"Oh wait there come the Lilies," said the chrysanthemum.
"I also see Yellow Roses in that lady's hand."
The Daffodils, Tulips, and the Gladioli with the yellow and the white carnations come along.
****
All these flowers are placed on the coffin while humans stand in a circle with folded hands.
At first, these flowers greet each other. Excited to form a concoction.
These blossoms together emit a fragrance that makes the Homosapien realize as they cry softly upon the loss that there is hope and promise even when pain and heartbreak surround them.
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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a bouquet. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch.
We all know the basics: Food is not just a four-letter word or just another common noun that could be associated with anything. It is a word that satiates humanity when the stomach is rumbling as the hands are shaking and the mind is not able to focus. It is the good material that nourishes our system and our soul (depending on the kind of food we ingest) and allows our inner mechanics to function as we continue to breathe and juggle the many challenges that life throws at us. It helps us to keep our composure and think and act according to the circumstances. A slice of pizza could have excessive topping of a vegetable that you always disliked. x
Now once the basic hunger is satisfied, the man looks beyond the avenue of what our taste buds desire.
Joyous or Sad or Gloomy....Junk food is what we all look into although research indicates that sugar is the most harmful substance on this planet, but whenever we have a mood swing we grab a pint of ice-cream or a shake or anything that could help brighten that mood of ours'.
This is we, humans!
We crave for something that has trans fat, unhealthy and lots of calories since when emotions run high, the body should go in the dungeon.
Right?
Now, sure we can't change the way humans are designed. We need to celebrate when high. We want to drown our sorrows when low in spirits. We need to let go when stuck up in some moment.
In short...celebration demands junk food!
Let's face it..We are all food junkies. In our heart of hearts we would love to eat junk food any time of the day, but then there is some percentage of people who are mindful. They are cognizant of the fact that why disturb the body when the mind is agitated.
However, most of us do not fall into that category and take the lash and whip across ourself not realizing the impact it will give later on.
Darn the mantra of 'Health is Wealth'
It's the 'Right now Right this moment that matters!'
Food Concoction is the way to go for all the food junkies who do not have control over their senses. All it needs is a bit of creativity and lots of honesty.
Making a Concoction is creative. It could also taste good. Our taste buds would like the new so-called burger which is usually consisting of mayo, a slice of cheese, a patty, lettuce, slice of tomato, pickle. We could add a slice of roasted eggplant, a slice of zucchini, or any other vegetable which we hate the sight of. This could either make us start liking the plant that we cannot stand the sight of or just cut back on our excess calories by refusing to eat another burger for a long, long time.
With regards to sugar complement your scoop of ice-cream with granola or sliced nuts over it.
A shake could have sliced fruits, or sweetened with agave instead of sugar.
Next time when a mood swing hits you. Cook or celebrate your favorite junk food in style. Decorate with all the vegetables you hate the sight of and then serve it up in a big fancy platter. Let's be superficial to ourselves cause the society is so for our health's sake, we can afford to be with ourselves as well, and wait up for the reaction we would love to have all this time.
Enjoy!!
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Linking up with: Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular prompt (different formats each week of the month)
"Attagirl!" he shouted as he threw a stick. She narrowed her eyes and walked gracefully while eyeing it at times. Just then she saw berries hanging from a tree. She chose the latter, allowing the stick to land on the ground.
Jack bawled. She was unperturbed as she continued to pick the fruit with her long neck. He had no choice, but to wait until she was content. Threw the stick again, and this time she caught it in her beak effortlessly.
Jack was quick to clap in jubilance, and she moved her feet and body to the tune.
In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story defining “the charisma of cranes.”
The Congress of Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1
Thirty writers began with 99 words. They went on to tackle a new prompt, extended stories, memoirist essays, and how to build a literary community with flash fiction. This is not your typical anthology.
Charli Mills, Series Editor, Publisher & Lead Buckaroo Sarah Brentyn, Editor & Contributor
The Congress of the Rough Writers (contributors):
Anthony Amore, Rhode Island, USA; Georgia Bell, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sacha Black, England, UK; Sarah Brentyn, USA; Norah Colvin, Brisbane, Qld, AU; Pete Fanning, Virginia, USA; C. Jai Ferry, Midwest, USA; Rebecca Glaessner, Melbourne, Vic, AU; Anne Goodwin, England, UK; Luccia Gray, Spain; Urszula Humienik, Poland; Ruchira Khanna, California, USA; Larry LaForge, Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Geoff Le Pard, Dulwich South London, UK; Jeanne Belisle Lombardo, Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Sherri Matthews, Somerset, UK; Allison Mills, Houghton, Michigan, USA; Charli Mills,Hancock, Michigan, USA; Paula Moyer, Lauderdale, Minnesota, USA; JulesPaige, Pennsylvania, USA; Amber Prince, North Texas, USA; Lisa Reiter, UK; Ann Edall-Robson, Airdrie, Alberta, Canada; Christina Rose, Oregon, USA; Roger Shipp, Virginia, USA; Kate Spencer, British Columbia, Canada; Sarah Unsicker, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Irene Waters, Noosaville, Qld, AU; Sarrah J. Woods, Charleston, West Virginia, USA; Susan Zutautas, Orillia, Ontario, Canada.
Published by Carrot Ranch Literary Community Distributed & printed by Book Baby Cover art by Ann Rauvola Genre: Fiction Subgenre: Anthologies (multiple authors); Literature Collections; Short Stories Language: English Series title: Congress of the Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology Series Number: Vol 1 Pages: 150
Thirty writers began with 99 words and forged literary feats.Vol. 1 explores the literary art of flash fiction, beginning with the earliest compilations at Carrot Ranch and later pieces based on a new flash fiction prompt. This is not your typical anthology. It continues with longer stories extended from the original 99-word format and essays on how flash fiction supports memoir writing. Based on the experiences at Carrot Ranch, the concluding section of Vol. 1 offers tips to other groups interested in using the flash fiction format to build a literary community.
