Here's my older entries in the #5MinuteFiction contest hosted by Leah Petersen
Prompt: “You sure you want to do that, chief?”
“You sure you want to do that, chief?” I asked, looking at my husband who was valiantly trying to fix the sink.
His voice was muffled from inside the cabinet but I could make out “It’s gotta get fixed, doesn’t it?”
“Erm, yeah, but shouldn’t you look at the instructions first?” I was biting my lip trying to avoid laughing. Neither one of us were handy around the house but we were determined to try. I always looked at the instructions first, even going as far as Googling videos just so I had an idea of what I was doing.
My dear husband’s approach was a little more direct, and usually ended up a little more expensive.
He dug in there with a ratchet, some pliers, a bucket, and vice grips … basically anything he thought might work to help fix the problem.
The bucket was probably the most useful tool he had with him.
“How hard can this be? I just need to tighten up this bolt here and adjust thi-”
My husband’s voice was cut off by the sound of rushing water, specifically running water slashing all over my husband.
“Son of a bitch!” my husband sputtered, wiggling out from underneath the sink as fast as he could. Once he was out of the way, the bucket went in, woefully too small to hold back the onslaught of water that was pouring out of the pipes.
With a snort, I ran downstairs and shut off the main water supply to the house and grabbed a bunch of old towels. At least my kitchen floors would be clean later today.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Flash Fiction - 5MinuteFiction - Week 57
Here's my older entries in the #5MinuteFiction contest hosted by Leah Petersen
Prompt: Duck
Screeching metal cut through the air, raising goosebumps on everyone in the yard. The workers looked around trying to find the source of the noise.
“Duck!” the foreman shouted at the top of his lungs, his face red with the force of his exertion.
Everyone dropped to the ground moments before a high pitched whistling could be heard over their heads as a girder flew through the air. The ten kilogram girder came to rest on the other side of the construction yard, buried deep in the loose dirt that was piled up. The men slowly rose from the ground, dusting off their pants as they looked at the scene.
“Damn, that was too fucking close!” the foreman said angrily, relieved that no one was hurt. If he had waited a moment longer to warn his crew, several of them would’ve been decapitated by the flying girder.
He walked swiftly through the yard, enraged that someone would be so careless. “Who is working that crane?” he demanded. “I want his ass down here this minute!”
Prompt: Duck
Screeching metal cut through the air, raising goosebumps on everyone in the yard. The workers looked around trying to find the source of the noise.
“Duck!” the foreman shouted at the top of his lungs, his face red with the force of his exertion.
Everyone dropped to the ground moments before a high pitched whistling could be heard over their heads as a girder flew through the air. The ten kilogram girder came to rest on the other side of the construction yard, buried deep in the loose dirt that was piled up. The men slowly rose from the ground, dusting off their pants as they looked at the scene.
“Damn, that was too fucking close!” the foreman said angrily, relieved that no one was hurt. If he had waited a moment longer to warn his crew, several of them would’ve been decapitated by the flying girder.
He walked swiftly through the yard, enraged that someone would be so careless. “Who is working that crane?” he demanded. “I want his ass down here this minute!”
Flash Fiction - 5MinuteFiction - Week 55
Here's my older entries in the #5MinuteFiction contest hosted by Leah Petersen
Prompt: Reunion
I was dreading this moment. It was my ten year high school reunion. I was so different from the girl I was back then. I wondered if anyone would even recognize me. I was so shy; I doubted most people knew who I was. Perhaps they would just pigeonhole me into the role I was in back then ... and forget about me just as before.
The quiet girl in the corner was always looked over. Sure, I had thoughts back then, but I was so reserved, so afraid to be myself and tell others what was on my mind. High school showed me what real life was going to be like and that I needed to step up if I was going to make my mark. Life was nothing more than a popularity contest. Sure, smarts and skills would get you so far, but when it comes down to it, the prettiest and most popular always wins.
With that knowledge, I made a pact with myself that I would be different in college. I would be unique, I would be assertive, I would be remembered. I blossomed, becoming the person I never was, and who I always wanted to be.
Prompt: Reunion
I was dreading this moment. It was my ten year high school reunion. I was so different from the girl I was back then. I wondered if anyone would even recognize me. I was so shy; I doubted most people knew who I was. Perhaps they would just pigeonhole me into the role I was in back then ... and forget about me just as before.
