Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The 2nd Challenge

Right, well last week Rach Harrie (she of the 3rd Writers Platform-Building Platform Campaign) posted her second challenge. I didn't win the last one (did you notice?), but I did get through to the second round. Because of that I was determined to give this second challenge a try. Humph, but did she make it easier? To say this challenge is a stinker is understating things. See what you think: 


The Challenge is:

Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should:
  • include the word "imago" in the title
  • include the following 4 random words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchronicity,"
If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional and included in the word count), make reference to a mirror in your post.
For those who want an even greater challenge (optional), make your post 200 words EXACTLY!
(taken from Rach Harrie's blog)


So after scratching my head for a few days. This is what I came up with. What do you think? If you like it  I am number #153 on the linky list. 


Changing Imago


They sit in silence on either side of the desk.

“No, too many letters.” His eyes scan the next clue. “You bore me beyond the Latin word?

“Latin for yawn.” He taps his forehead. “Oscitare, no, because that word is definitely synchronicity. But wait, it’s beyond latin, so in English, yes, that’s it, it’s oscitate.” He looks up, his eyes sparkling. “Am I right?”

“Absolutely.” She yawns.

“OK.” He squeezes his hands. “Los Angeles gap in the United Nations ABC. Lacuna, yes? Am I right?”

She nods and yawns again.

“Right, last one. A smelly foreboding of something unpleasant to come.”

She takes out a packet of cigarettes and lights one, inhales deeply and exhales. He looks into the smoke confused, then a smile cracks across his face.

“Of course! Miasma.” He slaps the paper down on the table. “Yes! I did it again. I am the king. Say it, I am the king of the killer crossword.”

“You are.”

“Aren’t you going to say it?” He frowns. “Since when did you smoke?”

“I’ve always smoked.”

“I don’t smoke.”

“I know.” She nods. “One across?”

“Imago.”

She picks up her handbag and flicks ash on the floor. “You aren’t mine.”

25 comments:

Francesca Zappia said...

I love how you incorporated all the words like this, with the crossword and the dialogue. I really felt the interaction between the two characters. Great job and good luck!

Jenny S. Morris said...

Love the fact that you used crossword. Great story!

Claire Hennessy said...

Interesting way to incorporate the words, very good. (Nice blog design, btw!)

Sheri L. Swift, Author said...

Interesting way to include the words! ; )

Unknown said...

Thanks Francesca, Jenny and Claire I really liked your entries too and Claire, ah yes the blog design! Great minds and what not! Oh and Sheri has a pretty cool blog design too! Sheri, I'll pop along and read yours now! I started from my spot and am reading back along the list and the new entries after me *cross eyed*

Cindy said...

Very clever. Great job!

Golden Eagle said...

I love the way you used a crossword! Great dialogue between the characters, too.

David P. King said...

Have yet to see a crossword approach. Very inventive. And the dialogue exchange flowed well.

Great job, Michele! :)

Author A.O. Peart said...

Great dialog and pace. I like how you used all the required words :-)

I'm # 157.

Sher A. Hart said...

I was already impressed with the crossword puzzle and then came to that last line. Oh, snap! What a way to end the story and the relationship. Way impressed. I love wordplay any way it plays out.

Jen said...

I love the subtext here, and that last line is perfect. Great job!
Mine is #3.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Like the others, I like the crossword idea. (I'm a crossword puzzle addict.)
BTW, thanks so much for the awards, I haven't had time to pass them on yet, but will soon.

ruth.the.writer said...

The crossword was a very original idea - haven't seen it in this contest! Great idea!

I'm No. 44.

Unknown said...

Hi all, I'm glad you liked the story. I've been to check you all out. There are some great stories out there. It'll be interesting to see what wins.

Cherie Colyer said...

Using a crossword puzzle, clever. Great dialogue and this flowed nicely!

P.S. I'm now following you on twitter and your blog.

AliB said...

Hi Michele- neat idea - I know how agressive those crossword freaks can get!
AliB

F.E. Sewell said...

Awesome! Your story is clever on so many different levels. Love the dialogue and the crossword concept!

K.T. Hanna said...

A crossword! What a great idea.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the comments Cherie, Ali, FE and KT. I'm off to read your entries now and a few more. Ali I get the impression you know quite a bit about crossword 'freaks' as you call them.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic. Great dialogue and love the crossword puzzle.

Unknown said...

Good job! And what a great way to use the words. I'm a new follower. My entry is 125.

MISH said...

Yay ! A crossword puzzle entry ! A great idea and excellent use of those pesky words ...
my entry at no.#185

Unknown said...

Thank you Raeyln, Rachel and MISH. Oh, I've been busy but all get back to reading the entries.

Unknown said...

Enjoyed your take on the words in the story. Very clever. Liked the dialogue. Good job.

Karen deBlieck said...

Enjoyed your take on the challenge. You managed to use the simple dialogue to show so much of the characters. Good job!

#189

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