I had to hand it to him. He lit the firework and it blew his arm off. He stood there in shock for no more than three seconds, just enough time for the smoke to spurt to the ground. And, as the blood clouded into the sky he calmly told us, “Undeniably, this is a life-defining moment.” As we all ran around him screaming, he had the kind of grin we all wanted but were too afraid to ignite.
"Flash" Fiction.
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October 2010
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This page contains a single entry by Matthew R Moore published on September 1, 2010 2:03 PM.
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I really liked the last line of this, especially that you choose to use the word ignite. Flash fiction can be hard to write, I know I struggle with it, but I think you did a great job! If you were looking for somewhere to submit this to, I would suggest Six Sentences (http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/). I submitted something there over the summer and was rejected, but maybe you'll have more luck!
Thank you. I didn't know there was such a site. I submitted it (had to make it into one more sentence) just to see what happens. If they accept it, I'll be thrilled. If I'm rejected, I'll be thrilled I'll get to start a rejection portfolio. I'll let you know how it goes.
~Arturo Bandini
If you don't already know about it, there's also Doutrope's Digest: http://www.duotrope.com/index.aspx
It links to all sorts of publishers and places to submit.
Here's another part of the website: http://www.duotrope.com/RTstats.aspx?report=Top50&pubtype=S
The Approachable list is a good place to start!
That looks like something I can use. I really have no idea about getting any writing out into the world. My inner-critic has sharp teeth and gnaws at my insides, and so I never think of submitting anything. Maybe it's time to slip the critic some sleeping pills and see what happens. Thanks again.
How about you? Ever have any success with the words?
~Arturo Bandini
I understand your inner-critic dilemma. Just lock it in the basement, or you could follow through with the sleeping pill plan-- whichever works for you, haha.
I've had a few pieces published, but I've had a lot more rejected. I didn't really start submitting my writing until I took a Publication Workshop class last semester. We spent the semester sending our work to different publishers, so I have that class to thank for pushing me to submit in spite of that inner-critic. It's probably the best class I've ever taken here. You should think about taking it the next time it's offered.