THE WINNER TAKES ALL

Posted on Jun 18, 2015 by John Yeo | 14 Comments

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

This week’s photo prompt is provided by ©pricelessjoy.

WINNER TAKES ALL

by John Yeo

The peace and serenity of the stables was absolutely perfect for the harassed and very famous celebrity singer Feline Foxglove. Of course her privacy was always very important to her and she spent a huge portion of her very high earnings to make sure she was never disturbed. Feline had many secrets to hide, most were well buried in the distant past, except for her habitual use of a very dangerous illegal substance. Her very trustworthy P.A. Mary Stavans was responsible for obtaining her supplies, and she never failed to come up with the goods.

Feline’s stables were famous throughout the racing world for thoroughbred racehorses and she would excitedly back them all to win, every time they ran. Sam Soames her bookmaker was used to paying her out and usually made money elsewhere by laying off the bets.

Until Mary’s call……

“Boss, we have a problem, I need to see you urgently”

The blackmailer died by unknown hands as the starting pistol went off and the cry went up …..”They’re Off!”

Feline smiled winningly.

(175 words)

This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com

(175 Words)

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (28)

Posted on Jun 16, 2015 by John Yeo | 29 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 15/06/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words, not including the given opening sentence.

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Seven

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (27)

Finish the story begins with:

“At first, it looked like an ordinary marble, but it was far from it.”

“Great Scott!” Yelled the Professor. They were tracking through dense jungle after Paul Strang safely landed the lightning-stricken helicopter. Marg decided to head North, following bearings transmitted from Don Fernando’s team.
“Look at that!”
Paul instantly bent to pick the shining object up.
“No!” Shouted the Professor. “Leave it!”
“Why?” Questioned Paul.
“That is no toy!” Came the stern reply.
“That is either the droppings of a poisonous giant Gadfly, fatal to the touch or…….”
“Yes” interjected Marg. “Be careful Paul.”
“Or” the Professor continued. “The eggs of a glass-blown frozen pterodactyl, blown in Thailand in a prehistorical era.”
Marg laughed. “Can glass reproduce?”
“A descriptive term, Madame Marg,” replied the Professor.
Marg decided to leave the object and press on.
One of the party knew exactly what it was, having accidentally dropped it. A radio-controlled tracking device, full of micro-electronics revealing to Dickus exactly where Marg’s team were.

(149 Words)
To be continued

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Seven

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (27)

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Picture it and Write ~ THE VISION OF GOLD

Posted on Jun 14, 2015 by John Yeo | 1 Comment

This is the latest Picture it and Write prompt from Ermilia’s blog

__picture it & write

Sculpture by Mark Newman

As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

THE VISION OF GOLD

by John Yeo

The classical statue was drawing many people to the exhibition. A young nymph seated on a tree trunk shaped to fit her slender body. A tree nymph, the expression of pride and self assurance in her features drew many to question who she was in life. A lady stood transfixed, stunned into a silence that I felt almost sorry to break.

I asked. “Who was she?”

“A member of the Trojan royal family,” came the almost reluctant reply. “I may be related to her.”

“Her hair gives me the impression of ropes, tangled into a helmet secured with a rose,” I said.

“They are a blend of corded gold and consist of many fine hairs, rolled and shaped.”

I took a sideways glance at my companion, who had her head covered with a scarf.

“You say you may be related!” I went on, noting a strange resemblance in the facial features.

“Yes! That necklet is our family emblem, the women always wore one to protect them from evil.”

Then the lady opened her raincoat to reveal an exquisite neck adornment, exactly the same as the statuesque wood nymph was wearing.

“You have many facial features in common, but surely that is a coincidence as the statue is very old.” I remarked.

“Age is a numerical fiction I do not recognise.” She replied.

I was stunned as she proceeded to remove her headscarf to reveal her beautifully corded golden hair, dazzling to the eyes. There was a sudden flash of blinding white light that burned and momentarily blinded my eyes. When my sight returned the vision of warm golden woman had gone, leaving a cold marble replication behind.

