flash fiction

Mondays Finish The Story – Life’s Perspective

/ Penny L Howe / 20 Comments
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Photograph by Barb W. Beacham copyright © 2014

Would anyone know if there truly was an alien invasion? She thought. She pondered this question for a second longer and then laughed to herself. In a heartbeat we would! They are so noisy.

However, this was just one of the many thoughts passing through her mind while cleaning her mandibles. She paused to consider her forearms. They are beautiful, aren’t they? She reflected, her thoughts continuing on.

She’d debated whether or not to stay where she was. The alien beings had a habit of showing up and invading her space at all the wrong times, and she really didn’t wan’t anything to interfere with her mating. He’d be here soon. She’d been looking forward to this moment. It was sad that it seemed to last so very briefly, but then again this was just the way of things.

There was a crashing sound from nearby shrubs.

Aliens, she thought, disgustedly. Well, grass sticks, too late to move. The aliens made their way noisily through the underbrush. Even louder screechy sounds emanated from the heads of their bodies. She sighed in resignation, holding still, preparing for the onslaught of another interaction with alien humankind.

“Hey George, look. Isn’t that a preying mantis? Get your camera out, we should be able to get a good shot of this one.”  

***

For more information about Mondays Finish The Story (flash fiction) Writers Challenge, using both a photo and an opening sentence as your prompt: click HERE. Barb will be happy to assist, should you wish to write and enter a story of your own, or just read some of the other entries.

Thank you for stopping by and reading, have an excellent rest of your day and better tomorrow!

~ Penny

Sunday Photo Fiction – Leave the Light Off.

/ Penny L Howe / 22 Comments
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photograph © Alastair Forbes

In folklore, telling someone you’d leave the light on for them was a friendly way of saying you looked forward to their visit. But that was in another time, another place and as far as John was concerned a completely other existence from his current one.

Hiding out in the decrepit old mansion he was pleased there was no electricity. He looked forward to the safety of darkness soon to envelop the estate with the coming night. He felt safer in the dark.

Which was rather amusing in light of things, he thought, giving out a harsh bark of laughter. And then repeating to himself, “In light of things. Too funny, I made a pun.” No pleasure in his laughter, though.

It was a truthful pun. As a child he’d been deathly afraid of the dark and always had a night light on to feel okay before he’d sleep.

Now, a light on meant someone would know he was here. He glanced up at the silently mocking chandelier. Life did work in mysterious ways. He sighed a weary sigh, and settled in to wait for the safety of the lightless night.

***

To take part in this writer’s challenge, just check in here at Sunday Photo Fiction Your host, Alastair, will guide you through the process. To read other entries (fun and well written), click on the little blue link box, while there.

Hope your enjoyed, thanks for stopping by,

With a little bit of whimsy relating to light, does anyone remember where the following humorous phrase originated from: “Put the candle BACK!” (I just love this movie by the way, tons and tons!)

~ Penny

Sunday Photo Fiction – The Mysterious Map!

/ Penny L Howe / 20 Comments

This week’s Sunday Photo Fiction (photo prompt) challenge. More information and details below!

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photograph © Alastair Forbes

 

Rushing waters have a melodious sound. Often, depending on the intensity, you begin to hear it at a distance. There is a soothing naturalness about it. Of course, as preoccupied as I was I didn’t waste any creative thinking regarding the sound of the water; I was just glad I could hear it.

Nearing the end of my quest. Finally. The last clue on the confusing map my friend, now deceased, had scrawled with her remaining strength before she died.

There should be a large odd shaped rock near the cascading water. There it was. Brushing aside wet shrubs and tall grass, I made my way to the rock. What would I find? What had been so important she left me a map to find it. A treasure map? A clue to her killer? I myself had no clues as to what any of this was about. But I was determined to find out.

As I neared the misshapen rock I could see a bit of an overhang towards the backside. It was necessary to get on my knees and scramble behind. The dirt was softer here, as if recently moved. I began digging with my hands, hoping what I was searching for wouldn’t be hidden too deeply. My fingers hit something solid. I brushed the remaining surface dirt from a small container and pulled it out of the ground. Holding the metal box in one hand I carefully removed the lid and stared in total disbelief at the contents. No one was going to believe this. It was …

(Oops too many words for flash fiction, I’d better stop writing now!) If you think you know, leave me a comment telling me what she found in the metal box! Something truly mysterious and exciting of course!

