Author: Sue Ranscht

Having survived valve repair surgery and an experimental cardiac bypass at age 5, three years before it was an accepted medical procedure, Susan grew into the size of her overworked and enlarged heart. Maybe she thought she had enough to give it away -- twice. Both times, she had to retrieve the shattered pieces and puzzle them back together. She thanks her Dad for the only advice of his she ever followed to the letter: "Never get married. Learn to take care of yourself." So of course she is a writer. Susan has co-written a YA SciFi novel, and has three more novels in various stages of evolution. She's had several short stories published in other people's anthologies, some of which were contest-related. Let her tell you a story...

Spike’s Messenger

Glad you could join us for the next eye-popping episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Rundstedt B. Rovillos

With that image fresh in his mind, Elliot easily resisted the Bols de Mort. He pushed headlong through the malodorous meadow to arrive at the Hive at the tail end of twilight.

Vernon, Liaison to Queen Lilian the Undisputed Monarch of Fen, notified the Queen the instant Elliot returned. She met him in the bower moments later.

“Your Magnificence, one of Spike’s rebels has taken Cassandra. He knows she’s King Arnie’s daughter. I’m afraid I’ve put her in grave danger.” Continue reading “Spike’s Messenger”

Not That Thirsty

Glad you could join us for the next cringe-worthy episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Nigel Hewitt-Cooper

Maroon, green, yellow — they stood like soldiers in the grass, waiting so long for a command that never came, they had taken root. Now they thrummed with their thirst for blood, each with its own voice in its own low tone, waiting with the patience of the earth itself. The smell of honey and decay thickened the air.

Elliot’s throat shriveled to a dusty sponge. “I should have asked Marcel for water before I left.”

As he passed the first of the blooms, it shivered with a sloshing sound. “Water. They have water inside. Of course,” he told himself, “they catch the rain. If I can tip one over, I should be able to pour it out.”

At the mouth of the shortest, Elliot stopped dead. “Maybe not.” He swallowed dry air and hurried on.

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .

Brave and Reckless Breath and Bone Writing Prompt Challenge

Writers! Submission deadline, July 9, 2017.

braveandrecklessblog's avatarBrave & Reckless

Given what a great response I got to the Moon Ate the Dark Writing Prompt Challenge, I am ready to announce my third writing prompt challenge.  I hope it will intrigue and inspire you

Writing Prompt: “I Am More Than Breath and Bones”

borrowed shamelessly from TrE at a cornered gurl— check out her writing– it’s amazing

  1. Using the writing prompt above, write a 100 to 800 word original, previously unpublished piece that integrates the writing prompt.  It can be poetry, prose, short fiction or even essay.  The prompt can be used as the title, you can use the phrase intact, or break it up however you want within the written piece.
  2. Pick out an image to go with your submission
  3. Write a brief biography
  4. Send the following to christine.e.ray@gmail.com by midnight EST on Sunday, July 9, 2017:
    • Your original piece
    • suggested image
    • brief biography
    • link to where you post your writing…

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Bols de Mort

Glad you could join us for the next foreboding episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Cincinnati Transit Blog

“Zee shortest way to zee Hive from here,” Marcel Pierre Clouseau told Elliot, “eez east srough zee Bols de Mort field, but eef you go zat way, you must be most cairful not to touch zem.”

“Bols de Mort?”

Continue reading “Bols de Mort”

Marcel Pierre Clouseau

Glad you could join us for the next fortuitous episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Igor Siwanowicz

“Cassandra!… Cassandra! Can you hear me? Where are you? Are you all right?… Cassandra!” Elliot charged over the mossy ground, first in one direction, then in another, frantically calling as the shadows stretched deeper into the woods and the eastern sky darkened to cobalt.

“Cassandra…” his hoarseness whispered away to nothing as he slumped to the ground and wept.

“Excusé moi?” a smoky voice rasped, “I cannot help but wondair eef you are een need of some kind of asseestance.”

Continue reading “Marcel Pierre Clouseau”

Abducted

Glad you could join us for the next singular episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Neil Fitzgerald

Holding Cassandra close, Elliot was barely aware of the approaching buzz before pain stabbed into his neck.

His world dissolved in a cloud of black mist.

Shivering and shaken, he awoke in the shadows of late afternoon. Alone.

“Cassandra?… Cassandra!”

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .

Out of the Blue

Glad you could join us for the next courageous episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Greg Cope

Captain McWatt of the Light of Day Aero Squadron struck and tore, shredded and tossed every Marauder within his reach. Sirehta’s brothers turned on their captors with unleashed hatred.

Continue reading “Out of the Blue”

Busted!

Glad you could join us for the next dangerous episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: snakedreams.org

Winding his way through bracken and brush, Sirehta returned to the battlefield, seeking out the Rebel commander who’d sent him to scout the south.

“Sir, the Evil Ones lie many leagues distant. Their number is small compared to ours. Their own recruits, the Foaming Reds, attacked them before their howling allies could save them. I believe the threat is low.”

“Do you? I’ll bear that in mind, soldier,” the commander sneered. “Leagues, you say? Well, I say your pace is impressive. Use it on your way to the front — your breakfast ration is up to you. Dismissed.”

Continue reading “Busted!”

Dream Big

Glad you could join us for the next delusional episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Image credit: Robert R

Young Scout Philbin’s reckless race back to his own unit echoed the turmoil in his head. What’s the King thinking, trusting that serpent? He’ll probably eat them all before they can blink. If I were King, I’d tie that bugger’s mouth shut and… Hey, if he eats them, we’re gonna need a new King. Hmm, King Philbin… I’d definitely wear a crown. And have people wait on me. And eat off golden plates. And have a harem. And kiss all the girls…

Continue reading “Dream Big”

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Glad you could join us for the next identified episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

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Photo credit: Craig Barrow

“Stand down, soldier,” the King laughed. “You’re alarming our ally.”

Confused but obedient, young Scout Philbin scanned the Knights’ faces before stammering, “Uh… King Arnie, I’ve located the… um, Marauders.” He threw a quick glance at Sirehta. “They’re less than five minutes ahead, raiding the winter stores of the tree dwellers.”

Continue reading “A Case of Mistaken Identity”