She’d always complained that there weren’t enough hours in the day as she dashed from task to task, her to-do list never shrinking. Then fateful words caused her world to shatter. Suddenly she had all the time she’d ever needed, but nothing could fill the interminable hours as they dragged on into an increasingly bleak future. This post … More All the Time in the World
Seven PM Edmund stood on the shoreline. Waiting. It was something he was good at. As a child he’d waited for his father, watching the ticking clock. At seven pm, daily, the man would hear the governess’ report, granting him a fragment of his time: a smile, a question, a word of praise… if the report was fair. On days when … More Seven PM
He’d collected many tools of the trade over the years, as he moved from job to job in search of a career that fulfilled him. Each time he’d thought he’d found it, thought that this time he’d be happy – only for boredom to soon set in. But this time… this time would be different. This post is for … More TLT: Tools of the Trade
If you listen carefully, you might hear them on the steps, their laughter echoing in the summer air. They climb ever higher, curiosity drawing them onwards. Look. There. Can you see them – twisting in the sunbeams? This post is for Cee’s Which Way Challenge. I’ve really missed this challenge – paths, staircases and signposts are some of my … More Cee’s Which Way: Stairways and Sunbeams
Sidelines Jenny hurried past the sports field with her head down, eyes fixed on the path before her. The hubbub of the players stirred memories she’d rather ignore. Plus, he was there. She could hear his voice, bellowing orders over the field. She could feel the weight of his knowing gaze. She’d spent so many hours standing on the sidelines, cheering … More FFfAW: Sidelines
The Children “For your disregard of our laws-” “Father, please,” Lia said, tears flowing. But no trace of her doting parent was visible. It was the High Councillor who faced her: stern and forbidding as he passed sentence. “-you are hereby banished.” Her hand tightened on the pony’s reins, and she avoided looking at the children on the … More FFfAW: The Children
She’d always dreamed of a fertile union. In her youth she’d painted her lips cherry-red, desperate to attract a partner to fulfill her desires, only to be left with a sour taste as their rot spread through her life. Now her season was waning – maybe it was time to reach for the promised fruit alone. This post is for Sonya’s … More TLT: Fruitful
Blame Maddie stomped and banged, making her displeasure as clear as she could as she wielded her broom, dust motes swarming around her. It wasn’t fair! None of it was her fault. Not really. She couldn’t have known what would happen. And besides, things probably wouldn’t have been any different even if the ladder hadn’t been there. All that damned girl had had to do was … More CFFC: Stairs, Steps, Ladders
The Birth of Ambition “This used to be one of the greatest gardens in the area.” The rough voice caught Finley’s attention as he stomped along the path. “Some day it could be great again.” Finley paused, juggling his armfuls of equipment as he peered at the old gardener who stood beside the path, leaning … More FFfAW: The Birth of Ambition
The New Store Edith’s footsteps halted as she caught sight of the shop front with its jumbled array of items. How strange, she thought. She’d strolled down this road with her beau just last Sunday and was sure that no such establishment had been in existence then. Nor had she heard that a new shop was opening – … More Cee’s B&W Challenge: Store Front Signs
Waiting “Why are you here?” he asked, even though he knew the answer. “I’m waiting for you.” Her heels clunked against the cabinet in a familiar rhythm. “I’ll wait forever if I have to.” “I won’t be long now.” Ephemeral fingers traced his aged cheek before she faded from view. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line … More TLT: Waiting
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. This week’s prompt was provided by me. Imaginary Friends “It’s just your eyes playing tricks on you,” everyone always told her. “None of it’s real.” Even her grandmother – who told the most wonderful stories – had always waved a dismissive hand and said, “Your imagination is running away … More FFfAW: Imaginary Friends
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. The Runner He ran to escape the anger and fear that had dominated his life for so long, each stride distancing him from the demons of his past. He ran towards dreams of a bright future full of love and hope. He ran because he could – … More TLT: The Runner
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s picture was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you TJ! Crisis Point The library had always been her sanctuary, her escape from life’s hubbub – until her world … More FFfAW: Crisis Point
This post is for Sunday Photo Fiction, a challenge that asks you to write a story of around 200 words inspired by the photo prompt below. Wildfire of Hysteria Mira slid through the shadows, each movement calculated to remain unseen. The inn was silent in the pre-dawn light but early risers might already be watching. Unfortunately, she … More SPF: Wildfire of Hysteria
This post is for the Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s Six Word Story challenge. This week’s prompt is tease. “Mum! Charlie keeps on poking me!” As soon as I saw this week’s prompt I knew I had to write a six word story about siblings teasing each other! Working with kids I tend to see a lot of that. 🙂 I chose … More Six Word Story: Tease
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. Grandma’s Wisdom Grandma always said that the thing to aim for was elegance, sweetly understated; that the magic lay in the simplicity. The ingredients might be plain but when blended they created a perfection no one could resist. She always got the feeling that Grandma wasn’t just talking about cakes. … More TLT: Grandma’s Wisdom
His post is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge run by Priceless Joy, that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Nonnaci. Thank you Nonnaci. The Window Raen stood in the doorway and considered the benefit of retreat. … More FFfAW: The Window
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. To Shape the World She smiled as she walked away, her every possession carried in the bag on her back. For too long she’d allowed his derisive opinions to control her actions – but no more. From now on, her world would be shaped by her hands … More TLT: To Shape the World
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you, TJ! Perfect Position Viordan clambered up the scaffolding with the ease of long practice, the familiar weight … More FFfAW: Perfect Position
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales, a challenge that asks you to write three lines based on the photo prompt below. Tug-of-War With feet apart, teeth bared and fists clenched, they battled yet again for supremacy. Chloe turned away, dialling a familiar number on her phone. She refused to be the prize in … More TLT: Tug-of-War
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales, a challenge that asks you to write three lines in response to the photo prompt below. The Long Wait She’d held his promise to write close to her heart, waiting patiently each day for the mail to arrive. Disappointment failed to dull anticipation, even as weeks accumulated into … More TLT: The Long Wait
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Yinglan. Thank you Yinglan! Seeing is Believing “Did you see that?” “What?” “That sign – the dinosaur – it moved!” … More FFfAW: Seeing is Believing
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales Challenge. Time for Lemonade Sour notes burst on your tongue, clawing at the back of your throat as dreaded words are spoken. Hands tremble; tears threaten. It’s time to find the bright side – we all know what to do when life gives us lemons.
