Category: Carrot Ranch Literary Community

Special Collection Flash Fiction Challenge #carrotranch #literary #community

There is a special schedule at Carrot Ranch to support Sue Vincent who has been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. I’ve written about this in a previous post: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2021/02/01/the-sue-vincent-rodeo-classic-has-begun-carrotranch-literary-community-rodeo-classic/

Here’s a schedule for you so you know what to expect:

  • January 28 Special Collection Challenge to Honor the work of Sue Vincent
  • February 1-19: Sue Vincent Classic Rodeo Contest and Parade of Reblogs (announced Monday, February 1 at CarrotRanch.com/blog)
  • February 3 No Collection
  • February 4 Special Host: D. Avery
  • February 10 Special Host Collection
  • February 11 Sue Vincent Reblog Parade (no challenge)
  • February 17 Special Sue V Collection posted
  • February 18 Regular Flash Fiction Challenges return
  • February 19 Contest ends
  • March 22 Winner and Runners Up Announced

January 28, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about life as a river of consciousness. Think about the possibilities of the prompt. Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by February 11, 2021. 

This is my special flash fiction piece for Sue Vincent.

Life As A River of Consciousness

Do What You Love

What makes us human extends beyond the care we give our young. Perhaps it is our creativity which marks us as distinctive from other species.

Life is akin to a river of consciousness, we may drift along, or choose who we truly desire to be. Whatever we decide, we must live life to the full, expressing ourselves in music, words, performance, or art. Troubling obstacles will come and go, pebbles of uncertainty, meandering moments, thunderstorms and floods of tears, unsure and uncertain times. To accomplish our hearts’ desires we must stay focused, determined and resolute on life’s turbulent river.

To enter the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic competition: https://carrotranch.com/2021/02/01/the-sue-vincent-rodeo-classic/

Link to the : Special Collection Flash Fiction Challenge

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic has begun!!! #carrotranch #literary #community #rodeo #classic

Sue Vincent is a wonderful blogging community member who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person at the bloggers bash. She is a lady of considerable talents, a founder member of the Silent Eye, (school of consciousness) and her sweet dog Ani has his own cute blog! https://thesmalldogs.blog/

I am pleased to be one of many bloggers sharing The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic to support Sue who has been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer.

It’s time to saddle up and get in line, because the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic is happening NOW at the Carrot Ranch! Writers will have the opportunity to support Sue Vincent, a stalwart center of our blogging community, as well as compete for a $100 prize! That’s right – we’re trying to make this the biggest writers’ Rodeo yet and celebrate Sue Vincent’s work and writing in the process. On the Rodeo Classic page, you can find a beautiful photo (from none other than Sue herself) to serve as a prompt. Write a story of 99 words or a poem of 99 syllables – no more, no less – based on the prompt photo on the Rodeo page. Also on the Rodeo page is an entry form where you can put up to two entries for the contest. And don’t worry, entries will be anonymized – everyone’s on an equal playing field at the Carrot Ranch, even if you get some TUFF bulls to ride or horses to break! But don’t lollygag – you only have until February 19th to get on your bull and ride out the chute.

Get your 99-word-brains going! Y’all, the contest starts TODAY! Unless you’re a judge, you can enter freely! Right now, the judges are: Geoff Le Pard, Anne Goodwin, and Charli Mills. First-Pass readers are: H.R.R. Gorman, Sue Spitulnik, D. Avery, and Sherri Matthews.

There are many ways to participate in the rodeo. Every Rodeo has multiple events, and the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic is no different. In addition to participating in the contest and donating to the cause, we have multiple events you can participate in!

  • The Sue Vincent Reblog Barrel Race – Check out Sue’s website or the website she shares with Stuart France. Find a poem, essay, or photo that speaks to you, and re-blog it. Feel free to include links to the contest and make sure to include a comment on the re-blog!
  • The Great Book Parade – Buy and read one of Sue’s books. If you’re feeling adventurous, leave a review or publish it on your blog!
  • The Comment Riding Contest – The prize for this one is a fuzzy good feeling and the sharing of community. Like and/or comment on Sue’s posts, whether new or old.
  • Snack Stands – Share the conteston other social media such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or others! You can definitely follow Sue Vincent on Twitter.
  • The Prize Ceremony – Winners will be announced on March 21st, 2021. It could be you, but even if not, come see what Sue’s prompt invoked.

