Forward Retreat

Yes, Wordsmiths took an unticipated hiatus. It seems your hosts, and others, were of the opinion that December was so full of other responsibilities little energy was left for this here a-writin' stuff thet takes a-thinkin'.

Before we get started, drop by Tiff's place and congratulate her on the Powerful Writing award she won. Well deserved, methinks.

After the before we get started, we are soliciting ideas for this site in 2008. What could be done differently? What could be improved? What works and what doesn't? Please feel free to give your input in the comments.

At the prestart after the after before start, think upon the Año Nuevo. It is a good time to look forward and reflect on the past, while we try to put our jumbled lives back to normal after the holidays.

Now start. Use the picture below and write a story. You know the drill: 500 words or less, blah,blah, blah. Submissions are due by a link in the comments by January 31.

Oh, and Happy New Year to you all!

Forward Retreat - Mark Tansey, 1986

Surreal Speeches

I think Tiff picked November's picture for its amibiguity. You people did not disappoint. Check out this genus of different species. A special welcome to two new contributors!

From Bobo - The Fix is energized.
From Farrago - Roar is saddened.
From Kingfisher - Listen Close is confused.
From No Celery Please - Without a Prayer is enlightened.
From The Only Daughter - Is It What It Is is unexpected.
From Rennratt - Done is tired.
From Tiff - What You Long For is disturbed.

Well done, and thank you. Tiff and I are throwing some ideas around for a workshop of sorts. Stay tuned for that, and the December challenge coming soon.

Look deeply, Look long

And tell us a story.

About this.


Post your tale before the end of November, please, and come back here to the comments to tell us you did.

Kingfisher is a nag

Rightly so - it was my turn to publish the stories from last month, and I totally dropped the ball. I bobbled the pass. I committed an error. I whiffed at a fat pitch.

And so on.

Therefore, without further ado, I present the roundup of stories from last month's challenge, and invite all who come here to click on each one, go read, and comment profusely. You'll be missing out on some fun spook stories if you don't. Plus which, I've asked "The Hand" to come visit you in the middle of the night if we see you've been here and you don't go comment.....

Mwuahahahaa!

Middle Girl cooks up a heapin' helpin' of the creeps

No Celery Please gets Handsy

Tiff wanders in the dark

Kingfisher pulls a switcheroo

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New challenge comes next week. Anybody want to suggest something?

Give Us The Creeps

Last year we received some great entries for our scary October challenge.

It's time to do it again.

Go spooky and shivery with the picture below.

Submissions are due by a link in the comments section by Spooktober 31.

BOO!

Stories From The Shack

We have six entries this month, which means Tiff owes me a case of beer.

From Bobo: Arboretum
From Joe: Intimidation
From Kingfisher: The Weave of Esteem
From The Only Daughter: Top of the World
From Tiff: September Morn
From The Unknown Bear: Stars of Fear, Skies of Hope

Go. Read. Critique.

Our 2nd Annual Creepy October Challenge will be up next week. Keep a look out behind you!

Forget what you know

It's just a place, really. Who cares what MIGHT have happened there?

Tell us about it.

Ready, go.