Something Fishy - Crusade Challenge #2

Happy Hump Day!  I've mentioned before that I'm a member of the 2nd annual Writer's Blog Crusade, which is basically a group of insane people who blog about various crazy things on cue.  (Who needs trained dolphins?)  As part of this group of miscreants, I will occasionally be posting something altogether nonsenseical.  Today is just such a day ...

The 2nd 'challenge' is upon us!  Here are the rules:

"Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, “The goldfish bowl teetered” These four words will be included in the word count. "


I've decided to write my piece in the style of the most revered fiction of of our time--middle grade.  Here goes:

The goldfish bowl teetered in Geoffrey's hands. Some of the putrid brown water sloshed onto the sleeve of his robes. The smell of decaying fish curdled his stomach.

“Careful, boy,” the Master snapped. “Set it on the table and produce your wand!”

After doing as instructed, Geoffrey tapped the bowl with his wand three times. TINK TINK TINK On the third strike he muttered the spell. 

A familiar tide of disappointment swept his hopes away as the bloated belly of the lifeless fish bobbed on the water's surface.  But then, quite inexplicably, there was a ripple of movement.

What do you think?  When life gives you lemons, write flash fiction I say.  Did I mention it's freaking hard  to write anything in 100 words or less?  :-)


Thanks for humoring me!  Until next time,


~EJW~

Crusade Challenge #1 ... I'm a dirty, naughty liar.

This is a bit of break from my usual blog shenanigans, but I hope you'll be entertained nonetheless.  I've mentioned that I'm taking part in this blog Crusade thing *waves at all of the following Crusaders* and as part of my involvement I'll be responding to a few fun weekly 'challenges' on Ye Old Blog.

Here are the rules for the first challenge:

In 300 words or less, tell us: 

· one secret 

· one lie 

· one interesting quirk 

· one annoying habit 

· one of your best character traits, and 

· one of your favourite things in the whole world. 

The post can be in any format, including poetry, but must include the random words, “bloviate,” “fuliguline,” “rabbit,” and “blade”.


Pretty straight forward, so here goes. My name is E.J. Wesley and I once owned a 10 lbs white rabbit named—wait for it—rabbit. Never one to bloviate, I'm very honest and tend to speak my mind with the precision of a well-honed blade. Few people know that I can't swim, but at least I'll never be confused for a fuliguline. I'm a fan of numbers (particularly statistics), but hate math. I tend to question everything, which never endeared me to figures of authority. My dogs are very dear to me.

I'll reveal my 'lie' in my next post, but I'll almost guarantee that no one is going to be able to guess it!  Hint: it may really surprise some of you.  :0)  
~EJW~

Why do we need libraries? Bonus: How to make new blog friends.

Happy Monday all!  (Especially now that it is almost over ...)  I just wanted to share a couple of interesting informational tidbits.

First, I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I've started listening to the Litopia podcasts, and the most recent episode of Open House really caught my attention.  Being a UK show, there was much discussion of the widespread closure of UK libraries due to governmental funding shortages.  Folks are trying to rally to save them, but it doesn't look good.  Here's a link to listen to the episode.  (Adult content warning; they use--you guessed it--four letter words! ;)

There are some excellent points made throughout the broadcast, but one thing really stuck out to me: an author was asked by BBC news why she thought we needed libraries.  Sadly, the author struggled to give a straightforward answer (most likely due to being shocked at being asked such an idiotic question).  With the future of libraries in the US not facing a much brighter future, it made me wonder how I would answer that question, or if I even could in a concise and effective way.  I'm talking about an answer that doesn't include the 'warm and fuzzy' or strictly intrinsic/internal value received.  Something quantifiable that would get the attention of people who don't use libraries.

So I'll ask you, readers great and small: Why do we need libraries?  If I'm ever faced with trying to save my local, I sure want to have a great answer.

The second thing I'd like to bring to your attention is a wonderful networking opportunity.  Blogger Rachael Harrie is holding her second annual Platform Building Crusade.  Basically, you sign up and get partnered with other bloggers who are taking part in the Crusade.  Then you'll blog about similar topics, follow each other, and hopefully expand your readership.  It's pretty easy, and I've already gotten a handful of new folks to following and we haven't even started yet!

Rach has some great ideas, and most importantly I think this is going to be a blast.  So head on over and get signed up!

~EJW~