#writeclub

[fantasywordcraft]

The Biscuit Bandit in WRiTECLUB

I’ve returned from a short hiatus of editing stories to submit to contests for #shortstorysunday. The story below was one I submitted to the WRiTECLUB Contest last year. I’ve submitted 2 stories for this year’s competition, so be sure to click the link and watch the bouts to see 30 brave writers compete anonymously for the top prize. The winner is chosen by you, the readers who take time out of…

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[booksrgood4u]

WRiTECLUB 2019

Hello!

I don’t often post writing on this blog, but I did want to share that @1221bookworm and I ate both participating in WRiTECLUB 2019 hosted by DL Hammon. Every weekday for the next 3 weeks, two 500 word stories will go head to head for your votes. Though I can’t tell you what I wrote about or what my pen name is, or even if my piece will make the cut of 189 entries, I can tell you that it’s a lot of fun, and features many great writers.

WRiTE CLUB 2019

This years submission period has closed. Below is the upcoming bout schedule. Bout #1  - XXXXXXXXXXXXX  vs  XXXXXXXXXXXX / Votin

Here’s my submission from last year, it made the top 30. Though I lost my first bout, I was fortunate to have been brought back in the save round.

Cletus raised a hand in greeting as the P.T. Barnum cab rolled into the Poughkeepsie station, the end of the line for many commuter trains to New York City. Here, the trains would spend the night while Cletus and his team of train cleaners worked to ready them for the morning’s commute. Cletus waited for the train to come to a complete stop before driving his tug of cleaning supplies beside the tracks, murmuring greetings to the Mark Twain and the Connecticut Yankee as he passed.

Sometimes it worked out just right- the Washington Irving alongside the Ichabod Crane, the Henry Hudson pulling the Halfmoon. A particularly cohesive lineup was guaranteed to make all stops on schedule, require less maintenance, and ensure passengers a smoother ride.

Cletus boarded the first car behind the engine, smiling. Good old P.T. always did love being the ringleader. He also loved causing mischief, and today's particular mischief seemed to involve a spilled strawberry smoothie, a few hundred footprints, and the sticky finger-paintings of one resourceful young artist on the windows. Cletus got to work, keeping up a steady conversation with the cab.

In his nearly 30 years working for the railroad, Cletus had seen countless members of his crew come and go – some couldn’t handle the hard work and late hours, others used the position as a steppingstone to a long and successful career with the railroad. Cletus trained them all, wished them well when they moved up or moved on, and welcomed the newcomers, but he never accepted a promotion himself.

After finishing with the Barnum, he said his goodbyes and moved efficiently through the 6125 and the 6142 before boarding the Connecticut Yankee with a cheerful, "Hello, Hank!' It was good that the Connecticut Yankee was lined up in the middle of the train, Hank Morgan always had trouble keeping dates and times straight, and a train with Hank at the head was sure to arrive off-schedule. This bit of irony was surely not lost on the cab behind Hank, the Mark Twain.

Saying farewell to Hank and Mark, Cletus made his way through several more anonymous cabs and the Ichabod Crane, collecting the hats that always seemed to be left behind by Ichabod's riders.

He stopped for his first break when he reached the Eleanor Roosevelt- it wasn’t every day you got to dine with the First Lady to the World. Eleanor’s cab was always the cleanest, commuters instinctively responding to the presence of a great lady. Even so, Cletus had the feeling that she didn't mind sharing a meal with a lowly train cleaner.

And so it went - Writers, musicians, politicians, financiers, philanthropists and inventors - on and on until the sun rose over the Hudson River behind the station. In 30 years, Cletus had been offered many promotions, and turned down every one. Sure, many jobs could beat the hours, the pay, or the work, but there was no job in the world that could beat the company.

****

Thanks for reading! In case it was unclear, some train cars on the Metro North line are given the names of historical figures. This story came to after taking a train ride to NYC aboard the Eli Whitney.

[shorterexcerpts]

The best literary events involve a three-way rock/paper/scissors game. #writeclubatl #writeclub (at Highland Inn & Ballroom Lounge) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt2T6uVgsYR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=h3bty9qne4ed

[lg-louise]

WARNING!! WRITER!!

[hunnyluv222]

Evermore...

A thousand tomorrow’s Will rise and fall As I cling helplessly To the bitter side Of that yesterday Which shattered My ability to cling To the hope of love today While surrounding my soul With the stark emptiness Of the broken evermore…

[hunnyluv222]

Today, I Prayed

“Do you believe in God, ” you asked, through my bolted door. “Do you believe in endless tears, ” I replied. You were silent for a long moment. I almost thought you had gone. “Don’t you believe in heaven, ” you asked. “Don’t you believe in being forever lost, ” I answered back; a question of my own. “I believe in Jesus, ” you stated. “I believe in human monsters, ” I countered. You read a scripture to me. I listened. The door never opened. You never walked away. You simply kept speaking I simply kept listening. You were offering I was thinking. You were outside I was inside We repeated this dance, religiously, You and I And you keep coming back. And I keep listening The door does not open. You never ask me why I accept your lesson You accept my fear … Today, I prayed.

[hunnyluv222]

Priceless

Studying quietly next to my son, I heard his heart beat today, And understood, for the very first time, THIS…this, is the true sound of love …and it is …Priceless

[hunnyluv222]

Meadow Romance...

Prairie lights dazzle me, As fireflies race, and chase, and play, Dashing quickly behind Ancient Oak Tree One blinks, the other runs away Happily they cry, “Hey, Come tag me” While Mr. Owl wakes, stretching his wings He opens wide eyes, and begins to survey What tasty morsel the night might bring Pink and White Moon flowers swing and sway As the newest ‘Hopper’ is crowned High King The Cicada band begins to play Ravishing butterflies on freshly wet wings Find their first air in a magical display Orange and yellow and red clouds fling Into the mysterious “Fairy’s Ballet” Dandelions flirt making sure they’re seen For tomorrow’s wishes, as children play Among the wildflowers entering A loving heart’s bouquet Down by the pond, fresh Water Poppy Float between large Lily Pad sleighs Carrying young toads to adventuring Deep, ballooned throats; a full cachè To store the curious, which dare to spring The trap a sticky, long tongue will laye Marty Lizard; tail in a purple sling Sets out quietly to prey Before a feast that just might sting! The broken tree, a new snail highway Provides Alice Turtle a perfect swing To catch moonlit bubbles in which she’ll bathe While Sammy Snake comes slithering Down to the bank to play Canvasback Carl and RedHead Sue ring An announcement of their wedding day! Luce the Canadian Goose brings Erving To accompany her to the fancy soiree The Racoon Family arrive; arguing Whether the beautiful masks, now upon display Could be politely removed, without a social ping! The Squirrels brought nuts for their stay Not realizing the mess the shell might leave And the shyest deer sweetly danced in today, As Fairies joined Pixies dressed in green Gathering excited Fireflies to light the way Back to the Prairie’s flower lined terrene.