Prompt Tuesday #49

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Writing.com

"'I Like you crazy,' he said."

Response

"I like you crazy," he said, flashing that smirk he called a smile at her. "You're more fun this way."

Sera pressed her teeth down on her tongue pressed her palms into her sides. "I am not crazy."

Jed laughed. Sera fixed her gaze on the blank grey wall in front of her. She tried hard not to count the number of items within an arms reach that she could use as a weapon. Focus.

Slowly, the sound of Jed's laughed died down. Sera hazard a glance in his direction. When their eyes met he took a step backwards.

"Sorry," he said in a soft voice. One of his hands twitched towards his blaster.

Her vision flashed red then black, then red again and cleared. She stood with the broken leg of a metal chair in her hand. She had the jagged edge pressed up against Jed's neck as she held him against the wall with her free arm.

Sera shook her head, trying to banish the pulsing that pounded through hit.

"Sera," Jed pleaded.

She looked up into his eyes and for the first time she found them staring back at her - in fear. She took one step back. And then another, and another. Then she fled.

Prompt Tuesday #48

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Writing.com

"What if fairytales began 'Twice Below a Place' instead of 'once upon a time'?"

Response

Twice below a place filled with fairy dust, a princess was born. The first was a real princess, the daughter of a king and queen and heir to their thrones and fortunes. The second was the daughter of a farmer and his wife.

The first was named Glacia, she was born on the first day of the corn harvest just as the evening fell. The queen had been travelling from her summer home near the sea to her winter home when her pains began. The party stopped under the branches of a fairy tree and the little princes was born.

Seven days later, at dusk on the last day of the corn harvest, Cornilia was born. Her mother was walking from the fields to her home and stop to rest under the tree. There Cornilia was born.

These two girls grew up much as one would expect. Glacia learned how to be graceful and rule a kingdom. Cornilia learned to sew and care for a home and family.

For her sixteenth year, Glacia went on a journey to visit every village in the land. This was a tradition in the royal family to allow a chance for each of their subjects to view the future ruler of the land. When Glacia arrived in Cornilia's village they discovered something amazing. They looked as if they could be sisters. Both had golden hair, though no other in their family had ever had the same. And their eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

The two girls decided that they must find out why it was that they were so much the same. So they set out on a quest to find the answers. Together the girls grilled both their parents and were led to the fairy tree in the fields. One night, some time later they both stood before the tree. Together the bushed its bark with their hands. In the fading light of day the fairy tree split in two revealing a door.

From the door emerged the fairy queen. "My daughters who are mine," she said, "you have returned at last. Sixteen years ago I blessed both of you at birth in hopes that you some day would return. I have no heir to take my place and seek a princess to rule in fairy land. Will either of you take this responsibility and come with me to fairy land?"

The girls looked at each other and then both spoke at once. "Yes." Then together they walked through the door and were never heard of more.

Prompt Tuesday #47

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Writing.com

"You find a dry branch in the snow that turns into a magic wand in your hands."

Response

The dragon come at you. Without thinking you throw your hand out, searching for anything to use as a weapon.

Your fingers close around the dry, rough bark of a tree branch. In desperation you swing your arm around. A spray of colorful sparks explodes from the tip of the branch.

The dragon howls in anger and turns to run.

Prompt Tuesday #46

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Writing.com

"A new store in the mall attracts some unwanted guests."

Response

The door chime sounded. I sighed. Open five minutes and already our first customer.

The tall lanky man with scraggly gray hair approached the counter. He looked around the store and then leaned closer to me.

"I hear you have," he paused and looked around again, "rock candy."

I closed my eyes so that he could not see them roll. "Yes, we have seven flavors. They include cherry, grape, lime, and strawberry. Over there." I pointed to the back of the store.

The man sauntered off down a different aisle and started working his way over to the rock candy display.

The door chime sounded again.

This time it was a large woman dipped in pink. A broad pointed hat perched a top her head.

She waddled over to me. "Do you have any...boxed chocolates?"

I nodded and pointed to the glass display case I was leaning on. She smiled without looking down. "And what about cookie mixes."

I pointed to the display behind her. She turned, and then whirled back around. "Oh and you would not happen to have rock candy?"

"Back of the store."

Before the pink pom-pom could waddle away the door chime sounded again. This time it was a young man with black hair and a tuxedo. Morning was a popular time for weird people to go shopping.

The pink pom-pom and the skinny magician dude looked each up and down and sneered.

Just then the old man came up to the counter with his arms full of rock candy. I glanced over at the display to see that he had completely cleaned us out.

