April 2020 has been an eye-opening month with
physical/social distancing becoming the norm. And with the daily count of the
dead leading the news, we had hope that going on with the WEP April Challenge
-- Antique Vase -- would give all of us a break from the horror. We were right,
well sort of. Some of us have been personally touched by the virus and death.
So, finding an exercise to take us away from the horror for a while proved
beneficial. The entries reflect that need.
Thank you, everyone, for your amazing tales, they
were filled with hope, humor, love, life lessons, but especially the creativity
that continues to amaze and inspire us.
It's always a delight to welcome new writers to WEP. New writers add an excitement as we eagerly anticipate a new writing style and approach to the prompt. This month we welcome Sanhita and Zaguzan/Karuna. Both presented wonderful entries and one made the shortlist! Thank you all for making them welcome in your comments!
It's always a delight to welcome new writers to WEP. New writers add an excitement as we eagerly anticipate a new writing style and approach to the prompt. This month we welcome Sanhita and Zaguzan/Karuna. Both presented wonderful entries and one made the shortlist! Thank you all for making them welcome in your comments!
Compiled by Elephant's Child, here's a summary and link to all those inspiring stories for your reading pleasure:
Zaguzan:
Flash fiction. We follow the vase through four of its owners and rejoice that
it has found a home where it is appreciated and valued. For now. Who can tell
where it will go next...?
Jemi
Fraser: Flash fiction. Even rich snobs love (and indulge) their
grandchildren. And it is incredible how fast a heart-felt apology can change
people's attitudes.
Toi
Thomas: Flash fiction. The voice of the vase tells her own story,
reflecting on generational change and reminds us that inanimate objects deserve
respect.
Sanhita
Mukherjee: Flash fiction: An intriguing look at the vase's history,
geography, and mythology. So the vase returns home, a traveler, returning to
its roots, slipping effortlessly between the POV of the vase, the employee who
cares for it, its long-ago makers...
Anstice
Brown: Flash fiction. A light-hearted piece reminding us that antiques were
once new (and may not have been valued) and just how fast things can change.
Team
Netherworld: Flash fiction. A vase and a wise man provide the impetus to
ensure that a love story is finally recognized and allowed to fruit.
Rebecca
Douglass: Flash fiction. Librarians should always be respected. A
surprisingly light-hearted reminder of that truth - despite the incineration of
yet another who didn't listen.
Elephant's
Child: Flash fiction: Two scenarios. Two people dead. Their lawyers claim
that he/she snapped. Did they?
Roland
Clarke: Flash fiction: A continuation of Sparkle Anwyl's story - which also
crosses WEP challenges and reveals a little more of her unique mindset, as she
continues to investigate mayhem and mystery.
Christopher
Scott: Flash fiction. A very descriptive take on a Coming of Age ceremony,
in a culture which begs for further exploration.
J
Lenni Dorner: Flash fiction. A powerful indictment of the treatment of so
many indigenous peoples which blurs the lines between fiction, history, and
current affairs.
Sally
Stackhouse: Flash fiction and the poetry of the vase. A loved object is
sacrificed for the benefit of the family, that object haunts the dreams of a
descendant and is finally, triumphantly brought home.
Dixie
Jo Jarchow: Flash fiction. A poignant slice of family difficulties/estrangements
finishing on a hopeful note.
Nilanjana
Bose: Non-fiction. It crosses WEP challenges, countries, history, cultures,
and artistic genres in rich and inviting prose - ensuring that there are links
and rabbit holes to ensure that each visit uncovers new treasures.
Hilary
Melton-Butcher: Flash fiction: A lighter (and unexpected) side to
archaeology (and archaeologists.
Olga
Godim: Flash fiction: A continuation of Monette's story. It might have been
'small magic,' but it more than got the job done.
L.G.
Keltner: Flash Fiction. Clever aunt Margaret had a secret. A secret she
carried to her grave - and one that Donna will maintain.
