Faerytaleish Pinterest Contest

Dear readers,

The delightful fairy queen, Anna, is hosting yet another contest here that I can't deny myself.

We choose a picture from a beautiful Pinterest gallery and write upto 300 words inspired by it.

As much as I love the idea, picking an image from over 500 is no easy task!

Oh, but I managed. Barely!

Chosen Image

The Lost Prince of Tolstice

 

 
“Who stands there?” called a stern voice.
She started, about to flee, but the door swung open and an arm grabbed her wrist.
“Your name, Miss?”
Manacled, she ventured a look back at the man swallowed in midnight, perceiving only a pair of flinted silver eyes.
She swallowed. “Serena.”
He pulled and seemed to inspect her. “Mortal.” He decided, not impressed. “From the prisons?”
“Yes,” she croaked.
He sighed and released. “Come in. It’s unsafe here.”
She glanced around, considering her meager options. Curling her hands into ready fists, she accepted, abandoning the cold night for the warmth of his abode.
He turned, bolting the door and one of his purple latticed wings, shriveled at the rims like burnt parchment, delicately faltered.
“You’re Aris,” she gasped, “the lost prince of Tolstice.”
It was unmistakable. Here was the fabled prince who, born on the wrong side of the tree had been relinquished in childhood. With roots of half-fairy, half human, his sullied blood had endowed him a feeble wing, for magic of a fairy could not flourish in mortal cells.
Her heart felt for him; abandoned by family, spurned by nature.
He strode forward. In lantern light his black hair shone with brilliance, his chiseled face bespoke hardness.
“Don’t call me that,” he clipped.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
His eyes flitted over her and he nodded, accepting. “Do …?”
He froze. Voices sounded outside and with a beat of his wings, all light was extinguished.
Proof of life shuttered.
Darkness folded over them, and she shook with fear of discovery as the cadre of Stymphalian birds screeched nearby.
He drew her close in protective arms “we’ll be fine,” and pressed his lips to her forehead, sealing the promise.
The murmurs faded. The footsteps furthered.
And hope unraveled in forgotten hearts.

300 words

@Afsaneh_Dreams

If you have a Wordpress blog, here is the proper code:

ThursThreads Challenge - Week 24

First time entering this challenge so I guess we'll see how it goes.

Contest details are here.

Judge's Prompt

"The whir of wings broke the silence."

My Entry

She sucked in another wheezing breath and her whole frame shook with a bout of coughing. She shut her eyes, now more breathless than before.
Everything was growing harder.
She rubbed her chest, trying to alleviate the thick pain in her chest but her touch felt obtrusive and rough. Nothing like his, with their power to ease her deepest aches and frets.
The sun shone warmth down on them all and the children played, the elderly chatted and she . . . she was untouched by it and wrapped the woolen shawl even tighter around herself.
However many palpable pains she suffered, she did not mind.
All would come soon enough.
She shaded her eyes and tipped her head a little higher.
“I . . .” she gasped and covered her mouth in disbelief.
The whir of wings broke the silence. Their beating slowed and brought him in his beautiful form lower, hovering at her level.
She reached a hand towards him but did not touch him. She didn’t dare as she spoke. “You’re here.”
“I told you not to do this,” he said, his voice like a whisp of air.
“I had to,” she whispered.
He was hurt, but his eyes met hers and he took her hand in a moment of sweet remembrance.
And the world, it was swept into iridescence.

223 words

@Afsaneh_Dreams

55 Word Challenge - Week 10

Contest details are here.

Chosen Photo Prompt

My entry

She leaned over the railing, cold metal on colder skin. Breathing numbed her insides but the steeled lake and iced air thawed her spirits.
She’d have to stop coming. He’d have to stop calling for her.
She climbed up the wiring and gazed into placating blue.
But wouldn’t it be nice to swim into stillness?

55 words
@Afsaneh_Dreams

Menage Monday 33

Contest details are here.

Results are here.

