Flash Fiction – Hugh's Views & News

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November 2025 – This is a first! But I Have Good Reasons

Published on Nov 30, 2025Nov 30, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts16 Comments

The past three months have been busy outside the world of blogging, so much so that I didn’t get the chance to write and publish monthly round-up posts for September or October.

Did I feel bad? Did I apologise? No. Sometimes life gets in the way of schedules, and my blogging routine was thrown off course, but it happens to everyone, and nobody needs to apologise. From what I saw, my posts from September, October and November continued to receive engagement, and for me, it’s all about interacting with other bloggers, writers, and readers.

Better late than never. Without further ado, here is the monthly round-up for the past three months on Hugh’s Views and News.

WordPress has introduced a new blog recommendation feature that displays recommended blogs on your Gravatar profile, improving visibility. My post details how to add the blogs you love the most.

This New WordPress Feature Helps Promote The Blogs You Love

Here’s a fresh writing challenge that everyone is encouraged to try. Can you write a story using only 101 words (no more, no less) based on a featured image?

Bloggers/Authors: Are You Ready For A Writing Challenge?

Where do the images and photos in your blog posts originate? Are you certain you’re not infringing the law by using copyrighted images?

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How easy do you make it for visitors to share your blog posts and boost the visibility of your blog? Take action: These nine options are easy to find and activate.

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This is why you should never forget to put the clocks back before going to bed.

When The Clocks Go Back

Springtime in Paris! Sounds romantic, doesn’t it? Think again!

Experience the Magic of Spring in Paris! But not as you know it!

Are photography blog posts worth commenting on? Why I Decided to Stop Publishing My Photography.

4 Never Before Seen Photos And Why You Need To See Them

This post outlines various scams affecting bloggers, including voicemail scams and email phishing claims that appear to come from WordPress. Don’t become a victim of a scam or fined for downloading copyrighted material.

The Latest Blogging and Publishing Scams You Need to Be Aware Of Now

The featured image on this blog post is sourced from Pixabay. AI reviewed spelling and grammar errors.

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An AI-generated image of a Paris street in spring. In the background is the Eiffel Tower, and along the street is a cafe and trees with spring blossoms. Two men stand next to a large clock.

Experience the Magic of Spring in Paris! But not as you know it!

Published on Nov 3, 2025Nov 3, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts1 Comment

Just in time for Halloween! Oh, wait! Halloween has come and gone. But fear not, because I have something special that will thrill and chill you—an intriguing tale set against the romantic backdrop of springtime in Paris, France!

Introducing “Springtime in Paris,” a captivating story featured on Marsha Ingrao’s blog as part of her successful Story Chat feature. This isn’t just any story; I’ve been told it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that has generated vibrant engagement from readers who couldn’t get enough of its enigmatic charm! After pouring my heart and soul into this short story for six long months, I hope you will agree that I crafted a narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Will you unravel the mysteries intertwined with the beauty of Paris in spring? If you’re longing for a literary escape to this enchanting city, while the rest of the northern hemisphere is in autumn, click the link below. Can it really be spring in Paris when it’s autumn in London, New York and Munich?

👉 Story Chat Digest: “Springtime in Paris” by Hugh W. Roberts

I’m eager to hear your thoughts! Although comments are closed here, feel free to share your reflections and feedback on the original post so they can be included with all the other comments.

So, pack your virtual bags and embark on this unforgettable journey to Paris—don’t forget to bring me back some coffee and croissants, and maybe a little souvenir of the Eiffel Tower. Dive in and enjoy your literary getaway!

Feature image created using WordPress AI image creator.

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A photograph of a green tour bus from the 1930s with the words 'Agatha Christie Bus Tour To Greenway' on the side.

Bloggers/Authors: Are You Ready For A Writing Challenge?

Published on Sep 12, 2025Sep 12, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts

I’m excited to share that I have published a new post on Marsha Ingrao’s blog, Always Write, dedicated to the captivating art of flash fiction!

