It's been a mega-busy week foe me and I've only just realised it's Friday! No RFW post from me I'm afraid, but I'll be there commenting and cheering you all on.
Lovely to see so many up already! Welcome back Talei! Great to see you again. Glad you've been inspired!
Thanks for alerting me to the Member List's disappearance Francine. It disappeared the other day too. Inlinz is doing upgrades so somehow it was deleted. All good now.
Hello Denise. Hope you had a nice time at the beach. Can you change the URL for my member photo...it takes me to a non-existent page because it's linked to my old blog address. New blog URL: http://thoughtsofbeautyinthestillnessofdawn.blogspot.com Thanks a lot. Off to do some reading. Have a great weekend!
Greetings you all. Does that sound like a southern American, well, I'm not. Totally northern girl who got to move to Colorado. Yahoo...I don't wear cowboy hats. Okay, enough with the jokes.
I have read all your excellent submissions and will have to read again since I get to judge who should win. This will be a tough call this week. Good luck and happy reading. Nancy
Well like Nancy I've read/commented on all posts. I'll probably have to do at least another pass to judge as per usual. Just remember, the entries have fulfil the guidelines. From memory, most did. The words 'I Love You Because' need to be in the text, and it needs to be flash fiction, a vignette, proestry or a regular poem.
Have fun voters. You'll see just how difficult it is to make a choice. You can talk us through your process if you wish, or just say who you think the FW should be. Only vote for one. The person with the second highest amount of votes will be the RU.
Well, it's another rainy Sunday here. What fun, not! Can't even see the ocean from the deck but I know it's there! Good day for reading/writing.
Madeleine, I don't think there will be a poll. Based on the post before this one, Denise wants us to vote here in the comments. The entry we choose has to have the words "I Love You Because" somewhere in the content & also has to fit the other criteria she specified. We have to vote who/why. "Challenge #33 I Love You Because" Stimulus & Guidelines
Dear Denise, This is a hard job. I don't envy you. It also reminds me of how stand-off-ish Swedes are at dinner parties when there is a buffet, a smorgasbord. Everyone is hungry, but no one wants to be first!
Okay. I'll go first. You may not like my choices, but I stand by them. There are so many good texts here that I could pick them out of a hat!
My choice for runner-up is Denise' story 'While his guitar gently weeps' because it is complete; it has romance; even if most of us feel really sorry the heroine, Zora; and it is well-written (no dead wood here). It is also a cautionary tale to all of us with literary ambitions: Remember being a writer is not everything! There are other things in life that are more important. There are also fun nods to great authors, such as E. Hemingway and nifty plays on words. It is an anti-romance: Remember girls! Don't fall in love with someone who is incapable of loving anyone other than himself.
And now ::drum roll:: I choose as featured writer, N.R. Williams, I mean Nancy for her Faerie Romance. I know, many of you may not agree with me, because it is about non-humans and say that I am being partical because I also like to write about faeries. Well, HECK, start voting for your candidates!!! Right now! Show me who should win!
I think Nancy's story is a winner because it is complete; it has the romantic element; it is even funny; and Nancy has shown that she knows some of the important rules of writing when you are writing about C R E A T U R E S! Two things are important: 1. That you show how creature (in this case, faeries) are just like us. Yes. They can fall in love. They can be clumsy. And 2. That you tell us or show us how these creatures (in this case, faeries) are different from us. Nancy mentions that faeries can live forever and she has described the problems they can have with their wings. All of my faerie characters are cheering for you Nancy!
Hello Denise. Like Anna, I don't envy you this job. It's tough!
My choice for Runner Up is Nancy with her characters What-Not & Dip-and-Sway. I was swayed with the faerie love.
My choice for Featured Writer has to be Kiru Taye. She surprised me with her poetic ode and it's just the sort of thing I would say/write to my loved one. It also fit all the criteria.
