Flash Fiction:  A complete story written in 1,000 or fewer words.

Writing Prompt:  A story idea that jump starts a writer.  The prompt is folded into the story verbatim or with minimal alteration.  Here’s a prompt: “Wearing a Santa elf hat, the calico cat stared quizzically at me as I …”

Hmmm, as I what?

… squeezed off a couple of rounds from my Glock …
… slid under Mrs. Claus’ sheets with a hearty Ho, Ho, Ho …
… asked the cat, “Are all the elves, cats?”

Get the picture?

I try to turn out a complete story in 30 minutes.  The pressure pushes my creative juices to the max.  Then I will “play with” my basic story to develop it more thoroughly.

Here’s some Flash Fiction I wrote from prompts.  If you want to know more details, please contact me through my website.  I’ll be happy to connect with you.

Have fun with prompt writing.  I do.

Recycled

“Recycled” is a piece of Flash Fiction I wrote based on the photo below taken in St. Petersburg, FL by a college friend, John Hayes, street name, “Oops John.”

Among other things, Hayes excels as a street photographer, photo journalist, professor, writer and overall reprobate.

I encourage you to check out his...Read More »


I Resolve

It’s New Year’s Eve 3:50 PM.

I just finished my last session of this year and resume again on January second of next year.  In our last session, my shrink and I talked about my New Year’s resolutions.

I think a lot about my resolutions.  I want resolutions I can keep.  You...Read More »


Fiesta Grill

Picture 2

My friend John Hayes was intrigued by the “flash fiction” I write and publicly issued me a creative challenge:  Write a story based on a visual prompt from a series of pictures he took recently at a Mexican Cantina overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Northern California.

The first image establishes a context; subsequent pictures hone in on...Read More »


Iguana

Written from the prompt: 

“I’ve just watched Tennessee Williams’ ‘The Night of the Iguana,’ starring Ava Gardner and Richard Burton.”

 

Friday night, 10:30 p.m. I’ve just watched Tennessee Williams’ “The Night of the Iguana” starring Ava Gardner and Richard Burton.  The credits roll past my fogged eyes. I point and click...Read More »