The Clarity of Night ~~~~ The Entry I Didn't Send In

The Clarity of Night "Uncovered" contest only one day and 12 hours to go if you're going to send an entry in....  My entry is Entry #54, The Vacation of a Lifetime.  But, as usual, I wrote at least two entries in my paranoia.  Here's the entry I didn't submit.

Damnation
by Dottie Taylor


The stench of rotting vegetation and old blood is almost overwhelming. The Isle of Damned grows near.

An icy hand slips around my waist, pulling me to his frigid body. “Aye, love, we're close.”

He reaches up and caresses my breast through the thin fabric of my blouse. I shiver either from his touch or my own desires, I can no longer tell.

His laughter vibrates through my body. “Come now, love, you know what you are. Why do you deny yourself?”

“Half-born Demon I am be, but Demon bound I'm not.”

His lips seek my neck where he plants an almost delicate kiss as he scents the pull of my blood.

“Half-born divining rod is all I am to you,” I sigh.

“Come to my bed.” The deep bass of his voice rumbles through my chilled body.

I have no illusions about life in Abrax's arms, once the treasure's found and the bounty paid, my life will be forfeit.

“Death awaits me.”

“Avoid death, join me. No one will dare reap your soul.”

“You could let me go.”

“I cannot.” He lowers his lips to mine. “I find myself bewitched.”

Our lips meet in a forbidden kiss, I rest my head upon his chest, his heartbeat greets my ears.

“And I cannot be with you.... No matter how much I want to be.” I whisper as the shore comes into view.  And then it strikes me, Demons don't have hearts.

© Dottie Taylor

It's Coming....... The Clarity of Night Flash Fiction Contest

Jason Evans is at it again folks....  It's time for another flash fiction contest at The Clarity of Night.  Remember flash fiction means a limited number of words, and for this contest, it's 250 words.  It's an interesting picture prompt this time, making me think of pirates, buried treasures, ghosts, and maybe even the wild blue yonder.....  Take a gander at this one...

If you'd like to take a chance and put together a wee story for this little prompt, head over to Jason's Blog, The Clarity of Night.  Contest starts July 19, 2010 (that's Monday, squee!!).  I've looked at the image and imagining all kinds of neat things.  Come on, you know you want to play....  I wonder what you'll come up with...?   See you all at the contest!! 

Can I Say.....I'm Freaking Blown Away!!!

Many of you may remember that a couple of weeks ago, I posted the new contest on Jason Evans' blog, The Clarity of Night, with the picture prompt of a black bird in silhouette. It was an awesomely breathtaking picture that spoke to me, but in a way I wasn't sure I'd be able to capture. Well, I gave it my best shot and I'm happy to say I received an honorable mention!! This may not sound like much to a lot of people, but to me, I was awestruck. You see, I love reading and writing, it was always a dream to be able to write, one that I would have never attempted until I found my place in the blogging community. I've received so much good feed back on this story, I knew I could have improved it, but honestly, I tried to put my best foot forward. This is a learning process, right?

Altogether there was 237 entries, mine was the 234th. First, I forgot the date to send my entry in; then, I didn't know if I was happy with my entry; and finally, our internet was spotty and it went down on the last day of the contest and only came back up with only five minutes to spare in the contest. In the last minutes left, I hurriedly sent Jason my entry and hoped for the best. After I sent my entry, I looked at the others and thought, holy crap! How did I ever think I could compete??? There were so many fantastic entries and as I looked back at my own little tale, I cringed. No one was going to like it, it was a pathetic attempt. I guess this second guessing and nervous anticipation is how it's supposed to work. So, I've been sitting today anxiously waiting for Jason's results, knowing I didn't have a snowball's chance in hell, and wouldn't you know it, the internet goes down again and stays down all freaking day!!! I wasn't able to check the results until almost midnight. And as I was scrolling through the winners (all fine stories I must say) and the honorable mentions (which I didn't think I had a chance at), there was my name!! I rubbed my eyes, closed the browser and re-opened it to look again. And I was still there. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Honorable Mention--Taylor, Dottie, And The Hunt Begins

I'm so honored to be included in such company as those who participated in this contest. Everyone who participated deserves a big pat on the back and a Woo Hoo! To put yourself out before the eyes of so many others is an incredibly hard thing to do. I hardily congratulate you on your most worthy efforts. I didn't make one of the top five entries, but when there were almost 250 entries, I was amazed my story was even noticed.

Thanks Jason for an amazing contest!!! It has to take so much work to have a contest like this, especially with the amount of entries this contest produced. I imagine that exhaustion is reigning in your house tonight. All the participates congratulate you on your worthy efforts!!

I wasn't sure I was going to post my entry, but I'm so happy right now that I'm doing my happy dance. :) So, here's my entry:

Silhouette -- The Clarity of Night Contest

And The Hunt Begins

I raised my face to the night wind. There's the sweet scent I'd caught earlier. I inhale deeply, letting the scent wash over me, through me, heightening my senses.

Fear.

I run, grinning wildly, as the land glides beneath my feet, almost at a full gallop. I scent the air again, yes, there it is! A hawk calls over head, pointing the way.

At the edge of the brush, I skid to a halt. I'm not the only one drawn by the scent as I hear a growl off at a distance in the waning light. I sat on the cold hard ground, forcing my heart to slow, biding my time. I can wait my turn, I will have my feed.

I open my jaws and yawn a loud whine, alerting others that I too wait to feed.

“Help me.” I hear in the distance as the growl grows closer. The ground vibrates, limping footfalls coming nearer. Damn, it's a helpless thing, groping in the twilight for a savior. A small hand lands upon my flank, curling in my fur.

“Please, I'm lost.” It pleads.

Food, my instincts cry.

Help it, my heart demands.

Shifting is always the worst part, especially when I've been denied my feast. Bones pop as I change, no one feeds tonight.

A child cries in the darkness.

“I'm here.” I reach out, taking the small hand in mine. “I'm here.”

It's Time for Short Fiction Writing Contests!!

Hello Everyone Throughout The Blogoshere!!!

There are a couple of writing contest out there for lovers of flash fiction to participate in and some great prizes up for grabs.

Jason Evans from The Clarity of Night is having his contest for flash fiction entries (which means short fiction and word counts, 250 words or less). I know several bloggers participated with me last time Jason ran a contest and I hope to see you ladies and gentlemen this time too. Here's the picture prompt from Jason's current contest:


If this doesn't inspire some of those wicked imaginations out there, I don't know what will!! The majesty of the mighty hawk holds many possibilities! Deadline for entry is January 13, 2010, so get cracking!!

Also......

The Deadline Dames are holding their first Readers on Demand (ROD) contest of the New Year, Happy 2010!! Their contest is also flash fiction of 250 words or less. The Dames have requested that their picture prompts not be copied from their website, so if you want a peek at it, you'll have to check out their site. I will say it's a grabber!! Even if you're not going to participate, check out this picture, it's very Psycho-ish.... I can't wait to see the fiction that goes along with this one! Deadline for entry is January 13, 2010, get writing folks!

I hope everyone is having an awesome start to the new year! Reading great books, keeping warm with a nice cup of hot chocolate, and enjoying this wicked winter weather. I know it's frigidly cold here and curling up with my laptop and a fantastic book to wake my imagination is the perfect solution to the arctic temperatures. Have fun with the competitions!!

Entry at The Clarity of Night

I just thought I'd let everyone see the entry I submitted at The Clarity of Night Short Fiction Contest.



One Little Drink
by Dottie Taylor


“Come on, just one little drink, what could it hurt.” He encouraged, grinning wickedly.

“I never break the rules, and going to strange man's room for a drink is a big one.” I smiled shyly, desire to break the rules was never stronger.

“Do I look like a strange man, I've never thought of myself as strange.” He moved closer, brushing his hand over my bared shoulder and back, caressing lightly.

His touch sent shivers across my body, I rubbed the goose flesh. Suddenly, I heard my lips say the fateful words, “Okay, just one drink, five minutes, that's all.”