See you on the Carrot Ranch circuit, cowfolk!

The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic

Sue’s Links:

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic

THE RODEO HAS NOW BEGUN – https://carrotranch.com/2021/02/01/the-sue-vincent-rodeo-classic/

Sue Vincent is a wonderful blogging community member who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person at the bloggers bash. She is a lady of considerable talents, a founder member of the Silent Eye, (school of consciousness) and her sweet dog Ani has his own cute blog! https://thesmalldogs.blog/

To appreciate just how talented and lovely Sue is do pop over to her blog. I particularly love her poetry. Here is a link to a recent poem – Midas: https://scvincent.com/2021/01/30/midas/

I am pleased to be one of many bloggers sharing The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic.

The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic begins tomorrow on February 1st. There is a request for donations that will go directly to Sue and her family, and Charli Mills has graciously set up a PayPal functionality on the Carrot Ranch post that will give the cash directly to Sue.


For those that do not know, Sue has been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. I’ll let her explain most of it through her blog, but suffice to say it has added a lot of unwanted difficulties and challenges. Those that follow her probably know already that she has been a carer for her son, who gained several disabilities as part of an attack, and the cancer has made it difficult or impossible for her to continue in that role. Covid also hasn’t helped. Because she’s been a carer for so long and not made as much money as she could have otherwise, the core group of the Rodeo Organization Team has decided to hold this fundraiser.

Sue Vincent is one of those special bloggers that inspires people all over the world. Readers have long been galvanized by her posts about mythology, about ancient ruins and medieval churches, and her daily #midnighthaiku. Even more have participated in and grown as a result of her #writephoto prompts. In addition to posting her prompts, Sue has tirelessly supported other bloggers by sharing others’ responses to her 19,000 and counting followers.

Recently, Sue has been faced with a new and difficult challenge: lung cancer. You can follow her blog to find out more directly from her. The Covid pandemic has served not only to pose a specific threat to a person with a severe respiratory illness, but it has caused loss of human connection through self-imposed quarantine.

Now it’s time for Sue to receive something back from the community she’s been a cornerstone of for a decade. Let’s bring the Rodeo into Sue’s house through her computer, and let’s come together with hearts full of joy. Join us for the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic at the Carrot Ranch – a contest, parade, and celebration all in one!
There are many ways to participate. One is to visit the prompt image, “Hidden”, at the Carrot Ranch. The prompt image and entry form will go live on Monday, February 1st, 2021. Enter a flash or a poem by Friday, February 19th, 2021, and you could win either $100 or a copy of one of Sue’s books. The form will allow you to give a small donation for Sue and her family, and a link can be found on the contest page. The winning entries will be announced at the Carrot Ranch on March 22nd, 2021.

If you’re not ready to rodeo, there’s always the “Parade”. Reblog one of Sue’s posts from any of her sites (Daily Echo or France and Vincent) with a comment about why you found it special. Follow her blogs. Read one of her books, then leave reviews where you can. Several people are already gearing up for the parade – so feel free to check out other people’s blogs for suggestions.

Also, go ahead and reblog, tweet, Facebook, or somehow otherwise share the contest! 99 word literary art is a fantastic way to celebrate a blogging hero and very deserving person.

Saddle up, everyone! It’s time for a Carrot Ranch Rodeo like none ever held before. The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic begins on Monday, February 1st, and it’ll be a TUFF prompt to fit within 99 words. 
See you at the Ranch, buckaroos!

Links: 

So, giddy up folks to the rodeo!

