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The winner of the Carrot Ranch challenge #7 was announced this morning. A little murderous musing before the holiday cheer sets in.
Challenge #7: Murderous Musings. Write a flash fiction in 109 words, no more, no less and weave a murderous vibe through an every-day setting, either in thought or deed.
Murder Mysteries
Margaret loved murder mysteries, anything with forensics, cops making sense of clues, how the most minute residue or oversight unlocked a case. Recently published books served her best, ones scribed by someone in the “industry.” Those pages taught her about poisons, carbon monoxide, overdoses, DNA, sanitation, those darn receipts that could follow you forever, surveillance cameras on every corner… At times, it overwhelmed her.
Herbert didn’t understand the fascination. He insisted real life wasn’t like books, and murders frequently went unsolved. Well, that depressed her. The whole point was creating a finely tuned reality. When she finally got around to murdering herself, she wanted Herbert to take the fall.
***
To read a fabulous winning story by Marje Mallon and the judge’s picks, click here: Carrot Ranch
Myths of the Mirror 
Love this! So entertaining!
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Thanks, Anne. These challenges were fun and I tried to give this one a little twist. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
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Thanks so much for sharing, Penney. I’m glad you enjoyed the murderous flash. 😀
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Awesome ending! *-* Wasn’t expecting that..
I’d never be able to succeed something so short. Like ever. I’m obssessed with words. Lol. *cough* redundancy is real :v
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Ha ha ha. Me too – love the words. That’s why these are so good for me – they force me to whittle down my work down to the bones. Thanks so much for reading this little murderous piece. 🙂
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:3 Sure.
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Wow what an ending!
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It was a strange one to come up right before Christmas, Lynne, but fun to write nonetheless. Thanks for stopping by to read. ❤
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That’ll show Herbert. Loved the ending, brilliant! Happy New Year Diana!!
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Thanks so much for the visit, Steph. Herbert will be thinking about Mildred quite a bit in the future! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and wish you a most joyous, successful new year! ❤
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My pleasure Diana, visiting has been way overdue and I hope in 2018 I can do better, Christmas was very nice yet I always feel so much better after it’s over and now looking forward to 2018.
Wishing you a prosperous New Year!!
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I can relate, Steph. I usually feel so relieved when December is done!
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Absolutely loooove this! I did not see the ending coming hahaha
Amazing piece, Diana 🙂
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Thanks, Sophie. A little gruesome for Christmas time, though! LOL. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and wish you an amazing new year. ❤
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Hahaha well, not everything needs to be merry and bright 😛 I liked it!
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Excellent, Diana. I’m never gonna mess with Margaret, Ha ha.
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She’s pretty creative, but not very festive! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. See you in the 2018! Happy New Year. 😀
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I hope you and your family had a wonderful Xmas also, Diana. Happy New Year! xoxo
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Well that’s a fine case of cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face. Well done, Diana. And btw, ShittyFlute made my day! Merry Christmas, my friend! ❤
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Thanks, Tina. I’m so glad you enjoyed Shittyfluted. Silliness galore. LOL. I think I listened to it a dozen times and laughed with every one. I hope you had an amazing Christmas. See you in the new year! 🙂
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Happy New Year, Diana! 💕
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It always fascinates me how much of a story can be told in so few words. Great bit! Have a wonderful holiday weekend, D!
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I wanted to tell more, Julie, but they only gave me 107 words! It’s an exercise in pithiness. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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I’m so intimidated by your response to these challenges, that I haven’t tried one yet. One of these days…. HoHoHo to us storytellers. We can write about revenge, truth, fear in thrilling words, then relax and chortle with our cup of coffee or tea. (can you hear me chortling here?) xo
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I can hear you chortling, Pam! Thank the heavenly muse for storytellers.
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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Ha! Serves him right! 😉 Lovely story, Diana! ❤
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Thanks. A bit morbid for Christmastime, but fun to write. Herbert should have paid a lot more attention to his wife! Lol. Happy Holidays 🙂
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Ooooh – that was a nice ending, Diana.
