BEATING WRITER'S BLOCK - a 100 word short story

Happy New Year to you all. I've used the Friday Fictioneers photo prompt to kick off 2019 (and hope it isn't a bad omen!)

PHOTO PROMPT © Priya Bajpal

BEATING WRITER'S BLOCK

It was a clever idea.

Jenny meticulously wrote down storylines on little pieces of paper and dropped them into a jar.

The ideas were now there for the taking. She couldn't wait to get started. She was finally going to beat her writer's block.

Jenny pulled out the first piece of paper and read the storyline. Oh my – it was good. She removed another piece of paper. Well, but this idea was brilliant. Or maybe she should consider another? It might be the one to really get her going. But what if the next idea was even better?

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

JIMMY THE JOKER - 100 word story

Here's a little tale for the Friday Fictioneer's photo prompt adapted from one of my travel essays that was originally published back in 2003.

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson




JIMMY THE JOKER

I once went hiking with Jimmy the Joker. He picked the trail: lonely and hemmed in by trees. Shadows danced. We heard a scuffing.

'Moose?'

'Probably a bear,' said The Joker.

Hah!

We found a river with a dinky waterfall. I unpacked our picnic.

'Uh-oh, bear.'

I ignored him.

'I'm serious.'

I sighed and looked up. And froze.

It stood on the opposite bank. The waterfall didn’t look so dinky now.

'Bears swim.'

'I know.'

The bear abruptly retreated.

'It didn't want to get wet!' I said.

'Maybe, but there’s a bridge up ahead.'

‘What?’

'Just joking,' said Jimmy.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

HOW TO SPEND A FORTUNE - 100 word story

After a bit of vagabonding, I'm ready for some more fiction writing. This week's Friday Fictioneer's photo prompt, prompted this story.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

HOW TO SPEND A FORTUNE

When Edith won the lottery she was catatonic. The amount was so ridiculous she couldn't comprehend it and sat in her flat in a daze. Her little wrinkly eyes stared at nothing. She barely ate and her already tiny wizened body turned bony. Anyone who saw her was reminded of one of those hairless Sphynx cats.

She ignored the telephone and doorbell: she knew it was her greedy children.

A year later something in Edith clicked.

Five years after that Edith stood under the domed ceiling and sighed, satisfied that she'd spent her money wisely.

Her children thought otherwise.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

PLAYTIME - 100 word story

I didn't want to write an obvious 'clock' theme, so I've used the Friday Fictioneers photo prompt this week to open my story instead.

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

PLAYTIME

Reggie woke before his special clock sounded the hour. He chuckled. Silly really, but waking unassisted felt good.

His jauntiness faltered as the eczema in his groin flared. It took effort not to scratch.

He bought a newspaper and sat facing the adventure playground. The background noise of children playing delighted him.

Shouts interrupted Reggie’s reading. '…disgusting… bastard… paedo…'

He looked up. 

A young woman was yelling at him. '...think I don’t know what you’re doing under that paper? I’m calling the police, you filth.'

Stupid mistake! He knew his time was up.

'No, it’s my eczema,' Reggie whispered, mortified.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

MRS H'S GUEST HOUSE - 100 word story

Moonlight conjures many ideas so I was pleased to see this week's photo prompt from the Friday Fictioneers. 
Here's my take on a classic:

PHOTO PROMPT © Gah Learner

MRS H'S GUEST HOUSE

When Jenny started howling at the moon my world altered.

A deep growl had woken me: a dissonance that stretched and elongated into a full blown howl. It filled the empty spaces in the house and it was coming from Jenny's room. This really wouldn't do.

'I can't have you disturbing other guests,' I said.

Jenny bared her teeth.

When I went to close the curtains against the bothersome glare of the full moon, I saw Jenny loping across the lawn. She stopped and stared at me.

I joined her and we threw back our heads to howl in the moonlight.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

KEEPING IT CLEAN - 100 word story

It's Friday Fictioneers time again. I love the window boxes in the photo prompt, but how to weave a story around them was quite a challenge.

Photo prompt  © Ronda Del Boccio

KEEPING IT CLEAN

Sheila tapped the soap three times and washed her hands. Tapped twice, washed her hands. Tapped once more and washed her hands.

She contemplated her new, empty window boxes. So sleek. So pristine. So beautiful. But what could she plant?

Flowers were a definite no. Too much mess.

Something green? Something simple? Something clean? Oh, yes.

She had an idea.

An hour later the boxes were filled.

With a tentative finger, Sheila stroked a blade of grass.

Damn!

Sheila tapped the soap three times and washed her hands. Tapped twice, washed her hands. Tapped once more and washed her hands.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

JUST A BIRD - 100 word story

This week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt of a bird at the window (a partridge, I think) prompted a story about our interactions with wildlife.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays

JUST A BIRD

The little girl looked at the bird.

The bird looked at the little girl.

'Hey, bird.'

....

The drought was sapping her strength. The humans had food. And she needed to feed her slowly starving chicks.

She stared at the child, willing her to understand.

....

Maddie gazed at the bird and frowned. It looked skinny. She picked up her father's jar of fishing worms and gently tipped some of the contents onto the window sill.

'Thank you,' said the bird.

'You're welcome,' said Maddie.

Her mother called from another room. 'Who are you talking to, Maddie?'

'Just a bird.'

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE 

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

THE FORGER - 100 word story

Ah, the Met. I fell in love with this museum when I visited New York so this week's photo prompt from the Friday Fictioneers brought back great memories.

We've all seen images of those famous paintings but there is absolutely nothing like seeing the originals.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

THE FORGER

It was 2am. Ned sat in front of his favourite painting to eat his sandwiches.

He stared at the painting.

He wasn't a bad artist himself: just never had the breaks. Instead he made a few extra dollars from painting peoples' pets.

But that didn't scratch his itch.

Every night Ned ate his sandwiches and sketched the painting. He used the sketches to paint his own copy to display in his dingy apartment.

The copy was flawless.

On his last night on the job, Ned made the swap.

Nothing like a security guard to know how to beat the system.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

ALCHEMY - 100 word story

A pair of old boots as a photo prompt? I didn't get it - and neither did my character.

PHOTO PROMPT submitted by Courtney Wright.

ALCHEMY

Hannah was bored listening to the artist pontificate about the alchemy of his Pieces.

‘Isn’t he marvellous?’ said Toby.

They contemplated a pair of wrecked boots.

‘I don't get it.’

‘Your approach is wrong. You must embrace the alchemy.’

‘Alchemy, schmalchemy.’ She gulped her champagne.‘What does that even mean?’

‘He’s talking about the magic within his work. When you embrace a Piece, it changes before your eyes: transmutes, transforms.’

‘Yeah, right.’

Across the room a beautiful man smiled at her.

Hannah perked up. ‘Now that’s an alchemy I could embrace.’

Champagne-brave, she was off.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

KING KONG - 100 word story

As soon as I saw this week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt I started thinking about the reasons why we visit iconic cities.

PHOTO PROMPT ©Jill Wisoff

KING KONG

Soft focus. The city coalesced out of the murk. She sat in the taxi, straining to pick out the building she had come to see.

'Your first time?' said the taxi driver.

'Yes. I must see the Empire State Building.'

'Why?'

How could she explain how her first cinematic experience had impacted her life?  Nearly eighty years!

And there it was! Breaking through the fog.

'Could you slow down, please?' she said.

'He doesn't exist, Ma'am.'

'Pardon?'

'The big ape. You won't see him up there.'

The old lady laughed in delight. 'No, you're wrong. I can see him already.'

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

CRAZY CHARLIE - 100 word story

A house in the middle of nowhere and a set of rough steps leading up to it was this week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt. It got me thinking about the sort of person who might live there.

PHOTO PROMPT © Karen Rawson

CRAZY CHARLIE

Rumours cloaked the old man like a mystery. The locals in the bar ignored him. They called him Crazy Charlie.

He cycled home in wintry sunshine.

