Category Archives: Challenges and Writing Prompts

May 16, 2017

Twittering Tales #30 – 16 May 2017

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a prompt, and your mission, if you choose to play along, is to tell a story based on that prompt in 140 characters or less. If you accept the challenge, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing us a new prompt. Have Fun!

Twittering Tale #29 – The Round-Up

From Dillon at Lost in Translation

I look to define,
what I don’t understand,
What troubles my mind,
At the palm of my hand,
Yet the answer I find,
Is not in demand…
(126 Characters)

From Reena at ReInventions

The crystal ball reader’s job was easy. She just provided different lenses on reality. The consequent changes in action proved her right.
(138 characters)

From Michael at Morpethroad

Toss.
He loves me he loves me not
Doubtful
Toss
He loves me he loves me not
YES!!
Toss
He loves me
Toss
Oh bugger!
Toss toss toss
He loves me not
Drats!
(140 characters)

From Di at Pensitivity101

He didn’t mean to break it.
They were due to go live in 10 seconds.
Hell, rain was forecast anyway.
They’d never guess.
(116 characters)

From Soul Connection at Through My Heartweb

Should I go for it or not,every time you helped me to clear my doubt.Today its not about doubt,the answer lies on my destiny.Its about Love.
(140 Characters)

From Lady Lee at Lady Lee Manila

on a good day
birds singing
forsythia blooming
kisses from Him Indoors
peace at last
on a bad day
wolves howling
flowers dying
Him Indoors left
help!
(140 Characters)

From Lorraine at In 25 Words More Or Less

He loves me, he loves me not. Digital version of plucking daisy petals. [Am I behind the eight ball, or what?]
(111 characters; 21 words)

From Kathryn at Another Foodie Blogger

Everyone groaned at the final shake of the 8-ball, but Katy just grinned. Little did they know that Katy ALWAYS did everything backwards.
(137 Characters)

From Francine at Woman Walks Max

The man I just met, will he ring ? Most likely yes. I feel a bond. He’s sultry, mysterious. Long term? Very doubtful, sigh.
(123 Characters)

From Peter at Peter’s Ponderings

Magic 8 ball, oh dear, what a blow
I’ve not seen one, so how can I know
how it’s meant to work
I feel such a berk
My ignorance now on full show!
(140 characters)

…and starting us off…

“YES” It’s a sign! I’m overdue for a raise. It’s time to ask. One more flip of the 8 Ball, just to be sure.”VERY DOUBTFUL”? Ugh…Nevermind!
(140 Characters)

Thank you to everyone who gave the Magic 8 Ball a flip, and tried their hand at a reverse query. It seems that for many of us the Magic 8 Ball is a great substitute for a daisy. A good thing too…poor daisies who have their petals plucked for the sake of our lovelorn hearts. I can’t believe we are at 30 Twittering Tales today! You all a quite a creative bunch. As usual, I found this gem of a photograph at pixabay.com. The minute I saw it, I fell in love with it. The photographer calls this photo, “Calm”. Um…Okay. So what do you think? Is the glass half empty or half full and why in the world is it leaning? Or is it? Have fun! I’ll see you next week at the round-up!

Photo titled “Calm” from Pixabay.com

“It’ll be fun,” he said. 3 days at sea, 4 more to go, she glanced at the glass of water on the table. The thought of a sip made her sick!

~kat
(137 Characters)

33 Comments | tags: 140 characters, Challenge, Flash Fiction, Photo Prompt, twittering tales | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction, Random Thoughts and Musings, Twitter Tales

May 14, 2017

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 14 May 2017

By Kat Myrman

It is Mother’s Day in many parts of the world. If you are a mother, I wish you a wonderful day. You deserve to be loved and honored. If you are missing your mother I wish you warm memories, healing, and grace. And if you are a child or mother whose relationship is fractured, I wish you hope and reconciliation.

Life is complicated isn’t it? So complicated and so fleeting. How many minutes, how many hours do we spend each day worrying, working to survive, taking up space, wasting time? How many breaths do we consciously take…how many moments do we savor?

I am woefully caught up in the whirlwind of life’s distractions. I spend most of my days in a an oblivious, vapid haze. My existence is a breathless blur. Each day is like a bulbous speck of mercury colliding into the blob of previously squandered days. But it doesn’t have to be.

Being present is hard. Sometimes it’s painful. But it is also what frees us from the blur. A single moment of mindfulness can open the door to wonder, gratitude, peace, and healing. It is balm for our fading souls.

Of course, when I get to thinking about all this I always resolve to do better, to be better at being present in the moment. I’ve been through this head-talk enough times to know that even my intent is a fleeting wisp of hot air. But every now and again a moment catches me unaware and I am captivated. Another memory blooms from the sludge.

I know I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. As for myself, I need reminding…

Breathe in deeply, slowly; savor the moment. Smile at your incredible fortune to be alive right here, right now. Exhale even more slowly. Let go. You are magnificent. You are a miracle. You are living proof of grace. This moment is everything.

And here’s the thing. There is nothing stopping you from having another moment and another. So go ahead. The cares of the world can wait. You know you want to…breathe…

Love and Peace to you…

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 14 May 2017

dawn rustles beneath
when the heat is on
some find comfort in it’s warmth
fleeting as a blink
but dreams die hard…
…and i smile though my heart is sad
needing no imprimatur
draw me like one of your French dogs
don’t ask me why.

~kat

5 Comments | tags: breathe, mindfulness, moments, presence, Shi Sai, week in Reverse | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Essays, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Shi Sai, Social Issues, Spirituality, Week in Review

May 13, 2017

Imprimatur – Friday’s Word of the Day Haiku

By Kat Myrman

Missed yesterday…I need a less crazy day job so I have evenings to write. By the time I get home it’s time for bed and then to start again. At any rate, the word of the day for Friday from dictionary.com was imprimatur.

Dictionary.com defines imprimatur as an official license to print or publish a book, pamphlet, etc., especially a license issued by a censor of the Roman Catholic Church; or simply a sanction or approval; support. The word originated in 1640, Modern Latin, literally “let it be printed,” the formula of a book licenser, third person singular present subjunctive passive of Latin imprimere “to print” (see impress). Originally of state license to print books, later only of Roman Catholic Church.

A peruse of Wikipedia revealed that the word actually dates back to the dawn of printing. In England the Licensing of the Press Act of 1662 required an official license for printing books. The 1662 act required books, according to their subject, to receive the authorization, known as the imprimatur, of the Lord Chancellor, the Earl Marshall, a principal Secretary of State, the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Bishop of London. Essentially, t was government ordered and sanctioned censorship. Those who broke this law could be sued for libel. The law finally expired in 1695.

Shortly after its expiration the first significant event in the evolution and history of the copyright, the Statute of Anne in 1710 (Anne being Queen Anne), removed the right to print and publish a written work from publishers, printers and the state, returning it to the authors as a way to encourage learning and the sharing of ideas.

Here is an excerpt from the statute: Whereas Printers, Booksellers, and other Persons, have of late frequently taken the Liberty of Printing, Reprinting, and Publishing, or causing to be Printed, Reprinted, and Published Books, and other Writings, without the Consent of the Authors or Proprietors of such Books and Writings, to their very great Detriment, and too often to the Ruin of them and their Families: For Preventing therefore such Practices for the future, and for the Encouragement of Learned Men to Compose and Write useful Books; May it please Your Majesty, that it may be Enacted ..

Thank you Queen Anne! Despite its flaws the statute was a significant game-changer. Eventually copyright law has evolved to include protections for sheet music, audio – voice and music, media broadcasts, film and television, internet content and intellectual property.

But back to our word of the day. I for one am glad that I don’t need to obtain an imprimatur for the words I write here on this blog or for any words I might decide to publish in print. Freedom of expression enriches us all.

freedom to express
needing no imprimatur
enriches the mind

~kat

3 Comments | tags: dictionary.com, Haiku, imprimatur, Poetry, word of the day | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Haiku, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Word of the Day Haiku

May 12, 2017

The Price of Dreams

By Kat Myrman

As the crowds cleared the smokey, dim-lit arena, Joe sat on the edge of the stage softly crooning the first song he ever wrote; her song.

It had launched him into the spotlight; a whirlwind of gigs, the fame, awards and accolades and fawning groupies that he had dreamed of when he plucked that first lick on a second-hand guitar.

But dreams die hard when the road is your mistress, home is an empty shell and all that is left of her is a song.

~kat

For Sonya’s Three Line Tale Challenge based on this photo by Paulette Wooten via Unsplash.

5 Comments | tags: 3 Line Tales, Challenge, dreams, fame, loss, Three Line Tales | posted in 3 Line Tales, Challenges and Writing Prompts, Life Lessons