This was my third year in the challenge, and my
second doing flash fiction, so I don’t know why I was so nervous, but I was.
This year felt so beyond what I thought I could do. I knew I wanted to do flash
fiction again, I really enjoyed that from 2013, but I was also toying with the
idea of featuring a single story, Steven’s story. I’d just finished Blackbird,
so I was really into that character, and I knew that for the sake of moving the
story forward in that particular book, I had to start later in Steven’s life
than his story really began. In the Newstead Project, I got to show what Joel’s
life was like before he went to Newstead, and now with this years A to Z, I
wanted to show how Steven’s life was like, too. But could I do it? Could I
coincide his story with the letters of the alphabet—without compromising the
story? I have to admit there were times I did. In Blackbird, Steven’s uniform wasn’t
actually yellow. It was green, but green doesn’t start with Y. Hopefully you
will forgive me this little indiscretion for the sake of the challenge—It doesn’t
change the basic facts—that Steven and Foltz are brothers. I love revealing
little secrets to my readers, and this is a big one—it explains some of Foltz’s
actions in Blackbird.
But
that’s only about me. Those of you who participate in the challenge know that
our own posts are only a small part of the actual challenge. Mainly, it’s about
connecting with others. And I did. I learned how to world build with Susan, was
reminded of some great one-hit-wonders with Jay, discovered an endless source
of craft projects with Elle , found some great books with the Ninja Librarian, got
lots of ideas on things to do with my four year old with Tania , and found out
I used to pay a lot less for gas with Alex. The list could go on and on, but I’ve
been told if I make these posts too long people’s eyes will cross, or worse
yet, they will skip over the post entirely.
*Gasp*
So
forgive me. You know who you are, and I know I’ll be back to your blogs soon.
Until then, take care.
--Mel
I really enjoyed your flash pieces - I kept wanting to know more.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for being an awesome Ninja Minion.
We need to go back in time and buy a couple tankers of gas, don't we?
I thought your snippets were great.
ReplyDeleteFlash fiction is tough! I tried some out when I was in a writing group at the library. One of our members was really good at it, with some stories only being about 200 words.
ReplyDeleteHere's my A to Z wrap-up post. I also have an End of Challenge book giveaway going on for either contemporary romance or contemporary YA.
I thought you did a great job. I enjoyed all of your teasers. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Melanie,
ReplyDeleteYou did GREAT! No worries about a color change. LOL. Congrats on completing the challenge and enjoying yourself doing it!
Thanks for the shout out Melanie! I so enjoyed the flash fiction with Steven. It got me so wrapped up in the story that I KNEW I needed to read Blackbird. And I'm very glad I did. Now I just need to get the Newstead Trilogy. :) And yes...you got me with the Foltz brother connection. I was in mild shock. So well done...even if you did change the uniform colors. (A little cheat never hurt anyone.) Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning me, Mel. You know I enjoyed your excepts. You picked just the right lengths and somehow they all seemed like end of chapter cliff hangers.
ReplyDeleteWell done for completing the challenge. I'm sure nobody minded the colour change. ;-)
ReplyDelete