May 21: Flash Fiction Challenge

99 words, no more, no less. It’s a simple constraint, an easy-to-master literary art form, and a powerful writing tool for creatives and entrepreneurs. Writers calibrate the usefulness and beauty of 99-words through weekly flash fiction challenges.

Carrot Ranch is a dynamic online literary community for those practicing craft, reading stories and discussing process. Charli Mills is the lead buckaroo who hosts challenges, guest blogs, and an annual multi-contest called the Flash Fiction Rodeo.

May 21, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about 100 candles. What do they light, and why? Think about contrast or symbolism. Are the candles large, small, or stars in the night? Go where the prompt leads!

Christened Roman Catholic

I stopped going to mass when I was twelve

Not long after my first Holy Communion

My mother insisted I go to Sunday mass.

I would leave the house, walk around for an hour

These days I like to visit many churches

Light a candle, sit awhile

I decided to come back with a hundred candles

Find a reason to light each one

There are all the usual things

Health, wealth, happiness, protect the family

That might take up a dozen

I sat wondering how long it would take

to light one hundred Holy dancing flames…

©anitadawes 2020