A quick post to acknowledge two things that happened in my blog world this week:
WikiRandom Writers Challenge
A creation of the irrepressible Laird Sapir, the WikiRandom Writers Challenge is a flashfiction competition involving the creation of a three-sentence story using a phrase generated by hitting the Wikipedia random button. Sara Walpert Foster won the right to host the March competition after winning the first challenge in February. It was a lot of fun, and I managed to joint-win the right to host the April challenge. (Stay tuned — this will happen later in the month.)
Sara’s WikiRandom prompt was “an organic reaction”. Traumatised by the death of my mother’s dog, Jeddah, earlier in the week, I wrote the following:
The sheet looked like one of my mother’s, pale with a flower pattern, wrapped round and round with neatly folded edges and strips of blue fabric securing the bundle. Too small; too impossibly small for such a vibrant spirit. A few toys, no-longer needed, formed splashes of colour against the dirt raining down and down, until only three hastily picked geraniums marked the place where our little friend was now fuel for an organic reaction.
Thanks very much to Sara for the nod, and congratulations to Cheryl Byrne, the other March winner.
Liebster Blog
I enjoy receiving the various blog ‘awards’ as they come around, mainly because they celebrate our blog community. Laird Sapir has thrown the Liebster Blog nod in my direction this week. Thanks, Laird!
To explain, I’m going to quote Laird, who quoted Mike Schulenberg:
According to legends that come to us from antiquity, the Liebster is meant for blogs that motivate, inspire, and have 200 followers or less. Its apparent purpose is to summon new followers like some sort of mystical talisman, increasing the power of those of us who are just beginning. — Mike Schulenberg
The Liebster Blog rules:
- Thank the person who nominated you on your blog and link back to them.
- Nominate up to 5 others for the award.
- Let them know by commenting on your blog.
- Post the award on your blog.
So without further ado, I select the following five to spread the Liebster love:
Barbara Forte Abate — Scribbling outside the lines
April Plummer — Heart of the world
Elizabeth Fais — Where the awesome begins…
Jennifer L Oliver — World beneath the evening star
Alvarado Frazier — Strong women grow here: writing while living life
That’s it for now. Until next post…
E V Gregory 
I can SEE this emotive experience “in the now,” Ellen.
Extremely well-written.
What a great idea! Must. Visit. Laird.
And, become a better tribe member. Your posts always entertain.
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Thanks, Gloria. Much appreciated. I think being in the grip of strong emotion helped.
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Yours was such a great entry, Ellen. (Though I am sorry about what insprired it) I can’t wait to see the next iteration of the WWC on your blog!
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Thanks, Laird. I can’t wait to host the next challenge!!
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When are you going to have it? I’m marking my calendar… 🙂
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Not sure – maybe around the middle of the month. Don’t worry, I’ll publicise!
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Hoot hoot hurrah! Thank you, Ellen! What a very cool treat to find this most humbling mention for the every prestigious and coveted Liebster Blog Award, after an insanely long day of Saturday insanity. Uber cool and much appreciated. I do believe an Extra Large Vanilla Slice is in order to celebrate, only you’ll have to enjoy it for me, since I have yet to figure out how to get some for myself 😦
I LOVE LOVE your winning entry for the WikiRandom Writers Challenge. I have in fact found it essential to read, and re-read, as I am prone to do with passages that ring truest and run deepest. Beautiful 🙂
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Thanks for your very kind words, Barbara. And yay you for the Liebster!
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Congrats, Ellen, on both the Liebster and the Writer’s Challenge. Your entry is pretty great 🙂
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Thanks, Mike. It’s all about sharing the love.
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