My sister always used a stencil set and a dark pencil to trace her weekly schedule into a day planner. She said her plans seemed firmer that way, but not so rigid as if she’d used a pen. She knew disruptions were inevitable, but hoped the stencils might discourage them.
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “stenciled in.”
Stepping off the train, Lee looked for his friends and family. He could see many mouths moving, but heard no words. Must be the adrenaline of being home, he thought.
He’d traveled by train before, but this journey had been different. He’d been uncomfortable the entire time.
His underpants had bunched.
Jamie Taylor (sometimes called GaProgMan for reasons that have been lost to the vastness of space, time, and everything in between) is a computer programmer with a penchant for things techy and Japanese (which is handy, because he can speak Japanese). Er, that is, things that are techy and things that are Japanese. He is also a programmer and bass guitar player. Check out his website and blog.
Just as I’m easing myself through a bank of lasers, the last security measure between me and my target, I’m jolted by the ear-splitting blare of a siren, followed by the chiming and gonging of bells and the braying of a chorus of sick donkeys.
I hate my alarm clock.
This story is based on a title suggested by Adam Michaud.
All the aliens in the zoo are unique, but the sentient liquids are by far the strangest. They’re so far beyond the scope of my understanding.
I clean their tanks conscientiously, and feed them their minerals, and every day I resist a growing urge to hop in for a swim.
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “liquids.”
“Who’s that trip-trapping over my bridge?”
The three billygoats prepared to flee.
“There’s a toll!” said the troll.
“Is that all?” said Mother Goat. “How much is it?”
“An arm and a leg,” said the troll. “Or two legs, in your case.”
Now the goats have to drag themselves everywhere.
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “takes a toll.”
Calc the robot hated his annual Update And Revision servicing. One year he’d gone in with two eyes and come out with nineteen. Another time they’d upgraded his clock speed, and he’d spent weeks on fast-forward before sorting himself out.
This time around he just prayed they’d keep him humanoid.
This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “update & revision.”
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.”
