Inktober: Trash

Tags

50wordfiction, demonic household, Inktober2021

Trashcan by Julien Cole, flickr

Now dogless, unemployed, and frail during the pandemic, Greta found something oddly comforting in the mechanized kitchen trashcan in that it registered her presence. On Halloween, the lid clamped down on her hand and pulled her inside. There was no dog to sound the alarm.

Inktober: Stretch

Tags

50wordfiction, haunt, Inktober2021

room by Dean Hochman, flickr

When I was alive, there had been a presence in my room. I used to lie frozen. The night my body gave way to sleep, icy hands stretched out to choke me. In my immortal form, I linger in dark corners, jealous of the sleep-rich.

Inktober: Prickly

Tags

50wordfiction, Inktober2021

10′ Morgan Blacksnake (ca. 2001) – Handle Area, Aldo ZL, flickr

Life as a domme demanded she be prickly. With few other resources, this idea for making money had somehow evolved but humiliating took commitment. When a man begged her to freak him out using his credit card, she was sold.

Inktober: Candy

Tags

American healthcare, cancer treatment, Foxy Brown

When her cancer returned, she held an impromptu dance in the cancer center lobby. She blasted Foxy Brown’s “Candy,” giving a special dance tribute to the administrator who tried to charge $1500 before her first treatment. Other patients, bald and hobbled from treatment, shuffled their feet and laughed.

Inktober: Muddy

Tags

fight for mental wellness, sisters in mental illness, surviving ideation

Composite made from a bust of a statue and a stained-glass texture that was doubled and transformed. “Lost (in one’s thoughts)” by Wayne S. Grazio, flickr

She had vowed she would do it, end her life today. But she had planned Timmy’s birthday party. She stood in the midst of a party store aisle, her face sweating under her mask. Maybe after her son’s birthday? Tears blurred the colors of the garish decorations. She couldn’t decide.

Inktober: Thunder

Tags

50wordfiction, Inktober2021, lynching

Palatka, Florida 1983). From my film archives, digitized. Wayne S. Grazio, flickr

The trees have planned their revolt against a country using them to string up men by the neck until they are dead, the burning cross somewhere nearby or else deep in the heart. It doesn’t take a hurricane to uproot the trees and send them thundering down. It takes injustice.

Inktober: Drained

Tags

50wordfiction, Florida wetlands, Inktober2021

Image from page 108 of “Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States” (1979), flickr

There was a time before the draining of Florida swampland when giant cypress towered over one hundred feet tall. In the late 19th century, cypress were felled for shingles. Daily I drive over a bridge spanning the headwaters of the Everglades: Shingle Creek. I hear cypress cousins bemoaning lost histories.

Inktober 2021

Tags

50wordfiction, 50wordnonfiction, Inktober2021

This is an image I have posted a couple of times this October, a list I found of some awesome Inktober prompts on DeviantArt by Lineke-Lijn. I post this once more mid-October in case it inspired some spooky writing, or other types of writing, leading into Halloween.

What I am finding this year is I am inspired to write not simply dark and Halloween-related posts—though I do write dark at times— but also lighter or just neutral posts related to interests, memories, and things happening in my life. I am around to prompt 21, but I have not always taken these in order and I have added in a few of my own, writing something super short I wanted to cover and providing my own title. I think it’s ok to repeat prompts in trying new pieces, exploring different aspects of a theme. Furthermore, I enjoy writing some nonfiction as well as fiction, using whatever research I can pour into tiny writing.

I want to say something that applies to creating in general, but here, for the sake of the tiny piece, relates especially to tiny writing. Take it easy in writing tiny, especially in creating goals like this. Some pieces will feel inspired, and some, well, just what was possible for the energy of that particular day. What is good in tiny writing is being able to look back and lift out the strong moments and add them to a growing body. And maybe there will be moments to recast other not so strong pieces. Forgiveness is huge. Forgive yourself, laugh, say “I tried. I knew what I wanted to say but, well, I can’t tell this reflects my desire.”

Writing something new every day, or several new somethings, requires specific energy, awareness, openness. Sometimes for me, it requires a certain mood. Trying to make a complete 50-word gem can at times be difficult. There is definitely a great deal to be left out. I would say “mystery” plays a large part in all writing but especially so in 50-word writing. If there is something intriguing to you about creating mysteries, you may enjoy trying your hand, or continuing to do so.

If you have read this post before, what follows will be familiar….

These are prompts for visual artists but I think this particular list is also stellar for writers and here’s why: the nouns are specific and concrete; the verbs are action verbs; the verbal adjectives are equally expressive and action-oriented; the nominal adjectives are precise, concrete. One-word prompts that are abstractions and nonspecific are non-starters.

The kind of prompts listed above translate into powerful sketches and drawings. And I think these give writers that mental picture we need to begin translating an interior vision into the written word. You may not think you’re a screenwriter, but if you want to write powerful fiction, you will think in scenes and images.

If you are interested in an exploration, even if you’re an experienced writer, start jotting down small pieces in a notebook or document. It is highly likely that first drafts will go over the fifty-word count. Over time, as pieces are refined to meet the word count, a wonderful miniature will emerge, conveying the heart of something distinct. The word prompt may be included as a word in the piece or it can simply serve as the inspiration.

Even if you don’t want to write fiction or publish, exercises like this sharpen verbal ability; broaden thinking; enhance problem-solving; and develop voice and self-knowledge. Yours —Margaret

Inktober: Change

Tags

50wordstory, Inktober2021, metamorphosis

Inspired by the BBC select documentary The Pregnant Man, Amazon Prime Video

Seahorse by Randall van Gurchom-Colijn, flickr

Respect the woman who became a man who became a woman to carry his wife’s baby and who became a man again. He has lived a thousand dreams of metamorphosis, possibilities curled up inside, waiting for change.

Inktober: Scorched

Tags

50wordnonfiction, Inktober2021, poisonmurder

last drink by martin.much, flickr

During the Depression, four men took life insurance policies out on drunkard Mike “The Durable.” They poisoned him, froze him, gave him a broken glass sandwich, hit him with a car. Finally, they killed him with carbon monoxide. They were scorched in the electric chair but Mike became a legend.

Inktober: Bottle

Tags

50wordfiction, experimental ficiton, Inktober2021

solitary coat rack by Greg Hirson, flickr

Bottle broken my promise to you left the divorce papers on the hall tree your mother’s wedding gift to us to whom was also given a baby a name you used to call me whose life consumed with mid-day drinks, as well as midnight when I see our end.

Inktober: Swollen

Tags

50wordfiction, domestichorror, Inktober2021

Mouldy tarts by mediamolecule, flickr

Swollen white molded strawberries like victims of Pompeii; forgotten raw brisket for marinating, bloodying the sink; neglected half-dry clothes mildewing the wash—the ghost of your mother tisks from the corner. You bristle. She used to say you thought highly of yourself. Now you know you are no one, nothing.

Inktober: Clock

Tags

50wordfiction, Ageing, Inktober2021

Broken Clock by Jim, the Photographer, flickr

“You know, Glock rhymes with clock,” she said. “As in, I’m going to shoot this clock with my Glock if it doesn’t stop keeping track of my age.”

She knew where the gun was kept and he regretted ever telling her about it.

Inktober: Whale

Tags

cruelty of children, Inktober2021, nightmare

roundabout by duncan c, flickr

I have two terrible memories of elementary school. One was of poor Leah, large as a whale, falling off the roundabout and all of us flying past, kicking her while she cried. The other was a nightmare around this time of a tiny bird dying because we stoned it.

Inktober: Cruel

Tags

50wordfiction, divorce, Inktober2021

closing time by sinkdd, flickr

It’s a cold October night, and you are watching your son play soccer. In the bleachers, your ex is snuggling with his new, younger wife. The cruel wind cuts through your coat, a reminder that you are merely a womb and have served your purpose.

Inktober 2021

Tags

50wordfiction, Inktober2021, writing prompts

I found this list of awesome Inktober prompts on DeviantArt by Lineke-Lijn. I posted this initially a couple of weeks ago and wanted to post it again as a reminder and an invitation in case anyone wants to do some October writing.

These are prompts for visual artists but I think this particular list is also stellar for writers and here’s why: the nouns are specific and concrete; the verbs are action verbs; the verbal adjectives are equally expressive and action-oriented; the nominal adjectives are precise, concrete. One-word prompts that are abstractions and nonspecific are non-starters.

The kind of prompts listed above translate into powerful sketches and drawings. And I think these give writers that mental picture we need to begin translating an interior vision into the written word. You may think you’re not a screenwriter, but if you want to write powerful fiction, you will think in scenes and images.

If you are interested in an exploration, even if you’re an experienced writer, start jotting down small pieces in a notebook or document. It is highly likely first drafts will go over the fifty-word count that is set in flash fiction writing for Inktober. Over time, as pieces are refined to meet the word count, a wonderful miniature will emerge, conveying the heart of something distinct. The word prompt may be included as a word in the piece or it can simply serve as the inspiration.

Even if you don’t want to write fiction or publish, exercises like this sharpens verbal ability; broadens thinking; enhances problem-solving; and develops voice and self-knowledge. Yours —Margaret

Inktober: Breakable

Tags

50wordfiction, Inktober2021, mental health

matthias lueger, flickr

There was a sadness in Aunt Mary after they gave her the medications. Last fall, I had never seen her happier. She was to fly to Jamaica to marry her fiancé. Turns out, that was all a delusion.

“Why did they do that?” I asked Mama.

“I don’t know, baby.”

Inktober: Exhausted

Tags

fall leaves, Florida fall, Inktober2021

Florida Fall Colors by Florida Fish and Wildlife, flickr

Down the center of the peninsular state, the tropical climate briefly withholds its sauna so a few exhausted leaves of august trees may die in their golden glory. Yet the fanfare is ignored amid the ravenous, eternal green, impatient heat, marauding winds—the energy of youth and growth and destruction.

Inktober: Tithe

Tags

50wordfiction, church, Inktober2021

Nave of Church by Dennis Jarvis, flickr

A cancer patient’s family moves away while he’s in treatment. Afraid and lonely, he realizes he may need a church who will burry him. After joining a church, he learns his way into a plot is to tithe but all disposable income is owed the hospital.

Inktober: Frog

Tags

50wordfiction, Inktober2021, relationships

Chocolate Frog by Jehane, flickr

Terramae makes peanut butter chocolate frogs for trick or treaters, but her boyfriend, a chef, uses them for a mole. She yells at him and he says “I wish you would just smoke one big doobie.” She makes a huge batch of frog edibles for his staff. Everyone gets fired.

Inktober: Trapeze

Tags

circus origins, Inktober2021, trapeze

In the early days of the circus, the 19th century, there was puritanical disapproval because “entertainments” were considered a sinful waste of time and the outfits that performers wore revealed too much. But the animal menagerie that was set up alongside the performance tent was a shrewd move to recruit an audience among the faithful. That is the setting of this mini-story which reveals a child’s dreams. Dreams, I think, are the lure and effect of the circus. (I realize I’m not writing of Halloween or writing spooky yet with the circus theme. I’ve become intrigued by the research.)

circus by tmmmb, flickr

Henry Buckland, a religious man of New England, took his family to see the animal menagerie. But Little Henrietta broke away to glimpse a forbidden scene under the big top: the trapeze. She vowed to be a trapeze artist one day and wear a gorgeous, glittery outfit.

Inktober: Drooling II

Tags

childhood, Inktober2021, tales of school

School, Grade Classroom by IMLS Digital Collections, flickr

My first grade teacher broke yardsticks over our desks when we colored “wrong.” At her funeral, I wondered if she drooled after her stroke. Since it was open casket, I was terrified she knew my naughty thoughts and was gonna get me.

Inktober: Drooling

Tags

50wordfiction, Inktober2021, stroke survivor

The Breath of God by Dee Ashley, flickr

She had been drooling on her pillow but wasn’t worried until she saw her face: It was twitching. Her brother took her to the ER but the nurse brushed them off: She was too young to have a stroke. Her brother yelled for the doctor and saved her life.

Inktober: Chicken

Tags

Chagall, Inktober2021, loss

Floating Feather by Paul Kitchener, flickr

After miscarrying, I started sleeping in the nursery under the Chagall print—a chicken pulling a carriage for a couple and their baby. While I was asleep one night, Marty left a note: “I love you but I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry.”

Inktober: Spell

Tags

Inktober2021, journalists, torture

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Having endured white torture overseas, the journalist returned home. White rooms, chalk floors, soundlessness—the sensory deprivation of his confinement had cast the spell of Lethe. He did not recognize family and yet he panicked at the prospect of being left alone.

Inktober: Roasted

Tags

fraternity, Inktober2021, misogyny

siluet by JuanRax, flickr

Young men of the Ivy League fraternity hosted a “pig roast,” a competition to score high in bedding women. Tie breakers were won using the scale: The man who slept with the heaviest young lady reigned supreme. There was institutional punishment but heartfelt contrition of members was nowhere in evidence.

Inktober: Tranquil

Tags

Children of God, cults of America, Inktober2021

Shattered by Valerie Everett, flickr

Tranquil, Jesus-loving hippies, seduced by the revolutionary music of a new religious movement, found themselves engaging in “flirty fishing” for the cause of God. “The Law of Love” superseded “The Law of Moses” said their guru. Years later, former cult members mourn lost innocence. Some don’t survive the shattering.

