Survival of the Fittest — New Flash Fiction

Lisa's Blog Uncategorized 27 Comments

Hi everyone –
 

This past week was interesting for me. On Monday I was finally able to share that Moonlight didn’t make the 4th round of the Writing with the Stars contest. I found out a couple of weeks ago, but we weren’t allowed to say anything until the next round of voting began.

 

I thought about not saying anything, but this blog is really a journey, and I’ve shared all my ups and downs with all of you along the way. In fact, I never would have made it through 3 rounds of the finals without all of your support and votes! 🙂

 
For a couple of days I felt like I let you down. This process of scrambling to get votes was draining, but it turned into such a team effort. I was touched by your support and encouragement. It was exciting to guest blog on other sites, get emails from people excited to read my book, and I loved the cool Vote for Moonlight buttons my Twitter friend, Jennifer, (aka @HappyTwilighter ) made for me!
 

I wanted to win a book contract, of course, but as the contest progressed I wanted to win so we could all share it. (I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned that I’m a total sap before, right? LOL)
 

The good news is, even though Moonlight is out of the contest, there is a lot of buzz about the book, so hopefully it will be published soon… *fingers crossed* 🙂 Thanks again for voting!!! You Rock!!!

 

In the meantime, I’m writing Blood Moon and working on compiling the stories for the new anthology. It’s much more work than I realized, but I’m learning so that’s worth something, right?
 

This week I was going to share another short story that probably won’t make it into the Forgotten Treasures anthology, but with a fun topic like “It isn’t easy being green”, I couldn’t resist writing a new flash fiction… Murder in 250 words or less… But is it murder if you were never alive? Hmmm…

 

Hope you enjoy it!
 

Thanks again for helping Moonlight through the finals! 5th place in a national contest isn’t too shabby, right? J

 

Lisa
~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Survival of the Fittest – By Lisa Kessler

 

“I got news for you, pal. It isn’t easy being green.” His tongue flicked out, snatching a gnat in flight.
 

“Oh please.” The bird perched on a branch dangling over the water. “At least you blend in.” His head swiveled, eyes shifting. “Cats are always out to get me.”

 

“But you can fly. Outer space shines in your eyes.” He blinked and puffed out his chest until a loud croak escaped his green mouth. “I live in pond scum.”
 

A sploosh, followed by a ripple on the water caught the frog’s attention.
 

“What was that?” The bird twitched, ready to fly.

 

The frog vanished into the murky water. He returned to the surface with a red and yellow mottled frog in his mouth. He dropped the frog on the ground. With a solemn croak he looked up at the bird. “He’s dead.”
 

The bird poked at the red and yellow body. “Are you sure he was ever alive?”

 

“What do you mean?” The frog blinked.
 

“He smells sort of fruity.” The bird pecked the tiny frog. “Tastes fruity too.”

 

The frog flicked his tongue out tentatively. The bird was right. The dead frog was tasty.

“I think he’s made of candy,” the bird chirped, pecking at the red and yellow frog’s back.
“Candy.” The frog shot his tongue out, tugging the entire red and yellow frog into his mouth.

“Hey!” The bird flapped its wings in annoyance.
The frog let out a long slow croak. Cannibalism never tasted so good.

The End

(For Marvin – We had “It’s isn’t easy being green”, outer space was a metaphor for the bird’s eyes and I used a gummi frog)

27 Comments

  1. Ken January 24, 2011 at 12:28 am

    Thanks for sharing so much about your journey, Lisa! It’s going to be so great when we all get to share the good news about your first book getting published (and soon)!

    Ken

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 12:31 am

      Thanks Ken!!! I’m looking forward to sharing that good news… 🙂

      *HUGS*

      Lisa

  2. Michelle @ The True Book Addict January 24, 2011 at 1:18 am

    I’m so sorry to hear about Moonlight not making the fourth round. I felt sure that you would go all the way. Keep plugging at it, Lisa. We are all pulling for you. I can only imagine the struggle, the ups and downs, and sometime disappointments, as I’m just starting on my writing journey. Your perserverance is encouraging to those of us just starting out. By the way, have you been by my writing blog? I started it awhile back and right now I’m involved in a writing challenge. Stop by and check it out when you get a chance: http://thestoryinsideme.blogspot.com/

    Great story….I was laughing at the end. 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 10:11 am

      Hi Michelle! *waving*

      I had no idea you were writing!!! Loved your new blog too! 🙂 Good luck with it… In spite of the bumps in the road, writing is so fulfilling! I hope you have fun with it and enjoy the adventures you’ll take! 🙂

      Thanks for all your support during the contest! I really appreciate it! Hopefully I’ll have better news to share soon…

      I’m glad you enjoyed the little flash fiction! After my downer blog, I needed a smile too, so it was fun to play with the frog! LOL

      Have a wonderful week… Thanks for reading and commenting!

