, evocative, poetic. Well done.  

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:26 am

      Great minds and all that jazz, my sista from anotha mista… 🙂 Thanks PK.

  14. Elise Fallson on February 4, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    Awesome M! You always have such rich detail and strong characters. Love this. (:

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:28 am

      Thanks Elise! I value the ongoing support and you always have something positive to say… 🙂 🙂

  15. Nick Wilford on February 4, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    Very powerful piece, I loved the imagery. Shows that you can triumph, whatever your lot in life. Thanks for taking part!

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:30 am

      I truly believe in the power of the indomitable human spirit… and I've seen many, many real-life scenarios of overcoming adversity against almost insurmountable obstacles! Thanks for hosting this awesome blogfest, Nick! 🙂

  16. Christine Rains on February 4, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    This was fantastic! Great imagery and strength.

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:31 am

      Thank you Christine! I've read so many awesome entries in this hop. Really amazing stuff.

  17. Kelley Lynn on February 5, 2013 at 12:04 am

    I really like this one! What a great entry. 

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:31 am

      Thanks Kelley Lynn.

  18. LG Smith on February 5, 2013 at 1:03 am

    Great depiction of a hard life and the daily struggle to get up and face it all over again. 

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:34 am

      Thanks LG. I appreciate you stopping by.

  19. Carrie Butler on February 5, 2013 at 3:24 am

    Oo, I love that you compared her to a phoenix! 🙂

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:32 am

      The Phoenix imagery is such a powerful one… 🙂 Thanks Carrie.

  20. Cynthia on February 5, 2013 at 7:49 am

    I just commented on another blog post about the coolness of using a phoenix as a symbol for overcoming adversity!

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 10:35 am

      I think it's the ultimate and universally recognisable symbol for overcoming adversity. Thanks Cynthia.

  21. Melissa Maygrove on February 5, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    "Among her collection of childhood titles were colourful and cryptic phrases which had always baffled her. Words such as social nuisance, domestic inconvenience, dregs of humanity…"

    Wow. Nice. Well, not nice, but you know what I mean.

    Great entry. 🙂

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 2:00 pm

      Thank you Melissa!  I know exactly what you mean… 🙂

      Your story was amazing… and inspiring. You are a strong and brave person, and your kids are equally amazing!

  22. Yolanda Renee on February 5, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    Beautiful image of reality for so many, it's the fire of trial that forms who we truly are.

    Thank you for sharing, this blog hop is so inspiring! Nice to meet such awesomly talented folks because of it!

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 2:06 pm

      Thanks Yolanda. I enjoyed your classic piece of good versus evil, where good prevails. Yes, there are lots of wonderful bloggers who are talented writers as well as awesome people.

  23. Mark Means on February 5, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Great piece, Michelle…very descriptive! Waving hello from the bloghop 🙂

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 3:20 pm

      Hi there Mark! Enjoyed your piece with the brilliant and oh-so-funny last line! *waving back from the hop*

  24. Meradeth on February 5, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    Lovely language, and intriguing character start. Kind of reminds me of a character sketch in some ways (in awesome language!). Thanks for sharing it!

  25. michelle on February 5, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    Thanks Meradeth! I appreciate the visit! 🙂

  26. Carol Kilgore on February 5, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Cool piece 🙂

    Every entry I've read in this blogfest has been great!

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 8:12 pm

      Thanks Carol. This has been an awesome bloghop full of great entries… you're so right.

  27. David Powers King on February 5, 2013 at 6:09 pm

    "Like a phoenix, she would rise from the ashes…"

    Absolutley perfect. Loved your story, Michelle. 🙂

    • michelle on February 5, 2013 at 8:13 pm

      Thank you kind sir! 🙂

  28. Jocelyn Rish on February 5, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    Lots of great description in this piece that really makes the setting pop.

    • michelle on February 6, 2013 at 11:31 am

      Thanks Jocelyn!

  29. Mary on February 5, 2013 at 10:59 pm

    Nice Michelle. I love the way you use words. Her cryptic collection really caught my attention. Nicely done!

    • michelle on February 6, 2013 at 11:32 am

      Thank you Mary! You've made my day with your wonderful comment!

  30. Damyanti on February 6, 2013 at 5:09 am

    Lovely images, and cool ending!

    • michelle on February 6, 2013 at 11:33 am

      Thank you Damyanti. I really enjoyed your story too!

  31. Leigh Covington on February 7, 2013 at 3:36 am

    This ia amazing!

    "Like a phoenix, she will rise from the ashes."

    *Sigh* I really love this. Excellent writing.

    • michelle on February 7, 2013 at 6:55 am

      Thank you Leigh! 🙂

  32. Trisha on February 7, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Nice work, Michelle – this girl sounds like she's got an interesting story to tell!

  33. michelle on February 7, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    Thanks Trisha!

  34. Tamara on February 7, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    I always love rising from the ashes stories. Very well done! 

    • michelle on February 7, 2013 at 9:29 pm

      I think that the phoenix rising is the ultimate symbol for overcoming adversity! Thanks Tamara!

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