Image To Use

Phrase To Use

[didn't/don't/doesn't] want this

Judge's Prompt

The phoenix

Ashes In Flight

They were sat on the rooftop, silhouetted in worlds above.
He’d thought to propose here, let the sky and their lives tip into new horizons. But, she’d say nothing, with a voice confined to nightmares. She never woke from them, but whimpered and sobbed in private daylight. He’d always find her, hold her, and only days ago did he manage to lift her up and coax her outside.
She was still lost though, and sat cross-legged now, not dangling her legs over the edge as usual.
Poor angel with her virtue bruised. He would have laid it over his skin if it would heal her.
Wish that he could, both heal her and revive his hope. He didn’t want this; to be swept into such sorrowful ashes while she grieved. He wanted to be strong and able to save her.
They watched as the moon inched over the sun in indulgent greed, patiently robbing the sky into dimness. He stole a glance at her as her lips parted.
Tell me something, he thought.
She sat her hand on his and her breath warmed his soul.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He held her closer. And those ashes, they took to flight.

200 words

@Afsaneh_Dreams

Tuesday Tales 41

Details of this contest are here.

Results are here.

Image To Be Used

Word Prompt

Lunacy

My Entry

Memory In Lunacy

She’d kept it pressed in a book, amongst the other leaves.
“Treasure the little things,” her mother had said, plucking it from her favourite tree.
Now she winced, trying to dislodge it from the fence but scraping her hand on a wire-end. The wind sucked it through and she readied herself to climb.
Without delay, her friend launched himself up the metal-lattice and on the other side, caught it in mid-flight.
He returned it with palms criss-crossed red and a watery smile touched her face, “I thought you said it was lunacy.”
“That’s not always a bad thing,” he shrugged.

100 words

@Afsaneh_Dreams

Kreativ Blogger Award

Would you believe I've been nominated for this? You should, kind is the lovely Angela who's blog you should visit here not only because she has a Visual Dare just waiting to be entered!

Update - It would appear I've been doubly-lucky, having been nominated before that by the wonderful Ruth also, whose blog you should also see here! 

Another Update - Well call me shocked, I've been nominated again, this time by the quirky (in a loveable way) Meg who has a fabuloso blog to venture onto here!

The Rules:
1. Thank & link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the ten questions.
3. Share ten random facts/thoughts about yourself.
4. Nominate seven worthy blogs for the Kreative Blogger Award.

The Questions:
1. What's your favorite song? 

Keane - Somewhere only we know. I just love the lyrics and I've always wanted to have another world hidden away where only myself and another could go.

2. What's your favorite dessert?
I don't want to be predictable and say chocolate because chocolate's food, not just dessert ;) I'd say a summer fruit cheesecake . . . the fruits are a little redemptive!

3. What ticks you off?
Thoughtlessness - I can't stand someone who doesn't consider other people's feelings when they act.

4. What do you do when you're upset?
Write - often it creates some of my most moving pieces.

5. Which is your favorite pet?

It'd be a dog because they're so loyal and keep your lap warm when there's not a laptop on it. BUT if we're talking ANY pet, I'd say Pegasus - have a bit of an obsession with that flying cutie.

6. Which do you prefer: black or white?

White - it's a lot easier to add colour to.

7. What is your biggest fear?
Losing the people who mean the world to me.

8. What is your attitude mostly?
Unsure - it's usually unsure actually. I hate that.

9. What is perfection?
A completely selfless act. And love recognized between two people.

10. What is your guilty pleasure?

A big mug of hot chocolate and a blanket. Tv or a book would be a nice addition.

The Random Facts:

1. I hate moving house, I've already lived in 10 houses that I can remember and starting all over again isn't easy.

2. I'm half Indian, half Iranian and I live in England but ask me where my home is and I blank out.

3. I have the strange somewhat obsessive habit of covering all my books with clear plastic.

4. I'm afraid I'll spend so much time writing and I'll never find it good enough to show anyone or to try and get published.

