Walk The Plank: November Flash Fiction

Walk the Plank is the YA Buccaneers monthly flash fiction writing challenge. The challenge is to write a 200-word (or less) short story, using the beginning and ending prompts they provide. Since this month is NaNo Madness, they have TWO options for you to choose from:

1. Write a flash fiction story that begins with, "I walked as quietly as I could into the room ..." and ends with, "That's when I realized he knew ..."  (Prompts are included in final word count.)
2. Share 200 words of your current work-in-progress (for NaNoWriMos, that's your NaNo project!). 

Since I'm not doing NaNo this year, I opted for challenge #1. And I'm happy to say, I not only used both the beginning and ending prompts, but Word also says I hit the mark on 200 words exactly!

THE PIRATE THIEF

I walked as quietly as I could into the room, hoping to not wake him. The ship swayed, not helping my already unsteady balance. With each tentative step the floor boards creaked and I froze.

He slept so peacefully, the strong set of his jaw slack with unconsciousness. I almost felt bad for what I had to do.

But then I saw it.

The golden compass glistened in the moonlight and I stared, mesmerized. It rightly belonged to my family, so it wasn’t really stealing – I’m not sure he’d agree.

My fingers caressed smooth metal as they closed around it.

But then a hand snaked out, snaring my wrist. His actions so fast, he was out of bed before I could understand I’d been caught.

I’d be hung for stealing from a Prince, but I could only sigh.

Ripping the hood from my head, his grasp loosened as he stared in disbelief at the tendrils of blond that swung from my ponytail.

It was now or never.

I pecked him on the cheek, then dove out the open window. Turning back only once, a mischievous smile played along his lips.

That's when I realized he knew...this was only the beginning.

If you'd like to join me and the YA Buccaneers for this month's Walk The Plank challenge, head on over and check out all the details!

What's Up Wednesday: 07.24.13

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by my ever-so-lovely YA writer friends, Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk. The idea? Well, it's a great opportunity to touch base once a week with all of our blog friends and let them know what's up. Should you wish to join, head on over to Jaime's blog and sign up with the link widget at the bottom of her post! 

WHAT I'M READING:

I'm almost finished with WANDERLOVE by Kristen Hubbard for YA Buccaneers July Reading Mutiny challenge -- and I'm absolutely loving it! So many wonderful things I can totally relate to, but I'll save all of that for my review.

If you'd like to join us for the Reading Mutiny challenge, we'd love to have you (just click here) - and of course, there are prizes involved!!! 

Also, while I run, I'm reading Jennifer Echols THE ONE THAT I WANT. I thought FORGET YOU was okay, but I liked ENDLESS SUMMER and GOING TOO FAR more.

WHAT I'M WRITING:

Writing Goals for this past week:

1. Relax. 
2. Send WTWF off to my CP's to have at it with their red markers! 

I sent off WTWF to my second round of CP's finally on Monday -- and I'm looking forward to their feedback.

The feedback I've received from my first round of CP's has all come in, and they've provided some really great suggestions. I worked on what I thought would make WTWF stronger over the weekend while my husband was out of town...and I'm very happy with all of the little changes I've made. 

Writing goals for this week:

1. Work on revising chapter 18 & 19.

Oh! And if you're in need of some inspiration to write today - join the YA Buccaneers Word Sprint! Two rounds being hosted on Twitter tonight - the first is at 5pm PST and the second at 6:15pm PST! #YABWordSprint

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW:

Ronin chillin' in the kiddie pool.Summertime!

The running joke for all us Pacific Northwesterner's is that summer doesn't show up around Seattle until July 5th. Well, we lucked out and summer arrived a little earlier than that...and it hasn't left yet!

I love the sunshine, the warm days when wearing shorts and a tank top are the perfect attire, and there's nothing but blue skies forever.

Everyone is just in a better mood around here - me included - when the sun is out...which means Seattle can be an awfully grumpy place for 9.5 months out of the year!

So while I've got it, I'm out in the sun enjoying every moment!

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:

I took a stab at writing a round of Flash Fiction for YA Buccaneers Walk The Plank challenge (see my post below). I've only done flash fiction a handful of times, but I've had so much fun every time -- especially when there are obstacles in place that you need to try and adhere to. 

If anyone else wants to join us, I'd love to see what you all come up with!

SO, WHAT'S NEW FOR YOU TODAY?

Walk The Plank: YA Buccaneers Flash Fiction Challenge

Over at YA Buccaneers, we're drumming up excitement around writing flash fiction, something I've only ever attempted a handful of times -- but every time, I've enjoyed the unique challenge and outcome it brings.

Walk The Plank is our monthly Flash Fiction challenge - in other words, write a short snippet that makes the biggest impact. The goal: Write a story in 200 words or fewer, excluding the title, around the monthly theme.

And this month's theme? ADVENTURE!!!

Think you're up for that? Well, there are a few rules that apply:

1. Write a short flash fiction story in 200 words or fewer, excluding the title, around this month's theme of ADVENTURE!
2. For an extra challenge, begin your story with the words, “I set sail” (these three words will be included in the word count).
3. And for an even bigger challenge, use the same beginning words and end with the words: "my adventure continues!" (also included in the word count).
4. For those who want to prove their Flash Fiction prowess, hit all of the above challenges, PLUS, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

I'm always one for a challenge, so I knew I'd give this round of Walk The Plank a go. And I'm happy to say, after a lot of finagling, I hit all 4 of the rules.

Without further adieu, my submit for July's Walk The Plank flash fiction challenge on adventure:

THE BUCKET LIST

I set sail on a gray day, the ocean a vortex of choppy waves.

This isn’t helping my stomach that I left in my room, on the 12th floor of my hotel. Nor are the saltines I’ve been consuming by the boatload.

But then the sun breaks and the water calms, as we sail further out. And now I’m more anxious than anything as I don my wetsuit. Around me, others wriggle into their own, strapping on various pieces of gear.

I’m finally doing it, number forty-eight on my bucket list: scuba diving.

As one of the crew helps strap the weighty air tank to my back, I panic. I’m a Taurus for crying out loud. A land lover, preferably with my feet solidly in dirt.

But then he smiles, a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

With one last shaky breath, I pull my mask into place and wait for the thumbs up.

Then I plummet down, down, down into the warm ocean, as water swirls around me. Fish are everywhere; turtles, too. The water is so clear, I can see all the way to the sandy bottom.

And as I swim through unchartered territory, I know my adventure continues!

So, do you have what it takes to Walk The Plank? I think you do. And I can't wait to read it! Stop on over at YA Buccaneers when you're finished and let us know - don't forget, prizes are up for grabs, too!