Rebecca
05-05-2006, 02:10 PM
Congratulations to Kimberly Culbertson, aka MrsCoach, winner of CW's first Flash Fiction contest!
Kimberly Culbertson is the Founding Editor of Relief: A Quarterly Christian Expression, which is currently accepting submissions for the debut issue, due out in print November 2006. This new literary journal is designed for authors who want to write seriously, but struggle to find an outlet for poetry and stories that have a faithful slant. The goal is to publish poems and stories that push the envelope beyond stereotypically “fluffy” Christian writing, so authors should feel free to stand out on the edge. Short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry can be submitted online at www.reliefjournal.com.
Thanks are extended to all our participants. The quality and diversity of entries demonstrates what a talented group we have here. Congratulations to you all for a job well done!
Now, the moment you've all been anticipating--time to reveal the story authors! !thumbsup!
The Entries:
Entry #1 - Rljfl
Anxiety gripped his heart as he pounded away on the keys. How could they ask something like this? Impossible! It was simply impossible! Cruel. That was all he could think of to describe them.
The task came to his attention early that morning. Simple, so he thought. It wasn’t until he was nearly finished that he realized he broke the first rule. Fear swept over him. His mouth was dry and his heart pounded. Passed it? When did that happen?
He started again. Surely this would work now. Yes! It was! 95 words at last.
Entry #2 - Keith Wallis
The machine shop was dirty with swarf and dust. Jim stood over his lathe, grime encrusting his face, his mind a block away, a memory away.
Bess an aging Labrador padded up to Jim and nuzzled his trousers as he always did, friend forever, always there. Always ready to share lunch.
Jim’s tears streaked down his grimy cheek. He saw, again, the truck launching across Bess earlier that day leaving her body lifeless and shattered. Jim was still crying as they slowly led him from his lathe.
Entry #3 - Theodora3 - Dorothy Trench-Bonett
The mice took a seminar on diversity and toleration. Afterwards, a cat moved in among them. One young mouse opposed letting her remain, on the grounds that cats eat mice but he was shouted down and made to take a class on the oppression of cats, showing how unfairly rodents had treated felines throughout history because of the ‘alternative appetite’ situation. After that the young mouse kept silence. So did all his relations. When they did finally decide to protest against being eaten, there were too few of them left to make a difference.
Entry #4 - DrRita
The new Judge was a bald frog. Afraid no one would take him seriously, he decided to buy a wig.
He went downtown and tried on every wig in the store but none made him look distinguished. Despaired, he started to leave when he saw a small white wig in the window.
"How about that wig?" he asked.
“That wig is not for a man's head.”
"I'm not a man, I'm a frog.”
He put it on and suddenly looked very wise.
"It’s perfect." He paid the clerk.
And the frog judged happily ever after.
Entry #5 - Miranda119
Today was an amazing day. A day I didn't expect.
It happened quickly. One moment reading the morning newspaper, the next moment caught up in exhilaration, seeing familiar faces, meeting people from ages past.
There were tears of joy. Loved ones embraced, long separated by the impossible barriers of time and space.
There was worship. Knees bowed before the King and every heart felt the insatiable need to praise.
There were all these things, but I was not a part. I waited just a moment too long. He came, and I was left behind.
Entry #6 - AngelAzariah - C.A.Kelsey
Jenny awoke on a dirty tile floor, sat upright and glanced at the ruffled pages around her.
“Where am I?”
Jenny reached for a page and took her hand back at the sound of scraping. She listed and examined the dusty room.
“Hangovers.”
Jenny took a page and read.
“The driver identified as Jenny Paskin broadsided them, killing herself and a five year old.”
A box shifted on the shelf and fell. Jenny scrambled to the door and yanked the handle. A claw grasped her ankle and dragged her screaming into a corner.
Entry #7 Waterfallbooks - Katie Hart
She slips in, eyes sad. Uncertain gaze darts around the room, meets that of a stranger.
He smiles, and after hesitation, she smiles back.
He steps over, takes her hand. "You look lovely tonight."
She blushes, looking down. A wedding band on her finger. How did it get there? And on his.
Startled, she meets his eyes. They crinkle at the corners. Their blue seems familiar.
"It’s all right, sweetheart. The amnesia is only temporary."
She blinks back sudden tears at the hope that rises.
"Don’t worry, dear - just fall in love with me again."
Entry #8 MGalloway - Michael Galloway
The writer drove home from work on a quiet highway at three in the morning. A snowstorm raged, and near an intersection, he hit ice and slid into a snow
bank. In vain he tried to rock his car out. Soon, another vehicle arrived, offering help. The driver tried to push the car out with his hands, but failed. A second driver appeared, wielding a shovel but to no avail. In minutes, a third driver stopped by, having just radioed a pickup truck with a tow rope. Upon being freed, the writer decided angels existed.
