challenge

Vestiges of Forgotten Purpose – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments

Title: Vestiges of Forgotten Purpose
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about a postal carrier in an extreme situation.
Word count:  99 words

white propane tank near concrete stairs

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Tristao shifted the heavy pack, gnarled fingers burrowed under the frayed strap as he eased the pressure on his stooped shoulder.

Once, he bounded through town, nimbly negotiating steep steps, winding ascents, and narrow passageways like the goats that climbed the mountain protecting his birth city. The residents greeted him, eager for the letters he carried. He was their noble messenger, their link to far-flung family and friends. They shared the latest gossip and a welcome snack.

Now he met only faceless receptacles. He fed blank gaping mouths, with empty messages no one wanted. Tomorrow, Gaspar collected the garbage.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Observations from a Park Bench – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments

Title: Observations from a Park Bench
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story about a park bench.
Word count:  99 words

shallow focus photo of toddler walking near river

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

The clock in Trellech announced his daily passage. At seven-thirty he traveled into town, his feet dragging him forward, his pack dwarfing his tiny frame. Every afternoon at precisely two-thirty, lighter steps whisked him home.

Time slipped into years. As he grew into his backpack, it was replaced by a one larger and heavier than the last. His shoulders bent beneath the staggering weight, but he endured his regimen and never faltered.

His stamina increased, his burden kept pace, and I marveled at his quiet suffering.

One fateful day he stopped, dropped his albatross, and dared to fly free.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

If She Only Knew – 100-Word Writing Dare

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 6 Comments

Title: If She Only Knew
Source:  100-Word Writing Dare
Prompt: …if she only knew…
Word count:  100 words

scenery of ocean

Photo by Barth Bailey on Unsplash

I am repeatedly drawn to this bleak monument that commemorates my deepest regret and replays a scene I can never fix.

They say no one is to blame, tell me to live and learn.

Yet, I can still touch the whimpering monster, taste his evil spark and the heartfelt rage that extinguished my future. Hatred lived in those eyes, fueled by an all-consuming love.

Painful words thrown like brutal punches left me with smoldering embers of bittersweet anguish.

Selfishly, I demolished every bridge with my clumsy attempt to declare my desire. A single wish remains.

If she only knew.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Defying Omens – Flash Fiction Challenge – Rodeo #3

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 7 Comments

Title: Defying Omens
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story in three acts.
Word count:  99 words

white ship painting

Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash

Captain Graclynn Silver took the helm, barking orders for the crew to set sail. Doubt’s icy tendrils wheedled into her brain, clutching at her heart as the foghorn blew. Filmy sheets glazed the water’s surface, fusing with the sky to create a veil of uncertainty that did not bode well for their journey.

“Omens be dammed,” she shouted as she sought her bearings, and the ship crunched forward in search of open seas.

She tacked to starboard, advancing slowly, allowing history to drown in their dissipating wake. The fog lifted. Freed from fear, the sun promised smooth sailing ahead.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Pirate’s Revenge – Flash Fiction Challenge – Rodeo #2

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

Title: Pirate’s Revenge
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a mashup.
Word count:  99 words

white and brown ship in ocean water under cloudy sky during daytime

Photo by Nikolay Vorobyev on Unsplash

The sloop bucked and rolled, as her new commander navigated the cumulonimbus clouds thundering along the squall line. They sailed in pursuit of the notorious Nose Bender, the pirate who had slain their beloved captain and stole their hard-won booty.

The Heartbreak Kid, trained for pirate antics, seized the helm and dared to spin the wheel of fortune. He took command, shouted orders, and tamed the Bodacious Mermaid. His actions earned the crew’s respect. They knew they played a deadly game. Facing sudden death, vowing revenge, they swore to fight in the bonus round, until the losing horns sounded.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

High Seas Adventure – Flash Fiction Challenge – Rodeo #1

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

Title: High Seas Adventure
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge 2019 Rodeo
Prompt: Write a modern tall tale.
Word count:  99 words

huge wave at daytime

Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash

“The ship’s bow rose as we climbed the Mount Everest size wave. We dangled atop the precipice while all around, rolling water raged.

Gray storm clouds billowed overhead, dousing the deck with bucket loads of rainwater as our vessel groaned. Sensing her fate, she threatened to crack, and we didn’t dare to breathe.

Over the edge, I glimpsed a multitude of creatures staring at me, before we tipped, sliding into the abyss. A deluge rushed into the void and collided with the rushing flood, pelting spray engulfed us.”

“Daddy, it was only a puddle.”

“A puddle to you, maybe.”

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Enduring Hope – Weekend Writing Prompt

/ JoHawkTheWriter

Title: Enduring Hope
Source:  Weekend Writing Prompt #133 – Longevity
Objective: Write a poem or piece of prose in exactly 76 words

woman statue during daytime

Photo by Antônia Felipe on Unsplash

She arrived in a world consumed by strife, hardships, and conflict. They anointed her in struggles, endless toil, and heartache. Deliverance from the sin that created her would be an early grave.

A faint whisper, her angel of mercy, touched her heart, telling her castles crumble, and stones turn into sands that wash into the sea. Her guardian urged her to seek sunny hours and imagine unimaginable possibilities.

Despair forged a stony resolve, ensuring her longevity.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

A Common Thread – 3 Line Tales

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

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

three line tales, week 197: vinyl albums in a record shop, bowie, the cure, fleetwood mac, joy division

Photo by Yanko Peyankov via Unsplash

Selling the old vinyl albums, collected from garage sales, thrift shops and trash bins had never been about the money.

At first, it was his love of the music, pure and simple, but as the years passed, he witnessed something spectacular happening.

His customers, boomers and hipsters, artists and corporate executives, made connections, foraged friendships, and found common ground as they flipped through the albums, sharing their memories and their favorite music.

______________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

A Skeptical View – Flash Fiction Challenge

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments

Title: A Skeptical View
Source:  Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt: Write a story using storm windows.
Word count:  99 words

cloud formation

Photo by Chris Bair on Unsplash

I know it exists to protect me, that invisible, visible layer. Glass over glass, engineered to exacting standards, safeguards designed to stand between me and… I pause. From what does it save me? Certain death? Or the thrill of living on the edge?

Engineers have created car airbags, helmets for a bicycle ride, handrails, guardrails, safety instructions, protective eyewear, ear protection, and countless other safety buffers. I experience my life as a boy in a bubble. Germ-free. Sterile.

I long to defy their rules, stretch past the double pane, storm window, touch the beautiful chaos and dare to live.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

True North – Weekend Writing Prompt

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 10 Comments

Title: True North
Source:  Weekend Writing Prompt #132 – Draconian
Objective: Write a poem or piece of prose in exactly 103 words

round white compass

Photo by Jordan Madrid on Unsplash

Josiah’s heavy heart pounded, consuming his senses, as they lowered the ornate casket. Heated arguments regarding the family business, scarred their relationship. Now every decision rested on his shoulders.

No one would stop him from testing his postulate that self-restraint and a strong moral compass would produce more profitable results than his father’s strictly enforced, draconian laws.

His instinct told him he was right, but he risked everything. He touched the golden compass in his pocket. It was both a gift and a burden, that whispered years of quiet wisdom. Clutching it in his fist, he would let it guide his way forward.

__________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer