First Crusader Challenge: Shadows

This is the week to participate in Rachel Writes 1st Campaign Challenge for her 3rd Crusade. Our challenge is to write a piece of flash fiction in 200 words or less, staring with a designated phrase. She also supplied us with an ending phrase if we'd like to use. And to challenge us even further, she's given us the option of coming in at EXACTLY 200 words, which I have. I hope you enjoy my little piece of flash fiction.

A Shadow's Touch

The door swings open, the scent of woodsy musk filling the air. I curl up on my bed and relax in the warmth of his white dress shirt. A groan vibrates up my throat, as my body sinks deeper into the curves of my mattress. I twist the ribbing of the shirt between my fingers. The cotton patters softly against my bare stomach. My heart pounds, the familiar presence inching nearer. Butterfly kisses caress my toes then slink up my calves, my thighs. My chest rides the wave of each sweet touch. I can almost feel the waning of his loving exhales steaming my neck and hear his whisper ‘You’re mine.’ I always loved that. Every ounce of me tingles. I’m hungry, never wanting this to end. Life is so unfair. Tears teeter on my lower eyelids. I close my eyes. Droplets mist my skin, a memory caressing my thoughts. Not that memory. No, no, no…I should rollover, ram my face into my mattress, give into reality and pretend he’s not here.

But he is. In my heart, in his butterfly touches…forever.  

The door swings shut, leaving me hugged in his shirt—the one he wore the night he died.

Thanks for reading!

It's always fun to stretch our writing skills!! See other writers who decided to do the same ~ HERE.

Shout-outs 4 great Writing!

It seems being absent over the summer has left me with some serious catching up to do.

First thing I'd like to mention is the same pluggy I left you with before the summer--Writers Support 4U! Yes, I created it. But that's not why I'm mentioning it again. It's not really for me. It's for all of you, although I do utilize it.

We went from 1 member, Moi, on July 1st to 96 as of yesterday!! Many of the writers who joined over the summer used the space to share their current struggles or successes, and almost instantly got some sort of response from one of the other members. It's been a great way to connect and expand the skills of our writing community.

We'd love to have you. You can JOIN HERE!

My next item for the Writers' Ally plug is Rach Writes Third Writers' Crusade.

Now, I did not participate in the first crusade; I hadn't heard about it. But I did participate in the second crusade. It was a great experience, and I'm already signed up for this crusade. Rach breaks us up into genres and groups. We meet writers with similar tastes and challenges. And she offers awesome writing challenges, contest, and of course--prizes!!

If you haven't checked it out, please do. You can JOIN HERE!! But you only have until tomorrow. Rach is closing the list so she can get organized.  

So, tell me what I missed. Do you have a specific link or contest, or maybe information you gathered that you'd like to share?? Please do and I'll collect them and write up a post for you!!

~Hearts~ 
Sheri

Crusade SECRETS Revealed!

"Getting to know you, getting to know all about you..."

When I was a little girl, I used to skip around my house singing that line, pretending I was Julie Andrews and that some fiery bald-headed King wanted me as his children's English tutor. I wanted to be in The King and I.

If you read FRIDAY'S POST (which was way fun, BTW), you know that I participated in the first Crusader Challenge for the second Crusader Pledge. Feel free to read it now, if you didn't get the chance before. It's less than 300 words and reveals bits about moi.

According to challenge rules, I had to include the following: 4 funky words previously chosen (rabbit, blade, bloviate, fuliguline), one interesting quirk, one annoying habit, one of my best character traits, one of my favorite things in the whole world, one secret, and lastly...one lie or fib as I like to call it.

Pretty cool challenge, I might say. Thanks, Rachel!

"Time to fess up," as my pepere used to say.

I was shocked at how I stumped everyone. Your comments about my short excerpt were endearing, touching my heart. It was wonderful to hear that you appreciated my effort. But more over, despite the fact that you couldn't figure out my fib, you kept reading. Some of you said my writing was beautiful and made you forget what you were looking for. Thank you. I will not forget your encouragement.

So, I did use the four funky words.

My interesting quirk was that I returned to dance at the age of 36 and dance just for fun. (Trust me: that is a quirk.)

My annoying habit is that no matter how sucky I sing, I keep trying. *shiver* I sing in the shower, while I wash dishes, & jam to rock music in the car, looking really stupid at a stop light.

One of my best character traits would probably have to be my ability to look beyond a sacrifice and see hope. You know; when one door closes, a window opens....

Favorite thing in the whole world would be dance.

My secret ~ the dancer's feet in this photo which I included in my post are my actual feet.

And last but not least, the fib. Although I said I stumped you, there were four of you who did guess correctly. Hearts to U! GP Ching, Lydia Kang, Dan Klinefelter, and Regina! I DID NOT play the spoons. But you should have seen my family play them. Stupidly good. Really. When all my older French relatives used to get together, they'd jam on those things and make real music. It was awesome! I loved listening to them as a kid.

What about you? Did you have a relative who could do something really cool with something as mundane as a set of spoons? Have you ever thought about incorporating a funky quirk like that into one of your characters?

CRUSADERS: Who Is Sheri?

A definite right-sided brainiac (math—B’cawk!), I’ve lived quite the creative life. It only seems fitting to take my fellow Crusaders on an epic journey to unravel Moi.

Surrounded by painters and sketch artists, folk musicians and French singers, my childhood was one for the bloviate record books. Not much of a musician myself, my body lent itself to the rhythm of motion. Well, that’s if you exclude my stint playing the Spoons. Still, the meek at heart may want to cover their cyber-fuliguline-ears.

At the youthful age of 17, I was offered to study dance under a Broadway dancer. Hopes high, I could almost not breathe. All my efforts since I was three were about to pay off. The late nights choreographing, missed high school parties, and yes, declined dates would all be worth it.

Then disaster struck. Mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

I made the gut-wrenching decision, casting a blade of grief through my own heart, and gave up my dream to care for my family. Sure, your fist might be clenched at your chest thinking, “Aw…what a sacrifice.” But in all reality, it was no sacrifice. I spent the next fourteen years married to a wonderful guy, who turned into an amazing man, while together giving life to four new human beings. My efforts were blessed ~ abundantly.

And to top it all off, I started dancing again. Yes, and this time it is purely for fun. I am a Monday Night Hottie—a group of woman ranging in age from 23 to 61. They are the Hotties, really. (I’ve yet to consider myself one.) They are my dancing angels on earth, Xanado rollerblading rabbit’s feet and all. 

Hopefully I’ll get to keep dancing when I earn my wings…someday.

Now for my confession: I’ve snuck in per request of Rachel of Rachel Writes a teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy fib and also a really special truth. Can you guess what they are? (I’ll reveal the answers on Monday.)

For those of you who didn't see my post for yesterday--yes, I normally don't post on Thursdays--please take a peek at it. It's right below here. My Oasis Sisters and I have designed our own meme! We'd love it if you'd take part.
And yesterday I stupidly forgot to say what I'm thankful for -- that would be all of you. Really. Every old and new Alleywalker. I'm not just saying this. The fact that you follow and support me astounds me. There truly are no words other than: Thank You.

In an unrelated issue, I'd like to send my condolences to Author L.K. Madigan's family, friends, and associates. She's the author of THE MERMAID'S MIRROR and 2010 Morris Award-Winning YA novel FLASH BURNOUT who passed away this month. She will be sadly missed.