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‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #23 NEW IMAGE PROMPT. Join in the fun! @pursoot #IARTG #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity #FlashFiction

Hello everyone and welcome to my weekly “Fiction in A Flash Challenge!” WEEK #23. Each week I’ll be featuring an image and inviting you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.

Please put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at My email address. by DEADLINE: 4pm EDT on Thursday, NOVEMBER 5th, Subject: Fiction in a Flash Challenge. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be much appreciated.

I’ll be sharing all entries received, and, my own contribution here AS I RECEIVE THEM. Thanks to everyone for the amazing support.

Here is the week #23 Image Prompt.

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Photo by Matthew Brodeur on Unsplash

I hope the image inspires you! Come and join in the fun.

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‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #22 Entry Part 8) by Miriam Hurdle @mhurdle112 #IARTG #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #FlashFiction

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to PART 8) of the entries for my weekly: “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #22

Today I’m featuring the contribution from Miriam Hurdle

Last week I set the following Challenge:

Hello everyone and welcome to my new “Fiction in A Flash Challenge!” Each week I’ll be featuring an image and inviting you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.

Here is the image prompt and Miriam’s entry.

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Secrets

“Here, Liam, this is mother’s journal. Let’s collect all her personal items before the lady comes to clean the house,” Marcus said.

“I wonder what went on in mother’s mind.”

“Let’s read her last entry.”

September 17, 1969

You said you loved me. I moved in with you. I waited and waited for us to get married. You said it was love that mattered. I believed you.

We had two darling children, two cheerful and curious boys. You were proud of them. I thought you could settle down for a family and a committed life. You said it was love that mattered. I believed you.

Our boys grew into intelligent teenagers. They were outstanding students. The teacher complimented us for being responsible parents. I thought you were a proud father and family man. I mentioned about making the marriage legal. You said it was love that mattered.

I didn’t feel the love you claimed to have in our relationship. I wanted to be free from the agony, yet it’s too late. The boys needed a father for a few more years.

Our sons graduated from college. They supported themselves with scholarships and part-time jobs. We soon will have an empty nest. I asked for your commitment.

“I’m married,” you said. “It was an arranged marriage in China. The WWII separated us. I thought she was dead. I went to Hong Kong when the war was over. You and I met. It was love. Nothing confirmed her death, so I couldn’t make our relationship legal. Five years later, she went to Hong Kong and found me. It was my obligation to see her.”

You said I was your only love. I demanded your choice. You were still indecisive and said you had an obligation to her. I asked you to pack up and never come back again, and you just walked out.

I told our sons because they needed to know why their father didn’t come home.

“She told us, and it shocked me. Father seemed to be so nice to us for all those years.”

“There’s one more entry. Let’s read on.”

Words came from your wife as you passed away. So… you told her about me and your sons. I sent Liam and Marcus to the funeral service. They told me there were two children with your wife, one was seven years and the other was five years younger than Liam according to the eulogy.

Liar! Liar! Liar!

“Mother had a chest pain after this entry. We took her to the hospital and her heart shut down.”

~~~~~~~

Miriam Hurdle can be reached here…

Author Links and Contacts

Amazon Links

Amazon UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07K1S47W9

Amazon.com Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K1S47W9

Contact Links

Website: https://theshowersofblessings.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Miriam-Hurdle/e/B07K2MCSVW?ref=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhurdle112

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miriam.hurdle.1

***

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‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #22 Entry Part 7) By Michele Jones @chelepie #IARTG #WritingPrompts #FlashFiction #WritingCommunity

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to PART 7) of the entries for my weekly: “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #22. Today I’m featuring a contribution from Michele Jones.
Last week I set the following Challenge: Hello everyone and welcome to my new “Fiction in A Flash Challenge!” Each week I’ll be featuring an image and inviting you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.

Here is the image prompt and Michel’s Contribution ...

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Elle hated the way they looked at her. She despised it. For the past twenty years, no one spoke to her, maybe a wave here or a nod, perhaps a casual hello. Nothing more. Yet the looks they gave her gnawed at her. When would it end? If they only knew the truth

Another month passed and fall took its toll. It didn’t matter. Elle tended to the outside of the house, raking leaves, pulling the dead flowers, trimming her bushes. She loved being outside, in any temperature. As she edged the driveway, Paul pulled in.

She stood and brushed herself off. “You’re home early.”

“Let’s get inside.”

Elle turned, went up the steps, and inside the house. Paul followed closely behind her. Elle pulled off her jacket and started toward the kitchen.

“Where’s my dinner?”

She stopped and turned to him, “you didn’t say you’d be home early, so I didn’t start it yet. I’ll start it right now.”

His eyes narrowed and his breathing increased. Elle darted her eyes to his hands, they were ball into fists. She took a step back, tripping in the doorway and falling, hitting the hutch beside the doorway, knocking the pictures over. The family photo fell to the floor sending shards of glass everywhere.

“Clean this up. Now.”

“I’m sorry.” She turned to get the broom and dustpan.

“Forget making dinner. I’m going out.”

He turned to leave, and Elle thought she got lucky. But she couldn’t have been more wrong. He turned back and let a backhand fly, striking her across her face.

She screamed. “Don’t touch me.” And backed away from him. She’d had enough.

“What are you going to do about it?” He reached out, grabbing her arm.

Elle twisted and tried to get away. But the beating came. One of the worse ones he’d given her. Face, stomach, cuts from falling on the broken glass. She screamed louder, and he slammed his fist into her jaw, breaking it. He threw her to the floor, and she banged her head. Blood gushed from her jaw, and the break in her leg. She tried to scream, but he’d covered her mouth with his hand. The room started to spin, her stomach throbbed, the pain spiked in her leg as he stepped on it. “Please…”

Paul laughed, “This is all your fault. You deserved it,” and walked out the door.

Elle couldn’t move. As much as she tried, her leg, her arm, it kept her down. Maybe she could reach the phone in her pocket. Pain shot up her leg, into her back. Her head pounded. She managed to pull her phone out of her pocket. The pain unbearable.

The room spun, but she managed to make a call. Elle told her everything. Especially where to find the diary she kept detailing Paul’s abuse for the past twenty years. Each breath sent piercing pain in her chest. This would be the last time he’d hurt anyone.

Regrets. She had several. Especially staying with Paul. Now, it was too late. Elle closed her eyes and drew her last breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Contact Michelle Here …

Pinterest
Google+
Greensburg Writers Group
Pittsburgh East Scribes
Stuff Dudes Like

Thank you so much for stopping by. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I’ll be posting further entries as I receive them.

I may be contacted here …

Blog: Jacquie Biggar- USA Today Best-Selling Author

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‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #22 Entry Part 6) by Jacquie Biggar @jacqbiggar #IARTG #WritingPrompts #FlashFiction #WritingCommunity

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to PART 6) of the entries for my weekly: “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #22.

Today I’m featuring a contribution by Jacquie Biggar.

Last week I set the following Challenge:

Hello everyone and welcome to my new “Fiction in A Flash Challenge!” Each week I’ll be featuring an image and inviting you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.

Here’s the image prompt and Jacquie’s contribution.

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An Ode to A Friend

It’s strange how empty my world is without you.

I realize now how much I took our relationship for granted. You were always there when I needed you. Offering comfort when I was miserable and laughter when I was down.

I don’t know what I’ll do now- I’m lost.

Alone.

Nothing can fill the void you’ve left behind.

I think back on our life together, all the things we’ve seen and places we’ve been. It won’t be the same without you.

Goodbye, old friend. You were faithful right up until the end.

With a final caress, I cover you up and place you in your final resting place- the same box your replacement arrived in.

Hello, I am your new Kindle. I can’t wait for our journey to begin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jacquie may be contacted here …

On TWITTER

Books On Amazon.Com

Thank you so much for stopping by. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I’ll be posting further entries as I receive them.

I may be contacted here …

By Email.

‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #22 Entry Part 5) by Joan Hall @JoanHallWrites #IARTG #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity #FlashFiction

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to PART 5) of the entries for my weekly: “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #22. Today I’m featuring a contribution from Joan Hall.
Last week I set the following Challenge:

Here is the image prompt and Joan’s Contribution.

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My story today relates to an upcoming release, House of Sorrow, planned for late December. I don’t often write in first person, but couldn’t see writing this flash fiction piece otherwise.

~~~

The weather is cold and blustery today. Rather fitting, considering I’ve spent the last two hours reminiscing about life in Madeira. I remembered the good times and anguished over the bad ones. Especially one cold, dark February night.

I watch as my neighbor Abbey walks to her car. She’s a nice young woman—always friendly and seems to show genuine concern for my well-being. But I’ve shut her out, like everyone else in my life. It’s easier to let people believe I’m still mourning my husband’s death, even though it’s been almost thirty-seven years.

People call me eccentric. Reclusive. The woman in black. You see, I always wear dark colors. That’s okay. Let them think what they want. Most would think I’m crazy if I told them the truth of why I chose to stay in this house and isolate myself from the rest of the world.

Oh, I had a choice. There wasn’t any reason I couldn’t have remained here and stayed an active member of the community. But over the months and years following Lee’s death, I retreated into my own little world. And because of that, I’m convinced I saved other wives from a life of sorrow.

But I will not live forever. I’m eighty-two years old. My health is failing. I moved into a downstairs room a few months ago because I can no longer navigate the stairs. If only I could climb them today. My journal is still in my old bedroom.

