I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest - Emotion Flash Fiction

Cassie and Angie have done a fabulous job of hosting the I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest. While I'm happy I've grown from this experience (which helped my characters grow too) I'm also sad because this is the last challenge. I had so much fun!


Instructions for today's blogpost... Emotion Flash Fiction:
Emotion is the engine of a story. Pick an emotion and in a flash fiction piece of 250 words MAKE us feel it! We want to connect with your character. This will be a challenge in 250 words.


The below excerpt (in blue) will be included in my current YA work in progress. I chose to write about an emotion my MC, Kara, went through after a break-up. This flash fiction challenge was perfect for me because I'd left this part blank in my manuscript, too timid to touch it at the time. This helped me to dive in and embrace it.

I slide Brody’s black T-shirt over my head and breathe in his scent—sunshine after a rainstorm. Intoxicating.

Tears sting my already puffy eyes. My brain knows I should take off the shirt and throw it into the garbage. Or burn it. But my body doesn’t care because the need to be close to him consumes my crushed soul.

My thoughts continue to be invaded by memories—ones that I’m forced to carry around like overflowing bags that threaten to split apart. The way he made me laugh, so honest and carefree. The way he pulled me into his arms, so safe and strong. The way his lips pressed against mine, gentle and soft, then hungry and urgent. Like if our mouths parted from each other, we’d both die from lack of air.

And that’s what it feels like now. I’m smothering without his breath mingling with mine.

I touch my lips, numb from his final kiss. His goodbye kiss. Our last kiss.

I collapse onto my bed and pull my knees to my chest. Taking deep breaths, I attempt to control my sobbing, but it’s pointless. I’m broken.

Pain, brutal and raw as it may be, surges through my veins like water from a dam that’s been destroyed. It’s as if all the scars I've collected throughout my life have been ripped open and placed on display for everyone to see.

People say pain lets you know you’re alive. That’s bullshit.

To me, it lets me know I’m dead. 

Dialogue Introduction - I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest

Cassie Mae, over at Reading, Writing, and Lovin' it! AND Angie, over at Live to Write...Edit when Necessary are hosting I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest . . .


Dialogue Introduction is part two of this fabulous blogfest.
Rules: Have two characters introduce each other using only dialogue — no backstory, no internalization, just dialogue between the two. Max 250 words.


The dialogue is between Kara and Simone - rivals from my current WIP.

“I’m not sure why you bothered to show up. They’re here to learn about me.”

“Considering I’m the main character, I think I have a right to be here.”

“Nice, Kara. Pull the MC card. Sooo typical.”

“Whatever.”

“I see another salsa christening in your future.”

“Don't you dare. I smelled like onions and jalapenos for a week!”

“It’s called a shower. Try it.”

“Very funny, Simone. Anyway, we’re supposed to say something encouraging about each other. Let’s get this over with.”

“What? Who said we have to do that?”

“Hello? Our creator.”

“I did not sign up for some therapy session with you. Dear God, put me out of my misery now.”

“You know something? This isn’t easy for me either, but can you at least try so we can go on our merry way?”

“Fine. You go first.”

“Okay, I think deep down you’re nice, but you get off on being a bitch.”

“Yeah, and how is that a compliment?”

“It’s not, I guess. Damn, this is hard.”

“My turn. You could have a cute figure under those baggy clothes, but I can't tell. And don't get me started on your hair.”

“Wow. We suck at this whole encourage-one-another thing.”

“I got it. That’s what we’re good at—not liking each other.”

“Duh, but I don’t think that was the point of this.”

“Oh well. We tried. Gotta run.”

“See you in school.”

“I can't wait.”

“Should I be worried?”

“Terrified would be more fitting.”

“Crap.”

I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest

Monday was day one of three for I'm Hearing Voices Character Blogfest.

Cassie Mae was awesome enough to open the link again. Yeah, she's a rock star. You can check her blog out - Reading, Writing, and Lovin' it!


RULES:
Have one of your characters answer the following questions (to make this work to your benefit, choose a character who is the hardest for you to write :) Max 250 words (Not including the questions—only the answers).

What is your biggest vulnerability? Do others know this or is it a secret?
What do people believe about you that is false?
What would your best friend say is your fatal flaw? Why?
What would the same friend say is your one redeeming quality? Why?
What do you want most? What will you do to get it?

So, even though I'm a day late to this blogfest, my character begged to do this. I couldn't deny her that, now could I?

ME: Everyone, please meet Olive. She's my MC's best friend in my current YA WIP.

OLIVE: *Waves and puts on some lip gloss.*

ME: Uh, Olive. They can't see you.

OLIVE: Oh, my bad. So, you said you have some questions for me?

ME: Yes, just a few. What's your biggest vulnerability? Do others know this or is it a secret?

OLIVE: I worry what others think of me. I wish I was more like my best friend, Kara. She doesn’t care about the opinions of others. But I do. It’s not a secret, but it’s not like I broadcast my insecurities.

ME: What do people believe about you that is false?

OLIVE: That my parents bought a lake cottage. I started the rumor and now people are planning to have parties this summer at a place that doesn’t exist. Talk about a huge backfire.

ME: What would your best friend say is your fatal flaw? Why?

OLIVE: *Removes a nail file from her humungo purse.* Kara thinks I’m always trying to be someone that I’m not. I’ve told her before that I just want our senior year to be kickass, that’s all. So what if I dress different than I did last year? What’s wrong with that? I happen to like looking nice.

ME: What would the same friend say is your one redeeming quality? Why?

OLIVE: Kara would say that, no matter what, she can count on me. We’ve had this connection of sorts, ever since we were little.

ME: What do you want most? What will you do to get it?

OLIVE: I want to be popular. I mean, it’s not like I get picked on or anything. Well, except by Simone, but she’s just mean. I have friends. It’s just, well, I want to be remembered. As for what I’ll do to get it? Ask me in a few weeks. I have some things in mind. It’s going to be epic. *scratches her head* Hopefully, not an epic fail.

ME: Okay, well that scares me. But thanks for taking time to share with us.

OLIVE: No problem. *waves*


How about you guys? Care to share your character who is giving you trouble?