"It's mine. All mine. I want it, I want it," he repeated over and over.

I started counting the packages of rock candy while the three customers erupted into an argument. Each of them pulled out a long slender stick and pointed it at one of the others.

Who did these people think they were? Characters from Harry Potter?

I sighed and reached under the counter to press the security call button. It was going to be a long day.

Prompt Tuesday #45

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Build Creative Writing Ideas, #9

"Imagine a world in which many different alien races are acquainted with each other and all of them live on a giant space station together. What is your role on this station and how does the interaction go for you?"

Response

I stared at the pile of small white bundles that filled the center of the room. "How long as the second laundry been down?" I asked the tall slim girl standing next to me. Sali, I think her name was.

"Three days," Sali replied.

I bit my lip. The back log of work to be done was not bad considering the length of the down time.

"Alright, let's get to work. You start at that end and I'll start over here," I said.

"Should we sort by washing medium, or species?"

"Washing medium. There will be fewer piles."

Prompt Tuesday #44

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Finding prompts is hard. I try to find a verity from different sources and it takes time for me to locate good ones. Today I stumbled on a prompt generator which was really fun. Here are a few of the prompts I found there:
Source: Prompt Generator

"A noise outside awakens you one night. You look out the window and see a spaceship. Write what happens next."

Response

My window rattles, waking me from a light sleep. Sighing in frustration I extract myself from the tangled blankets and trip across the floor to the window. Leaning on the seal I look out the window into the dark back yard.

A ring of swirling colored lights lights up the area right in front of my window. I watch the lights for a second, amused. "Josh," I whisper to myself, shaking my head.

I climb the stairs very slowly. Once across the hall I place my hand on the doorknob to my brothers room. Taking a deep breath I throw open the door and scream, "ALIENS!", it the best terrified voice I can.

Josh jumps and screams like a girl. After the shock wears off, his friends begin laughing hysterically.

My eyes meet Josh's. I know I will pay for this but I don't care. I turn away and return to my bed.

Prompt Tuesday #43

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Finding prompts is hard. I try to find a verity from different sources and it takes time for me to locate good ones. Today I stumbled on a prompt generator which was really fun. Here are a few of the prompts I found there:
Source: Prompt Generator

Whenever I study for a test I try to...

Response

Whenever I study for a test I try to envision the end goal. What is the purpose of the test. What I am I to learn, what are my teachers to gauge about my knowledge and skill. Then I prepare. You have to be ready to encounter all sorts of obstacles, the human mind is a mine field of traps and diversions. You could easily get lost, lose yourself if you are not careful. The tests are designed to push you to the very limit, beyond what you would find in the average scan. As Professor Denar would say - "If you are prepared for the most dangerous, the safe is that much safer."

Prompt Tuesday #42

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Finding prompts is hard. I try to find a verity from different sources and it takes time for me to locate good ones. Today I stumbled on a prompt generator which was really fun. Here are a few of the prompts I found there:
Source: Prompt Generator

Choose your favorite season. Name the season and explain why it is your favorite.

Response

Fall is my favorite season. I love the smells, the colors, the cooler weather. I have never really like hot weather. Probably because I spent most of my life in the north where it is cold, very cold.

My favorite part of fall is the changing of the leaves on the trees. Go figure I have never really cared for evergreen trees. Something about the hill side covered with red, yellow and orange leaves - like it is on fire - makes me happy.

Fall is when nature is preparing to sleep, to rest for the winter until everything begins again. It is an end to one season and the start of another. Maybe that is why I like it so much. Because it is an ending the promises a new beginning if we are just patient and wait for the spring.

Prompt Tuesday #41

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Finding prompts is hard. I try to find a verity from different sources and it takes time for me to locate good ones. Today I stumbled on a prompt generator which was really fun. Here are a few of the prompts I found there:
Source: Prompt Generator

"I found the strangest thing in my pocket."

Response

"I found the strangest thing in my pocket," she looked up at me and smiled. "I think it reminded me of something." She paused and twisted one of her fingers in a clump of her dark hair. "I don't remember what it was now."

"It's okay," I soothed when I noticed her becoming agitated. "Everyone forgets."

"I think it was important," she pressed. "If only I could remember where I put it." She glanced around the room, her eyes darting from one place to the other.

I placed my hand on her knee. "Maybe it is in your pocket."

She nodded and dipped her slender hand into the pocket of her dress. When she withdrew her hand it held a small silver chain with six letters strung on it.

"Here it is!" she declared, holding up the necklace.

"Well that explains it." I smiled. "See, the necklace says 'Sarah' - it probably reminded you of your name."


P.S. Just noticed this did not post yesterday.

Prompt Tuesday #40

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Resources for Creative Writing #13 (visit the site for a great intro to these prompts.)

Leaves changing color

Response

The leaves are changing colors
The season changing
The hours roll on
The sun sets
And the world begins a new.

Prompt Tuesday #39

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Resources for Creative Writing #10 (visit the site for a great intro to these prompts.)

A cut on the hand

Response

Cari looked down at the red stripe on her palm. She traced her fingers along the partially healed wound. When did this happen? She wondered. I don't remember cutting myself.

"Torin was teaching you to use a knife to defend yourself." Urie said to her from across their small camp fire.

"Torin?" Cari asked. A pained look darkened Urie's eyes.

"He's a... good friend."

"I don't remember," Cari admitted.

"I know," Urie responded. "That is why you are here. To remember."

Prompt Tuesday #38

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Resources for Creative Writing #3 (visit the site for a great intro to these prompts.)

One thing wrapped around another

Response

The vine bit into Carsa's arm as it slowly tightened its hold. She looked down at the black emptiness below her. Then her eyes turned back to the bloodthirsty face watching her from the cliff above.

Resolved, Carsa reached into her boot and pulled out the slender dagger she kept hidden there. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then with one swift movement Carsa cut through the vine - severing her connection with the world above.

She fell into the darkness.

Prompt Tuesday #37

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Resources for Creative Writing #1 (visit the site for a great intro to these prompts.)

Broken Pottery

Response

Hanna reached her hand down and brushed her finger against the jagged piece of clay. Trails in the dust showed evidence of her touch.

She stood, the red silk fabric of her gown hissing in the silence. Her escort of soldiers watched her movements through the room silently.

After some time had passed she turned to one of them. "I am ready now."

Prompt Tuesday #36

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Creative-Writing-Solutions.com

Your character comes upon a fork in a road and has no idea where to go. How does he feel? Which road does he take and why? What's at the end of the road?

Response

Mayralee stared at the decision before her. Here the road divided into two paths. The one lead toward Canderbury and her home. The other led to Mithenspar and beyond. Mayralee looked down at the piece of parchment in her hand.

You have forgotten something important. Go to Mithenspar and find Dovan. He will help you. It read. Below the scrawled word was her own signature.

Mayralee trusted the note, although she had no memory of writing it. She had forgotten something. Something so vital that she found it necessary to remind herself somehow. It must also be a secret - or she would have explained in the note.

She knew she had forgotten something. Three days ago she woke up in a city far away from home without any recollection of how she had come to be there. Once more, it was late fall, last she remembered it was early spring. Something had happened to her in the past months. Something that Dovan in Mithenspar knew.

Mayralee looked at the fort in the road again. She was torn between a desire to see her parents, to ensure that they were alive and well. And the curiosity of the unanswered question.

"What have I forgotten?" she whispered to herself.

There was only one course of action. Resolved, Mayralee turn to the left and headed down the road to Mithenspar.

Prompt Tuesday #35

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

p.s. I just noticed that Saturday and Monday's posts did not go out. I published Saturdays and will save Monday's for another time.

Prompt

Source: Creative-Writing-Solutions.com

A stepparent has placed his/her ancient family portrait in the characters house. Describe the portrait.

Response

Alice gazed up at the giant portrait spanning a third of the hall. The people in the portrait were nearly life size and their staring eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

I tall, gray haired man with a haunted look in his eye, stood in the center of the painting. His sharp chilled features and stern stance made Alice step back a pace. His left hand was wrapped around a cane and it looked as if at any moment he would raise it an strike her. His right hand gripped the should of the young woman seated in front of him.

The woman had long black hair. Her soft features were made harsh with lines of worry. She smiled but her eyes were sad. In her arms she held a small boy in her lap. The child's arms were out stretched as if to snatch at Alice. She took another step back.

Standing next to the woman was a little girl, the spitting image of her father in every detail, save for the dark hair and green eyes. Alice studied the girl. There was on odd smile on her lips that spoke of mischief. A defiant sparkle in her eye.

"Alice!" her stepmothers sharp voice cut through the silence.

Alice started and turned to face the woman. She could see the little girl in the frightening woman standing before her. But she could also see the stern man. For one moment Alice thought maybe she understood her step mother.

Then the cane which her stepmother held descended and all thoughts of understanding fled and were replaced by pain.

