Seven PM

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

Cee’s Which Way: Stairways and Sunbeams

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

FFfAW: Sidelines

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

FFfAW: The Children

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

TLT: Fruitful

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

CFFC: Stairs, Steps, Ladders

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

TLT: Waiting

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

FFfAW: Imaginary Friends

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

TLT: The Runner

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

FFfAW: Crisis Point

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

Six Word Story: Tease

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

TLT: Grandma’s Wisdom

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

FFfAW: The Window

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

FFfAW: Perfect Position

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

TLT: Tug-of-War

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

TLT: The Long Wait

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

TLT: Time for Lemonade

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.

FFfAW: Inconspicuous

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

TLT: Quiet Companionship

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

FFfAW: Creations Studio

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

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. 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

TLT: The Game

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.

TLT: The Eternal Library

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

FFftPP: Faded Calligraphy

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

FFfAW: Gifts

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