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2022 June Wizards
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Story -The Last Summoning 787 words The gnarled oaken door in the dingy caves deep in the Somerset Mendips bore the bright, neon legend, DO NOT YE DISTURBE.”
The bold, intrepid, but nervous venturer felt the need to disobey the request, but worried the slumbering sorcerer might not agree if he could not convince the man. His fears proved regrettably warranted. The bearded man of power went ballistic. He ranted as he rose from his memory foam slab, shivering in the absence of his robes that made the man who woke him look away in embarrassment.
“You dare to trespass into my secret resting halls to wake me for this?” Begone, before you have to slither out shedding scales, and develop an appetite for bluebottles.”
“But Merlin, I beseech thee for it is truly an emergency of enormous magnitude.”
“Hardly that urgent. The Black Death was an emergency, The World Wars and their associated atrocities were an emergency, Brexit, Covid, Rasputin… I mean Putin… No more of your false alarms, knight. What next? Will you wake me when you misplace your socks or stub your toe?”
“How can you be so dismissively insensitive and cold about all this? The plague decimated a third of civilization, Mage. How bad must it all become to merit your intervention?”
“A threat to the other two thirds, a potential extinction event. My orbs will glow if the threat is serious enough, and the Wyrm Ouroboros will awaken from his slumbers to chew again on his own tail. That will tell me I need to retrieve Arthur from his rest and retreat in fair Faerie Avalon. You running into my chambers yelling in panic will merely annoy me, Sir Tristan. Go, return only when the Grail cracks, Ouroboros stirs and the orbs start to shine.”
“Those things are of importance?”
“What things?”
“Luminous Orbs, the Grail, Ouroboros.”
“Of course they are of enormous import. The Orbs light to herald a need for the Round Table Order to reunite, and Excalibur to be raised again by the hand of the lake maiden. The Grail provides the refreshing blood-wine of our Lord to give us strength for the quest and challenge in saving the World. Ourobeus guards Camelot as we ride into glorious duty. “
“Oh dear. I’m afraid there is some bad news there, wise Magus.”
“What have you done?”
“Not necessarily I to blame personally, my King’s mightiest Warlock.
To ease the suffering of the poor who were rendered homeless in the plagues and civil wars that raged in Albion and Europe, we melted the Grail down to give out as many pieces of gold as we could. We have no more Grail. “
“Fools! Pray tell me the orbs still function.”
“Alas not, Once And Future Majesty’s favorite. The orbs triggered along with the smoke detectors when Lancelot burnt some toast using dragon-fire in the grill. In his anger at the noise and dazzling light, he ripped out the batteries and smashed the devices. They have not functioned for years.”
“So we have only the serpent Ouroboros to depend on?”
“Sadly not he either, for we saw him biting his tail with such agitation of late that Gawain feared he had some form of distemper and put him down humanely with a blow from his lance.”
Merlin was weeping. “All hope is not yet perished. Fortunately, I have one remaining device of great protection. A single final hope of salvation. Assist me in opening this trap door.”
“Certainly, Magical Bard. Good Lord above, what is this? It looks like a silver space vessel.”
“Astute of you, dear Knight, now help me up to its cockpit entrance.”
“It is rather a small craft is it not? Do you hope to fit all the Knights aboard to take us to the heart of the great trials to come?”
“Oh no, not at all. The star-craft is indeed a single seater, and for my flight to another World, for without the warning devices I set in place, your World is truly stuffed. I’m leaving before it’s too late. I can’t assist you further. Step back if you don’t desire incineration from my booster jets before incineration from the mushroom clouds due upon you soon.
“Have you no words for humanity before you abandon us to the consequences of our folly, sire?”
“Indeed, three words only. “SO LONG SUCKERS!”
With that, the cockpit hatch sealed, then the ship, and its passenger were gone.
Tristan found a discarded book marked 'Eazie Spell-Kasting For Dummies', and saw a recipe for turning oneself into a simple lizard. Knowing that slithering, eating bluebottles and shedding scales would be preferable to sentient fretting about how long the planet had left. Tristan uttered the words, and the deed was done.
Arthur (not that one) Chappell.
Mod
Cheers Glenda - you certainly chose a better magical decision than my protagonist, lol
THE ORB OF ELAMORE CASTLE
942 words by tturner
Elamore castle loomed black and eerie against the constant white lightning that flooded the night sky. There were no stars, there were no clouds, there were no trees. The hill was almost barren but for two large gargoyles that rested on top of blocks of black granite stone on either side of the castle gates.
Silhouetted against this mass of light stood a wizard whose aging features lay hidden under a long white hooded cloak. Protecting his right flank towered a powerful dragon. From the steps of the castle, together, they studied the distant storm. The old wizard knew it was not a natural occurrence but a warning conjured up by some evil magic.
"You have been a faithful companion, my dear friend," he said to the dragon. "But this battle is not yours. You must return at once to Balic mountain until I send word.”
The dragon uttered a deep guttural sound of anger and stomped his foot in disagreement. A short burst of fire erupted from his nostrils.
“I know my brave friend. But believe me when I say this fight does not belong to you. You must leave now before the storm arrives. Hurry, off with you.”
With that, the great dragon stretched his powerful wings and circled the castle three times. Each time long angry plumes of fire erupted from his mouth, flooding the castle courtyard with bright light. Then, with a loud cry, he disappeared into the night sky.
Across the other side of Catsgoth mountain lived another wizard. One of unspeakable evil who had risen in power over the last few years. Upon hearing the news of the ailing old wizard, he was now preparing to swoop in and take control of the castle and the lands so beloved and carefully cared for by the old wizard. The much-valued prize he desired most was the golden orb that lay hidden for centuries deep within the castle’s underground cellars.
As the old wizard gazed into the storm he knew he was not alone for lingering in the shadows behind him stood a young priest; a prodigy who had been tutored by the wizard for many years. His body trembled beneath the purple robe he wore knowing that a battle was about to befall the castle. His love for the old wizard knew no bounds and he knew that if his master was not strong enough to defend the castle, all would be lost; including their very lives and the people of the land would be ruled by the evil one.
The old wizard stood steadfast staring into the stormy night for any sign of the aggressor. He also knew the thoughts of his young prodigy. Turning to face the priest he said, “be strong my son. Have faith. A battle is never won or lost until it is over. When I am gone, you will receive my spirit and rule this land for years to come.” Hot soulful tears streamed down the young priest's face as the thought of losing his master would be unbearable. The old wizard had brought peace and prosperity to the land and his beloved people. His feeble body rendered his magic into a weakened state that left his domain now unprotected.
In the darkness, the evil one held his staff high above his head causing a thick destructive mist that moved ominously across Catsgoth mores toward the castle and the village below. Thunder crashed around the castle walls and the gargoyles, while deep in the underground cellars behind locked iron doors a golden light began to glow, becoming brighter every time the lightning struck the castle parapets.
Blood-curdling screams could be heard piercing the night as a mysterious aura encircled the thatched roofed houses in the small village. Doors were bolted shut and windows locked and shuttered. Many villagers fled into their underground cellars to escape the choking mist of evil that came with the storms.
The old wizard of Elamore castle had always protected the village and its people against the Catsgoth wizard who lived in the hills of Megamorph but now that protection was uncertain. For years the evil wizard coveted the land and had been patiently waiting for the death of the aging wizard. His wait now was almost over as he stood determined at the gates of Elamore.
But now below, in the cellars, the orb lay resting in the wrinkled hands of the old wizard. Its golden light shimmered through his body as he raised the orb into the air and whispered a few unintelligible ancient words. Above, the furious storm raged on. The lightning wreaked havoc across the sky striking the gargoyles again and again.
Evil laughter from the Catsgoth wizard echoed around the castle walls as he stood before the iron gates; his rod held high before him. Soon Elamore castle and the golden orb would be his.
The two ancient gargoyles of Elamore castle had but one purpose which was to protect the castle and the orb. And now, as they sat upon their blocks of black granite, their anger erupted from their hard chiseled form. Upon the next lightning strike their stone arms reached out like great black tentacles dragging the Catsgoth wizard into the granite blocks where he would be entombed forever.
