Tag: story starters

Today I am late with the 100 word story. In fact, I have two weeks worth here since I missed last week. 

So it is like a two-for-one deal today! Which is great. Unless you count your cost as the time it takes to read the stories and then this will take twice as long. So. . . 

Anyway. My friends and I are doing a fun little project. As part of it, I am going to take one of the 100 word stories from our prompts and expand it into a short story. Now the hard part is choosing which one I want to delve into. Decisions. 

Last week’s prompt was: “She went to the toilet and on her way back, opened the wrong door.” While this week’s prompt was: “Spider threads caught at her face, a sign that no-one had been there yet.”

This morning, Nadine came out of her class at the community college to find her moped with two slashed tires. Who slashes the tires on a Vespa?

She caught the bus; however, with the detour due to road construction, she was late for work.

And showing up short of breath and sweaty to work at the perfume counter? Not cool.

Her date with Kern should have been perfect. But, she went to the toilet and on her way back, opened the wrong door.  The jewel thieves in the kitchen, stuffing the fish with diamonds, were not happy.

“Worst. Day. Ever.”

 

 

          Marsha stepped into the cave opening. Her flashlight cast a feeble light as she crept. Spider threads caught at her face, a sign that no one had been there yet.

          Except. There is something odd about this web.

          She found a strand of the web and rubbed it slowly. The wrong kind of sticky. Scrunching up her face, she brought the web up to her mouth. She cautiously licked the strand.

          “Cotton Candy?” Marsha glared into the darkness. “Peaches, you dastardly clown, you are here. Somewhere.”

          She strode into the dark, determined to end the jester’s reign of circus terror.

 

 

Now you can check out what my writing friends have done with their 100 word story based on this same prompt. Enjoy 😀

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://www.lindzeearmstrong.com/blog-2/

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Jenna Eatough http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/

Kaye P. Clark: http://kayepclarkwriter.blogspot.com/

 

When I first saw this week’s prompt (She was carried along by the crowd) I thought about crowd surfing at a rock concert. And then this little image popped in my head. So, here is my 100 word story based on that prompt: 

            It was essential that Eliza remain motionless. The funeral bier was ornately carved and covered in flowers. She lay under the thin burial material and tried not to flinch as she was carried along by the crowd.

            The rescue wouldn’t work unless she was able to pull this part off. Her stomach knotted with each lurch of the unstable platform.

            I wonder how many actually dead people they have dumped in the street? Not encouraging.

            She kept mentally running through the plan to keep from screaming. She would save Mason. But she would have to go through worse than this.

Now you can check out what my writing friends have done with their 100 word story based on this same prompt. Enjoy 😀

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://www.lindzeearmstrong.com/blog-2/

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Jenna Eatough http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/

Kaye P. Clark: http://kayepclarkwriter.blogspot.com/

 

This week’s prompt is: “He didn’t want to go out on such a night, but…”  Here is my take on the prompt! 🙂

                He moved piles of paperwork around on his desk and then shifted with a groan. So much for the newest—and most expensive—ergonomic  office chair. It just didn’t seem to do the job.

                The wind howled outside, battering the shutters. Snow whipped into blinding flurries. The scent of hot cocoa filled the air. He didn’t want to go out on such a night. But if he didn’t, who would? The elves?

                He threw on his big, red coat with a smile. The magic of Christmas filled him. Love, joy, and—most of all—hope, filled him.

                “Ho, Ho, Ho!”

Merry Christmas from me and have a Happy Whatever YOU like to celebrate! Peace and love to all. 

The other authors’ take on the prompt:

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Jenna Eatough http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/

Kaye P. Clark: http://kayepclarkwriter.blogspot.com/

Jenifer Lee: www.myfam-i-lee.blogspot.com/

On time this week with the Wednesday flash fiction! One prompt, multiple authors, 100 word story. It has been fun to see the variety that comes from everyone starting at the same jumping point. This week’s prompt is: As he fell, he waited for . . . .

            As he fell, he waited for the white rabbit to appear. It had to be a dream, right?

            Some strange dream with talking animals and glow in the dark words floating about.  They would all appear soon and then he would know he was actually fast asleep in his bed. Or slumped over at his desk, face smashed into whichever textbook he had been studying.

            No. Wait.

            It hadn’t been a textbook. It had been that strange tome from the library. The leather-bound, padlocked book with the warning he had laughed off.

            Was he actually falling down the rabbit hole?

 

Now we can check out what the other authors did with the same prompt 🙂 

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton’s Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://krwilburnbooks.com/blog/

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Angela Schroeder http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/

Ginny Romney http://romneyrants.blogspot.com/

Canda Mortensen http://candamortensen.blogspot.com

Jenna Eatough http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/

Starimprint: http://starimprint.blogspot.com/

Kaye P. Clark: http://kayepclarkwriter.blogspot.com/

Jenifer Lee: www.myfam-i-lee.blogspot.com/

Caleb Warnock: calebwarnock.blogspot.com/

I fell terribly behind. Ugh. So, I have three weeks of 100 word stories for you right here in this post. That’s right, folks, 300 free words of story for your perusing pleasure. 😀 

My three prompts are: “He wanted her job, and it would be easy enough to discredit her”, “As he took in the view from the twentieth floor, the lights went out all over the city”, and “His voice had never sounded so cold.”

