WRiTE CLUB - Round 6

This is a big week.  WRiTE CLUB has made it to the mid-way point with this weeks round six, going strong as ever, and on Friday the Deja Vu Blogfest kicks off.  This may be the blogosphere's slow season, but things sure seem to he hopping from what I'm seeing.

When I was putting together WRiTE CLUB I did a little bit of research to see if anything in a similar vein existed.  The closest thing I found was a WRITE CLUB based in Atlanta where weekly write-offs were held at a local club, having writers read aloud samples of their work to a live audience.  It was a novel (pardon the pub) concept, but what I didn't like about it was the possibility of it turning into a popularity contest.  Appearances and personality could easily shift the focus away from the words.  That's why I enjoy the anonymity of our WRiTE CLUB.  There is nothing to distract the spectators from that which truly matters...the WRiTING!

Speaking of WRiTING, we have a couple of new opponents for you this week.  The submissions continue to roll in, so one side of the draw will come from the newby pool and the other side from the open pool.  So, without further ado.....

Here are this week's randomly selected WRiTER's.

 

Standing in the far corner, weighing in at 249 words, please welcome to the ring…….. 

 

NEXTMARK

“A family.”  Athena was disgusted.  “They killed a family.”

Perseus gestured at the other figures.  “Athena, all these are facing away from the Gorgons.”

“As if fleeing.”  She thought deeply.  “They do not turn to stone instantly.  This man was carrying the child as they fled.  The Gorgons do something to them to start the process of hardening, then the victims try to get away.”

“‘Start the process.’  You mean something different from just their ugliness?”

“No matter what, use the reflection in the shield to look at them.  My thoughts on this are incomplete.”

“My mother once told me of a man who was bitten by a snake, and he became stiff, as if made of wood—”

“Did you go deaf?”  Athena was angry about the dead family, angry about secrets held by her fellow immortals, and angry about her inability to control this young man.  “Do not ponder your way into doing something unsafe.  I didn’t pluck you off the island of Samos so you could think your way into trouble, instead of listening to wisdom!”

“You didn’t choose a man who was deaf, or unable to think.  I can do both!”  His cheeks tightened with anger.  “Why can’t I listen to your wisdom as you talk out loud, and we both draw the same conclusion?”

“Because we’re approaching danger, that’s why!”

“Oh, is that why I brought this weapon?  I thought we were approaching some paved fountain in the desert with little children skipping around.” 

And in the other corner, also weighing in with 249 words, let me introduce to you ……..

LUCK LEFT HOOK

The man placed the bottled water in his pocket and lifted the second rock. The massive size of it required him to extend his arms across as far as they would go. Although the breadth and weight of the next slab would be insurmountable to two men, he lifted the much heavier concrete slab with the same dexterity and effort as the first.

Abby's forearm appeared. It was as ashen in color as the rocks it nestled in. The man moved rocks, small and large, tirelessly until he was satisfied with the opening. He began to dig down and test the rocks. He moved deeper rocks to form a ridge along the perimeter of the hole, much as a child digging a hole in the sand. He pulled gently enough to move the Abby, but not so he would dismember her if she were still caught.

The man arranged her on the most level ground, but no good place existed to place the girl flat on her back. Leaning forward, he placed two fingers on her neck. It was a quick and sure procedure that only verified what he already knew.

He was not alarmed by the lack of a pulse.

A booming sound from yards away drew his attention only for a moment as firefighters rushed to contain and extinguish the flames from a compromised gas pipe.

He looked down again at Abby. A film of dried blood crackled on her skin to form a spider's web pattern.

Leave your vote for the winner of round 6, along with any sort of critique you would like to offer, in the comments below.  Please remind your friends to make a selection as well.  The voting will remain open until noon Sunday.  

Remember, here in WRiTE CLUB, it’s not about the last man/woman standing, it’s about who knocks the audience out!  Want to take part in the word battles, throw your pen name into the hat anytime during the first twelve rounds by submitting your own 250 word sample.  Check out the rules by clicking on the badge below…then come out swinging!

Where words are the true knockout!

PS.  Its not too late to register for the Deja Vu Blogfest scheduled for this Friday, December 16th.  It's going to be EPIC!