FLASH CHALLENGE: July '09

[kailhofer]

The "Battling Writer's Block #1: Fantasy" Challenge:



Much like you, I hate writer's block. Being unable to write fills me with an esteem-robbing frustration that clogs all other avenues of creative release. Also much like you, I have a deep-seated need to write that I couldn't shake even if wanted to.

What then, is a body to do? The answer is to find a way to break the chokehold that writer's block has on you.

Each writer has their own technique to defeat the creative devil that has hold of their soul, but the very best way is to dangle a worthwhile carrot. I can supply that:

The lucky winner of this challenge will have his or her piece made into an audio story by forum member Mark Edgemon and his professional creative studio, the Creator and the Catalyst, free of charge. If you don't know Mark, he makes radio commercials, jingles, and the like for a living.

If you're like me, you've always wondered what one of your stories would sound like if done by professionals. One of you will get to find out what that's like.

Wanting a reward is one thing, but how does one actually get started? What I like to do when I'm stuck is use a couple of random generator sites. Sometimes, I look for a simple noun to use. Other times, I look for interesting phrases or situations. I prefer to find three things to help me form a line, as it were, directing the plot toward it's conclusion. In this way, my mind is forced to concoct a scenario where these three things could exist.

Periodically, we'll return to this technique in other genres.

I invite you to try this technique in a fantasy vein this time, with the three things I found. See the example at the end of this post for possibilities.


REQUIREMENTS: (1) Your fantasy piece must include: a woman, a headache, and something called a "Witch's Barrier"; (2) 1,000 words or less, not counting title, byline, or "The End"; (3) The characters, setting, and story must be fictional and original; (4) One entry per author; (5) Give your story a title and a byline; and (6) Keep it mostly clean, rated PG-13.

If, in my judgment, any requirement is missed, I won't post the story for voting. Sorry, but rules are for everyone.

HOW TO ENTER: Stories must be sent by PRIVATE MESSAGE, and NOT posted into a thread. Just click the 'PM' button at the bottom of this post and paste your story in the message. You are responsible for doing your own formatting, and leave an extra line between paragraphs, just like when you see them in the 'zine. I will allow different colors, but not changed fonts or sizes, artwork, or any other embedded or external links.

DO NOT send a regular email to me.

Stories will be posted "blind"--without the author's name on them. All the story titles are literally tossed into a hat and chosen at in random order. When the poll closes after the voting week, I'll post a list of the stories and who wrote them. All entries will then be reposted in the Flash Archive with the author's byline.

NOTE: ONLY REGISTERED MEMBERS who have posted at least one message may submit a story. Without that one post, the system will not let you send a PM.

DEADLINE: Stories should be in by 9 p.m. Central Standard Time (GMT-5), Thursday, July 23, 2009. The stories will then be posted for voting at 10 p.m. Voting will close automatically on July 29th at approximately 10 p.m., GMT-5.

VOTING: You must register to vote. One vote per user (that is, per ip address).

Due to the prize this month, only one winner will be allowed. If after the voting concludes there is a tie, there will be a succession of one-day runoff votes until a single winner is chosen.

WHAT YOU WIN: Your piece recorded as an audio story! That, and the usual pride, better short fiction skills, bragging rights, etc.

LEGAL STUFF: Aphelion will not try to make a dime off you or your stories. Really. We want to see you succeed but nothing about that will line any of our pockets. We love fiction and we love seeing authors get better to the point where people do pay them for their stories. That's why we're in this.

I'll try to do my best lawyer impersonation: By entering this or any challenge you are technically granting Aphelion: The Webzine of Science Fiction and Fantasy perpetual, non-exclusive electronic rights only to post and archive your challenge entry. We'd rather not lay any claim on them at all, but by posting them on a public site, they'd legally count as being published no matter what. By entering the July challenge, the winner grants Mark Edgemon permission to post both story text and audio story production in a free to the public, non-commercial manner on any current or future sites. Technically, you're granting Mark first perpetual, non-exclusive audio rights, and second perpetual, non-exclusive electronic rights to the text.

Ok. A real lawyer would have been less interesting. I tried.


Example story, not eligible for entry:



The Hodag's Secret

By:
N.J. Kailhofer



Sarah fidgeted, tugging and trying to readjust her blouse.

Sam tried to pay no attention to her obvious discomfort. He told her to wear something comfy, like his jeans and flannel shirt, not formal witch regalia of a long green dress and boots. At least he talked her out of the pointy hat. He pointed across the dark night, towards the moss-covered woods. "Mr. Witten, the farmer who owns this land, says it was last seen in there."

Sarah said, "Since it was sighted in 1893, we'll be the first to get a picture of a real Hodag."

She was still fidgeting. "What's your problem?"

"It's this new bra," she explained. "I just can't get comfortable."

Sam's look spoke volumes. "Just please stop messing around and focus. We'll need your magic."

"But it keeps pinching me."

"Like I'd want to know that! Why did I have to bring the only witch in the world with boob problems?!"

She glared at him. "Because I'm your sister, and also the only witch who'd believe you. Catching that dragon didn't work, so this might be our only chance to prove to the world magic and lost creatures do exist."

Sam snorted. "Only if people would notice anything beyond their noses. We fought a demon in the library, and the dopes around here thought it was just thunder."

