Friday, October 26, 2012

In A Flash (Fiction) It Was Gone...






I had a really tasty short story to share with you today.  One to give you the shivers and get you ready for Halloween. But something happened on the way to this post.  What should have been a spooky, chilly holiday tale, suddenly morphed into this wonderful picture book story and in a flash, my flash fiction today was gone like a gourmet cookie and all that was left was a hint of what might have been...

That's one of the things I like about writing  The freedom to twist and turn your words into something different than what you originally envisioned.  A fleeting thought can become an idea which blossoms into a story which before you know it, becomes a five book series.  In real life, I'm an organized person who takes only calculated risks...never straying far from the path I planned out for my life.

In the world of my imagination...oh, that wonderfully twisty, turny, never-ending world in my mind...I am free to create whatever those unlimited boundaries will allow.  And so, when my flash fiction laughed at me, removed it's mask, and revealed it was a picture book manuscript I decided to go with it.  Instead of capturing one moment in time, I find I have stepped into yet another world of my own making and I will follow it wherever it might lead me.

But just in case you are wondering what you might be missing, here are the first couple of lines from what WAS going to be my flash fiction piece as well as the picture that inspired it...









Its dark and creepy, for just a little peeking,
As we sneak up to the gloomy ghoul hall.
While outside drooping, silently swooping,
Birds of the night will eerily call.
With eyes gleaming, glowing, and gnashing teeth showing
A scary scarecrow welcomes one and all.
A dark lumbering cloud drapes the moon like a shroud
Lightening our way to the gloomy ghoul ball.






Now, don't you wish it would have stayed a flash fiction piece so you know what happens next?  Just wait to you get the book...









11 comments:

  1. Hi Donna, I just read your post on Nutschell's blog and I really enjoyed it. I am your newest follower!

    Kathy M.

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    1. Hi Kathy and welcome to my blog! I'm glad you found your way here...when you have some extra time look around at some of the other posts and enjoy...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Picture book ideas are found in the darndest places at the darndest times. Darn it, but Yay!

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    1. Hi Genevieve! This little paragraph has a few brothers and sisters to join it and a whole lot of revising, but it's a start! :~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. "Hurry up with rest of it, dag nab it!", I was going to say.
    Instead, I'll quote your father," Bless your pointed head." And your mother," Crimenee!"

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    1. Hi Janet! It s funny some of the things we think of at odd times and the memories that come with it...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. love that little rhyme! i guess that's why they're called flash fiction--they go in a flash if you don't get them down fast enough:)
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. Hi Nutshell! I'm glad you like my little verse...there's more that goes along with it and a lot of revisions but maybe one day it will be a cute holiday picture book story! :~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. Damn it! Now hurry up and finish it... I have my money aside already to pay for it....lol. Brilliant!

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    1. Hi Diane! You make me laugh, my friend, and I will finish it just for you...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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