Tag Archives: #flashfiction

Friday Fictioneers – Hoodoo Hex

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Small stuffed toy, bald yellow head, red jacket and blue pants, sits on an office chair. There is a blanket on the back of the chair. And an indoor plant and view of the garden.

Photo Prompt by Ted Strutz

What I remember.

Working on the P&Ls for local businesswoman, Madame Hoodoo.

Bitching and moaning about her messy recordkeeping.

Like I do. Every month.

Messaging back and forth.

Where should I code ‘eye of newt’?

How many copies of ‘Satanic Weekly’ does one person need?

Things along that line.

Seconds ago, I texted in large angry type.

WTF is a Sriramachakra?

What I Now Know.

Perspective has changed.

I’ve only a muffled sense of body.

Though I’m sure it’s his playful expression.

The usually charming smile of my Doberman is closer to carnivorous.

As he eyeballs his newest chew toy. [98 words]

Thank you  Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for the challenge, which is to write a complete story in 100 words or less. 

For more 100 word fiction, read here.

In case you’re interested to know about Sriramachakra:

It is also called Sri Rama Chakra, Ramachakra, Rama Chakra, or Ramar Chakra and is a mystic diagram or a yantra given in Tamil almanacs as an instrument of astrology for predicting one’s future. 

Friday Fictioneers – It’s Only Words

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A row of guitars hanging in a shop, rainbow striped guitar at the front

Photo prompt by Jennifer Pendergast

She’ll anthropomorphise us into a story.

Someone is going to anesthetise us? Who, and why?

It’s what she does, that lady writer, her with the notebook. Gives human characteristics to animals and writes funny stories about them.

Oh, you mean she’s gonna personify us? Cos, we’re not animals.

Who died and made you Professor? She’ll reanimate us in some weak story for laughs, that’s racism, that is.

Racism. Huh. You’re off the shelf!

Go, Professor Nerd! Ten bucks, she’ll attribute me as a Zebra.

Zoomorphism! Your strings are too tight.

Twang! If I had hands, I’d …

The year is 2023 and Rochelle Wisoff-Fields continues to set the challenge and encourage this community of writers. An effort appreciate by us all. The challenge is to write a story in 100 words or fewer.

For other 100 word fiction, read here.

Simply 6 Minutes – I just wanted to watch the game!!

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Man spending summer vacations at home alone, he is sitting on the deckchair in the living room and working with a laptop

All I wanted was a few minutes peace.

I begged, pleaded, then took action.

Tantrums, tears and screams ensued.

I shoved cotton wool into my ears.

I was heartless.

I pummelled, and squeezed, and filled bags.

There was mess. There was gore. And pain.

I dragged, pulled and pushed. Shoved, and prodded.

Until at last, under pain of death, they were subdued.

And I at last had peace.

Before I’d sorted them out, the children had been playing at beach picnics.

And so, the ideal ‘at home’ beach break was already in place.

Hot water with bath salts to soak my feet.

An ice cold lager.

The studio lamp, full frontal and it was like I was holidaying in Spain.

Then the icing on the cake. Chelsea vs Arsenal, premier league action on my device.

Only 6 hours before the fight re-commences.

When my darling children return from school. (6 minutes, 149 words)

Simply 6 Minutes Challenge Note

Thanks to Christine for this weekly challenge.

Simply 6 Minutes Challenge Note

  • Set up a timer or sit near a clock so you can keep track of the six minutes you will be writing.
  • You can either use one of the prompts (photo or written) or you can free-write.
  • Get ready and write for 6 minutes, that is it! Can you write a complete story? Can you think of a new Sonnet? Can you write 400 words? 400? 500? There are no restrictions on what kind of writing you do, but you should try to be actively writing for six minutes.

After you are done writing, include your word count and then post back to this page #Simply6Minutes or include your link in the comments section. Pingbacks are enabled

Friday Fictioneers – be my guest

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roger-b

Photo prompt by Roger Bultot

And there I lay

Traffic passes, while each breath I take cuts like broken glass.