Jemima
Pett: Flash fiction. Some vases should be left well alone. Elsie and Tom
escaped. Will you?
Pat
Garcia: Flash fiction. A continuation of Zelda and Bruno's love story.
Sweeter than hot chocolate, stronger than cognac, with an undercurrent of
mystery.
Kalpana: Poetry. A reminder
that antique objects/people still have life left in them still have desires,
longings, and passion. Rather than locked away and protected, it calls for us
to respect their need to 'just be.'
Susan
Rouchard: Flash fiction. A futuristic tale of the fight for survival
(perhaps on this earth and perhaps on a new one) where the humans are assisted
by 'little blue men.' Effort, hope, and gratitude are richly entwined and
expressed.
Donna Hanton: Flash fiction.
A continuation of Lisa and Pierce's story. The tension in their relationship
continues and is explored with a little back story - and then a cliff-hanger to
keep us wanting more.
Denise
Covey: Flash fiction. A tale jam-packed with history, with warmth, with
color, with loss and overflowing with love.
Yolanda
Renée: Flash fiction: A curious (but well-meaning sister) wreaks havoc.
Expensive havoc. Can she be forgiven?
Renée:
Flash fiction: Some vases should remain sealed. Permanently.
As
usual, we had a difficult time deciding our shortlists, but it quickly became
apparent that everyone had a favorite: We sent this list to Nick:
~*~
Thank you, everyone! It is refreshing to see all the
lovely comments on each post. And please know that the team reads your comments, always taking them into consideration when forming the shortlist. They are
more important than you may think. Besides informing our decisions, it feeds
the writer. Feedback is not a simple thing. It means the world to the writer.
OUR WINNERS:
Nick commented:
"As always it was a tough choice, but it’s also an honor to read
and judge these great entries."
THE WINNER
OF APRIL'S 2020 CHALLENGE
ANTIQUE
VASE is:
Congratulations, J. Lenni!
Nick wrote, "I had to put this first because the level of empathy created for the suffering of the narrator is exceptional. Powerful, and moving."
Nick wrote, "I had to put this first because the level of empathy created for the suffering of the narrator is exceptional. Powerful, and moving."
Congratulations J. Lenni! Please link the badge to your story, Lenape Antique Vase, and post it on your blog.
In addition, you've won a critique of your first three chapters or 10,000 words from Christine Rains, and a guest post here at WEP.
We'll also look forward to your Guest Post here at WEP.
We'll also look forward to your Guest Post here at WEP.
Details will be emailed to you shortly.
Congratulations, on such an evocative entry!
~*~
THE
RUNNER-UP OF APRIL'S 2020 CHALLENGE ANTIQUE VASE is:
Congratulations, Donna!
Nick wrote, "Some great character observation here, and I just loved the ending."
We're all looking forward to the next installment!
Please link the badge to your story,
The Sneeze, and post it on your blog.
Nick wrote, "Some great character observation here, and I just loved the ending."
We're all looking forward to the next installment!
Please link the badge to your story,
The Sneeze, and post it on your blog.
THE
ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD FOR APRIL’S
ANTIQUE VASE is:
Congratulations, Hilary!
Nick wrote, "A fun tale with a very good sense of humor, injects some lightness into the proceedings."
We all appreciated the humor of your story. Laughter is a much-needed sentiment right now. Thank you!
Please link the badge to your story, Ancient Vase,
and post it on your blog.
Nick wrote, "A fun tale with a very good sense of humor, injects some lightness into the proceedings."
We all appreciated the humor of your story. Laughter is a much-needed sentiment right now. Thank you!
Please link the badge to your story, Ancient Vase,
and post it on your blog.
COMMENTER'S AWARD:
Thank you for showing respect and
encouragement to all the enthusiastic writers who penned a post for the
February challenge!
There was the usual Word Press/Blogger
incompatibility, but less than usual. Personally, a direct connection worked
better than the Linky in some cases.
Always watch the C-Box and
the website comment thread to catch up on any commenting problems and fixes.
Thanks to those who commented on the site when you couldn't comment on a post.
Those who read 20 and over,
(allowing some leeway for the difficult commenting situation), by the cutoff
date of Wednesday, April 22.
Pat
Garcia
Jemi
Fraser
Zaguzan
Toi
Thomas
Rebecca
Douglass
Roland
Clarke
Donna
Hanton
&
the
WEP team
The Random selector chose
Roland Clarke for the winner. Congratulations, on winning AGAIN! We
appreciate your dedication to the WEP and for understanding the importance of
feedback to all writers. Roland! Please display the badge on your blog
with a link to the WEP
website.
Congratulations, Roland!
Remember our earlier
discussion about comments and their importance?
I'd like to announce an award based on those
comments. The number of them and the appreciation found in them for the writer
was specifically why this award, the People's Choice Award is being awarded to Nilanjana
Bose.
She wanted to pull out of the challenge completely,
but we talked her into posting. She did not want comments because she could not
respond to them. But again, we intervened, and you complied with our request by
commenting on the WEP page or the C-Box. They were spectacular, and all of that was quickly
noticed by Sue, better known as Elephant's Child.
Sue had stepped in to help us with this post and
immediately suggested that Nila, because of her amazing imagery, be allowed to
qualify for the awards this time. To avoid taking away the opportunities for all other entrants, we decided to award The People's Choice Award. An
infrequent but excellent tool that will allow us to give a special award when
called for.
Based on your comments, you agreed. As Roland Clarke
wrote: "I love the way the piece is informative, rich with imagery and
language, plus she returns to my favorite artist."
Toi Thomas wrote: "She always presents her
pieces with a subtle dramatic flare that almost makes you forget that you are
learning something."
Olga wrote: "I love Nila's piece. From abstract
to Vincent's painted flowers in flash fiction - such a fascinating
exploratory narrative."
And I think we all found the same as Sue described:
-- "Elegant, informative and with a myriad of rabbit holes I will be
exploring at length later."
Nila is an individual who I've found to be authentic.
Beautiful on all levels, honest, fair, and wise beyond most, but it's her
writing that always strikes a chord. A true reflection of the individual whose pen achieves gold every time.
So it is with great pleasure that we give this award to
Nilanjana Bose for her inspiring historical piece titled The Grasshopper. The Pigeon.
The Bulldog.
Congratulations
Nila!
Your
writing is always exemplary
and
we're thrilled to be able to award your creativity.
******
Here's
our prompt for June. So get those thinking caps on. The announcement will be
posted on June 1st in the thinking-caps post.
And
the Sign--up Link Post goes live on June 17th.
Until
then, say safe and stay well!
Renée for...
And Sue!
Thank you, Sue, for stepping in and doing a beautiful job with the blurbs, helping to monitor the posts and report problems, and helping us choose the winners. But especially for recognizing Nila's entry as superb and deserving of recognition while disqualifying your own winning entry!
We'd love
for you to Tweet this post or share it to Facebook
or your favorite social
media site.
#WEPFF ANTIQUE
VASE winners announced @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @LGKeltner @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/04/winners-post-april-challenge-antique.html #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners
10 years of
writing excellence WEP APRIL winners @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @LGKeltner @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/04/winners-post-april-challenge-antique.html#amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners
Come congratulate
our April winners. #WEPFF ANTIQUE VASE Challenge @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee
@OlgaGodim @LGKeltner #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners
https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/04/winners-post-april-challenge-antique.html
The #WEPFF
writers had some fantastic entries! WEP winners announced! @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee
@OlgaGodim @LGKeltner
https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/04/winners-post-april-challenge-antique.html
#WEPFF ANTIQUE
VASE winners all @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @OlgaGodim @LGKeltner #amwriting
#flashfiction #wepwinners
https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/04/winners-post-april-challenge-antique.html
10 years of
writing excellence, WEP Winners! @LGKeltner @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @OlgaGodim
#amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/04/winners-post-april-challenge-antique.html