5. My hair's so thick that when I leave it in a ponytail for too long, I get a headache. Such a pain!

6. I say 'bless you' to everyone, even strangers on the bus.

7. I'm not good at receiving compliments because I never feel like I deserve them.

8. I shattered my hand once when someone pushed me into a door. It wasn't particularly exciting but I didn't have to do gym for a few weeks so it was cool.

9. I'm obsessed with The Mentalist, CSI:NY, Bones and Castle - silly murderers always getting caught!

10. I wanted to be a singer when I was younger but the severe stage-fright didn't exactly help. Can you imagine a mute singer?

Let's stray from me now and see some other wonderful bloggers then!

I never thought I would but I joined Twitter recently and am very glad that I did - I had no idea there was so much talent just a few key strokes away and so many friends to find! I hope you check out their blogs and follow - 

1. Susi/ @SJIHolliday / http://sjiholliday.com/
(Who is so fantabulous, this is her third nomination!)

2. Miranda / @PurpleQueenNL / [blog?]

3. Laura / @LauraHuntley / [blog?]

4. Tim / @timkanebooks / http://timkanebooks.com/

5. Laura / @L_Meyer / http://imnotthemessiahjustaverybusymum.wordpress.com/

6. Sara / @saraleggz / http://saraleggz.wordpress.com/

7. Craig / @CraigWFSmith / http://about.me/TheCraigSmith

And now, I bid you adieu!

Afsaneh

Entry For 55 Word Challenge - Week 9

The link to this fabulous contest is here.

And, MEGA surprise, I was an Honorable Mention! 

Thank you to the Judge, Jeffrey Hollar (@Klingorengi)

Chosen Photo Prompt

I had no choice, out of the three photo prompts, this one was one for which I could see a story come alive. Plus, I'm one for love and all!

My entry

Unrepentant as always, she pressed herself into his arms and murmured a careless apology. The wreath of flowers cloaked his sanity with false sweetness but he knew it.
It wasn’t right that he could forget her lies. It wasn’t right that he loved her.
But how could he walk away now?
When he loved her.

55 words

@Afsaneh_Dreams

Entry for Visual Dare 5 - Waiting

The challenge is to incorporate the given image into your work in progress OR use it in a 100 word flash fiction.

I chose the latter, mainly because I'm closing on the last chapter of my work in progress and this would throw me into disarray, I think.

Should you wish to participate, just click here for the lovely Angela's blog.

Image to use

My entry

There’s a haze in my life, like that around me, obscuring my thoughts and bleaching my sense.

All clear; hope, had clung comatose in a faultless once ‘love.’

Had.  

I drop the umbrella and the water breaks and ripples in protest.  Splashes touch my face but I feel nothing.

How long since I last felt something? Since something could whisper a little emotion into this abandoned heart?

I am already drizzled wet when I kneel down and meet my weathered self. His hair is matted to his scalp and his eyes are a shamed lead.

As if repentance could resurrect.

100 words

Have to say, I'm really loving Flash Fiction, it's a pretty great way to make friends and to practice your writing in a fun way (unlike reading the dictionary, for example)

Yours

Afsaneh

Tuesday Tales 40

Details of this competition are here.

Results are here.

Image To Use

Hidden Word

Hindsight

My Entry

An Angel and A Gargoyle

He adjusted the rear-view mirror and sat behind him, she stared at her hands as they trembled a mocking glitter upon her wedding ring. Her hair fell over her face and hid her eyes but he knew how carefully unblinking they were.
His three thumbs tightened into white on the wheel, strangling his peace of mind. He imagined her hand on his every night; the innocent touch of her silken skin healing his lonely heart.
And, he fell in love every night, in darkly deformed solitude.
In hindsight, he’d blamed his ugliness for not fighting for her, thinking an angel and a gargoyle could never be.
But support he could be, as the angel poured her tears into silent heartache.
They came to a halt and she looked reluctant to move as he pulled open the door. But forced herself out, as she had the last few times, walking back into a gilded lie.
He helped her up, eyes so pained they couldn’t meet hers and knowing on every withering plateau that one more goodbye would tear his soul. He sat her suitcase by her feet and willed himself to let go as she looked down at it.
The briefest, the most fleeting of smiles touched her lips as she stroked his hand like it were a flower petal, soft and delicate. Ridiculous, as that was what she was.
And how, he asked himself, could he leave her to him again?
Startled, her eyes flew up to his. He’d thrown the suitcase to the ground and nearing her with just one step, held her with all his turmoiled self.
“Stay, Susan…” he said, his voice a desperate plea.
Her breath slowed and she relaxed into him, the distance between them dissolving in his finally-worded confession.
“Daniel…” she whispered into him.

300 words
@Afsaneh_Dreams

Yours

Afsaneh

Do I owe it to the sun?

Dear readers,

Today has been treating me well and I'm not sure if I owe it to the finally pleasant sunny weather or not. I like to think that my creativity doesn't directly depend upon such but either way, I've been ecstatically tapping away today on my novel-to-be.

A couple of things are making sense to me and I've been editing like crazy (thankfully! because I feel like editing kills me a smidgen at a time!) and somehow during this usually arduous process, I've managed to add 1500 words too . . . Strange, but a welcome change!

I do hope you're all similarly enjoying yourselves, maybe not similarly but are nevertheless happy!

Do let me know!

Yours

Afsaneh

Tuesday Tales 39

Contest held by Glitter Word
Results are here.

Update - I won a runner up Honourable Mention, how sweet of the judge, Daniel Swensen.

I took a little break from my novel work to enter this week's Tuesday Tales challenge, because really, how could I resist?

One of the best things, aside from getting to read lot of interesting snippets of gold from fellow bloggers is being forced to use a word as creatively as possible. It couldn't hurt to do that more often.

This Week's Word - Equivocate

Image To Be Included -

Don't Be This

 

The smoke flitted in the air like butterflies.
She used to be a butterfly; beautiful and alive.
But she’d had to run away from the system even though it’d been self-defence. No one took kindly to murder however young the killer.
And it was painful, because she shouldn’t have had to be this crushed woman clad in tight red selling herself to survive in a darkened world. She should’ve been helping children like the doctor she’d dreamt of becoming.
She uncrossed her legs, leaned forward and the girl’s voice trembled into a whisper, finally free of hardened equivocation.
“You promise?”

100 words

Overused to death!

Dear readers,

As a writer(or whatever it is I am), when I write for myself or work on my hopefully to-be novels, I annoy myself by using a few words too often. So, I've highlighted these words that I really need to remove and/or change and there's quite a few of them actually (some of which feature in this blog post, surprise surprise!)

My challenge is, therefore, to half the number of each of those words/phrases.

The offending words are -

1. Actually
2. Though
3. Maybe
4. Perhaps
5. Rather
6. Although
7. Strange
8. Of course
9. Warm
10. Reassure

 And now, the challenge begins!

Do any of you have those words you just can't seem to let go of? Feel free to share!

Yours

Afsaneh

Within Reach

Dear readers,

Do you know what I love about the internet? Aside from being able to watch as many episodes of Bones, CSI : NY, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and the such?

Communication.

Actually being able to talk to all those friends you've made and have geographically lost because of university, or parents etc.

And, because many of my friends are now scattered all over the globe, I take comfort from the fact that I can still talk to them, ask them about where they are and what they're doing, maybe even share some of my work with them. You shouldn't have to lose your friends just because you're far away.

And, today it made me significantly happy to talk to some of them.

And to a romance author who I've always looked up to.

I spoke to this author and received a kind and encouraging reply.

How else would I have been able to do so when I'm sat in a different continent to them?

So, the internet has today, made me ecstatic, and I think it's important for the writing process and living to keep yourself happy!

And, maybe this'll make you a little happy - 

[Note-this isn't my own image]

Yours,

Afsaneh