Writing Prompts – Page 2 – Hugh's Views & News

Flash Fiction – Hilary’s Loss

Published on Feb 10, 2024Feb 10, 2024 by Hugh W. Roberts16 Comments

February 6, 2024, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something lost now found. Is it an object or person who is lost? How are they lost? What happens when what was lost is found? Go where the prompt leads!

Hilary’s Loss – by Hugh W. Roberts

Hilary had lost the love of her life, but life went on.

She looked at her reflection closely in the mirror.

‘Gorgeous.’ she assured herself.

“You are,’ said the reflection of her husband, Bert, from behind her.

Hilary quickly turned her head, but, of course, he wasn’t there. He was dead.

While clipping on the pearl earrings Bert had gifted her on their pearl wedding anniversary, Hilary was somewhat startled by the sound of the doorbell.

Opening the door, Hilary had found love again. She didn’t care that love came with a price. Some things were worth paying for.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

Image of an elderly woman looking at her reflection in a mirror. — Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

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Flash Fiction – Friends, Emotions And An Object Made Of Walnut!

Published on Feb 4, 2024Feb 4, 2024 by Hugh W. Roberts17 Comments

January 30, 2024, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something made of walnut. How can the object expand a story? Who is the maker? How old is the object? What is its significance? Go where the prompt leads!

Friends, Emotions And An Object Made Of Walnut – by Hugh W. Roberts

I’m glad they liked my choice of walnut. It’s always been a favourite of mine.

“It’s beautiful.”

“They say walnut is the best, and by gosh, they’re right. He’d have absolutely loved it.”

“Doesn’t it polish up nicely? Look at the shine.”

“I wonder how much it cost? Such a shame.”

“A shame? He’d have loved it.”

“How do you know?”

Those were the final words I heard, apart from a serious-sounding muffled voice.

And how true it is about hearing being the final sense to go as your coffin gets lowered into the flames.

Flaming walnut. Great choice.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

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Image of a piece of walnut wood showing lots of grains. — Image Credit – Charli Mills

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take readers to the edge of their imagination.

More Glimpses

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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Flash Fiction – The Time Traveller’s Husband

Published on Jan 14, 2024Jan 14, 2024 by Hugh W. Roberts32 Comments

January 9, 2024, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a recovery story. What instigated the recovery? What is being recovered? Data, athletes, illness — expand the idea of recovery and find your story. Go where the prompt leads!

You should read last week’s piece of flash fiction first. Then today’s piece of flash will make more sense.

Flash Fiction – Red Or Yellow?

The Time Traveller’s Husband – by Hugh W. Roberts

Hell was too hot for me, but the men were so hot!

“You don’t know how pleased I am to see you,” shouted my husband’s voice. “But how did you get here?”

“I have the same time machine as you, but, unlike you, I always read the instruction manuals first,” I smiled.

I watched as my husband gathered his belongings.

“What makes you think I’ve come here to recover you?” I asked.

“Well, who else would you be here for?” came his reply.

The look on my husband’s face was priceless as I escorted Satan to my time machine.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

Follow Hugh on his social media platforms by clicking the buttons below.

Flash Fiction – Red Or Yellow?

Published on Jan 7, 2024Jan 8, 2024 by Hugh W. Roberts39 Comments

January 2, 2024, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the colour red. It can be a descriptor, a setting, a character, or a metaphor. How far can you get in a story by expanding “red”? Go where the prompt leads!

Red Or Yellow? – by Hugh W. Roberts

Red walls? The time machine had red walls!

It also had a large red ‘inviting-to-touch’ button.

I could smell smoke and see flickers of flame before deciding whether to push the red button or the smaller yellow one. But that must have been my drunken imagination playing tricks again.

“Here goes!” I yelled as my hand with red-painted nails pushed the red button.

My eyeballs bulged when the time machine travelled down rather than up or sideways.

“You should have read the instruction book before pressing the red button,” cackled a horned being. “There’s no way back from Hell.”

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

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Image of shades of red — Image Credit: Charli Mills

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take readers to the edge of their imagination.

More Glimpses

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

Follow Hugh on his social media platforms by clicking the buttons below.

Flash Fiction – Black Friday

Published on Nov 24, 2023Nov 23, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts30 Comments

November 21, 2023, prompt: Write a story about a ship named the Huntress in 99 words (no more, no less). What type of ship is it? Where does it go, and what does it carry? Who are the characters involved with this ship? What happens? Go where the prompt leads!

Black Friday – by Hugh W. Roberts

Amidst the chaos of Black Friday, a different kind of frenzy unfolded at the bustling harbour.

The “Huntress,” a magnificent ship, emerged as the ultimate deal. Legend whispered of hidden bargains aboard, drawing crowds like magnets.

At midday, eager shoppers transformed into intrepid adventurers, storming the gangplank in pursuit of discounts and the allure of maritime mystery.

The ship creaked and groaned, a vessel caught between commerce and legend.

Black Friday bargains blended with the salty sea breeze, creating unforgettable chapters in retail history as the Huntress sailed into what remained of Black Friday, laden with goods and dreams.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

Image of a classic ship with large sails sailing in choppy sea waters. — Image Credit: Charli Mills

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

Follow Hugh on his social media platforms by clicking the buttons below.