Sarah shrugged. "Maybe this time. Let's start looking."

[align=center]***[/align]

"Better try a summoning," her brother said.

Sarah nodded.

Sam put his hands on his hips. “What are you doing?”

“Putting down salt for the protective circle. You don’t really think I’m going to cast an ancient summoning spell without a protective ward, do you?””

"Salt instead of chalk?" He snorted.

She beckoned him toward her until his head was close. Bending back a finger, she ‘twapped’ his nose.

“Ow!” he protested.

She explained, “It was in the New England Journal of Magic five years ago. A spell of protection can use road salt on wet surfaces and be sixty percent as effective overall. This ground is too wet for chalk to work properly.”

Anticipation smothered the night air with a tainted haze as Sarah deposited the last handful around their protective circle. Sam stationed himself in the bushes to the left of where Sarah knelt in the damp leaves.

Sarah took a deep, cleansing breath. Closing her eyes, she tried to force everything out of her mind except how to pull in the energy of the world around her. She raised her arms over her head and pointed her palms forward.

She commanded, “Adnabyddiaeth galwadau! Dadlennu Hodag!"

The sounds of the world around Sarah faded, becoming distorted as if she was hearing them through the side of an inner tube. Warmth drained from her toes and fingertips, making them feel like blocks of ice. Her body shuddered, chilled to the bone.

Leaves rustled nearby.

[align=center]***[/align]

Sam swung his camera up.

The bushes across the small glade began to part.

There it is! Just like they said it would look! A green, seven foot-long lizard with spikes on it's back, horns, and hair all over! We're going to be soo famous!

The silver button moved under his finger and his camera clicked as fast as it could go, flashing the woods like a strobe.

"Hello," said Sarah, waving at it.

It looked right at them, then burning brilliance split the night. Electricity sprang from the creature's horns toward Sarah. Striking the salt ward, some of the power exploded in every direction, sending bolts through the wet ground into both the siblings. The noise was ear-splitting.

Sam fell to his rear, shaking his head to clear it. Looking up, he saw his sister's body spasm uncontrollably as the electricity arced between her and the creature.

"Sarah!" He grabbed a big branch off the ground and ran around to the side of the creature. He swung the wood club, knocking the creature off its feet. The current cut off instantly. Another blow to the head stopped the Hodag's flailing.

Sam looked again. There was a zipper down it's front.


The rest of the world stopped, dead silent.


No! It can't be! This was our chance at fame and fortune! He unzipped it. Inside was Mr. Witten, the farmer who told him the legend.

Sam kicked him. "What the hell were you doing?!"

Groaning, Witten's eyes opened. "Wha--?"

Sam grabbed him by the collar. "Why did you do this?"

Witten fought for breath. "No--No! Just wanted to scare you. Keep secret safe. Only spell I know... Should've been blocked... by the ward."

"Why?!"

"Protect chamber of commerce. Tourism. The Hodag Festival. School mascot. All would be ruined."

Sam felt empty, used. "Was it ever real?"

Witten shook his head. "Just a story to get rich folks up here."

Sam took a deep breath, and punched Witten in the jaw hard enough to knock him out. "Dick."

His mind screamed, Sarah!

Sam dove back to his fallen sister and checked for a pulse. Sarah's whole chest was black, like it was burned, but she was breathing.

She sat bolt upright, smacking her head into her brother's. "OW!"

"Are you ok?"

"I've got a headache like you wouldn't believe." She looked down and rubbed her hand across her chest, revealing torn cloth and bright metal. Her hand was covered in soot.

Sam boggled at her. "What's that?"

"What?" Sarah looked confused. "Oh, my Witch's Barrier. Trust me it's not easy to get into it, especially with how cold it gets in winter, but now you understand why witches wear brass bras."

She looked around. "Where is the Hodag?"

"It's a fake," he said. "A tourist trap. Witten's on the ground over there, unconscious, in a suit. My camera's fried, so we don't even have pictures of a fake one."

[align=center]***[/align]

In the distance, a small, furry set of horns drew back into the bushes as they dragged Witten away.

Quiet, breathy laughter echoed on the faint breeze. Missed me again!


[align=center]The End[/align]

[kailhofer]

That phrase was a cut and paste from Mark, but I share the egg on my face for it. I fixed it when I was getting the green light from Dan, but forgot to fix it again later.

Thanks again for pointing out little things I do wrong when trying to think up new and interesting things for the membership to try. I never get tired of that. (Must count under my own words about Aphelionites keeping anyone from getting a swelled head. )

I added non-exclusive to Aphelion's part, but Mark and I never talked about exclusivity.

What do you say, Mark? Did you need exclusive rights to the audio from the winner, or just first?

Nate

[kailhofer]

Fixed it in the legalese. Or pseudo-legalese, as the case may be.

[kailhofer]

Only one entry so far, so there's plenty of opportunity.


I should add that just because my example was a contemporary fantasy, your entry doesn't have to be. It can be from any of the many subgenres of fantasy.

Nate

[kailhofer]

Up to 3 now. Last day, last chance.

3 gives pretty good odds of winning. Are you going to let it go at that?

[kailhofer]

It will be 6 entries. Great job, everyone!

I'm getting them ready now.