Saddle Up Saloon; Linin’ Up At the Mic « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

I enjoy taking part in 5 at the Mic @ Charli Mills Carrot Ranch Literary Community. It’s a great way to gain experience of reading your writing aloud! It’s a bit embarrassing too – you see all your flaws, etc, etc, and weird mannerisms! But, no matter… I can live with that.

The videos feature Ellen Best, D. Avery, Anne Goodwin, Paula Moyer, Susan Spitulnik, Bill Engelson, myself and Susan Budig.

Source: Saddle Up Saloon; Linin’ Up At the Mic « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

Carrot Ranch Literary Community #flash #fiction #chores

Thank you to the lovely Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch for all she does for the literary community. ❤

The flash fiction prompt this week made me think of my mother-in-law Mary who is holding on to being fiercely independent as long as she possibly can. She is now the ripe old age of ninety four! She always tidies everything up before the carer sets foot in the house and her favourite phrase is: That’s that job done!

Tea and Biscuits With The Carer

“That’s the blueberries washed!” she said with a smile.

I couldn’t help but laugh.  

“Put the kettle on,” she said.

“Don’t you want to leave anything for the carer to do?”

She didn’t answer, instead she said, “Get the pavlova and cream. Mini ones in the cupboard over there.”

I opened the tin and arranged them on a large plate.

“What time’s she coming?”

“Now! Better wipe the table,” she said.

The carer bustled in.

October 15: Flash Fiction Challenge

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Flash Fiction: Carrot Ranch Literary Community #Flash #Fiction #Challenge

September 10: Flash Fiction Challenge

Live Author Talk

Those bloody motorbikes can’t they stop! 1 A.M. no chance I’ll get any sleep. Tomorrow’s the live show. Never done this before. What will it be like? I’ll soon know. Introverted writers, tonight at 9 p.m. I’ll talk live. Bound to be a problem with the connection. We’ll get there… I did it! I listen, damn, I can’t see my weird mannerisms, but I can hear them. Perhaps I should have had some water instead of that glass of wine, stupid faux pas, one or two!


On Saturday evening I participated in my first Facebook live interview with horror and fantasy indie author A. F. Stewart’s Between The Pages Book Chat. I’m sharing it here so that others can see that even if you are daunted, (terrified) by the idea of speaking live, you can still give it a go. Looking back at the recording there are things I wish I’d said and some I wish I hadn’t said, or repeated as much! It’s funny how we waffle… or I do anyway. Still, if you don’t try, you don’t learn and improve. It’s not perfect but the main thing is I tried. I’m giving myself brownie points for that!

And wondering if I seriously need a haircut! Looking like a lock down woman…

I’ve also been participating in Carrot Ranch Community 5 at the Mic, which is a grand opportunity to share your writing to an audience, in a safe space. You can start by being an audience and then move on to reading your work.

More about that here:

At the Carrot Ranch blog you can also listen to Ellen Best, Anne Goodwin, Paula Moyer, and Bill Engleson: https://carrotranch.com/2020/09/06/saddle-up-saloon-one-shy-of-a-six-pac-at-the-mic/

So, how you feel about participating in live recordings. Have you tried? Does it make you want to hide?

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon Collaborative Group: https://www.facebook.com/pg/5SpiritualSisters/

Saddle Up Salloon: Blog Blustering #Flash #Fiction #Humour

This is a fun challenge featured on Charli Mills blog via D. Avery – Saddle Up Salloon, blog blustering to describe your blog in 9, 59 and 99 words. https://carrotranch.com/2020/05/25/saddle-up-saloon-blog-blusterin/

Here’s the prompt from D. Avery:

“Yep. Folks, try defining yer blog’s purpose in 99 words; focus that statement even more in 59 words; then hook us with 9 words. Ya might even post these versions at yer own site. Tell us who ya are or what yer about here in the comments, 9 words, no more no less.”

Here goes…

(99)

Six years ago my life changed. I became a blogger – a strange creature, even if I say so myself! Initially, I named my blog home: Kyrosmagica – a magical shore of books, writing, photography and inspiration. Kyros after the Greek word crystal and magica to represent magic.

When interviewing authors I sometimes adopt a new persona, calling myself MJ.

