For all you speculative-fiction-prompt writers, Jason runs a micro-fiction (99-word or less) weekly prompt. He graciously gave me the win on two of them, that I wanted to share here. Stop by his site to read his stories and check out the weekly prompts. đ Thanks, Jason!
The ever awesome D. Wallace Peach of Myths of the Mirror has won the January 23rd Aether Prompt with a haunting little passage about going homeâŠ
I couldnât remember most of the day or when the blizzard started. But I knew my plane home from the war was leaving soon, and Iâd be mighty sorry to miss it. My keys werenât in my pocket, but my papers wereâname, address, serial numberâtucked there by my children. âJust show them to the officer,â they said.
Still in slippers, my feet ached with cold. I needed my boots, but there wasnât time now. The airfield lights glowed through the snow, my planeâs props whirling. The old boys greeted me beneath the white wings and flew me home.
Congratulations! Now youâre in the running for the 2019 AETHEREAL ENGINEER WRITER SUPPORT PRIZE PACKAGE! How might she, or possibly you, perchance win such fabled treasureâŠ
Congratulations on your fantastic achievement! Thank you for setting a great example and inspiring other writers such as myself to keep going despite the challenges! Wishing you showers of more victories to come.
You should have seen me trying to cram the story into 99 words. Good practice for me as I tend to love lots and lots of words. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Julie. â€
I like the word limit, Louise. As long as the idea pops into my head, 99 words doesn’t feel overwhelming to me. I hope you do give them a try. đ Have a great week and Happy Writing!
The word limit scares me a little, because how to say so much in so few words? I think it’s something worth practising though!
Hope you have a great week too đ
Trust me, but I didnât read this as sad… I went straight to alien abductions đł… visions of âclose encountersâ when all the abductees were let out of the mother ship and reunited with their loved ones, came to mind. Sorry – Iâm just warped đ„Ž
Congratulations on the win!
Ha ha. Maybe that’s what happened! I assumed dementia, but I love your interpretation. đ Much cheerier. And that was a great movie (1977! Can you believe it?)
A sad story but wonderfully written. I read it a few times and a different detail jumped out at me every time. Congrats on a very well-deserved win! So proud of you!
One of the fun things about writing these is having to decide on the most important details. And having to trust the reader to ferret out the whole story behind the story. Fortunately readers are extraordinarily smart! Thanks for stopping by, my friend. â€
Congratulations Diana – strange how connections work – I’ve known you a little while now – as it happens after being a runner up to you in a writing competition – we started exchanging comments as we do so often now. And then there’s Jason – who I know from Twitter – we both write to WIP related prompts on #1lineWed and its like – but I never knew he blogged – I do now through you – and following.
It’s a small community, Eric, and so close knit, isn’t it? I love that. I’m been following Jason’s blog for a long time! I couldn’t resist his challenges. I’m so glad you connected with his blog! You’ll be good at these. đ
Thanks, Molly. I’ve been following Jason for years and when he came up with his challenge, of course I had to give it a try. I think my character is in with the angels. He remembers everything now. đ
Oh, no giving the win away on this one, Diana! đ Your words earned your victory 100%, it was a great little microfiction! Thank you for your ongoing participation, youâre welcome anytime. đ
Myths of the Mirror 
Just moving emotion in such few words. Masterful, Diana! Congratulations!
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Thank you, Jordy. What a sweet comment. I found this story hard to condense! There was so much more to tell. Have a wonderful weekend. đ
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It was perfect, so much said in this compact space. Eloquent and moving. I still have goosebumps.
Have a great weekend too!! It has been raing here in San Diego since December. We need the rain but all right already!! đ
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Congratulations on your fantastic achievement! Thank you for setting a great example and inspiring other writers such as myself to keep going despite the challenges! Wishing you showers of more victories to come.
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It amazes me how much you can say in so few words, Diana – well done!
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Thanks, Teri. It’s good practice for me as I tend to love words. This one was tough to squeeze down. I’m glad you enjoyed it. đ
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Well done, Diana! Haunting, I think, and definitely deserving of the win. So much in so few words. Congrats on your win đ
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You should have seen me trying to cram the story into 99 words. Good practice for me as I tend to love lots and lots of words. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Julie. â€
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Congratulations on your win đ I’ve been meaning to try the Aether prompts, but not got round to it yet!
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I like the word limit, Louise. As long as the idea pops into my head, 99 words doesn’t feel overwhelming to me. I hope you do give them a try. đ Have a great week and Happy Writing!
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The word limit scares me a little, because how to say so much in so few words? I think it’s something worth practising though!
Hope you have a great week too đ
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Congratulations Diana, it is a sad little story, with superb imagery, well done.
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Thank you, Helene. I had a hard time squishing the story into 99 words, but I’m glad it worked. Have a wonderful Sunday and week ahead. đ
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Thank you Diana. I am looking forward to our March prompt. Have a wonderful week.
