Category Archives: Flash Fiction

Twittering Tales #1 ~ 17 October 2016


I love flash fiction, six word stories, three line tales and 100 word stories. These minimalist formats have helped me learn the art of telling stories without a lot of unneeded fluff. As they say, “Just the facts ma’am.” 😊

These days Twitter is all the rage, literally. We pop off loud (all caps), mean, obnoxious, inflammatory rants. Fortunately, the Twitter “powers that be” had the wisdom to limit us to 140 characters. Thank you Twitter goddesses!

As one who loves a good challenge, I thought, what if we tried to tell a story in only 140 characters, prompted by a photo or painting? Wouldn’t that be fun?

So, here is my 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 atcharactercountonline.com.

I will do a round up each Tuesday, along with providing us  a new prompt.

To get this challenge started here is today’s prompt:


And here’s my twitter tale:

It was a grim sight. The first victims of the plague had turned to stone, ghosts who held too tightly to the past, now doomed to repeat it.

kat ~ 17 October 2016
(139 Characters)

The rest of the story…a bit of background on today’s prompt:

I found this intriguing photo, taken by Marczoutendijk, at wikimedia commons. The bronze sculpture, by Peter Nagelkerkein, was unveiled in Nuenen Park in the Netherlands, despite the vehement protests of residents who considered it ugly. Interestingly, the painting that inspired the sculpture, called “The Potato Eaters” by Vincent Van Gogh, also met with resistance  when it was unveiled. Seen as rough, dark and ugly, many believed it veered too far from the brighter impressionistic genre of the day.  Van Gogh would later write to his sister, saying that he considered this piece, his first official painting, to be his best work.

Obviously, my story has nothing to do with peasants or potatoes. But that is the beauty of art. It’s that “eye of the beholder” thing. So, what do you see? 🤓


Fly Sweet Lady, Fly

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Photo by Ben Rossett

It was the perfect place to celebrate her life.

Family and friends gathered, gushing happy memories, laughing, crying; all brought together by the love of their sister, friend, wife, mother, aunt, grandma and great gran.

Some would insist it was the wind, but a handful of us will always believe it was her, never passing up the chance for a swing under the great oak tree that she loved.

kat ~ 14 October 2016

For Sonya’s Three Line Tale Challenge inspired by this photo by Ben Rosett.


Hook, Line and Dairy Farming  

 

 

800px-antos_frolka_auf_dem_weg_zur_kirche

Painting by Antos Frolka


Charles was quite pleased with himself. This was the third week that Pastor Smith had complimented him on his dairy farm and mentioned his prize bull, Luther, by name.

“I like that Pastor Smith, Henrietta. Can’t believe I waited so long to join you at Sunday Meeting. Why didn’t you tell he was such a nice fellow?”

“Well Charles, I never had very much in common with him, you know. Not that I don’t consider him a wonderful preacher. But you and he? I declare, you two are like long lost brothers!”

“I know what you mean. Amazing isn’t it?”

“Yes Charles, it certainly is amazing!” Henrietta beamed. Just a month previous, Charles wouldn’t have even considered going to church with her. But Pastor Smith changed all that.

“We’re planning a homecoming potluck in a few weeks ladies. Of course I am looking forward to sampling your wonderful cooking.” Pastor Smith smiled. “Be sure to invite your husbands,” he added, directing his attention toward Henrietta and others who came to church alone week after week. “And one more request. I need you to tell me the one thing that makes your husband most proud.”

Henrietta didn’t know if she should feel guilty for being part of such a ruse. “I suppose the end justifies the means,” she thought, “and it was Pastor Smith’s idea after all.” At any rate, she was thrilled to have her husband by her side each week.

Yes, a wise shepherd knows how to gather his flock before they realize they’re being gathered!

Kat ~10 October 2016
(256 Words)

A short story for Jane Dougherty’s Microfiction Challenge based on the painting, “On the Way to Church” by Antos Frolka.

 


Service

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Photo by Mike Wilson

service is not served
when servers expect rewards
true service is free

kat ~ 6 October 2016

A Haiku for this week’s Three Line Tale based on this photo by Mike Wilson.


The Gift

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Photo by Wolf Schram

“You aint from ‘round here are ya’ mister?” that’s what I said to him when he pulled up to the curb there and got out of that yellow chevy of his.

He says to me, “No bub, I’m not, but here take these,” and he hands me the keys, gives me a wink, and says, “take good care of her will ya?” like I’m some car park valet or somethin’.

So anyhow, I jest been sitting here waitin’, takin’ care of his old classic, even polished her up for him while I been waitin’, but it’s been over a week an’ I’m startin’ to wonder if that feller is comin’ back or if I jest got me a new damn car!

~kat – 22 September 2016

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A Three Line Tale for Sonya of Only 100 Words based on this cool photograph by Wolf Schram.