Thursday, December 15, 2011

Marley was as Dead as a Doornail

There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. If we were not perfectly convinced that Hamlet's Father died before the play began, there would be nothing [ ] remarkable in his taking a stroll at night....
     --Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol


I am particularly fond of A Christmas Carol. Any story that touches on the unseen world, explores Everyman, teaches wisdom, and stands the test of time is a multi-platinum winner in my book. It also follows an old tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve. And now it's your chance!

Loren Eaton, of Clarity of Night contest fame, is hosting a shared short story event on his blog I Saw Lightning Fall. You have 100 words (exactly) to write a chill-inspiring story for Christmas Eve. You post it on your own blog and send Loren a link, or he has offered to host it.

Definitely hop over if you're interested. I'm intrigued by the thought of joining in that ancient tradition. I am going to write one.

6 comments:

Loren Eaton said...

Many thanks for the shout out, Jason! And how did you know that I love that Dickens quote?

strugglingwriter said...

That's awesome. I'm gonna give it a whirl.

We (my wife, my kids, and I) just watched Muppet Christmas Carol the other day. It really is a good version of the story. Plus, Michael Caine. I mean, c'mon.

Furtheron said...

Christmas Carol is my favourite Dickens story... I'm off to find the modern alternatives...

Michael Morse said...

http://rescuingprovidence.com/2011/12/stave-v/

I too love A Christmas Carol, one night while I was sleeping at the station this appeared on my computer screen!

Anonymous said...

I think you should all go for it! Thanks for the invite, Loren.

SzélsőFa said...

wow, i didn't know there was a tradition about telling ghost stories around christmas time. i will check Loren's blog - either for entering, or just for reading good material.