Monday, November 29, 2010

Shared Storytelling: Advent Ghosts 2010

Sixties-era songsmiths Eddie Pola and George Wyle may have memorialized any number of longstanding yuletide traditions in "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," but there's one commemoration their famous song mentions that seems to have slipped from popular consciousness -- "scary ghost stories." Though Charles Dickens and M.R. James both celebrated the season with spooky tales, such stories have been surmounted by twinkling tinsel, shiny lights and a certain ineffably optimistic red-nosed reindeer.

That's something we here at ISLF want to remedy.

Every year, this blog hosts a round of Advent-themed storytelling, a time for us to gather around the dying fire and share tales as the cold wind moans outside. These aren't long stories, just 100 words each, and it's open to anyone and everyone who'd like participate.
Why not read some of last year's selections? What's that, you want to know how to join in? Well, I'm glad you asked ...

1.) Email ISawLightningFall [at] gmail [dot] com and say that you'd like to participate in Shared Storytelling: Advent Ghosts 2010.
2.) Write a spooky piece of flash fiction exactly 100-words long. Note that it doesn't have to be a ghost story, but it should possess a certain eeriness, that feeling that makes you want to pull the blanket a bit tighter around yourself and maybe leave a light on in the hall, just in case. A prime example is Neil Gaiman's
"Nicholas Was …"
3.) Post your story to your blog on Christmas Eve and email the link to me. Hosting can be arranged for those who don't have blogs.

Come, won't you join us? The night is so very dark, and why not pass the time together as we wait for the light of the world to rise.

(Picture: CC 2007 by
Denis Collette...!!!)

16 comments:

Phil W said...

W00T!

dolorah said...

I'm in.

......dhole

Scattercat said...

A man in bizarre costume will enter your house via secret means with a large sack after everyone is asleep.

Nothing to be scared of here!

C. N. Nevets said...

Hey, isn't this how I met you?

This is like the Ghost of Christmas Past is about to shove a chainsaw down my throat or something.

I'm all over it!

S.D. Smith said...

Yes, please.

B. Nagel said...

we are go for launch

Michelle D. Argyle said...

I'm planning on participating. My father-in-law might, as well. :)

Loren Eaton said...

Phil,

W00T, indeed, although I never quite get this Internet slang you kids are always throwing around.

Loren Eaton said...

Donna,

Glad to have you, madam!

Loren Eaton said...

SC,

Darn it, forget the milk and cookies: Where's my shotgun?

Loren Eaton said...

Nevets,

I think it is, although I seem to remember Frosty the Snowman slicing someone's throat open with a razor-sharp ice skate. Ouch.

Loren Eaton said...

S.D.,

Coming right up!

Loren Eaton said...

B.,

T-minus 25 days and counting ...

Loren Eaton said...

Michelle,

Wonderful! I hope your father-in-law will join in, too. It would be great to have him.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Okay, I have one. Title "THINGS REMEMBERED"

Loren Eaton said...

Hooray! Huzzah!