“The Queen of Winter,” #flashfiction
The July 30, 2020, Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that uses the phrase “her crowning glory.” (Thanks to Anne Goodwin for the prompt idea.) It can be in the traditional sense of a woman’s hair or applied to any idea of a best attribute. What happens if you play with the meaning or gender? Go where the prompt leads!
Respond by August 4, 2020.
The Queen of Winter
The wind howled like a banshee as the first storm of the season battered the cottage. Niall settled into his chair for the night.
Wild dreams tortured his thoughts. The image of the Cailleach Béara bloomed in his mind. Each year the old crone brought winter’s fury. When she appeared, stones flew from her apron and landed upon the ground. These stones, her crowning glory, grew into rock formations or mountains.
The next morning Niall’s home perched on the cliffs above the sea. Nearby, a large rock resembled the ancient Cailleach’s face. There she remains to the present day.
©2020 Colleen M. Chesebro
Writing flash fiction (99 words only) myths is challenging, but tons of fun. I only hope I’ve done justice to the “hag of winter” and “her crowning glory.”
Writing about winter feels good when it’s over 100 degrees F.
Cool. Way cool.
LikeLike
She is a goddess… I just love all the myths. ❤
LikeLike
Wow, well done Sis. ❤
LikeLike
Forget to get in, that the photo is amazing! ❤
LikeLike
I enjoyed your myth telling.
LikeLike
Thanks, D. It’s a challenge to fit it all in. ❤️
LikeLike
Yes, your flash fiction piece does justice to the myth. It’s a myth that’s new to me.
LikeLike
The Celtic myths are some of my favorite. I enjoy the Russian ones, as well, but they are much darker in nature. ❤
LikeLike
Fabulous Colleen..stunning ♥
LikeLike
So much fun! I love Celtic myths, but fitting them in 99 words is tough. ❤
LikeLike
♥
LikeLike
Magical. Thanks, Colleen!
LikeLike
Thanks, Olga. Great fun. ❤
LikeLike
I’ve never heard about this myth before, but I love the fact that stones that flew out of her apron turned into rock formations and mountains, Colleen. What a power to have.
LikeLike
These Celtic myths are so fun. Great way to name some of the rock formations in the area. ❤️
LikeLike
That would be a rude and wonderful awakening! (k)
LikeLike
Myths are so magical. Seldom do they question the happenings. The events are always accepted for what the are. I kind of like that acceptance part. ❤️
LikeLike
I do too.
LikeLike
What a fantastic response to the prompt, Colleen!
LikeLike
Thanks, Jan. I love mythology and the Celtic myths are so fun! ❤️
LikeLike
I loved this myth and the images of the storm and mountain.
LikeLike
Thank you. It was tough trying to fit it into 99 words. Great fun, though. ❤
LikeLike
Wow–that would certainly be something amazing to wake up to!
LikeLike
Aren’t myths great? 🔮
LikeLike
Yes, indeed. 😀
LikeLike
I love how you bring the myths to life, Colleen!
LikeLike
Pingback: Her Crowning Glory « Carrot Ranch Literary Community
It’s so cool how you fit so much story into 99 words – a man, a myth, and a natural phenomenon, all in one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It was a challenge for sure. So much to say, so few words. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person