tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60143312012-01-30T08:39:20.768-05:00"It Is What It Is. Until It Isn't." -Spongebob SquarepantsMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.comBlogger23601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-34300574502470579252012-01-29T20:19:00.000-05:002012-01-29T20:19:28.698-05:00

The fiendish Chuck Wendig has been up to his flash fictional tricks again. Last week's challenge is to select three random Flickr photos, using the handy dandy tool located here to select them, and write a 1000 word story. The pictures I chose are this one, this one, and this one. However, since I am a Slowey McSlowerton from Slowville, I did not complete it before the Friday deadline. This

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-3166810047502597402012-01-29T20:18:00.000-05:002012-01-29T20:18:19.535-05:00

Lily Childs' Feardom is sponsoring another Flash Fiction O Rama, 100 Words using the words "ballet", "organ", and "follow". My entry is called "Heading Out" I liked to follow her, watching the delicate grace with which she took each step, her hemline swaying softly. I had watched the tears spring out on her bright cheeks as the Phantom played the organ, accusing the ballet dancer/songstress

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-45592194008209258342012-01-29T20:07:00.000-05:002012-01-29T20:07:59.007-05:00

For the IndieInk Writing Challenge this week, Satu Gustafson challenged me with ""He who makes a beast of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man." - Samuel Johnson" and I challenged Wendryn with " 'I believe that writers run out of material, I really do.' -Brian Wilson ". I had to keep telling myself to calm down. It was hard not to be excited, playing in the showcase game of your

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-75836143890151177872012-01-24T22:45:00.000-05:002012-01-24T22:45:56.019-05:00

Flash Fiction Friday has a challenge this week involving a computer as a character. I call this "What A Man Does". My father started working with computers when they took up whole rooms, clanking, whirring beasts that read data off of magnetic tape and had to be constantly monitored. "Computers never make mistakes. They do exactly and precisely what they are told. People, on the other hand,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-71310097724148509212012-01-24T22:37:00.000-05:002012-01-24T22:37:20.438-05:00

My brother from another mother Lance, whose blog can beat up my blog, and probably yours too, has started a 100 Word Challenge, each week based on a song. This week's song is "Take Me To The Pilot" by Elton John, a favorite of mine, and the story is called "Polly Pocket". When he looked down, he had these bangs, black with red highlights, that hung in front of his face. I wanted to touch

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-68048943278762175532012-01-23T12:07:00.001-05:002012-01-23T12:07:46.137-05:00

For the IndieInk Writing Challenge this week, The Last Astronaut challenged me with "...he replied: "what took you so long?"" and I challenged trencher with "'I just feel it as it goes. I do whatever I feel is right for me at the time.' -Johnny Cash" [Author's Note: I don't know why I feel like I have to do this, but this story is a little NSFW. There is a bad word in it, and it implies

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-30672169037230236982012-01-19T22:29:00.000-05:002012-01-19T22:29:26.281-05:00

The fine folks at LitStack have posted a flash fiction challenge, 500 words or less based on the above picture. My entry is called "My Turn". I read once about police work that it was a lot of boredom and paperwork, with occasional breaks of terror. That was what it was like. I was one of three rotating teams, 8 hours at a time, who monitored the airflow, keeping our little corner

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-66939980474818462122012-01-17T22:27:00.000-05:002012-01-17T22:27:08.251-05:00

Flash Fiction Friday this week involves the keeping of secrets, and I call my story "Don't Tell". I didn't know where to stand. I never knew where to stand. I had to be here, but I wasn't really a part of what was going on. I hardly knew anyone here. The house was full of people in dark clothes, murmuring. I walked into the kitchen, where I could see her brother talking to a thin,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-35018098103385908472012-01-17T22:22:00.000-05:002012-01-17T22:22:58.121-05:00

Searching for a new 100 Word Challenge, I came across Lily Childs' Feardom, where she offers three key words on which to build a story. The words are ruby, blade, and evacuate, and my story is called "Dunkirk". So this is where it all ends. The loft of a old barn, already starting to collapse from the fire. The sky glowed ruby red with flame. The order to evacuate sent everyone into a

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-14484353658414715252012-01-15T18:43:00.000-05:002012-01-15T18:43:31.773-05:00

For the IndieInk Writing Challenge this week, Diane challenged me with "I'm tired of being what you want me to be" and I challenged runaway sentence with "No artist should feel guilty. If you start a painting and you don't like it, you don't finish it- Truman Capote". Her shoe made an incredibly loud sound when it hit the floor. She was sitting on our bed, looking down, her auburn hair

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-90441324693296910052012-01-15T18:36:00.000-05:002012-01-15T18:36:39.116-05:00

Chuck Wendig, creator of flash fiction challenges and human life, has issued a three sentence flash fiction challenge to go with Bear71, a Sundance New Frontier documentary about, well, a bear. My story is called "Cornered". I felt more than I saw my two companions on either side of me as we closed in on it, trapping it against the white rotting hulk of a fallen tree. It was trembling, its

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-59398023858101967422012-01-10T22:12:00.000-05:002012-01-10T22:12:03.807-05:00

When I was a girl, my father used to drive me and my sisters up to my grandfather's house every Sunday. Looking back on it now, I think he just wanted to get the heck away from my mother, but of course, that wasn't at all clear to us then. We were kind of left to our own devices once we got there. Dad helped Grandpa with various tasks around the house, Sara and Claire would usually play with