The quiet girl in the corner was always looked over. Sure, I had thoughts back then, but I was so reserved, so afraid to be myself and tell others what was on my mind. High school showed me what real life was going to be like and that I needed to step up if I was going to make my mark. Life was nothing more than a popularity contest. Sure, smarts and skills would get you so far, but when it comes down to it, the prettiest and most popular always wins.
With that knowledge, I made a pact with myself that I would be different in college. I would be unique, I would be assertive, I would be remembered. I blossomed, becoming the person I never was, and who I always wanted to be.
Flash Fiction - 5MinuteFiction - Week 53
Here's my older entries in the #5MinuteFiction contest hosted by Leah Petersen
Prompt: Another year of that and she was sure she’d go mad.
Another year of that and she was sure she’d go mad. She was so tired of all the clingy, neediness of Scott. It was so hard for her to believe that one man could be so helpless. Perhaps he acted that way on purpose, assuming that she liked feeling needed. To a certain extent she did, but this was above and beyond what was necessary and what was called for in a normal, healthy relationship.
She was getting to the point where she just wanted to tie him up and leave him in a corner. He wouldn’t be able to bother her anymore and she would release him when she needed him. However, this definitely was not a healthy response to her problem, no matter how much the darker part of her personality revealed in the idea.
Drying her hands off on the dishtowel by the sink, she resolved to deal with the insanity of her pointless relationship before it infected her. She was a strong, determined woman who did not need people like Scott in her life bringing her down.
The object of her derision sat on the couch with a bowl of popcorn in his lap, idly watching television. This was where he was usually found. Of course he didn’t have a job, there wasn’t a job out there that was just the right fit for him, so he said. Joanna wanted to call him out on it, thinking he was far too comfortable on her couch to really try to find a job.
Prompt: Another year of that and she was sure she’d go mad.
Another year of that and she was sure she’d go mad. She was so tired of all the clingy, neediness of Scott. It was so hard for her to believe that one man could be so helpless. Perhaps he acted that way on purpose, assuming that she liked feeling needed. To a certain extent she did, but this was above and beyond what was necessary and what was called for in a normal, healthy relationship.
She was getting to the point where she just wanted to tie him up and leave him in a corner. He wouldn’t be able to bother her anymore and she would release him when she needed him. However, this definitely was not a healthy response to her problem, no matter how much the darker part of her personality revealed in the idea.
Drying her hands off on the dishtowel by the sink, she resolved to deal with the insanity of her pointless relationship before it infected her. She was a strong, determined woman who did not need people like Scott in her life bringing her down.
The object of her derision sat on the couch with a bowl of popcorn in his lap, idly watching television. This was where he was usually found. Of course he didn’t have a job, there wasn’t a job out there that was just the right fit for him, so he said. Joanna wanted to call him out on it, thinking he was far too comfortable on her couch to really try to find a job.
Flash Fiction - 5MinuteFiction - Week 43
Here's my older entries in the #5MinuteFiction contest hosted by Leah Petersen
Ariel sat despondently on her barstool while she played with the straw of her drink. This place held such great memories for her and now, they had been tarnished by his actions. It was all his fault. Why did he have to say those things to her, here of all places? He could have easily have discussed this with her in some place more private.
He knew what he was doing, by staging it at Ariel’s favorite pub. John was an evil man and he wanted to ruin the one last happy thing she had left. He had taken everything else, her job, her friends, even her family. He had insinuated himself so tightly into her life and when he started to tear her down, she didn’t have a leg to stand on.
None of the rumors were true, but no one would believe her. He had everyone wrapped around his fingers. How anyone could believe that she would actually cheat on John, no matter how much of an asshole he was, was beyond her. She would never do that. Even after she discovered how truly heinous he was, she still would not have cheated. Ariel was merely biding her time until she could completely extricate herself from his clutches.
And now, he did that most efficiently and cruelly. The legal papers rested beside her drink on the table. “Petition for Divorce” screamed off the top of the page, letting everyone know what a failure she was.
Prompt: Pub
Ariel sat despondently on her barstool while she played with the straw of her drink. This place held such great memories for her and now, they had been tarnished by his actions. It was all his fault. Why did he have to say those things to her, here of all places? He could have easily have discussed this with her in some place more private.
