WRiTE CLUB – Round 1

The time has finally arrived!  Gather around all, there are plenty of good seats left.  WRiTER’s from far and wide, spanning the globe, of all ages and representing multiple styles of WRiTING have gathered here today to witness the inaugural bout of the WRiTE CLUB!  Our illustrious WRiTER’s are not only from all walks of life, but they also inhabit various levels of the publication world.  Within our ranks we have everything from the newbie bloggers to the recently published, but inside this ring today they stand as equals before you.   The submissions have been steadily pouring in, but only two can have the honor of going first.

Let’s get to it!

 

Here are the first two randomly selected WRiTER's.

Standing in this corner, weighing in at 250 words, please welcome to the ring…ANNE SHIRLEY

Fear pierced me from the moment I recognized his eyes beneath the bloodred mask. He bowed, giving a slow smile that punctured my confidence and filled my head like a dizzying perfume.

“My lady. May I have this dance?”

I felt him grasp my waist, his hands burning like fire through my gown. The waltz began and I was swept into the blur of feathered masks and swirling skirts, trapped within the prison of his arms.

“You should not have come.”

His eyes glittered like dark pearls in a crimson sea. “How could I stay away from you?”

We spun to the music, blending into the forest of candlelit masqueraders. Beneath the heady scent of wax and roses, I sensed a more primal fragrance, like iron and rust, creeping from his pores.

I fought the urge to sink deeper into his gaze, to give in to the nightfall that would surely come. I pulled away, my dress rustling like dead leaves as I ran through the ballroom doors into the evening’s chilly embrace.

I melted into the woods, where I thought the light of the full moon would not betray me - but he found me still. I knew it when I smelled the iron and rust.

“You should not have come,” I repeated.

He pulled me close, bending down for a kiss. The seductive fire never left his eyes, not even when my fangs sank into the warmth of his neck.

Only the moon and I saw him die.

And in the other corner, also weighing in at 250 words, let me introduce to you…TRILLIAN42

“Questions like that make people nervous.” The voice slipped around the collar of the trench coat pulled tight against the rain and was blown off by a chilling breeze that scudded across the river.

“Just want my money, is all.” Taylor ducked his head, keeping his eyes on the dark figure across the hood of his car. Rain blurred his vision. He bounced on his toes to combat the numbness.

“Your money.”

Taylor fingered the baseball buried in his pocket, careful to touch only the seams so the signatures didn’t smudge. His fifth burglary of the week with nothing of value. He’d spotted the ball during his dash for the window when he heard footsteps. Dumb move, grabbing the ball. Taylor strained to see the man’s face. The street light left his features in shadows.

Finally the man tossed a fat envelope onto the hood. Taylor snatched it before water soaked in. “Now get lost.” The voice still held menace, but Taylor didn’t argue, or ask more questions. He slid behind the wheel. A gloved hand tapped on the passenger window. Taylor hit the button to roll it down and the man leaned in.

“Mr. G would appreciate if you didn’t ask any more questions.” A darting move, a flash, a muted pop. Reflex shoved Taylor’s foot into the accelerator, gunning the engine. The man ground the transmission into Drive and the car shot a dozen feet off the shore and sank slowly into the muddy waters.

No more questions

I don’t know about you, but isn’t it enjoyable just watching both of these talented WRiTER’s work!  But that is only part of the price of admission, now it’s up to you to decide who moves forward to the semi-final round, and who will return to WRiTE another day.  In the comments below leave your vote for the winner of round 1.  Which one tickled your fancy?  Will it be Anne Shirley or Trillian42?  Tell all of your friends to stop by and make a selection as well.  Anyone can vote!  The bout will remain open until noon Sunday.  Yes, it’s subjective, but so is the entire publishing world.  It’s as much about the readers as it is about the writers.  Here in WRiTE CLUB, it’s not about the last man/woman standing, it’s about who knocks the audience out!

The results will be posted Sunday night, just ahead of ROUND 2 which will happen next Monday.   Remember, you can enter the fray at anytime during the first twelve rounds by submitting your own 250 word sample and become a full-blown member of WRiTE CLUB.  Just check out the rules here…then come out swinging!

Where words are the true knockout!

DL