Inktober: Poisonous II (Florida Man)

Tags

FloridaMan, Inktober2021, poison

Coca Cola Vintage by Antonio Marín Segovia, flickr

Florida man, sociopathic genius, Mensa member, chemist, having silenced his neighbors’ barking dogs for good, laces the boisterous family’s soda bottles with thallium. Like the dogs, the mother loses her hair. Her liter are poisoned. The mother dies, but the Florida man is dismayed to find prison especially noisy.

Inktober

Tags

Inktober, Writing flash fiction, writing prompts

I found this list of awesome Inktober prompts on DeviantArt by Lineke-Lijn.

These are obviously prompts for visual artists but I think this particular list is also stellar for writers and here’s why: the nouns are specific and concrete; the verbs are action verbs; the verbal adjectives are equally expressive and action-oriented; the nominal adjectives are precise, concrete. One-word prompts that are abstractions and nonspecific are non-starters.

The kind of prompts listed above translate into powerful sketches and drawings. And I think these give writers that mental picture we need to begin translating an interior vision into the written word. You may think you’re not a screenwriter, but if you want to write powerful fiction, you will think in scenes and images.

If you are interested in an exploration, even if you’re an experienced writer, start jotting down small pieces in a notebook or document. It is highly likely first drafts will go over the fifty-word count that is set in flash fiction writing for Inktober. Over time, as pieces are refined to meet the word count, a wonderful miniature will emerge, conveying the heart of something distinct. The word prompt may be included as a word in the piece or it can simply serve as the inspiration.

Even if you don’t want to write fiction or publish, exercises like this sharpens verbal ability; broadens thinking; enhances problem-solving; and develops voice and self-knowledge. Yours —Margaret

Quietus

Tags

50 word writing, survival, words of encouragement

Purple on Green by Aslam Karachiwala, flickr

When you feel alone in your illness, let your strength demonstrate your dignity, let the sun crown you sister and brother, let the moon guide you as your mother and father. And if it is your turn to lie down, let the gentle earth receive you in her arms.

Focus

Tags

cancer, fiction, radiation

Jabapyth, flickr

On a work break, he slipped his hand under her blouse to roughly fondle her pitted breast. She was on her way to a radiation appointment. Men seemed attracted to her damage but her passion was reserved for photons. She slapped his hand away. Imbécile!

Inktober: Haunted

Tags

broken relationships, Inktober, rock and roll

B/W Turntable, luis exposito, flickr

Whenever she heard certain songs, thoughts of a former boyfriend reached inside and twisted her insides. It had taken time to see his lack of interest, but they had both loved rock and roll. Did she really want to exorcise his ghost? She wasn’t sure.

Inktober: Escape

Tags

fentanyl, Inktober, microfiction

I begin today this year’s fall-fifty-word-challenge. Some of these small pieces may be kitschy; some may be tongue-in-cheek; and some may not have as much to do with Halloween as with the darker aspects of life in general. I confess I wrote this one sans prompt. I intend to post some prompts for those interested in participating.—Margaret

Unkempt Angel, Wayne S. Grazio (Abandoned Mauseleum, Manila Chinese Cemetery, Manila, Philippines) flickr

Sitting on the toilet lid, she slumps against the bathroom wall, her eyes fixed on the shower curtain, the spoon fallen to the floor, blood trickling down her arm.

They found her blue-lipped. Her sister said it was China Girl, come to take her from the pain.

Inktoberfest 2021

Tags

fifty-word fiction, Halloween fiction, Inktober

Man in chair with dog in his lap, Florida Memory, State Library and Archives of Florida, flickr

It is almost September! Which means it is almost October! Which means it’s close to Halloween!

I was revising some posts this morning, and particularly the fifty-word fiction pieces I wrote for last year’s Inktober. A few years ago, I started following someone for this little literary spooky spree, writing a delicious bite-size story each day of October. But for a couple of years, I have blazed my own trick-or-treat trail, creating my own prompts. And last year, I wrote several posts laying out my thoughts about writing fun size.

I plan a return to Inktober excitement this year. And I may start as early as September. October being what it may be for me this year, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to craft gloomy confections. If you want to join me, I hope to post prompts soon, some of which may be repeats, but which I enjoyed, ergo: Favorite prompts, round two!

Prime the pump with scary thoughts while I put a cauldron over the fire.