Just a reminder that my blog hop contest for the Book Night in a Box is only open until midnight tonight. Hurry and enter!
Most of you know that I'm doing the Platform Campaign and the first challenge came through. Here it is:
Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.
If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut." (also included in the word count)
For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!
So, here is my offering:
Partners
The door swung open. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” the man said, walking toward me.
My wrists physically twitched underneath the straps. “I could say the same thing,” I gritted out. “Why don’t you take these restraints off and we’ll fight this out like men.”
He gave a soft laugh. “I think not. My way is much more effective.” He pulled out a small array of instruments that I knew would torture my body for hours. Adrenaline raced through my system. “Is there anything you’d like to say before we begin?”
“Where is Kate?” My fists clenched even saying her name out loud in this man’s presence.
“She’s next door, asking the same thing about you,” he said, leaning over my cot.
Knowing Kate was so near was just the incentive I needed. Kicking my legs forward, I twisted his shoulders between my knees until I had him in a makeshift headlock. Squeezing as hard as I could I waited until I felt his body go slack. I finished working on the wrist straps with my teeth, strapped the man down, then I went to get Kate, leaving without a backward glance as the door swung shut.
And it's exactly 200 words. Woohoo!
So, in addition to the 200 words I wrote above, I wrote 2878 words on my work in progress. Not great numbers, but it's still progress and slow and steady gets the job done, right?
How did you do this week?
Oh, if you want to go and "like" my 200 word piece, you can go here. I'm #244. :)
I'm an award-winning romantic suspense novelist, but in my free time I love to review books and my fave TV shows, as well as pass along great book deals, and eat Canadian chocolate---not necessarily in that order.
25 comments:
Nicely done. It got my adrenaline pumping. It's been fun to read all the flash fiction.
Ooh, loved your 200 word excerpt!
I did well on writing this week . . . not sure how many words I got, but according to the amount of chocolate I ate, I made some progress!
Stephanie, I should count my writing progress like that!
Very nice flash fiction! The narrator of the story was based on Richard Armitage, right? *g*
I forgot to count my words this week! Let's say a thousand, then. More or less. Give or take a few. I had a good feeling about my progress, anyway. This next week might not be so productive, though.
Oh yes, I liked this. Anything that puts the bad guy in a headlock works for me :-)
That was awesome, Julie! :)
The guy isn't going to sit there and take it. Exactly what I'd have a character do.
That's great. So exciting in just 200 words.
I wrote 13 pages last week (yeah!), and I'm doing pretty good so far this week too.
Thanks, Jill!
Stephanie, that is such a motivator, isn't it? Kate you should totally try it.
Melanie, you bet it was. *swoon*
Thanks Sarah and David!
Angie, congrats! That's awesome. I hope you rewarded yourself. :)
Love your new background! (Sorry, I've had too much going on to read your blog lately, trying to catch up, in reverse order.)
Can you cheat and make a really long title?
That sounds like a fun challenge!
Ooh, great tension. I love that he got away!
Congrats on the word count!
Hi Julie! Just saw you on Twitter at the #writecampaign. Enjoyed reading your post, love the tension!
Good luck in the Challenge. :)
Jon, I've been wondering where you'd gone off to! Welcome back, and I'm glad you like the new look.
Tara, Coleen, and Tina, thank you! :)
I like that we get the sense of history and back story to flesh out the action, but we still get a nice happy ending so we aren't left hanging. Very suspenseful!
Nice job! I love a good action-packed tale!
I love a MC who doesn't behave like a victim. Well done. I can't remember if you've read mine or not but it's #72
Nice! That could be a novel excerpt.
I’m in campaign Group 43 - Romantic Suspense, which I write as Kris Bock. I focus on writing craft at Write Like a Pro! A Free Online Writing Workshop: http://chriseboch.blogspot.com/
That was action packed. nicely done.
mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
I love that your entry has so much action! :) I'm glad the character managed to escape.
This was so exciting. You hooked me fast and then let me go happy.
Woot- very badass move :)
Good grit and action in this excerpt. I enjoyed it.
And, BTW, Julie, you made it on my top five list. Congratulations. This is the first step. Good luck in the remainder of the challenge.
Thanks so much, Michael!
I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and comments. It's wonderful to get some feedback. Thank you! :)
Way, to go protag! I love how he takes control of the situation. Great tension building!
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