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55 Word Challenge - Week 37 (Week 1 for me!)

Yesterday night I saw mention of the 55 word challenge and decided to investigate...the aim being to write a story in 55 words (or there abouts) based on one of the photo prompts. Here is a link for you to check out the other great entries. Below is my very first entry!

The prompt I used:


My 55 word story...

She tried the handle, it turned but wouldn't open, and she began frantically yanking the door. Every time she did so the walls of the house moved inwards and the roof lowered. What had started as a large barn and shelter from the rain was now a small shack that threatened to be her coffin.
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Write 4 Ten: Airplane restroom

Its been one of those weeks and because yesterdays post was practically non-existent, I bring to you a little fun fiction from the Write4Ten prompt: Airplane Restroom.

As she sat on the toilet regretting the curry from the night before she heard the ding as the ‘fasten your seatbelt’ light came on, she knew that any minute now someone would knock on the door and tell her to return to her seat. Would it be inappropriate to shout back that she was too hungover & too tired? She was regretting getting carried away in the airport bar when the flight was delayed, she closed her eyes for just a second, that was better, why did they make the lights in the airport loo so bright?

When she had finished her ablutions she stood up, probably a little too fast, and looked in the mirror. She leaned on the sink and shook her head, damn it god, I wish I could look in the mirror and see someone much more graceful looking back at me or at least let me live in an age when pale, slightly plump with crazy…
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Write 4 Ten: At the breakfast table

Untitled Document At the breakfast table was this weeks prompt for Write 4 Ten (see side bar)and I decided to write for it. I went slightly off topic of 'at the breakfast table'. I was prompted by it though, so I guess that still counts.

The wooden table filled the dining room leaving barely enough space to walk around it whilst people were seated. There was pulling out space but that was it. It ocupied the whole room, owning it, and people had to fit in where they could. It had orginally been her great grandmothers, and then her grandmothers, her mothers and eventually on her wedding day it became hers.

It had plenty of dents in it from over the years; the time it had fallen off the cart that had carried it from the flea market to her great grandmothers house, some scratches; when the children were learning to use cutlery, a partial saw ridge; her brother and cousin had it in their heads that they were going to make a pirate ship out of it, her grandfather had rescued it jus…
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Write 4 Ten: Ceiling Fan

Morning! 
I have missed these prompts and thought I would treat you all. I use the term 'treat' quite loosely here. So, here it is....
Szhvit…szhvit…szhvit..the ceiling fan whirred above the bed. It only succeeded in moving the warm air around the room. She lay on the large bed in shorts and t-shirt, trying to be as flat as she could and inadvertently making a snow angel. ‘Snow’ she thought…and then tried to unthink it…as she looked to the window and started to see snowflakes floating down to the ground. She stood up and turned the fan off, she figured that she had about half an hour until she would have to put the fire on.
Children who had been playing out in the streets, having water fights were now even more excited at the prospect of being able to make snowmen, to have snowball fights and to have a day off from school. She smiled to herself, the hot weather had made her so lethargic as all her energy was spent on keeping cool, cold weather she could do things in, she could…
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Write 4 Ten: On a fishing boat

During band interviews, I used to ask whether the song came first or the music. I was surprised to hear most say that the music came first but it is a bit like the chicken and the egg scenario.

I cannot write music and I doubt I am the greatest song writer that ever there lived, but this morning I was inspired to write a song albeit a very brief folksy (I imagine) song. I would love to be able to have some music to go with this and if you are a musician who has accidentally stumbled onto this page and thinks you have a tune for it then I would love to hear it (hoping for miracles). EDIT: Someone recorded it for me!!! See video below!

It was written in response to the Write4Ten prompt: On a fishing boat [Setting] (please note: I have changed the image as this is more appropriate to the theme of my song/ditty)


As I sail to you
Early in the morning, through the wind and the rain My body is beaten by nature, without any refrain I battle the seas, with my sails and my net Just to get clos…
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Write 4 Ten: Casual

Recorded version...
Write 4 Ten: Casual

Oh damn! He says he wants to keep our relationship casual. Casual?! What is that supposed to mean exactly? I’ve never been able to understand what that means. Does it just mean that we don’t speak about our feelings? Does that mean that I am not supposed to call him my boyfriend? Even after 6 months?
Oh damn! I’m stuck now in an awkward silence, one that I can’t break without it being awkward, I don’t know exactly how to respond. If I ask what it means am I breaking some unwritten rule? I wonder if I can tell by looking at him. Did my heart just flutter? I think it’s a bit too late for casual. I think, I think I love him. I’ve ruined it now by falling for him. It’s going to be my entire fault for sure. After all, he wants it to be casual and I have messed up. I daren’t look at him, dare I?
Oh damn! I can’t look away. My eyes are locked on him; I just need to see if I can read it in his face, does he really mean it? His eyes aren’t saying much, ju…
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Five Sentence Fiction: Flawed

I nearly forgot that today was FSF day!

