Monday, September 5, 2011

First Campaign Challenge - Peace Voyager

For the first campaign challenge, we were asked to write a 200 word story starting with The door swung open and post it to our blogs. Later our challenge will be voted on by fellow campaigners :)

Below is my 200 word contribution, Peace Voyager, a mini prologue to my published short story Iron Butterfly, which can be read at Nevermet Press.

Hope you enjoy!

Peace Voyager
by Marie Andrews

The door swung open to reveal the glorious airship that had been kept under wraps from the curious citizens of New Cambridge, the floating city of promise. Its crew had worked tirelessly for months, paying special attention to each tiny detail.

For her bravery and precision during the airship battle simulations, McKenna Blackstone had earned the enviable honor to get first look at the airship. Seeing it now, she hoped she’d be chosen as its captain. But she knew there were more experienced students who deserved the position. Still, she vowed to work harder and push herself to excel beyond the others.

From the side of the hull, one crew member shouted, “What do you think?”

“It’s the most beautiful airship I’ve ever seen.” Her eager voice pinged against the walls. “What will you call her?”

“Arianna,” he replied. “Do you approve?”

McKenna knew the name well. It belonged to one of the founding women of New Cambridge. A woman she considered her mentor.

Her lips stretched into a smile that bunched her cheeks. “Yes, it’s perfect!”

And before anyone else could catch a glimpse of the magnificent beauty, a council member escorted her out, and the door swung shut.
(copyright 2011)

To learn more about the platform building campaign, follow this link Here

Marie

32 comments:

  1. I'm just now starting to read Steampunk. Using the short story as a teaser for book is a great idea! Actually intrigued to learn more about McKenna.

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  2. Thanks so much Isis! I appreciate you stopping by :)

    Marie

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  3. Great use of the first line you were given. I too am intrigued to know more and have a picture of McKenna already forming in my mind after reading Iron Butterfly!

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  4. What a great way to get readers interested in your story! Well done!

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  5. I've never really read steam punk before. Quite good!

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  6. Very nice to include some of your story. I also love the visual. ; )

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  7. Makes me want to read the story in full. Very intriguing....

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  8. Ditto - I'm hooked! Can't wait to read this.

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  9. What is steampunk ? I haven't the foggiest notion ... gonna google it !
    It seems very interesting !
    ~MISH~
    http://writer-in-transit.co.za

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  10. Nice! I like that you took the prompt and turned it into a prologue. :)

    Fellow campaigner here - we're in the same adult fiction group. I write just about everything - from PBs on up to adults. Looking forward to getting better acquainted!

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  11. Excellent, Marie. It's good to see a piece of your work (not a piece of work, BTW). ^_^

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  12. I enjoyed that! Another fellow campaigner here :)

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  13. Great. I love how different all of these stories are. Mine is #72

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  14. escorted who out?!
    i'm reading Steamed, a romantic steampunk, reminds me of your story. nice job!

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  15. Love the blog header and great job with the Steampunk entry :-)

    nice to meet you, i'm finding a nice little group of steampunk writers this Campaign. Great to see.

    Best of luck

    Sarah

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  16. Wow! Great entry. You're obviously a very talented writer. I love the look of your blog. I'm a fellow campaigner in the beginning bloggers group stopping by to say hello and become a new follower.

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  17. I'm intrigued, you write well. I agree with Sarah, I love your blog header!

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  18. Oh, this is fantastic. Echoing everyone above, I really love McKenna as well, and this world that you have crafted. And the art! So gorgeous. :D

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  19. I really enjoyed this! I love steampunk, first of all, but the writing her is really clean and evocative. AIRSHIPS. I LOVE AIRSHIPS.

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  20. Well written, I must read a Steampunk novel soon.

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  21. That was beautifully written. I've only had small doses of steampunk, but I love it. Well done! :)

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  22. I love it! The floating city of promise...I want to know more! Thanks for the fun read. Mine is #138 :)

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  23. Very well written. I too must read something steampunk...
    Good Luck with the rest of the campaign!!

    http://www.doreenmcgettigan.com

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  24. Very fun- I hope we get to see a lot more of the ship in your story- and McKenna :)

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  25. Great story! I'll definitely have to check out your book now :)

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  26. You've made the short list. Congrats!

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  27. Em - thank you so much sweetie!

    Elizabeth - very much appreciated :)

    Thank you Alleged Author! It's a fun genre :)

    Sheri - thanks so much!!

    Thank you East Coaster and Kris Newman!

    Yes Mish - do google - it's a wonderful genre to tap into the imagination with :)

    Thank you Nicole and wonderful to meet you!

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  28. Much luv to Angelina :) So proud of you for finishing your novel!

    Thank you Ruth and Bridget! I appreciate you stopping by :)

    Sarah and Tara, thank you :) Steampunk is so much fun to both read and write.

    inluvwithwords - Aww, thank you - so many talented people here it's wonderful!

    Thank you Cortney!

    Big hugs Jamila :) Thank you sweetie!

    Steph - me too! Airships are so cool!

    Thank you so much Christine and Maria! Have you tried Gail Carriger's books? They're fun :)

    Thank you Jessica and Doreen for stopping by!

    Kerry and Alica - thank you :) So far I'm enjoying all the stories I've read! What a great challenge!

    Thanks so much Callie!

    :)

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  29. Well written - nice little prologue. I love steampunk.

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  30. A lovely little prologue. Loved the Iron Butterfly story. Airships are the coolest!

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  31. Magical! Enjoyed reading this entry. Vote from me.

    Stobby

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