[Write the Story] Someone is Hiding in the Linen Closet
Prompt: Someone is Hiding in the Linen Closet Words: grandfather, canoe, pear, cakewalk, blouse, assignment, stampede, present, dinner, slurp Story “Grandfather will be here in an hour.†That was the cue for the stampede. I felt a tug on my blouse as I took off down the hall. The others scattered to find every present […]
[Write the Story] Time Travel
Prompt: Time Travel Words: hurricane, email, launder, pastry garlic, staff, germs, gallery, brace, share Story “Welcome to Infinity Enterprises. I am Claudia. I will be your concierge during your planning. Allow me to escort you to the gallery where you will choose your destination.†I followed Claudia into a long hall with screens embedded into […]
[Write the Story] The Story Begins at a Funeral
Prompt: The Story Begins at a Funeral Words: poker, paramount, earlobe, marrow, epic, upgrade, offshoot, chihuahua, episode, icon Story You never know who’s going to show up to a funeral. Though the lady wearing poker chips from her ear lobes with a chihuahua in her purse was up there. I followed her – from distance […]
[Write the Story] Two People who Hate Each Other Have to Cooperate
Prompt: Two People who Hate Each Other Have to Cooperate Words: kidnap, pinstripe, quagmire, lofty, Adirondack, pinky, aftermath, kernel, legacy, fail Story “We have a problem.†Kitty cracked open on eye and glared at the lean, blond man in a pinstripe suit settling into the Adirondack chair next to her. Her hand slipped under the […]
[Write the Story] The Characters Are Aware That They’re Fictional
Prompt: The Characters Are Aware That They’re Fictional Words: oil rig, dynasty, lousy, vault, discharge, supreme, migrate, harvest, jaw, pudding Story “What idiot puts a vault on a friggin’ oil rig?†Diane whispered as they crept through the dark corridors and pipe structure of Supreme Harvest floating rig. Rings, dings, and hisses covered and sounds […]
[Write the Story] The Phone Rings at 3 A.M.
Prompt: The Phone Rings at 3 A.M. Words: guerilla, emerald, careless, traffic, liberate, adolescence, punch, wave, environment, oval Story Robert Earl Keen has a song where the chorus line is The road goes on forever and the party never ends. That’s how I feel every day. Except it’s not a party. It’s my job. Ring. […]
[Write the Story] A Family Gathering on a Holiday
Prompt: A Family Gathering on a Holiday Words: rabbi, irony, bamboozle, sturgeon, bale, reserve, vanquish, submerge, plum, rhetorical Story “You know, some families do plum pudding during the holidays.” Graham wrinkled his nose as he snagged a cookie on his way through the overly warm kitchen. “Your rhetorical observations are getting old. ” Callie swatted […]
[Write the Story] A Talented Musician Struggles to Make it Big
Prompt: A Talented Musician Struggles to Make it Big Words: crocodile, anchor, lasagna, anthem, fingernail, trout, federal, bog, jostle, repel Story “It’s going to happen for you, babe.” Veronica gestured with a forkful of trout almondine. “You’re amazing.” Evan picked at his lasagna. “I’m glad you think so, Ronnie, I just…I don’t know. No offense […]
[Write The Story] A Famous Fictional Character in the Wrong Story
Prompt: A Famous Fictional Character in the Wrong Story Words: stock market, serial, tangy, panda, ensemble, salute, average, Venus, boss, knee Story “Greed is good.” Gordon strolled through the market like the boss he was, suit crisp and tie straight. “No, Greedo was bad–well, he was a bounty hunter, so maybe not bad, but at […]
[Write the Story] Something Valuable Has Been Stolen
Prompt: Something Valuable Has Been Stolen Words: huntress, machinations, trophy, turncoat, treasure, minute, nook, historic, rock, ruin Story “It was right there!” Meagan jabbed a finger at the empty nook. A faint outline of dust showed where something had been disturbed. “And you’re sure –” Meagan cut off the question with a glare. “The Turncoat […]