Flash! Friday # 26

Aaaaand we’re done! Flash! Friday Round 26 is tucked in bed with its lovey, dreaming of slugs and snails and puppy dogs’ tails. While the judge deliberates, we welcome you to read & comment on the stories. NOTE: Results will likely be delayed this weekend while the Lair undergoes an unavoidable Internet outage. Back online as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Howdy, and welcome to #FlashFridayFic Round 26! and the last day of May, no less; frightening how much of 2013 is already behind us. ‘Fess up now. Where did you put the first five months of the year?! Ah well. Bygones. As ever, here are your warm & sunny with clear skies guidelines.

Our judge for Round 26 is our own sunny-with-a-chance-of-a-dark-and-mysterious-superstorm SVW member Anthony Marchese. (Thanks, Anthony!) Be sure to check his judge’s page to see what kinds of entries make him swoon. 

Everybody ready?

* Word limit: 350-500 -word story (minimum 350, max 500) based on the photo prompt. We’re going looong today! Giving you a crazy wide range in case your story kicks and screams and won’t stay put inside a smaller space.

* How: Post your story here in the comments. Include your word count (between 350 – 500 words, exclusive of title) and Twitter handle if you’ve got one.

* Deadline: 11:59pm ET tonight (check the world clock if you need to; Flash! Friday’s on Key West time)

* Winners: will post tomorrow (Saturday)

* Prize: A blazingly stunning e-trophy e-dragon e-badge, a radiant winner’s page here at FF (we’ll throw in virtual aloe for free), a not-a-cloud-in-the-sky-oh-what-is-that-on-the-horizon 60-second interview feature next Wednesday, and YOUR NAME transcribed in toasted marshmallows across the back yard of the world (so to speak). NOTE: Winning and non-winning stories alike remain eligible for selection for Monday’s Flash Points. 

* Follow @FlashFridayFic on Twitter for up-to-date news/announcements/dragon bbq recipes.  And now for your prompt:

Abandoned boy. Photo courtesy of Toni Frissell.

Sixty Seconds with: Alissa Leonard

Ten answers to ten questions in 20 words or fewer. That’s less time than it takes to burn a match*.

(*Depending on the length of the match and your tolerance for burned fingers, obviously)

Our newest Flash! Friday winner is Alissa Leonard.  Read her winning story here, then take one minute to get to know her better.

1) What about the prompt inspired you to write your winning piece? I love that the statue faces the rising sun. Each new day is reason to hope for better.

2) How long have you been writing flash? I’ve been writing flash for a year now.

3) What do you like about flash? It forces me to edit and it’s fast, so I have the gratification of FINISHING something.

4) What flash advice would you give other writers? Um… keep your ideas small? (I’m especially bad at this, so it’s advice for me more than anything.)

5) Who is a writer we should follow, and why? Rebekah Postupak because she makes me smile, but if you’re reading this you probably already do!

6) Do you participate in other flash contests, and which? I used to participate in tons; now it’s Flash! Friday and maybe Monday Mixer (if I’m lucky), and Motivation Monday (if it’s up).

7) What other forms do you write (novels, poetry, articles, etc)? Mostly novels, but I’ve written some poetry, and I have a couple short story ideas.

8) What is/are your favorite genre(s) to write, and why? Fantasy and science fiction YA/MG… for so many reasons that require more than twenty words… each. 

9) Tell us about a WIP. I would, but I just can’t do it in twenty words! YA fantasy, no love triangle. 🙂

10) How do you feel about dragons? Love, love, love them. They can do anything! My favorites are the ones from Elvenbane. 

Happy Memorial Day!

Flash Points is taking a break today in honor of the American Memorial Day holiday.

To those who served in the past, and to those who serve today in the name of freedom: thank you.

Arlington National Cemetery. Photo courtesy of ILoveCustard, Wiki Commons