      Lisa

  3. Ciara Knight January 24, 2011 at 4:22 am

    I think 5th place in a national contest is a reason to hold your head high! Congratulations on making it that far.
    I love your flash fiction. Thanks so much for sharing with us. 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 12:03 pm

      Thanks Ciara! 🙂

      I’m glad you enjoyed the story! I needed a little laugh this week…

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!!

      Have a wonderful week…

      Lisa

  4. Lynn Rush January 24, 2011 at 5:44 am

    I agree with Ciara…5th place in a national contest is freaking spectacular! I can understand you were sad for a bit, but keep your head high. Things will happen, I’m sure.

    Write on, my friend!!

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 12:04 pm

      I’m ready for things to happen! LOL *fingers crossed*

      Thanks for the encouragement Lynn!!! This is our year, right? 🙂

      Have a wonderful week…

      Lisa

  5. Marvin Martian January 24, 2011 at 6:52 am

    8 points Earthling! 🙂

    Sorry to hear that Moonlight is out of the competition. You did not let anybody down! It is an awesome book and I look forward to seeing it on the shelves of Barnes and Nobles soon!

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 12:06 pm

      Thanks Marvin!!! *HUGS* Moonlight got started thanks to Blogophilia, and I’d love to be able to share it with our blogging family! Someday… *fingers crossed*

      Thanks for all you do!

      Lisa 🙂

  6. Andrea Van Scoyoc January 24, 2011 at 7:10 am

    Yay for great stories! What a nice way to start out my week! Hugs…

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 12:07 pm

      I’m glad you enjoyed the story Andrea!!!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! Hope you have a great week…

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  7. Elen January 24, 2011 at 7:45 am

    Loved the flash fiction. Here’s to hoping your break is right around the corner. 🙂 Finally, I remembered to add you to my “Links” page! Cheers.

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 2:07 pm

      Hey Elen! *waving*

      I’m glad you enjoyed the little flash fiction! 🙂 I was needing a smile and the froggie murder seemed to fit the bill perfectly! LOL

      Thanks for adding me to your links too! YAY!

      Have a wonderful week…

      Lisa 🙂

  8. JeanneD January 24, 2011 at 8:41 am

    Chin up, old thing! You’re an excellent writer with a bright future. A book contract will soon be on it’s way! And LOL on your short!

    Wishing you the best,
    Jeanne

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 2:09 pm

      Thanks Jeanne!!! I hope you’re right! LOL

      I’m glad you enjoyed the little flash fiction! I was in the mood for a smile and froggie cannibalism did the trick! LOL

      Thanks for reading and commenting! Hope you have a wonderful week…

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  9. falcon1974 January 24, 2011 at 10:00 am

    fifth place certainly isn’t too shabby. 😀

    Oh, and I love how the frog went for cannibalism as soon as he found out the tiny frog was actually a gummy frog. 😀

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 2:14 pm

      I’m glad you enjoyed the froggy flash fiction Falcon! 🙂 I wanted to lighten up the blog this week… LOL

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! Hope you have a wonderful week…

      Lisa 🙂

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  11. fiddlbarb January 24, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    I love your story. Awesome flash fiction. Congratulations! ~Barb~

    1. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 3:01 pm

      Thanks Barbara!!! I’m glad the story gave you a smile! 🙂

      Thanks for reading and commenting! Hope you have a wonderful week…

      Lisa 😀

  12. Eda Suzanne January 24, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Cute story! It’s my kind of cannabalism, in fact it’s the reason I can’t zip my jeans unless I lie down on my bed. 🙂

  13. Lisa Kessler January 24, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Ha! I have that same problem Eda! LOL

    I’m all for gummy cannibalism! 🙂

    Thanks for reading and commenting!!! Hope you have a wonderful week…

    Lisa 🙂

  14. Just Jeff January 26, 2011 at 7:27 am

    Ok, I’m late. Gummi frogs eh? Not too bad..LOL

    1. Lisa Kessler January 26, 2011 at 7:35 am

      Hi Jeff! *waving*

      Better late than never, right? 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the story!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  15. Joleene Naylor January 28, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    Sorry to hear about Moonlight, but yay that it generated interest! 😀 That’s 99% of the battle!

    This was a cute write! Loved the ending line 🙂

  16. Lisa Kessler January 28, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    Thanks Joleene!!! I’m glad you enjoyed the story!!! 🙂

    Thanks for reading and commenting!!! Hopefully I’ll have some good news about Moonlight soon… *fingers crossed*

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Lisa 🙂