The storm soon dissipated and the old wizard had now placed the orb back on its bed of golden mist where its light was already fading. He locked the great cellar doors and walked slowly up the stone steps smiling as he did so knowing Elamore castle, the golden orb, his people and the lands would be safe once more.
942 words by tturner
Elamore castle loomed black and eerie against the constant white lightning that flooded the night sky. There were no stars, there were no clouds, there were no trees. The hill was almost barren but for two large gargoyles that rested on top of blocks of black granite stone on either side of the castle gates.
Silhouetted against this mass of light stood a wizard whose aging features lay hidden under a long white hooded cloak. Protecting his right flank towered a powerful dragon. From the steps of the castle, together, they studied the distant storm. The old wizard knew it was not a natural occurrence but a warning conjured up by some evil magic.
"You have been a faithful companion, my dear friend," he said to the dragon. "But this battle is not yours. You must return at once to Balic mountain until I send word.”
The dragon uttered a deep guttural sound of anger and stomped his foot in disagreement. A short burst of fire erupted from his nostrils.
“I know my brave friend. But believe me when I say this fight does not belong to you. You must leave now before the storm arrives. Hurry, off with you.”
With that, the great dragon stretched his powerful wings and circled the castle three times. Each time long angry plumes of fire erupted from his mouth, flooding the castle courtyard with bright light. Then, with a loud cry, he disappeared into the night sky.
Across the other side of Catsgoth mountain lived another wizard. One of unspeakable evil who had risen in power over the last few years. Upon hearing the news of the ailing old wizard, he was now preparing to swoop in and take control of the castle and the lands so beloved and carefully cared for by the old wizard. The much-valued prize he desired most was the golden orb that lay hidden for centuries deep within the castle’s underground cellars.
As the old wizard gazed into the storm he knew he was not alone for lingering in the shadows behind him stood a young priest; a prodigy who had been tutored by the wizard for many years. His body trembled beneath the purple robe he wore knowing that a battle was about to befall the castle. His love for the old wizard knew no bounds and he knew that if his master was not strong enough to defend the castle, all would be lost; including their very lives and the people of the land would be ruled by the evil one.
The old wizard stood steadfast staring into the stormy night for any sign of the aggressor. He also knew the thoughts of his young prodigy. Turning to face the priest he said, “be strong my son. Have faith. A battle is never won or lost until it is over. When I am gone, you will receive my spirit and rule this land for years to come.” Hot soulful tears streamed down the young priest's face as the thought of losing his master would be unbearable. The old wizard had brought peace and prosperity to the land and his beloved people. His feeble body rendered his magic into a weakened state that left his domain now unprotected.
In the darkness, the evil one held his staff high above his head causing a thick destructive mist that moved ominously across Catsgoth mores toward the castle and the village below. Thunder crashed around the castle walls and the gargoyles, while deep in the underground cellars behind locked iron doors a golden light began to glow, becoming brighter every time the lightning struck the castle parapets.
Blood-curdling screams could be heard piercing the night as a mysterious aura encircled the thatched roofed houses in the small village. Doors were bolted shut and windows locked and shuttered. Many villagers fled into their underground cellars to escape the choking mist of evil that came with the storms.
The old wizard of Elamore castle had always protected the village and its people against the Catsgoth wizard who lived in the hills of Megamorph but now that protection was uncertain. For years the evil wizard coveted the land and had been patiently waiting for the death of the aging wizard. His wait now was almost over as he stood determined at the gates of Elamore.
But now below, in the cellars, the orb lay resting in the wrinkled hands of the old wizard. Its golden light shimmered through his body as he raised the orb into the air and whispered a few unintelligible ancient words. Above, the furious storm raged on. The lightning wreaked havoc across the sky striking the gargoyles again and again.
Evil laughter from the Catsgoth wizard echoed around the castle walls as he stood before the iron gates; his rod held high before him. Soon Elamore castle and the golden orb would be his.
The two ancient gargoyles of Elamore castle had but one purpose which was to protect the castle and the orb. And now, as they sat upon their blocks of black granite, their anger erupted from their hard chiseled form. Upon the next lightning strike their stone arms reached out like great black tentacles dragging the Catsgoth wizard into the granite blocks where he would be entombed forever.
