#SatSunTails - Iridescent Flame

Haven't written any flash fiction lately but decided to rectify that by taking part in this weekend's #SatSunTails challenge set by Rebecca Clare Smith (@jocastalizzbeth). The picture seemed to capture my imagination so all I had to do was set it free...

Today’s Word Prompt!

The following may be used as a sentence in your story OR provide a basis for it:-

“iridescent flame”

And the rules are simple write a story in 150 words (5 words either way allowed)

Maggie gazed upward into the heart of the iridescent flame burning as bright as her passion to escape.

But she wouldn’t leave yet, not without Tom by her side. 

Out of worry she tore at the skin by her thumbnail with her teeth, then squeezed until a jewel of blood appeared. If Tom were here he would gently clasp her hand to stop her self-destruction.

Finally he emerged from the far side of the clearing; he was not alone.

“Maggie, get the axe!” 

It weighed heavy in her hands as she watched the chase below play out in slow motion.

Tom reached the ladder, the huge bag strapped to his back made his climb unsteady.

Then one of the bandits pulled on the anchor rope, the balloon lurched.

Another jolt, Tom jumped into the basket; he uncurled her fingers from the axe.

With an almighty swing the cords were cut.

They were floating free.

SatSunTails - Interloping Disaster

Having a bit of a flash fiction frenzy at the moment - well we are pretty much snowed in so what else is there to do on a cold January in Saturday except read, write and watch DVDs?

Glad to see that Rebecca Clare Smith is back with her SatSunTails - these prompts grabbed me straight away.

The following may be used as a sentence in your story OR provide a basis for it:-

“interloping disaster”

And here is your picture prompt:

 

I hope you enjoy my story, I had fun writing it.

This was the hottest ticket in town.  I’d paid Jimmy McDonald all of my pocket money for this moment even though it meant I would have to go without my usual visit to corner shop on the way home.

Sherbet lemons strangely lost their sparkle compared to being here in this sweet smelling heaven.

Everyone said Jimmy’s big sister Nancy could be a model with those long legs and well turned out ankles, from my prominent position I swooned with delight at my private viewing.

Of course I couldn’t see much above her ankles but at her feet was a bounty of mesmerising girl stuff. Every few seconds a manicured hand would reach down carefully plucking the desired potion from the treasure.

It was unfortunate that the talcum powder caused me to sneeze.

Nancy gave me such a disapproving look.

“Mum, Jimmy’s fat friend is underneath my bed and I think he’s stuck!”

#FlashFictionDistraction no. 2

I've been pulled away from #NaNoWriMo by another #SatSunTails prompt.

I've had a bit of fun with this one and have probably been watching too much Dr Who which has certainly influenced this time travelling tale.

The word prompt was "Time's miscreant".

I looked up miscreant - I like to check the BIG words. Scoundrel and troublemaker were two words that appeared in the Thesaurus list.

But what if he truely thought he was helping...?

 He stood before the council somewhat vexed by their rebuke.

“I wanted to help them, they are such small unintelligent creatures, unbelievably stupid. How can they survive without us?”

“The human race are on their own. It is not your place to interfere. You know the rules; three strikes and you are out. We have no other option but to terminate you.”

“Oh I don’t think so.”

They may have wrenched the time band from his wrist but he had fashioned another time jumping device from the battered TV set. It just required fine tuning. 

The Celts were first bemused by his appearance, but they looked great in blue. 

He sorted out his skin tone when he reached the Tudors only to be denounced for witchcraft.

All his intergalatic jokes and Queen Victoria remained steadfastly unamused.

This was his final chance to find a time when he would be accepted.

OK time for me to get back to NaNoWriMo now and stop procrastinating - oh if only time travel were really possible!

#FlashFictionDistraction no.1

I should be writing for #NaNoWriMo - I have written precisely zero words today - I am such a rebel and it could be yet another really late night...

I have been distracted well and truely by this week's #SatSunTails comp. Well I figured that Jeffrey Hollar needs some competition, he's always the first to enter and his writing is superb - check out his blog The Latinum Vault for his wonderful flash fictions.

Today’s #SatSunTails Prompt!

The following may be used as a sentence in your story OR provide a basis for it:-

“bludgeoned cochineal”

And here is your picture prompt:

 

Taking a deep breath at the front door, listening to her yelling I remembered our hard fought past battles. Today’s outburst hadn’t been ignited by teenage PMT or an overdose of E numbers at a birthday party. 

In rage she had bludgeoned the old bottle of cochineal food colouring; the glass bottle that had once belonged to my mother. These days you can only buy artificial Barbie pink; more than just beetles were crushed and harmed in adorning every surface with crimson stains.

Fortunately still holding the umbrella I deflected the bag of flour by a quick thinking flick of the switch. I had never been its intended victim; another innocent bystander.

As I lowered my shield she collapsed sobbing in my arms.

Surveying the disaster zone of a kitchen one thing I knew for sure, cleaning this mess would be far easier than piecing together my daughter’s broken heart.

150 words precisely, I am so proud of my extensive edited and perfect word count. 

After the Strictly results show and all the other Sunday evening jobs are done I am going to write more ... oh so much more...

...unless I fall asleep!

If I have an keyboard inprint on my face tomorrow you know why!

#SatSunTail - the bit that Genesis missed out!

When I found this week's #SatSunTails prompt late last night I thought I might just give it a miss.

However in the shower this morning I got some inspiration.

Hope you enjoy my wicked tale and sincerely hope I don't get struck by lightning for this one!

With the word prompt "despicable cream" to be included in the story.

“Lucifer!” God roared, “I know you are hiding behind that tree!”

A shiny angel peered around the tree trunk.

“I sent you to the naughty step for that painting incident, who told you you could move? Look at you still covered in that despicable cream emulsion!”

“Neutral colours, like magnolia, are far better at reflecting the light.” Lucifer muttered, convinced of his superior artistic skills. Green grass and blue sky for goodness sake – did the Almighty One not know blue and green was a fashion disaster?

“Now what’s this Eve’s told me about the apple? Not content with creating your own mischief you have to lead my other children astray.”

Lucifer shrugged, he was getting sick and tired of playing second fiddle; he should really get a place of his own.

“I heard that thought. Consider your prayer answered.”

A bolt of lightning fell from the blue, striking the tree and sending Lucifer to hell!

155 words - must confess I made a typo on the original posted on Rebecca Clare Smith's blog. Can you spot the differences? One word added that I'd missed and one removed to keep word count!

Confession is good for the soul and God is always watching!