Rodeo #2: Memoir Flash Nonfiction Contest at the Carrot Ranch Literary Community
Last month Charlie Mills of the CarrotRanch ran a month long Flash Fiction Rodeo Contest. Each weekly contest consisted of a subject to compose our 99 word entries for. Today I’m sharing my entry for the Memoir Flash Fiction Challenge. The subject for the story was “She Did It”. Although I didn’t win, it was a fun challenge and I wish a hardy congratulations to those who won.
The Narcissist
Mother broke hearts with her beauty. Her heart was impenetrable. Her razor-sharp tongue peppered with acidic words, seared holes through my self-esteem, perplexing my childhood and self-worth. I envied her beauty, despite not desiring to emulate.
Cutting words, her specialty. Brainwashed by lies, I thought I needed help. It was my mother requiring analysis. Desperation loomed, anticipating escaping her twisted manipulation and projecting unto others of what festered in her soul.
I escaped. The wounds didn’t. Words embedded, stifled with guilt, my spirit shattered from her black, troubled soul.
Fifty years later, the shackles released. “I banish you Mother.”
If you’d like to see some of the entries and the list of winners please visit the CarrotRanch.
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dgkaye
D.G. Kaye is a nonfiction/memoir writer, who writes from her own life experiences and self-medicates with a daily dose of humor.
37 Comments
Norah Colvin
That’s a powerful piece with strong emotion, Debby. The competition was tough. you did well to enter. I couldn’t muster the courage.
dgkaye
Thanks so much Norah. It seems all the competitions were tough. It’s good discipline taking a story and condensing it down to 99 words – just the facts while engaging the reader. 🙂
Stevie Turner
An excellent submission, Debby. Cutting words cut deep. x
dgkaye
Oh, thanks so much Stevie 🙂 x
Robbie Cheadle
These 99 words speak volumes, Debby. Very moving.
dgkaye
Thanks so much Robbie 🙂
Marian Beaman
You made every word count in this vignette, which seems like a distillation of a theme in P. S. I Forgive You.
Brava!
dgkaye
Thanks Marian. It was a memoir challenge, right up my alley. 🙂
Jacqui Murray
This is a perfect introductory blurb about your book, Deb. I can’t imagine how horrid it was for one you trusted to say you were damaged over and over. I’m disgusted.
dgkaye
Thanks Jacqui. The memories never go away, but I am happy to say I have risen from the ashes. Just call me Phoenix. 🙂
Hugh Roberts
This was a very tough contest, but you did a brilliant job, Debby. I found writing something for it very challenging with the prompt we had to use but managed to my entry in just before the contest closed.
Congratulations on your entry.
dgkaye
Thanks so much Hugh. Yes, it was a good challenge alright! 🙂 <3 Looking forward to the next winning announcements. <3
Hilary
Hi Debby – that’s excellent and so so accurate … I’ll attest to that – not my mother but another … take care and all the best – cheers Hilary
dgkaye
Thanks so much Hilary. <3
John Maberry
Now where have I heard this before? Good stuff DGK. 🙂
dgkaye
Hey, it’s memoir, it’s my life, why not try and condense it into 99 words? LOL 🙂
Marje
I enjoyed entering this one too Debby. A powerful and personal piece, well done.
dgkaye
Thanks Marje. I did see your entry and shared 🙂
Colleen M. Chesebro
I entered too, Sis. Memoir is not my thing. You did great! <3
dgkaye
Thanks my cheerleading sister <3
Miriam Hurdle
Excellent entry, Debby. Every word is powerful. 🙂
dgkaye
Thanks so much for the encouragement Miriam 🙂 x
Olga Núñez Miret
Impressive, Debby. You pull no punches. It proves you can say a lot in a few words. Thanks for sharing and good luck.
dgkaye
Thanks Olga. That’s the challenge, getting the essence of the story down to minimal words. Good for the brain lol 🙂 x
Sue Dreamwalker
An excellent heart-felt understood entry Debby, It may have taken half a century to finally unlock those shackles,but oh boy once we finally find those keys… We not only banish the cause of those wounds but we find a new sense of freedom in the realisation we were not to blame, and we Are Worthy.
Beautifully written from one child to another my friend. <3
Much love sent your way Spirit Sister.. 🙂
dgkaye
Thank you so much my kindred sister. Sending some love back! 🙂 <3
Chuck Jackson
Writing on demand like these contest are challenging and they can be fun. I give you kudos for your entry. I recognize the character with the sharp tongue. HUGS
dgkaye
Lol, thank you Chuck 🙂 x
D. Wallace Peach
This rings so true after reading your books, Debby. That last line is so powerful. Good for you for participating in the rodeo. 🙂
dgkaye
Thank you so much Diana. <3
sally cronin
A tough subject Debby but you proved that 99 words is more than enough to get your message across…hugs ♥
dgkaye
Thanks bunches Sal. Yes, I enjoyed the challenging of condensing! <3 xxx
Sherri Matthews
A powerful, moving read, Deb. I find writing memoir as well as fiction in 99 words a great way for deeper, distilled expression, as you’ve demonstrated here. I am just so sorry you had to grow up in such sorrow…but baby, look at you now! 🙂 <3 🙂
dgkaye
You always make me smile Sher. Thanks for your kind and loving words always. <3 xoxo
Jennie Fitzkee
Wow!!
Liesbet
Such a strong piece, Debby. And hard to condense a flood of emotions and thoughts into a cohesive and compelling 99 words. Well done. I also thought that flash fiction always had to be fiction, but I guess there are different themes and genres? Have a nice rest of the week!
dgkaye
Thanks Liesbet. Yes, there’s a place for nonfiction too! 🙂