The storm soon dissipated and the old wizard had now placed the orb back on its bed of golden mist where its light was already fading. He locked the great cellar doors and walked slowly up the stone steps smiling as he did so knowing Elamore castle, the golden orb, his people and the lands would be safe once more.
Mod
The Xovarian marketplace was quite remarkable, filled with diverse goods and food. Elkeon strolled down the cobble stone street with his pony Blue Bell, when something caught his eye. He walked up to a vendor who had a magical orb for sale. It reminded him of the one his uncle Oras had who tried to teach Elkeon to be a wizard. Oras could see that Elkeon gravitated to being a huntsman instead of a wizard. That meant his uncle didn’t spend much time in teaching him wizardry, but the young man had fond memories.
“Does it really work?” inquired Eldkeon.
“Don’t know. I was cleaning out my father’s old belongings. But for the record, he was a really respected wizard.”
“How much for the orb?’
“Two shillings,” replied the vendor.
Elkeon placed the coins in the vendor’s hand while exchanging hands for the orb with the other which was promptly placed in the saddle bag. He mounted Blue Bell as they left the city of Xovaria for the river of Tossing Run. The river got its name from the rough conditions of large boulders and fast waterways.
There was a favorite fishing spot that Elkeon frequently fished at. He successfully caught three catfish when the unexpected happened. His footing slipped on a slick stone. He splashed into the water but not before hitting his back on a bolder. That put an end to the fishing.
Just yonder, Elkeon was struggling to make his way through the secret vineyard with the slow pace of Blue Bell. Elkeon squirmed in the saddle since his back was in severe pain. A large eagle suddenly appeared, having caught sight of the cat fish that Elkeon caught earlier. The fish dangled behind the saddle on either side of Blue Bell. The eagle dive-bombed Elkeon. Already weakened from his injury, he lost his balance and fell from his saddle. The last thing he saw before briefly losing consciousness was the large talons grasping his catfish as the bird flew to its nest.
Blue Bell nuzzled Elkeon’s head and licked her master. He opened his eyes; his back was throbbing. Deep in the humid haunted thicket, he was alarmingly lost. With fist clenched and teeth gnashed, he remembered that his catfish were taken by the eagle. But at that point, he was just thankful for his life. Suddenly, to his horror, a grey wolf emerged from the thicket of the woods. Elkeon opened his mouth to scream but was cut short when Blue Bell came to her master’s aid. She whinnied and stood up on her hind legs while waving her front hooves at the wolf in a threatening manner. It worked. The wolf retreated to the dark woods. Elkeon picked himself off the ground and walked toward Blue Bell. He reached inside of a saddle bag. To his relief the orb was safe through all of the misfortunes of the day.
Elkeon was so relieved to make it home. He turned the wicks up on a couple of lanterns. Thankfully he had some smoked lamb to fill his belly after losing his fish. He filled his plate with meat, bread, carrots, and squash and washed these down with some wine. After clearing the table, he brought the orb out for a better look. He promptly went to his bedroom, rustled around in some storage, and came back with a wand, one his uncle had given him. He sat at the table and extended the wand to the orb. There was an exchange of electricity. Elkeon was sucked into the orb and into another world – or at least that’s how it seemed. The raven that was the familiar of Uncle Oras landed on his right shoulder. He stared at a calendar of July 1st. Masses of people from different realms invaded his country, bringing a fatal plague. This was followed by a famine. Time sped up and he saw warring armies come from the South to try to invade his peaceful land. Elkeon was filled with great anguish. He took the wand and stretched it to heaven, expelling Power. He found himself back home at his table. The orb glowed and then looked as before. It happened to be the eve of June 30th.
The next morning, Elkeon tied a wagon to Blue Bell and traveled to the Great Pass at the southern border. There was a giant man made bridge. Elkeon wrapped explosives to the supports of the bridge and on the main fairway. In the distance he could see hundreds of people coming his way. The vision in the orb was coming to pass. Elkeon lit his fuses, quickly got into the wagon, and sent Blue Bell galloping off the bridge. The explosion that followed created a massive cloud that could be seen from many miles. The bridge was completely destroyed. He had just saved his people from certain destruction.
