Did you know you can read 200 FREE short stories online? Salem publishing and Family Fiction ezine are having a contest called "The Story, 2014" and those who have made it past the first readers have now been listed online, including my story! And I'm super excited about it!!! 50 of these stories will be published in a compendium.
Here is the link to vote for Carrie Fancett Pagels's short story "The Quilting Contest" on the Family Fiction site! http://www.familyfiction.com/short-stories/the-story-2014-contest/the-quilting-contest-2/
My story is a Christian historical romance set in Michigan in 1895! I named a lot of the characters after family and friends. The core message of my story is that while we human might not be fair, God has things under control. Maude (named her after my Grandmother!) tries to do her best friend a favor but is thwarted by the conservative ladies who are running the local quilt show in her township. Although her friend's quilt was runner-up in the state quilting show, the provincial ladies reject the submission based on old-fashioned rules. But God has the situation under control (this is a romance so of course He has sent a handsome hero to assist her!) I'd like to think David would have brought Maude a lovely bouquet, like the one from my garden, when he went to take her out on their first date! Well, maybe his wouldn't have had ants in it!
Here is the main link to start reading all of the stories: http://www.familyfiction.com/short-stories/the-story-2014-contest/
Giveaway: $10 Barnes and Noble gift card to one of our commenters who checks out the website. IF you have read and liked my story, come back and let me know! It is always an encouragement to an author to know what resonated with a reader! How about you--have you had a situation where you were treated unfairly but God blessed you even more than the earthly reward would have been?
CARRIE, I loved your story! Thx for the opportunity to read it early and for sharing your link here so that others may enjoy it as well. Cast your VOTE, friends --- it only takes a few seconds!
ReplyDeleteOh, and the flower pic is stunning!
DeleteWish I could bring you over a bouquet, Diana! TY!
DeleteCute! I'm impressed you could convey so much in such a short amount of time - concise yet detailed. I voted for you!
ReplyDeleteTY Rachael! I don't ordinarily write anything that short but God gave me the story and I wrote it!
DeleteWonderful story, Carrie! I find myself wanting to read 'the rest of the story'....lol. Voted, shared and tweeted :)
ReplyDeleteTY Betti, you are so sweet!
DeleteCarrie
ReplyDeleteYou know Im very impressed with your story
God bless u
Chris
Thanks so much, Chris! God bless you, too!
DeleteWhat a sweet short story! I voted for it, shared on twitter and liked it on facebook!
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
Thanks so much, Heidi! Blessings!
DeleteI visited, voted and how does one write short stories and have meaning? I don't think I can get my point across so that is pretty amazing! Sonja.nishimoto at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Honestly, I dk either, Sonja, unless God is helping you with it, like He did that for me. You have to really cull out any unnecessary words, too! Thanks and blessings!
DeleteAhh CARRIE, as you know I absolutely loved your sterling short story! To inject so much hope, promise, and love, into such a small piece of writing was admirable and a real treat to read!!
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS flowers btw in the pic you posted above - I can almost smell them all the way over in Australia! ;)
Thanks so very much, Noela! That is so sweet of you!!! I was really full of emotion when I wrote it and I think that helped a lot! I love my flowers--so glad you enjoyed them, too! Hugs!!!
DeleteCARRIE this story was wonderful!! You really made me LOL with the line "Mrs. Armstrong’s countenance settled into a dour expression capable of scaring the peel off a potato." PRICELESS!! :-) I'm sure everyone that has read this has enjoyed it! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to vote for this heartwarming story!
ReplyDeleteTY Teresa! That was my favorite line in the whole thing, too, when I was writing it! I hope people enjoyed a little Yooper flavor! Blessings!
DeleteLoved "The Quilting Contest", Carrie!! Thank you!! I had already voted for it and liked it!! Love your beautiful flowers, also!!
ReplyDeleteCan't recall, off the top of my head, a personal situation such as the one you raised in your question - but feel sure there has been one, as God is faithful in ALL situations!!
Love and hugs to you, Carrie!!
Amen, Bonnie, God is faithful indeed! Thanks so much for reading and thanks for the vote!
DeleteVery good story, Carrie. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteflowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much MaryLou! I'm glad you liked it!!!
DeleteHey, it came out great! Voted :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Anne, for all the help you have given me as a Beta reader, too, on so many of my projects. So glad you liked how it turned out in the end! Blessings!
DeleteCarrie, I loved your story so much, but now need you to write more for us. Great tho with such few words. I shared it on my FB. Was the voting just to click the up-turned thumb? Never saw any place else. Lovely flowers. (((Hugs))) Maxie
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Maxie, and I appreciate the share, too. I think that was all there was to it. I love my flowers and so glad to have them in abundance right now. HUGS back!!!
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