This post is for Priceless Joy’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge that asks you to write a flash fiction of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by S. Writings. Inconspicuous “They’re staring at us.” “Oh, I’m sure they’re not, boss.” Fingers pointed. Eyes clearly … More FFfAW: Inconspicuous
This post is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge hosted by Priceless Joy that asks you to write a piece of flash fiction of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by momtheobscure. Thank you momtheobscure! The Weight of Duty Ieldu stared at the ruins … More FFfAW: The Weight of Duty
Vicious words exposed seething bitterness within. This was written for The Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s Six Word Story Challenge. This week’s prompt is: Revealing. I actually put together this post at the weekend, during a lull in the chaos at work – as usual, finding the picture took longer than anything else. I then forgot about … More Six Word Story: Revealing
This post is for The Sometimes Stellar Storyteller’s Six Word Story Challenge. This week’s prompt is Perfection. Crumpled papers lie discarded: standard unattained.
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. This week I’ve shamelessly interpreted that as three sentences – three lines was just not enough! Quiet Companionship Each evening she adds another word to the game, aged fingers curling around worn tiles, placing them with precision reminiscent of misplaced youth. The empty house echoes with memories of good-natured … More TLT: Quiet Companionship
This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Uday . Thank you Uday! Creations Studio The moment Tessa saw the strange doorway her world shifted out of … More FFfAW: Creations Studio
This story is in response to the Sunday Photo Fiction challenge, hosted by Alistair Forbes, that asks that you write a story / poem of around 200 words using the photo as a guide. Memento She’d always wondered what was kept in the garage. Frances clutched the key to her chest, curiosity battling with trepidation as she stood before the … More SPF: Memento
This story is in response to the Sunday Photo Fiction challenge, hosted by Alistair Forbes, that asks that you write a story / poem of around 200 words using the photo as a guide. Master of the Storm Gerent closed his eyes, his head thrown back and arms cast wide as the buffeting wind swirled around him. Rain drenched him … More SPF: Master of the Storm
The Game They laugh as they play their game, ruthless ambition hidden behind genial smiles as they move counters with calculated precision. Bank balances keep score: vast accumulated wealth the desired pinnacle. On the city streets below the people scurry through their daily lives, unwitting pieces in a cutthroat contest. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge.
This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by me. Celebrations and Sorrows For the third time in less than a week Lili climbed the steps … More FFfAW: Celebrations and Sorrows
This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tale Challenge, that asks us to write three lines in response to the photo prompt. She wandered in a dream-like haze, unaware of time’s passage. The sights and scents of paper and ink filled her senses. Occasionally a text would beckon and she’d digest every word before moving on. If this was eternity, she was … More TLT: The Eternal Library
This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt is from Pixabay. Breaking the Silence Edan’s steps faltered, halting his furtive progress as faint strains of music reached his … More FFfAW: Breaking the Silence
This post is for Roger Shipp’s Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner challenge. For this challenge we are given a photo prompt and an optional opening line / prompt sentence. This week’s prompt line is “There it was. You could see the corner of the folded yellowed parchment sticking out of the torn lining of the battered book.” I’ve not used the … More FFftPP: Faded Calligraphy
This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you TJ! Solitude’s Isle He watched from the clifftop as she meandered along … More FFfAW: Solitude’s Isle
This post is for Ivy Walker’s Six Sentence Story, a flash fiction challenge that I haven’t joined in with before but decided to try out this week. The only rule of the challenge is that you write a story in six sentences – no more and no less – on the given prompt. This week’s prompt is draw. A Question … More Six Sentence Story: A Question of Honour
This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Ady. Thank you Ady! Gifts “Thompson here yet?” Billy jumped, squawking in surprise at the sound … More FFfAW: Gifts
The place where you can find out what Lillie thinks
Looking at life through blue eyes
: around the world :
Looking into why we do the things we do (and some crochet) each Monday
Amanda Tuke - nature writer and urban nature champion
A photographic journey.
Here and now, with all of it.
An Enchanted Place 