The next time Elkeon went into town for supplies, he stopped off at the Ye Old Fowl Tavern. He hadn’t even ordered a drink when he heard a gentleman at a nearby table say to his friend, “Did you hear that the northern border is being invaded?”
Why do I never find such orbs on the market stalls? not fair... lovely story
Mod
942 words by tturner
Elamore castle loomed black and eerie against the constant white lightning that flooded the night sky. There were no stars, there were no clouds, the..."
We could use some of those gargoyles today, no joke! Loved your story. I thought of Shae too with the mention of the dragon. She would've loved it, I'm sure.
Mod
Believe it or not, Amazon sells different types of wizard orbs for Halloween or Cosplay. A little pricey in my opinion. And thank you!
Since I am not writing any story for the month's competition, though I really miss it, I'm enjoying the stories already, without worrying about my own writing first, this way, with the disillusioned Merlin, the wizard of Elamore Castle with one more trick up his sleeve, and the resourceful Elkeon who bravely dealt with saving the people of his country but we find in the end he can't overturn fate. Nice writing Arthur, Terry, and Glenda. Each really enjoyable. Believe it or not I try writing for this just about every month, but have just not had something worthwhile by the time I needed it every time. You still manage doing that though.
Mod
CHANGE OF WINDS (1000 words)The townsfolk never knew what hit them. Everything there was flattened, scattered to the wind that blew all those hopes and dreams away into nothingness. But, I guess they got what they deserved. The Wexlan to be mined and used as an ingredient combined with other minerals in making objects almost indestructible and extremely lightweight, was on land the Jantai considered sacred. Their warning to outsiders was simple and to the point — STAY AWAY.
Life in the small gathering of huts and adobe-styled structures where the Jantai survived on the natural offerings of the land was a union in balance with nature; absorbed in a centuries-old relationship immersed in a bond between the Jantai spiritual leaders and their connections with the spiritual. This bond was cultivated with interactions enabled during times of hardship, need or celebration. Nothing was to come between the Jantai and their practices and if anyone tried, the repercussions were complete and final.
Jespar Orbley was glowing. He stumbled upon his discovery by fluke. A local rancher of the area asked if the Science Institute could tell him what it was of a hard substance he found jutting from a small crevice on his property. Orbley was given the mineral by his superiors and a month to analyze and report his findings.
‘Hmnn, this looks strange,’ he thought. ‘I’ve never seen this before. Hope I can figure out what it is quickly.’
That afternoon, Orbley put small pieces of the substance into vials and fit them into the thermal ionization mass spectrometer used to analyze substances such as uranium, lead and other minerals. He watched the spectrometer shake the substance and then left the office for a coffee break. He was shocked at what he saw when he returned.
The leaders of the Jantai tribe gathered for a private meeting regarding an unusually high number of traffic on their territory. The spiritual leaders were summoned and as they arrived, discussion centred on the possibility of their tribe having to relocate for fear of being uprooted because of the need to excavate a mineral dominant underneath their land. The meeting began with the usual greetings and acknowledgements before the leader stood up and addressed the gathering.
“My grandfather experienced a time like this when people wanted to take over our territory. We allowed them to live on tracts of land and they happily agreed to our generosity,” he said. “Then they became greedy, and violent, and again we gathered and made the decision we always wanted to avoid during times like this. We must decide.”
His jaw dropped in amazement. Orbley stared at vials containing the mineral bouncing wildly in the vials. He took a vial from the spectrometer, opened the lid and watched as the substance floated upward. It then stuck to a Wexlan bubblegum wrapper. Orbley peeled the substance off the wrapper and decided to call this mineral Wexlan. He knew he was onto something ground-breaking. After placing a call to his superiors, they ordered him to study the results and to experiment its capacities and potential by combining it with numerous other minerals. What they discovered and created had endless possibilities.
To clear the way for mineral extraction, scientists met with the townsfolk and Lumberman’s company to discuss strategies of how they could move forward with large-scale mining. The possibilities for employment and, perhaps, a bit of fame to boost the struggling local economy, was in their minds. The excitement was contagious. Gradually, nearly everyone in town was planning for the windfall they expected, and blindly taking for granted. It was determined that mining was to begin immediately and a contract was to be drafted immediately with Lumberman’s company chosen to oversee the project. In their excitement, the leadership of the town, the scientists and Lumberman failed to include anyone from the Jantai tribe — they just took it for granted their plans superseded all jurisdictions without consulting the original inhabitants of the area.
