It’s time to tackle the second campaign challenge set by the delightful Rachael Harrie, and it’s a good one!
I will be writing three pieces, based on the series of prompts on Rachael’s blog. Each piece is linked by one overarching theme.
First piece – A story in five sentences that connects all five prompts.
Rahul and Madina sheltered under the concrete bridge, hiding from the rain that fell in sheets, drenching their skin and hair. Rahul’s leg slowly seeped crimson blood from a gash made by the slice of rusty tin he had uncovered on their daily trip to scavenge from the dump. Cupping her hands, Madina caught droplets of rain, juicy like ripe pears, and poured them into the open wound. The pain flashed in front of Rahul’s eyes, dancing like fireworks. He looked beyond it, into his imagination, and there he saw a small boy, a little like him but smartly dressed in a new red coat and sturdy shoes, smiling as he chased a ball through wide open spaces.
Second piece – A poem about prompt three that doesn’t include the words ‘pear’, ‘spoon’ or ‘droplet’.
Water runs
Collides and colludes to make
a ghostly form
The bulbous shape hangs
Forbidden fruit
Suspended as offering
It spatters
Washing innocence
Away.
Third piece – flash fiction of less than 200 words based on prompt two.
His feet skittered across the surface, rubber soles kissing a checkerboard of light and shade. Focused, he followed the path of the ball as the sea breeze tossed it sideways. Where there were squares he saw sidelines, a penalty spot, the goal. His red coat was really a uniform, name and number blazing between his shoulders. Breathless he caught up, pulled back his leg and then, “look at ‘im go, a proper David Beckham, in ‘is head at least”, their laughter echoed through the years. (85 words)
If you like my efforts then do leave a comment or a critique. You can also like my entry here (I’m number 100).
Such vivid images… I enjoyed both pieces of flash fiction as well as the poem!
I especially like the poem. I envisioned the bulbous shape, hanging, just for a moment. Great imagery.
The third piece felt odd to me, and it may just be the structure of the paragraph. Possibly a little editing, moving the sentence about his coat to the beginning, and working it from that point of view, will make it a more comfortable read.
Great writing and bravo for taking on 3 challenges. #103
Thanks Elizabeth. Interesting idea about restructuring.
I agree, vivid images. Great writing.
Wow, really enjoyed reading your take on the prompts
)
Vikki (no26) xx
I enjoyed the first two pieces, especially the poem. I thought that the third piece didn’t flow as well, just needs a little work to be improved! Well done!
I really loved the last piece of flash fiction! There’s nothing as magical as the imagination of a child and you captured that so well.
Hi! Just to let you know you’v been shortlisted as one of the top five to move on to Stage Two. (The semi-finals will be Stage Three and the finals will be Stage Four.) Congratulations
Great news, thank you so much. It’s nice to be in the company of so many gifted people.
Good news, you’re moving on to the semi finals!
That’s really exciting thank you!
The best 5 sentence/5 prompt entry I’ve read this challenge, hands down. Great job!
Congrats! You’ve been shortlisted to move onto the Finals!
What a lovely compliment, thank you! I am now quite unreasonably excited
I agree with Tia. Great 5 line/5prompt piece. I also really like the poem. Very nice work.
Great use of the prompts Claire, and well done with the Challenge
I loved this sentence in particular: “His feet skittered across the surface, rubber soles kissing a checkerboard of light and shade.” Congratulations – I’ve awarded you eighth place in the Judging Round! Make sure you check out my post to see the cool prizes you’ve won 
Congrats again!
Hugs,
Rach
Thank you so much Rach! This is my first ever writing ‘win’ so it is very special indeed. You have made my day. I know we all appreciate the effort you put in to helping writers network. Big hug. Claire. X
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