*

All of you who would like to take part in this writer’s challenge, just check in here at Sunday Photo Fiction Sir Alastair, the Intrepid, will be your guide. To read the other entries, click on the little blue link box, while there.

Hope you enjoyed,

~ Penny

 

Mondays Finish the Story – Grandpa’s Collection of Company

/ Penny L Howe / 13 Comments

 

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Photograph by Barb W. Beacham copyright © 2014

Grandpa’s Collection of Company

Little did we know that Grandpa was a collector. He’d never shown any inclination to collect anything of any kind. The few old vehicles out in the barn were there only because when one would stop running, it was easier to leave it parked and go get another one that did. When my sister suggested we visit Grandpa one weekend, I must admit neither one of us were prepared for what we would find.

Even though it had been a fairly long time since our last visit, we decided to surprise him one weekend by dropping in unexpectedly. When we arrived he was surprised but seemed happy to see us. We were invited in, and then couldn’t believe what we found inside.

There were books everywhere. Piles upon piles of them. Stacked in every conceivable place. I’m sure there had to be thousands of them.

“Grandpa” when did you start collecting books,” my sister asked. “And why?”

“A few years back,” he replied. “I get very few visitors, family being busy and all, so I decided that books would keep me company. They don’t leave or forget about me, so I’m never disappointed or alone.”

My sister and I had nothing to say.

*

For more information about Mondays Finish The Story Writers Challenge, click HERE. Barb will be happy to assist, should you wish to write and enter a story of your own, or just read some of the other entries.

Hoping your Monday was a positive one for you and that your Tuesday will be even better.

~ Penny

Mondays Finish the Story Challenge – X Marks The Spot!

/ Penny L Howe / 14 Comments

Time for some more lighthearted fun – Monday’s Finish the Story. Your writing challenge (if you choose to accept) is to write a story, based on the photograph shown and an opening sentence provided by your hostess Barb Beacham. (Try for between 100 – 150 words not counting the opening sentence) This week the sentence is:

Do you remember the old saying X marks the spot?

… For more information and to enter … come on, join in … it’ll be fun, click HERE!

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Photograph by Barb W. Beacham copyright © 2014

 

Do you remember the old saying X marks the spot? Well, while X doesn’t always have to mark the spot there was this huge X in the sky this morning when I got up. Couldn’t miss it. There it was right in the middle of a clear blue sky and I had to wonder if it meant something mystical.

I thought about it as I showered and got ready for the day. I mused about it over my morning coffee and breakfast. I even turned on the radio in the car on the way to work, although I didn’t really think I’d hear anything about it.

But it did hang in the air for quite a spell so with the picture I had taken earlier I tweeted a few people I knew and asked if they had seen the X in the sky also. Some had and were curious like myself and some hadn’t and couldn’t care less and then I got a tweet from our of my neighbors. It went something like this.

 George Murphy @farmer.com @pennycoho HA HA! Henry hit the sauce last night and never stopped. He’s up there fertilizing his fields. HA, HA. The X was his first attempt, Can’t wait for the second one!

 

Well, not so mystic after all, just a reminder of how human we all can be. I hope Henry gets his next fertilizing run squared away and makes it back home safely. I do admit to being disappointed, though!

~

Hope this was a fun read for everyone and remember to take care of you,

~ Penny

Sunday Photo Fiction – The Pose, or why Aliens still haven’t landed here!

/ Penny L Howe / 16 Comments


Time For another flash fiction (more or less – oh alright, short story) for SUNDAY PHOTO FICTION, brought to you each week by Alastair, the Hoster (that’s the male form of Hostess, for all you folks who aren’t into etiquette) to find out more info or take part, yourself, (as the writer) check in right HERE for more details. My story follows based on the photo below!

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Photograph by © Alastair Forbes

Don’t Move – You’re in The Perfect Pose!

“I don’t think I can stand still much longer.” (says the alien speaking telepathically to his captain who is still on board the space vessel.)

“No, we need you to stay right where you are and whatever you do, don’t move. Stay completely stationary in that pose. We’ve fooled them all so far.”

“And so what?”

“When we received the diagram of this figure and were able to create you to look just like this, we knew it would be just the thing.”

“Again I ask, for what exactly?”

“You’re mingling with the earth crowd.”

“There is no crowd. Only every now and then a rude bi-pedal creature comes along and puts some kind of awful tasting round metallic food in my mouth, and twists my head. It’s really uncomfortable, not to mention embarrassing. I don’t even have any arms to push them away.”

“But we’re learning so much.”

“No we’re not. This is dumb. I feel dumb. Can I come back to the ship now.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure. We’re a science vessel and you’re here on Earth, passively collecting information. Aren’t you excited?”

“No, I just want to leave. To tell you the truth, I feel stupid and stiff and OMG (gosh), I’m blue. I’ll never live this down when I get back to the spaceship. I’m going to be the butt of every joke the crew can think of.”

“Oh, alright I’m bringing you up, but with incomplete information, we won’t be able to come back this way for a long time.”

“And that’s the first intelligent thing I’ve heard you say. Farewell Earthlings. We’ll come again when we return from infinity, ha, ha, ha!” (Alien voice echoes in the breeze as he disappears from view.)

Hope you enjoyed my silly romp of fantasy. Have a great day and better tomorrow,

~ Penny

Monday’s Finish The Story: The Forever Reminder!

/ Penny L Howe / 20 Comments
2014-10-13-bw-beacham

Photograph by Barbara Beacham ©

The Forever Reminder

The people waved at him from the bridge below. Over the years he had never forgotten. Hardwired to his memory – that particular moment in time. As a hydrologist it was his job to locate groundwater determining depth, quality and most important – the actual amount of water, usually from a place much closer to the ground than he had found himself that day. That eventful day.

Anticipating the groundwater to be shallow, he had not expected there to be – none. And so it came to pass around the globe. No more fresh, clean ground water. As glaciers melted and more fresh water mixed with the ocean, eventually all water was sea water.

Many huge factories and plants were constructed to remove salt from the water for drinking purposes, but it was never the same. Most life died or changed it’s biological nature. Some humans survived. He and his family were among the lucky ones.

When his daughter asked what fresh drinking water was, the image of people waving from a bridge, where fresh water flowed beneath, appeared in his mind. It had became a “forever reminder” of what had been and would never be again!

*

Be sure and give Barb’s new flash fiction weekly challenge -” Monday’s Finish The Story a try! The rules are easy to follow: Just write a short, very short, story (roughly 100-150 words) using the photo as a prompt and begin your story with the line that Barb shares with us. This week the line is: “The people waved at him from the bridge below.” 

A good writing exercise and fun too (if you enjoy writing). For more details or to view other entries just click here!

Hope everyone has a great week ahead,

~ Penny

Flash Fiction – It doesn’t always pay to be first!

/ Penny L Howe / 17 Comments
2014-10-1-bw-beacham

Photograph by Barbara Beacham ©

 

Going Ashore

The team headed toward the island, not sure what they’d find when they arrived, but it didn’t matter. After being at sea for months the sight of land, any land, was incredible.

John cheated in the drawing that would determine who would be among the first to go ashore, feeling no remorse whatsoever. So anxious was he to be on dry land he would have done far worse to win a spot in the boat.

Nearing the land, no surprise, John was first to jump out, wading the rest of the way to the sandy shore.

He disappeared among the tall palm trees before any of the others.

From the interior, his piercing scream was horrifying in intensity. The crew, looked at each other in terror, pushed the boat off, and rowed quickly back to their ship.

Proving the point – It doesn’t always pay to be first, especially if you cheat!

*

Congrat’s Barb, on your new flash fiction weekly challenge -” Monday’s Finish The Story. The rules are easy to follow: Just write a short, very short, story (100-150 words) using the photo as a prompt, begin your story with the line that Barb shares with us. This week the line is: “The team headed toward the island not sure what they would find when they arrived.” 

