Prompt

Re-branding – Thursday photo prompt

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 25 Comments

Title: Re-branding
Source:  Thursday photo prompt: Sign #writephoto
Word count: 410 words

the image shows a clouded sky beneath a full moon. There is a wordless sign showing only a pointed hat, of the kind often worn by wizards

Circe came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the busy sidewalk.

“You can’t be serious?” she said. Glinda turned to look at her.

“What?” Glinda tilted her head and batted her eyelashes.

“Don’t play innocent with me, Glinda. That,” Circe said as she pointed at the shop’s sign depicting a pointed black witch’s hat.

Glinda’s hand rested on the shop’s door handle. She sighed and walked back to Circe.

“Dear, Circe. I’m not sure I understand your problem.” Glinda tilted her head again and smiled.

“When I agreed to go shopping with you, I was expecting ‘goddess’ shopping not ‘witch’ shopping. Especially not clichéd witch shopping.”

Glinda smiled and batted her eyelashes again.

“Come on Glinda, even you don’t wear a black pointed hat. You don’t expect me to, do you? Do you?” Circe’s eyes widened, her mouth gaping as Glinda continued to smile at her.

“No,” Circe exhaled the word, and she took a step backward. Glinda attempted to touch Circe’s arm. Circe recoiled, jerking her arm beyond Glinda’s reach.

“It is a requirement of the coven,” Glinda said.

“Geez, Glinda. Seriously? Next, you’ll be telling me I have to adopt a black cat and carry a wand.”

“Oh, no dear, your staff should do nicely.”

“And the cat?”

“With your propensity for transforming people into wild beasts, I’m sure we will find something acceptable.”

“I’m wondering why I agreed to this,” Circe shook her head.

“We both know why.”

“I am a goddess. People line up to worship me. They perform sacrifices in my honor. They fear my wrath.”

Glinda looked at the people passing them in the street. They hurried past them, giving them no notice.

“Yes, you are causing quite the stir. Perhaps you need to consider hiring bodyguards?”

Circe said nothing. Her shoulders slumped, and she could feel the hot sting of tears in her eyes.

“Darling, Circe, it’s not that bad. You’re just in need of a little re-branding. Nothing major. The coven is the first step. You’re lucky they agreed to accept your application.” Glinda moved to Circe’s side and slid her arm around her shoulder, giving her a gentle hug.

“If you work your magic, people will soon remember you. You’ll be great on social media and you’ll have millions of followers in no time.”

Circe brushed the tears away and attempted to smile.

“That’s better. Shall we see about that hat? You know, it doesn’t have to be black.”

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Deal or No Deal – 3 Line Tales

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 7 Comments

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

photo by Artem Bali via Unsplash

The thrill of the hunt and the adrenaline spike fueled Belle’s shopping frenzy.

She carried her new treasures home dropping the bags in a heap by the door.

Alone in her cluttered home, Belle sank onto the couch feeling as if she was still missing something.

______________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Regaining Equilibrium – Weekend Writing Prompt

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments

Title: Regaining Equilibrium
Source:  Weekend Writing Prompt # 97 – Equinox
Objective: Write a poem or piece of prose in exactly 83 words.
Word count: 83 words

Photo by Kimson Doan on Unsplash

My phone buzzed. Flicking the screen, I read the message and smiled. Time to go. I loaded the car, anticipating the celebration.

The end of ceaseless nights, frigid temperatures and depression-soaked days was never guaranteed. Hope sparked an ember, which ignited a promise of sunny days surrounded by dear friends. It buoyed my soul, focusing my resolve to preserve.

Against the odds, the vernal equinox arrived. My friends kindled the fire, as the sea breeze kissed my cheeks. The worst lay behind me.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Observing Rites – 100 Word Wednesday

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 Comments

Title: Observing Rites
Source:  100 Word Wednesday: Week 112
Word count: 100 words

Image by Bikurgurl

Conversation wasn’t Dad’s forte. Every Sunday he woke me. With fishing gear and a brown paper sack loaded with egg sandwiches, we headed to the sound. As dawn kissed the sky, our bobbers rode the waves.

The ritual had been absent for a month when he finally returned.

“Your mom -”

Dad’s voice drifted on the breeze and salt spray accumulated in his eyes. My throat tightened. Unable to speak, I wrapped my arm around his waist. His arm clung to my shoulder, pulling me close. We stood there in silence for what seemed like forever. We needed no words.

__________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer