February 3, 2014
In
Writing
Writing Prompt #2
Hello! Some folk and I were talking on my Facebook page about flash fiction, and how it is super fun but can be hard to get started.
So, to (hopefully) help your writing brain warm up, I’m going to put up a weekly writing prompt. There’s no pressure to share what you write, at all, but if you want to, please do pop a link in the comments!
This week’s very fine contributions (so far!):
- I send some kids off on their own
- JJ gets a little murderous
- Lisa tugs at the heartstrings
- Karen’s little Georgie brings a tear to our eye
- Alana goes lateral and creates a heartbreaker
- Erin Marie’s boy speaks painful truths
- Liz tells a story within a story
- Anika’s imagery is wonderful
John James
February 6, 2014 at 8:04 amReally loved this one Anna – so evocative!
I really liked this line: “and her huge stomach bounced and it was pink and shiny like Amanda’s Christmas ham”
:)
John James
February 6, 2014 at 9:15 amHere ya go – written quickly this morning in one go without many edits… as flash as it gets! :)
http://johnanthonyjames.com/post/75730717209/flash-fiction-the-red-rattler
Anna Spargo-Ryan
February 6, 2014 at 7:38 pmEek. I’m afraid of your kid, JJ :D Nicely done.
John James
February 6, 2014 at 7:59 pmYes – I suspect he may grow up to be a serial killer… ;)
Alana
February 7, 2014 at 6:26 pmI’m commenting here because Disqus seems to be having issues today (otherwise I would’ve left some extra comment love on your blog.
I really like the buoyant energy in your piece and the wonderful description of the boy feeling free, followed by the quick shift into violence. Future serial killer sounds plausible!
John James
February 7, 2014 at 7:18 pmThanks – I’m still not sure why the story shifted like that – I literally just wrote it out in one go without thinking too much – I just suddenly, or maybe he suddenly, just changed… I worry about the young couple… I hate to think what happened to them… ;)
Karen
February 6, 2014 at 6:49 pmI did it! These are great Anna :)
http://damelibellule.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=29&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
Anna Spargo-Ryan
February 6, 2014 at 7:36 pmHello! Your link is a bit broken – if you click on it you should see your edit screen. Click on “View Post” and then paste that link here instead :) x
Karen
February 6, 2014 at 9:14 pmOops! Thanks http://damelibellule.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/writing-prompt-2-from-anna-spargo-ryan/
lisa
February 6, 2014 at 6:53 pmYes, this is my favourite so far, the innocence of childhood in divorce. Ok round 2 Anna! A little more serious this week.
(http://mummymanifesto.com/www1/?p=3758).
lisa
February 6, 2014 at 7:38 pmok start again the real link I hope! http://mummymanifesto.com/www1/2014/02/06/writing-prompt-2-boy-mother-afternoon-train/
Anna Spargo-Ryan
February 6, 2014 at 7:45 pmI love it Lisa! Heart strings being played and pulled. Thanks so much for taking part :)
John James
February 6, 2014 at 8:01 pmI found this very moving too Lisa – my mother died in her own bed, so brought back some sad memories for me… but I still like your story…
Alana
February 7, 2014 at 12:57 pmSo I’m being brave and have joined in;
http://wolfandword.net/?p=360
I’ve read everyone’s great efforts and I’ll be back later to comment as now I must dash.
I just wanted to post before I chickened out!
John James
February 7, 2014 at 1:02 pmHa! Love the twist in the way you used the prompt! :)
Why do I get the feeling that the kid in your story is going to meet the kid in my story and cause mischief?!
Alana
February 7, 2014 at 6:18 pmThanks!
Yes! I definitely see that happening, although somehow I think the kid in your story would be the ringleader, my kid is more of a follower :).
John James
February 7, 2014 at 7:15 pmI think you’re right… :)
Alana
February 7, 2014 at 6:20 pmI really love your story Anna, you write about families in such a real and relatable way, and then infuse it with such beautiful sentences. My favourite line – “Amanda said, “It’s a bay, not the sea,” and dad kissed her and they laughed at the same time like it was a song they both knew.” Lovely.
Anna Spargo-Ryan
February 8, 2014 at 9:32 amThank you! That’s exactly what I hope to do, to write about real people in interesting ways. Thanks so much for participating xx
Pingback:Writing prompt 2: a boy and his mother catch an afternoon train | erinaree.com
February 8, 2014 at 10:44 pmErin Marie
February 8, 2014 at 10:46 pmI had to wait a few days for this to come to me, but I’m pretty happy with how it came out.
http://erinaree.com/2014/02/08/writing-prompt-2-a-boy-and-his-mother-catch-an-afternoon-train/
Liz
February 10, 2014 at 9:42 pmSlow, but here. :)
http://toomanyteaspoons.com/2014/02/monday-writing-prompt-2/
ali
February 13, 2014 at 4:22 pmHey Anna,
I love how they laughed together. I hope we do that.
Feel sorry for the Mum, having an Amanda in her life.
A good reminder of how the grumps and bumps of being an adult aren’t really fair on kids.
Karen
February 22, 2014 at 9:39 pmI did this one late and, my flash fiction turned into flash memories. This is a potentialy a really triggering piece about depression, especially at this time. However, it is here if you wish to read it http://damelibellule.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/monday-writing-prompt-4-from-anna-spargo-ryan/
Anna Spargo-Ryan
March 2, 2014 at 11:04 amxx
Pingback:Writing prompt experiment #2 | Spokenly
February 25, 2014 at 11:52 pmAnika Johnstone
February 25, 2014 at 11:54 pmAnd this one too http://spokenly.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/writing-prompt-experiment-2/ (I am enjoying this).
Anna Spargo-Ryan
March 2, 2014 at 11:05 amI LOVE both of your pieces Anika! I read them twice. They are wonderful. Thank you for joining in :)
Pingback:Writing Prompt #2: A boy and his mother on the afternoon train - Mummy Manifesto
March 19, 2014 at 4:38 pm