Flash Fiction – Waiting For Who?

Published on Nov 11, 2023Nov 9, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts27 Comments

November 7, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about waiting. Where does this waiting take place? Does it have a past or a future outcome? Who is waiting and why? Go where the prompt leads!

Waiting For Who? – by Hugh W. Roberts

I’d been waiting for hours. Why was I here?

‘You’ll soon find out,’ said a voice in my head.

I’d sat on every chair. All were uncomfortable. I paced up and down, breathing in the heavy air of dread.

“Mr Roberts?” a voice whispered. “Follow me.”

I had no idea where the handsome nurse had come from, but I followed him.

“This is it,” he said, ushering me into a room.

A dim light lit up a figure in the bed, covered in a white sheet.

I approached and pulled back the sheet.

My face stared back at me.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

#photography #photochallenge #photo — Follow the light. Every door is another journey of discovery.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take readers to the edge of their imagination.

More Glimpses

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

Follow Hugh on his social media platforms by clicking the buttons below.

Flash Fiction – Flakes Of Life

Published on Nov 4, 2023Nov 4, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts22 Comments

October 31, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the word or idea, flakes. What or who is a flake? Is there tension or phenomenon that is creating flakes? Can flakes be massive or minute? Go to your flakiest memories for living images to play with. Go where the prompt leads!

Flakes Of Life – by Hugh W. Roberts

Flakes of frosty dread drifted through the old, abandoned house I’d taken shelter in. They weren’t ordinary flakes but echoes of lost souls.

I heard tales whispered by those who’d glimpsed the spectral dance, telling me the flakes carried memories of those who perished here, trapped between two worlds.

Icy fingers brushed my skin as the flakes swirled. The past and present merged in an eerie waltz, unveiling secrets and sorrows long ago buried.

I closed my eyes and joined them.

For those who entered after me, the house held chilling promises of both revelation and haunting, forever entwined.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

Photo by Chrysostomos Galathris on Pexels.com

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

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Flash Fiction – Have You Heard Of Shaggy Pages?

Published on Oct 21, 2023Oct 21, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts40 Comments

October 17, 2023, prompt: Write a story about something shaggy in 99 words (no more, no less). It can be carpet, a hair-do, or some sort of critter. How can something shaggy steer the story? Go where the prompt leads! See ‘October 17: Story Challenge in 99-words‘ for more details.

Have You Heard Of Shaggy Pages? – by Hugh W. Roberts

I opened a charming bookstore called ‘Shaggy Pages’ in a quaint town.

It became a refuge for the LGBTQ+ community, where stories of love and acceptance filled the air.

My cosy shop, adorned with shaggy tapestries and shelves brimming with diverse tales, was a sanctuary for those seeking solace and connection. It was here that relationships bloomed, and hearts found belonging.

In the warm embrace of ‘Shaggy Pages,’ I wove together stories of love, courage, and pride, creating a tapestry of acceptance far beyond my shop’s walls.

‘Shaggy Pages’ – the place where everyone is welcome. Come on in.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

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Flash Fiction – Roots

Published on Oct 1, 2023Oct 1, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts26 Comments

September 26, 2023, prompt: Write a story that includes a blade of grass in 99 words (no more, no less). What can you compare it to? Or in contrast? Is it a character prop or a story linchpin? Go poetic; go any genre or tone. Go where the prompt leads!

Roots – by Hugh W. Roberts

Technology overtook nature, and a blade of grass became a symbol of rebellion.

It sprouted in a crack between neon-lit sidewalks, a living relic of a long-forgotten past. Scientists marvelled at its resilience while authorities saw it threatening their synthetic world.

They dispatched the drones to eradicate the abnormality, but the blade fought back. Extending its roots into the digital grid, it sparked chaos.

Within days, cities crumbled, and nature reclaimed its dominion on Earth.

That lone blade of grass is me. I stand tall, a testament to the lasting power of life, rekindling hope in a dystopian age.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

Photo of lots of flowers and grasses in a spring meadow. — Spring Meadow.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

Follow Hugh on his social media platforms by clicking the buttons below.

If you enjoyed this post and want more like it, click the ‘Subscribe’ button to stay up-to-date with my latest content.

Flash Fiction – My Grandmother’s Quilt

Published on Sep 23, 2023Sep 23, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts38 Comments

September 19, 2023, prompt: Write a story that includes a blanket in 99 words (no more, no less). Any interpretation works! What happens to a story when you give a character the prop of a blanket? Is the blanket the story? Is it a memory container, a source of comfort, or smothering? Go where the prompt leads! See September 19: Story Challenge in 99 words for more details.

My Grandmother’s Quilt – by Hugh W. Roberts

A chilling breeze whispered through the creaking timbers as night descended upon the cabin I found myself in.

Shivering, I reached for my grandmother’s old quilt draped across the armchair. As the tattered blanket settled around me, it seemed to come alive. Shadows danced on its faded patchwork, taking sinister forms.

Goosebumps prickled my skin as I watched in horror. Then, a spectral hand emerged, beckoning me into its ghostly embrace.

My screams echoed through the cabin, but the blanket absorbed them.

From that night, the cabin was empty, except for the eerie blanket, waiting for its next victim.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.