Back Cover
Witness great feats of literary art from daring writers around the world: stories crafted in 99 words.
Flash fiction is a literary prompt, form, and tool that unites writers in wordplay. This creative craft hones a writer’s skills to write tight stories and explore longer works. It’s literary art in thoughtful bites, and the collective stories in this anthology provide an entertaining read for busy modern readers.
Writers approach the prompts for their 99-word flash with creative diversity. Each of the twelve chapters in Part One features quick, thought-provoking flash fiction. Later sections include responses to a new flash fiction prompt, extended stories from the original 99-word format, and essays from memoir writers working in flash fiction. A final section includes tips on how to use flash fiction in classrooms, book clubs, and writers groups.
CarrotRanch.com is an online literary community where writers can practice craft the way musicians jam. Vol. 1 includes the earliest writings by these global literary artists at Carrot Ranch. Just as Buffalo Bill Cody once showcased the world’s most daring riding, this anthology highlights the best literary feats from The Congress of Rough Writers.
“A fascinating book packed with bright ideas and worthwhile material. I was greatly entertained by the stories and essays and so taken with the idea that I thought I would give it a go with a 99-word review.
Stories of ninety-nine words, no more, no less, little gems from the Rough Writers of the Carrot Ranch. Like wild flowers in an early morning meadow glistening with dew and I, a butterfly or bee, flitting from bloom to bloom, immersing myself in a kaleidoscope of experiences which pass through my mind like an ever-changing dreamscape. Stories of love and loss, victory and defeat, struggle and gain from the pens of talented authors with backgrounds as diverse as their stories. A brilliant idea that has created an astounding anthology, one that you will return to time and again.”
“This anthology is meant to both encourage and inspire the next generation of writers and authors, so that the craft of storytelling is preserved and propagated. I felt like this book was geared more towards writers, or aspiring writers, but the average reader should not shy away. There is plenty to enjoy in this series. As with any piece of flash fiction, they are better consumed piecemeal and at your leisure. Don’t look for some overarching theme and take pleasure in the quick creation of thought-provoking ideas and compelling characters. If you like shows like The Twilight Zone, then you’ll like this collection…”
Where to purchase
The Congress of the Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1 is available through distribution in 17 countries worldwide. Buy direct from our Print on Demand distributor at Book Baby.
All profits from digital sales benefit The Congress of Rough Writers through a Travel Scholarship which is available by application to any active Rough Writer who needs help getting to a book or writers event. Profit from print books sustains the publishing and inventory cycle of Carrot Ranch Literary Community. Any excess profit is to be shared among the contributors. Any contributor to Vol. 1 can invest in their own inventory at wholesale cost and keep 100% of their profit.
In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about carrot cake. It can be classic or unusual. Why is there cake? How does it feature in the story. Go where the prompt leads.
"It's Leo's b'day, and he would like to invite your Boston terrier, Ginni."
Similar texts were sent for Pomeranian Coco, the Beagle Yogi.
"Let's get a cake." The mom declared with joy as she went shopping with her Labrador.
Soon Leo's woofs were beyond control since his mates joined for his celebration.
The canines wore party caps and had a slice of carrot cake in front of them. They waited patiently for the command, 'eat.'
However, as soon as the birthday song ended.
Leo gobbled the slices from all the plates leaving his friends puzzled.
"Tara have you seen my bangles?" queried an impatient mom while looking high and low for her accessories.
"Right here!" the daughter shouted from her room to which the mom dashed in her direction.
Tara was quick to take it off the horn.
Mom had a hearty laugh seeing that the horn was nonetheless of a unicorn and was used to stack rubberbands, bangles, scrunchies, hairbands.
Tara stroked the stuffed animal lovingly, "He is not only my buddy with healing powers but also helps keep things sorted." she grinned and exhibited lacerations on her lips, tongue, and left cheek.
Meet Dipa Basu. She’s a 30 something modern Bengali woman living in Kolkata and a successful writer. After many relationships and breakups, she’s decided that love is a waste of time. She’s always had these phases where she’s been obsessed with different things; like one where old men in dhotis appealed to her. But this time she’s crazy about men with British and Australian accents. She travels to Singapore for a few days, on a quest to have a fun, meaningless fling. Her trip is full of surprises. Will Dipa have her Singapore Fling?
Read an excerpt:
I woke up as the plane landed with that comforting thud. I grew up with that thud. It’s a welcome – and a reminder that a long hot shower isn’t too far away. So I grabbed my suitcase with crazy anticipation in my system because this trip was all about a good change. It was my chance to set things right in my boring 30 something year old life. Romantic love was overrated. I’d had enough of that crap. Time for some unemotional fun. The girls had attempted to analyse me saying, “Dipa, you are sensitive, emotional, and all about feelings. Are you sure about a fling?” I was sure. Sure I cried during most movies. Yeah, I couldn’t stand animal cruelty or injustice to the poor. But this was meant to happen.
My Singapore Fling revolves around a 30 plus lady looking for love in the oddest of places, and that's when cupid strikes!
The incidents and plot are light-hearted and entertaining. The narration was a little drag given the age and the reality of matters, but what mattered was there was a happily ever after!
Love hurts when not loved!
About the author
Sudesna or Sue is the author of short stories, two nonfiction books, and now a YA novella (Just me, the Sink & the Pot, and a collection of short stories (The Adventures of Ernie Fish), a romance (My Singapore Fling) and kid lit (The Cheesecake Thief & Other Stories).
When she isn’t writing or reading, she is busy being a good parent to her adopted cats.