The hours drag

As neighbours dine, as bathers to bed, and lovers etwine.

A heartbeat slows

As colleagues wonder, ‘where was our friend’? Absently asked.

And there I lay

As coppers knock, corpse decays, soul in shock.

A lonely death, but soul set free

No longer yearning, sadness.

And there I lay. [67 words]

For Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. A photo prompt challenge to create a story using 100 words or fewer.

Read other stories for this week’s prompt here.

Simply 6 Minutes – birthing nightmare

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A Halloween poster showing horror masked surgeons looking down at a patient, the lights behind their heads creating a skull shaped image

My worst nightmare come true.

Months spent in a cosy cocoon, oblivious to what was coming.

As awareness grew, it was all about how comfy I was here, buoyant in my liquid bath.

Soothing tones of mother and father, crooning at the edge of my hearing.

Tender talk, wishes and promises of a beautiful life.

Hopes and dreams and plans.

I became cramped in the shrinking space, and longed for escape, for room to stretch and turn.

The stories became scary, daunting, threatening.

Mother’s voice.

Oh, I hope it doesn’t take too long.

Mary said her birth took three days, and she was in pain for two days before she begged for an  epidural.

Sarah’s baby came out blue and was in an incubator for weeks.

I’m afraid. What if the baby is hurt? What if I can’t bear it? What if ….

Oh mother, I thought. Please stop talking.

Is my entrance to your world to be such a terrifying event?

Can I not look forward to your whispered sweet things?

The moment arrived.

The pressure, the fight, my need to remain while mother’s body forced eviction

Squeezed through a tightening tunnel, expelled toward the light.

 

I don’t want to leave this place!

I felt chilled. I felt fear. And was welcomed to the world by noise, screams and horrifying faces staring down at me. Cold gloved hands reached for me.

 

Mother! I don’t want to.

Will there be joy after this heinous experience? [245 words, 6 minutes]

Thanks to Christine for this weekly challenge.

Simply 6 Minutes Challenge Note

  • Set up a timer or sit near a clock so you can keep track of the six minutes you will be writing.
  • You can either use one of the prompts (photo or written) or you can free-write.
  • Get ready and write for 6 minutes, that is it! Can you write a complete story? Can you think of a new Sonnet? Can you write 400 words? 400? 500? There are no restrictions on what kind of writing you do, but you should try to be actively writing for six minutes.
  • After you are done writing, include your word count and then post back to this page #Simply6Minutes or include your link in the comments section. Pingbacks are enabled.

Just, give it to me

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Ferrero flavoured gelato

Gorgeous, rich Ferrero flavoured gelato from Topolino Gelateria in Wodonga, Victoria.

I so wanted to renege on the promise I’d made myself not to eat that 500ml tub of gorgeous, rich, Ferrero gelato. And I’m so proud that I held out.

I did eat the 1L tub of Mango/Lemon Meringue, which made me so happy and yet, really shit too!

49 words written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt: Renege

Friday Fictioneers – Open Heart

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Red centred, yellow outer, native Australian flowers, surrounded by green leaves
Photo prompt from Trish Nankivell

You opened your heart

exposing vulnerability

laid bare hopes, dreams, fear.

You welcomed unreservedly

risked hurt

your light shone bright.

You stood tall, strong yet fragile

You sought communion, connection

You called to life

Your day in the sun too short

Your view of the future curtailed.

As the sun moves away

As light leaves the day

So too, you retreat.

Slave to a seasonal beat. [67 words]

Thank you Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for continuing to set this 100 word or less challenge. It is certainly a commitment appreciated by many. Other 100 word stories can be read here.

Author note: I cheated this week and used something I’d already written – to this flower! Hope you enjoy it. Trish

Simply 6 Minutes – Returned

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Countryside, by water, with the ruins of a church

A Drowning Church: Shettihalli

Things are so changed

I’m out of place

I do not recognise this space.

I try to touch

Bare stone

Grey grass.

My hand through everything does pass.

It seems that I have been away

The years have gone

And left decay.

While I have lingered

Wasted time

Moved on while I lay sleeping.

Now what has woken up my soul

Returned me to this world?

If once I left this mortal coil

Then why am I reborn?

A call, a cry, birds circle high

A human calls in pain.

I flit and float and find the ground

Upon which wastes a babe.

Oh, what has happened here, sweet child?

Oh, why are you abandoned?

This must be why I’m called to earth

To save you is the challenge.

I sit beside you, desperate child

My presence holds off vultures.

All I can do to is sit and wait

And hope somebody finds us.

Thank God, here comes a curious man

Intrigued by nature’s hawkers

And now, he’s found you baby, so

I’m free to leave you, daughter.

Thanks to Christine for this weekly challenge.

Simply 6 Minutes Challenge Note

  • Set up a timer or sit near a clock so you can keep track of the six minutes you will be writing.
  • You can either use one of the prompts (photo or written) or you can free-write.
  • Get ready and write for 6 minutes, that is it! Can you write a complete story? Can you think of a new Sonnet? Can you write 400 words? 400? 500? There are no restrictions on what kind of writing you do, but you should try to be actively writing for six minutes.
  • After you are done writing, include your word count and then post back to this page #Simply6Minutes or include your link in the comments section. Pingbacks are enabled.

Friday Fictioneers – give a little rope

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A white church with a steeple topped with a cross, and an old barge-like boat beside it

Photo prompt by Jade-Li

‘Father, do you know something we don’t?’

‘What do you mean, Johnny?’

‘The boat, Father. Have you had word from God, to be prepared?’

‘One should always be prepared, son. Ready to meet the Lord, our God. Strong in faith and confessed of sin. Be kind to your sister, and your friends. And to animals. When you reach the gates of heaven …’

‘Father, I’m only ten! Will I be meeting God soon then? Is that why you have a boat, to help me cross the river Styx?’

‘Styx is in Hell, son. You ….’

‘I’M GOING TO HELL?’

Thank you Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for continuing to set this 100 word or less challenge. It is certainly a commitment appreciated by many. Other 100 word stories can be read here.

Simply 6 Minutes – in my sixth decade

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A monkey (lemur?) dancing in the desert

In my sixth decade, I do not dance!

How sad is that?

It would be amazing if I found my funky bone.

Grooved to a beat without compunction.

Swayed groovily to the sweetest dance track.

 

At home I twist and shout as I vacuum up dust.

Sing loudly in the car, tap a rhythm on the wheel.

Catch me singing to canned music in the supermarket aisle.

When a favourite tune pops up.

I push that trolley with a perky style.

 

But since I married in ’91, I have not danced in public.

I’ve been to several weddings, but I’m the boring one stuck in her seat.

And by extension, so is my husband who I’m sure would cheerfully stomp around the dance floor.

But he’s tethered by me.

Who he adores and promises ‘it’s no trouble’.

 

As I child I loved to dance. I’d cut the rug to Tina Turner (you know the tune)!

I’d dance to anything and everything with my sisters!

School socials were to die for, because woah – music, and dancing and more dancing

And donuts!

 

In my sixth decade, I long to dance and yet I can’t let go.

I’m body conscious.

I’m afraid I’ll look an old idiot.

I feel it’s too late

But I welcome everybody to cut a groove at my funeral.

 

In fact, I shall build the Spotify funeral playlist today!

And leave out dirges, and ballads and keep in Rock n Roll.

 

In my sixth decade.

Tragedy!

Thanks to Christine for this weekly challenge.

Simply 6 Minutes Challenge Note

  • Set up a timer or sit near a clock so you can keep track of the six minutes you will be writing.
  • You can either use one of the prompts (photo or written) or you can free-write.
  • Get ready and write for 6 minutes, that is it! Can you write a complete story? Can you think of a new Sonnet? Can you write 400 words? 400? 500? There are no restrictions on what kind of writing you do, but you should try to be actively writing for six minutes.

After you are done writing, include your word count and then post back to this page #Simply6Minutes or include your link in the comments section. Pingbacks are enabled.