Thanks, Jo. Got it and sharing.
Monthly Archives: May 2016
WAITING FOR THE TRAIN
Photo Copyright: J. Hardy Carroll
Here we are for another week. Today we’ve gathered in a virtual train station. Our hostess for this group meeting is the talented and gracious author and artist, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. We’re the Friday Fictioneers group. Our challenge for this week and every week is to each write an original story with no more than 100 words, not including the title. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was supplied by J. Hardy Carroll. Thanks, J. Hardy.
To read the other stories by the group members, just click on the link given below, then on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link for this week’s stories is as follows:
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/20-may-2016/
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Word Count: 100 Words
WAITING FOR THE TRAIN by P.S. Joshi
Larry walked into the train station and sat down. He was getting so forgetful these days. Where was he going? How would he know when to get off if he didn’t know his destination?
He could look at his ticket. That was it. He’d check his ticket. Now where had he put his ticket?
He could buy one but he didn’t seem to have money.
He walked to the ticket window. “Pardon me sir. Can I have a train schedule?
I’m sorry, mister. There’s no schedule for this train. It only makes two stops. One’s heaven and t’other’s hell.
Ways to create more conflict
A great summary of tension buiilders.
CABLE CARS
This story was written for Sunday Photo Fiction – May 15th, 2016. Each week the host, Al Forbes, provides a picture prompt. The challenge for each member of the group is to write an original story or poem with no more than 200 words, (not counting the title), and inspired by the prompt.
To read the other stories written by group members, just click on the link below, then on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link to the other stories this week is as follows:
https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2016/05/15/sunday-photo-fiction-may-15th-2016/
Genre: Humor/Fantasy Fiction
Word Count: 198 Words
CABLE CARS by P.S. Joshi
For centuries, the inhabitants of the Planet Plinket had been planning to take over the earth. It wasn’t that they needed more land. They had plenty. They needed a good vacation spot.
The scientists had gathered in the conference room of the scientific research center in their largest city. A woman scientist, Zeena Ziplock, was the first to put forth an idea.
“It will help us take over if we can conceal our real identities to infiltrate. We need to choose something common on earth and become that thing. We’ve been experimenting.
Someone else spoke up, “What about food? That’s common.”
“Yeah, and be eaten?” someone shouted. Ideas flew thick and fast.
“What about animals–dogs or cats for instance?”
“We’ve tried that. If they don’t appear to have owners, they’re adopted. Remember what happened to poor Maltmix. He can no longer …”
“All right, Ziktin. We get the idea.”
“What about fish?”
“Fish are food on earth.”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot about poor Morkton. May he rest in peace.”
Zeena spoke again. “Remember the film we took as birds?”
“Cable cars!” They all shouted.
“When we want to take over we can hold our passengers for ransom.”
Making Fiction Come Alive! Using the Senses for Maximum Impact
Alex Limberg discusses using the senses in writing.
Today’s post once again is by my Writer-in-Residence Alex Limberg. After 10 posts, I’m slowly running out of witty introductions for him. But hey, if you haven’t checked out his free ebook yet, definitely go ahead and do it now. It will equip you with ‘44 test questions’ to examine your story and make it all-around tight and intriguing. This time, Alex shows us how to describe senses, so your reader feels like he is in the middle of your story. Go, Alex!
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Do you know 5D-cinemas?
I mean these movie theatres that make your chair bump harshly, whip your ankles, and when somebody on the screen sneezes, it sprinkles your face… Yeah, they are basically legal torture chambers people pay entry for.
Why are they such a fun experience for many?
It’s because these theatres feel more real than your ordinary cinema. And…
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3 Theories of TIME TRAVEL – Infographic…
Another great infographic from Chris.
DOME RESTAURANT
Photo Copyright: C.E. Ayr
Here we are for another week. Today we’re gathered in a virtual large city near the waterfront. There’s a virtual large building with a lighted dome. Our hostess for this group meeting is the talented and gracious author and artist, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. We’re the Friday Fictioneers group. Our challenge this week and every week is to each write an original story with no more than 100 words. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was supplied by C.E. Ayr. Thanks, C.E. We hope your pain has lessened.