I used to write in it often. If anyone reads it after I’m gone, they’ll find a bit of history because I didn’t limit my scribbling to personal feelings. I wrote about the times—Bobby Kennedy’s assassination, the first moon landing, things like Woodstock, the Manson murders, and the Vietnam war.

And even though times were troubled during the late 1960s, what I wouldn’t give to go back. To live that era again. To make different choices. If I had, Lee might be alive today. Or at least, his life wouldn’t have been cut short.

I need the journal. The urge to record one last entry is strong. I don’t feel I can wait any longer. But I can’t risk falling. If I was injured, Tim would remove me from this house and place me in a nursing home. No, I need to stay here as long as possible.

Write it down, Ruth.

How can I without the journal? I supposed I could wait until the housekeeper comes tomorrow.

Don’t wait. Do it today.

The sense of urgency is overwhelming. To write the things I wanted to say but never did. There’s a message I need to convey. Something I should have already done. I won’t wait. But without the journal, I’ll have to find another way.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Connect with Joan Hall at …

BookBub Author Page

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Author Page

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook Page

Joan’s Book Nook (Facebook Group)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I look forward to reading your comments.

I can be reached here …

By Email.

‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #22 Entry Part 4) by Roberta Eaton Cheadle @RobertaEaton17 #IARTG #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity #FlashFiction

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to PART 4) of the entries for my weekly: “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #22. Today I’m featuring a contribution from Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Last week I set the following Challenge:

Here is the image prompt and Roberta’s Contribution.

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I decided to take a very literal interpretation of this prompt and share exactly what I think needs to be said.

How I see

And how you see

Will differ

How much we differ

Will depend

On how you view

What we both see

Versus how I view

What we both see

That same scene

Could be interpreted

By you

In a most literal

And straight forward way

You could take the path

Well worn by the majority

And embrace it

As your own

I, on the other hand,

May chose to take

A unique approach

Demarcated by difference

The one chosen by few

Or even none other at all

Where you see mild damage

I may see calamity

Where you see death

I may see an new beginning

Where you see straight lines

I may see soft curves

Of great hope

Does this make me wrong

And you right?

If I stand alone

And you concur with many?

Or is there still room

For differing interpretations?

by Roberta Eaton Cheadle

~~~~~~~~~~

Contact Roberta Here …

Roberta Writes Blog.

TWITTER

AMAZON.COM

***

Thanks so much for stopping by! I look forward to reading your comments.

I can be reached here …

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‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #22 Entry 3) by Karen Ingalls @KIngallsAuthor #IARTG #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #FlashFiction

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to Part 3) of the entries for my weekly: “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #22.

Today I’m featuring a contribution from Entry 3) By Karen Ingalls

Last week I set the following Challenge:

Hello everyone and welcome to my new “Fiction in A Flash Challenge!” Each week I’ll be featuring an image and inviting you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.

Here is the image prompt and Karen’s Tanka.

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THE BINDER IS OLD
JUST AS I AM ALSO OLD
WE ARE BOTH WORN OUT
TATTERED, TIRED YET EMBRACED
BY STRAPS OR YOUR LOVING ARMS.
 
OUR SKINS ARE WRINKLED
TORN, FRAGILE, SCARRED, YET HOLDING
US TOGETHER WHILE
HIDING SECRETS, LIES, AND DREAMS
NEVER REVEALED TO OTHERS.
 
NOW THAT I HAVE PASSED,
ONLY GOD’S JUDGEMENT MATTERS
BUT I PRAY YOU WILL
LOVE ME WITHOUT CONDITION
ACCEPTING MY HUMANNESS.
 
READ THE WORN PAGES
KNOWING THEY COME FROM MY HEART
WHILE BARING MY SOUL
     SO YOU WILL KNOW WHO I WAS
STILL LOVING, ACCEPTING ME.
 
WHEN YOU CREMATE ME,
DO THE SAME TO THE BINDER
PUTTING OUR ASHES
 IN THE GROUND OF THE OAK TREE
TOGETHER, FOREVER MORE.
~~~~~

Karen may be contacted here …

Karen Ingalls Blog.

On Twitter:

Karen Ingalls Author Page Amazon

***

I can be reached here …

By Email.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I’ll be featuring further contributions as I receive them.

‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #22 Entry Part 2) by Gwen Plano @gmplano #IARTG #WritingCommunity #FlashFiction #WritingPrompts

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to PART 2) of the entries for my weekly: “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #22.

Today I’m featuring a contribution by Gwen Plano.

Last week I set the following Challenge:

Here’s the image prompt and the contribution by Gwen Plano.

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Here is Gwen’s Tanka poem, which has 5-7-5-7-7 syllables

Gwen Plano can be reached here …

Reflections on Life … Blog.

