Tag: Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction – Colours Behind The Mask

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts42 Comments

Red, orange or pink lips? The choice was hard. Which one?

And then there were the shoes. Purple, brown, gold, light blue, white, or plain old dull grey? No contest! The purple ones always seem the most comfortable to wear and walk in.

And what about the dress? Multicoloured? Or how about the new bright green one with yellow flowers on it? After all, it’s new and still has the price tag attached. It’s about time it got shown off for the first time. There’s plenty of eyes to see it.

As for the nails, the gold nail varnish looks fantastic and smells like pear drops, a favourite sweet that always brings happy memories of Grandma.

It’s time for me to look in the mirror. I can’t help but feel a surge of confidence and excitement as I take in my reflection. How gorgeous I look in all these colours, don’t you think so?

Is that somebody coming into the house and walking up the stairs? Yes! My heart skips a beat. Oh, no! Panic, panic, what shall I do? My mind races, trying to devise a plan, but fear freezes me.

It’s too late. My father, a man whose presence always brought a mix of fear and anticipation, is already in the room. I don’t even have to turn around to find out he’s there, as the stench of alcohol, tobacco, and hints of my schoolteacher, Mrs. Freeman’s perfume, hit my nostrils.

My whole day went black. The only good thing was that I could watch the bruises change various colours as they faded.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Pexels.com

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Colours.

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Photo of an arm and hand stretched out over the top of a city building

Flash Fiction – Life And Death In The City

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts28 Comments

From Esther Chilton’s blog: Writing prompt – Cities: One of my favourite cities is Rome. I’ll never forget the way the Colosseum took my breath away as I stood in the middle, the sights and sounds of the years before playing out before me. What cities have you been to? What special memories do they hold? Perhaps a city could be the backdrop for a story or poem.

Life And Death In The City – by Hugh W. Roberts

From the highest building, the city landscape held him in its thrall. His fist clenched, while his other arm stretched out, his eyes roamed from side to side, taking in the buildings, green spaces, transport, and every aspect of the city he adored. But the people? They were a different story.

From the moment he stepped foot in the city, a profound bond was formed. Every street, corner, and building became a part of him, intertwining with his very essence. For three glorious years, he thrived as a quintessential city man, his love for the city growing deeper with each passing day. But when he lost his job, a seismic shift occurred in his world. The concept of change was foreign to him, but the city, his beloved, seemed to be craving it, or so he thought.

As he gazed at the bustling, unfriendly crowds flowing into the city hall below, where he once worked, he realised that the city desperately needed a nucleus of change.

Eighteen minutes later, he found himself with his back turned only a few steps away from the imposing doors of city hall. He stood there, gazing up at the place he had been earlier, his mind a tempest of thoughts, each one questioning why he had even considered such a drastic step as jumping. The struggle within him was not just a storm, but a hurricane, his heart and mind locked in a fierce battle.

People tutted and gave him dirty looks as he blocked their path. The smell of their body odour hit his nostrils, making him feel sick.

‘Always in a rush! Why are these unclean city people always in a rush?’ he asked himself.

“Get out of the f-ing way,” somebody shouted at him as they pushed by him. “Idiot!”

“Idiot? Me?” he bellowed, his voice brimming with a potent blend of defiance and uncertainty. ‘Not me.’ he assured himself. ‘For I’m the one who can spark the change this city so desperately craves. It doesn’t deserve people like you.’

Minutes later, inside city hall, the first change to the city occurred.

“I’VE COME HERE TO SAVE YOU!” he screamed. Moments later, he pushed the trigger he’d held in his clenched hand, something he’d planned meticulously until he’d found himself looking down from the top of that building. As the almighty bang of the bombs went off, a sound reverberated through the halls, symbolising the start of a new era for the city. Without his action, it would never have survived.

Photo by Kaique Rocha on Pexels.com

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Cities.

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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – May 2024

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts

Did you see these 9 blog posts that got people talking, discussing, and wondering? Maybe you joined the conversation, but if not, jump in and let us know what you think!

  • Do you have a favourite place to eat?

Would You Eat Here? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • Do you like talking about blogging? I do, and I’ve lots to say about it. What about you?

Blogging Simplified: It’s Easy, Isn’t It? Things I’ve Learned

  • Are you in this photo? If so, let me know in the comments. If not, have you ever met a group of bloggers?

What Do You Call A Group Of Bloggers? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • Where’s your favourite place to daydream?

Flash Fiction – Life On The Edge Of Dreams

  • Can you guess which famous writer used to live in the house in this photo?

Which Famous Writer Lived Here? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • I’m terrified of water. But the swimming instructor had other ideas.

Flash Fiction – Swimming Lessons

  • Can you guess how old my antique vase is and how much it’s worth?

Antiques: Do You Own Any? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • Three contrasting nights out reveal the challenges and joys of a gay man’s life. Incidents highlight the struggle for acceptance as well as a changing societal attitude towards the LGBT community in the 1980s and 1990s. You may laugh, you may cry, but these three true stories about gay nightlife are very different.

True Stories: Confessions Of A Gay Man – Nightlife

  • Savoury or sweet? What’s your preference?

Do You Have A Sweet Tooth? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

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Flash Fiction – Swimming Lessons

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts41 Comments

From Esther Chilton’s blog: Writing prompt – Water: What does that word conjure up for you? Walking along a canal? Splashing in a swimming pool or paddling in the sea? You could write about your own memories or create a story or poem. Perhaps there’s a water shortage, or the water supply is contaminated.

Swimming Lessons – by Hugh W. Roberts

Water was a source of terror for me. However, when I mustered the courage to join a beginners’ swimming club, it felt like a small victory over my fear.

Phil, the swimming instructor, was exceptional. Despite me being the oldest in the group, imagine how taken aback I was when he asked me out for dinner. It sparked an unexpected love story.

Three years later, not only were Phil and I married, but we were also very happy.

On the first occasion I brought him home, he seemed astounded that I’d never mentioned the indoor pool. “My husband had it built, mainly for the grandchildren,” I said.

Of course, the indoor pool terrified me, and I was scared that one of the grandchildren would drown in it.

“Well, now I can give you private lessons,” was his response. And how could I have refused an offer like that from somebody as handsome as Phil?

But water still terrified me. Even with Phil’s muscular arms around my body, all I did was panic when I was in the water.

Then, one day, Phil said he had a surprise for me—something that would go a little way to stopping me from fearing water. And he wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw the huge, inflatable pink flamingo floating in the pool. It symbolised our journey, a reminder of how far I had come. It was a testament to Phil’s love and support and the final push I needed to conquer my fear of water for good.

Unfortunately, while putting the inflatable away one day, I caught it and watched in horror as it deflated. 

“Don’t worry, grandma, I’ll find another online,” my eldest grandson told me. 

I ensured Phil was out when my grandson bought it over, inflated it, and told me he’d switched it on. Switched it on? He was the joker in the family! I always laughed at his jokes. 

Phil had no idea about the replacement, but I had yet to realise it was slightly different.  

One evening, after one too many glasses of champagne, Phil persuaded me to join him in the pool. Sitting on the inflatable helped calm my nerves, and it wasn’t until I felt the head of the flamingo that I realised not all of it was inflatable. But what fun we had. We laughed so much until I slipped off, and the inflatable drifted away. I panicked, especially as I watched Phil swim away to the otherside of the pool, get out, stand, and watch me drown. 

Now, my fear of water has gone. But inflatable flamingos? That’s another story. They still make me jump every time I see one, a lingering reminder of the fear I once had and the love that never was that helped me almost overcome it.

Phil’s time could have been longer. It was only a matter of weeks before my grandson watched the CCTV footage taken through the eyes of the inflatable flamingo. There’s no point being the wealthiest widower in prison.

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Water.

Photo by Toni Cuenca on Pexels.com

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Flash Fiction – Life On The Edge Of Dreams

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts23 Comments

From Esther Chilton’s blog: Writing prompt – Dreams: Do you have a dream you yearn to fulfil? Maybe yours has come true. Or perhaps you’ve had strange, funny, or recurring dreams. But not everyone remembers their dreams, so you could write something fictional and give your characters all sorts of interesting dreams.

Life On The Edge Of Dreams – by Hugh W. Roberts

Daydreaming was a serene escape, a cherished pastime. I would recline on my favourite piece of freshly mowed lawn, taking in the grassy odours while gazing up at the clouds as they playfully chased each other across the sky, their movements a soothing sight.

“It’s time to come in,” my mother’s voice would echo, breaking the silence of my obliviousness. “You’ll catch your death of cold laying on the damp, cool grass, dear.”

But I would bide my time, waiting for the familiar sounds of my father stowing away the lawnmower and other tools in the shed to fade. Only then would I rise, dust myself of grass cuttings, and return to the house, a place steeped in dreams and comforting familiarity. 

Entering the kitchen, I observed my parents, their faces a canvas of shared memories, dreams, and contentment. As they savoured tea and custard creams, I’d drift into daydreams of the past that I found difficult to articulate. Yet, in those dreams, I could hear their unspoken thoughts about me and the spot on the lawn where they had lovingly scattered my ashes, a place my father had vowed to preserve forever.

Life on the edge of dreams is the perfect resting spot.

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Dreams.

A close-up photo of blades of grass with a heavy dew on them
Photo credit: Hugh W. Roberts

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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – April 2024

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts

Did you catch these 9 blog posts that got everyone talking, discussing, and wondering? Maybe you were part of the conversation, but if not, jump in and share your thoughts!

  • Have weddings changed much over the years?

What Is The Best Time Of The Year For A Wedding? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • What can you see in the blink of an eye? You may be surprised.

Flash Fiction – In The Blink Of An Eye

  • Are you making use of your old blog posts? My three quick and easy tips to bring old blog posts alive again are easy to follow and will deliver results.

3 Quick And Easy Ways To Promote Your Old Blog Posts

  • Two window views, but which one do you prefer?

Which Window View Do You Prefer? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • This new WordPress dashboard feature includes settings like privacy, site tools, and domain management for your blog. My post tells you where to find it and how to use it.

How To Use This New Easy Feature For Your Blog’s Settings On WordPress.

  • A standing ovation and a round of applause, but can you guess who’s on stage?

When Was The Last Time You Gave A Standing Ovation And A Round Of Applause? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • Pick a door, any door, and tell me which one you like the most and why.

Beach Huts #ThursdayDoors #Photography

  • Do you have a favourite view of planet Earth?

What’s Your Favourite View Of Planet Earth? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • Where would we be without friends in our lives? We all need them, don’t we? As a gay man, I’ve had my fair share of both male and female friends over the years, but some of those friendships were not what I thought the true meaning of friendship was all about. Meet Tasmin, Neville and Janet. Which one would you like to be friends with?

True Stories: Confessions Of A Gay Man – Friends

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Flash Fiction – In The Blink Of An Eye

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts43 Comments

April 2, 2024, prompt: Write a story that happens in a flash in 99 words (no more, no less). A flash of inspiration? A flash flood? Who shows up in a flash? Who is impacted for a lifetime by a single flash incident? Go where the prompt leads!

In The Blink Of An Eye – by Hugh W. Roberts

The time machine hummed to life in a blink, thrusting me into a whirlwind of eras. Past and future blurred into a kaleidoscope of moments.

I glimpsed dinosaurs roaming prehistoric jungles, the crowning of kings and queens in medieval and Tudor castles, and cities bustling with futuristic wonders.

Time was a relentless river; I was a fleeting leaf upon its currents.

With a final flash, I returned to the present, breathless and exhilarated. Yet, in my mind, the echoes of centuries persisted, a reminder that anyone can journey through the annals of time in the blink of an eye.

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

Image of a flash of lightning across a dark sky.
Image credit: Charli Mills

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Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – March 2024

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts

Did you catch these 9 blog posts that got everyone talking, discussing, and wondering? Maybe you were part of the conversation, but if not, jump in and share your thoughts!

  • Kenneth has a problem. His wife believes he’s having an affair. Can Artificial Intelligence help?

Flash Fiction – Future Affairs

  • WordPress have hidden the ‘Open in new tab’ box again! This updated post shows you where to find it so that links in your blog posts open a new window.

WordPress: ‘Open In New Tab’ Box – Where Is It?

  • Can you guess which country this castle is located in? The clue is in the photo.

What Do You See Over The Hill? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • WordPress has introduced a new block-style comment box that aligns with the Block editor. But what can users do with it besides leaving comments? Are some bloggers really refusing to use it and threatening to leave WordPress? My post contains all the details you need.

The Amazing New WordPress Comments Box: What It Does

  • I love the reflection in this photo. Do you have a favourite reflection?

Do You Have A Favourite Reflection? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • Janie struggles with a leak she’s caused, but it’s another leak that she’ll need to be more concerned with.

Flash Fiction – Leaks

  • Are you celebrating anything special in 2024? Me? Ten years of blogging.

How Do You Like To Celebrate? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

  • Coming out to my family is one of the most difficult things I have done in my life. I faced varied reactions that led to estrangement from some but eventual reconciliation with others. In this post, I highlight some of the ups and downs of family acceptance of somebody being gay.

True Stories: Confessions Of A Gay Man – Family

  • This is what I’ll be eating for breakfast on Easter morning. What will you be eating?

What Will You Be Eating This Easter? #WordlessWednesday #Photography

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Flash Fiction – Leaks

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts33 Comments

March 12, 2024, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about leaving a leak. What (or who) is leaking? How can you use the leak to create tension? Expand the idea of leaks. Go where the prompt leads!

Leaks – by Hugh W. Roberts

‘Janie tried all she could to stop the leak. It was hopeless. 

Should she call for help or hope the leak stopped?

Damn, I never saw this coming, she told herself. If only I’d been better prepared.

After an hour, the leak stopped. However, Janie saw some of her surroundings ruined. If only insurance for mishaps like this had been available.

Standing up, Janie removed her wet trousers, blouse, and shoes before being shocked. The body she’d plunged the knife into twitched.’

Taking her fingers off the keyboard, Janie hoped this best-seller she was writing wouldn’t leak before publication.

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

***

Image of a water pipe bursting and leaking
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 – Future Affairs

Published on by Hugh W. Roberts15 Comments

February 27, 2024, prompt: Write a story about artificial intelligence in 99 words (no more, no less). Use any genre. What is unfolding, or has the situation existed for a while? Who shows up, AI or a figure of imagination? Go where the prompt leads!

Future Affairs – by Hugh W. Roberts

“Kenneth, the AI isn’t working.”

“Have you tried turning it off and on again, dear?”

“No, I’ll try.”

***

“Kenneth, I can’t turn off the AI.”

“Did you unplug it from the mains?”

“No, I’ll try.”

***

“Kenneth, the AI just told me you’re having an affair!”

“Where did it get that information from?”

“I’ll ask.”

***

“Kenneth, the AI says you’ve murdered our marriage!”

“Me? Where did it get that information?”

“From me, Kenneth. That’s why I’m having an affair.”

Gunshots rang out.

“You’re dead for killing the marriage, Kenneth,” said the AI. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” screamed Kenneth’s widow.

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

Image os a blue brain with numb ers and letters across it.
Image credit: Charli Mills

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

Image showing the book cover for Glimpses on a book, tablet and mobile phone
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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