Here is my contribution :)


Tonight was THE night.
In the past she had always chickened out but tonight nothing was going to stand in her way.
He wouldn’t know what hit him she thought, as she smoothed the silk gown over her hips and carefully placed her feet into the crystal slippers, he didn’t stand a chance when she looked this good.
Entering the ballroom from the side entrance, she could see him talking to one of her ugly sisters – ugh! – this Prince was hers and she was going to show everyone.
She grabbed the nape of his neck, closed her eyes and kissed him as her stomach performed a million somersaults, she opened her eyes “Buttons!”
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Write 4 Ten: In the ambulance

Today is Wednesday on Write 4 Ten and its a setting...


The smell of disinfectant caressed her nasal passages and weaved its way towards her throat, she could taste the bitterness on her tongue and it made her heave, as she tried to sit up. A hand grabbed her arm, it was strong but handled her tenderly. An almost gravelly voice told her to “lie back, it will be ok, just lie back”.
She flickered open her eyes but the intensity of the light was too much and she could only squint. It was all shadows. She tried to move again but felt a sharp stabbing pain in her side and the feeling was so intense that she crumpled into the gurney, her eyes rolled up slightly and a small squeak creaked out of her throat.
Her teeth began to chatter involuntarily and she shivered. The feeling of coldness had sprung from nowhere, only a moment ago she had been burning up with fever she thought, as she felt a blanket being placed on her. Her body seemed to have adopted a jumpsuit of numbness. She could feel eve…
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Write 4 Ten: Lozenge

I was inspired to write this piece based on one of my phobias…
Sat there on the sofa in her Pjs and with a duvet over her she gazed at the TV. Her nose was bunged up and she was forced to sit open mouthed in order to breathe. Her only interruption was a niggling yet persistent cough. It didn’t want to commit to being a big hearty cough, oh no, it liked to sit there at the back of her throat occasionally stroking her tonsils and setting them to itch mode. Her chest was laden with a sheen of vapour rub but for all the effect it was having she might have well used vegetable oil. Beside her was a glass of water and a combination of used and fresh tissues.
She dreamed of respite from this blasted cold as she popped another lozenge into her mouth. A yummy cherry one – there were some perks - but as she threw it in and then yanked the duvet back onto her (it had a habit of sliding off) the lozenge lodged in her throat. She released the duvet and half choked and coughed, choughed?,  in order …
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Five Sentence Fiction: Detour

Sleeping, silent, a gentle purr, Curled up, so small, a ball of Fur.
Listening, alert, a familiar sound, Footsteps, padding along the ground.
Paused, still, not even a flicker, Eyes dart, mind whirrs, which way is quicker.
Glaring, a look, the window is shut, How to escape that dastardly mutt.
Jumping, up high, to the top of the fridge, A shelf, on the wall, that serves as a bridge.
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Write 4 Ten: Occupied

She knew that she shouldn't have had cheese so close to bed time, and waking up with stomach cramps had been a stark reminder of her intolerance to dairy, and here she was only 5 minutes at work and in the loo.

What she hated most was the waiting, she could stay at her desk but would she make it in time, and she was slowly becoming one with the toilet seat. Sat there she could here people coming in an out of the loo and wondered if anyone had noticed the length of time that she had been away from her desk. She had chosen the disabled cubicle because it was at the far end of the bathroom and was always cleaner than the others. She was about to wipe and go when she heard some women come rushing into the loos. She recognised the voices as they spoke in hushed whispers and knew it would be too awkward to leave now. She would just have to sit tight, as it were, until they left.

‘Oh my god! Lisa! When did this happen? Tell me everything!’
‘It wasn't planned, Sarah. There isn't …
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Write 4 Ten: Tackle

I missed yesterdays prompt of 'incomplete' and thus made this weeks Write 4 Ten prompts 'incomplete'. I am not sure that that counts. But here is today's, I will say that I do not mention the world tackle and to some this may not be clear but I can tell you what it means to me. It is about being a writer and about my experience as limited as it is. It is about tackling the everyday and although met with challenges and sent on an emotional roller coaster there is always an experience, a conversation, something that you might draw from when writing. Any feedback is truly appreciated.
A new day and fresh eyes are blurry Energy in abundance and expelled at a pace Embracing notes on the air Eager to reach but not ready to race
The ideas wander maniacally Resting on the usual suspects What level of depth seems relevant? To choose from each new prospect
Distracted by influence and intrigue And thoughts bouncing through the mind Opting for potential that’s underdeveloped …
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Behind the Curtain Flash Fiction Contest

I saw this on Twitter and thought I would join in. I am always nervous, even more so that I don't tend to write dark stories, but when I saw the pinterest board the image below sparked my imagination. 

