challenge

Holding On – Friday Fictioneers

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 32 Comments

Title: Holding On
Source:  Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words

PHOTO PROMPT © Anshu Bhojnagarwala

Sal collected things people threw away, a trait his daughter, Cecilia, hated. Sal’s workshop was overflowing with his treasures.

One day, a piano appeared in the shop.

“What are you going to do with this?” Cecilia asked.

“It holds life.”

Cecilia looked at him and shook her head.

“Wait, you’ll see,” Sal promised.

Sal pulled the piano apart, selling the ivory and ebony keys, veneer, strings, anything of value until only the carcass remained.

“Papa, this is garbage,” Cecilia said.

“It holds life.”

The next morning the piano carcass sat outside the shop, planted with her favorite flowers. Cecilia smiled.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Along the Primrose Path – #Thursday Threads

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 9 Comments

Photo by Alex Iby on Unsplash

Raindrops splatted, plonked and plopped on the leafy canopy as we made our way forward on the squishy trail. Lightening flashed in the distance, I sucked in my breath and counted.

“One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three–” before the thunder rolled over us. It grabbed my stomach and heart and shook until I thought I would vibrate off the trail.

Ahead of me, I watched Thora’s back stiffen, and she stopped. She raised her hand, and I also stopped, obeying her command.

“What do you hear?” It was a strange question to ask since Thora didn’t “hear” in the normal way. She shot a glance at me which clearly told me to “be quiet.”

It was then that an oversized, white rabbit jumped onto the trail. It stared at Thora. There was something familiar in the rabbit’s eyes. Recognition struck me as Thora bent to scoop him into her arms.

“Thora, no. It’s Zeus.”

It was too late, Zeus had wrapped all four of his bunny paws around her.

“Damn it, Zeus. Can’t you control your animal desires?”

Zeus smiled when he looked at me.

“Oh, Pan. Who do you think you are? You dare to reprimand me for my animal desires? You can’t protect her. She is mine now.”

Zeus’ momentary distraction was all Thora needed. I watched her lips move, and her body shimmer in a diaphanous transformation. Thora’s laughter floated on the breeze. It shook the leafy canopy and doused Zeus with a cold shower of raindrops.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Story Board – Stock Photo Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 12 Comments

Title: Story Board
Source:  Stock Photo Challenge
Word count: 100 words

“No, no, no. You’ve got it all wrong. Haven’t you heard a word I said?”

Roy shoved the sketchpad towards the artist. As Roy stood, his chair toppled backward and bounced on the cement floor.

Startled, the sketch artist lunged, saving the sketchpad from the chair’s fate.

“Mr. Neary. Please. I’m trying.”

“Try harder,” Roy yelled and then, regretting his rough tone, he wiped his hand across his forehead.

“Ok,” he said, calmer now, “How about less ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ and more ‘E.T.’ with Christmas lights?”

The sketch artists beamed, turned the sketchbook’s page and began again.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Mighty Mouse – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 13 Comments

Title: Mighty Mouse
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about a mouse.
Word count:  99 words

red computer mouse

Photo by MacMillen on Unsplash

I stumble to my desk. The coffee sloshing in my cup slips over the edge trickles down the side and drips onto my freshly printed manuscript.

I blot the drop, but the damage is done. Adding insult to injury I mark the draft with a giant coffee ring. I have no fear. Mighty Mouse will save the day. The laptop purrs, Mighty Mouse chases clicks across the laptop’s screen while I sip my coffee.

The printer springs to life, spitting out pages as the Mouse commands.

The pristine draft restored, it awaits the torture session of the red pen.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Cultivating Joy – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 7 Comments

Title: Cultivating Joy
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 111
Word count: 100 words

Image by Arno Smit

As a Customer Service Supervisor, Imogene solved other people’s problems and smoothed ruffled feathers. She loved her job, and she did it well.

Occasionally, silly complaints, abusive attitudes, and stretched truths wore on her nerves. Today was one of those days. Imogene counted the minutes, waiting to rush to her sanctuary.