I now come here every day searching for her.

LOST AND FOUND

Posted on Jun 12, 2015 by John Yeo | 10 Comments

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

I wrote a children’s story this week. Sorry Joy I went slightly over the word count ~Peace

This week’s prompt photo is supplied to us by Sonya O.

LOST AND FOUND

by John Yeo

Percy the baby Porpoise was lost. How did he manage to get separated from the rest of the school? Suddenly a Tiger Shark appeared and everyone fled, poor Percy got left hiding behind a large shell. Swimming leisurely along the beautiful coral reef, Percy was dazzled by the variety of beautiful tiny fish and colourful sponges, he had never noticed the wonderful diversity that surrounded him before as he had been too busy playing with his brothers and sisters. Suddenly a huge sea turtle appeared swimming straight towards him, flapping his huge feet to swim. Percy fled straight into a very large number of striped Zebra fish and Golden fish swimming around in circles. Dazzled and bemused he swam off to be confronted by a very dangerous looking pair of Scorpion fish. Then a group of about ten friendly looking striped fish, with wide fins that flew through the water like wings surrounded him and led him along the reef to a large pool where he was happy to find his family and the rest of the school of Porpoises. Percy will never forget how he was lost and a group of Angel fish led him home.

(196 words)

This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (27)

Posted on Jun 9, 2015 by John Yeo | 15 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 08/06/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words, not including the given opening sentence.

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Six

https://johnandmargaret1607.wordpress.com/2015/06/02/mysterious-island-26/

Finish the story begins with:

“Zeus was not having a good day and he made sure everyone knew it.”

This classical pun was delivered by the Professor, who had joined up with Marg’s party in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“Since the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, was damaged by lightning we know how powerful Zeus can be” remarked Marg,
A savage storm erupted around the helicopter as they flew over the remote Brazilian interior. The copter was buffeted by fierce winds, then flashes of lightning lit up the sky as the pilot fought to keep control.
Marg and her colleagues were on their way from Sao Paulo, Cumbica airport to Minas Gerais, a large state in Brasil where the mysterious Miners Hill, known locally as Mineiros Colinia was located. A deserted mysterious village holding many suspected secrets.
Paul Strang shouted to Marg! “Stay cool and still.” Paul had been flying these birds for years and was very experienced.
Suddenly, “We’ve been hit!”

(150 words)
To be continued

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Six

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (26)

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Unconditional Love

Posted on Jun 7, 2015 by John Yeo | 10 Comments

Inspirational Sunday Prompt #9

https://therattlingbones.wordpress.com/2015/06/07/inspirational-sunday-prompt-9/

Posted on June 7, 2015

Blessed Sunday, fellow writers! I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend. It’s the first Sunday in June. What a glorious day!

Today’s prompt will be an inspirational quote. Use the quote to create a poem, journal entry, short story or even an art piece, maybe take a photograph… let your imagination soar!

Image (c) Copyright ~ John and Margaret

REAL LOVE

TO SEE A CLOUD IN THE SUNSHINE OF LOVE,

WHEN THE FIRES ARE FIERCELY BURNING.

TO PENETRATE THE THREATENING DARKNESS

UNMASK THE POWERS OF DOUBTFUL FEAR

THAT SURROUND THE REALITY OF NOW?

TO ACCEPT THE LOVE AND LOVE REGARDLESS,

THEN REVEAL THE PERSON WHO HIDES INSIDE

THE CLOUDY BLACKNESS OF THEIR DARKNESS.

TO LOVE IS TO BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND WITH UNCONDITIONAL CARE,

WHEN YOU RIP THE DARKNESS AWAY!

YOU BOTH HAVE MUCH LOVE TO SHARE.

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (26)

Posted on Jun 2, 2015 by John Yeo | 17 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 01/06/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words, not including the given opening sentence.