Billy Lumberman owned perhaps the largest fleet of excavating equipment in the country. He readily accepted the offer of mining Wexlan with a huge payoff written in the contract. He signed the paperwork and made eye contact with Jespar Orbley, the scientist in charge of extracting as much of the mineral as possible. Orbley simply nodded at Billy, folded the contract, and walked away to a waiting van where he was whisked away in a cloud of dust. Lumberman calculated his cost, the amount of manpowered required and smiled with self-satisfaction and a certain hint of cockiness of his equipment he accumulated in schemes not always by the book. He jumped in his truck and headed toward the excavation site.
But, the Jantai heard of the intent to begin mining on their territory and they began their own course to deal with the expected environmental ugliness once mining began. After the Jantai met, the spiritual leaders left their encampment in the dead of night and entered a cave in the hills nearby. Centuries-old practices began; no one was allowed to witness and observe the ways of the spiritual leaders.
Orbley’s discovery slowly caught the attention of the military. They initiated a meeting to send their scientists to Orbley’s laboratory and began organizing their own excavation team.
That day began in the Sun, with a beautiful sunny sky. But, within hours the sky blackened. Lightning and rain hammered the surroundings and tornadoes demolished everything, leaving behind only cement foundations. The town didn’t exist anymore. Everyone just simply vanished. The Wexlan experiments were lost forever. The military chalked it up to a failed experiment and moved on.
What was strange was that it only happened there, in that one specific location. No one ever dared to build upon the land the Jantai considered sacred. The Jantai gathered that night and prayed for those lost; they prayed on the ground they were able to protect and for a future that should never be taken for granted.
I hope my story suited the requirements somewhat closely. I will submit my observations on the writer's stories on Wednesday, thank you...
Mod
The townsfolk never knew what hit them. Everything there was flattened, scattered to the wind that blew all those hopes and dreams away into nothingness. But, I guess ..."
Tom, of course Fred will have to tell you if you met the criteria. Fred's challenge: MUST CONTAIN mention of a glowing orb, a warning, and a familiar. A glowing orb is similar to the orb on a staff in Lord of the Rings or perhaps a crystal ball. Also about a familiar: A familiar is a spirit that takes the form of an animal. Familiars frequently act as companions to witches.
It was difficult for me to write for this challenge. You always write a good story though.
Arthur, the tale you crafted was very well imagined and creative; not to mention humorous. The way you blended the days of lore with today’s figures and waves of catastrophic situations, including the spaceship is over the edge cool…well done, Arthur…Terry, the build up of anticipation of persistent evil and the strength in the power and belief in everything goodness resides in the tale you told. I have always enjoyed the belief in good triumphing over evil and your story flows with such ease from beginning to your ending…very well written, Terry…
Glenda, I really enjoyed how you used nature and animals in your story. I felt the tie-in to your world in an other-worldly realm, and luck, or fate, in finding the orb. The journey to save his environment is left hanging at the end with the northern border in danger…very well thought out and written, Glenda…
Great writing everyone…
Very creative, Arthur. Nicely written.
Arthur wrote: "Story -The Last Summoning 787 words
The gnarled oaken door in the dingy caves deep in the Somerset Mendips bore the bright, neon legend, DO NOT YE DISTURBE.”
The bold, intrepid, but nervous vent..."
Arthur wrote: "Story -The Last Summoning 787 words
The gnarled oaken door in the dingy caves deep in the Somerset Mendips bore the bright, neon legend, DO NOT YE DISTURBE.”
The bold, intrepid, but nervous vent..."
Enjoyed reading your story, Glenda. Seems like there could be a part two.
Glenda wrote: "ANOTHER WORLD (931 words)
The Xovarian marketplace was quite remarkable, filled with diverse goods and food. Elkeon strolled down the cobble stone street with his pony Blue Bell, when something ca..."
Glenda wrote: "ANOTHER WORLD (931 words)
The Xovarian marketplace was quite remarkable, filled with diverse goods and food. Elkeon strolled down the cobble stone street with his pony Blue Bell, when something ca..."
