Hello lovelies…
How about a bit of fun? I’d like to run a micro-fiction competition here on this post… and the winner(s) will win an SBI share!
Here’s your photo prompt for the week:
How it works:
- Write a piece of original micro-fiction, no more than 50 words long, based on the photo prompt.
- Leave a comment on this post with your piece of fiction in it. Feel free to post to your blog too and link to it in your comment too– but be sure to leave the actual piece of writing here in the comments.
- Entries close on payout of this post.
- Not compulsory – but I’d love it if you resteemed this post to reach more people, and of course any upvotes are always welcome, and will go to support a larger prize pot in the future.
Good luck – I’m looking forward to reading your entries!
Eveningart x
Sources: photo by yours truly
Hello all, I decided to give this flash fiction a try. So many "windows" of opportunity, with that picture. :)
The Visionary
Payton looks at his wife, holding their newborn. Then he looks back out the window. She has always been the one to see beauty in everything.
"Yes, a garden would look beautiful in there," he said.
"Even with chaos, we can still find beauty in a grey world," she said.
Thanks so much for your entry! I enjoyed how you have picked out a different element of the photograph to highlight. A really lovely, hopeful feel - thanks @pixiehunter
E x
It was my pleasure to do so. I figured most would go towards something sad, so I wanted to go towards something beautiful. :) Thank you for reading it. :)
My entry:
First Day at Work
I am sitting in the office. My manager had promised me work but it has been an hour. I sit at my desk staring out the window. I count the windows at the building next door. 36 and counting. Man I am bored.
Haha - lovely entry, I can feel this poor character's frustrated boredom. We've all been there- you know you're in trouble when you start counting things... or colour coordinating you paperclips!
Thanks for your entry, E x
Note. This is a cool contest. I did not name my 50-word story. Some of the other contestants have done a great job and I'm glad to be participate. Trigger Warning (sexual abuse):
Ella stares out of her window. Time is frozen to the day a little girl was kidnapped.
They found her alive, but dead on the inside. Stuck to the window sill, seeing the bald man robbing colour from her life, all over again. She will forever remain that little girl.
Oh my goodness- this is poweful and heart breaking. So much conveyed in so few words.
I'm glad you like the contest- thank you so much for your entry. E x
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Here is my entry! I was afraid of giving it a title, because my story came to EXACTLY 50 words! hahahahaha
so - untitled ;)
2nd row from the bottom, 3rd window in.
I see you. Peeking out, your curtain drawn just enough for one eye.
Will we escape our secret suffering?
Remembering your SOS - torn cardboard sheet, pressed against the glass, lipstick-red letters barely visible.
Did anyone see? Probably not.
But I did.
I love the complexity of life you have captured in your enticing little 50-word story!
This is a great idea @eveningart.. i will give it a try..
Okay here goes.. haha i hope i give justice to this! 😂🤣
THE WINDOW
Flu had gotten the whole town sick. The disease spread out so fast that it affected mostly the children and the oldies.
Olivia shifted her gaze to the window. She tried to get up. She made it to the window limping. She smiled. And slowly closes her eyes.
No don't do it Olivia! Or is she just getting some fresh air... Love the ambiguity and the hint of menace! Nice job @maquemali! Thanks for entering x
Hahaha i tried my best on this.. thank you for the opportunity
Now, I'm watching you. Watching me.
One of us must…
One of us should say “hi.”
You, Shy Girl?
Will it be you, please?
Or will we go more months, trying to...
...but never quite saying, "hi."
Or will we forever never speak?
This is so beautiful @bluefin! You old romantic you! I hope one of them says "hi", I can't bare the idea of them never quite managing it <3
This comment was made from https://ulogs.org
The assassin looked down the scope of his sniper rifle, aiming it at the building across the street. He took a deep breath, waiting for his target to walk into frame. Then he saw the barrel of another sniper rifle at a different window aimed at him.
EEK! Brilliant! That captures how I felt staying in that room. Surrounded by half seen things hiding behind all those panes of glass. Thanks for entering!
E x
An Ill-Timed Step
Food was scarce. Soon Lena must brave reality.
She peeled aside the curtain and inspected the lifeless street. Shattered cement, burnt cars, only the opposite building intact.
It was silent, safe; she would hurry.
Her courage minute, she stepped outside... no time for regrets as the gunfire began once more.
Thank you for hosting a lovely little contest! :D I love fifty-word stories, though when I do them they are usually become fifty-word prologues, haha! Perhaps @jayna and the fifty-worders would be interested in this too? ~waves hello~
:)
Thanks so much for your entry- brilliant piece- like a held breath before that explosive end!
Thanks for signposting me to @jayna too - I hadn't bumped into the fifty-worders yet - very glad to find them! E x
Thanks for the heads up, @kaelci. I will mention the contest in the next #fiftywords post this weekend.
Hi @jayna! Thank you so much for popping in and for the resteem- much appreciated!
E x
Great idea with the picture prompt and thanks @jayna for the heads up.
She ghosted into the room, surveying everything as she moved purposefully. Beads of sweat perched on her upper back.