Here we go!

            Tanner adjusted his tie while he glared at Jackie. He wanted her job, and it would be easy enough to discredit her. She moved confidently around the raucous group, always being where she was needed.

            Always ‘so much fun.’

            Well, a few well-placed phone calls as a ‘concerned observer’ would seal her fate. Parents wouldn’t want to send kids to the camp if a suspected rock-and-roll singer was in charge. Sure, she was actually a gospel-choir singer, but Tanner was sure he could make up some kind of rumor.

            He would be King of Kiddie day camp before summer’s end.

* * *

            As he took in the view from the twentieth floor, the lights went out all over the city. Something churned in his center.  Something unfamiliar.

            Is this emotion? Is it fear?

            He looked at the street below and imagined the confusion and worry caused by his perfect plan.

            No. Not fear. Excitement. This is satisfaction.

            The world would crumble when the emotion-driven sheep panicked. And he would be there with the answers. The perfect, orderly, logical answers. He would rebuild the world to his specifications.

            Then perhaps he would experience that elusive sensation of triumph.

* * *

                Her head spun when the realization of what he said pierced through her panic. His voice had never sounded so cold. “Wait.” She stopped pacing and whirled on him. “You think I did this?”  She looked around the trashed apartment and tried to see what would prompt the idea.

                His face emotionless, he shrugged. “Why not?”

                Fury bubbled up, but she reined in the scream that wanted to force its way out. “You think I would destroy my home and endanger my children? For what?”  She narrowed her eyes at him. “To get back at you? I’m not like you.”

Other authors participating with the prompts:

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton’s Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://krwilburnbooks.com/blog/

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Angela Schroeder http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/

Ginny Romney http://romneyrants.blogspot.com/

Canda Mortensen http://candamortensen.blogspot.com

Jenna Eatough http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/

Starimprint: http://starimprint.blogspot.com/

Kaye P. Clark: http://kayepclarkwriter.blogspot.com/

Jenifer Lee: www.myfam-i-lee.blogspot.com/

Caleb Warnock: calebwarnock.blogspot.com/

Ack! I am late with last Wednesday’s flash fiction. So the prompt was:”Why shouldn’t they help themselves, after the way they’d been treated?”  And my 100 word story follows. 

 

                Chet scowled. Why shouldn’t they help themselves, after the way they’d been treated? “They tell us to guard the food and won’t explain. I’m sure they won’t miss two truffles. “

                He grabbed them and held one under Larry’s nose. “Here. Quick. “

                Larry bit down to a crunch and scrunched up his face. “Maybe these are rich people chocolate? You know, swallow them, not enjoy them. Like fish eggs. “

                They gulped them down as the boss arrived. “Where are the diamonds? The chocolates had the ice in it for the switch.”

                The two guards stared at the floor.

Now you can see how the other authors used the same prompt 🙂 :

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton’s Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://krwilburnbooks.com/blog/

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Angela Schroeder http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/

Ginny Romney http://romneyrants.blogspot.com/

Canda Mortensen http://candamortensen.blogspot.com

Jenna Eatough http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/

Starimprint: http://starimprint.blogspot.com/

Kaye P. Clark: http://kayepclarkwriter.blogspot.com/

Jenifer Lee: www.myfam-i-lee.blogspot.com/

Caleb Warnock: calebwarnock.blogspot.com/

Here is the last of my spooky Halloween offerings. The prompt was: Was it a knock that had woken her? My 100 word story follows. 🙂

 

            Tammy’s eyes opened slowly. Was it a knock that had woken her? A couple more soft thumps on the roof and telltale rolling sounds confirmed her suspicions.

            Walnuts. Dropping off the tree.  Who would be this far from town at three in the morning anyway?

            She was drifting back to sleep when she heard two soft knocks, coming from inside the headboard of her bed.

            She froze.

            Then two knocks from the closet. Then soft knocks continually from the bathroom.

            She grabbed her pepper spray and stumbled into the bathroom. Her hollow-eyed reflection inside the mirror knocked while she watched.

 

Happy Halloween! Now you can check out the other authors’s stories. 

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Jessica Winn, The Distracted Writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton’s Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://krwilburnbooks.com/blog/

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Miranda D. Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Angela Schroeder http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/

Ginny Romney http://romneyrants.blogspot.com/

Canda Mortensen http://candamortensen.blogspot.com

Jenna Eatough http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/

Starimprint: http://starimprint.blogspot.com/

Kaye P. Clark: http://kayepclarkwriter.blogspot.com/

Jenifer Lee: www.myfam-i-lee.blogspot.com/