My friend Circles Under Streetlights posted about this contest from 1000 Words.org . You can see her entry here. UPDATE: CIRCLES UNDER STREETLIGHTS WON RUNNER-UP HONORS IN THE TOP TEN! CONGRATS!
The challenge is a 200 word or fewer story inspired by this photo:
Photo by Nickolouse
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickolouse/
Here’s the story I entered in the competition:
Enough
The fiery red line faded to an impotent blur as the furious whoosh of paint ended in a whispering hiss. Salvador turned the can and stared at his scarlet finger tip as it pulled itself from the sticky button.
The clang as the can slammed the cement rang into the silent desert. He kicked the wall and shrieked with pain and rage. The chain link clamored, as he beat the fence again and again with his red-stained hands.
‘No!’ his voice cracked through the stillness of the merciless heat. Defiance falling dead into the litter of spent cans.
He slid down within the confines of the abandoned prison, his statement gagged, suspended between intent and stark reality. He lugged all he could afford in a milk crate bound to his bike. His back and legs throbbed with labor through desolate hills to have his say. To decry the injustice against his brothers. To paint a crimson declaration of history. Of greed, fear and hatred.
He stood and charged the gate throwing it wide on its hinges.
‘Aztlán! ‘ he yelled as he stepped from the cage to desert land and shook his blood-stained fist over his people’s ancestral home.
Thanks to Russel Ray for his post of history and photos from San Diego’s Chicano Park: http://russelrayphotos2.com/category/halls-of-history/ which planted a seed of knowledge and understanding in me that came out in this story.
You can see another response to this prompt that Circles shared from her blog-friend, SeaPunk2, here
Wonderful! Powerful!
Thank you for the linking my bit of flash fiction, as well.
My pleasure! It’s always fun to find another skilled fiction writer, and I know some of my followers will appreciate your work as well.
Ahh, I feel like we’ve created a happy little writing community, here *warm fuzzy glow*
The results will be posted on the 1000words site at 9pm (BST) tonight – so, just under two hours from now. Good luck to both of you – I really enjoyed reading both of your takes on this!
And thank you, Sheri, for linking so diligently – it’s a great way of getting to know more readers and writers, so it’s hugely appreciated.
x
I agree it’s awesome to link together as a community.
That’s what blogs are all about from my view, and I’m enjoying the journey together! Best of luck to you in the contest too! What’s fun is we have at least 3 chances to celebrate now.
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You’re so good………..and sweet!
Aw shucks…:)
I am so bad at writing stories, which might be why I have about fifty Chapter Ones written and nothing else. Maybe I need to write nonfiction. Hmmm.
When I read the first phrase of your comment, I thought, “No you’re not!” Yup, your non-fiction narratives and historical glimpses are awesome on your blog. You’re a great storyteller. And if you’re ever looking to publish, non-fiction is a much easier road. People love it, and you have a way of making it so colorful and sneaking in a ka-billion interesting facts at the same time.