All posts in category Writing Prompt

1-21-2020 – Tires screeched. I turned and ran down the alley.

I didn’t anticipate this much adventure when I joined the Adventure Club. After meeting with the other club 12 members, we were each given a specific task. My assignment was to investigate the murder of a prominent politician, Jonathan Bigsby.

I was given the task of interviewing Fritz, the owner of local restaurant frequented by Bigsby. When I got to the restaurant the place was dark except for a light in the back room. I followed the light into the kitchen. There I found Fritz laying on the floor, a bloody knife sticking prominently in his chest.

The sound of screeching tires sounded from the open back door. I turned to run out to the alley. A dozen people standing in the alley yelled surprise! They were the other members of the adventure club and they were laughing as Fritz came out the door with the fake knife still in his chest.

Linda Scott

by chris4394 on January 31, 2020  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on January 31, 2020

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2020/01/31/1-21-2020-tires-screeched-i-turned-and-ran-down-the-alley/

1-7-2020 – The New Year’s Mystery

Christmas has passed and it’s a New Year. Time to take down the lights and box up the decorations. Always a hassle taking off the lights with needles falling everywhere. As I removed the tree from the corner of the room, I was surprised to find a small unopened present still hiding.

The tag read: “To Tom from Santa”. I wondered who it was really from, as all the other presents were from known family members. I opened the small, well taped package to find a note. It read:”:Tom, you asked me for a new red Huffy bicycle back in 1960, but I was hung up in a snowstorm in Poughkeepsie, and couldn’t get it to you. Take this note to Robinson’s Bike Shop.”

The bike shop was only three miles away, so what the heck, off I went. When I showed the note to the grey-haired owner, he looked shocked. He went into the back storeroom and came out with a red Huffy bike covered in dust and cobwebs.

He said:” This bike was sitting back there, pre-paid for a boy named Tom since 1960″.

Tom Rutherford

by chris4394 on January 30, 2020  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on January 30, 2020

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2020/01/30/1-7-2020-the-new-years-mystery/

November 26, 2019 – Prompt -If I went to the moon

If I Went to the Moon

I’d be the happiest guy in the world, if I went to the moon. All my cares would drift away, all dreams would not be held back. All adventures would be just beginning, if I went to the moon.

My imagination would be set free with every leaping step. I would only be lightly tethered so I could find my way back to my ship. I would write my journal each night after exploring for hours, if I went to the moon.

For me, this time I would return to my homeland, but then I couldn’t contain myself. My next journey would have to be thoughts of travel even beyond.

If I went to Mars, I can’t even explain my joy at the thought. It would be a new and ultimate flight, unending.

Viola LaBounty

***

I remember a long time ago watching early television when the stage character got mad at his wife and said, “One of these days Alice—pow! Straight to the Moon!” I was a little disturbed by that 1950’s comment, but it wasn’t the threat of injury that bothered me, but the fact how would she survive on the Moon? The Moon is a blistering cold place.

Nowadays, if you’re an astronaut, you can fly to the Moon and hop around in a protective suit. If I went to the Moon, I’d have to be younger and stronger to withstand the rocket’s G-force. Where would I stay once I got there?

Housing would be a problem. I’d have to wait another century for them to build habitats. The scientists say they want to cover a crater with a shield and build housing inside a dome. How will they make oxygen to breathe? Where will the food come from, or will Earth ship food to us until we can grow our own?

How much would the trip and boarding cost me? What kind of clothing would I wear? So much to think about.

Well, I’ll tell you this, I’m glad I’m at the age I am. I really don’t want to go to the Moon. I would rather look up at it on a summer day and admire the rabbit features an American Indian once told me about. She said the god wanted to protect the rabbit from the coyote, so he threw the rabbit up to the Moon. If you cock your head to the right side, you can see the outline of a rabbit. From Earth, I can see the Moon turn red and gold colors in the fall. If I went to the Moon, I’d never see all that.

(c)A.Nation2019

 

by chris4394 on December 4, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on December 4, 2019

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2019/12/04/november-26-2019-prompt-if-i-went-to-the-moon/

November 19, 2019 – Prompt – If You Want to Annoy Me Just . . .

Here we go again. The interview of some “important” celebrity is already annoying me. About every other word they say, “Ya know?” Now I’m screaming, “No! We don’t know. That’s why you are being interviewed — so we will know, you twit.”

I am also annoyed when officers in a movie or TV cop show are yelling at a suspect, “Get down on the ground! Get down on the ground!” The scene may be in an apartment on the 15th floor of the Vegas Marriott or similar location. The suspect has a clear choice: 1. Comply with the police and run to the balcony and jump; 2. Or they can ignore the order and drop to the floor. Either way they could get resisting arrest tacked on to their charges. There’s no ground anywhere fifteen floors up. Potting soil for the palms in the hall doesn’t count either. When the cop catches up to the suspect below where they’ve landed on sidewalk or pavement or grass, anywhere but “the ground,” the suspect has still ignored police orders. They should be subject to resisting arrest.