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Thanks, Teri. A strange one for Christmastime, but fun anyway. I’m glad you enjoyed the little twist. Merry Christmas and have a fantastic 2018!
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Congratulations to Marje and I’m so happy for her and this win! 😀 Loved both yours and hers…
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Thanks, Annika. I loved Marje’s story as well as the other judges’ favorites. These have been great fun. One more to go and then the competition has wrapped up. Happy Holidays to you, my friend. ❤
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Its fantastic Diana! poor fellow! hope he will catch her!
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Herbert doesn’t think much about Mildred, so I don’t think he will catch her. He’ll think about her when he’s in prison, though. Thanks for reading my murderous little story, Sharmishtha. Happy Writing and Happy Holidays. 🙂
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Wow ! Diana, good one…I certainly didn’t see that twist coming 🙂 Merry Christmas Diana and Happy New Year to you and your family. 🙂 x
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Lynne. This one was fun despite it being Christmas and murder. Ha ha. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and fabulous new year. ❤
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Interesting
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Thanks for checking our my little murder story. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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My pleasure to read and enjoy your story , 😄
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What a nice twist and wicked ending! 😀
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Thanks! I’ve been participating in a flash fiction competition and sharing my submissions as the winners are announced. It’s been a lot of fun and some of them have been super challenging. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. 😀
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This is really good, Diana. I enjoyed it a lot.
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Thanks, Robbie. It’s not quite a Christmas story, but I’m glad it’s entertaining. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by to read! Merry Christmas.
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Take that last sentence and open with it–yikes! I know–you couldn’t fit the how and why in 109 words, but really?
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I wish I’d been able to fit in the why, Jacqui. Here it is – He didn’t think about her at all. After she’s done, he’s going to be thinking about her every day for the rest of his life in prison. 😀 I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help it. Thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas.
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Well done, Diana. Nice little twist!
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Thanks, Steven. A little lighthearted murder before the holidays. 🙂 Merry Christmas, my friend, and a wonderfully creative New Year.
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Yes, here’s to a great New Year. Al l the best to you, D. 🙂
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Oooo – deviant! Makes one wonder what poor Herbert did to deserve this cruelty 🙂
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I don’t think he pays much attention to her, Joanne. He’ll think about her a lot after as he’s wasting away in prison. Snicker, snicker. Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas, my friend. ❤
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💕
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You killed this competition, Diana. 😉
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It was a fun one, even though it’s murder and the timing was a little weird. If Herbert didn’t think about her enough before the fact, he will after (though I hope Mildred doesn’t go through with it!) Thanks for the visit, Molly, and Merry Christmas!! ❤
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Maybe Mildred will give him a break until after Christmas, but starting the New Year, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen. She might be looking for a clean start. 😉
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Well done. Not quite the end I was anticipating 🙂
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Thanks, Derrick. Mildred will get her husband’s attention, one way or another. 🙂 So glad you stopped by and enjoyed the non-Christmas story. 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas.
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You, too, Diana
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A great fiction story, Diana. I loved the twist at the end. Herbert should have paid more attention. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I think Herbert will be thinking of her quite a bit if she goes through with it. Thanks for stopping by to read, Suzanne, and Happy Writing!
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Short but so focussed… great write, Diana! 🙂
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Thanks, Iris. It was a fun little one despite the strange timing… not really a Christmas story! I’m glad you enjoyed it regardless. Happy Holidays. 🙂
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Not quite a Christmas story, lol, but nonetheless, expertly done! 🙂 xx
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I know. Weird timing, huh? I have a silly, merry one for tomorrow to last through the holidays. Enjoy the peace and good cheer of family and friends. Merry Christmas. my friend.
