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All-Around Best of Show

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From Lead Buckaroo, Charli Mills

The dust has settled, and the bulls are back out to pasture after the first Flash Fiction Rodeo at Carrot Ranch. From idea to event, this was no solo endeavor. It took a community to dream, organize, support, promote and engage.

To all of you who wrangle words at the Ranch, to those of you who quietly read from the other side of your screen to all who dared to make this contest their “first rodeo,” thank you!

Our Flash Fiction Rodeo consisted of eight unique events that differed in length, prompt and form. Each leader devised their own contest and rules for participation. We worked together as a team to shape the Rodeo, and each leader worked with a partnership of judges. We allowed leaders and judges to enter any contest they were not judging. We also allowed writers to participate as challengers if they did not want to enter as contestants.

A toss of hats in the air to the Rodeo Leaders who showed leadership on and behind the page. Not only did they work diligently to make each event fun and fair, they also rode hard to keep pace with an event that spanned three months. Their counsel, creativity, and camaraderie have kept it all rolling at Carrot Ranch. Thank you, Geoff Le Pard, Norah Colvin, JulesPaige, Sherri Matthews, D. Avery, Irene Waters and C. Jai Ferry. You all earned your spurs!

And a huge Rodeo Thank You to all our judges: Robbie Cheadle, Anne Goodwin, Barb Taub, Lucy Brazier, Susan Zutautas, Susan Budig, Angie Oakley, Sharon Bonin-Pratt, Mardra Sikora, Lisa Kovanda, Hugh Roberts, Mike from the UK, two anonymous judges in the US, and Sarah Brentyn. Your tasks were not easy, and I appreciate the regard you gave to all who entered.

Thank you to all who rodeoed!

Garth Brooks sings an edgy song in tribute to rodeos. He croons, “It’s the ropes and the reins, the joy and the pain, and they call the thing rodeo.” To me, it’s like the calling to write and be read.

A literary artist has something in common with rodeo’s biggest hero: tenacity. You write, revise, polish, submit, wait for — all in hopes to win that gold in the buckle. The gold might differ from writer to writer. Maybe you want to publish, maybe you want validation, maybe you just want to give your words wings and let them fly. The Flash Fiction Rodeo honors all the sweat, tears, mud and blood writers put into their craft. All who rode the Rodeo in 2017, you got grit!

We hope you’ll stop by the Ranch for some good reading and writing. Keep working your skills, wrangling words and roping stories. Keep on the path you’ve set for yourself. Write on!

See ya’ll next Rodeo in October 2018.

***

From All-Around Judge, Sarah Brentyn

This was a whopper of a job.

Initially, there was a panel of judges. And then there was one. It was supposed to be three and wound up being little ol’ me. But I took up the challenge, happy at heart!

Choosing a winner for this final contest was extraordinarily difficult because let’s face it, they were all winners. Literally. They had all won their respective contests. Also, they are different in genre, form, and length. I was comparing apples to oranges to turnips.

Alas, this is an ‘overall winner’ contest, and an overall winner there must be.

During the past few months, I distanced myself from the contests. I popped in to say ‘Congrats’ then snuck away. Names were removed when I received the final entries.

It was delightful to read these. They are well-written, fantastic pieces. Thank you to everyone who entered the Carrot Ranch Rodeo contests and to the winners who gave me wonderful stories to read. I am honored and humbled to help announce the winner of this collection of contests.

2017 Flash Fiction Winners include:

The All-Around Best of Show goes to:

Rodeo #4: Scars (“Galatea” by D. Wallace Peach)

Congratulations, Diana!

***

That concludes the Flash Fiction Rodeo for 2017. However, that is not the last word. Carrot Ranch is completing an e-book collection that includes the winning entries, honorable mentions, entries, challenges and a few new pieces from our judges and leaders. Stay tuned later this month!

***

Please give our Rough Writer’s a debut anthology Vol. 1 a look-see. If you’d like to support our efforts as a literary community you can purchase our book online at Amazon. Soon to be available through other locations (officially launches January 19, 2018).

***

Author Bio For All-Around Judge Sarah Brentyn

Sarah Brentyn is an introvert who believes anything can be made better with soy sauce and wasabi.

She loves words and has been writing stories since she was nine years old. She talks to trees and apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them.

When she’s not writing, you can find her strolling through cemeteries or searching for fairies.

She hopes to build a vacation home in Narnia someday. In the meantime, she lives with her family and a rainbow-colored, wooden cat who is secretly a Guardian.

Books by Sarah Brentyn

On the Edge of a Raindrop

Hinting at Shadows

Author Page

Follow Sarah at:

Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark Reef

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66 Comments

  1. D. Avery @shiftnshake says:
    January 2, 2018 at 12:17 am

    Congratulations to all and to a fine all around ride by D. Wallace Peach. Well done, Sarah, that was also quite a ride you had to saddle up for. Phew. Best rodeo ever!

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Norah says:
    January 2, 2018 at 12:45 am

    Congratulations D. Wallace Peach for your story being chosen All Around Best of the Show! That’s quite a feat. There were so many wonderful stories. Thank you to Sarah for judging the finalists, and Charli for hosting the show. What a fantastic first rodeo. Do we really have to wait until October for the next? Better get our writing spurs on and keep practising in the meantime!

    Liked by 5 people

  3. Norah says:
    January 2, 2018 at 12:47 am

    Reblogged this on Norah Colvin and commented:
    Congratulations D. Wallace Peach for being the All Around Best of the Show in the inaugural Carrot Ranch #FFRODEO! What a feat!

    Liked by 3 people

  4. A. E. Robson says:
    January 2, 2018 at 1:20 am

    Congratulations D. Wallace Peach for winning the All-Around title at the Carrot Ranch #FFRodeo.

