Crafting Poetry One Syllable at a Time
Posted on December 31, 2017 by Colleen M. Chesebro
The December 28, 2017, Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a wishing star. It can be central to the story or used in a different way. You can have a character interact or not. Go where the prompt leads.
Respond by January 2, 2018, to be included in the compilation (published January 3). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
Althea had made a noble sacrifice, and now, as a ghost, she resented her decision. That night when she wished upon a star, she took her own life to save their business. Mike had inherited her retirement account and had paid off all their debts. There was money left over; now he had taken a lover.
Althea gazed at the writhing forms on what had once been her bed. Mike always did enjoy a bit of fun. What the heck? Althea slid her cold, lifeless hands over their naked bodies as she crawled between them. The haunting had begun!
© 2017 Colleen M. Chesebro
Happy last day of 2017… pleasant dreams!
Category: Authors Supporting AuthorsTags: 99 Word Challenge, a wishing star, Carrot Ranch Literary Community, flash fiction, writing challenges
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“A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape of the universe, helps to extend everyone’s knowledge of himself and the world around him.”
—Dylan Thomas
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Colleen M. Chesebro is an American Poet who loves crafting paranormal fantasy and magical realism, cross-genre flash fiction, syllabic poetry, and creative nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called Tanka Tuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com where participants learn how to write traditional and current forms of haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, tanka prose, renga, solo-renga, haibun, cinquain, Etheree, nonet, and shadorma poetry. Colleen's syllabic poetry has appeared in the Auroras & Blossoms Poetry Journal, and in “Hedgerow, a journal of small poems.” She’s won numerous awards from participating in the Carrot Ranch Rodeo, a yearly flash fiction contest sponsored by carrotranch.com. In 2020, she won first place in the Carrot Ranch Folk Tale or Fable category, with her story called “Why Wolf Howls at the Moon.” Colleen is a Sister of the Fey, where she pursues a pagan path through her writing. When she is not writing, she is reading. She also loves gardening and crocheting old-fashioned doilies into works of art.
This is chilling Colleen. Great response to the ‘wishing star’ notion. Best wishes for the new year.
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Oh, thanks, Michael. Glad you enjoyed. Happy New Year. 😁🎊🥂🎆
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Oh what wickedness Colleen…
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Isn’t it delightful? Happy New Year! 🎊🥂🎆❤️
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Wishing you a magical 2018!
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Heh heh heh! Love it! Happy New Year Colleen. May the fairies be with you 🙂
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Thanks and hugs on the wing to you, Christine. Let’s rock 2018! 🥂🎆🎊🧙🏻♀️
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Well now… I imagine there is going to be some confusion here – and that’s as it shouldd be! HA!
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LOL! I ran out of words! It was chilling to be sure! Happy New Year, Sis! 🥂🎆🎊❤️
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Happy New Year, baby girl! ❤
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Love ya! ✨🎆🥂🎊✨
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Ha ha ha ha ha. How hauntingly wicked. Happy new year Colleen.
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Great fun to write! LOL! 😂
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This takes the woman scorned to another level. Good one Colleen.
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Thanks, Irene. It was great fun to write. 😂❤️
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This is great and definitely haunting. Happy New Year! ❤
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Thanks, Lilac. It turned out to be a fun write. LOL! 😀
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I can imagine!
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Revenge is sweet…
Happy New Year Colleen! Thanks for all the great prompts and poetic support! (K)
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Thanks for your undying support! LOL! We have fun and that’s all that matters. ❤
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Ah Justice , so sweet, when served with Bitter Coldness. 😎🥀
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LOL! Isn’t that the truth? This would make an excellent longer story. Hugs! ❤
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Very interesting, Colleen.
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HA, HA! It was kind of fun to be wicked for a change, Robbie! 😜
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I hope they had an electric blanket, Colleen. A chilling piece of writing.
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LOL! I’m always amazed at what pops out of my brain, Hugh. It was fun to be rather wicked for a change. 😊
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I agree, although my brain always seems to want to go down the wicked line, Colleen. However, it’s the fun factor that counts. So long as we enjoy it, then we’re doing it right.
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This was out of my realm but really fun. I wasn’t sure if it would work. You always have such great twists. 😉
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Oh, it works, Colleen, definitely. When I write flash fiction, I often leave it for 24 hours and then go back to it. If I still like it, I push that ‘publish’ button. 😀
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I’ve been doing that also. I seldom change what I wrote. 😀
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Oh my goodness that’s a haunting with a difference!
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LOL! I hope it surprised everyone. I’m trying new things on my writing journey. You just never know! LOL!
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It’s good to try new things! Thought this was great! Lol
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Yikes! This gave me the chills! Oooh, so creepy. Well done!
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Thanks, Diana. I’m stretching my wings. I love these challenges. ❤
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Oh, wickedly delightful flash, Colleen! Sacrifice only goes so far…he blew his chance.
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Thanks, Charli. Your challenge gives me a different outlook. I’m trying things I wouldn’t have tried before. Really wicked was so fun to write. 😀
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