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I await! 🙂 Merry Christmas Diana. ❤
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Murder mysteries could be very safe in your hands Diana! Brilliantly handled! 🙂 It may seem a little bizarre after reading this story but I must say… Have a wonderful Christmas. 🙂
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Thanks, Balroop. The timing of this one was a little odd, but I’ll post something very merry before the holiday. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas to you too. ❤
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Nice twist at the end. You’re developing a feel for this micro-flash format. 🙂
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Thanks, Cathleen. I’ve been enjoying them. One more to go and the challenge will be over. I’ll have to start thinking up blog posts! Merry Christmas, my friend. 🙂
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And the happiest of holidays to you as well. 🙂
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The end was totally unexpected. Brilliant!
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Thank you. It needed a little twist and it was fun sticking that in there. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Great twist, Diana. ❤ To bring Christmas into your flash, I think Margaret is probably going to do the deed, Christmas Eve. 🙂 Poor Herbert.
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Oh, no. You can delete that spoiler. Oops.
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Herbert is clueless, Mary. The poor guy should have taken her reading more seriously. Thanks so much reading this little foray into murder. I hope your holiday is only filled with sweetness. 🙂
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I’m smiling here! Never saw this end coming.
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Oh good. I’m glad I got you with the little twist there at the end. Mildred obviously has issues. Thanks so much for stopping by Basilike. Happy Holidays to you. 🙂
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Bravo, Diana! 🙂
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Thanks, Natalie. Kind of fun even though it was about framing the hubby for a suicide. Ugh. Lol. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. 🙂
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I could never write something so clever. Well done, Diana!
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Thanks, Jill. I think it’s hard to get away with murder these days. But then so many murders don’t get solved either. Of course, it’s not something that I think about very often… really…. lol. Merry Christmas. 🙂
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LOL! Did I ever tell you that I work for the police department? 🙂
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Oh! No you didn’t. Entrapment! I take all that kidding around back. And don’t check my browsing history either. There’s nothing to see. LOL
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LOL! You’re pretty clean. 🙂
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Whoa! Didn’t see that coming, Diana… Thanks for another great shorty.
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Thanks, Bette. I had a lot of fun with these. One more to go, and it was a doozy. I’m so glad you liked the little twist on this one. 😀 Merry Christmas!
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First, abduction over at Suzanne’s, and now this! ;D
I don’t suppose the prompt left you much choice (all though anyone who’s read your books knows that you’re not afraid to murder characters).
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Ha ha. No choice since the theme of this challenge was definitely murderous! And I hate killing off characters. I cry and blubber with each one, Erik. But it must be done for art. Poor things. 😀
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I love that you mourn the loss of characters whose fates are entirely in your hands. I have to say, though — you do make the right decisions, there, even as we hate it.
(I also just noticed that I “murdered” one of my sentences with “all though.” It still always surprises me when I see things like that, given the amount of time I spend editing in other settings.)
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The twist is very clever Diana – more suited to Halloween though perhaps….
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Probably, Pauline. I felt a little weird posting it right before Christmas! But I’ll post something totally silly and festive in a couple days. Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas. ❤
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This is fabulous. I must give this a go! The competition is tough!❤️😊
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It’s been great fun, Holly. Carrot Ranch has weekly challenges, but this year’s competition is over. They last winners will be announced next week. I’ll definitely share the start of the competition next October. I would love to see what you do with these. They do force us to stretch as writers. 🙂
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It’s a beautiful challenge! So entertaining.
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HA! Loved that ending, Diana! 🙂
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Thanks, Judy. It’s where the muse took me for some reason. I’m glad you enjoyed it! Merry Christmas. 🙂
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Merry Christmas to you too, Diana 🙂
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Ha! Loved it Diana. Still chuckling. Hugs.
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Thanks for stopping by, Teagan. Just a silly one (as far as murderous musings go). Merry Christmas. 🙂
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*applause* Love your ending! 🙂
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Thanks, Mae. Odd time to post about murder, but there you have it. Merry Christmas!
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