Welcome to Thursday 360!
Are you a Christian writer? Think you can write a mind-blowing short story in 360 words or less? Let’s see what you’ve got!
Here’s How it Works
New posts will publish here on Thursdays. Write a 360-word (or less) flash fiction story based on the photo prompt (featured near the bottom of this post) and enter it in the comments section below. The results will be posted the following Thursday along with the new prompt. Winner will get the opportunity to display the Champion’s Badge on their website.
Rules and What-not
The rules are pretty simple. All entries for the current challenge must be posted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday, June 22nd. They must be original, unpublished stories inspired by the photo prompt and they must have no more than 360 words (title doesn’t count). Stories don’t have to be Christian in subject matter, but cannot contain foul language, erotic, anti-Christian content, etc… (Let’s try to keep it G-rated, folks.) By posting, you attest that your entry conforms to these rules; I am in no way liable if it doesn’t. I reserve the right to reject/delete anything that does not follow the rules.
All entries remain the property of their authors.
Results for Last Week’s Challenge
Champion: Vicki for her story Hosea’s Wife.
Congratulations! Here’s your e-badge, Vicki.
The Prompt
And here’s the prompt for this week’s challenge in honor of Father’s Day.
Remember the deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday, June 22nd.
Also, remember to become a follower so you can get email notifications of results and new posts.
Check out Christian Flash Weekly after you’re done for another great contest to help you hone your short fiction skills.
Whitney L. Schwartz 
Congrats, Vicki!!!!
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“Fatherhood”
@JohnMark_Miller – 359 words
“Take any award-winning photos this week, Hal?” The older waitress asked her usual question as she handed over his daily cup of coffee. Usually Hal would laugh it off, but today he frowned deeply. His three year old daughter, Alaina, was running a fever today and hadn’t been allowed into daycare. He had tried to call in, but his boss had been quick to remind him that “deadlines are deadlines.” Now Alaina was fussing loudly, and Hal’s coffee just didn’t seem to be working its magic on his headache like it usually did.
Sue, the waitress, stopped and offered the young man a knowing glance. “Everything okay, hon?”
Hal massaged his temples and managed a grin. “Oh yeah,” he said, sipping his coffee. “Single parenting is for the birds, that’s all.”
Sue patted his arm, and he hurried out to the safety of his truck. Alaina screamed for twenty straight minutes as they barreled down the highway, and Hal clenched the steering wheel until his knuckles were white.
“I can’t do this!” his mind hollered loudly.
All of a sudden, the toddler’s screaming stopped. “Pretty,” she said.
Hal turned the radio down a bit. “What did you say?”
The girl’s voice grew more urgent, and she pointed emphatically out the car window. “Pretty – pretty!”
Hal followed her gaze and slammed the brakes a little too hard, causing the truck to veer wildly. Alaina was fussing again, but Hal hardly heard her. There, just across the bay, was the most picturesque scene he had ever witnessed. The sun shone over the distant mountains, illuminating the city skyline nestled into the valley below with shimmering beauty. It was something his photography professor would have called an “eternal moment.”
Hal cradled his daughter in one arm and grabbed his camera with the other. “Thank you,” he whispered, as he took the shot.
It was an award-winning photo. He could feel it.
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