Glenda wrote: "Tom wrote: "CHANGE OF WINDS (1000 words)The townsfolk never knew what hit them. Everything there was flattened, scattered to the wind that blew all those hopes and dreams away into nothingness. B..."
All the stories were well-written and draw the reader in, Tom's one was as well. The criteria I gave still stated what must be included, which others' stories met, as mine do when I submit, these indicate at least mostly fresh writing that makes a more even playing field for those submitting. As well as this story from Tom is, it did not meet the criteria, and accepting it would not keep desired fairness to those submitting who do write material that meets that.
This is still open to submissions, all the way until the end of Sunday June 26, which I will allow for midnight at my local time, PDT. I will try having a site up for it if I can work with it, like Survey Monkey, though I would try all over with it, having a different account, in part from circumstances in which war in Europe is involved. I can still be reached for submitted votes if I don't manage that at ffburwick@gmail.com, but if I do I will post the link by the evening of June 27.
Thanks for the update, Fred.
F.F. wrote: "Glenda wrote: "Tom wrote: "CHANGE OF WINDS (1000 words)
The townsfolk never knew what hit them. Everything there was flattened, scattered to the wind that blew all those hopes and dreams away into..."
F.F. wrote: "Glenda wrote: "Tom wrote: "CHANGE OF WINDS (1000 words)
The townsfolk never knew what hit them. Everything there was flattened, scattered to the wind that blew all those hopes and dreams away into..."
Mod
Thanks, Terry. I just might have to take you up on that.
Thank you for the update, Fred.
I'm in a number of groups and in my haste to write a story, I read it incompletely...I will have to forego this month's challenge...thanks and great writing everyone...
Glenda wrote: "TERRY wrote: "Enjoyed reading your story, Glenda. Seems like there could be a part two...."Thanks, Terry. I just might have to take you up on that.
Thank you for the update, Fred. If I may ask, ..."
Sorry, I was not well, but I do have the Survey Monkey site up, each one if not voting for self can have a place on the winning list. https://mobile.surveymonkey.com/web/s..., other group members besides those posting can vote too, so those who have not posted a story this time can use the page for a vote for third place.
I don't live in Europe, though I have visited there when young, I am on the west coast, with PDT. I was using a Yandex server I had chosen for an alternate free email server, it is in Russia, I had concern about data use, with that, so I prefer to continue using another email I have available, for this. With this from another device I am starting with new accounts for things like this.
Fred. The surveymonkey link above takes me to a "sign-in or create an account" page.
TERRY wrote: "Fred. The surveymonkey link above takes me to a "sign-in or create an account" page."Yes, it was this way, when I first went to Survey Monkey when it was linked to from here at Goodreads earlier, and I had an account then at that time. I had to start over making a new account, a second time, and then remember the format to have the survey shown for voting. We each need a Survey Monkey account, it will probably still be used, as it was a number of times before I first used it to put the voting site up for others to vote. With the account, using the same browser, you should be able to click the link and get to the Survey Monkey site to vote for this.
Can you just copy and paste the link straight to the survey. That seems like the easiest way.
TERRY wrote: "Can you just copy and paste the link straight to the survey. That seems like the easiest way."That was just what I did. If you don't have an account you would need to make one. But the link I gave was from the address bar at the questionnaire site.
It looks like there is something missing from the end of the link. Glenda's SMonkey link went straight to voting without signing in or creating an account.
I don't know why. I tried the link that I took from the address bar and it took me to where I would sign in, my sign in information was saved and I just clicked to log in, and I was then right at the voting site for this.
I think if I sign in it will take me to my account - not yours. Yes, I just signed in and it took me to my account. I think you should copy and past the URL on the survey page.
Have an appointment - got to run. Later.
Have an appointment - got to run. Later.
Mod
I don't know what I did wrong to have that link, what Terry says I should do is exactly what I did.
Mod
You shouldn't have to log in to vote at a survey. This is the survey I used for April at Crowdsignal. If you click this link https://glendareynolds.survey.fm/2022... you go directly to it.
Fred: Good luck.
