Sweet Jam I settle into my seat in front of the stage. In a moment, the performer will take his place, having promised an evening of musical magic. His exact words were, “I’ve been working on a sweet jam.” How could I pass that up? He steps onto the stage to uproarious applause. Propping himself…
Dust I sit on the porch, watching your dust settle. It was all a lie. A performance. Years of attention and validation that you required of me blow away, meaningless as the dust your truck tires kicked up. A little pushback, and I’m dead to you. You taught me a lesson. I’ve now eaten from the…
*peeks out of Editing Cave* *sees life has carried on* *puts on pants and cracks neck* I return to society having finished the first draft and first round of edits for my next book. It’s now in the hands of a couple of talented critique partners, and while I wait for their notes, I thought…
This week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch is a bit different: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using your choice of microhistory from Keweenaw National Historic Park. Be historical, funny, or flagrantly fictional. Choose a character, time, place, or event. There are a LOT of stories on that site,…
I’m taking a break from book writing/editing to bring you my contribution to this week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using the phrase “beggars can’t be choosers.” I hope my story will surprise you. The Chosen I skulk on the edge of the…
Before I get to my response to this week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch, I want to share one of my favorite Twitter accounts/blogs with you. Abandoned America (blog here, Twitter here) is a collection of photographs by Matthew Christopher, who explores a wide variety of abandoned structures, including schools, hospitals, prisons, homes,…
Welcome to my latest response to Charli’s prompt over at Carrot Ranch: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a sign. It can be a posted sign, a universal sign, a wonder. I tried to be funny. You can decide if I succeeded. The Sign I dash up the street,…
I don’t normally make New Years resolutions, but this year I did: I want to become more fluent in Spanish. I took Spanish in college, leaving with enough skill to get the gist of it in writing and pick up a word or two in conversation. After years of knowing just enough to be annoyed…
This week’s flash fiction challenge over at Carrot Ranch was too good to pass up: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that pairs mashed potatoes with a superpower. It can be in any circumstance, funny or poignant. Enjoy! Blown Cover Anyone who thinks having superpowers is so cool doesn’t have a sister. McKenzie…
From the Woods I crawl through Darkness, the ever-present being, one I can’t touch but knows me completely. Darkness wants to keep me here, in these woods, surrounded, lost. If I have no hope of escape, Darkness gets her wish. But if I find the way out, Darkness is powerless to stop me. So I…
Allison Maruska 