Category Archives: Flash Fiction

Twittering Tales #22 – 21 March 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 Tales #21 – The Round Up

Photo by Pixabay.com

Last week’s tales are fabulous! We even had a few new folks join us. Who knew that antique typewriter had so many stories to tell? Apparently you all did! Thank you to everyone who added their voice to the conversation.

From Michael at Morpethroad

If only, if only,
that one elusive word.
willing it to leap out
I know it’s on the tip of my tongue.
I wonder, could it be?
Darling, I need you!

(139 Characters)

From Nicola at Sometimes Stellar Storyteller

Horror-scope
The typing started at 11:58pm. It stopped at sunrise. Some found my luck unnerving, some mind-boggling. My morning preface never let me down

(140 Characters)

From Irena at Books and Hot Tea

She typed, sighed, and crumpled another paper. The typewriter wanted to sigh, too. It could tell her what to write, if only it could speak.
(140 characters)

From Lady Lee at Lady Lee Manila

One simple word that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Once that is lost, it will never be the same again. The ground for respect – TRUST!
(136 Characters)

From Peter at Peter’s Ponderings

It starts with one word
which nobody heard.
’twas typed by a ghost
and sent in the post.
The ghost, a poor sinner
was hailed as the winner!

(135 Characters)

From Jane at Jane Dougherty Writes

Hemingway, in the heavenly Writers’ Corner, sullenly one-finger types, shooting murderous glances at the newbies with their Mac Books.
(134 Characters)

From Martin at Martin Cororan Blog

Every morning the same missive: “Is that you Jimmy? I know you poisoned me! Goddammit! Why couldn’t I have possessed something with Wi-Fi?”
(139 characters)

From Kirst at Kirst Writes

each letter a clatter
word follows word
aching fingers growing stronger
stories gradually getting longer
word after word after word

(130 characters)

From Di at Pensitivity101

Writer’s block.
Everyone gets it.
Inspiration would come through sleep.
When she awoke, the prompt was there.

(106 characters)

From Kathryn at Another Foodie Blogger

As punishment for texting in class I was told to sit down and finish the sentence. I couldn’t find the return key.
(114 Characters)

From Mick from Mick E Talbot Poems

GUILTY
it caught him out
forensic evidence
it was the type
the crime plagiarism
his words not my typing
case now closed
he got done for swiping
not typing

(140 characters)

From Sangbad at Thoughts of Words

A missile impacted somewhere nearby. The flame of the candle quiver. She needs to complete the next episode to earn bread for few more days.
(139 Characters)

From Patty on Twitter @pjstemple

She warned she’d speak. He laughed as if to challenge her. She relished the feel of the keys as she typed the first word: Abuse
(127 Characters)

From Reena at Reinventions

It starts with one word – dreams. It grows into ambition, success, greed, obsession or crime. The end depends on how the world reacts to it.
(140 characters)

From Bikergurl

If only you’d write the words to set me free. Instead, you allow me to languish without you in obscurity – longing only for your touch.
(135 characters)

From Carol at Writing and Works

It started with one word. What it was exactly, I can’t remember. The world perhaps. The universe? This? Us? All of it from one, little word.
[140 characters]

From Lorraine at 25 Words More or Less, two very different tales.

It starts with one word, whispered. More words, voices create hateful sentences, paragraphs of lies. Fiction becomes fact; untruths become real. (142) [21]

Ancient artifact captures the imagination of an inquisitive child. Taloned green fingers tap rhythmically on rusted keys. (120) [17]

From Deek The Cool Bookworm at Jot the Thought

He found the old typewriter in an attic. He began writing. As his name features on the bestseller’s list, his grandfather beams from above.
(139 characters)

From The Grateful Dead

It starts with one word…it ends with one too. LOVE – a complete story in itself.
(82 characters)

