Scintillating Saturday Share #12

Toa Heftiba|Unsplash

vibrant life rides vibrantly

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“Life Is Like Riding a Bicycle. To Keep Your Balance You Must Keep Moving” – Albert Einstein

I saw the prompt from Tre (A Cornered Gurl) and this quote immediately came to my mind. Oftentimes, I’m so preoccupied by whatever matters that vex me I lost sight of what I’m supposed to be doing – simply keeping the balance between my inner world and my environment, as cliche as it sounds.

It’s nice, then, to have this reaffirmation every now and then.

PS: I’ve been doing Scintillating Saturday Share for quite a while now, but I just don’t know why it never occurred me to do standalone piece like I do for other prompts. My mind is weird. *shrugs*

If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

Now, it’s your turn. This’ll be our “Scintillating Saturday Share #12” You can respond to this post, reblog and respond, or create a standalone post of your own, but please ping or tag this post so that I’ll know to read and respond to yours.

Using up to 7 words, tell me what this photo sparks in you.

Care to get creative with me for this scintillating Saturday share?

Prompt: Scintillating Saturday Share #12

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June 27: Flash Fiction Challenge

Photo by Steve Johnson on Pexels.com

Perfect Paint Product

I looked at the botched paint job. I could have hired professionals but I insisted on doing it myself. I started scrapping away at the paint and started sobbing.

“What are you doing, son?”

“That was a lousy paint job and I just want to repaint it!”

He frowned as he processed my blubbering. “You want to repaint the entire wall because of that small mistake? Besides, the table goes there and it will cover up that section.”

“I want a perfect job! I just can’t let it go!”

He stared at me for a moment. “Can’t? Or won’t?”

(99 words)

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I’m always a bit of a perfectionist, to the point of obsession when I would rather not start on a project for fear of not doing a fantastic job. I would not say I have outgrown that tendency but I think I am starting to cope with it better.

I would backslide every now and then, especially in my work when I’m preparing teaching materials for my class. That gives me unnecessary stress as I become overly hard on myself and I would just break down.

I really need to learn not to be a perfectionist and let things go at times…

If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

June 27, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that involves paint. It can be fresh, peeling or in need of a coat. What is being painted and why? Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by July 3, 2019. Use the comment section below to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form.  Rules & Guidelines.

Prompt: June 27: Flash Fiction Challenge

Three Line Tales, Week 178

photo by Kong Jun via Unsplash

The Pink Swan Float

The little girl hangs up her pink swan float which her father spent half an hour blowing up and walks out to the water where her whole family is.

It is a sunny day out at the beach and her family is just one of the many families to enjoy the summer vacation along the coast.

No one could have imagined the exceptionally low tide is just a precursor to a 35-metre high tsunami; the pink swan float is the only survivor.

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I would have loved to give it a happy ending but I just couldn’t resist killing everyone. Maybe it goes to show just how much I need my alone time after work. Hah!

In any case, after writing the story, I went to check the highest tsunami on record. Turns out the highest tsunami record is 30-metre (about 100 feet?) high. I’m glad I stick to 35-metre high because I originally wanted to go 50-metre high.

I always have trouble estimating distances and time. *shrugs*

If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

You’ll find full guidelines on the TLT page – here’s the tl;dr:

• Write three lines inspired by the photo prompt (& give them a title if possible).
• Link back to this post (& check the link shows up under the weekly post).
• Tag your post with 3LineTales (so everyone can find you in the Reader).
• Read and comment on other TLT participants’ lines.
• Have fun.

Prompt: Three Line Tales, Week 178

Twittering Tales #142 – 25 June 2019

Photo by sasint at pixabay.com

Final Operation

“It’s out. Luckily he came back to us when his cancer recurs,” the surgeon announced.

Everyone in the operating theatre cheered.

“Of course, we must remain silent about leaving the surgical scissors in his stomach in the previous operation,” the surgeon cautioned.

Everyone nodded.

(278 characters)

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Covering up for mistakes. How many of us did that and still doesn’t learn from the lesson? Well, I certainly am one who has yet to learn from my mistakes. So…thank god I’m not a surgeon?

If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale. This is important as I have noticed that some of the ping backs have not been working. If you would prefer to post your tale in the comments (some people have very specific blog themes but still want to participate), I am happy to post a link to your site when I post your tale in the Round Up.

Prompt: Twittering Tales #143 – 25 June 2019

I Write Her Weekly Haiku/Senryu Challenge #25

Elena Mikhaylova

Innocence

windows of your soul
left wide open trustingly
may they not be shut

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If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

PLEASE follow them! I’d hate to not see your piece(s) represented in the recap the following week! Confused? Any questions – email me at sushibocks@gmail.com   

For more detailed information, read about this challenge here.

• Create a standard three line, 5/7/5 syllable count haiku/senryu
• Deadline to submit for this week’s challenge will be 11:59pm 6/29/19
• Up to 3 pieces permitted
• Link your piece to this “IWH Haiku/Senryu Challenge” on your post
• Always give photo credit if there is one
• Complete entry form below

Prompt: I Write Her Weekly Haiku/Senryu Challenge #25

100 Word Wednesday: Week 125

Image by Bikurgurl

Snowballing Lies

“…and finally, this is where I work!” he gestured to the building across the street.

“Oh, I’m so proud of you, son,” his mother gushed. “Come, let’s go up and take a look.”

“Yea – wait, what? Oh no, you can’t,” he immediately grabbed his mother’s arm before she could cross the road. “I mean, it’s a serious workplace and all…”

“Nonsense,” his father interjected. “You’re the CEO. They aren’t going to say nothing.”

As his proud parents crossed the road, he screamed internally.

He should not have lied. How on earth was he going to salvage this mess now?