Two straggly dogs greeted him.

'Good lads.'

Charlie climbed up to the ramshackle house. In the kitchen he rummaged for leftovers. 
Outside, the dogs were fidgeting, toenails tap-dancing on the porch.

Charlie threw the leftovers into bowls and sat down. The dogs settled into their meal. Charlie's face creaked into a smile.

Wriggling his shoulders, he relaxed. A gecko skittered away, looking for smaller prey. Charlie closed his eyes, hoping the bullies wouldn't return.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

SPIRIT SPINNER - 100 word story

The photo prompt this week intrigued me and I could only guess what the contraption was - rather like the character in my story. 
I did some research and hope I've got it more right than my character!

PHOTO PROMPT © Douglas M. MacIlroy

SPIRIT SPINNER 

The first time I saw Jodie she was twirling on John's lawn.

'Don't be fooled.' said John. 'She's a fruitcake.'

But Jodie beguiled me.

'I made these.' Jodie showed me dream catchers. Delicate and ethereal. 'I love the idea of capturing dreams. Don't you?'

I nodded sagely and told her, 'yes.'

'That's my spirit spinner.' Jodie pointed at a contraption in the yard. 'It allows my spirit to dance freely on the astral plane. I bought it from a Wise Woman.'

A memory stirred.

'Um, Isn't it something to do with golf?' I said.

Jodie gave me a pitying look.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

TSUNAMI - 100 Word Story

Hello again. I've returned from my travels and eager to return to the weekly Friday Fictioneers challenge: write a 100 word story using the photo prompt.

The prompt this week immediately reminded me of an article I wrote about a tsunami survivor. Here is a severely abridged version of Shiham's story.

TSUNAMI

Shiham heard an unusual noise. To his astonishment the sea looked like it was boiling. And the disturbance was heading his way.

Alarmed, Shiham started running. An eight foot wave swept him off his feet. He snagged a palm tree, but the surging, debris-filled water threatened his grip. He looked around wildly. A building was nearby. Could he reach it? He took a calculated risk and let the water recapture him.

Choking, ducking, half-swimming and blindly scrabbling for his life, Shiham reached the building. From the roof he could hear screams above the battering water. His salty tears went unremarked.

I hope you enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

THE RAPTURE OF THE DEEP - 100 word story

The Friday Fictioneers photo prompt this week reminded me of places where I've dived and made me want to tell a scuba diving story. As I'm short on time I've rewritten a story to make it fit the word count. Nitrogen Narcosis exists - but recreational divers aren't at risk if they keep within maximum depths!

PHOTO PROMPT © JS Brand

THE RAPTURE OF THE DEEP

‘Nitrogen narcosis, The Rapture of the Deep. It changes your reality.' Tom looked into Ella's eyes. 'The Rapture is intoxicating, seductive and potentially deadly.’

‘Blimey,’ said Ella.

They descended amidst a pageant of marine life. Corals glowed and pulsed. Impossibly hued fish shimmied and salsa’d, saying, ‘look at us, Ella.’

Was this it? The Rapture? But it was glorious. Ella pirouetted, beckoning to the fish to be stroked.

She swooped down, following them. Tom caught her. She giggled and twisted in his arms. Tom's eyes dilated. He laughed.

They spat out their mouthpieces and swam, enraptured, into the abyss.

I'm going vagabonding for a few weeks so this is my last story for a little while. I hope you enjoyed it and I look forward to reading your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

LEANING ON A LAMP-POST - 100 word story

As soon as I saw this photo prompt for the Friday Fictioneers I thought about the George Formby song: I'm Leaning on a Lamp-post, which made me start to think...

Do let me know if you enjoy the resulting story.

Photo Prompt: Sandra Crook

LEANING ON A LAMP-POST

Eddie leant on the lamp-post opposite the park bench so that he’d see her passing by. If she was unattractive he'd ditch his rose and skedaddle.

A beautiful woman sashayed towards the bench. She was carrying a matching rose. Eddie's heart leapt. Should he wave?