    A huge thank you for the tremendous efforts by all who stepped up to be judges and those who worked behind the chutes to make it happen.

    To everyone who entered, kudos to you. This rodeo was a success because of your participation.

    And last, but not least, thank you Charli for nodding your head and letting the chute gates swing open. You brought some amazing events and writers together to be showcased in this rodeo arena.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Believing Sight Unseen says:
    January 2, 2018 at 2:55 am

    What a fantastic post! Everything to hand at a single click! Debut Anthology Vol.1 now on my Kindle, more than a must read, an education too! Congratulation to ‘Best of Show’ D. Wallace Peach; Diana it’s been good to get to know you. And to all here thanks for creating a great place to be and set our words free. All the best for 2018. Eric (the E in EDC).

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Ritu says:
    January 2, 2018 at 3:05 am

    Congratulations to our all round winner D Wallace Peach! Diana is a well deserving winner 😊
    The Rodeo was was a fun contest to enter and i look forward ti the next!
    Thank you all the organisers and judges for your time and your words of encouragement.
    And a huge thank you to Charli ! 😊

    Liked by 3 people

  7. Susan Budig says:
    January 2, 2018 at 3:06 am

    An admirable, challenging, successful endeavor into the world of contest writing. You sustained throughout!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Juliet Nubel says:
    January 2, 2018 at 5:56 am

    A fabulous finale to a rocking rodeo. Sarah, you had a hard job. But I totally agree that Diana’s winning story was wonderful.
    Thanks, Charli for all the hard work you put into organising this. And to all the other judges too.
    The rodeo roped me into the Ranch. And I’ll be flashing here until the next one arrives in October. I’m hooked…

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Marje @ Kyrosmagica says:
    January 2, 2018 at 8:25 am

    Reblogged this on M J Mallon Author and commented:
    Congratulations to Diana Peach for being awarded All Around Best of Show in the #FFRodeo at Charli Mill’s Carrot Ranch Literary Community.

    Liked by 3 people

  10. robbiesinspiration says:
    January 2, 2018 at 8:30 am

    How absolutely wonderful! Diana is a fantastic writer and her win is well deserved. Congratulations to everyone who won a round and to all the runner ups and participants too. Looking forward to next year’s challenge, Charli.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Liz H says:
    January 2, 2018 at 10:51 am

    Congratulations to Diana. Your “Galatea” was truly a superb work of transformation and survival…and stunning beauty!

    So happy and grateful to have wandered onto the Ranch…cool, clear water, encouragement and fresh inspiration are what this community’s all about!
    ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  12. D. Wallace Peach says:
    January 2, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    Thanks so much, Charli, for the fantastic competition. I’m grateful for all the hard work you and the rodeo leaders put into pulling this together, and thanks to the judges for the difficult choices – a task I don’t envy. I’ve said it before and will say it again, that this entire thing was loads of fun, and the best-of-show win is a thrill. I’m looking forward to next year already. Happy New Year and Happy Writing to all rodeo writers!

    Liked by 3 people

  13. Annecdotist says:
    January 2, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    Congratulations to all the winners – and entrants – and to Sarah for choosing an excellent creme de la crème. and of course Charli for putting it all together.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Judy E Martin says:
    January 2, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    Congratulations, Diana on your well-deserved win. I was awestruck at some of these fabulous entries.
    I actually had a go at this Rodeo myself and stretched myself more than I thought possible. The judges must have had such a hard job choosing the winners due to the high standard of the entries.
    Thanks to you all for your support and encouragement. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      January 2, 2018 at 10:21 pm

      Thanks, Judy. I’m so glad you gave it a try. I felt like all of these prompts were a stretch, and great fun regardless of the outcome. Charli and her team of organizers and judges did a wonderful job making it successful for everyone. Can’t wait to see your entries next year. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Charli Mills says:
      January 5, 2018 at 1:25 am

      It was difficult to judge and yet I think it was also good for writers to get to experience the judging process because you learn much from the perspective. And all the writing was marvelous. We are going to have a fine collection.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
    January 2, 2018 at 6:39 pm

    Congratulations Diana. As you know we thought you were worthy of Winning the Scars competition and are thrilled that you have been selected as All Round Best of Show. Congratulations to all that entered. As a judge I know it was challenging with many great entries. Sarah I don’t envy you having to pick between the best of each competition to come up with an all round best of show but I love your choice. Charli thanks for the concept. It has been a lot of fun. Now hanging up my spurs until next October but practice will continue.

    Liked by 3 people

  16. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
    January 2, 2018 at 6:40 pm

    Reblogged this on Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) and commented:
    Congratulations Diana on All Round Best of Show with your wonderful story Galatea.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. dgkaye says:
    January 3, 2018 at 12:16 am

    Congrats all round. So thrilled for my writing friends judging and writing! 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  18. Sherri Matthews says:
    January 3, 2018 at 11:16 am

    Thrilled for you Diana, a worthy win indeed for Best of Show with an extraordinary, beautifully written flash. Huge congratulations and to all the winners of all eight contests. I didn’t envy your task Sarah, thank you for taking it on! And Charli, thank you again so much for giving me the honour to lead a contest along side such a fantastic group of talented and wonderful writers fellow judges. Truly delighted to have done my bit. Will be chomping at that bit for the next one 😉 Here’s to a great 2018, riding and writing like the wind! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Charli Mills says:
    January 5, 2018 at 1:33 am

    Thanks, Sarah! You did a wonderful job riding solo and picking the Best of Show. Thanks to all who wrote, read and bled ink into stories at Carrot Ranch. Until next Rodeo, keep your hats on and write off into the sunset!

    Liked by 2 people

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