(100 words)

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If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

How to participate? A few guidelines as we begin….

1. Simply check my feed, or search the reader, for the 100WW or tag #100WW, post each Wednesday. I’ll also be posting on my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Feeds.
2. Write your submission on your blog, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook Feed and ping back to the weekly blog post. Feel free to use the image provided or your own. Please do credit the artist whose image we use — Links provided.
   
3. I have not enabled automatic pingbacks due to a plethora of spam messages attempting to link up. Do feel free to also continue posting your links and I will enable your pingbacks as I check my blog. Thank you for understanding!!
4. I’ll provide a Weekly Summary, or Windup, of posts on or by Tuesday; take the opportunity to read and comment on your fellow bloggers posts {keeping in mind to give each other grace and space}. I try to read them all and post your submission in the Weekly Windup.
5. Have fun! I enjoy reading your challenge submissions!

Prompt: 100 Word Wednesday: Week 125

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #32

#CCC32

A Message from Heaven

“Are you sure, Papa? Mama works here?”

He looked down at his four-year-old son. “Yes, Mama works here. She is just busy. Don’t forget she’s a superhero, always helping people,” he smiled.

“But when will she reply to my letters?” little Ben pouted. “It has been so long.”

“She’s working for God now, Ben. Of course it will take her longer to reply,” he swallowed a lump in his throat. “There are many people out there that needs her help, not just in the hospital.”

“OK, Papa. I always know Mama is a superhero,” Ben patted his father’s hand. Just like the past three months, Ben walked up to the letter box in front of the tower and put his letter in.

He paused.

“Papa! Papa! There’s a letter!” Ben cried excitedly. “It’s from Mama!”

He smiled sadly at Ben’s excitement.

He still did not know how to tell Ben.

(150 words)

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If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

Here’s how it works:

Every Wednesday I post a photo (this week it’s that one above.)
You respond with something CREATIVE

Here are some suggestions:

• An answering photo
• A cartoon
• A joke
• A caption
• An anecdote
• A short story (flash fiction)
• A poem
• A newly minted proverb, adage or saying
• An essay
• A song—the lyrics or the performance

You have plenty of scope and only two criteria:

• Your creative offering is indeed yours
• Your writing is kept to 150 words or less

If you post a link in the comments section of this post I’ll be able to find it
If you include Crimson’s Creative Challenge as a heading, WP Search will find it (theory)
If you tag it #CCC others should be able to find it by ‘Searching’ in the WP Reader (fingers crossed)

Prompt: Crimson’s Creative Challenge #32

Three Line Tales, Week 177

She discovered the mutilated bodies of her husband and her best friend at home on her birthday – they were killed in a break-in gone wrong.

Walking out of the police station after she gave her statement, she paused in the middle of the road as grief overcame her.

She heard the squealing sounds of the tyres but before she could react, she was sailing five metres into the air upon impact: her death was expected; her husband and best friend’s deaths were an accident.

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If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

You’ll find full guidelines on the TLT page – here’s the tl;dr:

• Write three lines inspired by the photo prompt (& give them a title if possible).
• Link back to this post (& check the link shows up under the weekly post).
• Tag your post with 3LineTales (so everyone can find you in the Reader).
• Read and comment on other TLT participants’ lines.
• Have fun.

Prompt: Three Line Tales, Week 177

Crimson’s Creative Challenge #31

CCC#31

Sailing to the End of Times

Ice was pelting down hard on the two sailors.

“Mad Hat! We’re going to hit the rocks soon!”

“Yes, One Eye, I know. I’m doing the best I can! Don’t get excited!” Mad Hat shouted back. “Loosen the lines over that side! Hurry up!”

“Why bother? It’s not going to make a difference,” One Eyed retorted. “Turn right! Right! We’re heading straight for the rocks!”

“No, we’re not. Take over the wheel!” Mad Hat started dashing about, tightening and loosening whatever that needed to be tightened and loosened.

Suddenly, he froze.

“Oh no,” Mad Hat whispered.

“What?”

“The Kraken! The Kraken is coming!” Mad Hat shouted.

Screaming, both Mad Hat and One Eye retreated to the back of the ship.

“All right, boys, you said ten more minutes. I’ve given you the ten minutes. It’s time to go home ,” their mother said firmly. “Come on now, let’s go!”

(149 words)

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If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

Here’s how it works:

Every Wednesday I post a photo (this week it’s that one above.)
You respond with something CREATIVE

Here are some suggestions:

• An answering photo
• A cartoon
• A joke
• A caption
• An anecdote
• A short story (flash fiction)
• A poem
• A newly minted proverb, adage or saying
• An essay
• A song—the lyrics or the performance

You have plenty of scope and only two criteria:

• Your creative offering is indeed yours
• Your writing is kept to 150 words or less

If you post a link in the comments section of this post I’ll be able to find it
If you include Crimson’s Creative Challenge as a heading, WP Search will find it (theory)
If you tag it #CCC others should be able to find it by ‘Searching’ in the WP Reader (fingers crossed)

Prompt: Crimson’s Creative Challenge #31

Twittering Tales #141 – 18 June 2019

Photo by Nathan Dumlao at Unsplash.com

127 Hours

“Hey kid, you’d your fun, now get your head out of the railings,” the security guard called out. “You’re scaring the tourists.”

He walked toward the boy. The crowd screamed when he pulled the boy out.

The headless body was trapped there like an executed criminal in a guillotine.

(277 characters)

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If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale. This is important as I have noticed that some of the ping backs have not been working. If you would prefer to post your tale in the comments (some people have very specific blog themes but still want to participate), I am happy to post a link to your site when I post your tale in the Round Up.

Prompt: Twittering Tales #141 – 18 June 2019