Category: writing prompts

Flight 45

Chris Hall59 Comments

https://unsplash.com/@usgs

previously

The red-headed writer, aka the Raconteuse, had been staying in her bolt hole place, a tiny flat right up on the rickety stairs, in Montmartre, near the cemetery; a useful place where she’d already sold her little picture for her tidy profit, just a week ago.

Now it was time to go, she grabbed her important things in her big bag; all she would need was some new warm clothes, buying them from a small boutique shop.

Soon she was making her way to the train, taking her to Charles de Gaulle airport, where she had been many times; she also liked to move around from place to place, often in different continents, but she’d never been to Iceland, it would be the coldest place she’d ever been.

After the usual performance to get in the plane and take off, including keeping her eyes shut for a couple of minutes, everything was fine; now she was quite happy to enjoy her gin and tonic, and look forward to seeing some of her friends from the Cafe, although what there were all doing was a mystery to her for the moment.

About three hours later, she’d been reading most of the time, but now there was a great deal of turbulence, as she put everything away and buckled up her seat belt tightly; she looked out from the window, and suddenly a huge plume of fire burst out from the volcano as it erupted.

‘Brace, brace, brace,’ yelled the captain.

next episode

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Denise Farley of Girlie On The Edge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: TONIC


More #SixSentenceStories

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Earth Day 2024

Chris Hall34 Comments

so many people
reaching out more

rage, rage, rage again

too much pollution
too many plastic bags and bottles

it should be a better place
so make it happen

just a little help
and hope

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Image credit: Tom Barrett @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a view of a walkway/ street, at a time when the shadows cast by the sun are out of proportion larger than the people walking the street.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #235 photo prompt

What do you see # 235- 22 April, 2024

Cape Storm

Chris Hall57 Comments

It moaned and raged across the south coast, right up to the highest mountains.

The storm lashed and buffeted the tallest trees, traumatising animals and people living in their shacks.

The birds, shaking with fear, crept in the hollows and bushes, while the squirrels hunkered down in the deep dreys as the huge palm tree swayed around our garden.

From morning to night the storm raged, and raged again; we looked out into the street where the fire and rescue truck had managed to take down a broken great tree, what a relief, but not before we saw terror in the faces of several people

And finally, in the morning, there was no wind or rain.

At least we all have our houses – the walls, the doors, the windows and the roofs – but everything else is such a mess, and we will only talk about the present at the moment.

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Di of Pensitivity 101
Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: TRAUMA, FEAR, TERROR

Denise Farley of Girlie On The Edge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: PRESENT


By the way, this was all true and it was just two weeks ago.

Almost Famous

Chris Hall51 Comments

A movie star in the making
but at the moment he’s treading the boards
he pretends he’s shy
but he’s nothing like it
he could even be a drama queen.

Well, maybe not
strike that one out.

He’s a beautiful man
so clean and fresh and tidy
but there’s one problem
he talks so very high
such a pity.

Actually, he could be a man in drag
and why not?

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Image credit: Sander Sammy @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a man holding a white face mask which is hiding half of his face. Only his light brown eyes and forehead are visible.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #234 photo prompt

What do you see # 234- April 15, 2024

Shall I Stay or Shall I Go

Chris Hall53 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

‘Please can I have my life back,’ she said. ‘Is it too much to ask?’

She can stride around the garden and she can run up and down the stairs, several times.
She’s so fit but she can’t go out.

But there’s no one. No one at all.

Quiet, very quiet, she thinks.

She looks at the big door; the one that opens in the street, and she looks back in the hall, for a moment.

Then slowly, very slowly, she opens the door, just a tiny crack.
She opens a little more – a creaking sound – then nothing.

She looks out, staring left and right.

‘Shall I come out?’

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Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.


Be strong?

Chris Hall57 Comments

two strong guys
sometimes it’s hug
just because

just a little hug
good guys always friends
all it needs

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Image credit: Josue Escoto @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows two men hugging. The expression on the face of the man facing the camera is quite intense and emotional.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #232 photo prompt

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What do you see # 232- April 1, 2024

A little hiatus (Tales from the SSC&B)

Chris Hall50 Comments

The red-headed writer, aka the Raconteuse, slides down onto the small flat-roofed section of the old mill building, scanning around while holding her huge bag. The most important new thing was the swanky penthouse on the opposite street where the Bartender stays there most of the time, particularly when the lovely dog, Hūnga, was home too; she’d invited her to stay but the red-head had declined.

She’d had thought about it, but she felt she should stay somewhere else – and in fact, she’d made a little nest, just next to the long-defunct elevator machine room on the top floor, that was all she needed.

She took out her notebook and pencil and started to write, but nothing would come out; she stares at the sky and then she tries again, but no, nothing. She decided to read her new Kindle – she has a lot of catching up to do – but it’s worth it; she settles down on her great big bag, making herself comfy.

Rather later she woke up, but now she’s refreshed and she’s happy to go down to the ground floor; it’s time to enjoy the evening.

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Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge’s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: SLIDE

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Two Friends

Chris Hall74 Comments


Monkey was always a little friend
but he only lived on the couch

Monkey liked to play with his people
but often he was alone

Monkey could look out to see what’s happening
but he had nothing to say

But one day he has a new friend
and he certainly looks familiar…

He used to live in Darkest Peru
but now he’s called Paddington

Monkey and Paddington talk all day
and sometimes they get into mischief!

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Image credit: Anastasiia Krutota@ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows two stuffed toys sitting on a cushion. The monkey on one side has its arm around the other stuffed toy that appears to be a hybrid between a bear and a penguin. (you can imagine your own combination)

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #231 photo prompt

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What do you see #231- March 25, 2024

The really Monkey and Paddington!

Equinox

Chris Hall66 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

It’s late afternoon as I walked along the sand dunes near the sea, smiling as I hopped down the bank to the beach, striding along to the rock pools, then poking around to see what was there; I could be busy for hours.

As it was getting into evening, it was still warm as I walked around the edge of the ocean, looking far out in the lovely False Bay; then I looked back at the harbour, as I waved at Jannie who’s a fishermen, who works to catch squid and octopus in the dark sea in the night.

Much later, I flung open my window, and there she was, the beautiful moon, Selene. There she stood alone, with all the stars around her; her gibbous moon lay on her back, arching her jewelled scimitar.

I shut my eyes for a moment, and then I saw the octopuses dancing up in the sky, shooting stars around the world, for twice a year it’s the equinox, as the celestial moon brings the spring rebirth, while the harvest moon must rest for the winter. Meanwhile, the octopuses play in the Milky Way, because all of the octopuses are aliens.

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Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge’s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: BANK

More #SixSentenceStories

Steps and Shadows

Chris Hall64 Comments

she walked silently
slowly measuring each step
then she stops and thinks

she gently walks again
listening in the cloisters,
is there someone there?

she turns around quickly
holding her notebook and pen,
but no-one is there

it’s so difficult
when you’re a writer

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Image credit: Nickola Johnny Mirkovic @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows an arched veranda, where multiple pillars support a high vaulted ceiling. The sun is casting shadows on the wall behind the veranda. At the end of it is a fancy door.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #230 photo prompt

What do you see # 230- March 18, 2024