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-3792719398991196342012-01-06T23:48:00.000-05:002012-01-06T23:48:29.782-05:00

Chuck Wendig had thrown down the gauntlet again, asking his loyal minions to write a 500 word story using the title of the next song to come up on your IPod as the title. Mine was "Message In A Bottle" by the Police. The inspiration is actually from another Police song, interestingly. 10 points if you know which one. I was sitting there and deliberately tearing the labels of my beer

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-52504284327607221002012-01-05T13:40:00.000-05:002012-01-05T13:40:32.220-05:00

Chuck Wendig, everyone's favorite biped, is up with another flash fiction challenge, 1000 words or less with a theme, once again, of the subgenre mashup. This piece is intended to mix bodice ripper and spy story, and is called "August 21". 21 August 1863 Baltimore, Maryland Beloved Cordelia, My dear sister! How I long to hear your voice around the dinner table, reciting our prayers

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-3966874585101186882012-01-04T09:19:00.000-05:002012-01-04T09:19:08.711-05:00

The First Flash Fiction Friday of 2012 involves a countdown, and has to include the words three, night, wire, sweat, and run. My entry is called "Money (That's What I Want)" I started listening to music when I run as soon as I got a Walkman. When I was transferred to Moscow in the late spring, I made sure that was the first thing I packed in my suitcase, even though wiser heads

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-86098264153113533912012-01-01T15:39:00.000-05:002012-01-01T15:39:18.549-05:00

I sat towards the back, trying to keep out of everybody's way. I was staring at the way light reflected off of the tip of my shoe. I would bob it slightly, up and down, and watch the reflection change as the angles shifted. It was one of those stupid things I did when I couldn't read or sleep. I really didn't want to listen to what they were saying. In fact, I didn't want to be there at all. But

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-67910059262264611542011-12-26T09:11:00.000-05:002011-12-26T09:11:01.428-05:00

"I think they need this table," he said. Their waitress, a round hipped redhead with stray ringlets loose over her ears, was indeed hovering nearby, waiting for tables to clear so she could refill them. The cafe was small, but clean and airy, the gold fixtures and muted tans and browns making it look old fashioned without being stuffy. It was full to bursting here in the middle of the lunch

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-38874233446952031482011-12-20T22:10:00.000-05:002011-12-20T22:10:46.236-05:00

For the final Flash Fiction Friday of 2011, the redoubtable Thomas Pluck challenges us to echo the great Tom Waits and create anatomically correct fiction, including a song, weather, the name of a town, and something to eat. Here's my contribution, "It's Raining In Baltimore". (Bonus points if you pick up the OTHER lyric included in the story.) "It's raining in Baltimore," she said.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-27832230298955545352011-12-19T07:31:00.000-05:002011-12-19T07:31:13.408-05:00

It came back to me in fragments, like it was a movie. I knew it had really happened, but I could only see bits of it at a time. A still image, and then another, and impressionistic bursts of sound and motion. I didn't want to open my eyes. I knew I'd have to eventually. I could feel that she was there, even smell the presence of a body that wasn't mine, so I knew what had happened, generally. But

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-24498284446341516022011-12-18T07:57:00.000-05:002011-12-18T07:57:07.283-05:00

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-23029904382786182312011-12-15T10:20:00.000-05:002011-12-15T10:20:37.070-05:00

It was profoundly uncomfortable in every way, which made it doubly difficult to keep the smile plastered on my face. They told you over and over, smile, always smile, because you never know when the camera may be on you. And God knows, you don't want to seem ungracious. But strapped into compression undergarments, wobbly heels, and a dress that barely let me breathe, it was an effort of will to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-2785585983163502912011-12-07T22:19:00.000-05:002011-12-07T22:19:39.578-05:00

It was polite. That was the thing. The stupid machine displayed the message, in ancient looking glowing green phosphor, "SORRY! TRANSACTION UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED AT THIS TIME- PLEASE TRY AGAIN!". It was a perfectly neutral message, the electronic equivalent of a shrug. Not implying you were broke, or that you were bad with money, or that you were a poor person. I was all those things, but the

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-19675896924263825822011-12-04T19:57:00.000-05:002011-12-04T19:57:07.441-05:00

The marvelous, temporarily spit up free Chuck Wendig has issued a challenge to the Flash Fiction Friday folks, 1000 words using three of the following words: vitamins, squid, ballroom, razor, carnival. My entry is called "Too Late For Love". I didn't want to be there. A sick colleague brought me in on a Saturday to the Independence Ballroom to tend bar for a wedding reception. The

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-71126225018088811092011-11-30T20:53:00.001-05:002011-11-30T20:53:28.383-05:00

Two pieces of mine have been published in real live books that are now on sale.The more honorable of the two is the Lost Children Charity Anthology,which is on sale here. It contains a story that was previously published here, along with 29 other much better ones. All proceeds from the sale go to children's charities. The more scurrilous of the two is Matt Potter's "Pure Slush Volume One",

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-40608129044921511672011-11-30T10:54:00.000-05:002011-11-30T10:54:42.576-05:00

It was loud. I had been around the block a time or two, so I had heard noisy crowds, but it never got dull. It was a force in the air, a bowel loosening, throat tightening physical thing that made your pulse race a little bit more, and your eyes narrow to slits. Coach outlined the play for us, but we all knew what it was. Everybody did- the opponents, the smarter fans, the TV guys. It was no

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-19038696070150841142011-11-22T23:13:00.000-05:002011-11-22T23:13:24.916-05:00

Chuck Wendig, who would probably convince the Supercommittee to spend the deficit on coke and hookers, has posted a flash fiction challenge asking for 100 word stories using one of the following five words: Frog, Scissors, Powder, Tower, and Seagull. Here's my entry, called, "Closed". What was it that Jake Barnes said? "Gradually, and then suddenly"? That was how it was. First sales

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-44578732731246435172011-11-22T23:05:00.000-05:002011-11-22T23:05:28.840-05:00

The house was quiet. No screaming, no yelling, no crying. No happy noises from the kitchen of dishes being washed, no chugging sound of a washing machine running. Nothing. I listened to the emptiness, hoping to hear tires on the driveway, the door opening and the insistent babble of a child. I heard the furnace come on. Somewhere outside, a dog barked. The sun was making irregular patterns on the

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-3960983200103848572011-11-16T22:18:00.002-05:002011-11-16T22:18:47.200-05:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge would be the very first to tell you that there 'sno business like online literary flash fiction challenge business. (Sorry.) The word is "Snow" and this story is called "Close to the Borderline". When I stopped paying the cable bill, we went down to two channels, the only two that were tolerable to watch through the snow and interference you got

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-86421661324398483372011-11-16T07:23:00.001-05:002011-11-16T07:29:24.201-05:00

I had hired him out of a mix of two things. I had hoped I was wrong, but I secretly knew I was right. I had been getting cash back when I shopped for groceries, $20 here, $40 there, until I had assembled the amount he wanted. He looked at the picture of John on our mantelpiece, taken the money, and promised results within a week. I was stunned when he called me 3 days later and asked when it

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-81003218940916105672011-11-12T08:16:00.000-05:002011-11-12T08:16:52.181-05:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge is ready to step in and negotiate an end to the NBA lockout. This week's word is "writing", and my story is called "Just Like Her". Madison has the coolest handwriting in the whole class, Jennifer thought. Madison was more popular, more athletic, taller, prettier, smarter, nicer, better in every way. She wanted her letters to look just like hers, all

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-520071577566886862011-11-06T21:10:00.001-05:002011-11-12T08:19:33.942-05:00

Samantha hated her name. The day I met her, playing with a soccer ball by myself in my yard while my Mom unpacked the stuff from the moving truck, she insisted that I call her Sammy, so that's what I did. She just walked right up and kicked the ball back to me, saying, as bright and bold as the sun, "Hi! I'm Sammy!". She was a little shorter than me, with thick dark hair that always needed

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-36255868790776745602011-10-31T11:03:00.001-04:002011-10-31T11:03:16.843-04:00

Saints on Earth Fiona Johnson and Thomas Pluck have collected 30 stories that were submitted to a flash fiction challenge for an EBook that is being sold to raise money for children's charities. It's called "The Lost Children Anthology", I am very proud that one of my stories was included, and I would be pleased if you bought a copy here.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-980844238601186522011-10-30T17:08:00.000-04:002011-10-30T17:08:25.454-04:00

Velvet Verbosity won't let anything slow her, or the 100 Word Challenge, down. This week's word is "Halloween", and this story is called "Costume Shopping". "No," I said. Her deep brown eyes flashed. She stomped off, sure of my cluelessness. She came back holding one. Nurse. Too short. "No," I said. She threw a full force pout, turning away again. Another choice. Vampire. Too low. "No,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-7414911571011509622011-10-30T15:18:00.000-04:002011-10-30T15:18:07.887-04:00

For the Indie Ink Writing Challenge this week, Mary Terrani challenged me with "Sometimes you have to let go of the one you love to find out if there is really something there" and I challenged Diane with "As children, your world is yours. That day [his father's death] taught me that it's really not your world. Somebody else is in control-fate, God, whatever it is. It is not your show. And the

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-81655825515626451162011-10-26T07:16:00.000-04:002011-10-26T07:16:46.738-04:00

For the Indie Ink Writing Challenge this week, Courtney challenged me with "He has brought me this far, he won't leave me hanging" and I challenged Kevin Wilkes with "I know they say let it be, but it just don't work out that way." He said he would be here. He wasn't the only one. My father is in Schenectady, so I don't blame him for not being here. My mother said she'd be here, and

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-50387943380049105912011-10-21T21:55:00.000-04:002011-10-21T21:55:15.044-04:00

If life is a highway, Chuck Wendig runs a disreputable dive bar right off of the exit ramp. This week's flash fiction challenge involves three of the following five words (cockroach, bottle, box, tax, fountain) plus a vampire in some way, shape, or form. My story is called "Nobody Understands Anybody". It was a pleasantly warm fall day, the sort of day that makes you think nature is trying

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-59062925112689120072011-10-19T07:44:00.002-04:002011-10-19T07:44:53.507-04:00

For the Indie Ink Writing Challenge this week, Diane challenged me with "I'm the lie living for you so you can hide" and I challenged Kurt with "If you love someone, set them free". The house was too warm- the combination of the oven and the bodily warmth making the house a steamy mess. The kids, fueled by appetizers and sugared drinks, still buzzed around with boundless energy,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-958460066811310042011-10-18T06:49:00.000-04:002011-10-18T06:49:11.746-04:00

"Yesterday it was my birthday- I hung one more year on the line- I should be depressed- My life's a mess- But I'm having a good time." -Paul Simon, "Have A Good Time"

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-84203954608383960782011-10-16T08:34:00.000-04:002011-10-16T08:34:59.706-04:00

The Velvet Verbosity 100 Word Challenge is willing to hit the ball to the right side to move the runner over. This week's word is "Satisfied", and though my faulty brain came up with it too late to make the list, here's my entry, "2:35 AM". It is based on one of the many Steve Jobs stories making the rounds these days. I clawed my way out of deep sleep. I looked at my phone with one eye.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-17679361892040211162011-10-13T11:13:00.000-04:002011-10-13T11:13:34.968-04:00

For the Indie Ink Writing Challenge this week, Tobie challenged me with "No, this can't be happening. It's too early!" and I challenged Caroline with "Overdrawn". I had to keep him away from Caroline. I always did. It had been a long time for me, and this one seemed like a catch. I just had to somehow keep him from seeing her too soon, and keep him from making the obvious choice. . When

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-83897586514760316552011-10-06T10:44:00.001-04:002011-10-06T10:44:15.808-04:00

My email to remembersteve@apple.com:I don't think it overstates one bit to say that the passing of Steve Jobs is the loss of our Picasso, our Rembrandt, our daVinci. I can't say that Apple or Jobs did everything right- I could take issue with their DRM or the treatment of workers in China. But I can say that my life would be worse without Apple products, and people almost everywhere can say the

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-49598870646719593802011-10-05T11:14:00.000-04:002011-10-05T11:14:42.971-04:00

Matt Potter has again showed his kindness and generosity in accepting a brief piece of mine, "Right", in his Museum Of Awesome, the indisputably "Pure Slush", located here.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-88459277471170014232011-10-03T11:07:00.001-04:002011-10-03T11:07:29.317-04:00

Showing here is a story of mine, "The Secret", which was chosen as one of the best stories of 52/250's fourth quarter.- Posted using BlogPress

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-85829005195767429932011-10-02T19:35:00.000-04:002011-10-02T19:35:05.871-04:00

For the Indie Ink Writing Challenge this week, Sherree challenged me with Oscar Wilde's "The mystery of love is greater than the mystery of life," and I challenged Princess Dardar with "Just my imagination/running away with me". Kelly waited for the moment to be right. She knew she had to call him. She had to tell him. He needed to know, deserved to know. But she didn't want to tell

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-49605812935090806332011-09-30T07:08:00.000-04:002011-09-30T07:08:16.636-04:00

Write On Edge's prompt this week involves one of two pictures, showing here. My story is based on the second picture, called "Model Citizen". It was kind of funny. They want to make the pictures natural looking, but in order to do that, they bring artificial lights, and fans, and probably 20 different people being paid by the hour to make sure I look natural. They do this by fiddling with

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-73634898102210439322011-09-27T22:43:00.000-04:002011-09-27T22:43:09.782-04:00

Flash Fiction Friday has a challenge this week where we are to write a story given one of two first lines. My entry is called "Lunch Break". “You know Javier, poets say that in the spring a young man’s thoughts turn to love, but I think they’re wrong.” Her colleague turned to her, egg salad sandwich in hand. "Well, I can tell you one thing- they certainly don't turn to thoughts of

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-58871838604079167032011-09-27T06:56:00.000-04:002011-09-27T06:56:17.175-04:00

This week's Indie Ink Challenge came from Andrea, who gave me this prompt:"and the anger was smoothed again by a breaking bone". I challenged Head Ant with the prompt "Can I take your order?". Emergency rooms are always the same: lots of motion and sound, but very purposeful. People in colored pants and shirts are moving back and forth, talking firmly but quietly. Ringing

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-87546025786109987202011-09-26T07:13:00.000-04:002011-09-26T07:13:31.781-04:00

Chuck Wendig, the irascible penmonkey and Yo Yo King, has a new post time for the Terrible Minds Challenge this week, Monday. This week's challenge is to write a story in three sentences. My entry is called "Report For Duty". “There’s got to be some way to get out of this town without joining the Army,” Julia said. I tucked the letter into my back pocket as I looked at the soft brown hair

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-10682436129725246482011-09-24T14:32:00.000-04:002011-09-24T14:32:21.001-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge is drying slowly in the fall sun. The word is "Occupy," and I call this "Tuesday Morning, 9:37 AM" It was oceans and rivers of talk. "And then the monster said his eggs were hidden in the secret places and then Thomas said …," Cameron's blue eyes were wide. She was forcing her swollen face into an expression of intense interest, but she was craving

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-39868457962098959672011-09-23T06:37:00.000-04:002011-09-23T06:37:37.716-04:00

Chuck Wendig, lord and master of all he surveys, issued a flash fiction challenge last week to use three of five words he gave you in a 100 Word Flash Fiction piece. My entry is called "The Buck Stops". "New! With Bio Enzyme Cleaning Power!," the label to the cleanser said, though it still smelled the same. Julie was cleaning out the back seat of her SUV, her kids at Grandma's house. She

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-53139163658679241262011-09-20T22:48:00.000-04:002011-09-20T22:48:16.505-04:00

This week's Indie Ink Writing Challenge, the cryptic "Seven Deadly Zins", comes at me from Miranda, while my challenge was flung at the feet of urbane Billy Flynn, who is sure to razzle dazzle us. I must emphasize before we begin that what follows is 110% fiction. I haven't even been to San Diego. It was the kind of night that reminded you why you lived in San Diego- warm and dry,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-47890431650411249902011-09-15T22:36:00.000-04:002011-09-15T22:36:06.376-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge has resumed its reign of terror atop the 100 word literary challenge landscape. The word is "inhibited" and my story is called "Shampoo". She was proud of her hair, and rightfully so. It was long, brown, and wavy, and she flipped it around constantly. It wiggled when she raised her head to watch the lecture. I wanted to touch it constantly, see

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-48279189738831997392011-09-15T22:32:00.000-04:002011-09-15T22:32:25.571-04:00

My friends at Write on Edge have a new challenge up, 600 words about heartbreak. I expanded a previous stub and came up with this, "Kiss The Bride". She’s getting married. I'm in the church, sitting apart from anyone else, nodding politely when nodded to. I had to see it, had to prove it to myself. She's gone. The church is silent, save for squeaks when someone shifts their weight on the

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-21183894462629802982011-09-14T18:46:00.000-04:002011-09-14T18:46:37.084-04:00

Chuck Wendig will not run, and if elected, will not serve. This week's challenge is about a picture on his website of a woman holding a torch, and my story is called "Labor Day". They really didn't know what to do with us. We were too old for the kid programs, and too young for the adult programs, and our parents weren't brave enough to leave us at home alone all weekend. So when Labor

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-76094233923197604952011-09-14T18:29:00.002-04:002011-09-14T18:32:53.089-04:00

This week's Flash Fiction Friday challenge involves music, and my story this week is called "No Way Out". It was the only way out. Sherry and the kids are gone, the bank is up my ass about the mortgage, the car needs brakes, and springs, and Lynnie needs asthma medicine, and every job short of fry cook is "not a match for my skills". Everything is fine, until suddenly it isn't- you're late

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-5888278450778427262011-09-10T20:06:00.000-04:002011-09-10T20:06:00.460-04:00

This week, my Indie Ink Writing Challenge, "Bringing It All Back Home", goes out to Alisha, while mine, "If I were 21 again", comes at me from Angela. This may be off a little bit on the timing of it- I may be going back to 19 or so. I am also borrowing heavily from a Hollywood film I've never seen, and heaping it with gobs of poetic license. This never happened. In the end, I'm probably better

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-42454836218971715972011-09-10T20:03:00.000-04:002011-09-10T20:03:09.122-04:00

My new friends at Write On Edge have a flash fiction prompt up involving jeans. I'm not sure what brought all this on, but this story is called "Everything and Nothing". I leapt up with the practiced scramble of a parent of small children. Naked, I bent low, hauling on pants with a smooth tug, standing up straight to pull them to my waist. They came up much too far, making it clear to me

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-21038274378534322902011-09-09T08:38:00.002-04:002011-09-09T08:38:52.408-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge is bloody but unbowed after assaults from malware bearing pirates. Arrrrrrr. This week's word is "Whimsy" and my story is called "Obviously". "Let's go somewhere," he said to her. She looked back at him. "What's gotten in to you?" He wasn't prone to flights of whimsy. "What?" "What do you mean, go somewhere? Go where?" "I don't know. Anywhere

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-87307448487162496622011-09-05T18:17:00.000-04:002011-09-05T18:17:43.904-04:00

The Indie Ink Writing Challenge comes to me from Kelly, who asks me about fractured living. I issued a challenge to Karla. I'm not at all sure about this one. But it's what came to me, so here it is: "Scenes In An Elevator" *** IN *** those guys were up long after me, yet the room was empty this morning...where the fuck did they go...good not too many people on the elevator...am

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-65718627156795660782011-09-05T16:23:00.000-04:002011-09-05T16:23:26.711-04:00

Our friends (well, maybe your friends-I'm not sure they are willing to be seen with me) at Flash Fiction Friday have posted a prompt about the "City of Lost Children", which, in 2011, is every city. Here's my shot, "Perfect Blue Buildings". Antonio said he was gonna come back. He said I could watch Nemo and eat Cheese Its and he would come right back. Mama said I got to do what

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-67456258356995034012011-09-04T09:42:00.000-04:002011-09-04T09:42:00.900-04:00

Chuck Wendig, King of the Britains, Defeater of the Saxons, Sovereign of All England, has issued a unique challenge this week. The theme is revenge, and we have a scant 100 words to work with. Here's my entry, "Mail Drop" Marissa sealed the envelope, pressing the flap closed and sealing it with tape. She addressed it carefully, making sure the address was right. He had made it clear that

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-39275403453933229372011-09-02T20:01:00.000-04:002011-09-02T20:01:01.193-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge lost its mojo for a bit, but is once again rising. This week's word is "Storm", and my entry is called "Storm Front" Katie pulled her covers over her shoulders, tucking them under her chin. She wanted to pull them higher, but she always got hot and panicky when her mouth was covered. Outside, the rain poured down, pushed by the wind against her window

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-29779501319261319362011-08-30T22:44:00.000-04:002011-08-30T22:44:56.149-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge, like Elton John, is still standing. The word is "Depth" and my story is called "Fitting Room". "You can't wear it because it sends the wrong message." "What does that mean?," Delia asked me, hands on her tiny hips, eyes sparkling with anger. "It means your clothes send messages about what kind of person you are. You don't want anyone to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-79923237188164588142011-08-28T18:49:00.000-04:002011-08-28T18:49:34.636-04:00

Chuck Wendig, the IBF and WBC welterweight diaper changing champion of the world, issues a Flash Fiction challenge this week about notable figures from history. My contribution involves two and is called "Visitors at Appomattox". General Robert E. Lee looked across the table at General Ulysses S Grant. "It is entirely mysterious to me," the Southerner began, "why the Lord should see fit to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-69960753590930843322011-08-28T18:41:00.000-04:002011-08-28T18:41:23.475-04:00

The Indie Ink Writing Challenge comes to me this week from Karla, who tells me about fear on a summer's day. My challenge went out to Octoberesque. I call this "July 1, 1863". Molly Chandler pulled her dress on quickly, hopping out of bed and pulling the fabric over her head. If she was going to make it out to see the boys play a game of base this afternoon, she had to get her chores

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-71988299184056965502011-08-24T20:37:00.002-04:002011-08-24T20:39:57.804-04:00

The Indie Ink Writing Challenge actually went on for a whole week without me, one of many organizations that find they can do without me. My challenge goes out to my homeboy Lance, whose blog can beat up my blog, while I am receiving a challenge from Billy Flynn, who razzle dazzles me with the prompt "Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back." This is called "Ride The Lightning".

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-73120944952120522392011-08-20T12:45:00.000-04:002011-08-20T12:45:52.548-04:00

Matt Potter, who just barely missed becoming the fifth Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, has published another story of mine, "Bus Window Warning". It is the third of three stories that came to me in a dream, or something. I don't really know. On another note entirely, Chuck Wendig, new father and author and exhausted, semi awake humanoid, initiates another week of Flash Fiction madness with a

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-61889381249726970182011-08-17T21:26:00.000-04:002011-08-17T21:26:09.559-04:00

The Flash Fiction Friday team wants us to write about "Unrest" this week. My story is called "Sweep The Street" I was tired. I yawned, trying to cover it quickly. I stood in line with the others, shoulder to shoulder. I knew there were more behind me, along with the looming bulk of an Army transport behind them. We had the armor, and we had the weapons, and we had the hard plastic shields to

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-51073996168662020702011-08-17T16:30:00.000-04:002011-08-17T16:30:26.950-04:00

Chuck Wendig has thrown down another flash fiction gauntlet, something about guns, and I will take it up, semi successfully, with this story, "Ballad of a Well Known Gun". Everyone was so polite, that was the thing. If someone would just break character, stand up from their desk and just yell at me, "Listen, you broke-ass motherfucker. You're too poor to get this miracle drug that might

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-41908114469919249802011-08-14T20:09:00.000-04:002011-08-14T20:09:06.062-04:00

Matt Potter, minister without portfolio for the Department of Awesome, has published another story of mine, "4:26 AM", in his web magazine Pure Slush. Like the last story of mine he was kind enough to put up, it is a bit of a departure for me, a character that is unlike any I have ever come up with. Feel free to go forth and partake, but fair warning: the story implies that adult humans sometimes

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-42853163740211503092011-08-11T22:39:00.002-04:002011-08-11T22:43:35.241-04:00

This week, Flash Fiction Friday invites you to write about your hometown. I don't know how close I came, but here's my story, "My Little Town" (Note: As with everything I write, this is a melange of truth and falsehood. While all these people really exist (the men, anyway), the events depicted herein never happened.) The court was at the end of a strip of long, pure blacktop- new and

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-7893354599264645982011-08-07T17:01:00.009-04:002011-08-07T17:15:15.016-04:00

The IndieInk Writing Challenge comes from Leslie, and asks me to write about a bikini, an annoying boss, and a fake illness. My challenge goes to Ixy, who I am asking to tell us about being five. Alexa woke up with nausea already boiling in her gut. It was Monday, which explained part of it. She had begun to really hate her job, which was part of it, too. But this morning, staring at

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-11369715408253757172011-08-06T16:43:00.001-04:002011-08-07T14:23:00.920-04:00

Matt Potter has published another one of my stories over at casa del Pure Slush. It's a little bit of a departure for me. In today's news, Standard and Poor's has downgraded the debt of the United States, an unprecedented move that has shaken people around the world. It makes me wonder, though. Standard and Poor's are the same people who told us all that bonds backed by fraudulent

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-37222628328761934222011-08-04T16:50:00.001-04:002011-08-04T16:50:29.417-04:00

Chuck Wendig is, among other things, dope on the floor and magic on the mic. His Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge this week involves a story about a flea market in some way, shape or form. This is mine, called "EBay from Hell". He stopped. Again. That's how it was- stop, wait, look, think, then move on, walking a few more steps, then stopping, looking again. All the while, I

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-86613273965695519512011-07-31T12:17:00.001-04:002011-07-31T12:17:55.809-04:00

This week, the IndieInk Writing Challenge brings me "the apex of happiness" from Ms. Ixy. My challenge, "I've Got A Feeling", goes out to Angela. This week brings us yet another story from my Novel That Has No Name, Along With, Really, No Reason For Being. As before, the narrator is Ray, and this time he is trying to put to bed his willful 3 year old "niece", Kate. (They are not, in fact, related

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-54640932476750856342011-07-29T10:16:00.001-04:002011-07-29T10:22:01.637-04:00

The Velvet Verbosity 100 Word Challenge is back from the brink and ready to take on all comers. This week's word is "Myth", and my story is called, "No Myth" For Johnna I had to time it just right, starting the song just as she started up the hill, so I'd be singing the right part when she got up to me. I was playing acoustic guitar, trying to stay in practice before I had to go do my

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-82509506428607588242011-07-26T16:26:00.001-04:002011-07-26T16:26:28.260-04:00

The Indie Ink Writing Challenge this week comes to me from wondrous Wendryn, who asks me to write about cooking something I love. Stereotype alert: I am both a terrible cook and awfully immature about what I eat. (Among other things!) If it were up to me, I'd have the same meal three times a day, and it would most likely be something nutirionally horrifying. (I have long maintained, and continue

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-16574357973956725872011-07-26T10:51:00.001-04:002011-07-26T10:51:33.451-04:00

I would be further remiss if I did not note that Michael Week, a shocking omission from the nightly news last night, continues with Matt Potter's publication of a second story of mine, "Nugget".

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-48572384577018525262011-07-24T19:49:00.000-04:002011-07-24T19:49:49.587-04:00

I would be remiss if I did not point out that the inordinately generous Matt Potter has seen fit to publish a story of mine, $534.67, at his marvelous "Pure Slush" site. I would also like to add that my two blogs that no one was reading, my baseball blog "Trautwein and Cheese" and my political blog "A Minority of One", are pretty much shutting down until further notice. I decided it is better

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-19903270123097386812011-07-19T19:54:00.001-04:002011-07-19T19:54:58.078-04:00

Chuck Wendig, aside from being a jack of all trades and a master, well.... of some of them, regularly posts flash fiction challenges when he isn't busy wiping butts (or changing his infant son's diaper). This week's challenge is to write about an apocalypse, but to write about it in a new and different way- a way that hasn't been covered a million other times. I'm not sure how close I got, but

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-72748760232221613972011-07-17T10:14:00.001-04:002011-07-17T10:14:50.220-04:00

On this week's Indie Ink Writing Challenge adventure, Stefan gives me "Some people wonder how I sleep at night. I tell them I just close my eyes,". I am challenging Tara. (I don't think I should have to say this, but I will anyway. What follows is fiction. It is loosely based on the governor of the state that I reside in, but only in the sense that he was in my mind's eye as I was writing it. I

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-89551576108534697232011-07-15T13:12:00.001-04:002011-07-15T13:12:03.018-04:00

"I did not fully understand that individuals are not always the authors of themselves....Some, more sensitive, cannot arm themselves with the necessary skills to find work or pursue an education; and when the pain is all-consuming, they cannot build a wall of protection. Phrased another way, perhaps not all of us are able to survive natural selection."Jill Bialosky, "History of a Suicide"- Posted

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-8730805804826775872011-07-14T12:11:00.001-04:002011-07-14T12:11:53.757-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge wishes they all could be California Girls. This week's word is "Split", and this story is called "Dance Class". I tried not to stare, but it was hard not to marvel at the physicality of what she made her tiny body do. She was so light I could carry her like a child, but the floorboards would still vibrate with force when she jumped, splitting her

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-57862938550376183172011-07-12T19:03:00.002-04:002011-07-12T19:05:59.966-04:00

This week in IndieInk land there is no All Star Break, as Chelsea gives me "we tried to work it out", and I give to Sunshine "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues". What follows is fiction- as of yet, I have stabbed no one, and I have not been stabbed. (My capacity to annoy someone into a homicidal state is pretty extraordinary, though, so as the great Jack Palance put it in the movie "

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-55971270721360651432011-07-07T19:23:00.001-04:002011-07-07T19:23:55.083-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge is proud to announce that it does not recieve one dime of Federal funding and will not be a victim of government cutbacks. This week's word is "Forward", and my story is "Protect This House". James looked down, breathing hard. James knew his role from the first time he strapped on skates. He showed his worth in the corners, doing the dirty work,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-14339593919942199892011-07-03T16:44:00.001-04:002011-07-03T16:44:58.368-04:00

The Indie Ink Writing Challenge comes at me this week from Steffani, who asks me about moving unexpectedly. I am challenging Kat. As luck would have it, the novel (a sequel to my first book, conveniently available for sale on the sidebar) I have just begun involves someone who moves suddenly for reasons somewhat beyond his control. Here is an excerpt, called "Moving On". It might make a little

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-12200005552624009492011-07-02T14:16:00.001-04:002011-07-02T14:16:16.918-04:00

Herr Chuck Wendig, the new Dad and Head Penmonkey over at the Terrible Minds Website/Zombie Army Recruitment Center, has issued a 1000 Word Flash Fiction challenge involving that most imminent of all holidays, Independence Day. This is actually a sequel/continuation/postscript to my novel, which I haven't talked much about since its publication lo these many months ago. You don't need to have