To read the other stories by the group members, just click on the link given below, then on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link for this week’s stories is as follows:
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/13-may-2016/
Genre: Science Fiction
Word Count: 100 Words
DOME RESTAURANT by P.S. Joshi
John and Louise were seated in the new, popular Dome Restaurant.
“Oh,”–Louise gazed, her eyes wide.–“this is lovely. When was it built?”
“Everyone just says it’s new. That’s it.”–His words spilled out.–“I asked several people. They all said the same.”
“Well, I was curious.”–Louise leaned forward and squeezed his hand.–“It doesn’t matter.”
It was their first anniversary and she didn’t want it spoiled.
“Attention, people of Earth.”–A voice thundered from an overhead speaker. “We will be taking off for Planet X-19 shortly. Fear not. We came in peace.”
The restaurant rose.
Get Caught Reading — The Sign of the Ape 3
More of Teagan and the group’s magical trip.
Crystal pointing to a clue
Wow! May is nearly half over already. However, it’s still Get Caught Reading Month. Welcome back to the zany and bizarre story I’ve been writing to encourage people of all ages to read. As many of you know, a few elite bloggers (and their pets) banded together with one quest — catch the Story Reading Ape reading.
When we left our heroes…
During the first chapter, I found a shimmering airship outside my window. The pilot looked suspiciously like Cornelis Drebbel. Before I knew it, I was in Time Square beginning a chase to “catch” the Story Reading Ape reading.
Last time Suzanne from A Pug in the Kitchen and I met a number of author-bloggers (and their pets) who joined the quest to catch the illusive Ape. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel (Cowboy Boss and His Destiny), Christoph Fischer (
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DARN THOSE CHEAP MATERIALS
This story was written for Sunday Photo Fiction–May 9th, 2016. Each week the host, Al Forbes, provides a picture prompt. The challenge for each member of the group is to write an original story or poem with no more than 200 words and inspired by the prompt.
To read the other stories written by group members, just click on the link below, then on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link to the other stories this week is as follows:
https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2016/05/08/sunday-photo-fiction-may-8th-2016/
Genre: Humor/Fantasy Fiction
Word Count: 200 Words
DARN THOSE CHEAP MATERIALS by P.S. Joshi
High above Earth a secret flight took place. A flying saucer from the Planet Pittosh had a new invention for ship invisibility, The Top Secret Hidey Thingy, switched on and operating perfectly.
“Gug, this operation is the most successful we’ve had so far.”–Zig’s violet eyes gleamed.–We’ll go down in history as two of the greatest explorers Pittosh ever had.”
“Yes,”–squeaked Gug. He had a cold he caught just before takeoff.
Sqreech. Pling.
“What was that?”–shouted Zig.
Rumble. Squish. Twang. Plunk. The saucer began to shudder and shake.
“Grab the tool bag and follow me.”–Gug squeaked.
The two little aliens raced to the engineering deck. They found loose parts slipping and sliding everywhere.
“Doggone those program cutbacks,”–Zig fumed.–“We’ve got to do serious repairs.”
Three hours later things had quieted down and seemed to be running smoothly.
Zig turned to Gug.–“I have an extra part What’ll I do about it? Scientists on Pittosh will throw a hissy fit if they see this.”
“Don’t worry,”–Gug gave it a kick.–“Just open the garbage compartment and eject it.”
A strange object thudded to Earth barely missing George Rudely. “Oh, #%&*! What’s this now?”–he shouted.
This #MothersDay present? Priceless. #SundayBlogShare
A perfect piece for Mother’s Day.
There was a knock on my door today and a smiling man handed me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers with a card from my kids wishing me Happy Mother’s Day. I know I’m lucky to have the four greatest kids ever, not to mention the UMAG (Universe’s Most Adorable Grandbaby).
I’ve received many interesting Mother’s Day gifts over the years—there is a reason we now have a “not if it’s breathing” rule—but one I’ll never forget is this post from my daughter Melinda. It first appeared on Splitsider on May 6, 2011.
My Mom Was a Comedy Writer
by Melinda Taub
I’m that rarest of birds: a second generation female comedy writer. In the eighties and nineties, my mother was a newspaper humor columnist, sometimes for shmancy newspapers like the Wall Street Journal, but mostly for our local paper, the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. This was well before blogs were a…
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