Danger lurked.
She stopped dead in her tracks. The lefthand window handle was not fully engaged.
Someone had been here, but when?
A muffled noise behind her, then darkness.
Out cold.
Nice. Very powerful! My imagination is running wild!
Why thank you @jayna :o)
Thank you for the fun contest, @eveningart. As you can see, some members of the #fiftywords community have submitted entries. We have a weekly challenge to write a 50-word short story based on a one-word prompt, so this is right up their alley! You can see the current challenge post here. My entry follows.
Lemon pie
Nina loaded the last lemon pie into the oven. Her friends were leaving for the lake.
“C'mon, let's go!” Bike bells jingled.
Her mother called out. “Nina!”
“Almost done!”
“When I finish my cigarette, they had better be ready!”
Nina turned the oven to 500 and slipped out the door.
If you'd like to read the story behind the story, you can find that in the orginal post, Lemon Pie.
Excellent story- poor Nina, looks like she has just snapped! Thanks so much for your entry and for helping spread the word about my little contest- I've really enjoyed seeing all this creativity in my comment section!
E x
Thank you, @eveningart! I thought it was a nice opportunity for the regular Fifty Worders to join an actual contest, since I run #fiftywords as a challenge, and there are no rewards involved, other than the satisfaction of writing a complete story in just 50 words. :-)
p.s. I saw you got a curie upvote. Yay you!
It's great to have the Fifty Worders join, and fantastic to learn about your challenge too! I'm looking forward to taking part.
P.S. Thank you so much - that was a real shock, and such a boost for me on a post I was quite nervous about putting out there. E x
All Out
Miriam's refrigerator was empty and the last nonperishables were gone.
Calling her son got only that blasted answer machine. Again.
"John, I'm out of food. How dare you neglect me? You always were a worthless boy."
She stared out the window, banging her rickety cane into her aching knees.
Thanks for the prompt!
https://steemit.com/fiction/@bex-dk/alloutmicrofiction-1zfzfel1vj
This is such a great bit of fiction- and those few words feed so much back about Miriam... her negative attitude, how she has always put John down. Sure, she should be a figure of pity, but you've skilfully lead me to see her as her own worst enemy and the villain of the piece in some way.
Thanks so much for your entry.
E x
I love this idea! I posted my entry on my blog here.
From My Window
I stared out the window, the sound of honking and people shouting coming up from the street below. I tried to drown it out the noise. I couldn’t understand how they carried on with their lives. With the world in shambles and their already angry voices, why did they bother?
Thanks for your entry!
I can just hear the clamour of the world rushing in on that person. Nice job x
Thank you!!
Here is my entry.
Mind's Eye
I feel vulnerable and alone. The piercing glares of countless eyes are fixated on me. Like magnifying glasses, they see my flaws and imperfections. They look into my naked soul. Turn away, I beg you, turn away! Let me live in peace. Cast your gaze away. Just let me be.
Thanks so much for your entry!
Loved the desperation of your character...!
E x
Black and white I saw,
as I approached the window.
Limping as a dying husk,
away from the prejudiced law
that murdered “desolates” willy nilly
for fathoming such is horrific.
Two forced choices came now:
continue entertaining their lil’ humours
or steal their game myself.
Either way, time’s runnin’ out.
{I was brought here by @jayna reblogging this and didn’t knew this existed. Maybe the fifty-worders can expand operations here as well...}
Thanks for entering @theironfelix, and hopping over to check my little comp out! So excited to find out about the fifty-worders!
I love your piece- you pack so much story and hints into exactly 50 words - I can imagine a whole novel coming from this story. E x
UwU ~ Thanks for reading and thanks for the compliments! I hope you and @jayna collaborate in the near future.
That would be a lot of fun! E x
This comment was made from https://ulogs.org
Opportunity Comes Knocking
“How is it possible to feel this lonely with literally windows of opportunity staring back at me,” she thought. She was about to turn her back, when a gentleman in a window locked eyes with hers and waved. She sheepishly smiled. “Maybe I just had to wait for the knock.”
Aw yay - I hope this is her chance!
Thanks so much for your entry. E x
Here is my entry. Good luck to everyone else!
Oblivion
Lily slammed down the photo. George’s ugly face was gone. Air whispered through the open window.
Just one jump and she’d fly. The guilt wouldn’t hurt any more.
“Lily? I’m scared!” Alfie’s voice quivered.
Sighing, she closed the window and went to comfort him. He needed her.
“I’m coming, sweetheart.”
Thanks so much for your entry! Such a range of emotions in such a short space. Loved it. E x
Here's my entry in blog form:
https://steemit.com/life/@oivas/a-new-perspective
And reproducing here:
The open ocean, the seagulls, the cool breeze, the saline fragrance, and the invisible horizon was lost fifteen years back to a man-made concrete obstruction.
The concrete blind was never stable and today it will be razed to the ground.
An old view with a new perspective awaits! Hallelujah!!
Ooh fabulous- I really like this fresh take on the prompt and that feeling of excited hope. Your story takes us flying out of the little room. Thanks so much for your entry! E x
Thanks @eveningart!