From Francine at Woman Walking Max

“Horror-scope”
Madame Clair Voyant ” for you I see woes, money troubles, your home gone. Georgina ” George the bailiffs are outside! ”
(96 characters)

From Julia at Trailing Something

I write what people tell me, whether that comes from their hearts, souls, minds, or a God above. I don’t know why or what point I’m making.
(139 Characters)

And from me

The former owner of the old house was a writer. Ten years after his death he finished his novel. The author’s name? Ghostwriter, of course!
(139 Characters)
——————————————-

Twittering Tale #22 – 21 March 2017

I can spend hours looking at photos for the prompt each week. Eventually I know I’ve found “the one” when I keep going back to it. That’s how it was with this week’s photo from pexels.com. I love the bright, mismatched clothing that this old woman is wearing. She is very spring-like. Or maybe she’s a witch or an angel or just a crazy old bird lady. Who is she? What’s in that satchel she’s carrying? Where is she going or coming from? Help me solve the mystery with your twittering tale this week. I have to warn you though. You may find that you have more to say about her than a tweet allows. I know I did. But remember you only have 140 characters to bring her story to life. Most of all, have fun. I can’t wait to read your stories. 😊

Photo from pexels.com

My Take…

Eternity’s Midwife (Dedicated to some compassionate Hospice volunteers I have known.<3)

Miss Nellie had a way with birthin’. “Laboring takes long as it takes,” she’d say. When time came she’d sigh, “go on now, heaven’s awaitin.”

(140 Characters)

~kat


Unanswered Prayers

photo by Brian Gaid via Unsplash

from heaven’s vantage
earth looks idyllic, peaceful
is this why god seems silent?

kat – 17 March 2017

A Katauta (5/7/7) for Sonya’s Three Line Tale Challenge based on this photo by Brian Gaid via Unsplash.


Fading 


It was a fading memory. Strobing fluorescent lights, the rat-a-tat-tat of a sticking stretcher wheel, the hot sting of a needle piercing her skin, the cool rush of fluids pulsing through her veins, unfamiliar agitated voices and strange words; pleural cavity, intubate, pulse ox, edematous, code blue, call it.

“9:24 pm”, was the last thing she heard before a flash of light and a whoosh sent her drifting feather light above where her body lay. Through walls, upward, upward until she floated just above the clouds, dots of artificial light twinkling like stars from the sleepy city below.

She drifted there in the in-between for hours, maybe days, it’s hard to know. The inconsolable wails of loved ones breaking through the veil like whispers held her captive. She extended her hands toward them as if she could touch the sound waves, and so, touch them one last time.

But the light was calling to her. She felt its warmth on her back and turned her head slightly away from the fading gray for just a second. And then she was gone. Just like that, a fading memory.

~kat – 15 March 2017

For Jane Dougherty’s Sunday Strange Challenge based on this mysterious painting. 


Mr. Big

PHOTO PROMPT © JENNIFER PENDERGAST


“Don’t get too close to that thing Ethan. Come back over here. He’s gonna be here soon.”

He was late. He was always late. Just this once, not for her but for Ethan, she had hoped he would come through. Ethan was getting older and needed to know his dad. 

After an hour she shrugged, “C’mon buddy, doesn’t look like he’s coming.”

“That’s okay mommy,” Ethan grabbed her hand sensing her disappointment. “He’s prob’ly busy saving somebody or something.”

She smiled, “You’re probably right Ethan.”

“It’s better this way,” she thought, “absent fathers are always bigger than life.”

~kat ~ 15 March 2017
(98 words)

For Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields Friday Fictioneers Challenge based on this photo by Jennifer Pendergast.


Twittering Tales #21 – 14 March 2017

1476833681824

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 a new prompt. Have Fun!

