VisDare 23: Ornate

Yes, I know it's JuNoWriMo. And you're typing typing typing away like mad.....right?

Of course you are.

But surely....SURELY....you have room in your imagination (maybe even your JuNo WIP?) to include this beauty.

The word is ORNATE.

You have 150 words.

The rules are below if you're not familiar --- this is a low key, low pressure challenge.

Just sink yourself into this image from Victorian London and let your imagination fly!!

Ready.....set.......WRITE.

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 22: Flight of Fancy

EDIT - 6/2/13: Somehow I goofed on this VisDare's linky tool. It closes at midnight Sunday, and I do not know how to fix this without eliminating all the posts already up. PLEASE KNOW that the prompt is still "live" until midnight Tuesday EST (June 4th). If you want to post after the linky closes, feel free to post the title and a link to your page in the comments. Or post the whole thing in the comments (if it's 150 or less). Sorry for any confusion!! 

From the macabre last week, to the mystical...

Or is it?

Mystical? Fantastical? Poetic? Prosaic? Symbolic? Realistic? Catastrophic?

You're the writer. You call the shots. Just be sure to do it in 150 words or less.

New to the VisDare? Check out the (short, sweet, unoppressive) list of rules below!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 21: Diverge

I don't know why I've been drawn to the darker photos lately. It probably has to do with my writing Welsan's story, which centers on a man who harvests souls for a living...until the day one of those harvests goes terribly awry.

Research for this book has, naturally, prompted me to research various burial and funeral traditions, as well as how different cultures view death, etc. Story-writing aside, it's an interesting bit of research, and it's churned up some fascinating ideas for me (as a writer) to ponder.

So I guess it stands to reason that the below photo really grabbed me when I found it this past week. It went straight to the top of the VisDare queue, and here it is --- for your flash fiction writing pleasure.

What can you make of this particular scene? Is it necessarily horrific? Symbolic? A moment of unexpected hope?

You know the rules --- 150 words or less!*

New to the VisDare? Rules below!!

* (Unless you're J B Lacaden, in which case it's more like the pirate's guidelines, and you're welcome to write a novel from this photo prompt, too. Hahaha!)

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 20: Climbing

The coolness of this photo knows almost no bounds. I think I have a WIP (work in progress) that needs this as part of a scene.

What scene comes to YOUR mind when you see this?

You know the rules! (And if you don't - I've posted them below the photo. So check them out!)

PS: I am almost almost almost ALMOST finished with grading my mountainous slew of research papers and final exams. Comments on last week's VisDare from Yours Truly are coming --- promise!!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 19: Mirror

Since last week's VisDare introduced a humongous fish, and so many of you gave such great whimsical "fish tale" twists on the photo, I kept with a ocean theme this week as well. This is great for you add-on storytellers, but if you do poetry or one-off creations I think this one works just as well.

And with this being finals week, I am slowly emerging back into an online presence, including more regular comments on VisDare entries. It's been a wild few weeks --- thank you for being patient with me!!

But for now....on to the new prompt!!

New to the VisDare? Check out the rules below!!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 18: Inspect

Made it back home from North Carolina just in time to post the next VisDare.

I am absolutely going to bed as soon as I hit "publish," but I am also very excited to see what it is this particular photo sparks in way of VisDare entries. It's one of my favorite photos, and has been for a while.

New to the VisDare? Check out the rules below....!

*falls over into a deep and dreamless sleep atop her computer*  Zzzzzzzz......

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 17: A Cat's World

WELL.

After the sombering events of the last few days, I decided to rearrange the VisDare prompts and push something more whimsical to the forefront. Those of you with add-on stories - or who simply have a love of exploring the whimsical and unexpected - should like today's photo, taken by the one and only Henri Cartier-Bresson and taken from this tumblr account here.

What do you think the cats are up to? No good, I'll wager -- or maybe a great deal of good? I suppose it all depends on your viewpoint on the necessity and lovability of cats. :)

As usual, the rules to participate are short, sweet, and to the point, and can be found beneath this photo.

Looking forward to some more whimsy and mayhem from my writing pals!

