She did what?: a fictional, short story

May 30: Story Challenge in 99-words

May 30, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a beaver slap

Paula saw it before she felt it but wasn’t able to move aside fast enough to avoid the THWAP! How on earth had it gotten this bad? She had heard about “cat fights” and the occasional “bitch slap” but the “beaver slap”? It was incredibly degrading and she felt immediate shame, along with the burning sensation that seemed to pulse from the back of her thighs. In all the years her and Emily had lived together as a couple, never had they resorted to violence until now. Paula had a feeling that this was changing things for the worse.

The Golden Onion

Written for The Carrot Ranch https://carrotranch.com/2023/02/27/february-27-story-challenge-in-99-words/

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-an-onion-bulb-and-grass-in-blue-sky-71509005

Once upon a time there was a sweet, kind, little worm
He lived in the soft dirt, where he squiggled and he squirmed
He found some long white roots, he found them growing in his path
He pulled down the sweet fruit, he washed it clean in a cool bath
He tasted the gold, round food, it tasted tangy but still nice
He would use it in his cooking, he would use it as a spice
The worm lived a long life in his deep, dark, frosty hole
He always kept his golden onion safely cradled in a bowl.

#stinewriting Fiction short story stinewriting The Carrotranch Weekend Writing Weekend Writing Prompt

October 17: Story Challenge in 99-words

October 17, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that references “I see the light in you.” You can use the phrase or demonstrate it in a story. Who is shining and why? Who is observing or reacting? What is the setting? Go where the prompt leads!
https://carrotranch.com/2022/10/17/october-17-story-challenge-in-99-words/

Billy walked sullenly, head hung low.

He hadn’t meant to look so stupid in front of his friends.

How could a book report turn into a horror show within minutes?

Dennis was how!

Billy didn’t know they were reading the same book and he certainly didn’t know that his abridged version was not only the easier version but it kept some of the best details out!Sharon ran up to Billy as he walked along.
“I thought your report was better! You enjoyed reading and it showed! I see the light in you when you talk, more than Dennis!”

#stinewriting Blog Fiction Flashfiction The Carrotranch

Saddle Up Saloon: Cowsino October 2022

The Carrotranch has a Cowsino open for October. Stop by here and check it all out.

Once upon a time there was a farmer who decided to open a farm for all of the animals that other farmers decided they were done with.

Every day the farmer would stand by his mailbox and wait until he saw the sad animals walking down the road. He would wave them over and tell them that they were welcome to come live at his farm. He called it the Forever Farm.

But one day a chicken came walking backwards down the road. The Farmer didn’t know if he would be able to get the chicken’s attention before he passed so he decided to put out a roadblock to stop the chicken at his mailbox. This certainly worked because when the chicken hit the road block, not only did he stop but he started screaming and bouncing around like an old Mexican jumping bean.

He finally came to a stop at the farmer’s feet.
“Why’d you stop me like that?”, asked the chicken.
“I wanted you to stop so I could ask you if you wanted to come live here at the Forever Farm. You were walking backwards and I didn’t want to miss you when you walked by.”

“Well, that was awfully nice of you but when I get scared I can’t control myself.”

“That’s no problem. I don’t mind what any of you animals do,” replied the farmer.

Except, every time there was a loud noise in one of the fields, or a new animal, or the honk of a horn, the chicken started screaming and bouncing everywhere. Then it came, the UPS truck, with its big brown boxy sides. “Honk, Honk” The driver beeped the horn to get the farmer’s attention.

Suddenly the chicken appeared screaming and bouncing, and he scared the UPS driver so much that the driver jumped into the truck and started driving away when the chicken bounced right in front of the truck. The UPS driver didn’t have time to stop. The chicken didn’t know where he was, and the farmer looked on with dread at the mess that became this poor little chicken.

After this happened the farmer decided he wouldn’t stop animals to invite them to live at his farm, he would wait until they asked him for help. Then he would remember to explain all the safety rules of his farm so this tragedy didn’t happen again.

From that day on, the farmer waited just inside his fence so animals couldn’t talk to him while they were still in the road. The farmer and the UPS driver never had an accident with any animal ever again.

