Resting Place #fridayflash #fridayfictioneers #100words

If you haven't found my new home yet, here's the link:

http://janmorrill.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/im-tardy-friday-fictioneers-resting-place/

I'd love for you to visit me there, and if you like it, follow me, too. But if you're not so inclined to hop on over, here's my Fictioneer Flash Fiction for this week:

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I'm sorry to be so late in getting my flash fiction posted for the Fictioneers. Though this was one of my favorite photo prompts by Madison Woods, sometimes life gets in the way of our writing. Throughout the week, I hope to make my way through all of the stories prompted by this photo.

Resting Place

He wondered if he looked as worn as the old truck; sure felt as rusted. When he opened the door to get in, it groaned, just like he did when he got out of bed after a long, restless night.


“Morning, Sally.” Same words he’d whispered every morning of the fifty-five years he woke next to her. He took a deep breath and ran his crooked fingers over tattered upholstery. “We had us some good times in this here front seat, didn’t we?”


He watched the urn that rested where Sally used to sit, as if waiting for an answer.

"Reaching" #FridayFictioneers #FlashFiction

I'm not sure how many times I've said this, but I thought this week's photo prompt by Madison Woods was her most challenging yet. Often, when I'm too challenged to write a story, I'll write haiku instead, which is what I did this week. And often, my haiku is a metaphor for life.

If you'd like to read other flash fiction tales about the photo, click here. As always, feel free to leave links to your blogs with your comments!

Reaching

Barren branches reach

toward heaven each winter

waiting for rebirth.

"Waiting for My Boy" #FridayFictioneers #FlashFiction

Madison Woods posted a bit of a different photo prompt today, and what a pretty dog. (According to the photo's file name, her name is "Bobbie Sue.") So much to write about her wise, watchful eyes. I'm excited to read the variety of flash that is sure to be written about her. Click here for links to all the stories.

Feel free to leave a link to your stories with your comments!

Waiting for My Boy

It’s the longest part of the day

Waiting while the sun that

shines overhead drops and hides

behind the oak across the street and cool

shade replaces warm sunshine on

my belly.

The yellow school bus engine revs

as it approaches.

Brakes squeal.

It stops in front of the oak.

My boy runs across the street, his

satchel bulging with homework that will take

him away from me for hours.

My tail wiggles, then

ripples through me

until

my whole body

shivers

with

one,

giant wag.

He flings the gate open,

kneels and wraps his arms around

me.

The-scent-of-him-the-taste-of-him.

My boy!

#FlashFriday #FridayFictioneers: "Glittering"

Strange that this week's photo prompt by Madison Woods screamed "HAIKU!" Maybe it's because it was so challenging I couldn't think of a full 100 word flash fiction. So, instead, I settled for seventeen syllables. Click here to take a look at what others wrote about the jewels in the photo.

Glittering jewels

pale in comparison to

the brilliance of love.

Morrill's Monday Morning Mashup - 2/27/12

MASH-UP

A creative combination

or mixing of content

from different sources.

I'm back with the Mashup after a couple of weeks of Internet challenges and being out of town. I hope this week's blogs of Twitterly information will help you over the hump of Twitterphobia. After you read these articles, my best advice is "just do it." Stop twittering your thumbs over Twitter and get started. Little by little, you'll learn this very foreign language.

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This post titled "44 Essential Twitter Hashtags" by Caitlin Muir on the blog, www.AuthorMedia.Com, explains what a hashtag is, and describes how to use them effectively. Says Ms. Muir:  "Used correctly, Twitter hashtags are one of the best ways to connect with industry experts, readers, and other authors. Used incorrectly, it’s just another way to waste your precious time."

http://www.authormedia.com/2012/01/24/44-essential-twitter-hashtags-every-author-should-know/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AuthorTechTips+%28Author+Tech+Tips%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

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When it comes to effectively using social media, Madison Woods is one of the best I know. She has begun an excellent and comprehensive series on the Writerly Business Plan on her blog. One of the components of that series is "Twitter as a Tool." Madison says:  "Networking is way different from selling. Marketing is not directly selling. It’s the art of making someone want whatever you are offering."

http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/writerly-business-plan-using-twitter-as-a-tool/

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Insatiable Booksluts. With a name like that you know you want to visit this website. And it gives you some idea that these bloggers (Susie, Rob and Amy) post information in an entertaining and informative manner, for both writers and readers. Their post on "Using Twitter to Market the Books You Wrote" provides great information on what to do, and more importantly, what NOT to do when using Twitter for marketing:  "Even super famous people with a zillion followers don’t spend all their time sitting around saying 'buy my book/watch my show/etc!' They wouldn’t have a zillion followers if they did that."

http://insatiablebooksluts.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/hey-you-should-read-this-using-twitter-to-market-the-books-you-wrote/

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

A man should not
enter a house suddenly
without knocking.

