There are a number of very good reasons to participate in writing challenges. It hones your skills, it showcases your writing, and it forges connections with other writers here in blogland.
One of the challenges that I am enjoying is from Diana Wallace Peach and here is The March speculative fiction prompt
A moment of alignment
The child walked the darkened streets unafraid of the shadows. With bare feet, she disregarded the grit and gravel underfoot, and skimmed across the surface of the odd puddle or two in her path. Her shoulders were back, and her head held high, with arms swinging confidently by her side. A faint smile touched her lips as the ring around the moon glowed brighter.
It was almost time for the perfect alignment of sun and the moon and for a brief moment there would be a window of opportunity. She only had minutes to reach her destination and she quickened her pace. From the shadows a dog barked in warning to those within their homes to remain inside. The animals knew how special this event was and were unafraid, but knew their human masters would cower in fear of the unknown.
Inside a house in the square, a woman sat in a rocking chair before a dying fire, tears falling onto her chilled hands as they rested on her lap. The house was silent except for the ticking of the grandfather clock in the hall; a sound that reverberated around the empty rooms. Empty of life, but also of love and hope, snuffed out like a candle a year ago when her daughter had been taken by scarlet fever. Her beautiful child, the light and love of her life, gone with a last faint breath.
The girl reached the edge of the deserted square and hurried towards the blue door so rarely opened to the light these days. As the two celestial orbs reached their perfect conjunction in the sky, she knocked three times with her small knuckles. She heard footsteps on the tiles of the hall behind the door, and then a click as the latch was raised. The door opened and the woman stood silhouetted against the gas lamp on the wall. She gasped and fell to her knees at the sight that greeted her.
In the diffused light from the hidden sun, she saw her lost daughter smiling at her, and warmth spread through her body and into her broken heart. She reached out a hand to touch the girl but it passed right through her. Mesmerised she stared at the apparition as it began to fade.
‘Mama, I can only stay for as long as the moon is ringed by fire, but I came back to see you for this brief moment, to tell you to grieve no more.’
As the sun began to peer around the moon’s edge, the girl turned to walk away, but looked back once more. ‘You have love to spare mama, give it to others who need you.’
With that she disappeared completely, and the woman remained on her knees for a long time as the street became bright with sunlight.
The years passed and the house in the square became a sanctuary for many homeless children, and the rooms and halls were once more filled with love and hope. But on the days when the sun and moon were in perfect alignment, there would be three taps on the door, and for a brief moment, mother and daughter were reunited.
©Sally Cronin
I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of fantasy prompted by Diana Wallace Peach’s lovely image… Why not have a go at the challenge: https://mythsofthemirror.com/2019/03/01/march-speculative-fiction-prompt/
If you would like to browse through my books and their latest reviews then please head over to My books and reviews 2019
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I would be very grateful if you could share where you can.. many thanks Sally.
What a beautiful story, Sally. Perfectly told and with some sadness, but so heartwarming and poignant in the end. I’m so glad you participated in the challenge and shared this wonderful story. I’ll get it lined up to share. ❤
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Thank you Diana… glad you enjoyed..hugs ♥
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Thanks Catalina..so appreciated.. xx
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Such beautifully told story, Sally. One that makes you really think of what is on the other side.
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Thank you Hugh.. I am hoping it is what I have organised for myself… nothing to say you cannot create your own….hugsxx
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Very true, Sally. One day we will find out, but hopefully not soon.
Hugs
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Quite a few more adventures first would be great…
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This was bittersweet, Sally – it broke my heart, but I loved the ending!
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Thank you Teri… I appreciate that..hugsx
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Beautiful Sal. You know how to cast a mood into a story, and that perfect moment when sun aligns with moon. ❤
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I loved this tale, Sally, hugs. ❤
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Thank you so much Adele.. hugs ♥
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Hugs to you too, Sally. ❤
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Sally this so beautiful it really touched me. 💜
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Thank you very much Willow…hugs ♥
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Fabulous story, Sally!
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Thank you Bette ♥
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YOu always turn everything into light and sunshine, Sally. Well done.
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Thank you Robbie.. it was a fun challenge..hugsxx
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A beautiful story, Sally. The photo is a real inspiration.
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Thank you Rob.. and amazing prompt.. love the challenge..hugsxx
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🙂
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It’s lovely, Sally. Well done. Well done indeed. Hugs.
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Thank you Teagan…hugsxxxx
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Perfectly told how love multiplies! Thank you Sally.
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Thank you Balroop… a pity to waste a mother’s love.. ♥
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Wow! Sally this is a heartwarming and heart-wrenching story, exquisitely written with warmth, love and tenderness. A superb response to Diana’s photo prompt!
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Thank you so much Annika that is lovely to hear… hugsx
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Your writing is beautiful, Sally. Lovely story, so touching and full of imagery and wonderful tension. Loved it!
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Thank you Vashti.. so pleased you enjoyed..hugs xx♥
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Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
A sad, heartwarming, and poignant story from Sally Cronin. I hope you enjoy and Happy Friday. ❤
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Thank you for reblogging Diana.. ♥
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More than happy too! Happy Writing!
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Oh my goodness… This made my heart happy! Beautifully penned!
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Thank you Kevin.. I can ask for no more..
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:-)))
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Beautiful piece, Sally. I enjoyed reading this.
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Thank you very much Jill… so pleased you enjoyed.. have a lovely weekend. Sally
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Very touching and sad! I like how the daughter wants the old woman to feel hope, though.
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Touchingly bitter-sweet, Sally. Very moving. Hugs xx
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Very, very nice Sally. I really enjoyed the story and the sentiments it contained. Looking forward to the next eclipse, hoping.
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Thank you very much Len. Glad you enjoyed and it would be very special.
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This is a lovely tale Sally. Most enjoyable and touched the heartstrings.
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Thank you and for letting me know..
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I love this story so very much. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with all of us.
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Thank you for letting me know.. Diana provided a wonderful prompt..
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Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
A beautiful story of a mother and daughter’s eternal love by Sally Cronin- A must read!
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Thank you very much Jacquie for sharing.. ♥
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Beautiful, Sally. Thankfully, I still have my mom, but I’d like to think the boundary between Heaven and earth can mesh now and again ❤
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Thank you Jacquie.. It would be amazing… and I am sure that your time with your mom is precious..xxx♥
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Another beautiful story, Sally.
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Thank you John… hugsx
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I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful response to Diana’s prompt, Sally.
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Thank you Mary.. that is wonderful..
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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What a sad, yet touching story.
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Wow Sally, that was a very moving piece. Sad but lovely… I guess the quintessential bittersweet story 🙂
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Thank you Jessica.. I appreciate that. Enjoy your weekend.
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What a wonderful story, Sally!
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Thank you Jennie…hugsx
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You’re welcome, Sally. Hugs!
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Just what is needed right now–hope in a seemingly hopeless world. (K)
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I so pleased that you got that message.. thank you for letting me know… enjoy your weekend.
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Oh, Sally, I cried at the end of your story. A fabulous combination of heartwarming and tragic, of love lost and love gained, of hope to never give up love, because love never gives up on you. Thank you for this! ❤
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Thank you Pam so glad you liked it.. there were some amazing submissions and a great prompt…♥
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We comprise a group of amazing writers!
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