Here is my story (339 words) and I hope you like it....
Update: I never won any prize or was picked as anyone's favourite story. But I have learnt so much by entering this contest and I know I still have more to learn. There were some great writers and people were generous with their comments and i appreciate that so very much. No more contests for me but this one was fun! :)
With a deep and raspy sigh the old crooked man picked up hisstrings and made the puppets dance.
For nigh on 80 years from morn until night he had been doingthis, for the last 40 years he had been the puppet master, for as long as hecould remember this had been his life. His memory was fading as fast as hisfuture.
On waking he had felt a sharp stabbing pain in his chestthat had snatched his breath away. If he…
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Five Sentence Fiction: Coincidence

So a quick scan of past prompts for Five Sentence Fiction has me choosing 'Coincidence' to continue the mini rom-com date.

He looked at her directly in the eyes and she glared back.

It was at that moment that she saw the corners of his mouth start to curl up, his eyes twinkled as his shoulders began to shake, as his whole face lit up he let out the cutest of laughs from that mouth.

How could she not smile back at him, as annoyed as she was at herself for it, she laughed and shook her head in disbelief at the situation.

'So...' she said, unsure as to what they were now laughing at.

He smiled, brushed the errant strand of hair from her eyes and said 'You passed.'

 Thanks for reading!
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Five Sentence Fiction: Birthday Special

I wrote the five sentence fiction for this week and then remembered that some people are waiting for the next part of the little rom-com.

So first things first, my initial inspiration based on the theme of any previous prompts, I opted for my own choice and in honour of National Poetry Day, a little poem for Lillie.

A word. A pause. A thought. A thrill. A tale to be told.
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Write 4 Ten: Stadium

Ok, so today is setting day and i have written this rather hastily in the ten minutes whilst at my sisters.

The setting prompt always does the job of inspiring me and this is what spewed from my brain and to my fingertips!

The sun was beating down onto his bare chest, scorching the skin and making it burn red.

There was no air. Not even a gentle breeze to clear away the stench of rotting flesh. The remains of those slain earlier that week were left there as inspiration to the next man that would come to battle here.

Looking up through squinted eyes towards the crowd was always overwhelming. It did not matter how many times he would stand here as each was the same. The roar of the crowd was beyond deafening, there was nothing recognisable anymore as the vibrations echoed in his ears and traversed his body.

Every muscle was tensed, held taut and pulsating in anticipation. Only he knew how brittle each was, how weak he had become, with one hit they could turn to dust and his bones shatter…
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Write 4 Ten: Raven

Todays prompt is Raven...and I opted for something poetic but didn't get too far in the ten minutes. If you want to join in (please do) then click on the link to the right.


Perched atop the gargoyle on sentry duty sat the raven. Gravediggers viewed beneath the soil the deads resting place and haven.
His view from the perching spot Gave him an advantage over all A vision of statues, tombs and burial plots Through spring, summer, winter and fall.
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Write for Ten: Offence

Its Monday!

I have been waiting all weekend for this morning's prompt - at least I was on Friday and Saturday morning and then I let it leave my mind. Then yesterday whilst at the Car Wash I was thinking how that would be an interesting prompt. I would love to read peoples pieces on that.

So this morning I have checked to see the prompt which is: Offence

I usually read the prompt and start writing straight away with no pause to consider anything, it is currently 8.40am and I am going to give myself 20 minutes and start the timer at 9am - my money is on me thinking through every possible scenario and then coming up with something I hadn't considered!

....I am off to ponder...8 minutes till write-off and I have no clue...

Ok, so I don't seem to be able to write much in the ten minutes and hopefully over time that may improve..I was inspired in the end by listening to 'My Way' by the Sex Pistols:



and here it is!


A wry smile worked its away across her face as she looked…
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Write for Ten: Dump

This morning when I woke up I was ready to Write for Ten. I went to check the prompt to see what it was today – Dump – hmmm, I had no idea of where to start or even if I would be able to write anything. I think there is too much choice. I liked that about the setting prompt, that it had to be in a Police Station so I didn’t have to make any decisions other than to write with that in mind. With word prompts and so much variety I am finding it much harder – I am not a natural decision maker – and I am sure this is great practice for me.So, I am sat here on my day off at 9.50am ready to get writing for 10 minutes, I am listening to my starred playlist from Spotify and the first song up is Amy Winehouse and Valerie….wish me luck…‘its raining, its pouring, the old man is snoring’ she sang. The baby still screamed out as if she was ripping her arms out of their sockets. She began bouncing her on her knees and the crying stopped, she stopped the bouncing and the crying started again, she beg…
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Write for Ten: Deck

I decided that I would have another try using the write for ten prompt and see what would spring from my mind. I was surprised again, but not in the same way as yesterday, I was surprised by the whimsy of it. I guess that is one of the good things about doing the Write for Ten, is that you discover things about yourself & your writing. Please feel free to leave an opinion.

‘Wow’ she said as she swirled around the large empty space. She simultaneously spread her fingers and toes to fill as much of the room as her small frame could, and after a large intake of breath she breathed out and a smile slowly lit up her face.

She was filled with so much joy that she didn’t believe that she would ever be able to stop swirling around. As she did so she envisioned all the changes that would be made to the room; the large coniferous tree would fill the corner where the old piano used to be, soft leather chairs would be placed by the fireplace to sink into, the fireplace would be garnished with s…
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