If you’re a writer looking to sharpen your skills or a reader eager to explore new narrative forms, this piece offers valuable tips to help you craft compelling stories in a brief format.

But that’s not all! To test your newfound knowledge, I invite you to take part in a creative flash fiction challenge: Write a complete flash fiction story in just 101 words based on the image I have used as the featured image on this post. The image also features in the post.

Whether you’re an experienced author or just starting out, this is an excellent opportunity to unleash your imagination. Jump in, write away, and let’s see what wonderful stories we can create together!

Check out the post on Marsha’s blog for all the details.

Click the image or link below to be taken straight to the post.

An image introducing the guest post about writing flash fiction. — Are you up for a writing challenge?

Story Chat Digest: “Mastering the Art of Flash Fiction” by Hugh W. Roberts

If you have any comments or questions, please leave them on the post on Marsha’s blog, as I am closing comments here to ensure all comments and questions are in one place where everyone can see them.

Have fun with the challenge. Happy writing.

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August 2025 – Something strange happened on my blog!

Published on Aug 31, 2025Aug 31, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts29 Comments

Something strange happened this month. For the first time since I’ve been blogging, one of my blog posts received more engagement on social media (Mastodon) than on the actual post. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it, but could it be that claims of real engagement in the world of blogging are on the decline?

However, August turned out to be a bumper month for me. Although I only published three blog posts, four if you include this one, my stats soared. August 2025 was the highest month for views of any August since I started blogging in 2014. And to top it all off, engagement remained high.

How was your August blogging-wise?

Here’s your opportunity to catch up on my three blog posts from August 2025.

Did you know that keeping old, outdated blog posts can damage your blog? What do you do with your old blog posts? Join the discussion.

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Warning: If you spot a small pod similar to this, do not go near it.

Flash Fiction – A Small Invasion

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An image with a blue background with the words 'Flash Fiction' in white text.

Flash Fiction – A Small Invasion

Published on Aug 11, 2025Aug 11, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts30 Comments

Nobody took much notice of the small Halloween pod that appeared in the Griffiths’ small front window on the night before Halloween. They’d sold the place because it was too small, and the neighbours thought the new owners had placed the pod there. But they were wrong!

The mesmerising, faint green glow out of the eyes and mouth of the pod during daytime Halloween became brighter as the sun set and dusk arrived. It was a sight to behold, especially for the innocent local small children who couldn’t resist posing with it for photos. Their innocence, a stark contrast to the small danger lurking within, made them all the more vulnerable.

Photo of a halloween pumpkin — Halloween

Little did they know that the small creature inside was not just observing, but also making intricate plans. Its intelligence, a chilling reminder of the impending threat, was something to be feared and respected.

At the stroke of midnight, the pod cracked open, and the small, agile creature darted out. It was now a master of disguise, mimicking all the costumes it had seen. Its constant shifting and learning, and planning its next move, was a clear sign of the magnitude of the threat.

By dawn, the small population of the street had shrunk, mostly of children. Of course, nobody took any notice of me, the new owner of the Griffiths’ house, as I blended in seamlessly into your world, now a perfect mimic of your kind.

They asked me about the small pod and the missing children, but I denied any knowledge of them. Over the following twelve months, the city’s human population decreased.

On the run-up to Halloween, keep your eyes peeled for a small alien pod in your neighbourhood. But more importantly, keep a close eye on your neighbours. After all, every invasion starts small.

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt: Small.

The featured image in this blog post was created using AI.

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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – July 2025

Published on Jul 31, 2025Jul 31, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts7 Comments

I’ve always believed that the summer months are quieter in the blogging world because many of us are off doing better things and making the most of the weather, provided it’s not too hot and humid. Yet, I have been proved wrong this summer, with my stats for June being significantly higher compared to June 2024, and they remained much the same for July. But how are your stats doing for the year so far?

Including this post, I’ve published 31 posts so far this year, which is significantly fewer than I’ve ever done, except for 2014, my first year of blogging. My blogging tips posts remain popular, although I’m pleased that both my flash fiction posts received much more engagement than previous flash fiction posts.

