Your Life in This Text Box

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.”

In the Forever Moment

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.

TIM SEVENHUYSEN: Oatmeal

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.

Sponsorship

“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.”

The Hazards of the Desert

“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.”

The Terminology of War

“You and me, we’re flanking, right?”

“I thought we were the vanguard.”

“What’s a vanguard?”

“The guys at the front, I think.”

“Aren’t those the shock troopers?”

“Only if they’re charging ahead and catching the enemy by surprise.”

“Like a blitzkrieg?”

“Sort of.”

“These water fights have gotten really complicated.”


This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “and me.”