Author Page: Gwen Plano on Amazon

Gwen Plano on Facebook.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I’ll be posting further entries as I receive them.

I may be contacted here …

By Email.

‘Fiction In A Flash Challenge’ Week #22 Entry PART 1) By John Howell @HowellWave and Suzanne Burke @pursoot #IARTG #WritingPrompts #writingcommunity #flashfiction

Hello everyone and a warm welcome to Part 1) of the entries for my weekly: “Fiction in A Flash Challenge” Week #22

Today I’m featuring contributions from entry 1)By John Howell and Entry 2) My own contribution.

Last week I set the following Challenge:

Hello everyone and welcome to my new “Fiction in A Flash Challenge!” Each week I’ll be featuring an image and inviting you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.

Here is the image prompt.

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This one line contribution by John Howell.

“I see you have my notebook, honey lamb. All fiction, of course.”

John Howell can be reached here …

Visit at Amazon.https://www.amazon.com/author/johnwhowell

Twitter:

Author Blog Fiction Favorites:

My own Contribution

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I have just started work on another new WIP … “Priceless”. This prompt gave me a perfect opportunity to include a small extract.

“PRICELESS.”

Maddison’s hands shook as she removed the leather folder from the package Carol’s attorneys had given her, with instructions that it was to be opened only after Carol’s funeral. That time had now arrived. She took a deep breath, removed a letter addressed to herself and began to read …

Dearest, Maddi,

Am I still the only person on the planet allowed to call you that, I wonder?

I’m not good at saying sorry, my friend, you know that better than anybody. But I am sorry. More than I can say, sorry that I have let so much time go by without a word.

I know that was wrong of me. I’ve never yet been able to accept responsibility for my own selfish stupidity.

Something about this dying business tends to want to make one blindingly honest I’ve found. But then you have been that way since we were kids.

I know you must have a million questions. I’ll do my best to answer at least some of them.

Danni will be turning five in a few months.
The doctors have said that if the Cancer runs its course, I have about six-maybe-seven weeks left. I’ve refused the heavy dosages of morphine, but just for a while, so that I can be lucid enough to do what needs to be done.

Danni’s a great little kid, Maddi, very bright, and as pig-headed as I am.

She doesn’t know that I am her mother. that will come as no surprise to you I guess! I was so concerned about my damned image, that I hid her away. She has only had the company of Connie Mendoza my housekeeper, and a string of nannies, who got too damn curious about her ‘family’.

To Danni I’m just the pretty lady who visits sometimes, if she recalls me at all.

Her father died of a drug overdose before I had an opportunity to tell him I was pregnant. Would I have told him I was expecting his child? Under the circumstances that prevailed at the time, I probably wouldn’t have. Danni doesn’t know anything about him. That can change, but I leave that up to you. My attorneys have his particulars.

There is no one else that I would entrust her to, just you.

I know you so well, Maddi. You were the only person in my crazy life whoever just loved me without hesitation, no ifs, no buts, and no maybes.

I can’t change who I am, or the mistakes I’ve made. All I can do is give Danni the best possible chance to grow and become the woman that her mother is not.

You, are that chance, my Maddi.

It’s funny in a way, all the things I teased you about when we were growing up, are the exact reasons I want you to be a mother to my child.

You always appeared so certain of who you were and where you were going with your life: Yet you never lectured me about what I was doing.

I remember how you would defend whatever hapless victim I was busily crucifying at the time.

How I used to laugh at your indignation when you thought I was using someone. I thought then that you were so damned moral and righteous; when all you really were, was kind.

You didn’t need the approval of the crowd the way I did. I almost hated you for that.

I hated the way everyone wanted to party with me, yet it was always you they turned to with their problems. It was you they trusted with their hopes and their dreams.

Mostly I was in awe of your honesty, it hurt sometimes and yet you were and are the only human being I have ever known, who has never let me down.

You accepted who I was without judgment.

I know that despite the pain I caused you, {most of it quite deliberate}, you continued to defend me to any fool that dared put me down in your presence.

I want that for Danni, I want her to grow up unafraid; proud of who she is and certain of her place in this crazy old world.
Maddi, I know with everything that’s in me that you are her one chance at becoming a whole person; a person with pride and humor and dignity. Maddi. Please. Teach her how to love and be loved.

And above all else my dear friend; love her the way you have loved me…unconditionally.

Thank you, and goodbye, my Maddi.

Carol.

Maddison wiped the tears from her face and looked over at the sleeping child. She brushed a blonde curl back from the sweet face. “Looks like you and I are about to go on an adventure together little one.”

~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this one, my friends. Busy times here in the Burke household. I am currently working on two new novels in vastly different genres.

Thanks so much for joining me here today. I look forward to seeing your comments. I will as always featuring each new contribution as I receive them.

I may be reached here …