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Five

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (25)

Finish the story begins with:

“What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”

Bella reflected on her role in the organisation after her double agent fiasco and now the proposal of marriage she had received from Alberto. She desperately wanted OUT!

Having promised many things to many people, her life was now a tangled web of possibilities.

Marg had been in constant touch with sympathetic advice and support, but Don Fernando had intimated that something very big was in the offing that would involve the entire family.
Marg now in London, was on leave after a very concentrated series of meetings and briefings. Hillary had done a splendid job of controlling the detective agency and Marg was set to offer her a partnership.
News came from the Brigadier that the Brazilian operation was going ahead, sadly without the late Colonel Tom, who’s death from a heart attack came as a complete shock.
Marg prepared herself to do battle with the devious Dickus brothers yet again.

(150 words)

To be continued

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Five

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (25)

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Picture it and Write ~ SPIRAL INTO OBLIVION

Posted on Jun 1, 2015 by John Yeo | 4 Comments

This is the latest Picture it and Write prompt from Ermilia’s blog

Picture it & Write

: As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

SPIRAL INTO OBLIVION

by John Yeo

Climbing high in the screw society is always very hard.
Falling from grace can be incredibly easy.
The clouds are an awesome backdrop to the fragile almost immaterial escape from the rough reality inside a world where a harsh everyday life for some is played out in the fight for survival in a modern go-for-it society.
The period of adaptation is deceptive. A carefree, careless, playful youth passes swiftly, almost imperceptively by, leading to the inevitable responsibilities of a structured existence. A job, a mortgage, a family, the list of cares leading up to endless stress takes a destructive toll on the once carefree pliable mind of youth.
Then, one of a myriad of apparent escape routes hovers into view. A spiral staircase escape route. A downwards spiral of escapism into an addiction to a substance or a behaviour that appears to mask reality when life becomes temporarily bearable. For some the escape becomes unbearably worse than the reality. The finality of departure from the shaky spiral descent by embracing the cloudy unknown of the final escape, into oblivion.

ESMERELDA

Posted on May 30, 2015 by John Yeo | 23 Comments

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

This week’s photo is supplied by PricelessJoy

ESMERELDA

by John Yeo

The village church was sinking, substinence was having a devastating effect on the foundations. The venerable priest was desperately trying to raise funds.
Many of the villagers had found peace and comfort here. For several generations their families shared many memories of the little church. Travellers and the needy were always welcomed and some even depended on the church for help and sustenance.
Esme, a very unkempt elderly lady who somehow resembled a large bundle of rags, sat on the church steps every Sunday. Sadly she was reviled and shunned by some who ignored her pleas for mercy and a few coins for food. The priest always arranged for a little food and water to be left for her, sometimes a few pieces of used clothing.
One very cold day in winter Esme was found dead on the church steps. When they searched her meagre possessions, a very dirty envelope was found addressed to a local solicitor. To the amazement of all, Lady Esmerelda Pierce was a very eccentric wealthy writer, she had bequeathed her entire estate to the little village church.

(174 Words)

This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (25)

Posted on May 27, 2015 by John Yeo | 18 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 25/05/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words.

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Four

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (24)

Finish the story begins with:

“The only residents remaining in the small town of Miners Hill are spirits.”

This remark in response to Marg’s question was the clue to an extraordinary puzzle. Why had the place been evacuated? How had they managed to convince the people to leave? The Brigadier was outlining the plan for an assault on a little known mining area in Brazil. Reports clearly indicated the abandoned houses concealed a vast underground complex, including a sophisticated lab with a centre for the production and distribution of pure cocaine.

There was a sudden noisy interruption as the sad news came of the loss of “Angel Flame”! Torpedoed with no survivors, the sub had managed to release an on board missile in retaliation, which had sadly missed the target. Maxwell Dickus had departed at full speed without waiting to ask questions. Despite many calls of alarm with demands to stop, a brief cryptic response came from the fleeing vessel. “We have a brig waiting for the Brig!”

(150 words)

To be continued

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Four

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (24)

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

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