Monthly Archives: August 2010
Welcome Susan Helene Gottfried
So while the cat’s away — that’d be Alice — this mousie gets to play here, huh? Cool. I can do that. I’ll even do it with style. If you weren’t here last September 9, you may not know me. Maybe you recognize my name from the comments trail here at Alice’s Restaurant. But what do you really know about me? We’ll start with the easy stuff. My name’s Susan Helene Gottfried, which is a long name for a woman […]
Joyful Decisions
So many to choose from! Where to begin? This one, or that? I’ll have to check them all out. I love spending a day at the library. Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Framed Portrait
Jack: Gin, let’s surprise Jill by hanging her favorite picture for her. Where should I hang it? Jack: Wait! Stop! Oh no! Jack: Honest, Darling. It’s not my fault. Today’s theme is framed The rules for Photohunt can be found here. Be sure to visit the home page.
Suzie’s House 179: A Boy’s Opinion
“It’s not my fault,” Gene growled as he followed Ben and into Ben’s room. “I never told her to do it.” Lisa let the two boys charge ahead. They were so full of testosterone it was better to just get out of their way. She waited for Tracy to pass through, too, because walking in front of Tracy tended to be an iffy proposition. It meant she went unnoticed as she entered the room, which suited her just fine. “Well […]
The Spirit of It
“Eight words, Nancy. I only went eight words over the limit.” “But the limit is 55. The point is, you went over.” “No one but you cares!” “Well, YOU should care. Doesn’t it bother you to cheat?” “It isn’t cheating, really. It’s just a guideline. Who is counting?” “I counted. Why didn’t you?” “I did. Then I forgave myself.” The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is […]
13 Words (It’s a Secret)
1. Did 2. you 3. notice 4. that 5. I 6. am 7. not 8. here 9. right 10. now? 11. I’m 12. in 13. Wisconsin I’m be much more proactive about visiting your blogs when I get back to my desktop.
Ah Maria, What Does it Mean to Be Untouchable
As my readers may recall, Marie Antoinette’s finally speaking to Madame Dubarry was hardly the end of her troubles. A baby was still years away and Marie had begun to acquire the very unfortunate habit of publicly displaying contempt for her husband. The girl never learned. Said Joseph after the 1777 visit to Paris, “She does not love him in the least.” I say “The 1777 visit” because it was the big one that finally put some, ahem, firmness, into […]
For Your Own Good
Go away! Go! Don’t come back around with your smiles and open hand. I’ll only ruin them. Can’t you tell I’m diseased? Achoo! Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
House Shopping
Jill: So what do you think, Jack? Should we buy this house? It has a great entry, and two stories, a huge kitchen and utility room, four bedrooms with cedar lining in the walk in closet of the master bedroom, two bathrooms and the living room is enormous. Is that a fireplace? I like the place. How about you? Jack: (silence for a long time) Jill: I know, it’s too big for us, but the benefits are too numerous to […]
Suzie’s House 178: Adoption
“Tracy, I found your ring.” Mrs. H walked into the room without knocking. Seemed like she’d done a lot more of that since Tracy started hanging out with him in his room, but Gene couldn’t really say anything because he knew he was lucky to have a room at all. It’s not like they were really going to do anything in Mrs. H’s house. Tracy crawled off the bed where she’d been curled up next to him and took the […]
After Glow
She loves it when he rolls off and falls asleep. It’s a rare moment when his overwhelming vitality banks and she gets to see something no one else does; her man vulnerable. She plays with his chest hair, then looks in his face, looking for her angel. He sighs, smiles, and opens one eye just enough to wink. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted […]
13 Settings in Photo Form
Setting can have such an impact on a story. The way a scene involving a couple walking hand in hand reads when they are on the beach is radically different than when they are struggling over sand dunes. Sometimes I find it a challenge to keep a setting in mind. That’s when pictures come in handy. Can you imagine how different a scene might play out in each of these settings?