Prompt Tuesday #34

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Creative-Writing-Solutions.com

Finish this thought: "I didn't go to ____ looking for redemption, but somehow I found it."

Response

I didn't go to Mars looking for redemption, but somehow I found it. Somewhere among the bio-domes and transport tunnels, the rolling red landscape and hazy sky - I found redemption. Not release, not forgiveness, not an escape from my past, but redemption. A chance to leave the person that I was behind and move forward with a new life free of the consequences of the past.

Mars gave me my new horizon. I cannot abandon her now.

Prompt Tuesday #33

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: Creative-Writing-Solutions.com

A jewel-encrusted box is found in an ancient abandoned temple. Describe the box, what is in the box, and the temple.

Response

The small rectangular box fit in the palm of Anya's hand. Here eyes took in the rows and rows of sapphires winking in the faint light. In the sea of blue stones, to rubies like eyes looked back at her.

A dark whisper sounded in Anya's ears. "Open, open, open," it repeated over and over.

Her hand moved toward the lid.

Then the whisper and the box were gone. Anya blinked and looked up to see Brynner watching her.

"Don't open the box."

Prompt Tuesday #32

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: The Writer's Idea Book: Fifth prompt on page 114

Write a monologue in which a fictional character reveals a secret. Make it a significant one. Give urgency to the telling of the secret.

Response

"I am not what you think I am," Dominic whispered in the darkness.

"Now is not the time," Alana responded, her attention more on the sound of approaching footsteps.

"I am... I am one of the First Ones."

Alana stopped in her anxious search for their pursuer. Her breath caught in her throat. A First One. It could not be. Dominic was fighting with her to banish the last of the curses left by the First One's. He hated them almost as much as she did.

How could he have lied to her?

Dominic took her hand in his. He caught her gaze with his pleading eyes. "I have made mistakes. Mistakes that I regret more than you can imagine. I have spent the last thousand years trying to correct them."

A thousand years. He was so old. To him she must seem like such a child.

Alana pulled her hand from his and turned just as the guard who had followed them came into view.

Prompt Tuesday #31

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: The Writer's Idea Book: Second prompt on page 103.

Write a monologue in which a character vents her rage.... Instead of one long howl, soften the voice, or add a touch of humor. Perhaps the entire monologue can be delivered quietly, the rage burbling just below the surface.

Response

Correct me if I am wrong, but a girl should be able to expect the contents of her diary to remain private. I mean - isn't that the purpose of a diary? A place to put all of your most private and deepest thoughts? Of course you write things in your diary that you don't want anyone else to read. Even if somehow, someone - maybe a slimy dishonest brat - actually read the diary you would think she would realize that. Realize that a diary is a place for sharing your inner feelings that no one else should know.

It's not like I always feel the way I do when I am venting in my diary. Just because I say someone is a jerk or stupid or something like that, doesn't mean that is what I really think. Right? It's just a heat of the moment thing. You know, to release the pent up energy. That is why a diary should remain private.

I would never sneak into a "friends" locker and get her diary. I would certainly never read her diary and then spread all the information I learned there around the school. And I would certainly not hate a slimy dishonest brat just because she wrote something mean about me in her diary. I would understand.

However, I have no problem retaliating.

Prompt Tuesday #30

Every Tuesday I post a writing prompt and my response. It gives me a chance to exercise my writing muscles outside of my WIP, and hopefully inspire you to write. So enjoy my flash fiction piece and post your own in the comments!

Prompt

Source: The Writer's Idea Book: First prompt on page 77.

Put a character in a place where he doesn't speak the native language. Explore the problems this barrier creates.

Response

I breath. The air is thin and burns my lungs. But I breath. Light. There is light coming through my eyelids. I stir. Something soft and warm rests beneath me. I am cold.

Reaching out a single hand I search for the glass. For the encasement that has been my sleeping prison. My hand finds only air. I breath.

I open my eyes and squint against the sudden light. An odd looking face hovers above me. Its lips, if that is what they are, move and sound comes out. I do not understand the words.

My lungs are burning more now. I cannot breath.

The stranger staring down at me does not seem to be suffocating. It must be acclimated to a different atmosphere. The face changes, pinching and turning. I struggle for breath. Gasping I plead for the air that I need to survive. The creature does not respond.

It cannot understand me. Desperately I try to communicate with the face. But how do you tell someone the air is killing you? That you need different air. How do you say this when you share not common language.

The room begins to darken. My head hurts. I fade...