REVERENCE ~ 100 Word Challenge ~ Verbal Verbosity

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100 words on the word “REVERENCE” in response to the latest challenge from VELVET VERBOSITY

http://www.velvetverbosity.com/blog/2015/5/18/100-words-423-reverence

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Image Copyright (c) John and Margaret

REVERENCE

by John Yeo

The Wild Man was renowned for his fighting ability. A bare-knuckle bruiser, then a fairground fighter who got famous by taking on all comers. Much blood had flowed from the effects of his iron fists, his own blood and the blood of his challengers. Broken bones and mashed up faces were a usual sight after one of his battles. He made a name for himself big time in the boxing world until he came up against, “The Reverence” a thin fast man who made the weight by virtue of his extraordinary height. Then the wild man became reverent.

(100 Words)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

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IN A MONASTERY GARDEN

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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.

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This week’s photo prompt is supplied by Dawn M. Miller

IN A MONASTERY GARDEN

by John Yeo

The gazebo stood in a monastery garden. The wooden structure was aged and set in a copse. The trees in early winter were leafless and there was a thin coating of early snow on the roof. Silence reigned as the monks were at prayer.
A man appeared from the north side of the gazebo carrying an oblong case marked with the name Brother George in capital letters. Then with a cheerful greeting two other men approached and climbed into the gazebo from the east and the west sides, Brothers John and Paul arrived together. Another man arrived from the South side and began to set up an impressive set of drums. “Hi Friar Ringo!” Was the cry from the others and the quartet was complete.
The hallowed silence was broken irreparably as the music drew many young people. The monks were stunned, although one or two were observed swaying to the loud musical beat. Tents sprang up everywhere as an illegal rave began. A collection of money from the fans was donated to the monastery.

(175 words)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved
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

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MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (24)

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I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 18/05/2015, 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-Three

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (23)

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© 2015, Barbara W Beacham

Finish the story begins with:

“The crew of the Angel Flame received orders to head out.”

 The submarine slid into the water fully loaded with provisions and the required arms and explosives. The Brigadier had ordered an assault on a huge armoured luxury yacht owned by Dr Dickus’s billionaire brother Maxwell, moored within striking distance of the island.
 Maxwell Dickus was a very shady character, it was rumoured, he had amassed his fortune buying and selling arms to supply some very impoverished African States.
 Marg had left Bella with Don Fernando to be cared for by her relatives, the wounds were superficial and would soon heal with time and care. Marg was to remain on the mysterious island, and after a debriefing would enjoy a well-earned rest.
During this intensive interview, the Brigadier hinted there was a huge operation imminent and Marg’s recent experience and the loyalty she had demonstrated would be well rewarded. Then came the awful news, the submarine was reported sunk and lost…….

(150 words)

To be continued

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Three

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (23)

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https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Picture it and Write ~ THE SHAMAN

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

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As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

__picture it & write

THE SHAMAN

by John Yeo

The shaman had many tricks up his sleeve to help him perform his healing miracles. He was a travelling healer practising his trade with the use of herbs and complex spells to communicate with the spiritual world. One day he came to our village with a following and began to have visitors from the surrounding area as his fame spread rapidly. When an important lady from our village, the wife of a hunter, became very sick the shaman was called to work his magic to make her well. The shaman spent many minutes in a trance before he began, suddenly he shouted at the top of his voice! “Everybody leave at once!” The people were in awe of the reputation of this man, they responded immediately, leaving the shelter, except for her son little Oki, who hid in a corner behind some skins. The shaman chanted prayers and prepared ointment that he rubbed on the woman’s brow and heart. Oki was shocked when he produced a shiny knife from beneath his cloak and began to sharpen the edge of the blade, then to his horror his mother groaned as the knife cut into her chest. Oki leapt from his hiding place and shouted: “Stop!” The shaman, who was in a trance and unable to respond turned to Oki and lashed out with his ceremonial knife. Oki sustained a lethal wound, but in his death throes he took the dagger and plunged it into the shaman killing him instantly. Several hours later the villagers discovered three dead people in the shelter and burnt it to the ground.

Some time later the shiny multi-coloured knife was discovered in the ashes.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved. image

THE BENCH

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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.

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This week’s photo prompt is from pricelessjoy.

THE BENCH

by John Yeo

Potts, the park attendant was an overbearing man, a stickler for rules and regulations. He came down hard on dog-walkers who allowed their pets to foul the footpath. Litter louts were frowned on and ordered to place the despised rubbish in a bin.

 Several notices around the lake requested people not to feed the ducks. Every day Potts caught sight of a little old lady on a bench by the water-side with a bag full of bread feeding the ducks. Potts would continually remonstrate without effect as she would completely ignore him and feed the ducks. One day Potts sat next to her and tried to reason with her. “The bread attracts rats and vermin which are a danger to children, who are vulnerable to disease.”

 The old lady turned to him with a wry smile and said: “Son, you will never make me stop, these birds are my family, I have nothing except the cancer that is eating away my soul. Hard-hearted Potts wept as his Mother continued to feed her ducks.

(174 words)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

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

When Writing Becomes A “Need to…”

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A very inspiring piece of work for writers everywhere ~

Demme‘s Pages's avatarThinking out loud with Demme

Writing is (for some of us) a “thing” we keep trying to do.  A ‘thing” that we NEED to do to keep ourselves sane in an impossibly insane world.  We attempt to fit our “writing” into our busy schedules…because if we don’t…we suffer for it. It is a noble attempt on our part to keep ourselves pleasant company for others as well. Writers who do not write…get grumpy and miserable…no one likes to deal with such people, now do they?

Trying to make time to do the things that keep us happy (and well?) becomes a little like attempting to “nail Jello to a wall”, doesn’t it?   We keep trying to find the TIME to do these “things”, we use different “tools” to get there, deciding to write our thoughts down on scraps of paper (napkins, tissue, receipts?) whatever’s handy when that “thought” hits us.  You know, that “thought” that is…

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MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (23)

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I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 11/05/2015, 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-Two

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (22)

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© 2015, Barbara W Beacham

Arriving at the beach she reflected on her life.

With her thoughts unbound, Bella’s mind raced from her deep love for the organisation to her secret love for Alberto, Don Fernando’s son.

Bella was dragged to a launch by several masked men. The launch was moored in a very isolated bay surrounded by rocky cliffs, seemingly impregnable to attack from all sides.
A sudden alien sound filled the air as two helicopters approached. A blast of gunfire cut down the masked men. Bella was hit by a stray bullet, she screamed as a jolt of pain seared through her body. The leading helicopter landed and five men led by Marg raced to collect Bella. An intense volley of sporadic gunfire came from the surrounding cliffs as a counter attack began. Marg and Angelo carried Bella to the copter which took off immediately and flew to the fortified mansion of Don Fernando. He was shocked ………

(150 words)

To be continued

The link below takes you to Part Twenty-Two

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (22)

mondays-finish-the-story-2

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

Picture it and Write ~ DOWNSIDE UP

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

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As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

Picture it & Write

DOWNSIDE UP

by John Yeo

 In the optical world of the in-between, the visual link with the outside world is very unusual. June was admiring the roots of the trees as growth was curling and springing upwards, sending them up in a tangled spiral. In the gathering cloudy dusk at the very bottom of the tree where the leaves met the clouds a bird began to sing to welcome the sun at night. The moon quickly disappeared beneath her head over the low clouds as the murky day began. Len, a very individual character, decided to go against all convention and stand on his legs. Grasping the trees for balance he was amazed and delighted with this new unusual view of the world. Extolling the difference, he begged his friends and acquaintances to try this new view of life. Everyone laughed. Religious leaders were scornful , how could you go up to heaven, when the heavens were obviously down. Scientists laughed at the idea of walking around upside down on legs, as man had always crawled around the cloudy firmament without any trouble. Len was quickly escorted to a hospital for the disturbed and lives there to this day, writing upside down poetry.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

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ESCAPE WITH DIGNITY

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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.

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Thank you Ady for our prompt photo this week

The boatman’s organisation were paid thousands to smuggle the family onto the mainland. They were escaping from a brutal regime that would have jailed Mr Shah and sold his wife and children into slavery. When they saw the transport for the last leg of the journey they were shocked. The boatman assured them all would be well as they would never be considered suspects on a paddle boat. That would be considered a pleasure trip.
A patrol boat sped by as they were halfway across the bay and ignored them. The family raised fishing rods and pretended to fish when a helicopter flew overhead. They reached land-fall, when a patrol ordered them to stop and produce their papers. With their hearts in their mouths, Mr Shah reached for the forged papers in his wallet. A radio crackled into life and the patrol instantly sped off on their motorcycles in the direction of the waterside. The family breathed a united sigh of relief and made their way ashore to a new life.

(175 Words)

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

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

Picture it and Write ~ THE MORNING AFTER

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

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As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

__picture it & write

THE MORNING AFTER

by John Yeo

Katy had hosted her 21st birthday party. Her father, the Arch-Deacon and her mother, were away on holiday visiting the holy land. Katy had been talked into giving the servants some time off and the caterers had delivered sumptuous delights and food to be enjoyed by twenty of her very closest friends. Katy was furious, because her stupid unthinking boyfriend had announced her party on a famous social media site. People came from all over the South of England, some very rough and ready types gate-cashed her private celebrations. Everything that could be moved was stolen or destroyed, the furniture was removed, some very valuable wall-hangings and pictures were ripped off the walls. The destruction was incredible, even the round crystal chandelier was smashed and the pieces littered the bare floors. The police arrived and took the situation under control, but it was too late to recover the stolen property.
Viewing the ballroom the day after the event brought lumps to her throat. How could people be so dishonest and destructive, the strangers had got horribly drunk and drugs had been used as needles littered the floors in the toilets. Katy knew her parents would be furious with her for allowing her stupid empty-headed boyfriend to announce the party on the social media.
Katy ran, and ran away from home with the culprit and they set up home in a flat in Notting-Hill Gate.
Love is a very, very strange state of mind. ~~

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

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