This one looks to be great fun so be sure and give it a try (if you enjoy writing). For more details or to view other entries just click here!

Hope everyone has an excellent weekend and no scary trips into the interior of things,

~ Penny

Sunday Photo Fiction: Ancient Alien Theory Proven at Last!

/ Penny L Howe / 18 Comments
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photo by Alastair Forbes

…breaking news …. Ancient Alien Theory … proven at last! More news to follow.”

POPULAR TELEVISION SERIES – We regret to inform you that this will be the final “Ancient Aliens” episode. It is with much sorrow that we play for you the final filming of this show.

(View shown in background is that of newly discovered ancient ruins.)

The narrator’s voice begins, as persuasive as always. “But perhaps humans didn’t construct these ancient walls. What if celestial beings from outer space were, in fact … responsible.”

Giorgio Tsoukalos, popular host of the television series “In Search of Aliens” is shown bent over digging into the ruins of this new archaeological find. “This is simply amazing. What if we’ve finally uncovered the evidence of ancient alien involvement, at last. Erich, I am so excited.”

“It is as I always suggested,” said Erich von Daniken, author of the widely acclaimed, worldwide best selling book Chariots of the Gods. “There can now be no question. We have been visited by aliens. Here is indisputable proof.”

A pause in the conversation and then …

,,,Um Erich, I’m stuck here … I mean actually physically (his voice raises) … STUCK HERE. The rocks are sticking to me and those monoliths are edging closer and you, well you look as if you’re sinking into the top of the stone wall.”

“This is possible”, Erich replied, continuing to sink. “I always knew they had a method of melting the rock. This is so fascinating.”

“Erich, could we discuss these theories after we extricate ourselves, I’m getting a little worried here.”

“It is not to worry Giorgio, my friend.” Erich looks encouragingly at his long time associate before continuing:

“They must have had a way to remove themselves from the rock or we would be finding their own bones … no wait … here are some bones now.  And look at the shape of the skull, it appears to be elongated. And here’s another bedded down even deeper into the wall. Even more proof! Eric’s final words are ones of jubilation, “ … at last … I am so happy to be vindicated.” 

Giorgio’s final words bearly understood, “and I am so dead!”

*

Well this story was just a ton of fun to write (based on the photograph by Alastair Forbes, host of Sunday Photo Fiction) and much longer than it should have been. Just couldn’t help myself. For more great stories or to add one yourself, visit Alastair at Sunday Photo Fiction

Hope your week has started off well for you,

~ Penny

Sunday Photo Fiction …But Mommy it was just one small bite!

/ Penny L Howe / 29 Comments
79 09 September 28th 2014

The Dragon, photo by Alistair Forbes, 2014

Herbert the Dragon’s Lesson in Life

“Honestly, I don’t know what the big deal is?” The little dragon said, crouched in the most submissive position he could think of. The last thing he needed right now was to tick his mom off even more.

“We ALWAYS play nice with humans, Herbert.” His mom said sternly.

mommy dragon

Mommy Dragon

“But it was just one little bite,” Herbert whined. “I don’t know why I have to be grounded on account of a stupid bite.”

His mother sighed. “You’ll learn little one. One bite leads to another and before you know it, humans begin to taste good. And then your addicted. One is not ever enough!”

“Well this human didn’t taste good at all!” He said with a disgusted look.

“Good, because eating humans is not a smart thing. The fatty cholesterol in their body clogs our pores and you can get very sick. Haven’t you ever wondered where the rest of the dragons went?”

Since Herbert had been curious about what had happened to most of his species he nodded.

“They got sick and died from humanitis, so avoid them if you can, but if you do decide to play with more humans, for goodness sake … no biting!“

 ~

Thanks to Alistair for providing this great photo of a dragon. I immediately knew where I wanted to go with the short story line. Click on the link below or check out more great flash fiction at Sunday Photo Fiction. Or even better – write one yourself. Excellent creative fun. Come on, join in. 

Hoping your week has started off well.

With affection, Penny