Monthly Archives: December 2016

Neon reflections (Friday Fictioneers)

PHOTO PROMPT © Shaktiki Sharma

Image by Shaktiki Sharma at https://shaktikisharma.wordpress.com

It rained on our last night in New Orleans.

But it wasn’t the rain that stopped us going out.

Strong, stable, always-in-control Jay had finally let his emotional guard down. Hunched on the bed, his shoulders jerked with each silent sob. He cried for his dad, for the emptiness and regret that comes when someone close to you dies.

I looked through the window at the glistening street below. The neon pinks and blues reflected in a puddle and shattered when a large water drop fell from the awning above.

It was ever more beautiful than I could have imagined.

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I’ve been selected as a finalist for the Newcastle Herald Short Story competition this year and my story was published today in print and online. It’s a 1000 word piece called Bloodstained about a bird and a woman who find they have a lot in common. Have a read here and tell me what you think!

Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.

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Worst day ever (Friday Fictioneers)

The man sighed when she brought the two plates of waffles.

‘Bad day?’

He looked up. ‘My girl stormed out. Didn’t like that we’d both ordered waffles. I refused to change and now she’s sulking in the car. Worst. Day. Ever.’

Her day had started with cleaning urinals at 6am. Two separate groups had skipped out on the bill and she’d have to pay the difference. Her rent was overdue. Her son had told her that very morning to ‘F$@& off’.

She smiled broadly. ‘That is the worst day ever!’

Above all, she needed a good tip.

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Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.

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