When was the last time you backed up your blog? Don’t need to back it up? Think again. I’d recommend reading the last post on the following list.

Here’s your opportunity to catch up on my four blog posts from July 2025.

Bill faces a crucial decision at a crossroads, ultimately choosing a hidden path that leads to complicated consequences for him and his wife.

Flash Fiction – Crossroads Of Desire

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An empty house. Brightly coloured feathers on the stairs. But where do they lead, and what do they mean? Adrian is about to find out.

Flash Fiction – Follow The Feathers

Would you know what to do if your blog vanished without explanation? My post describes how you can prevent the nightmare of losing all your blog’s content.

How to Prevent This Horrible Blogging Nightmare From Happening

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Flash Fiction – Follow The Feathers

Published on Jul 23, 2025Jul 31, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts25 Comments

Slowly opening the front door, Adrian listened for signs of life.

Fairly confident that nobody was home, he stepped inside.

Should he go to the kitchen for snacks or upstairs to turn on his new PlayStation and watch his new favourite show? What lay on the stairs held the answer. Brightly coloured feathers going up the stairs piqued his curiosity to follow them. How did they get there?

An image of a carpeted staircase with some brightly coloured feathers lying on some of the steps.

Hearing muffled voices, he suddenly stopped and walked towards where they were coming from. The door to his parents’ bedroom wasn’t fully closed, allowing him to look through the small gap.

The scent of his mother’s perfume hit his nostrils. She was sitting down with her back to the door wearing a dress he’d never seen her in before, one his father had probably bought her. A feathered boa lay around her neck. The mystery of the strange coloured feathers was solved. He watched briefly as she scrunched her hair and wondered if she knew the zip on the back of the dress was not zipped up all the way. Had she had her hair styled differently? It didn’t look right. Something nagged at him.

“Mum?”

“Adrian!” came a deep, shocked voice. His father turned around to face the door, spitting a feather out of his mouth; his expression readable. “I thought you were going to Danny’s after college?”

Adrian froze, his heart racing. The sight of his father, clad in a dress, feather boa and wig, left him speechless. The room behind the door filled with an awkward silence, until broken by the soft rustle of the feathers and then laughter.

“Uh, I—” his father stammered, a mix of surprise and embarrassment washing over his face. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

Adrian blinked, trying to process the scene. “Then what is it?” he asked, as he pushed open the door.

His mother laughed nervously and joined his father from the other side of the room, a playful spark in her eyes. “Maybe we should tell him. It’s about time he knows.”

With a sigh, Adrian’s father straightened and took a deep breath. “Alright, Adrian. This isn’t what you think. Your mother and I are part of a show for the charity gala this weekend. We thought it would be fun to do a dress-rehearsal at home.”

“Dress-rehearsal?” Adrian echoed, incredulity giving way to excitement. The mystery of the feathers and the strange scene before him transformed into something far more compelling.

“Yes!” his mother said, smiling brightly. “We could really use your help! How about you watch us rehearse and tell us what you think?”

Realising he was now part of this unexpected adventure, Adrian grinned. “No thanks. I’d rather go on my PlayStation. But have fun.”

As laughter filled the room, Adrian walked to his bedroom, his earlier curiosity now filled with enthusiasm for a new side of his parents and their secret world.

Switching on his PlayStation, Adrian didn’t play any games. He connected to the BBC iPlayer to watch a newly discovered show which had now become his favourite.

“Welcome to RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” said another man wearing a dress. He looked far more glamorous than Adrian’s father did.

Written for Sunday Stills hosted by Terri Webster-Schrandt: – Theme: Feathers.

The featured image and main image in this blog post were created using AI.

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Flash Fiction – Crossroads Of Desire

Published on Jul 7, 2025Jul 7, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts24 Comments

Bill found himself at a pivotal moment in his life, a crossroads where four paths presented a significant choice.

The first path urged him to continue as he was, the second promised a life of monotony, the third, a hidden path, offered a tempting solution. And the fourth, a choice he had contemplated but never acted upon, beckoned him.

The third choice, a path he had never before considered, now loomed before him. It was a problem he had never faced, one that had afflicted countless others but had never touched his life. It was a choice that carried a weight of uncertainty and fear.

With a sense of inevitability, Bill reached for the box that held the four blue pills. He’d made his decision and picked up his phone. He started his journey down path three.

An image of a middle-aged man texting on his phone. Sitting beside him is a woman of the same age, taking cash out of her purse. — Image created using WordPress AI.

‘I’ll be with you in an hour’ were the only words in his text message to Nina.

‘An hour?’ came the response. ‘I want you now!’

‘I need to run some errands for the Mrs first,’ he sent back.

Of course, the real reason was that he had to give the pill he’d just taken time to take effect, otherwise he couldn’t give Nina what he’d been giving her for the last five years of their affair.

A sad emoji with the words ‘See you in an hour, lover,’ came back.

Three miles away, Bill’s wife looked at the naked body of the younger man next to her. She remembered when Bill had a body of the man next to her, but Bill’s body had changed, and something didn’t work anymore.

“I’ve got to go,” said the young man.

Bill’s wife wondered if he had another client. “My payment?” he asked.

‘What a great choice I made,’ Bill’s wife told herself as she handed over the cash. She’d made the right choice and wondered if Bill had made any choices today.

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – This week’s prompt is ‘Choices.’

The featured image and main image in this blog post were created using AI.

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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – June 2025

Published on Jun 30, 2025Jun 29, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts11 Comments

We’ve reached the halfway point of the blogging year. How are your stats for 2025? Are you happy with them?

Including this post, I’ve published 26 posts so far this year. It appears likely that my viewing stats are running at the same level as those of 2024, although this time last year, I had published 62 posts! Although there has been no increase in viewings, I’m pleased with how my blogging year is going so far.

This month, I bucked the trend and published more posts than previuos months this year. I ventured back into ‘Wordless Wednesday’ and published five posts.

I also wrote and published a piece of flash fiction. Even though my flash fiction posts do not get as much viewing or engagement as my blogging tips posts, it was great to be back with my flash fiction hat on.

Here’s your opportunity to catch up on my five blog posts from June 2025.

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Wordless Wednesday – What’s Beyond There?

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Mike embraces change and love, symbolised by blue skies and blue wings. But where will they lead him?

Flash Fiction – Blue Sky

We all want to help other bloggers succeed. This is the one thing you can do to help every blog and blogger you visit.

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Flash Fiction – Blue Sky

Published on Jun 16, 2025Jun 16, 2025 by Hugh W. Roberts23 Comments

When Mike went back to the piece of wall art, this time on his own, there was something different about it.

There was still the blue sky and some fluffy white clouds, with a young man looking up at the sky through the V-shaped gap that had appeared in a stone-cold grey wall. The ground around the young man was strewn with rocks and parts of the wall that had fallen away, revealing the blue sky.

It didn’t take him long to realise what was different. Somebody had added a pair of blue wings to the V-shape where the wall met. It was the message he’d been waiting for.

Three minutes later, after gazing at the blue sky, with butterflies fluttering in his stomach, Mike stood on the precipice of his life, his blue eyes fixed on the future. He refused to look down, for fear of being trapped in his past. All he craved was the promise of what lay ahead.

With both arms outstretched, Mike positioned them at shoulder height. As the sun emerged from behind a cloud, making his blue eyes shine, a silent affirmation of his chosen path, he took a step forward. He flapped his arms, now transformed into wings, a symbol of his journey to his true love, David.

It wasn’t just the butterflies that soared; his final journey to reunite with David carried him through the artwork towards the blue sky. On the other side, he was greeted by a serene landscape, a testament to the peace and acceptance he had found.

With open arms, his first love, David, and the endless blue skies welcomed him.

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – This week’s prompt is ‘Blue.’

The featured image and main image in this blog post were created using AI.

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