It’s that time of year again–when bloggers from around the world band together and put themselves through the horrors rigors of blogging nearly every day for a month! Woohoo!
As a rather infrequent blogger, I’m baffled by my own excitement. But I am! Last year (my first year participating) was hard, but lots and lots of fun. I’m hoping for the same this year. The key, I think, is to have a good theme. And by good, I mean interesting–something you can get excited by and want to write about every day.
The Theme
Real-life wonderland. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
For me, one of my great loves is trees. If I’m not writing about trees, then I’m usually out lurking among them (that’s not creepy). There’s something about forests and trees that really feed into my imagination. My childhood summer vacations were often spent camping in the redwood forests of northern California. I basically lived in my imagination during those trips, wondering about all the possibilities that I felt resided in those forests. I suppose I never grew out of it.
For this year’s A to Z, I decided a while ago that I wanted to try and write flash fiction. Writing short stories is hard for me, so I thought the challenge would provide an excellent opportunity to practice (you’ve all been relegated to guinea pigs). So the theme this year is a blending of these two things.
Flash Fiction About Trees?
Sort of. More specifically, it will be flash fiction based on tree names. Obviously, a lot of these stories will probably feature trees in some form, but not all. The stories will basically be about whatever that particular name inspires in me–be it a tree or person or animal.
I’m trying to keep the stories around 500-words, but don’t be surprised if some go over that. The one I’m working on now (“F”– I’m so behind schedule) might hit the 1000-word mark. I’m hoping those longer stories will be relatively few. We’ll see!
What’s So Great About That?
Well, if you’re like me, it’s an opportunity to geek about something we love. I’m a fantasy author, so these stories will be fantasy based, possibly with a bit of a fairytale vibe (which is another love of mine–see last year’s A to Z for that). And by fairytale, I mean the classic ones that can sometimes have darker elements. If these things interest you, then you might find some enjoyment in my posts. I hope so, anyway.
And that’s the theme! Thank you for stopping by, and thank you to all the hosts who’ve made this “hop before the hop” happen. To visit the list of participants, click on the picture!
Oo, this sounds interesting – good luck with all the stories, and the tree names. I’m only doing fiction for one of my blogs this year and that’s drabbles. 🙂
ttfn,
Sophie
Sophie’s Thoughts & Fumbles
Fantasy Boys XXX
Wittegen Press
Thanks, Sophie! Though, I think you might need the luck even more, doing the challenge for three blogs. Holy smokes! Good luck to you. 🙂
Woo! I love flash fiction! I can’t wait to read them!
As a person who lives in a place where the only tress are planted in yards, I found that same fascination with trees when I saw the California redwoods. They are magnificent. You can feel the ancientness coming from them. Takes my breath away just thinking about them.
Thanks, Djinnia! And, yes, ancientness is a great word. I think that’s one reason why I love them so much. It’s like they’ve lived so long, maybe they once knew a world of magic that the rest of us have forgotten. It’s what I like to imagine, anyway. 😉
Ooh, such an interesting theme. I used to know lots about trees as a kid, but I seem to have forgotten most of it as I grew :). I look forward to seeing what you come up with based on tree names. Good luck with the writing.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Thanks, Tasha! Good luck to you, too! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to see the redwoods. It’s hard to imagine a tree that big. I love trees and forests and fantasy fiction, so this theme is a win/win for me. Looking forward to April!
It’s definitely a worthy sight to see, if you can make the trip. I always liked the pictures of a big tree that you don’t even realize how big it is until you see the tiny little person standing next to it. The redwoods remain one of my favorite places on earth.
And thank you! I’m looking forward to April as well. 🙂
Added to my private list of regular visits! 🙂 I love trees, and I love tree stories. I have a storytelling show based on the Welsh Battle of the Trees, including myths and legends that feature… trees. (I’ll stop typing “trees” now.)
I can’t wait! 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary – Epics from A to Z
MopDog – The crazy thing about Hungarians…
Trees trees trees trees… (chanted in Spam voice).
Battle of the Trees sounds pretty awesome, I have to say. You always have the best stories. I’m super glad you’ll be stopping by! 😀
I remember you doing it last year, and I thought it was seriously just awesome and impressive and I was pretty wowed by the whole experience, but I have to say that I am TOTALLY STOKED about a daily post over trees. I’ve gotten tons of posts today about the theme reveal, and this is the one I’m most excited over.
#nerdingout
AAHHHHHH!
Haha! Making you nerd out has totally made my day. Thanks, Katie! 😀
Love flash fiction, love fantasy, love trees… so much to love about this theme! I’ll look forward to your posts – I don’t mind being a guinea pig at all 😀
Thanks, Melissa! And I’m relieved you don’t mind the guinea pig status. Hopefully that will remain true once it’s all over. 😉
GREAT theme Sara thank you. I too love trees. Happy to be a guinea pig! The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil just popped into mind –
Thanks, Susan! 🙂
Trees! Love it!
Yay! 😀
What a unique theme! I’ll be back for this in April 🙂
Awesome! It’ll be great having you stop by. 🙂
Wow, Sara, that is a wonderful theme that personally I would find very challenging! I love being out in the forests, and I’m a reader of fantasy, so this series is perfect for me. Looking forward to seeing your posts in April. 🙂
Sue Archer
Doorway Between Worlds
Thanks, Sue! It was going fine until “F” — that post totally snagged me… Need to get back on the horse and keep going. I look forward to having you stop by. 🙂
Sounds like a double challenge that have to follow. Good luck.
Thanks, Roland! Good luck to you too! 🙂
Interesting theme! Can’t wait to stop back and read about some trees! Also, I am glad to see that I am not the only one behind schedule!
Allyse
Thanks Allyse! And you’re definitely not alone. “F” really threw me for a loop, and now I’ve got deer-caught-in-headlights syndrome happening. 😛
As soon as I saw your theme, I though, “I wonder if she’s ever been to No. Cal Redwood Country.” That you have. My beau and I were just talking about getting up to see the Redwoods this summer. I can’t get enough of that area. The smell in the air, alone, takes me to a happy, relaxed place. In other words, great theme. I’ll be back.
Same here, love that area to bits. Though, having since moved to Sweden, it’s been a while since I’ve been there. Might need to try and arrange a trip next time I visit family.
Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again! 🙂
I adore trees! I seriously thought I was the only one. 😉
-Chrys Fey
Tremps Troops – A to Z Co-co-host
You’re sooo not the only one. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Chrys!
Interesting. 26 tree posts. Sounds like a challenge.
Thanks, Rhonda! It’s definitely a challenge, but that’s the name of the game. 😉
Hi Sara!
I like the idea of your “Green Theme”.
I’m also writing 26 flash fiction pieces, so I’ll definitely see you around on the A to Z circuit.
Nice to meet you fellow flash fictioneer!
Writer In Transit
Hey, nice to meet you indeed! Us flash fictioners (it’s a word…) need to stick together! 😀
What a creative theme. I am so curious to see where you go with it! Good Luck with the challenge!
Thanks, Doreen! Good luck to you too. 🙂
This sounds like a cute theme! I’m featuring Trees on my T post (my theme likes/dislikes about me related to Arizona where we moved this past January). I’ve seen other blogs doing flash fiction; seems like quite a challenge to do! Have fun with it!
betty
Thanks, Betty! It is quite a challenge, hopefully I can pull it off. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Hi Sara … these sound like they will be fun – I love trees .. so it’ll be interesting to see how you spin the flash fiction out … and don’t worry I’m only on B!!! Good luck with the practise sessions and I’m happy to be a guinea pig – cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary! 🙂