Flashy Fiction widget

In trying to increase the traffic to the Flashy Fiction website, we've developed the graphic above for friends and fans of the site to post on their websites, blogs, etc.  Below we have provided instructions for how to put this image on your site as a link back to the Flashy Fiction site.  The image is 150 pixels by 150 pixels and has a white background with no border.

A preview of the linked image on a WordPress blog can be seen here: http://pubwrite.wordpress.com/.

On WordPress:
Method One:  Text widget
  1.  Add the "Text" widget to a sidebar
  2.  Copy the HTML code below and paste it into the widget's text box.
       <span style='display:block!important;width:150px;height:150px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12px;border:1px solid #000000;'>

       <a href="http://flashyfiction.blogspot.com/">

       <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4AmiWRZAIU/UYEov6B63JI/AAAAAAAAAsY/gPG6s9I5P9U/s1600/FlashyFiction.png" title="Flashy Fiction ...daily writing prompts">

       </a>
       </span>

Method Two:  Image widget
  1.  Add an "Image" widget to a sidebar
  2.  Copy and paste this URL into the Image URL field:
       http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4AmiWRZAIU/UYEov6B63JI/AAAAAAAAAsY/gPG6s9I5P9U/s1600/FlashyFiction.png
  3.  Copy and paste this URL into the Link URL field:
       http://flashyfiction.blogspot.com/

On Blogger:
Method One:  HTML/Javascript gadget
  1.  Add the "Text" widget to a sidebar
  2.  Copy the HTML code below and paste it into the widget's text box
       <div style='display:block!important;width:200px;height:150px;text-align:center;font-size:10px;margin-bottom:30px;'>
       <a href="http://flashyfiction.blogspot.com/">
       <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4AmiWRZAIU/UYEov6B63JI/AAAAAAAAAsY/gPG6s9I5P9U/s1600/FlashyFiction.png" title="Flashy Fiction ...daily writing prompts" style="border:1px solid #000000;" />
       </a><br />
Add this widget to your site to share your love for Flashy Fiction.
       </div>

Method Two:  Image gadget
  1.  Add the "Image" gadget where you want it
  2.  Copy and paste this URL into the Image URL field:
       http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4AmiWRZAIU/UYEov6B63JI/AAAAAAAAAsY/gPG6s9I5P9U/s1600/FlashyFiction.png
  3.  Copy and paste this URL into the Link URL field:
       http://flashyfiction.blogspot.com/
  4.  Save the gadget

On a Website:
Method One:  Code/HTML view
  --In the code, add the following code snippet where you want the linked image to appear:
       <a href="http://flashyfiction.blogspot.com/">
       <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4AmiWRZAIU/UYEov6B63JI/AAAAAAAAAsY/gPG6s9I5P9U/s1600/FlashyFiction.png" title="Flashy Fiction ...daily writing prompts">
       </a>

Method Two:  Design/GUI view
  1.  'Insert an image/picture' where you want the linked image to be
  2.  Use the URL below as the source/location of the image:
       http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4AmiWRZAIU/UYEov6B63JI/AAAAAAAAAsY/gPG6s9I5P9U/s1600/FlashyFiction.png"
  3.  Enter 'alt/alternate text' and 'title/hover' text as you see fit.  We recommend: Flashy Fiction ...daily writing prompts"
  4.  Select the new image and add/edit a hyperlink to the following URL:
       http://flashyfiction.blogspot.com/
   **These are general guidelines for design/GUI implementation.  Your specific web development software may use different words/fields/methods for accomplishing this task.

SATURDAY WORKSHOP - CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

The Saturday Workshop is a new feature at FLASHY FICTION. We will explore the writing process, developing certain elements that we can use in future prompts.

Today, lets develop a character.

It's easy to put a character into our stories, but it is more satisfying to establish one of substance.

• Decide who your character is. Male or female, young or old. 
• Will your character be the protagonist (hero) or the antagonist (opponent)?
• Give your character a personality. List qualities a good person may have. Make another list of qualities a bad person could have. Use these to add flair to your characters. Remember, no protagonist is perfect. An antagonist is not purely evil. Find a mix of qualities that make your characters more human. A 60% to 40% ratio will keep your characters well rounded.
• Create an appearance for your character. Observe people around you. What features appeal to you? Which turn you off? Look at magazine and television and list desirable and unwanted traits. Give them quirks that make them unforgettable. Maybe they twirl their hair, or pluck their beards. They could be a loveable drunk, or just a nasty person
• Be creative with the name. Keep a note book of interesting names you hear or see and try to use them in your characterization.
• Put some meat on his/her bones - Flesh out your character. Give your characters background. What is their sexual orientation? Do they have political leanings? Practice any religious beliefs? Create interesting jobs. Do they have a hobby? What kind of music, movies, books, etc. do they enjoy? How do they treat people who can do nothing for them. Do they do the right things when no one is watching?
• Don't let your character be predictable - don't be afraid to be surprised by what your character is capable of doing, good or bad. 

