Tag: creative writing

Flash Fiction: Kindred

24/08/2020

Gregory knew exactly what sight would greet him as soon as he heard his brother’s laughter. … More Flash Fiction: Kindred

WWP: Syzygy

08/07/2020

We fitted together so perfectly, we three – like the Sun, Moon, and Earth in conjunction, in perfect syzygy, our friendship was an astronomical event. But now… Now our orbits have shifted. Word count: 30 (+syzygy) *** I’m a little late posting this. The few times that I’ve joined in with Sammi Cox’s Weekend Word … More WWP: Syzygy

Nomad

12/04/2020

She could remember it so clearly: long days spent on the road, sitting in the passenger seat with her mother behind the wheel of their rusting orange car. They’d sung along to pop songs playing on loop. … More Nomad

The Burden of Truth

15/08/2017

Yesterday I posted a piece of flash fiction for last week’s FFfAW challenge. As I mentioned there, I’d previously written another version that had to be abandoned as it was far too long for the 175 word limit. Well, I’ve decided to share it with you anyway. Technically, it’s still a piece of flash fiction, … More The Burden of Truth

Waiting for the Light

24/06/2017

Waiting for the Light Tamrir huddled in the darkness, willing the minutes to slow their passage as he awaited the coming dawn. His sister’s weight pressed reassuringly against his side, and he hugged her close. The night had been long. Ridiculously so. “Is it time yet?” He started, not having realised Ameyi was awake. “Nearly,” he … More Waiting for the Light

The Search

09/06/2017

The Search “They were around here somewhere. I swear!” Tynen scrambled recklessly over the rocks ahead, peering into each nook and cranny with almost feverish intensity. Velana followed at a slower pace, choosing each footstep carefully as she climbed the craggy slope. “No one’s found any in years, Ty. Admit it – you imagined ’em.” Her … More The Search

The Lady’s Advice

02/04/2017

  The Lady’s Advice “You need to hold your head up high, child,” the lady said, lifting Gilli’s chin with elegant fingers. “Keep your spine straight and your shoulders back.” “I can do that.” “Act as if nothing anyone says or does bothers you. Confidence is essential. You must remain cool, calm and collected at all … More The Lady’s Advice

Testing Times

03/03/2017

Testing Times Gretnya gripped her husband’s hand, writhing anxiety choking her as the final calf was led into the testing area. Please, she prayed to any deity listening. “It’ll be fine,” Brindel said. “This time it’ll have worked, you’ll see.” The tremble in his voice contradicted the confidence of his words. She squeezed his hand tighter. The … More Testing Times

Sweetheart

11/02/2017

He’d seemed like such a sweetheart. He’d brought her flowers, held her hand, and kissed her with a passion that whispered ‘forever’ into her dreams. But then he was gone, leaving nothing but the scattered crumbs of her broken heart in his wake. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. This week’s photo … More Sweetheart

Puddle Splashing

03/02/2017

Puddle Splashing “What are you doing?” Mikey pulled a face. What a daft question. “I’m splashing in puddles, of course.” He was tempted to add ‘silly girl’, but Mummy said he should be nice, even when he didn’t want to be. “Why?” “Because it’s fun.” He leapt towards the next puddle. “Can I have a go?” … More Puddle Splashing

Happy Families

26/01/2017

Happy Families It was supposed to be a celebration. David drummed his fingers on the tabletop as his siblings exchanged barbs. Couldn’t they make an effort to get on? Just one evening was all he asked for. But no – they couldn’t even maintain the facade of a happy family for a few hours. He gritted his teeth. … More Happy Families

Graceful

24/01/2017

History’s enigmatic weight settles, cloak-like, upon your shoulders as you walk beneath the graceful arches. The weathered stones may be mere remnants of times past, but still they stand, elegant and proud, marking the route along which devout men once walked. As the wind dances around the columns you can almost hear the sound of male voices … More Graceful

Deep Water

21/01/2017

He hadn’t intended to cause such an abysmal mess. It had just been a prank: just stupid, childish folly. But, as blaring sirens grew steadily closer, he knew he was in deep water – and he had no one to blame but himself. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. This week’s prompt is by Sean Tan.

The End?

20/01/2017

The End? “It’s finally over.” Jonin’s voice held a mixture of relief and sorrow as he gazed at the courtyard below. Helleni hummed her agreement. Leaning into his embrace, she watched in satisfaction as the final cobble was laid. Only they and the workmen were aware of the crypt hidden beneath the stones – and no word of … More The End?