               --- The Talmud

#FlashFriday #FridayFictioneers: Precious Delusion

Between my Internet being down and my mini-vacation in the Land of Enchantment (that would be Santa Fe, NM), I've missed the Friday Fictioneers! But, I'm happy to be back this week, and can't wait to read the other stories (click here and you can read them, too!) inspired by Madison Woods's photograph.:

Precious Delusion

     Perhaps you’ve heard of “little man complex.” Sadly, Precious, my little French Poodle, suffered from a terminal case of “little dog complex.”

    I remember my little foofoo barking wildly, her rhinestone collar glittering, even in the dull sunlight of that foggy afternoon. Her fatal delusion was the distraction I needed to get away. Still, I’m haunted by her tiny yelp as she was thrown against the rock where she now rests.

     So, I come to visit her, even a dozen years after her grizzly death. Yes, it was grizzly--as in bear--that brought her untimely end.

#FlashFriday #FridayFictioneers: Lovers Quarrel

There's so much to love about Fridays, but one of the things I love most is Madison Woods' Friday Fictioneer series. Her photo prompts stir my creativity and help me to step out of the comfort zone of my usual genres. This week's prompt was just one more example of a photo that gave my flabby brain the workout it needed.

Click here to read more fabulous flash fiction by the Friday Fictioneers.

     Lovers Quarrel

     Tessa Toad stared at her beau frog with bulging eyes. “You broke my stool.”
     “I didn’t mean to, my love.” Beau Frog’s nostrils twitched. “How can I make it up to you? Shall I bring you a dozen flies to tempt your pallet? Babysit the tads while you go lily pad hopping with the girls? Serenade you at sunset? Oh dear. I so fear you’ll love me less.”
     The thought of a dozen flies made Tessa’s tongue uncurl. Beau sure knew the way to her heart. “Oh, bull, Frog! Though I may hate you more, I could never love you less.”


Note: I "borrowed" that last line from the movie War Horse. Best line in the movie!

#FlashFriday #FridayFictioneers: The Chosen One

What a beautiful photo prompt by Madison Woods this week. Her photo prompts are typically challenging and stimulating, but this week the challenge for me was not to try to think of a story idea, but to pick a story idea from the several that popped into my head.

As always, I'm excited to read what everybody else wrote. Check out the other stories on Madison's blog!

The Chosen One

She would not be afraid.

Dressed in a clean, white gown, she walked up the mountain. Mother on one side, Father on the other.

She would not be afraid.

Still, she felt her father’s hand tremble on her arm. Heard her mother’s whimpers.

She would not be afraid.

The One to whom she’d been promised heaved before her, his breath hot and angry. They told her she would calm him.

She would not be afraid.

Cresting the volcano, she watched orange flames leap before her like a lover’s fingers, hungry to touch.

But she would not be afraid.

#FlashFriday #FridayFictioneers: That Girl

Welcome back, Madison Woods! Though she says it's a long road back to reality after her memorable vacation, it's good to have her back! We missed you, Madison!

I thought this week's photo prompt was different from most, but as always, I enjoyed the challenge.

You can read how it inspired other Fictioneers on Madison's blog at: http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/first-contact/

As always, feel free to leave a link with your comments!

That Girl

     I lit a cigarette and thought about how I hated to see her go. Again. Thank God for dark glasses.

     "Wow, Mister."

     The kid snapped me out of thoughts of our bedroom farewell. “Wow, what?" I asked.

     "That's some pretty girl you got."

     I took a long drag. Yeah, tell me about it.

     I heard a whistle . . . and it wasn't the train's. It was the steward, gawking up at my girl.

     Hell. I'd sure miss her.

     Another drag and I headed back to my empty bed, wondering if I'd ever quit smoking.

#FlashFriday #FridayFictioneers: Red, White and Blue No More

Every week I think Madison Woods has posted the most challenging photo yet. This week, while Madison is on vacation, the Fictioneer guest host, Susie Lindau, has posted a photo, and I said the same thing. What a nice workout our imagination gets every Friday! You can read other stories based on this week's photo at her blog, http://susielindau.com/.

Red, White and Blue No More

     Wide-eyed, Sam pointed. "I've never seen so many flags!"

     "Neither have I," his mother replied.

     He noticed she looked sad. "What's wrong, Mommy? Don't you think they're pretty?"

     She patted his hand. "Sure they are."

     "My teacher told us flags used to be red, white and blue. What happened to the red and blue?"

     "Once, our country had a red party and a blue party. Have you studied the Second Civil War yet?"

     "No."

     "It almost destroyed the country, until finally, a white flag was raised. From that day, it was decided there would be no more red or blue. Only white."

#FlashFriday #FridayFictioneers: A Brief History of The Pernicious Pod

This week, I am honored to be the guest "host" on Madison Woods' blog for the Friday Fictioneers. Madison posted another challenging photo prompt, which moved me to write something completely outside of my usual genre. I don't know how successful I was, but I enjoyed it! And, I'm looking forward to reading the variety of stories this photo prompted.