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I love this one, Diana. And congratulations!
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Thank you, Jennie. I like doing these quick ones as much as the longer ones. They’re good practice! Have a great weekend!
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Youâre welcome, Diana. Happy weekend to you!
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Trust me, but I didnât read this as sad… I went straight to alien abductions đł… visions of âclose encountersâ when all the abductees were let out of the mother ship and reunited with their loved ones, came to mind. Sorry – Iâm just warped đ„Ž
Congratulations on the win!
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Ha ha. Maybe that’s what happened! I assumed dementia, but I love your interpretation. đ Much cheerier. And that was a great movie (1977! Can you believe it?)
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I grew up on that movie. A total classic.
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What a wonderful story. It gave me shivers, knowing that is how it happens, over and over.
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Thanks for reading, Jacqui. Yes, a familiar story. We don’t get to really know what happens until we go there ourselves. Happy weekend!
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Diana, this is awesome, one canât go wrong with your prompt. đđ
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Thanks, Holly. Jason started his prompt series about the same time as mine. Now, I just need a story from him! Ha ha. Have an amazing weekend. đ
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I left my comment on Jason’s blog. Congratulations and well done, Diana!
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Thanks so much, Joanne. I was honored by his decision. â€
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On reading, I can understand why this flash fiction piece won, Diana. Congratulations. —- Suzanne
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Thanks so much for the kind comment, Suzanne. You gave me a big smile this morning. Have a lovely weekend â€
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You have a great weekend also, Diana. I’m glad about the smile. đ — Suzanne
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A sad story but wonderfully written. I read it a few times and a different detail jumped out at me every time. Congrats on a very well-deserved win! So proud of you!
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One of the fun things about writing these is having to decide on the most important details. And having to trust the reader to ferret out the whole story behind the story. Fortunately readers are extraordinarily smart! Thanks for stopping by, my friend. â€
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It’s always a joy to read your creations, Diana.
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Wow…well deserved, congrats. Just wonderful. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe, for the kind comment. It’s good practice for me to write concisely, and I was honored by Jason’s compliment. đ
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[…] https://mythsofthemirror.com/2019/02/21/aether-prompt-winner-d-wallace-peach/ […]
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Congratulations, Diana. A beautiful win. đ
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Thanks for the kind comment, Steven. I’ve always enjoyed Jason’s micro-fiction and decided to play along. I was tickled that he liked my entry. â€
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That there is some gorgeous writing.
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Thanks, Greg. These short ones are pretty fun. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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You are amazing Diana – such a beautiful depiction of the end. Or a beginning.
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Thanks, Pauline. You’re so sweet, and you make me smile. Yes, the end, but perhaps a beginning too. â€
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Great micro-fiction. Congratulations.
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Thanks, Trent. I’m usually much wordier! This is good practice. đ
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That’s why I do Friday Fictioneer every week – the 100 word (in that case) story is great practice at minimalism.
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Wonderful! Congratulations, Diana.
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Thanks, Bette. I’ve been trying to write something for all of Jason’s weekly challenges. The short pieces are a relaxing break. đ
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Congratulations Diana – strange how connections work – I’ve known you a little while now – as it happens after being a runner up to you in a writing competition – we started exchanging comments as we do so often now. And then there’s Jason – who I know from Twitter – we both write to WIP related prompts on #1lineWed and its like – but I never knew he blogged – I do now through you – and following.
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It’s a small community, Eric, and so close knit, isn’t it? I love that. I’m been following Jason’s blog for a long time! I couldn’t resist his challenges. I’m so glad you connected with his blog! You’ll be good at these. đ
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… the ‘or less’ of ’99 word or less’ appeals to me!
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Ever awesome indeed!
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Thanks, Basilike. These are fun little breaks from the hours spent on the long book(s). I appreciate the kind word. đ
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Î can understand the need for a little break, especially if it turns out so well!
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Congrats, Diana!
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Thanks, Rob. I enjoy the quick ones between all the other stuff! I’m glad you like it. đ
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The imagery is beautiful, Diana. My heart is heavy, but in a bittersweet way. Congratulations on the win.
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Thanks, Mary. Sort of a sad story, you’re right. That image took me there, but I think he’s okay.
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Congratulations, Diana. Such a sad little story and sweetened with the idea of going home. I hope he recognizes it.
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Thanks, Molly. I’ve been following Jason for years and when he came up with his challenge, of course I had to give it a try. I think my character is in with the angels. He remembers everything now. đ
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Beautiful, Diana. Makes me think of my grandma with her dementia â€
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Yes. That’s were I was going with this. Thanks, Jacquie. It’s a tough subject and often heartbreaking.
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Oh, no giving the win away on this one, Diana! đ Your words earned your victory 100%, it was a great little microfiction! Thank you for your ongoing participation, youâre welcome anytime. đ
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Thank you. *Grinning*
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