Bottles, half-alive mounds of clothing, sauce-stained plates, and dead cigarettes groan in a growing sea of torment. His children scream eerily, tearing round. Insane frenzy.
(Neighbors whisper. Shiftless.)
Blue eyes vacant, he sits in the wreckage, thinking of how she looked like a blooming tea rose before the casket shut.
Constance is addicted to writing, getting her inspiration from abandoned houses, panthers, and peanut butter.
We were at some overpriced, hipsterish coffee “boutique.” Jared got a mug of frothy stuff and stuck his face right in there, giving himself a mustache.
“Lookin’ good!” I joked, so he kept the “mustache” going all evening. Ironically, he said.
Wait. That doesn’t mean he likes me, does it?
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “froth.”
I’ve teased a “Pirate Week” a couple of times over the past few months, and now I’m announcing that it is Officially On.
For the week of February 20 to 24, 2012, every story posted to 50WS will be pirate-themed. I’ll be looking for as many submissions as I can get. Forget one story per day, or even two stories per day: I’m going to post as many stories each day during that week as seems appropriate, so get writing and send your work in!
And guess what: there will be prizes! Here is the updated full prize list:
Grand Prize:Fine print re: t-shirts: Shirts with stories on the back are only available up to size Large right now, but shirts with blank backs are available in more sizes. Shipping inside North America is included with your prize; if the winner lives outside North America I’d appreciate $5 to help cover the additional postage costs.
Contest Rules:
I’m looking forward to seeing what lands in my inbox. Arr, maties!
“It’s literally unbelievable how fast I can run.”
“Uh huh. Sure. Are you as fast as a car?”
“I’m faster than that.”
“As fast as a jet?”
“Faster than that.”
“As fast as Usain Bolt?”
“Faster than that.”
“Pfff. Maybe in your dreams.”
“…Isn’t that what we were talking about?”
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “faster than that.”
The lady at the talent agency handed me a pen. “We need a one-paragraph bio to include with your profile.”
“Just one paragraph?” I said. “Wow. Um… Is there a limit on the number of sentences?”
She looked at me kind of funny. “Are you sure acting is your thing?”
I’m not sure if it’s harder or easier for a writer to put together a single-paragraph bio. I know it’s pretty hard for me!
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “one paragraph.”
Certain facial expressions can instantly bring a lump into your throat. Certain phrases can tie a knot in your stomach.
“I hate to have to tell you this…”
“I’m really sorry, but…”
“Why don’t you sit down.”
Then comes a forever moment, shaped like all your deepest fears.
Take heart.
The Lime Bandit was finally in handcuffs.
As they tossed him in the police car, they struggled to discover the origin behind his namesake (his crimes were never lime-related at all) but he just laughed.
They would find out soon enough; the strategically hidden tick nests would be mature soon.
Brandon is an undergraduate student with no online presence whatsoever. He’ll start up a webcomic eventually, though. How’s that for dedication?
My life is like a bowl of oatmeal. It’s bland, grey, and kind of lumpy, only becoming bearable when I pile on the brown sugar.
Unlike the rest, the “brown sugar” part isn’t a metaphor. I crave the stuff constantly, by the bowlful.
Ironically, I’m kind of a bitter person.
This story is based on a title suggested by @cthomlan.
“Hello?”
“Hey man.” I could hear Marv’s half-baked grin through the phone.
I sighed. “Fall off the wagon again?”
“Kinda! I’m still sober, but I broke my hip falling off a hay ride, and I’m suing big! Awesome, eh? Gonna miss some meetings.”
Being Marv’s sponsor drove me to drink.
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “falling off the.”
“It’s a sand witch!” I shouted. “Run!”
My warning came too late. She caught us in her magical snares and turned us into camels.
It took three years to escape, and two more to find a wizard who could change us back. On the upside, I kept the water retention.
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “it’s a sandwich.”