In movies and videos the blue uniformed horse soldiers arrive with bugle calls and flying flags to chase the attacking tribe away from circled wagons. Actors often shout, “We’re saved! The Calvary is here!” I am yet again very annoyed. That religious landmark cannot leap oceans to help them. They should have shouted, “cavalry.” It may help script writers and actors to learn and remember the correct word is derived from Spanish for horses.

If you want to annoy me enough to scream at you just do one of the previous or another from my long list, “Things that piss me off.”

Donavin Leckenby

*****

I am a person who comes to anger very slowly and when I do reach my boiling point, I don’t yell and scream, throw things, hurl curses and deplorable names at the person who has annoyed me. I stay extremely quiet and express my feeling with forceful words punctuated by silent emphasis.

One such occasion I recall occurred when I was working at St. Anthony’s in the Orthopedic surgery. When you arrived in the morning you got your assignment for the day.On this particular day my scrub tech, Alan was his name, and I had a case that was on the schedule for eight o’clock. We gathered our supplies and we took them to the operating room.

Now an aside when you get ready for a surgery you do not or did not open your sterile packs to early. We were notified that our case had been delayed so we left our packs unopened. Alan and I left the room the have coffee.

Twenty minutes later we went to our OR to find another scrub tech who wasn’t assigned to our cases opening our packs. Now as the circulating nurse I feel I am in charge of the room.

I don’t know what I said to her, but Alan later commented, “I hope I never make you mad.”

And I know I never raised my voice.

Christine Howard

by chris4394 on November 26, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on November 26, 2019

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2019/11/26/november-19-2019-prompt-if-you-want-to-annoy-me-just/

November 12, 2019 – Prompt – One More Mile

Hattie didn’t like the back seat. She had always gotten sick in her tummy enough so that Aunt Pearl would never feed her anything with grease. But Aunt Pearl had forgotten today was the trip to visit cousin Louie.

Hattie burped. She could taste the sausage she’d eaten for breakfast. Aunt Pearl eyed her like a black crow at a roadkill. “Hold it child, just one more mile.”

The sun beamed out after weeks of rain. The cotton fields all in fancy rows, with full blooms spreading pollen throughout the community—causing havoc on running noses with nowhere to go.

Hattie burped again. She scooted near the side door and rolled the window down, slow and easy, so not to disturb Uncle Howard’s driving. The hot wind set cool on her face.

This week’s trip, much like last weeks had Billie and Jesse Mae kissing and smooching, sucking on each other’s earlobe every chance they can get.

Watching them was enough to make Hattie ill. She hates where she is, but at ten-years-old there isn’t much she can do to change the situation.

Someday—someday, soon.

She burped, feeling the grease crawling up trying to escape.

She swallowed. Oh, Lordy, give me  . . . one more mile. 

__ Suzie Hagen

 

by chris4394 on November 20, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on November 20, 2019

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2019/11/20/november-12-2019-prompt-one-more-mile/

November 5, 2019 – Prompt – River, Stone, Branch , Cloud

The reflection of the sky in the quiet and still lake showed one cloud as it floated on towards the river.   I traipsed knee-deep through the lake just because I could . . . stepping gingerly over the round rocks on my unshod feet . . . ouch . . .  A branch poked into my leg.   I wonder why I didn’t see it . . . the lake is so clear.   That was silly of me.   One would think I would have seen it.

What a beautiful day it is.   I breathe deeply and can smell the forest of pine trees, the sweetness of the grass; I can hear the sound of the water flowing down the rapids as the lake pours its soul through the rocks below.   Hear the birds?   I do . . . Tweet, tweet, tweet.   Oh, look at how they dance together.   There is a little one just chasing the hawk away.   I bet there is a nest over there, and the bird is protecting it from that hawk.    I love to watch them in action.    Oh look see the chipmunks scurrying in and out of that downed tree with the knotholes.   Chasing each other as if they have nothing else to do.  Oh look, he stopped, and another fell right into him.   Ha ha ha . . .  they make me smile.    Ah the love of wildlife and nature.   There is so much joy in the watching.

And now . . .  back to reality . . .  but I always have this to review in the avenue of my mind on another day.   I do that, you know.   I bring these memories out when I am having a bad day . . . they change my spirit into something bright.

 

-eileen detloff

by chris4394 on November 13, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on November 13, 2019

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2019/11/13/november-5-2019-prompt-river-stone-branch-cloud/

October 22, 2019 – Prompt- The leaves were crunching beneath my feet, then I was falling through a hole

The leaves were crunching beneath my feet, then I was falling through a hole.