_________________________________________________________________

Twittering Tales #20 – The Round Up

You all wrote some fantastic tales for last week’s photo prompt. Here’s the line up! This week we had break ups and break downs, alien invasions, loss, desperation, intrigue, mystery, art…oh the drama! Thanks everyone for having such a good time with this one. Hope to see you next week! 🙂

img_7408

Gayl at Gayl Wright-Words, Photos and Art wrote:

Trust Betrayed
Tired of his shallow, twisted excuses, she became angry.
Hurling the goblet to the floor she screamed,
“Go! I never want to see you again!”
(139 characters)

Broken but Determined
Like this broken glass
A marriage had been shattered

He chose another

Not to be kept down
She worked hard for their children
Filling in the gaps
(139 characters)

Michael at Morpethroad wrote:

I carried it around the world, through every customs place imaginable, and as fate would have it, I dropped it out of the box at home. Ugh!
(139 Characters)

Kathryn at Another Foodie Blogger wrote:

She held her wrist inches above the glass. “God, please someone help me!” she pleaded. The door opened slowly, as tears streamed down. “Mom?”
(141 Characters)

Lorraine at 25 Words, More or Less wrote:

She is like a broken wine glass; the stem remains, but her mind, the bowl, is gone.
(84 characters)

Jane at Jane Dougherty Writes wrote:

The reception committee paused, champagne untasted, as the aliens munched through their coupes before starting on the silver cake stands.
(137 Characters)

Di at Pensitivity101 wrote:

‘Darling, you know I can’t attend these dos without a glass in my hand!’
‘Does it have to be full? Hang on, I have the perfect solution.’
(136 characters)

Francine at Woman Walking Max wrote:

Romantic dinner, I’m the only one for you? Liar. Your turn to hurt now. Cheers
(79 Characters)

Sudha at SriSudhaK wrote:

Wow geeta! You sketched it with perfection. I must say,”Amazing 3d art dear..!” And here goes my caption “A bit of optimism -Last hope”
(135 Characters)

Reena at ReInventuions wrote:

Jim was the container to hold her joy in life. He disappeared. The base was intact. She just had to drill a hole, for happiness to re-enter.
(140 Characters)

Irena at Books and Hot Tea wrote:

“It’s done. You broke it,” she wept. 

The tone of her voice hit him like a punch. It sounded like she wasn’t talking about the glass anymore.
(140 characters)

Peter at Peter’s Ponderings wrote:

The magic flute was no more.
It had refilled itself with champagne for the last time.
Paula had savoured, slurped, then sloshed.
Both smashed!
(140 characters)

Kirst at Kirst Writes wrote:

You’re late. Again.
I’m here now. Happy anniversary.
She could smell cheap perfume. As he leaned towards her, she hurled the champagne flute.
(139 characters)

John at Broadsides wrote:

There are no fingerprints. It is washed. There are slivers still in the flesh of his throat, He cannot, they cannot, say who struck the blow.
(141 Characters)

and I started everyone off with this…

“I will never forgive you!” she cried. “It was my grandma’s.”
“I’m so sorry,” he lamented. He knew she wasn’t crying about a broken glass.
(138 Characters)

_________________________________________________________________

Twittering Tales #21 – 14 March 2016

First off, WHAT IS THIS? Haha! Just kidding. I love antiques. But I must admit, I remember plunking on a modern version of one of these. And then I remember getting really excited when they became electrified. Of course many were over the moon over word processing machines…not quite a computer…where you typed on a keyboard and the words showed on a tiny screen instead of paper. No more carbon paper to make copies or chalky correction tape, no more messy typewriter ribbons. It was fabulous. My, my how far we have come. Anyhow, I like this photo because there is a bit of text on the paper in the typewriter. Your challenge…if you like…write a tale that continues the line typed on the paper. Or just let yourself go like I did and write what first pops into your head. Words, words, words swirling around in our heads…whatever shall we do with them! Have Fun! 🙂

classic-1834499_640

Photo from Pixabay.com

The former owner of the old house was a writer. Ten years after his death he finished his novel. The author’s name? Ghostwriter, of course!

~kat
(139 Characters)