January 11: Flash Fiction Challenge
In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about wet ink. It can be artistic, writerly or something completely off-the-wall. Go where the prompt leads.
“Doc, my family feared I would die shortly after the ink was dry on my enlistment papers. Now I’ve made it back home without a visible wound they want me to tell them what my days were like: what I ate, what I saw, if I met any nice girls. They have no idea all the Army wanted from me was a body count. Having done what I was expected to do in order to survive, now I am dead inside. I’m afraid to go to sleep at night because of the nightmares and ashamed I made it home.”
January 11, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about wet ink. It can be artistic, writerly or something completely off-the-wall. Go where the prompt leads. https://carrotranch.com/2018/01/12/january-11-flash-fiction-challenge/
My offering follows:
With great excitement and anticipation I opened my son’s first letter since he had joined the Air Force. I expected personal news and an address. I got the opposite.
“I’m sure you don’t know, Dad told me to never come home again for enlisting without his blessing. I don’t think it’s safe to give you any contact information because he will force you to choose between him and me. I’m sorry.”
My sudden tears wet the ink. I realized any letters would have to be kept secret and I didn’t know if I would ever see my son again.
“Mama, I’ve been reading some of your flash fiction. Why are they all such downers?”
“Well, flash fiction by definition is a short story and it requires an arc with a problem and a resolution; something with an adrenalin rush to keep the reader’s interest.”
“But I want to read short happy stories; maybe about puppies. I’m going to wish for that on the next falling star I see.”
“That would be an admirable wish honey.” I turned away from my ten year old with tears forming, wishing she could stay that innocent for the rest of her life.
This day is observed to honor the 3,500 Americans who lost their lives or were wounded on December 7th when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and gave the U. S. reason to enter WWII. Continue reading “Freedom Isn’t Free”
A fun poetry contest. Try your hand.
Hey Everyone! Just a reminder that today is the last day to submit a poem to the contest. I will be closing the submission in 12 hours.
There have been some INCREDIBLE submissions, it is going to be so hard to choose a winner!
Speaking of . . .
I will be announcing the winners TOMORROW!!!
Sue Spitulnik 