PS: It has been suggested lately (by other readers) that some blogs might consider adjusting the "captchas" on their websites to make them more commenter-friendly. I'm certainly not telling anyone what to do with their own intellectual property; but it is worth pointing out that those sites that require more steps to sign onto usually have significantly fewer replies. Food for thought...

Take a look, and post your link below....!

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 16: Vacant

After last week's ghosty theme, I automatically scheduled this photo, for all my add-on storytellers to use.

Monday's events in Boston, however - coupled with a local police chase here that unfolded at the exact same time -  have made this a far more poignant photo - at least for me.

Take it as you will - as an add-on from last week, as a way to wrestle with the tragedy in Boston, or as a way to offer up hope on the same. Say it in poetry or in prose. It's your call.

I'm truly curious: Where does this field of chairs take you?

One additional note: I am swamped just now with some work and family obligations which have negated my attempts to read everyone's ghost stories from last week. Please know that I will catch up --- I just need to fulfill my obligations first, and it will take me about a week or so. So please don't feel slighted if you haven't heard from me in a while -- it's not from lack of love for the wonderful talent my VisDare pals possess, I assure you! You guys rock my world (and that's the truth).

With that said....take the photo to heart, and fill it up. Please.

New to the VisDare? Check out the (very short list of) rules below!!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)
Be sure to read the other entries and leave constructive feedback!

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 15: Unanswered

OK. I'm putting this one in for all you horror/suspense/ghosty storytellers.

You know the rules - keep it PG and not too graphic (I have lots of younger students who like to visit this page after all) - but even so I want to see what you atmospheric types come up with. Unleash your inner Hitchcock on this one - as you dare!

The original title of the photo (at least that I can find) is: "The Five Ghosts." I think it was used as the cover of a music album...?

Whether you write about Five Ghosts - or Four - or Two - or Ten Thousand....it's up to you.

Or use it literally, as the multi-exposed photograph that a skeptic would insist it is.

What do you think? Give this photo a history!!

You have 150 words.....use them well!

(Rules below!)

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)
DON'T FORGET: Click on other entries and give feedback to your fellow writers!

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 14: Normalcy

I've been sitting on this VisDare challenge for a while now. I'm not sure why.

It's time just wasn't ripe...

                      ...and yet now...
                                                 ......I declare that.......

                                                                                    ITS TIME HAS COME.

SO.

WHAT'S UP WITH THE DUCK AND THE DAME?

I dare ya to put this in a story in 150 words....or less.

          Wanna spin this into a poem?  Go right ahead.

          Graft this into your add-on story? Sure - why not?

          New to the VisDare entirely? Rules below! (Don't worry - they are few and fun.)

DARE YA!!!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 13: Atmospheric

Sometimes atmosphere is as important - or more so, than what is present.

I think this week's dare can be taken in any one of a dozen different directions.

Can't wait to see what stories crop up this week!!

If you're new to the VisDare....check out the rules, listed below the photo.

(Don't worry - there aren't many. Main thing is to have a great imagination!!)

Check it out!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 12: Waiting

As I schedule this week's VisDare, I am waiting for a lot of things.

Waiting for certain things in life to move on and leave me alone.

Waiting for other things to come.


Waiting on people,
                               the mail,
                                              appointments,
                                                                      promises to be fulfilled.


Everyone's waiting for something.


What are you - or your characters - waiting for?

Give it in 150 words and let me know!!

New to the VisDare? Rules below! 

(Don't worry - there ain't many.)  :-)

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 11: Whorl

And now --- for a leap into the abstract.

Snails are one thing. This is --- well, I can't wait to see what you guys come out with this.

Some of you "add-on" storytellers might not be able to use this one; others of you will have a hey-day with it. (*cough*SimonAndHisTimeTravelingUmbrella*cough*)

You poets should have ample "scope for imagination" as well. Your poems seem to take a more abstract interpretation of the photo prompts anyway, so this week's should fit that nicely.

And if you're a "one-off" flash fic storyteller? GREAT. You guys are the ones who keep me surprised, because I never know where you're going to take me next.

Soooo......here's your prompt!

New to the VisDare? Feel free to join in!

Rules below!!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 10: Whimsy

The VisDare photos have been all over the map lately.

From picture-walkers...

          ...to subway cats...

                    ...to lonely souls in an empty square...

                              ...to...SNAILS.