Entry #9 MrsCoach - Kimberly Culbertson
Walking into McDonald’s, she is handed a tract.
“God bless!” She pries her hand loose from her daughter’s to reach out for the tract as her son spits up on her again.
“Thanks…” She attempts to wipe off her shirt with the tract and places the order.
“$5.62”
She reaches for her wallet and squelches the urge to scream. She had forgotten it when Jake threw up the second time.
The cashier rolls his eyes. Shamed, she turns away.
This day is hell.
A woman behind her reaches around and pays the bill.
“God bless.”
Entry #10 Invisionary - Jeremy L Thompson
"Once upon a midday dreary,
Hungry man, weak and weary.
Longing for some food to eat,
Bread then falling to his feet.
Elijah looking, to the sky,
With grateful heart, began to cry.
Three days later, weak and pale,
Satan whispered, "Thy God does fail."
Elijah answered, "The Lord provides",
Meat then falls down, to his side.
Despite drought, still the same,
Faithful God, praise His name.
Elijah now old, age ninty and five,
Fiery chariot to heaven, he is taken alive.
So do not fear, if hungry and poor,
Quote the Ravens, "Plenty more."
Entry #11 Hizwilldc - D. Croskey
Molly and Caleb went up north to George Lake for a day of fun. They arrived at the lake early that morning; while the attendant was preparing for the hot air balloon to inflate. Molly looked over at the glistening lake while Caleb a little cranky because of the morning time was talking with the pilot. While floating in mid air Caleb had asked for Molly hand in marriage, and she said yes. The hot air balloon started to ascend higher due to the current of the wind as they both hugged one another.
Entry #12 - screenwriter
When I was a child, my brother Gato drove Mama crazy. He never stood still. “Ayy!” she would yell as he tore past her like a tornado through the kitchen while she cooked Sunday dinner. He’d grab a cookie from the counter and Mama would gently slap his arm, smile, then go back to singing a sweet song. At dinner our family talked and laughed together.
Those days seem like so long ago. Now I watch two policemen take Gato away in handcuffs. I wonder how I am going to tell Mama.
Entry #13 - Danny
The elevator doors finally opened. Three waiting SWAT officers whisked the seven frightened employees into a room and locked the door.
One officer spoke, “There are six armed subjects in the building. They may be on this floor. Lie down behind that wall now. Do not move and do not speak until…”
Gunfire erupted in the hallway. Then silence.
Shouts of other officers outside the door signaled an end to the stand-off. The employees hugged as they stood. Some sobbed with relief.
“Hardly just another day at the office,” said one.
.
Kimberly Culbertson is the Founding Editor of Relief: A Quarterly Christian Expression, which is currently accepting submissions for the debut issue, due out in print November 2006. This new literary journal is designed for authors who want to write seriously, but struggle to find an outlet for poetry and stories that have a faithful slant. The goal is to publish poems and stories that push the envelope beyond stereotypically “fluffy” Christian writing, so authors should feel free to stand out on the edge. Short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry can be submitted online at www.reliefjournal.com.
Thanks are extended to all our participants. The quality and diversity of entries demonstrates what a talented group we have here. Congratulations to you all for a job well done!
Now, the moment you've all been anticipating--time to reveal the story authors! !thumbsup!
The Entries:
Entry #1 - Rljfl
Anxiety gripped his heart as he pounded away on the keys. How could they ask something like this? Impossible! It was simply impossible! Cruel. That was all he could think of to describe them.
The task came to his attention early that morning. Simple, so he thought. It wasn’t until he was nearly finished that he realized he broke the first rule. Fear swept over him. His mouth was dry and his heart pounded. Passed it? When did that happen?
He started again. Surely this would work now. Yes! It was! 95 words at last.
Entry #2 - Keith Wallis
The machine shop was dirty with swarf and dust. Jim stood over his lathe, grime encrusting his face, his mind a block away, a memory away.
Bess an aging Labrador padded up to Jim and nuzzled his trousers as he always did, friend forever, always there. Always ready to share lunch.
Jim’s tears streaked down his grimy cheek. He saw, again, the truck launching across Bess earlier that day leaving her body lifeless and shattered. Jim was still crying as they slowly led him from his lathe.
Entry #3 - Theodora3 - Dorothy Trench-Bonett
The mice took a seminar on diversity and toleration. Afterwards, a cat moved in among them. One young mouse opposed letting her remain, on the grounds that cats eat mice but he was shouted down and made to take a class on the oppression of cats, showing how unfairly rodents had treated felines throughout history because of the ‘alternative appetite’ situation. After that the young mouse kept silence. So did all his relations. When they did finally decide to protest against being eaten, there were too few of them left to make a difference.
Entry #4 - DrRita
The new Judge was a bald frog. Afraid no one would take him seriously, he decided to buy a wig.
He went downtown and tried on every wig in the store but none made him look distinguished. Despaired, he started to leave when he saw a small white wig in the window.
"How about that wig?" he asked.
“That wig is not for a man's head.”
"I'm not a man, I'm a frog.”
He put it on and suddenly looked very wise.
"It’s perfect." He paid the clerk.
And the frog judged happily ever after.
Entry #5 - Miranda119
Today was an amazing day. A day I didn't expect.
It happened quickly. One moment reading the morning newspaper, the next moment caught up in exhilaration, seeing familiar faces, meeting people from ages past.
There were tears of joy. Loved ones embraced, long separated by the impossible barriers of time and space.
There was worship. Knees bowed before the King and every heart felt the insatiable need to praise.
There were all these things, but I was not a part. I waited just a moment too long. He came, and I was left behind.
Entry #6 - AngelAzariah - C.A.Kelsey
Jenny awoke on a dirty tile floor, sat upright and glanced at the ruffled pages around her.
“Where am I?”
Jenny reached for a page and took her hand back at the sound of scraping. She listed and examined the dusty room.
“Hangovers.”
Jenny took a page and read.
“The driver identified as Jenny Paskin broadsided them, killing herself and a five year old.”
A box shifted on the shelf and fell. Jenny scrambled to the door and yanked the handle. A claw grasped her ankle and dragged her screaming into a corner.
Entry #7 Waterfallbooks - Katie Hart
She slips in, eyes sad. Uncertain gaze darts around the room, meets that of a stranger.
He smiles, and after hesitation, she smiles back.
He steps over, takes her hand. "You look lovely tonight."
She blushes, looking down. A wedding band on her finger. How did it get there? And on his.
Startled, she meets his eyes. They crinkle at the corners. Their blue seems familiar.
"It’s all right, sweetheart. The amnesia is only temporary."
She blinks back sudden tears at the hope that rises.
"Don’t worry, dear - just fall in love with me again."
Entry #8 MGalloway - Michael Galloway
The writer drove home from work on a quiet highway at three in the morning. A snowstorm raged, and near an intersection, he hit ice and slid into a snow
bank. In vain he tried to rock his car out. Soon, another vehicle arrived, offering help. The driver tried to push the car out with his hands, but failed. A second driver appeared, wielding a shovel but to no avail. In minutes, a third driver stopped by, having just radioed a pickup truck with a tow rope. Upon being freed, the writer decided angels existed.
Entry #9 MrsCoach - Kimberly Culbertson
Walking into McDonald’s, she is handed a tract.
“God bless!” She pries her hand loose from her daughter’s to reach out for the tract as her son spits up on her again.
“Thanks…” She attempts to wipe off her shirt with the tract and places the order.
“$5.62”
She reaches for her wallet and squelches the urge to scream. She had forgotten it when Jake threw up the second time.
The cashier rolls his eyes. Shamed, she turns away.
This day is hell.
A woman behind her reaches around and pays the bill.
“God bless.”
Entry #10 Invisionary - Jeremy L Thompson
"Once upon a midday dreary,
Hungry man, weak and weary.
Longing for some food to eat,
Bread then falling to his feet.
Elijah looking, to the sky,
With grateful heart, began to cry.
Three days later, weak and pale,
Satan whispered, "Thy God does fail."
Elijah answered, "The Lord provides",
Meat then falls down, to his side.
Despite drought, still the same,
Faithful God, praise His name.
Elijah now old, age ninty and five,
Fiery chariot to heaven, he is taken alive.
So do not fear, if hungry and poor,
Quote the Ravens, "Plenty more."
Entry #11 Hizwilldc - D. Croskey
Molly and Caleb went up north to George Lake for a day of fun. They arrived at the lake early that morning; while the attendant was preparing for the hot air balloon to inflate. Molly looked over at the glistening lake while Caleb a little cranky because of the morning time was talking with the pilot. While floating in mid air Caleb had asked for Molly hand in marriage, and she said yes. The hot air balloon started to ascend higher due to the current of the wind as they both hugged one another.
Entry #12 - screenwriter
When I was a child, my brother Gato drove Mama crazy. He never stood still. “Ayy!” she would yell as he tore past her like a tornado through the kitchen while she cooked Sunday dinner. He’d grab a cookie from the counter and Mama would gently slap his arm, smile, then go back to singing a sweet song. At dinner our family talked and laughed together.
Those days seem like so long ago. Now I watch two policemen take Gato away in handcuffs. I wonder how I am going to tell Mama.
Entry #13 - Danny
The elevator doors finally opened. Three waiting SWAT officers whisked the seven frightened employees into a room and locked the door.
One officer spoke, “There are six armed subjects in the building. They may be on this floor. Lie down behind that wall now. Do not move and do not speak until…”
Gunfire erupted in the hallway. Then silence.
Shouts of other officers outside the door signaled an end to the stand-off. The employees hugged as they stood. Some sobbed with relief.
“Hardly just another day at the office,” said one.
.