Please feel free to leave a link to your blog with your comments.

A Brief History of the Pernicious Pod

     The Pod arrived on Earth from the planet Iniquitous, more than four hundred years ago. Documents left by the aliens were transcribed by cryptologic linguists centuries later and indicated the creatures were sent to Earth with the objective of mating with various life forms in an effort to inconspicuously occupy and take over the planet.

     Unfortunately, the scientific community of Iniquitous did not anticipate the Pods’ primary source of attraction would be rocks, which they apparently mistook for Earth Pods.


     Hypothesis: The Pods failed in their attempt to take over the planet, but they went out smiling.

#FlashFriday #Fictioneers: Home

T.G.I. Flash Friday! Here's this week's photo prompt by Madison Woods. It made me shiver, but it also made me warm. :) Thanks, Madison!

Home

     
     My bones are weary from being on the road again. My shoulders tense, my eyes weary.

     When at last, I turn onto my road, there's Skipper—waiting patiently, as she always does. Our eyes meet. Her ears perk up, and when I see she is certain it is me, her tail wags. She skips to greet me.

     Ah, home.

     We rush up the drive together. Inside, Our Miss will greet us with a bowl of food. One for Skipper. One for me. Once sated, we shall curl up by the warm fire.

     Skipper. Me. Our Miss.
     Home.

#FlashFriday #Fictioneers "Fly on the Wall"

I love the holidays, except for a few things. One of those things is that Madison Woods took a break and didn't post her photo prompt. Imagine leaving all of us Fictioneers to suffer withdrawals! But, this week,

We're back!!

And wow, did Madison post a different kind of picture! I love it, because I've always wanted to be a fly on the wall. Now, I can buy one! Thanks, Madison!!

Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall? Listen in on those conversations you aren’t supposed to hear? Catch someone in the act of doing something they shouldn’t be doing?

Super Fly Spy!

Yes, now you too, can own the futuristic spy device that allows you to eavesdrop in secret agent style.

Got a cheating spouse?

Super Fly Spy!

Want to know what someone’s been doing on the computer?

Super Fly Spy!

Afraid someone’s talking behind your back? That’s right!

Super Fly Spy to the rescue!

Hurry! Hurry! Don’t miss out. Supplies are limited!

Christmas Gifts #fridayflash #fridayfictioneers #100words

I love the sweet simplicity of  this week's photo prompt by Madison Woods. Here's the story it inspired:

Christmas Gifts

     Joey poked his head through the door. “Close your eyes.”

     “Oh, honey. Not now. I’m cooking.” I turned so he wouldn’t see I’d been crying.

     “Come on, Mom. I’ve got a surprise for you,” he pleaded.

     I shut my eyes. They burned beneath my lids.

     “Don’t open them until I say so.”

     “I won’t.”

     I heard him groan a bit, some rustling, the creak of the shutting door.

     “Almost done,” he said. “Okay, open your eyes.”

     A tiny tree. A smile beaming on Joey’s face.

     “Before Dad left, he said to be sure you had a Christmas tree.”

#FlashFriday #Fictioneers "Leaving Little World"

I especially liked the photo prompt by Madison Woods this week, because it reminded me of a dream I had once. It came at a time when I was so afraid to make a decision, I compared it to jumping from a cliff. In my dream, I finally decided to jump, believing it was my only choice. At first, I fell, but only for a moment. Then, I grew wings. And flew.

The next day, I made the decision, and I've never regretted it.

Leaving Little World

Mama didn’t tell her to stay put this time. How long had she been gone, anyway? And her sister? Her brother?

She was hungry. Alone.

She stared into Big World. Bright sunshine. Big.

All she’d ever known was Little World. Cozy. Warm. But . . .

She was hungry.  Alone.

She stood on the perch, her heart pounding as loud as the clap of thunder from The Storm that almost destroyed Little World in the spring. There was only one thing to do, because . . .

She was hungry. Alone.

She jumped.

Flapping!

Falling!

Flapping!

Until . . . she flew.

#Flash Fiction Friday: Captain Josie and The Whale

Here's my flash fiction for Madison Woods' weekly Flash Fiction Friday. Thanks again, Madison, for a great photo prompt. You should try it, readers. You'll be hooked!

This is an excerpt from my short story, "Captain Josie and the Whale." The short story is available on Smashwords. To purchase, go to my Smashwords page on this blog.

When twilight next comes, watch.  Where the edge of the earth touches the sky, look carefully. There you'll see Captain Josie and her whale, William, swimming together.
As the light of day dims, they dive into the sea.  Though the orange-red glow of their love prevents anyone from looking too closely, if you could look, you’d see Josie hold tight to William as they dip below the horizon, and kiss the earth goodnight.