My vote goes to Joy as featured writer. Her snippet of feisty Celeste and witty Mark got me. It ticked all the boxes with the required wording: "I Love you Because" in the story, the chemistry with extra sparks, romance, fun and great dialogue - it was all there.
One could also see the makings of an engaging novella; and as a snippet - short story, it stood well on its own too.
You're all winners to me. This was such a week of good writing, it's hard to choose a FW. So what's new?
Well, I hear editors like to be surprised. A story that breaks out of the box to capture their attention. I was amazed by Kiru's poetry, caught me by surprise, and I know Talei and Laura had been/were going through hard times which added a depth to their entries. But I'd gotten into an expectation from Nancy Williams - don't you agree she does modern battler's stories so well, but this week she tapped into her writing roots again and dished up fantasy. I was so blown away by the faery romance - the setting, the names, the scenes. Wonderful.
So after my usual long-winded dissertation, I hereby vote for NR Williams this week as FW.
Ah, I'm sure you'll still struggling to come to terms with who you think did the best job writers, but jump in and vote. As much as I hate singling just one person out it must be done. Just who floats your boat this prompt?
Sad as I am for poor Anna’s daughter, who was the model for Melissa in the flash fiction piece, I loved the sweet, childish voice, and make-a-wish quality to the writing. I can see my 4 year old granddaughter enjoying this little story – complete with kitten pictures.
Roland’s voodoo magic with Alice and Victor was chillingly sweet. Roland is a true master of showing love without boundaries.
I loved Nancy’s flash fiction about the faeries What-Not and Dip-and-Sway. What a cute tale of love that bides its time and insures a happy ending.
Andy’s prosetry had me weeping to meet this eloquent groom; to be the object of his passionate devotion. The sonata enhanced the dream like quality of the prose.
Janu’s marital ritual was intriguing in its simple statement, but the final, heartfelt line of I love you because made the words a sincere vow, not a ceremony by recitation. A meaningful journey.
Denise eloquently showed that love is blind with Ernest the self absorbed artist and his groupie Zora. The nostalgic tones made me homesick for a place and time I’d never experienced.
Talei made me cry with the reality of true friendship. Refreshingly eccentric, with an expressive heartbeat. I loved the exaggeration that made this so intimate.
Laura’s was sensuously real. So much sentiment in so few words.
Francine tugged my heart strings with the uncertainty of a lost lover, and they secrets hold. She piqued my interest with curiosity.
Joy’s excerpt showed the comfort of a longterm relationship; how love progresses from one phase to another, but never loses its mystery. This was a dance of compromise.
Adura’s sentimental lines of poetry deeply moved my soul. Love has a price, but is willingly paid.
Kiru’s poem was a sensual delight. Deeply emotive
This weeks submissions were so varied, and well written I loved them all for differing reasons. Lighthearted fantasy, sensual poetry, timeless hopes. I had to read these all over again at least 5 times before finally allowing myself to make any decisions. I settled on three that captured me in the first couple sentences, carried me through to the end, built on the initial emotional draw, and fed my practical nature.
Denise, Talei and Joy (JL Campbell). I finally had to go with Joy, because I could identify totally with Celeste. Mark wasn’t the most romantic soul, but he felt practical, and knew exactly how to appeal to Celeste’s innate needs. I felt swept away by his portrayal of the future, their unglamorous but so satisfying happy ending. Celeste requested a dream romance, and he defined it with measureable goals. Joys couple embodied true romance to me.
I'm not really into all this voting malarky nor critiquing in public arenas, never was and hated having to assess and choose a "winner, runner-up so on do forth" for RFW each week.
I think every one writes extremely well in their own voice and their own genre, and the odd blip here and there is par for a writer's course. So just to buck the vote system I put names in a hat and hubby drew the tickets.
I'm late. That seems to be the way it's been going the last six months. And yes, it is due to yet another family emergency and this one has broken my heart. So, because this is public, I can't say more.
I must re-read and so, I don't know if I can. I have multiple things I must get done that can't wait and that make me so tired I could sleep the rest of the day.
I loved everyone's story. I feel guilty that I can't spend the time I need to. Thank you everyone who loved my story. I am ever surprised when you think I submit something worthy.
Hi Nancy, sorry to read things aren't going too well. I hope they get better soon.
Hi Denise, it's tough picking a winner. Having to vote made me realise how much of a tough task you do for RFW. Thank you for your continued hard work.
Dear Denise, I agree with Kiru. You work hard to make RFW.
Dear Nancy, I am sorry to hear that bad things have been happening. Whatever it is, I hope it will get better for you and your family. You are in my prayers.
Mine's up! And now I must return to bookkeeping and tax returns. But I'll be back to see who has linked up with a post.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Anna
I have my story scheduled for midnight, Rocky Mountain Time. I hope you enjoy my story.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Hello.
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on mine. Hopefully, I'll have it done by the end of the night or tomorrow.
This week should sure bring out the romantics!
Ok, I'm linked in & now off to bed. Will stop by throughout the day to read those already here. Have a great weekend everyone!
DeleteI'm linked now. For some reason I was realty nervous about this post and hovered over the submit button for a while.
ReplyDeletePerformance anxiety?
...dhole
Hey where am I? Up at the beach away from my techy toys. Be up soon!
ReplyDeleteD.
Mine's up. It's late. Off to bed. Will get to read everybody's over the weekend. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteD.
It's been a mega-busy week foe me and I've only just realised it's Friday!
ReplyDeleteNo RFW post from me I'm afraid, but I'll be there commenting and cheering you all on.
I have signed up! First post in a while, I needed some inspiration, thank you! x
ReplyDeletemine's up - if extremely... well... short. It's what I wanted to say though!
ReplyDeleteLx
OK, I'm in this week! Posted up a snippet from a semi-autobiography penned in fictional context.
ReplyDeleteBTW: the sign-up membership linky is missing from sidebar!!!
Lovely to see so many up already! Welcome back Talei! Great to see you again. Glad you've been inspired!
ReplyDeleteThanks for alerting me to the Member List's disappearance Francine. It disappeared the other day too. Inlinz is doing upgrades so somehow it was deleted. All good now.
Denise
Got in under the wire!
ReplyDeleteIt's up. Have a great weekend, everyone. I'll be reading, commenting and resting in between:)
ReplyDeleteHello Denise. Hope you had a nice time at the beach.
ReplyDeleteCan you change the URL for my member photo...it takes me to a non-existent page because it's linked to my old blog address.
New blog URL: http://thoughtsofbeautyinthestillnessofdawn.blogspot.com
Thanks a lot. Off to do some reading.
Have a great weekend!
I've added my link. It's a poem that I wrote a couple of years ago that I think works for this theme.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend
Greetings you all. Does that sound like a southern American, well, I'm not. Totally northern girl who got to move to Colorado. Yahoo...I don't wear cowboy hats. Okay, enough with the jokes.
ReplyDeleteI have read all your excellent submissions and will have to read again since I get to judge who should win. This will be a tough call this week. Good luck and happy reading.
Nancy
Oh, I didn't mean to imply that I am the only judge. But you already knew that.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Well like Nancy I've read/commented on all posts. I'll probably have to do at least another pass to judge as per usual. Just remember, the entries have fulfil the guidelines. From memory, most did. The words 'I Love You Because' need to be in the text, and it needs to be flash fiction, a vignette, proestry or a regular poem.
ReplyDeleteHave fun voters. You'll see just how difficult it is to make a choice. You can talk us through your process if you wish, or just say who you think the FW should be. Only vote for one. The person with the second highest amount of votes will be the RU.
Well, it's another rainy Sunday here. What fun, not! Can't even see the ocean from the deck but I know it's there! Good day for reading/writing.
Denise
Where's the voting poll Denise? Are you adding one to the side bar?
ReplyDeleteMadeleine, I don't think there will be a poll. Based on the post before this one, Denise wants us to vote here in the comments. The entry we choose has to have the words "I Love You Because" somewhere in the content & also has to fit the other criteria she specified. We have to vote who/why. "Challenge #33 I Love You Because" Stimulus & Guidelines
DeleteThanks Andy. I just got out of bed. Yes, I want voters to voice their opinions here in comments.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Thanks Andy. I just got out of bed. Yes, I want voters to voice their opinions here in comments.
ReplyDeleteDenise
VOTING IS OPEN FOLKS! Have your say below, in comments. I don't want to go first to sway anyone...
ReplyDeleteDenise
Dear Denise,
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard job. I don't envy you. It also reminds me of how stand-off-ish Swedes are at dinner parties when there is a buffet, a smorgasbord. Everyone is hungry, but no one wants to be first!
Okay. I'll go first. You may not like my choices, but I stand by them. There are so many good texts here that I could pick them out of a hat!
My choice for runner-up is Denise' story 'While his guitar gently weeps' because it is complete; it has romance; even if most of us feel really sorry the heroine, Zora; and it is well-written (no dead wood here). It is also a cautionary tale to all of us with literary ambitions: Remember being a writer is not everything! There are other things in life that are more important. There are also fun nods to great authors, such as E. Hemingway and nifty plays on words. It is an anti-romance: Remember girls! Don't fall in love with someone who is incapable of loving anyone other than himself.
And now ::drum roll:: I choose as featured writer, N.R. Williams, I mean Nancy for her Faerie Romance.
I know, many of you may not agree with me, because it is about non-humans and say that I am being partical because I also like to write about faeries. Well, HECK, start voting for your candidates!!! Right now! Show me who should win!
I think Nancy's story is a winner because it is complete; it has the romantic element; it is even funny; and Nancy has shown that she knows some of the important rules of writing when you are writing about C R E A T U R E S! Two things are important: 1. That you show how creature (in this case, faeries) are just like us. Yes. They can fall in love. They can be clumsy. And 2. That you tell us or show us how these creatures (in this case, faeries) are different from us. Nancy mentions that faeries can live forever and she has described the problems they can have with their wings.
All of my faerie characters are cheering for you Nancy!
Best wishes,
Anna
Oh yes, and the words 'I love you because...' are in each of the stories that I have picked!
ReplyDeleteAnna
Hello Denise.
ReplyDeleteLike Anna, I don't envy you this job. It's tough!
My choice for Runner Up is Nancy with her characters What-Not & Dip-and-Sway. I was swayed with the faerie love.
My choice for Featured Writer has to be Kiru Taye. She surprised me with her poetic ode and it's just the sort of thing I would say/write to my loved one. It also fit all the criteria.
My vote goes to Donna as Featured Writer.
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Joy as featured writer. Her snippet of feisty Celeste and witty Mark got me. It ticked all the boxes with the required wording: "I Love you Because" in the story, the chemistry with extra sparks, romance, fun and great dialogue - it was all there.
ReplyDeleteOne could also see the makings of an engaging novella; and as a snippet - short story, it stood well on its own too.
You're all winners to me. This was such a week of good writing, it's hard to choose a FW. So what's new?
ReplyDeleteWell, I hear editors like to be surprised. A story that breaks out of the box to capture their attention. I was amazed by Kiru's poetry, caught me by surprise, and I know Talei and Laura had been/were going through hard times which added a depth to their entries. But I'd gotten into an expectation from Nancy Williams - don't you agree she does modern battler's stories so well, but this week she tapped into her writing roots again and dished up fantasy. I was so blown away by the faery romance - the setting, the names, the scenes. Wonderful.
So after my usual long-winded dissertation, I hereby vote for NR Williams this week as FW.
Ah, I'm sure you'll still struggling to come to terms with who you think did the best job writers, but jump in and vote. As much as I hate singling just one person out it must be done. Just who floats your boat this prompt?
