“Just a Little”
“This isn’t going to make me any less fat, you know.” I squint at my aunt’s reflection in the floor-length mirror. “But it’ll make you seem less fat.” She grunts and huffs as she tugs. “We’re trying to get you married, after all.” She wraps the cords around her forearms. “Take a deep…
Book 2 Update
Just a note: I’ve decided to try something different with this book, and I’ll let you know what it is later. Update: I am going into self-edits. It feels exciting and also overwhelming. The main story in Book 2 is one I started as a novel with parallel storylines that intersect at the end but…
Let’s Daydream for a Second…
I was reading articles about student loan forgiveness yesterday. One of the provisions of the new relief bill that passed is it alleviates the tax burden on student loans that are forgiven. Meaning forgiven loans (under existing and new plans) aren’t going to be treated as taxable income, and people who’ve had their loans forgiven…
BIG GIRLS Pt. 5
“I said what the fuck I said!” *** And that’s all folks! Now, I’m sure I could figure out a one-word story, but I’ve decided against it. I think I’ve pared these characters down as far as they’d like. We’ve had some big bodies, some big personalities, and some big mouths over the course of…
My First Published Story!
I told you some time ago that I had news to share. Well, now I feel comfortable sharing it. One of my short stories is getting published in a literary journal! I first got the news back in July, but I was waiting for the issue cover to come out and just to know that…
BIG GIRLS Pt. 4
Janet twirled around the fountain—fuchsia dress flowing out around her, feet barely touching the ground—dancing to inaudible music. She reached for a nearby child and spun him in the air. “How do you even deal with her?” Levi scoffed. A smile spread slowly across Jay’s face. “Love, man.”
BIG GIRLS Pt. 3
“But why does this always happen to meeeeeeeee?” “Wooo chile, you gon have to stop all that whinin’ now. Pick up ya bag, now, go on.” “Seriously, Tina,” Mel sniffles, “I can’t catch a break. This is the third job I’ve had where the company goes belly-up and everybody gets laid off!…
BIG GIRLS Pt. 2
Give him a chance, he’s a nice guy. Melonie’s words kept repeating over in my head. I wore the flattest shoes I could find and showed up with a smile on my face. I sat quickly so we wouldn’t be standing next to each other too long, but that brief minute of being face…
BIG GIRLS Pt. 1
I’m challenging myself to do a bit of a miniseries of micro fiction. A full story in 300 words or less? Sure. There will be a new story each month—same theme, different characters, may or may not be intertwined. Let’s see how this goes shall we…. BIG GIRLS – Pt.1 I really thought this would…
…You Would Cry Too If It Happened To You
16. Write abut a confrontation at a birthday party. I’m sitting in my closet with the door closed, knees to my chest. Well, not quite. I’m a bit chubby and have a growing set of boobs, so my knees don’t actually reach my chest, but you get the point. The tears on my face are…
Next Lifetime
18. Recreate a memory you have Why did I do that? Why did I let my boyfriend drive off with my best friend? I asked myself that question so many times over the years. As much as I want to say I’d forgiven them both, I just couldn’t get it out of my head. Something…
The sound of anger
23. Describe the feeling of anger using only sounds Hot oil crackling in a skillet Hard footsteps on soft carpet Air forced through nostrils Fist hitting wall Metal utensils scraping metal pots Knuckles cracking Complete silence
Another World
5. Something strange is found inside an abandoned bar “I don’t want to just go in there like that. Shouldn’t you call the realtor to set up a showing?” “It’s abandoned, Tash, there’s no realtor to call.” Ruck chuckles. “That makes no sense. Even abandoned buildings can’t just be taken over. I’m sure you have…
To: Liam
4. Write a letter from one of your characters to another I can’t believe how suddenly you showed up in my life. It was so easy to let my guard down. This is not a break-up letter, so don’t worry. When I was at my lowest point you came through for me. Yours was the…
Safe
14. Write about a power outage “Are you sure we should be in here Sarah? What if there’s something we’re not supposed to see?” “Yes, it’s fine. Besides, if this stuff was so important, it wouldn’t be locked down here in this dusty old basement anyway. Ooh, look at this!” Sarah grabs Yvonne’s wrist and…
Laundry
31. Write about an odd fear “Laundry.” “Laundry?” “Laundry.” “But why?” “Long story.” “I’ve got time.” “Okay, it’s not a long story. I just don’t want to tell it.” “Why not?” “Because you’ll think it’s stupid and I’m overreacting.” “No I won’t. Promise. Just tell me.” July sighed, resting one elbow on the…
Childhood Crush
10. Write about a dangerous obsession. He was my obsession. My first love, if you can call an eleven year-old’s crush love. I followed him around the playground, and called him on weekends, and was seriously hurt when he started “dating” another eighth grader. He was mine, even if I was the only one who…
Secret Swimming Spot
11: Write about a secret swimming spot. The water is cool. Clear. Still, almost. Only four people know about this spot, us and them. They found it first, when they weren’t even looking, and knew it would be perfect for us. Of course, since they found it first, and it was indeed perfect for us,…
The Black Room
I found a post on Pinterest with short story writing prompts. This list is what I will be using to spark my weekly short stories. This week’s prompt: Write about a “Black Room” (note I decided against being creative with the title). * * * I woke up to a knock on the door. I’d…
Amelia
{AMELIA} The day Daisy died was one of the most difficult days Amelia had ever experienced, even more so than the day she was taken from her mother. Amelia had felt connected to Daisy from the day the two of them met, and even during the most recent couple of years that they’d been…
Christine Gabriélle 