Flash 500 by Nicole Pyles, Carrie K Sorensen (children's books read aloud .txt) 📕

Flash 500

Anniversary Edition of Writer Wednesday Blog Hop # 1

Edited and Compiled by Nicole Pyles and Carrie K. Sorensen

Original content published on writers’ and photographers’ websites. All the stories and photographs were reprinted into the anthology with permission for one time publication rights only. All rights belong to the photographers and the writers.

The words had no choice. 

They never do.

Cover Art by Nicole Pyles and Carrie Sorensen, photos used in the cover belong to the photographers, Copyright © 2013

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not engage in or participate in the piracy of this book and other materials.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

- Albert Einstein

Introduction in 500 Words or Less by Nicole Pyles

I started my blog back in 2011 as a way to document my journey as a writer. I had just graduated from college and wanted to blog about what I learned about myself as a writer, searched for inspiration, and kept on writing. I have been regularly blogging for two years now and I am still on that journey.

But since starting my blog, a lot has changed. It's amazing how much can happen over two years. My blog has taken a different shape and my posts and approach with blogging has changed over time. However, one thing has remained a consistent -

My weekly writing prompt.

The prompt began six months or so after starting my blog. That's when I met Carrie, who joined me in the new adventure. Initially, it was just a way for writers to find each other and read their blogs. But then, I felt like it was time for a change. Luckily, Carrie was right on board with this next idea and we turned a simple "blog link up" to a writing prompt.

One year later, many of the writers who have joined us along the way, have been the biggest teachers about the writing process. I have learned a lot about the writing process myself and while I may not always have the time, I feel like the stories I write as a result of this prompt have so much spirit and life in them, that I forget they are just under 500 words. I find this inspiring.

I have loved reading all the stories contributed each week and I am so proud to be part of this creative process. Whether it's one writer or five, I am touched by the stories that have come about by this simple idea. Each week, I look forward to bringing everyone together and seeing what can be created from one photo, five words, and a five hundred word limit.

I hope you enjoy what we have compiled together. If you happen to be inspired by any of the writing prompts you see here, let us know and we would love to see what you have created. At the end of the anthology, you will find the links to the (now) four co-hosts of the writing prompt. Carrie and I were lucky to be joined by Leanne and Tena for our weekly excursion. So, please stop by and see what we have going on this week and join in on the fun!

A special thank you to the photographers and writers who agreed to appear in our anniversary publication. An extra special thank you to Carrie for doing so much work in bringing this publication together.

Introduction in 500 Words or Less by Carrie K Sorensen

When Nicole asked for co-hosts for this new weekly blog hop challenge, I thought it would be a great idea to get involved, but was terrified of participating myself. My history with flash fiction was always writing 2-3,000 words, then having to hack it to pieces to fit into the predetermined restraints.

Since then, I've been successfully writing the flash in under 400 words. It has made my novel writing more concise as well and has helped me look at beginnings in a new way. When you only have 500 words to tell the whole story, you can't spend them all on an introduction, after all.

Then the crazy idea for this publication came up last year in the Autumn. It was a great idea I wasn't sure was going to work, but we plugged away at it anyway in our free time. At some point this new year, we realized it could actually work and take shape and have going full steam ever since.

We are so grateful to all the artists and writers who contribute to our weekly prompt and in turn have agreed to be featured in Flash 500, hopefully just our first volume. We would like this publication to help promote their fantastic blogs and other publications while introducing you to their creative and unique works.

And thanks to Nicole, for her super crazy ideas that always turn out fantastic once made real.

Also, as a side note. Any typos, random characters or other strange occurrences throughout the ebook can be blamed on my overly helpful one year old, who would also like to grow up to be a writer one day. Or, at least, grow big enough to use a computer.

How It Works

Each week, a group of blog hostesses led by Nicole Pyles put together a weekly prompt made of one photograph and 5 words. Participants must include the five words and the photo in their flash fiction. They should keep it to 500 words, then link up with their hostess to share their work and their blogs.

Not everyone quite sticks to the rules (as you may see while reading), but the spirit of the Writer's Wednesday Blog Hop remains in each piece. One of our rules, after all, is don't stress, just have fun and write.

We weren't able to feature all of our favorites here, but we have an amazing selection, nonetheless. The stories are presented in order of prompt post date. We also have an Index in the back that will list the stories by author for you. So please read on, and feel free to visit your favorite authors as you discover them.

Week of 4/10/2012

Words Required

Ham

Spike

Parity

Girders

Sale

Darling, What is that Smell? by Nicole Pyles

Rava entered into the ballroom, keeping close to Bruce. She hated the lot of people in this place, all blubbering snobs dying to lay in a bed of their own money. She was here only to fulfill Bruce's wishes to rub elbows with the men who drank their whiskey out of enormous glasses.

"Darling, I'm off to find ..." Bruce didn't finish his sentence, only waved her off.

"Fine." Rava needed a drink if she was going to make it through the evening. She wandered towards the open bar, her only saving grace in this place. Only a few steps away from Bruce, Rava was yanked back to Bruce's side.

"Bruce, what are you doing?"

"Darling ... what is that smell?"

Rava sniffed. She put her nose to under her arm, and sniffed again. She leaned up and sniffed Bruce's neck. "Smells like cologne to me, darling. Must have been the one I bought you on sale."

Bruce kept his eye on the crowd, as if warding off an attack. "No, it does not smell like cologne ... it smells ..." Bruce sniffed again. "... Like ham."

"Ham? Darling?"

Bruce nodded. "Ham."

Rava leaned in closer, and brought her voice down to a whisper. "Why does it smell like ham?"

"Damned if I know! Go spike the punch."

Rava motioned to the open bar. "But darling there is an open bar ..."

"I can't chance anyone to be sober in this party. Go spike the punch."

Rava walked towards the punch table, and muscled in between two women with enormous behinds. "'Scuse me, ladies." Alone at the table, Rava reached into her handbag and brought out a tiny bottle of vodka she kept handy, and poured it into the bowl

Bruce raced over to her, weaving in and out of the dancing couples. "Did you do it?"

"Yes, darling. Why are you so concerned about the ham smell?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Now be careful with the alcohol tonight Rava. I don't want you hanging from the girders again."

"Girders?"

"Rafters."

"Ah, of course." Rava leaned her head against Bruce's shoulder. "You know one day, darling, we will achieve parity with these people."

"Parody?" Bruce looked down at his wife, confused.

"Parity. Equality."

Bruce turned, and pulled Rava closer. "One day we will, my love. I promise you Rava. But damn it, darling, what the hell smells like ham?"

About Nicole Pyles

Nicole Pyles is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest. She received her Bachelor's Degree in