Denise
Sad as I am for poor Anna’s daughter, who was the model for Melissa in the flash fiction piece, I loved the sweet, childish voice, and make-a-wish quality to the writing. I can see my 4 year old granddaughter enjoying this little story – complete with kitten pictures.
ReplyDeleteRoland’s voodoo magic with Alice and Victor was chillingly sweet. Roland is a true master of showing love without boundaries.
I loved Nancy’s flash fiction about the faeries What-Not and Dip-and-Sway. What a cute tale of love that bides its time and insures a happy ending.
Andy’s prosetry had me weeping to meet this eloquent groom; to be the object of his passionate devotion. The sonata enhanced the dream like quality of the prose.
Janu’s marital ritual was intriguing in its simple statement, but the final, heartfelt line of I love you because made the words a sincere vow, not a ceremony by recitation. A meaningful journey.
Denise eloquently showed that love is blind with Ernest the self absorbed artist and his groupie Zora. The nostalgic tones made me homesick for a place and time I’d never experienced.
Talei made me cry with the reality of true friendship. Refreshingly eccentric, with an expressive heartbeat. I loved the exaggeration that made this so intimate.
Laura’s was sensuously real. So much sentiment in so few words.
Francine tugged my heart strings with the uncertainty of a lost lover, and they secrets hold. She piqued my interest with curiosity.
Joy’s excerpt showed the comfort of a longterm relationship; how love progresses from one phase to another, but never loses its mystery. This was a dance of compromise.
Adura’s sentimental lines of poetry deeply moved my soul. Love has a price, but is willingly paid.
Kiru’s poem was a sensual delight. Deeply emotive
This weeks submissions were so varied, and well written I loved them all for differing reasons. Lighthearted fantasy, sensual poetry, timeless hopes. I had to read these all over again at least 5 times before finally allowing myself to make any decisions. I settled on three that captured me in the first couple sentences, carried me through to the end, built on the initial emotional draw, and fed my practical nature.
Denise, Talei and Joy (JL Campbell). I finally had to go with Joy, because I could identify totally with Celeste. Mark wasn’t the most romantic soul, but he felt practical, and knew exactly how to appeal to Celeste’s innate needs. I felt swept away by his portrayal of the future, their unglamorous but so satisfying happy ending. Celeste requested a dream romance, and he defined it with measureable goals. Joys couple embodied true romance to me.
.....dhole
My vote for featured writer goes to Adura Ojo.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm not really into all this voting malarky nor critiquing in public arenas, never was and hated having to assess and choose a "winner, runner-up so on do forth" for RFW each week.
I think every one writes extremely well in their own voice and their own genre, and the odd blip here and there is par for a writer's course. So just to buck the vote system I put names in a hat and hubby drew the tickets.
1) Talei Loto
2) Andy
That's it folks!
best
F
Hey guys if you don't want to vote that's okay. D.
ReplyDeleteI'm late. That seems to be the way it's been going the last six months. And yes, it is due to yet another family emergency and this one has broken my heart. So, because this is public, I can't say more.
ReplyDeleteI must re-read and so, I don't know if I can. I have multiple things I must get done that can't wait and that make me so tired I could sleep the rest of the day.
I loved everyone's story. I feel guilty that I can't spend the time I need to. Thank you everyone who loved my story. I am ever surprised when you think I submit something worthy.
Have a blessed day.
Nancy
Oh Nancy I hope you and yours are okay! Prayers for you all!
ReplyDeleteLove Denise x
Hi Nancy, sorry to read things aren't going too well. I hope they get better soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Denise, it's tough picking a winner. Having to vote made me realise how much of a tough task you do for RFW. Thank you for your continued hard work.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
Dear Denise,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kiru. You work hard to make RFW.
Dear Nancy,
I am sorry to hear that bad things have been happening. Whatever it is, I hope it will get better for you and your family. You are in my prayers.
Kind regards,
Anna
Hi all. There will be several announcements in tomorrow's post!
ReplyDeleteDenise