Monday 4 November 2013

Winners from the HAUNTING blogfest -- and a little bit more about SHARING in November.

Well wasn't that fun!

Writers, you a scary lot! I lurched from terror to terror, and it was a little light relief when I stumbled upon a much gentler story. But even the gentler stories often packed a punch at the end. And that is what flash fiction is all about -- setting up your story, planting clues throughout, then whammo at the end so the reader wants to trawl back through the story and find the clues. That's why flash fiction is a favourite form of writing for me.

I knew I shouldn't have done it to myself. Choosing a winner is just too hard. I'm glad I covered myself when I said:

There will be a PRIZE of a $10 Amazon Gift Card for the entry of Denise's choice. She will be looking for the most creative, most riveting, most eye-popping entry to receive this awardOr simply the entry that impresses her most. I have to go with the 'simply the story that impresses me most' as there were so many creative, riveting, eye-popping stories to sift through.

I'm not going to go into a critique on each of the stories, but I will say I whittled it down to a short list, went around and re-read, even asked for help from a trusted blogger friend, but the story that impressed me most in the first reading, and continued to impress, is:


(((drum roll)))  Jen Chandler! Her 'Monster Within' ticked all the boxes for me -- it really was haunting. Shades of Edgar Allan Poe, Jen told her story with great aplomb, and used so many of the motifs of horror - as I said in my comment:

'...it had that dreamlike quality [as Poe often did]. So many scary motifs: the long, dark cloak, the raven, the rider in black, the whip of bone...all added to the creepiness...'

So warmest congratulations Jen, and to you all for participating. If you'd like to, Jen, you can paste the winning badge I just created onto your blog!




It was such a treat going around reading so many excellent stories/poems and seeing some photographs. Pk Hrezo even offered finger food. 

If you didn't get to Jen's story, here is the direct link if you'd like to check it out:


Laura Clipson caused me the most wavering...her entry definitely had that winning quality too, but unfortunately there can be only one winner this time! (If you missed Laura's most excellent story, go here...)


The goodies don't finish there. Yolanda Renee won the e-book from Francine Howarth who was also conducting a Halloween blogfest and promised a WEPer a free book. Nancy Williams correctly answered the question Francine posted below her story so will also receive an e-book from Francine. 




Now onto the November bloghop - SHARING



The original idea for SHARING was to make it a non-fiction sharing of what you've been writing for NaNoWriMo. By the 22 November I expected you'd have a lot of sharing to do about your new story, how the characters were treating you, how you looked forward to hitting the 50,000 word mark, but I see that more of you are doing your own writing thing rather than NaNo. So let SHARING be whatever you want it to be:

SUGGESTIONS:
  • tell us about your writing in November
  • write a flash fiction piece with SHARING as a theme - maybe an Adam and Eve story?
  • post some pictures to suit the theme (raid Pinterest!)
  • share something memoir-ish about your travels, experiences, your life
  • write a poem that encapsulates SHARING in some way
  • other...?
Please share in comments if you have any bright ideas about SHARING. Sign up when I put the linky up in a few days, then rock up on November 22 or thereabouts, posting your entry. I aimed for an earlier posting this time, as I head overseas on December 3rd and will need to read/comment before I'm up, up and away! 

Remember to put something in your Post Title so others can tell quickly whether this is a WEP post or not. Post early rather than late if possible, as the later you are, the less commenters will come round to read as those who post early, read early, then feel they've finished.

Thank you to the amazing participants who went around and read every entry, and those who read several. I know time is of the essence, so a big thank you. I love this sharing part of WEP.

I hope I see you all, along with some new entrants, on November 22! Spread the word!! Post the SHARING badge! Sharing is caring...

Now back to NaNo....




22 comments:

  1. Congrats to the winners! Everyone did a great job; I enjoyed reading all of the entries (even though I'm not really a fan of horror). Looking forward to the Sharing!

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    1. I'm not a great fan of horror, either, Li, but I get my dose at Halloween! Well and truly this year!