He looked down, controlled a giggle and swiped his sweaty palms on his thighs. Be cool and sophisticated. Let her do the work. He took a breath, composed the sexy smile he’d been practising and looked up. 
Her rose lay abandoned on the bench.

Incredulous, Eddie smoothed his comb-over as he watched her retreating back.

I hope you enjoyed my story and look forward to reading your comments.

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories you can find them listed HERE

If you wish to join in you'll find the all information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page

LAST LAUGH - A 100 word story

The Friday Fictioneers photo prompt this week made me think about the potential dangers of ice in all its forms.

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

LAST LAUGH

The glacier oozed like discoloured toothpaste from mountains topped with snow like crumpled bedlinen.

With Andy droning on about “moraines”, we climbed up beside the glacier before stepping onto the jagged ice. 'Glacier formation is fascinating.'

'Yeah.' I yawned.

Andy found a minty-blue ice cave. 'Come and look at these stalactites.'

'They're icicles, not stalactites. And I'm not entering a cave that could collapse without warning.'

'You think icicles are dangerous?' Sarcasm splintered his laugh.

With an ear-shattering boom ice pinnacles lifted and toppled.

Andy squealed and leapt clear as the glacier swallowed the cave.

I returned his sarcastic laugh.

I hope you enjoyed my story and look forward to reading your comments.

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories you can find them listed HERE

If you wish to join in you'll find the all information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 
- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page

GRANNY SMITH - 100 word story

Here is my 100 word story courtesy of the Friday Fictioneers photo prompt. 


GRANNY SMITH

PHOTO PROMPT © What’s His Name

She said the apple was named after her. 

In return for humongous slabs of apple pie, we children kept her orchard tidy. The rest of the garden was out-of-bounds.

She warned us about the falling-down shed. 

'It's dangerous.' Her roly-poly smile vanished. 'Don't let me catch you in there.'

When rumours started about the falling-down shed I began to notice other oddities, like how Granny Smith licked children's grazed knees before applying antiseptic. 

I got curious.

While she was busy making pies I crept into the falling-down shed. Behind the bath were bundles of curious children's bones.

A footfall sounded.

I hope you enjoyed my story and look forward to reading your comments.

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories you can find them listed  HERE

If you wish to join in you'll find the all information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 
- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page

Jimmy's World - A story in 100 words

Here's my story based on the photo prompt for Friday Fictioneers.

JIMMY'S WORLD

Jimmy blinked, yawned and sat up. Concealed within thick shrubbery, he rose and folded his blanket of newspaper before peering out. His sleeping place must remain secret. Jimmy sported scars to testify the dangers of sleeping in plain view. Unkindness and bounty went hand in hand in this city.

PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford 

Jimmy scuffed his way out of the undergrowth and took up his post opposite Bloomingdales. 

He had found the optimal distance. Close enough to attract the pity of punters and far enough not to attract the wrath of the management.

He adjusted his buttocks on the unyielding sidewalk and waited.







I hope you enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading your comments.

If you would like to read more stories from other contributors to Friday Fictioneers click HERE


p.s. a quick plea to Wordpress bloggers whose settings require people to log in to their Wordpress account in order to leave a comment - this prevents Blogger users like me from leaving comments on your stories.

Touché - A story in 100 words

After a summer break from blogging, I thought I'd get back into the swing of things by joining the Friday Fictioneers, whose stories I've been enjoying for some time.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sarah Ann Hall

Touché

  

Pamela disliked her mother's collections of china and pottery. Shelves groaning with Wade Whimsies were a particular bugbear.

'What do you see in these twee little animal figures?'

'Now, Pammy, look closely at their intricacies.'

Pamela remained unimpressed.

At least the Whimsies were small. The sheer vulgarity of the collection of jardinières appalled her.

'One day you'll love them,' said her mother.

'Never,' said Pamela.

On the day that Pamela picked up the jardinières, courtesy of her mother's will, she found a note inside each one which read: For my darling daughter to learn to love.

Pamela sighed. 'Touché, mother.'

To read more Friday Fictioneer stories click HERE