Sixty Seconds with: Mark A. King

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 first timer Mark A. King.  You all already know him as the Alpha Dog behind the #FlashDogs; you’ve read (and loved!) his stories. Adding a dragony crown to his resume was inevitable, if a bit delayed. Read more about him here; read his winning story here; then take one minute to get to know him still better below!

1) What about The Count of Monte Cristo inspired your winning piece? I usually have concept ideas before FF (not that I’m obsessed). I then used the prompts to build the story.

2) You’ve been writing flash a good while but this is your first win. What’s kept you going? It’ll be a year next week for FF. I’ve had some success, much fiery love and wonderful dragony support.

3) What do you like about flash? ‘A good short story…contains a higher density of meaning than a novel contains.’ (Chris Beckett intro to FlashDogs Solstice).

4) What flash advice would you give other writers? Participate regularly. Read other stories. Join FlashDogs, obviously.

5) Who is a flash writer we should follow, and why? Too many to list. The Wall of Flame is a great place to find many.  

6) Do you participate in other flash contests, and which? 3+ times a month here (wanna stay on that wall). Luminous Creatures. Angry Hourglass. 3 Line Thursday & MicroBookends.

7) What other forms do you write (novels, poetry, articles, etc)? I like to dabble in Haiku. Does work writing count? 

8) What is/are your favorite genre(s) to write, and why? Speculative fiction. It covers everything I love and anything is possible.

9) Tell us about a WIP. My life has been FlashDogs. Little time for other things. 5K into a first novel (nosebleed time).

10) How do you feel about dragons? They’re: Magical. Wonderful. Scary. Fluffy. Cuddly, Supportive. Wise. Fearsome. Nurturing. Prophetic. Regal. Intelligent. And look brill on a mug #DragonEmporium.

Flash! Friday: Vol 3 – 25

AT LAST AT LAST! I’ve been having waaay too much fun flinging dragon mugs this way and that, flashing dragons on my car, dancing with dragons round my neck…. that I’m (finally!) inviting y’all to join the party. Craving a bit of fiery flash inspiration? Here’s your chance. Note that a small percentage of each purchase goes to support the work of Flash! Friday, so we can continue awarding cash & other prizes as often as possible. (Of course, direct donations are always gratefully accepted; click the PayPal button in the sidebar.) So…. here goes! Click on the image below to visit the Dragon Emporium. And thank you!

 

And as though unveiling the Dragon Emporium wasn’t enough, it is now my tremendous pleasure to introduce to you our BRAND NEW PANEL OF DRAGON CAPTAINS!!!! These teams will start on July 3. Take a moment to give them a fiery welcome! (Their fiery new judge pages are linked to their names.)

Team 5
Holly Geely & Foy Iver

Team 6
Josh Bertetta & Steph Ellis

Team 7
Nancy Chenier & IfeOluwa Nihinlola

Team 8
Voima Oy & A.J. Walker

Ring of Fire! Today’s your last chance to earn the May #RingofFire badge — should have been a breeze this month, with its FIVE Fridays. Have you submitted stories at Flash! Friday at least three times in May? Check out the details at the Wall of Flame page & let us know here. Not only can you flash the fiery badge on your own blog (you’ve earned the right!), but each badge means a chance at a Flash! Friday prize at year’s end. More badges = more chances!

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Judging today for their LAST TIME is Dragon Team One: Captains Image Ronin & Joidianne. I’ve loved this pairing this round, their combined quirky darkness, their passion for textured shadows and what lies beneath. They both graciously gave of their time and talents to the Flash! Friday community; the value of their participation and contributions is immeasurable. I encourage you to leave thank you comments on their judge pages (linked above), Twitter, or following your stories here, to let them know how much their efforts are appreciated. From the bottom of our hearts, IR & J: thank you.     

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

* Word count: Write a 200-word story (10-word leeway on either side) based on the photo prompt.

* How: Post your story here in the comments. Include your word count (min 190 – max 210 words, excluding title/byline) and Twitter handle if you’ve got one. If you’re new, don’t forget 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 TWO-PART PROMPT:

(1) Required story element (this week: theme. If you want your story to be eligible for an award, your primary theme must be “defeat”): 

 

(2) Photo prompt to incorporate:

Construction of the Statue of Liberty’s Pedestal. CC2.0 photo by National Parks Service, Statue of Liberty ca 1875.