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  2. Congrats Jen Chandler! I agree, that was a scary story with a stormy night, a mysterious visitor and a geis of destiny. I'm a fan of spooky settings for prophetic disclosures. High 5 Jen :)

    Denise: I doubt I'll post for Sharing. It sounds like an intriguing theme; I'd likely post a non-fiction about my daughter and I sharing the cooking duties, sharing books/movies we've read/watched over the last year, and reminiscing at her house for Thanksgiving, but I'm taking the next couple months off blogger to catch up on some writing and reading. The story would likely be more about passing along the "tradition baton" to the next generation than on sharing. I'm not good at non-fiction, and I have too many unfinished fiction stories to start another this month.

    I'm glad you are getting to travel this season. I will stop by your blog for all the exotic details :)

    ........dhole

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    1. You enjoy your break Donna. Well deserved. I'll miss you on SHARING but hey that's life. I'll be posting a photo a day-ish during my travels. Another white Christmas. Woo hoo!

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  3. HI, Denise...

    GREETINGS from BOGOTA!

    Congrats to JEN!!!!

    I have internet service for tonight and tomorrow....
    Colombia is wondrous!!!!! Spent the weekend in the mountains.. SOOO gorgeous. But had no internet. Back in the city, but my online presence will be limited. I just wanted to drop by and say OLA!!!!

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    1. How wonderful Colombia sounds! Thanks so much for stopping by. Have the time of your life Michael!

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  4. I'm doing NaNo, so I will share some details about that for November's WEP :)

    Congrats to all the winners!!!

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    1. That'll be great stuff Trisha. I hope all is progressing well. I'm making a slow start--so many other demands, but I wouldn't miss it!

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  5. Congratulations to Jen! I have to admit that the first thing that came to mind when I saw her dreamy face on this post was, 'She left a really thoughtful comment on my contribution.' So, not only did she post a nuanced, winning entry, but she doled out substantive commentary, too. I'm with Donna. High five, Chandler.

    And thanks, again, Denise, for putting such genuine effort into WEP. Gold star!

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    1. That's a good point, Suze. Jen's an all-round winner!

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  6. Congratulations to Jen!
    She has a way with words... really beautiful writing!
    And I echo what Suze and Donna have said about her overall contribution to the WEP Bloghop.
    I have never done a NaNoWriMo... but I have a faint idea for a NaNo-inspired flash fiction piece for the November WEP.
    Hope NaNo is going well for you Denise. I'll have to take the NaNo plunge one of these days... maybe next year... we'll see...

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  7. Congrats to Jen. Haven't got there yet and still have others to visit. Will definitely get there though.

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  8. Congratulations to all the winners! And, I'm ready for that linky!

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  9. AHH! Denise! Thank you so much! There were so many amazing entries, I am humbled and, frankly, THRILLED! I'm so thankful that I found this blog hop and group. Thank you all for your kind words and comments. I really, truly appreciate them! *blushing* Here's to a wonderful November hop :)

    Jen :)

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    1. And a HUGE congrats to Yolanda and Nancy! Woohoo!!

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  10. Congratulations Jen! That was a really great story :)
    Thanks for the mention, I'm glad my story made such an impact with you! I should be participating in the November WEP, probably sharing about my NaNo project.

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  11. Big Congrats to Jen!! And to Yolanda and Nancy!! I think I missed it so I'm heading over to read!!
    It was a fun day indeed, Denise! Thanks so much for hosting. :D

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  12. CONGRATULATIONS JEN!!!! Congrats also to Yolanda and Nancy, and the post that were mentioned (PK Hrezo and Laura).

    Everyone who participated did a wonderful job! It was my first time and I greatly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to this months bloghop. I already have my post about sharing ready to go. ;)

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  13. Congratulations to Jen. And I also loved most of the posts. They were scary...we have very good writers!

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  14. Way to go Jen. You really did have a great story. I'm not too good with horror. Congrats to the rest.

    I will share on my current whip.

    Enjoy your trip Denise. Where in the world is Denise Covey?
    Nancy

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  15. Excellent choices for the winners, I would not have wanted that job! This year was especially excellent! And can I say - changing the RFW to WEP - genius!

    Happy Nano everyone, and thanks Francine - I look forward to reading - as soon as NaNo is over. :)

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  16. Congratulations to Jen, and for honorable mention to Laura. And congrats to Yolanda for winning the book!

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