I awoke a while later, how long exactly I do not know, a few hours perhaps. At any rate, the sun had slipped down the icy blue sky to tickle the tops of the trees. That was my view from the bottom of the hole. It was a small hole and I wasn’t uncomfortable, but I was cold. I bent my arms and legs—everything seemed to be in working order. I stood up slowly. Stretching a bit, I found that I could get my eyes above the top of the hole. I scanned my surroundings, looking for whatever must have propelled me into this predicament. I found a foothold and was about to clamber out when movement in the trees caught my eye. I stood still and watched. A woman wearing a turquoise green cloak was bent over, speaking to a pumpkin—a jack o’ lantern to be exact. I saw the candle light from the gourd, and I saw the woman as she took a fan from the folds of her cloak. She spoke softly, then flicked her fan. I saw, for an instant, the pumpkin, then a second later an Adonis—that was the word that came to me. The male form that appeared was superb in every way. The woman took out a flask and gave a drink to the man. He looked at her with love and lust.

Karen Hydock

 

by chris4394 on November 5, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on November 5, 2019

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2019/11/05/october-22-2019-prompt-the-leaves-were-crunching-beneath-my-feet-then-i-was-falling-through-a-hole/

October 15, 2019 – Prompt – A cold wind carries the whispers of scarecrows.

A cold wind carries the whispers of scarecrows. The owl hoots screeching in tones my ears cannot bear.   The greyed image staggers in front of me making my eyes squint for clarity.    The darkened cloth brushes against my skin, raising the hair on my arms.  I can smell the sour stench . . . What?

Pumpkin vines growing on the hillside…   fall is here.   My favorite time of the year. . . . Tense, skittish, fearful, ever alert, listening, seeing, over-compensating for the sounds I hear.   Sudden spurts of fear magnify the giggles and laughter . . . Ah to be a child again . . .

Eileen Detloff

by chris4394 on October 18, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on October 18, 2019

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2019/10/18/october-15-2019-prompt-a-cold-wind-carries-the-whispers-of-scarecrows/

October 8, 2019 – Prompt -“We Get Along With A Little Help From Our Friends”

It was early in the month of May.  I was listening to the songs of the birds and the chirp of the smaller creatures in the woods.

Who knew that today was the day it would happen!  I’d always thought it would never happen. But now it had!  It was unthinkable.

I stumbled along the trail from deep in the woods where I’d been hiking.  I had been walking confidently as I followed the familiar trail.  The day had seemed like any other.  The sun was shining, and a whisper of a breeze rustled the leaves in the treetops.

Suddenly I’d felt an odd sensation, kind of like you feel when you stand up too suddenly after lying down.  The next thing I knew was that I was lying on the ground with one of my legs twisted in a way it shouldn’t have been able to go.

I whimpered to myself for a few minutes and decided that wasn’t getting me anywhere, so I started yelling for help.  That didn’t bring anyone either.  All it did was to make the chipmunks quit chirping, and the birds quit singing.

Then to my amazement, I saw, coming towards me on the trail, my pal and my best friend, my dog.  I had left him in the car with the windows down, but apparently he had heard my cries or maybe just got tired of being alone!

And so it is, that I made it out to the trail-head with a little help from our friends the birds and especially my best friend, Toby.

 

Lorraine Ueeck

 

by chris4394 on October 13, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on October 13, 2019

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2019/10/13/october-8-2019-prompt-we-get-along-with-a-little-help-from-our-friends/

September 17, 2019 – Prompt – The Room is full of me.

“The room is full of me?” Asks Shannon. “Now, what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Another Shannon is suddenly next to her and responds, “Gee, I’m just as lost as you are, and we’ve both got double the same brain put together!” The first Shannon starts and tries to catch her breath, but before she can hope to the second, Shannon splits into another two. One with three eyes and the other with a cowboy hat. They both look at each other and back at the second Shannon looking for some sort of answer.

The second turns to the first, and now the other 13 Shannons in the room are very confused. Cowboy hat Shannon is in a panic as a Shannon with yellow hair and purple skin walks up to her and touches her shoulder. She pulls a gun.

“Awwlright, you precious varmints here’s how this is gonna go; I better start getting g answers as to how or why y’all are ‘round here, or my trigger finger here’s gon’ get reaaal itchy reaaal FAST!”
A Shannon in the corner with a microwave for a head raises her hand and beeps up.

 

Shannon Meza

“The room is full of me?” Asks Shannon. “Now, what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Another Shannon is suddenly next to her and responds, “Gee, I’m just as lost as you are, and we’ve both got double the same brain put together!” The first Shannon starts and tries to catch her breath, but before she can hope to the second, Shannon splits into another two. One with three eyes and the other with a cowboy hat. They both look at each other and back at the second Shannon looking for some sort of answer.

The second turns to the first, and now the other 13 Shannons in the room are very confused. Cowboy hat Shannon is in a panic as a Shannon with yellow hair and purple skin walks up to her and touches her shoulder. She pulls a gun.

“Awwlright, you precious varmints here’s how this is gonna go; I better start getting g answers as to how or why y’all are ‘round here, or my trigger finger here’s gon’ get reaaal itchy reaaal FAST!”
A Shannon in the corner with a microwave for a head raises her hand and beeps up.

 

Shannon Meza

by chris4394 on October 13, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by chris4394 on October 13, 2019

https://writeontheedgeyuma.com/2019/10/13/september-17-2019-prompt-the-room-is-full-of-me/

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