HAHA, um....yes. We're going for WHIMSY this week.


Use the following photo prompt and 150 words to fuel your:

          ~ one-off story creation

                    ~ poem (love that I've got a couple poets who regularly haunt this challenge)

                              ~ oorrrrrrrr your "add-on" story that I know several of you are doing.


And for you "add-on" people who're writing about:

     a naughty child trapped in a magical snow-globe...

          a husband-wife team who've joined the hordes of the undead...

               a neurotic homebody finally coaxed into the city, only to find it deserted...

                    a mother trying to summon the courage to open her deceased son's journal...

                         a man who's emerged into a world of light he's never known...

                              a man who's just killed his father, but still trapped by memories...

                                   a gal whose deal with a tree sprite has gone maddeningly sideways...

                                        or a time-traveling umbrella that won't let its Victorian owner alone...

...I WANT TO KNOW MORE!! All of you are amazing! WRITE ON!

NEW TO THE VISDARE? JOIN IN!!

 RULES BELOW!!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 9: Alone?

ALRIGHTY.  I know the cat-on-the-subway photo threw everyone for a loop last week; but I think this one probably will fit right back into the pinwheel of add-on stories I'm seeing: alternate Wonderlands, time traveling umbrellas, sinister universe-in-a-snow-globe....and so many others.

I need a spreadsheet to keep track of all the burgeoning novels that are cropping out of this --- and an "add-on story" isn't even one of the VisDare requirements!!

I am surrounded by such greatness. You guys are AWESOME.

SO....Here's your next photo prompt --- where does this take you? Another scene in an ongoing tale? Somewhere completely different? Figurative? Literal? What about all you poets out there?

New to VisDare? See the rules below --- and jump on in!!!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 8: Listening

So....apparently part of the "bring your own challenge" aspect of the VisDare is trying to add on to the previous episode with the new prompt. That being the case, this photo - which was formatted and slated for this week before New Year's - may be a bit of a leap for several of my "serial" VisDare participants.

BUT. That should make some very curious leaps, if I do say so.

Of course, there's NOTHING in the rules that says you have to build on your previous episode. You can go in a wholly new direction.

Either way, I look forward to seeing what people come up with this one.

And to all you newbies ready to try your flash fiction wings --- you can find the rules below....!

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 7: Secret

I didn't realize until I read all the FABULOUS entries (24 of them!!) from last week's VisDare how well this particular photo would act as a sequel prompt. With virtually every one of the previous VisDares, this little snapshot should set off some curious addendums.

Or not! You can go in a completely new direction, of course.

And for you newcomers....welcome. See the rules below, and join the addictive madness.

I dare you. :-)

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 6: Emerging

OK. I had to go surreal again for this week's VisDare. Some of you will love this, others of you not so much - but really. There's so much scope for imagination here. I've already got something like this in one of my WIPs - but what about you? Who is this lady, where is she going, what is she leaving? WHAT DA HECK BE GOIN' ON??

You tell me. Rules below. (Have fun!)

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 5: Obscure

Last week's more open-ended VisDare apparently worked some magic - not only did most of my repeat authors give their spin, but several newcomers as well! So in keeping with the more vague, mysterious, open-ended dares, I've picked the photo below for this next round.

(Don't worry, we'll be going back to quirky again soon enough! *laughs evilly*)

Those of you who are valiantly building on previous episodes - I look forward to how you work this lady into your tales!

As for the VisDare itself -- a figurative or literal interpretation is fabulous,

 just pull your reader in!

(New to VisDare? Rules below~!)

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!

VisDare 4: Steps

WELCOME TO THE NEW AND IMPROVED VISUAL DARE!!

Okay. Last week's challenge was over-the-top quirky --- but all my VisDare participants came through with flying colors!!

To balance it out, we're going a bit more mysterious and open-ended this week; but I have every confidence that my VisDare Army will not disappoint!!

What's your take? Figurative or Literal - either is fabulous, just pull your reader in!

(New to VisDare? Rules below~!)

photo source

RULES:

150 words - or less.
Post entry to your blog and "link in" using the link tool below.

No blog? Post your 150 words in the comments below.

(Please - no erotica or graphic violence.)

As always - thanks for participating!