Fallen Flag

09/01/2017

“You shouldn’t have abandoned the flag,” Mikael said, his voice an angry growl in the blood-soaked twilight. Raen looked from their celebrating opponents, who remained unaware of their presence within the trees, to his friend who nursed injuries that could have been so much worse. “It was either lose the flag or lose you,” he … More Fallen Flag

Unexpected Consequences

05/01/2017

Unexpected Consequences Adrugian gazed wearily over the arid landscape, the insistent beat of the sun sapping energy he could ill afford to lose. He knew the villagers below didn’t understand why he traipsed so often to the heights. He’d seen the looks they exchanged. He’d heard their snide comments. Unfortunately, the truth was something they … More Unexpected Consequences

Sparks

02/01/2017

For a time they’d shone brightly, the sparks flying between them igniting passions that burned with fierce abandon. But such a blaze could never last. Now, from the ashes, they had to build a new life – though whether together or separate had yet to be decided… This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales. … More Sparks

Dolls’ House

10/11/2016

There were times when Sylvina felt like merely a figure in a dolls’ house, her whole life dictated by the whims of others. But enough was enough. She refused to be merely a decorative toy any longer – it was time for her to take control of the game. This post is for Sonya’s Three … More Dolls’ House

A Walk in the Park

21/10/2016

A Walk in the Park Jake stumbled along the familiar route, drawn to the warm light shining through his window. Home. He was nearly home. The chill air bit into his exposed arms, the thin shirt doing little to warm him, and he shivered. His thoughts skittered as his gaze caught on the trees lining the path. This … More A Walk in the Park

Unceasing Strife

14/10/2016

Unceasing Strife “Is that food ready yet, woman?” Julian sighed – here we go again. “It’ll be ready when its done. If you got off your lazy backside and helped out, maybe it’d be ready sooner!” Every day it was the same: Henry would snarl and Edna’ strident voice would rise in response. He’d found … More Unceasing Strife

Standing in Line

06/10/2016

He’d been standing in line, waiting his turn, for far longer than he cared to remember. The sign continued to blink idly in the distance; the column shuffled slowly forwards. Bureaucracy, it seemed, wasn’t just a problem in the land of the living. This post is for Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge.

The Flying Banana

24/09/2016

Each weekend they’d piled into the backseat, little ones on older siblings laps, ready for an adventure. It had been part of their family: the Flying Banana, the greatest car in the world. Which was why, despite being told it was only good for the scrapheap, the rusting wreck continued to sit in their garage – some day the banana would … More The Flying Banana

Two Different Things

23/09/2016

“Silly Little Bear, what are you doing in there?” ◊ Mummy Bear smiles at her cheeky boy. ◊ “I’m playing hide and seek of course.” ◊ Laughing, Little Bear runs away. ◊ “You’ll never find me,” he says. This post is for Cee’s Black and White Challenge. This week’s theme is two different things or the number two.  The … More Two Different Things

Susceptible

22/09/2016

Susceptible Willow spotted the pair long before they reached her. The man was perfect, open minded and curious. The woman was more… problematic. She exuded confidence, carrying a fixed world-view that prevented any tampering to her thoughts. But the man was too good to ignore. “Come,” she whispered into his mind. “This way.” He stopped, his vacant gaze turning towards the doorway where Willow … More Susceptible

Captivated

15/09/2016

Captivated Raedan’s hands clenched around the gift box as he listened to the announcement. Lady Seleste had chosen her suitor. And it wasn’t him. Everyone else faded into insignificance as she glided across the hall. With each tilt of her head, each flash of a smile, she set his senses reeling. She’d captivated him from the first. Now he had one … More Captivated

On the Edge

14/09/2016

poised before an expansive ocean of stilted maturity presenting youthful enthusiasm whilst all outdated dictates constraining adulthood are deposited abandoned on the shoreline far below a life of graft replaced by a fun-filled existence happiness becoming the prime objective These pictures (which were taken at Tintagel, in Cornwall, UK) were nearly posted a few days ago for the … More On the Edge

Edge

12/09/2016

time flows with the shifting tides tumbling over castle walls to drown in watery obscurity This post is for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is edge. The photograph was taken on the battlements of the castle at St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, UK.

Sunlit Leaves

11/09/2016

They hide amongst the sunlit leaves, with only hints of movement to betray their presence. If you watch carefully you might see a darting shape, there and gone in the blink of an eye. But listen. You can hear them: the swish of fluttering wings; the pattering of tiny footsteps on branches. And there – the tinkling of … More Sunlit Leaves

Mother

10/09/2016

she glows with the luminance  of impending motherhood her gravid form embracing serenity future’s promise cradled within her body

Boxed

09/09/2016

She’d always said that she wouldn’t be put in a box and forced into conformity, that she wouldn’t follow their indifferent society’s path, only to be left feeling stifled and unfulfilled. So how had she come to this? She turned away from the window, from the view of coffin like apartments, and began to pack her bags – it … More Boxed