He grabbed my hand, smiling broadly, victory in his eyes. “What are we waiting for, let's go!”

I looked back at my friends as we ran down the hall to the darken walkaway that led from the atrium to the rest of the hotel, to the forbidden rooms. If I was missed, I was going to be in big trouble.

“See, that wasn't so bad.” He grinned as he popped the room lock, hurrying me inside to the waiting darkness. I turned into his seeking arms, his lips on mine, his hunger and desire throbbing through me.

“Where's my drink.” I whispered, heart pounding in response.

His lips grazed my neck as he softly breathed. “My drink first.” His teeth plunged into my flesh, drinking deeply of the one little drink that was me, the wine to quench his thirst.


Here's the one I didn't submit.


The Chalice of Life
by Dottie Taylor


The chalice was heavy in his hand, but lift it he must.

"I don't see why I have to carry this damn thing with me everywhere Mother." He was tired of the chalice, the challenge to his kingdom, the challenge to his existence.

"You just have to carry it until this year's birthdate, one more day, how hard can that be." She chided her young son. She would gladly relieve him of the burden, but his life depended upon his duty to the chalice. The old wizard had made it clear that it would have to be his burden, not hers.

As they arrived in the village, the young prince and his queen mother dismounted as he slung the chalice across his shoulder. It was a common sight to see the prince with the chalice, but soon it would change. Just one more day until his sixteenth birthday and the chalice would be no more.

With every step, the prince recited, one more day. As they rounded the corner, the young prince was set upon by a gnome, the evil minions of the deposed warlock king. The chalice was the object of the gnome's devious plan.

Quick with a knife, the gnome sliced the strap holding the chalice as it clattered to the floor, breaking into shards.

Strength suddenly gone, the young prince crumpled to the ground. "Mother!" The young prince cried out with his dying breath.

The queen mother spun around to her young prince as he struggled to hold onto the life that was slipping away. The chalice would hold the wine of life no more.



So, what does everyone think? You can comment on my story, One Little Drink, over at The Clarity of Night as well if you'd like and also see the other entries for the contest. It's my opinion that all the entries are good, but I'm partial to a couple, including one by our sweet friend, Amy. Her story, The Interview, can be viewed there as well, and I would say it's one of the best entries!

Go check them out, and there's still time to participate if you'd like, the contest is open until 7-15-09 11:00 pm est. So far, 98 entries.

The Clarity of Night - Short Fiction Contest

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! It's rainy here once again, so maybe a movie is in order. Who knows? Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely Saturday.

I just wanted to do a quick post as I know several readers out there are fans of short fiction. I stumbled upon The Clarity of Night, and Jason Evans is offering a short fiction contest. So, for all the budding writers out there, here is an excellent opportunity for growth.

This contest is called In Vino Veritas (Truth in Wine) Short Fiction Contest. Here are the rules as taken directly from The Clarity of Night....

THE CONTEST WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2009.

Now, down to business. Here's how the contest works. Using the photograph above for inspiration, compose a short fiction (or poetry) piece of no more than 250 words in any genre or style. After the contest opens, send your entry to me by email at jevanswriter at yahoo dot com before 11:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 15th (Eastern Time, United States). I'd prefer attachments formatted in Microsoft Word or Word Perfect (please see the format request below), but if you have something more exotic, you can paste the text into the body of an email. Each entry will be posted and indexed.

Now for the goodies. The following prizes are up for grabs:

* 1st Place: $50 Amazon gift certificate and a signed copy of RED-HEADED STEPHCHILD
* 2nd Place: $30 Amazon gift certificate
* 3rd Place: $25 Amazon gift certificate
* 4th Place: $20 Amazon gift certificate
* 5th Place: $15 Amazon gift certificate
* Readers' Choice Award 1st Place: $30 Amazon Gift certificate and a signed copy of RED-HEADED STEPCHILD

Jaye Wells, author of RED-HEADED STEPCHILD will participate in judging as well as offering her new book as one of the prizes.


Everyone that would like to participate, head over to Jason Evans' blog and check this out. I'm sure everyone will have fun! The link is http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/, just click to head over.