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-21264759709851148292011-06-30T11:07:00.001-04:002011-06-30T11:07:39.648-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge thinks "Cars 2" is unfairly maligned by critics- it is one of the best animated films about cars that takes place in England, Japan, and Rome that this online literary flash fiction challenge has ever seen. This week's word is "Resistance", and my entry is called "Pay Attention!" Looking at her, brown hair with strands of gold, pert nose, and open,

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-77648547478387848902011-06-28T17:25:00.001-04:002011-06-28T17:25:17.174-04:00

The Indie Ink Writing Challenge comes from a plaid panted lass, who gives me "silence in black and white". My challenge goes to Ixy.I still get the paper, the dead tree, old fashioned, thump on the driveway at 530am newspaper. It isn't very ecologically correct, nor is it logical in any way, since all of the information available in it is easily, and more quickly, retrievable elsewhere. But I am

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-82773555961434685652011-06-26T12:09:00.000-04:002011-06-26T12:09:08.517-04:00

The IndieInk Writing Challenge has thrown down the gauntlet once again. I am challenging Ixy with "Hell, it could be my fault" and I am being challenged by some plaid pants about "Silence in black and white". I'm not ready to write my challenge yet, but my challenge to Ixy started my own juices flowing, so I wrote the following. I guess call it the PreGame Show to this week's challenge.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-80236059196719622842011-06-21T19:49:00.001-04:002011-06-21T19:49:03.369-04:00

Velvet Verbosity herself may be on the DL, but her 100 Word Challenge, thanks to a little help from her friends, is on the 25 man roster and is playing every day. This week's word is "Game" and my entry is called "Rules To Live By" There were rules to this game. Nobody told you, nobody wrote it down, but you just knew. Don't be too happy, because Sara lost two in the last two years.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-73238411067306799132011-06-21T11:42:00.004-04:002011-06-21T22:29:24.875-04:00

The barrel of awesome that is Matt Potter's "Pure Slush" magazine has elected to publish a story of mine, "Campfire Story", a thankfully fictional work that you can read here.

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-48297490260969139502011-06-19T15:42:00.001-04:002011-06-19T15:42:33.092-04:00

This week, my challenge("New York City") goes out to the Cheshire Cat (and/or her smile) and I get the following from Transplanted x 3: "You (or your character) attend an auction for the left-over contents of a storage unit. You purchase one and discover 3 things. A dead body, a suitcase filled with money and a box of love letters from Elvis Presley." I cheated a wee bit- the body's not exactly

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-82950785015819979252011-06-16T11:31:00.001-04:002011-06-16T11:31:00.021-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge did not skate a single shift, but is willing to take credit for helping the Boston Bruins win their first Stanley Cup in 39 years. This week's word is "perfect", and my Wheel-of-Fortune-in-Las-Vegas inspired tale is called "The Nuts". ("The nuts" is a poker term. If one has "the nuts", then, given the arrangement of cards on the table, one has the best

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-62116357820118724662011-06-16T07:19:00.002-04:002011-06-16T07:19:26.956-04:00

Happy Bloomsday, everybody!

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-33450007252991748232011-06-15T07:10:00.002-04:002011-06-15T07:10:36.942-04:00

This week on the Carousel of Bloggery Goodness which is the one and only Indie Ink Writing Challenge, I ask Amy to write something about a single kiss, and the inexorable Sunshine tells me "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't". "You're nuts," she told me. "N-V-T-S, nuts!," she said, using the old joke from the Mel Brooks movie. Her brown hair, intensely curly, framed

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-32691400684812663452011-06-10T07:31:00.000-04:002011-06-10T07:31:32.805-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge wouldn't play an entire NBA Finals 4th quarter and take only one shot. This week's word is "compliments" and the title is "After The Thrill Is Gone" Some were simply too tight, the buttons pulling at the buttonholes, soft diamonds of skin showing through. Some were too loose and shapeless. She knew which ones brought compliments from leering men or

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-67498364764835864252011-06-08T07:37:00.000-04:002011-06-08T07:37:55.784-04:00

Opera Mouth challenged me this week to tell a story about being stranded on a desert island, while I challenge Christy with the single word "Balance". Here's my contribution, "Survival Gear" I said I wanted to be alone. Well, I got that much of what I asked for. Flying cargoes of I Don't Want To Know from God Knows Where to Not Even God Knows Where, being paid in cash to keep my ex

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-19536478328691023332011-06-03T16:16:00.001-04:002011-06-03T16:16:28.540-04:00

Velvet Verbosity's 100 Word Challenge is busy growing its playoff beard. This week's word is "unconscious", and my story about unconscious bias is called "Assume". Her pregnancy had been a seemingly unending series of bad news, restrictions, and rules. You can't do this anymore, you're not allowed to have that. I was sitting next to her, facing her as she sat. The curtain parted and a

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014331.post-22091014757734739102011-06-01T19:22:00.001-04:002011-06-01T19:22:26.886-04:00

This week, as part of the IndieInk Writing Challenge, I challenge Manju, asking her "What do you want from me?", while I am challenged by The Onion, not the satirical newspaper but instead someone with lots of layers (onions have layers, as Donkey told us). This tear inducing vegetable asks me to write about a time when I felt shame. There are no shortage of those, for sure. I don't typically

Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897636875216996092noreply@blogger.com4