The potting shed wasn’t fancy, but it belonged to her. Here, she could sink her hands into warm dirt, feel the sun’s heat on her back and hear the bird’s sweet songs. The breeze caressed her, and her plants grew and flowered as she tended them with loving care.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Seeking Knowledge – 3 Line Tales

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 Comments

From Sonya’s 3LineTales at Only100Words.
You can find the original prompt here. Thank you, Sonya.

photo by Clem Onojeghuo via Unsplash

Stacks upon stacks of books accumulated, collected, hoarded in the quest of knowledge.

Formats change, culling the best, the rest released into the wild.

The quest became more focused, the never-ending search for the forgotten truths.

______________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

To New Friends – Weekend Writing Prompt

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 19 Comments

Title: To New Friends
Source:  Weekend Writing Prompt # 96 – Seashore
Objective: Write a poem or piece of prose in exactly 59 words.
Word count: 59 words

lighthouse on a rocky seashore on a misty day

Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash

Francois walked the rocky seashore daily. Passing the lighthouse, he hoped to spy the keeper. The old man was reclusive, reluctant to make new friends. Undaunted, Francois waved whenever he saw him.

Today he stood, surveying the misty gray horizon. Francois waved and smiled with delight when the old man laid his finger to the rim of his hat.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Chicago Style – Stock Photo Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 9 Comments

Title: Chicago Style
Source:  Stock Photo Challenge
Word count: 100 words

two male hands each holding a green beer bottle on a green background

Paddy and Rowan arrived at the city boat slip. Mike oversaw the operations as he had for over forty years.

“You listen close to Mike.  He’ll not be caring who you are,” Paddy whispered to Rowan.

Rowan smiled and climbed into the boat. Dipping flour sifters into orange dye, they waited while Mike piloted the boat into the river.

“Now lads,” Mike bellowed above the noise of the boat’s engine.

Forty-five minutes later the river sparkled emerald green in the chilly March sun.

“Happy St. Patrick’s Day,” the crew shouted to the jubilant crowd.

“Time for a Guinness,” Mike yelled.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Go Bag, Go – Friday Fictioneers

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 29 Comments

Title: Go Bag, Go
Source:  Friday Fictioneers sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple
Word count: 100 words

PHOTO PROMPT © CEAyr

Maria swung her grocery bag, humming a tune as she hurried home. Turning the last corner, she halted, the grocery bag bumping her leg.

Parked in the space by her door, was Carlo’s scooter. Like old times, her heart raced, and bile chocked her throat.  Panicking, she scanned the courtyard and glanced at her upstairs window. Senses alert, she turned and ran.

“Oh god. Did he see me?” she wondered as she ran.

People stared, and she slowed her pace.

“Think, Maria. You have a plan.”

She retrieved the key from her purse.

“Train station. Left luggage locker. Destination unknown.”

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Subjugation – #MenageMonday!

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments

Title: Subjugation
Source:  #MenageMonday! Challenge Week 2×23
Word count: 250 words

Black And White, Chess, Board Game, Chessboard

Source: Dreamstime

Emma affixed the ends of the stethoscope in her ears.

“Let’s take a listen to your heart, shall we?” she said leaning over Nergal.

Nergal, strapped to the hospital bed, was wary and surprised at his inability to vanquish her. Instead, he shrank from her.  Long dark hair tumbled over her shoulder as she leaned forward. She had smudged eyes, and eyelashes blackened with heavy mascara. Despite her white lab coat, she exuded darkness. The corner of her lip curled.

“Funny, no heartbeat,” she said. “I never dreamed it would be this easy.”

“I’ve heard your minions, ‘she’s a marvel’, they say,” Nergal said, mocking her.

“Too bad you didn’t take them seriously,” Emma said tucking the stethoscope into her pocket.

“It is a game to you, isn’t it?”

“I call it ‘work’. Life and death. Serious stuff. Can you blame a girl for wanting a little fun?”

“I do when I’m the target of your ambition.”

Emma laughed.

“Your time has come Dark One. Great run, though. Inspirational, you might say.”

“You want to depose me?” Nergal countered.

“That’s the plan. It’s a good one, don’t you think? Though, I have wondered where the devil goes when he is dead.”

“You can’t kill me. Remember? No heartbeat.”

“Not the way you kill other beings. More of a checkmate, leaving me with your power,” she laid her hands on his chest, chanting as the fire faded from Nergal’s eyes.

“The king is dead, long live the queen,” her minions cried.

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer