The Carrot Ranch – Hugh's Views & News

Flash Fiction – In The Blink Of An Eye

Published on Apr 7, 2024Apr 29, 2024 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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Flash Fiction – Leaks

Published on Mar 16, 2024Mar 16, 2024 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 Mar 3, 2024Mar 3, 2024 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.’

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 – 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

***

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 – 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.

***

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

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

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.

***

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.

***

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

***

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.