#stinewriting 99-Word Story Blog

Reunited: Story Challenge in 99-words

May 16, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about when a newly released prisoner meets the disabled veteran who adopted the puppy the prisoner trained behind bars. The prompt is based on the short story I wrote for Marsha Ingrao’s Story Chat. Yes, rewrite my story in your words, 99, no more, no less. Go where the prompt leads! Find this prompt and the story at Carrot Ranch

Jessie stepped off the bus into the dusty heat. Instantly his lips dried and his throat felt scratchy.
Walking into the station, Jessie looked around. The old guy at the counter looked up.
“Can I help you?”
“Sure, I’m looking for Merle.”
The old guy stood up and Jessie noticed he was missing his right arm.
Bounding out behind him a golden lab ran at Jessie.
“Darn dog! Stay!”
Jessie caught the dog in his arms and smiled. “Hey, girl!”
“How do you know my dog?”
“I was her trainer, up at the prison. She must’ve recognized my voice.”
2022 CBialczak

#stinewriting Blog Fiction Photo Challenge

Story Challenge in 99-words

This is hosted by The Carrot Ranch Literary Community: https://carrotranch.com/2022/04/25/april-25-story-challenge-in-99-words/

I held my breath at the sight of it. Those balloons! It brought me back to being a little girl, holding dad’s hand as he yelled, “Up, up and away!” as the beautiful balloons cut their tethers and lifted off the ground with fire blazing. The festival was our tradition, my dad and me, we went every year as far back as I can even remember. We should have gone up at least once, I think. At least I have the memories and know that he is floating somewhere watching me now. “Hey Dad, which balloon is your favorite?”

#stinewriting Blog Fiction Flashfiction Photo Challenge Random Writings stinewriting The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic

The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic

There is now a new writing challenge: https://carrotranch.com/2021/02/01/the-sue-vincent-rodeo-classic/

sue-vincent-rodeo-classic.jpg (1000×1000)

Marcy’s Cabin

Marcy looked out over the trees feeling the morning air, crisp and clean, filling her nostrils. It had finally become a reality. Her dream to live in the mountains with only the earth and Dexter, her dog, to keep her busy was finally a reality.

Marcy hadn’t realized the beauty that lay before her on her bedroom balcony. Leaning on the railing to look down into the valley, Marcy felt a wiggle and heard a short snap before falling to the ground below. Would someone find her? The world darkened around her.

#stinewriting Flashfiction Pepper Day! Random Writings stinewriting Weekly Writing Prompt

Pepper Day Contribution!

https://rarasaur.com/2020/10/22/self-check-in/

Flash Fiction Challenge

October 22, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a spooky tale told around a campfire. It doesn’t have to include the campfire; it can be the tale. Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by October 26, 2020. Use the comment section below to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form. Rules & Guidelines.

For: https://carrotranch.com/2020/10/22/october-22-flash-fiction-challenge-2/

The Popping Cinders!

We sat close to the flames. With each pop a cinder would be released; we would hold our breath to see where it landed. My grandpa had told me that when a cinder pops and lands on the skin, it is landing on the skin of a vampire. No one believed me. With each pop we jumped a little, hoping the cinder didn’t land on our own leg.
Pop!
The bright, burning cinder popped up into the air, made an arc and started coming straight back down, ready to land on….
All I could do was hold my breath…
(99 words)

Fiction Flashfiction Random Writings

First Flight: August 13 Flash Fiction Challenge

Written for Carrot Ranch: https://carrotranch.com/2020/08/13/august-13-flash-fiction-challenge-2/

Granny

Fiction Flashfiction One Word Challenge Random Writings

April 30: Flash Fiction Challenge

April 30, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features long boards. They can be used in any way you imagine, including a name for sporting equipment. How are they used and who is using them? Go where the prompt leads! https://carrotranch.com/2020/04/30/april-30-flash-fiction-challenge-2/

Daryl threw his backpack over his shoulder and grabbed his longboard before heading out the door. He wanted to meet up with Trevor but knew he’d probably run into Nicky on the way. He didn’t mind. Nicky was pretty, but she just wasn’t what Daryl would call “dating material”. She was more like a sister to him than a girlfriend. He didn’t know if she thought they were dating or not but they never kissed or anything like that. Daryl didn’t want a girlfriend anyhow. He and Trevor were practicing for the local Long Board Championships in two weeks.

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