Where do I find the time? Honestly, I don’t know, but I really wanted to do the third Write Campaign challenge because I missed the second one (see my entry for the first campaign challenge here). The instructions this time were as follows:
Write a blog post in 300 words or less, excluding the title. The post can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should show:
- that it’s morning,
- that a man or a woman (or both) is at the beach
- that the MC (main character) is bored
- that something stinks behind where he/she is sitting
- that something surprising happens.
Just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: “synbatec,” “wastopaneer,” and “tacise.” (NB. these words are completely made up and are not intended to have any meaning other than the one you give them).
I chose to do a piece of flash fiction (had so much fun with the first one, thought I’d try again!), and to use the made-up words. My piece is exactly 300 words, and I’m pretty sure I invoked (if not stated outright) all five senses. Enjoy!
The Job
“Wastopaneer,” a mechanical monotone sounded.
Ignoring the gibberish, Rick continued to peer through his binoculars. In the distance, a large yacht bobbed up and down. If he squinted, he could just make out the sheen of oil covering the bikini-clad woman as she lounged on the ship’s prow. His mouth grew dry as he contemplated her glowing, sun-kissed skin. What he wouldn’t give to act instead of watch. But that wasn’t what he was being paid to do. Too bad. She looked like she’d be a hell of a lot more fun up close.
Pulling a handful of sunflower seeds from his pocket, he popped them into his mouth and began to chew mindlessly. He’d been here for hours. If he had to watch some socialite tan herself all morning, it was a good thing he was getting handsomely paid. He spat some salty shells on the sand.
“Synbatec,” the electric voice intoned. “Tacise.”
“Quiet, you,” Rick said softly, keeping his gaze on the water. When he’d find the time to repair the voicebox on the damn droid, he had no idea. Still, the droid had its uses. Like last night outside that dive bar. RX74 had gotten him out of enough scrapes to have been worth the cash he’d paid.
Just then, a fetid stench hit his nostrils –eau du skunk combined with New York City in summertime. There was only one thing in the universe that smelled like that – a zerkon demon – and he knew exactly which slimeball would be tailing him.
“Zerpes,” Rick said, not even bothering to turn his head, “take a hike. The job’s mine.”
“Negative, Richard,” the demon said, softly slithering up beside him on his five legs. The smell of rotting eggs was overpowering. “I, too, have been hired to watch the woman.”
Robots and Demons! Now that is creative. Great job 🙂
Whoa!! Love it!! I was completely drawn into the world. You have my vote 🙂
I’m entry #5
I love all of the differenat approaches. Very well done. I laughed at the end.
What fun! I love this kind of writing exercise.
Nice & creative, good job. 🙂
Love the ending. The demon is a great surprise. Lots of detailed description throughout this – makes you feel like you’re really there. Great job.
That was fantastic! Loved the blending you worked into this. 🙂
Thanks for all your comments. As you might have imagined, I had a lot of fun with this one!
Wow, sounds right out of Hollywood! Good job using those words! ; )
Nice use of the words. Mine is #56
This is real nice. *ahem* I don’t suppose you have more?
Ha, ha, no! Not for this one. But if you like my writing, I have two books coming out next year. They’re sexy contemporary romances, though, not alien/demon stuff. Sorry!
Very, very cool! Robots and demons and private eyes! Great stuff!
Mine is #25.
Great humour at the end and a clear world shown to us in your 300 words. Well done!
curioser and curiouser
great scene!
You did a great job! I was completely drawn into your story.
Hi, EBarrett! I’m here to let you know you’ve advanced to the second round. Good luck, and congratulations! 🙂
Great, thanks!
Hi Elizabeth, congratulations on making it to the final 12! I’ve now judged the entries, and you’ve come Third! I really loved the originality of this, and I so did not expect a demon to appear 😀 Well done you!!!
Don’t forget to pop by Rach Writes… to see what you’ve won!
Btw, I tried to subscribe to your posts through your RSS feed and came up with an error message – I wonder if you might have a problem with your feed? Just thought I’d let you know if you want to look into it 🙂
Hugs,
Rach
Oh, my goodness! Thank you so much! Was truly suprised and humbled by this!