As an exercise, use these ideas to create and post a profile for a character.  Write one for a hero. Write one for an antagonist. A love interest? Try using one (or all) of these in your next attempt at FLASHY FICTION .

All Things Small...

and Creepy-Crawly. 

(Photobucket)

Get gritty with your Friday Flashy Fiction today!

Have fun...happy writing! 

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

DAVID BOWIE

Nothing stays the same.

And when the realization hits us, we either adapt and change, or wither and die on the vine. It's time we decide instead of hiding behind the Same Old, Same Old!

Your mission is to write a piece about someone who either has decided to change the way they do things OR has resigned to give up the ship. Either way, make the change in your approach an expressive one.

The Call

 

The phone rings.  You answer it.  Your life is changed forever.  Did you get the call at work?  Home? On the go? Did it turn a lazy day crazy or bring everything to a grinding halt?  Write a little Flashy Fiction about this phone call and how it changes your life.

Our Hero

"In Memory of a [school name] Hero.  Mr. [hero's name].  Our Mailman.  Our Friend." 

This guy had been the mailman for this school for a long time.  He was incredibly friendly and always had a piece of candy for the kids when he'd see them and all the kids in the school knew his name.  He was well-loved by the school staff, the kids, and the parents.  Last year, he was the reader of Frosty The Snowman at the annual winter performance at school.

Today, write a little Flashy Fiction about your hero or about what makes someone a hero to your protagonist...or maybe about the burden of being a hero.

Go Fly a Kite!!

Ahem...I've always wanted to say that to someone...haha!!

(Via Photobucket: loveej)

(Via Photobucket: crysta1994)

Where's she going?

She looks as if she's in a trance...

What or who is drawing her?

Or wherever your muse takes flight to!

Happy writing Friday Flashy Fiction writers! 

FLASHY TITLE

Today your prompt comes in the form of the title of your work of fiction. Below, you are provided with SIX titles. Choose one of them and write that story. Let your muse loose and see where she leads you.

FRACTURED JEWEL

BLUE SHOOTING STAR

TROPICAL WILD FLOWER

RADIANT GLOW

BURNT PHOTOGRAPHS

MERMAID ANGEL

Walk A Mile

 

They say you shouldn't judge someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes.   What kind of guy/gal wears these shoes?  Write a little Flash Fiction where these shoes play a part in the story.  Maybe the protagonist or antagonist wears them for work or play.  Maybe they are a major clue in solving a crime.  Maybe they are a modern version of the Cinderella story.  Close your eyes, put on your mental pair of adidas, and see where they take you.

Tomorrow

April 27th, 2013 

Save The Frogs Day 

Save The Frogs Day is the world's largest day of amphibian education and conservation action. Please get involved and help spread the word!

(Via Photobucket: txquacker)

Today...give a frog a flashy fiction voice!!

Have fun! 

Paul Bunyan was here

Paul Bunyan. The big guy with the big ax and the bigger blue ox.  The stuff legends, folk tales, and really tall tales are made of.  I played Paul this weekend, swinging my ax to chop down the dying tree in my yard.  Today, write a little Flashy Fiction about your own tree chopping or gardening experience, but stretch it a bit into a tall tale.  Or write your own take on a classic folk tale.

Welcome

What makes you feel welcome in a new place? A sign saying "welcome" in your native language? A cat slinking around, brushing up against your leg? Incense? Flowers? Write a little Flashy Fiction where your protagonist instantly feels welcome in a strange place.  Be sure to include what makes them feel that way.

Celebrity Endorsements

Shut your pie hole! "Gunny Ermey" is a celebrity endorsing operations security for the Army.  You see these types of endorsements every day. Write a little Flashy Fiction about a reaction to one of these endorsements or about a celebrity pitching a product where the celebrity or product is imagined...or maybe both are real and the "shoot" goes awry.

Tie One On

Today, tie some words together, including some form of tying: 

shoe laces
                                    a business tie
        a sailor's knot                                                                a big fat bow, on a surprise gift
                                                    a slip knot                        
                           apron strings                                                       tying the knot (gettin' hitched)
                                                                       a noose



Are you fit to be tied? Lace some phrase, and share it here.

Go Ahead!!!

Write yourself into some circles.

(Via Photobucket)

Step into a cyclical story if you wish...

(Via Photobucket)

Get WAY out there...go galactic!!

(Via Photobucket)

Happy writing Friday Flashy Fiction writers!!!