He knew what he was doing, by staging it at Ariel’s favorite pub. John was an evil man and he wanted to ruin the one last happy thing she had left. He had taken everything else, her job, her friends, even her family. He had insinuated himself so tightly into her life and when he started to tear her down, she didn’t have a leg to stand on.
None of the rumors were true, but no one would believe her. He had everyone wrapped around his fingers. How anyone could believe that she would actually cheat on John, no matter how much of an asshole he was, was beyond her. She would never do that. Even after she discovered how truly heinous he was, she still would not have cheated. Ariel was merely biding her time until she could completely extricate herself from his clutches.
And now, he did that most efficiently and cruelly. The legal papers rested beside her drink on the table. “Petition for Divorce” screamed off the top of the page, letting everyone know what a failure she was.
Flash Fiction - TuesdayTales - Week 5
I recently found this blog that runs a flash fiction contest. This is the first week for me. :) Seems to be fun so far. Glitter Word
Prompt: Bellweather (and a picture on the blog)
Here's my entry.
Preggo Cravings
The sparks were a bellweather of what was to come. The lights had been getting worse from just a few pin pricks in my field of vision to outright flame like images. Something was definitely wrong with my eyes. Ever since that asteroid landed in our backyard, things have been a bit wonky.
It wasn’t just my vision either. Suddenly, I developed a taste for pickles and mole. I hated pickles and mole. The best was pickles dipped in mole. Something about the vinegary, bitter flavor seemed to do it now. Maybe I was pregnant with an alien baby.
Prompt: Bellweather (and a picture on the blog)
Here's my entry.
Preggo Cravings
The sparks were a bellweather of what was to come. The lights had been getting worse from just a few pin pricks in my field of vision to outright flame like images. Something was definitely wrong with my eyes. Ever since that asteroid landed in our backyard, things have been a bit wonky.
It wasn’t just my vision either. Suddenly, I developed a taste for pickles and mole. I hated pickles and mole. The best was pickles dipped in mole. Something about the vinegary, bitter flavor seemed to do it now. Maybe I was pregnant with an alien baby.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Flash Fiction - 5MinuteFiction - Week 67
Here's my entry for this week's #5MinuteFiction
Not my greatest prompt - but they all can't be winners. LOL
Prompt: I always thought that if I were going to write a novel, this is how it would start.
I always thought that if I were going to write a novel, this is how it would start. There would be some big bang of something exploding or something incredible that would hook the reader in. However, when I looked at this … this crap on my desk, I realized the only thing it would hook would be a nap.
Angrily, I crumbled up the few pages of crap I wrote and threw them into the metal trash can next to my desk. The can was starting to get full from all of the other bits of garbage I had tried to write.
There were so many distractions. First the kids ran in, assuming that if I was home, that meant I was available to them. Then someone would call me or text me … or the time suck of all, someone would mention me on Twitter. If I logged onto my twitter account, an hour would pass before I realized what happened. Once that happened, it was just a free pass to any kind of distraction … blog posts I just HAD to read, the news would be on, my husband would be home from work, the list was never-ending.
Methinks I needed to unplug my computer, grab my notebook, and go to the park to free myself of my home distractions … maybe I could write there and make something blow up … or something worth reading.
Not my greatest prompt - but they all can't be winners. LOL
Prompt: I always thought that if I were going to write a novel, this is how it would start.
I always thought that if I were going to write a novel, this is how it would start. There would be some big bang of something exploding or something incredible that would hook the reader in. However, when I looked at this … this crap on my desk, I realized the only thing it would hook would be a nap.
Angrily, I crumbled up the few pages of crap I wrote and threw them into the metal trash can next to my desk. The can was starting to get full from all of the other bits of garbage I had tried to write.
There were so many distractions. First the kids ran in, assuming that if I was home, that meant I was available to them. Then someone would call me or text me … or the time suck of all, someone would mention me on Twitter. If I logged onto my twitter account, an hour would pass before I realized what happened. Once that happened, it was just a free pass to any kind of distraction … blog posts I just HAD to read, the news would be on, my husband would be home from work, the list was never-ending.
Methinks I needed to unplug my computer, grab my notebook, and go to the park to free myself of my home distractions … maybe I could write there and make something blow up … or something worth reading.
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