Welcome

Welcome to my blog! Please join me as I journey towards finding an agent for my first young adult novel. Between writing, endless snapping of photos, sleep deprivation, taking care of two adorable little girls, and oh yes, the laundry, I'm sure it's going to be a bit crazy on the way to the awaited publication.

I'm open to any tips, critique, or random musings about the things I write or the photos I take, so feel free to email me or comment below.

Monday, February 20, 2012

War of Shadows / 1st Campaigner Challenge 2012


Today is the First Campaigner Challenge of Rachael Harrie’s Fourth Platform Building Campaign!

The challenge is to write a short story / flash fiction in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count.

For an additional (optional) challenge:

·         End the story with the words: “everything faded.” (also included in word count)
·         Include the word “orange” in the story
·         Write in the same genre you normally write
·         Make your story 200 words exactly!
  
 So here is my 200 word count short story. Enjoy!


 *****

(Source)
War of Shadows

Shadows crept across the wall of the forest leaving only darkness. I glanced over my shoulder as I ran, but didn’t dare look for long, otherwise I would be lost in the horrid beauty of it. Blackness so complete, absorbed every stream of light in its wake. There was nothing to do but run.

With a voracious appetite, it swallowed the vivid green of the leaves and the swirling colors of the wild flowers. Even the heels of my feet chilled as the shadows played with the bare soles of my feet.

Running was useless, but if the orange glow above the canopy of trees refused to give in, then I refused as well. The blazing sun was oblivious that its end was near, that the shadows had won.

I ran even faster and jumped over fallen limbs and moss covered rocks willing myself to make the last few steps to the forest’s edge. But the chills danced up my spine and took hold, refusing to play anymore. I fell to the ground with my eyes on the distant glow and watched as the blazing red tendrils of the sun gave in. Within seconds it was over and everything faded.

 *****

If you liked it enough to vote, please "like" me by clicking HERE. (this is a direct link, only click once because this page will stay the same)

To go to the Linky List page and view all of the votes and entries, please go HERE. (I'm #33)


©Alynza Smith 2011
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47 comments:

  1. Jamie McHenryFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:02 AM

    I love your writing style. This is great entry.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JessFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    Ooh I loved it!! You had wonderful imagery!! And I absolutely LOVED the line, "With a voracious appetite, it swallowed the vivid green of the leaves and the swirling colors of the wild flowers."

    Great job!

    I'm entry #19

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alynza SmithFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:06 AM

      Thanks Jess! I'm off to go do some blog hopping! I'll be sure to pop over on yours too. :)

      Delete
  3. Krista McLaughlinFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    Wow... I loved the line about the voracious appetite swallowing the vivid colors, that is some great imagery! :)

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  4. Cortney PearsonFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    Beautiful writing! I'm glad you posted this, I forgot this started today! I love the description of even the character's heels being chilled by shadows.

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  5. kjmckendryFebruary 20, 2012 at 10:35 AM

    Beautiful description. I love the "blazing red tendrils of the sun". Great entry! :)

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  6. David P. KingFebruary 20, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    That picture is gorgeous. And your writing, every bit as comparable.

    Nice one! :)

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  7. Carrie ButlerFebruary 20, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    Wonderful imagery! I loved it. :) Voting for you!

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  8. Nick WilfordFebruary 20, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    Very atmospheric, and I can't help feeling there is something very sinister going on... "fallen limbs" could be branches or arms and legs. At least to me anyway. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Skippy Bo BippyFebruary 20, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    Wow, great imagery. I really loved the descriptions.. very polished and professional. Really, really good writing.

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  10. AlyssaFebruary 20, 2012 at 5:04 PM

    Beautiful imagery! I loved the part "With a voracious appetite, it swallowed the vivid green of the leaves and the swirling colors of the wild flowers. Even the heels of my feet chilled as the shadows played with the bare soles of my feet." Nice work! :) You have my vote!

    I'm #37

    ReplyDelete
  11. CherylAnne HamFebruary 20, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    You paint a beautiful image with this piece. Excellent job using your 200 words! I really enjoyed it. Oh, and I've tagged you on blog. :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. BrennaFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    Hey there! New campaigner here finally making the rounds.

    I'd have to agree with most of the others that your imagery is beautiful. Very nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ann CoryFebruary 20, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    Beautiful wording, especially the ending...gave me the good kind of shivers :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Komal KantFebruary 21, 2012 at 3:57 AM

    Your description was beautiful and the image really suited the whole mood of the story. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mina BurrowsFebruary 21, 2012 at 6:37 AM

    Very visual and wonderfully done! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2012 at 4:05 PM

    They were so close! Nice job. Mine is # 71

    ReplyDelete
  17. alexiaFebruary 21, 2012 at 5:07 PM

    Nice descriptions! I love the pic you chose, too.

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  18. UnknownFebruary 21, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    I agree! This was very well described, and you used wonderful language! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Charmaine ClancyFebruary 21, 2012 at 6:30 PM

    Very pretty writing.
    #83

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jessica TherrienFebruary 21, 2012 at 6:35 PM

    My favorite so far...AMAZING...voting.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Tess Julia February 21, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    That was really good. The title gave me the idea and your story blossomed into the progression of how. Plus you had great descriptions.
    Thanks for your encouraging words on my blog, it meant a lot. I'm voting for you though because I like your style of writing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mark KoopmansFebruary 21, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    Aloha Alynza,

    I'm a new follower for two, no three reasons.

    Thanks for commenting on my Word Verification post:)

    Thanks for sharing such an awesome story - more please (holds out bowl)

    And, you have the coolest name - evah :) Kudos to your parents for coming up with such a unique name :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Super Happy JenFebruary 22, 2012 at 5:13 AM

    This is gorgeous. And the picture is a nice complement to the story.

    ReplyDelete
  24. SorchaFebruary 22, 2012 at 5:24 AM

    Lovely imagery and great tension. Voting!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ainsley ShayFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:37 AM

    I felt like I was running with them! Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Shelley SlyFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    Very nicely written! I could picture the whole scene. You used the words and phrases listed above so well, it didn't even feel like this was written from a prompt. :)

    New follower here, nice to meet you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sherri LackeyFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    That was quite vivid! Nice post!

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    You have great imagery, and you put it into words well!

    ReplyDelete
  29. StephFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    Loved it! Great Job!

    I'm number 125

    ReplyDelete
  30. Kerri CuevFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:14 PM

    Very visual. Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  31. UnknownFebruary 22, 2012 at 3:06 PM

    I love the role you gave the sun in this.

    #109

    ReplyDelete
  32. Miranda HardyFebruary 22, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    Really great description! I felt I was running with her.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Natasha HanovaFebruary 23, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Love it. Want more.

    ReplyDelete
  34. MelissaFebruary 23, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Great imagery! Going to vote...

    Melissa Maygrove
    Campaign Entry #149

    ReplyDelete
  35. Erin ShakespearFebruary 23, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    That was lovely. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Meradeth HoustonFebruary 27, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    This is awesome! Great entry!

    ReplyDelete
  37. ClarbojahnFebruary 28, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    Loved your story. A chilling tale. ha ha..

    You've been tagged by me, Clarbojahn.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Jarm Del BoccioFebruary 28, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    I appreciate the fact that your story is suspenseful, without being "dark"...hard to find these days. Good job! I'm from the campaign, #174. Stop by if you get the chance. I'm 'liking' your story...

    ReplyDelete
  39. Ruth SchiffmannFebruary 29, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    Wow, love the vivid sense of place you've created here. Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete

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