Flash! Friday: Vol 3 – 49

So glad to see you again! If you’re spending these November days frantically eking out a 50,000 novel, let me say Way to go! and Write all those wordy words! to you. And whether you are or not, thank you so much for taking a few minutes to share a few words here with us. We like words a lot, particularly when they’re lined up in tidy rows telling some clever tale or other — which means there’s no better place for a writer to be on Fridays than here. HELLO! and THANK YOU for coming!

Y’all had me laughing this week with #Pyro; there I was, ready to bag the poor dying thing, but your comments kept squeaking in, slowly, surprisingly, as the weekend unfolded, until we wound up with a rather respectable looking set of critiques!!! Go take a look if you haven’t already: the story’s a great read, and seeing others’ critiques is a blast too, as it’s a rare and fantastic opportunity to get readers’ honest opinions on a story. So, yes, at least for now, we’ll keep going; please stop back by tomorrow for another fine tale and a shot at practicing your lovely critique skills. And thanks.

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This year seems to have flown, as time is wont to do, the rascal. Which means, I’m sorry to say, that today is the final round for the powerhouse judging duo of Dragon Team Five, Foy S. Iver and Holly Geely. We’ve loved having you two at the helm! One more turn, dearests. Thank you for everything.          

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Awards Ceremony: Results will post Monday. Noteworthy #SixtySeconds interviews with the previous week’s winner post Thursdays.  

* Today’s required word count:  100 words +/- 1 (99- 101 words, not counting title/byline). 

* How to enter: Post your story here in the comments. Be sure to include your word count (min 99, max 101 words, excluding title/byline), the two story elements you based your story on, and Twitter handle if you’ve got one. If you’re new or forgetful, be sure to check the contest guidelines.

* Deadline: 11:59pm ET tonight (check the world clock if you need to; Flash! Friday is on Washington, DC time)

* Winners: will post Monday.

* Prize: The Flash! Friday e-dragon e-badge for your blog/wall, your own winner’s page here at FF, a 60-second interview next Thursday, and your name flame-written on the Dragon Wall of Fame for posterity.

AND HERE IS YOUR NOVEL PROMPT:

Writing is a journey, as is life. In keeping with that, as we also wind down our Year Three novel prompts, today it’s my great privilege to present for your dining/writing pleasure the dark, triumphant, terrifying, heart-pounding, spirit-lifting novel that is preacher John Bunyan‘s powerful allegory Pilgrim’s Progress. Progress follows the adventures of eager, oft-stumbling but good-hearted Christian as he leaves his doomed native land in a quest to reach the glorious golden shores of the Celestial City. 

Story elements (base your story on any TWO of these elements; be sure to tell us which two you chose. Reminder: please remember the Flash! Friday guidelines with regard to content; and remember please do not use copyrighted characters). 

* Conflict: man v man, man v self (not gender specific)
* Character (choose at least one): a pilgrim; Beelzebub; a man whose mission is to help others; someone who talks too much; someone who loses his/her life for standing up for what is right; a corrupt mayor; someone whose primary purpose in life is avoiding hardship; a cheat
* Theme (choose one): salvation; good v evil; the value of true friendship; the dangers of temptation
* Setting (choose one): a doomed city; a corrupt and wealthy city; a long road; a palace guarded by lions

OPTIONAL PHOTO PROMPT (for inspiration only; it is NOT REQUIRED for your story):

Young hiker @ Gibson Ranch Regional Park. CC2.0 photo by Ray Bouknight.