EDITOR’S CHOICE | WRITING PROMPTS | FEATURED

Editor’s Choice Feature Fiction #65 & FLF Prompt #100

Summer ups and downs, a twisted trauma, and a milestone prompt

Greetings, FLF writers and for me, it’s finally welcome to summer! We are enjoying consecutive days above 20 °C (68°F)!! While I rejoice in the heat and have fingers crossed that we breach 30 degrees, not all things enjoy summer in the same fashion.

FLF stats indicate that the summer reading slump has arrived. July saw almost the same number of views for FLF, but only 101 reads, compared to June’s 550. On a positive note, the Editor’s Choice Weekly Featured Fiction selections perform well, receiving three times the reads as regularly published stories.

Writers, if you see barely a shadow of a soul stopping by to read your work, don’t take it personally; it’s not you, it’s summer.

On a less pleasing note, Medium continues to look down its nose at fiction. FLF is not in the new Editor’s compensation plan, just as it was denied Boost status when that program ran. That type of attitude may discourage some, but I take it as a punch in the nose, and when I get bopped, by God, I’m going to hit back.

I will apply a more discerning eye in editing and approving stories. Now, because of the quality of FLF writers, I don’t have all that much to do, and I am very respectful of an author’s style. However, some stories do make it through that are from new(ish) writers or fiction-writing novices. In turn, I won’t be so much as raising the bar on what I consider an acceptable level of writing, but I will be holding that marker in place.

To summarize, you may see more feedback on your drafts, and some stories won’t make the cut. I see no reason why First Line Fiction can’t be a premier fiction pub; Good writers want to read good stories.

I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will because some Medium members still submit the heinous material; AI-generated stories will be flatly rejected. If the two AI detectors used return a more than “lightly AI edited”, it will be denied.

Editor’s Choice Feature Fiction of the Week #65

Things happen in our lives that we don’t want to remember, and when that trauma takes hold, it is a difficult thing to escape. We relive the event through nightmares and daytime regret. Often, we tangle with fault and guilt, wishing for a return so that we could change a decision, moment and a consequence.

Wendy Writes dives into that scenario where her character. Eden walks between memory and reality; it’s trauma repetition on a nightly schedule. In *Seven Years of Yesterday*, the main character is consumed by guilt, but not fault. Surviving was not winning.

Wendy slips us into psychological realism with Eden’s compulsion to relive the past, blurring the line between what happened and what didn’t. The story has minimal dialogue, which I found interesting, as the silence of the house supports Eden’s feelings of isolation. To me, the story asked, “What is she looking to accomplish?” We learn the answer at the end.

Seven Years of Yesterday is a well-written, traumatic story worth the read and definitely deserving of the singular look it’s gotten. Perhaps, when the sun slides downward, you will put your feet up and read Wendy’s tale.

[embed]Seven Years of Yesterday First Line Fiction Prompt #85medium.com

We write for ourselves, but having our words read is the goal. At FLF, we support and encourage one another by reading and commenting on each other’s work to acknowledge effort and appreciate the craft. I’d very much like to see the number of reads increase.

First Line Fiction Prompt #100 — A Milestone!

Our 100th prompt! Thank you to all who have been here since Liberty first opened its doors, to all who have stayed since I took the reins, and to each newcomer to our fiction family!

So many stories created and shared across more genres than I would have anticipated. I appreciate each and every one of you and the stories you bring. Don’t stop now!

Summer freedom, summer fun, summer love. These long, warm (hot for some) days and sultry, sunset walks make great backdrops for memorable stories. Best-friend adventures, odd-couple matchups that “just work,” or long-term relationships that feel the heat return in more ways than one.

Perhaps you sense an ultimatum or a hidden agenda, and it’s a seasonal, time-sensitive crisis? An athlete competing in a summer sport is another possibility. Are they facing a shot at a medal, or a last stab at glory before bowing out?

Whether you find the story along those veins or feel something entirely different, I’d love to read about it. The ball is in your court!

FLF Prompt #100

Right or wrong, win or lose, it had to happen now, or autumn would arrive, and she would fall apart.

Genders are interchangeable at the writer’s discretion.

For all FLF writers, please check out our socials! First Line Fiction’s **Instagram page posts your stories with a matching soundtrack, and our[ FB private group ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/607033858410715)**is a place to share whatever you write so we can all share our various passions and support each other.

We also have a** Bluesky page **that sees your stories go out the same day (most of the time), as they publish.

That’s it for me, folks. I’ll see you next week with a new Editor’s Choice Weekly Feature Story and a fresh FLF Prompt!

Take care and good writing!

Sincerely, Arpad Nagy FLF Owner/EIC.

I am tagging writers who requested to be notified of the weekly FLF newsletter. If you would like to be tagged, please let me know in the comments. You can also ask to be removed at any time. Thank you!

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