Gazing out the window onto the empty street below, tears running down her face, and heaving a sigh between her muffled sobs.Gingerly touching her bruised face.Watching and waiting for his return.It was her fault, it always was.She new he would forgive her though,he always does.
Lovely job, @skiponline - such a sad piece- and sadly so real for too many people. Thanks for your entry! Eveningart x
This comment was made from https://ulogs.org
Oh I love fifty word stories! Thanks for running this. Here's mine :)
There. Again. The window ajar in a building with a/c. Maybe she just likes humid, cloying air. Perhaps it’s random chance that her craving for exhaust fumes coincides with my husband’s instant recall that we need milk. Or bread. Or something. Every time.
Not likely.
I load my gun.
Eek. A woman scorned and you gave her a gun?! Love it! Thanks for your entry. E x
The little beauty starred from widow, looking as her dad drives away after a long argument with mom. Thinking what will now happen? Will there be divorce now ? These questions i keep hovering as i stare at the road seeing different cars.
Thanks so much for your entry! Poor little thing!!
E x
Thank you
howdy there tonight @eveningart! I'm definitely not a "lovely" but I'm gonna comment anyway...this is a pretty darn cool challenge you got here, hope it gets tons of responses. Hey I like that one you already got from rhethypo!
Thanks @janton- maybe have a shot at entering?
E x
haha! that's a good one. perhaps someday who knows? I've never had an ounce of creativeness in me though so I wouldn't hold my breath. lol!
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I love this contest! Here’s my post!
Careful planning:
My place is top window from left. Great vantage point. I’ve been watching her for 6 months now. Pretty little thing. I like to have some time preparing before they arrive home. The look on her face. That’s the best part. She’s a couple of minutes late.
Argh! So creepy. So good! Love this entry- thanks @blanchy :)
E x
This comment was made from https://ulogs.org
Just to clarify Im not a serial killer in real life! 😂😂
Ahahahaha! That's what they all say ;)
This comment was made from https://ulogs.org
Here is my entry:
“Ever since the accident, this window has been my only outlet to the world beyond. It’s not that I can’t leave, it’s just that it is such a hassle and inconviences so many people, that I curb my embarrassment by living vicariously through passersby and the lives I invent for them.”
Thanks for the post @eveningart! This is a cool idea!
Ooh - great entry - I really like this take on the photo - that this poor person is there creating stories within your story.
Thanks for entering! E x
This comment was made from https://ulogs.org
After reading it a couple times, the second sentence could be punctuated better!
Gazing out the window I notice a little girl staring out from the apartment opposite to me. I smile as I wave to her and I can see her giggling as she waves back. Looking down at my mature belly, I hope my child will be as happy as her.
Aw- what a gorgeous, hopeful piece - love it. Thanks so much for your entry.
E x
Greetings, everyone. Great stories so far. I hope to be able to comment them all (counted mins on line).
My entry:
The Shapeshifter
One night, he shows up as a hen. Too big for a bird. The kids are eating and say, Ma', come see this.
I look, hush them.
Don't chase it.
Kids look at each other petrified.
It vanishes.
How did it out?
No door or window opened.
Nothing!
Thanks for your entry. Good call on not chasing a shape shifter! E x
Thanks for your entry.
Good call on not chasing a
Shape shifter! E x
- eveningart
I'm a bot. I detect haiku.
Haha. Yep. Never a good idea.
I'll post shortly a more developed story that will provide more background to these characters. It will be for @marlyncabrera's contest (in Spanish), but I'm working on a translation already. Hopefully, it will help understand the scene. I have played with some flashes in the life of the narrator from a different view point for @jayna's 50-word stories challenge.
This is a new thing for me. I had never tried creative writing. Let's say i am trying 50 words at a time
Ooh how exciting- good luck with the translation. And if you ask me, all creative writing is 50 words at a time... or even 1 word at a time. Have fun with it. E x
Haha. Yep. Never a good idea.
I'll post shortly a more developed story that will provide more background to these characters. It will be for @marlyncabrera's contest (in Spanish), but I'm working on a translation already. Hopefully, it will help understand the scene. I have played with some flashes in the life of the narrator from a different view point for @jayna's 50-word stories challenge.
This is a new thing for me. I had never tried creative writing. Let's say i am trying 50 words at a time
If I could, I'd leap. Not to my doom, but to fly. I'd find the room in that building that has my lover. And we'd fly together up to the moon.
As a bullet from @rhethypo's sniper came through Window, there was a moment of silence no one could hear as @Kaelci's Lena ran for safety.
Window was shattered, a life of dedication broken. Window knew this was not the end, the other windows chanted: "We are window! "
Thanks @eveningart, this was fun and I loved reading everyone's entries:
He cross-referenced the window location with his spreadsheet. A quick check that the voice modulator was switched on and then he dialed.
“Hello?”
“Your water’s been boiling for five minutes.”
“What? Who-”
He placed a satisfying tick mark under ‘Good Deeds’, then lifted his binoculars again.
mistake comment deleted