I feature authors, review books, take part in poetry, flash fiction and photography challenges, nothing is off-limits. Sometimes I become sensible Marje when necessity calls.

Kyrosmagica has evolved; It is now my author website with lashes of crystal magic!

(59)

Six years ago I became a blogger. My blog home Kyrosmagica – a magical shore of books, writing, photography and inspiration. Sometimes I am known as MJ, sometimes as the author Marje, or even M J Mallon. I write reviews, interview folk, take part in poetry, flash fiction and photography challenges. Nothing is off limits, blogging is such fun.

(9)

Kyrosmagica blog is me! Books, writing, photography and magic.

Much love, MJ!! xxx

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon Collaborative Group: https://www.facebook.com/pg/5SpiritualSisters/

Carrot Ranch June 20 Flash Fiction Challenge #FlashFiction

cropped-carrot-ranch_lc_30july17v2

June 20, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about having to wait. Who is waiting and what for? Think about how the wait impacts the character or the story. Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by June 25, 2019. Use the comment section below to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form.  Rules & Guidelines.

The idea for this piece of flash came about from job shares. Imagine if the person who you were job sharing with was a murderer… What a thought!

My flash: 

Only two more hours, she joked as she left. I smiled. I knew I would say the same to her after two days’ time. The weekend is teasing me, waiting with a glass of wine. At two minutes past five I open her drawer to eat the snack she left me. It kills me to admit it but it tastes good. She’d said it was foul but lied. One more bite.

Shame that death arrived before the weekend. She didn’t need to poison me—we were both on the same prolonged career path.

https://carrotranch.com/2019/06/21/june-20-flash-fiction-challenge/

Cheerio for now!

85978B3EEB2A2F45468E6707CEAFE70D

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

sponsorship-ads13

April 4: Flash Fiction Challenge

This is my entry for Charli Mill’s Flash Fiction Challenge.

It’s a short paragraph from my YA/paranormal book The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone.

When I saw that the nature of the prompt was about fire – I thought why not… I hope Charli doesn’t mind… it just seemed to fit so well.

The fire raged, and a ring of flames circled the card, avoiding it as if it contained the deadly plague. The sand timer ran out. The fire burnt down leaving its mark on the card with black singed edges.

I felt a chill creep up my spine. When I searched Dad’s face for some clue to his strange behaviour, I reeled back, struck by the sight of a dull emptiness in his eyes. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his face. I thought I spotted a weird reflection in his eyes, maybe a bug…

It’s funny how cutting this paragraph down to 99 words gives the story a totally different edge to it. It ends on quite a funny note with the ‘maybe a bug,’ ending but in reality, it is far from funny. 

Just in case this little piece of writing intrigues you… and you want to find out more about the bug…

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’

“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

sponsorship-ads13

To enter Charli Mill’s flash fiction challenge please follow the link: https://carrotranch.com/2019/04/04/april-4-flash-fiction-challenge/

 

Bye for now, happy writing!

 

85978b3eeb2a2f45468e6707ceafe70d

Flash Fiction #Unusual #Valentines

 

This is my flash fiction piece for Carrot Ranch’s prompt Valentine’s!

https://carrotranch.com/2019/02/14/february-14-flash-fiction-challenge/

 

Damages, broken limbs, a most unusual valentines – the poor restaurant didn’t stand a chance!

We squeezed into a corner next to a giant sized Valentine’s chocolate egg, exquisitely wrapped in pink, shiny wrapping.

My daughter nearly toppled it over with a careless swipe of her crutches. I can just see the look on the waitress’s face, a real shocker, Halloween horror expression.

Luckily, the prize-winning egg was saved.

We chose the Valentine’s menu but we stayed off the wine.

It was a long way back on crutches and we were terrified she might break more bones or chocolate!

 

See the original post about my daughter Natasha’s broken ankle here:

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/an-unusual-valentines-adventure/

Bye for now,

bitmoji-20180711090345

85978b3eeb2a2f45468e6707ceafe70d

 

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

sponsorship-ads13.png