Mod
I have posted the July writing challenge https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sorry I couldn't help.
I really don't know what I was doing wrong, and I can only try still like I was doing. Yet I logged in before when Survey Monkey was first used. This was how Survey Monkey was as far as I knew, when it is accessed through a new browser. And I still logged in for the second account. If this link is not going to do it better with this try, I did give an email address through which I can be reached, already. https://mobile.surveymonkey.com/web/s...
Mod
So do you want people to send votes to your email address? And if so, is this your email address? burwick@yandex.com
I was away for a few days so not seen any voting time updates though it looks like there may not be enough entries for the competition this month here now
I saw your vote Glenda and I was going to respond to that message. No one should send their vote to that Yandex email address, which was not one I had, nor to the one I did have. I have newer access without including the email I had through the Yandex server, as I don't want any information data going to Russia that will make use of it as they will. I gave the email address to contact me above, ffburwick@gmail.com, I can count votes there. I will take votes even several hours later, so results might be later on the first of the next calendar month. I am sorry the Survey Monkey site was not desirable to use, though I used it the way I saw to do, going to the trouble to do it right more than once, as posters are not willing to be logged in for that, though I had been doing that before. It was a lot of trouble for me now, especially when not well at the first time.
still can't see instructions on voting the june stories
Arthur wrote: "still can't see instructions on voting the june stories"I was waiting for you Arthur, so then I would post results. No one was wanting to use Survey Monkey for it, that would have logging in for it, and after so much trouble I had with it, I won't use it anymore. I gave my email that could be used, the post above yours, or as Glenda did messaging me here through Goodreads could work and I will count a vote through this.
Use votes for first place and second place
Mod
Arthur, send your votes to: ffburwick@gmail.com
I have the votes from each who posted a story this month, but not Tom, and no others of the group. It is a tie, among Terry, Glenda, and Arthur
WOW! That's a first. Thanks Fred for hosting.
F.F. wrote: "I have the votes from each who posted a story this month, but not Tom, and no others of the group. It is a tie, among Terry, Glenda, and Arthur"
F.F. wrote: "I have the votes from each who posted a story this month, but not Tom, and no others of the group. It is a tie, among Terry, Glenda, and Arthur"
Mod
cool, great to tie with such great work
THEME
Wizard works to save his society from the encroaching chaos.
MUST CONTAIN mention of a glowing orb, a warning, and a familiar.
STORY PROMPTS
Camelot, Atlantis, or developed society amid hostile tribal people.
SETTING – Any, Past, Present or Future
PLOT – your choice
LENGTH: 500 to 1,000 Words
DEADLINE: Sunday, June 26, 2022
Voting will take place between June 27th to June 30th. Winners will be posted in this thread on July 1st.
CHALLENGE GUIDELINES – Skip over this comment section if you are familiar with the Writers 750 Challenge.
GENRE: Fantasy, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Crime, Comedy, Romance, or a mixture (BASICALLY, anything but erotica)
PURPOSE -
Some fiction writers are looking to win a short story contest, keeping in touch with making deadlines, and/or simply sharpening the skill of writing fiction. The main purpose of this contest is to sharpen plot and character skills, collect your own short stories, receive good feedback, make a good connection with other writers, and take a short break from your current novel to get a fresh view when you return to it.
RULES & DIRECTIONS -
• Type in English - a minimum of 500 words; a maximum of 1,000 words; no erotica, no profanity.
• Post your title, by line, and word count total in the first line of your story posting.
• Writers are responsible for their own copyright. Authors keep all rights. PRIVACY POLICY IS ENFORCED. COPYRIGHTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS BELONG TO INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS. THIS CONTEST DOES NOT GRANT ANY PERSON THE RIGHT OR LICENSE TO COPY OR USE OTHER STORIES. EACH STORY IS PROTECTED BY THE COPYRIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR.
• ONE entry per person, must be writer's original work, a final revision, and a new piece of writing. Please do not delete and re-post since this becomes confusing to the readers. Try to post your final revision.
JUDGING: The story will be judged on creativity, proper grammar, good punctuation, and overall good quality for story.
VOTING: Please You are not allowed to vote for yourself. If posting this month, you MUST vote, for your story to remain eligible.