Posts Tagged ‘writing’

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The Egyptian Miracle Man

In Fiction on October 31, 2012 at 8:32 am

This week I’ve decided to combine a couple prompts (namely, my Wednesday Wiki-prompt and the Trifecta Writing Challenge). This wasn’t out of any sort of creative ambition, the week just started to get away from me and I need to keep planning for NaNoWriMo!

Anyway, Week 4’s prompt was this article on Hadji Ali, a vaudeville performer who specialized in controlled regurgitation (yep). The Trifecta prompt was the third, more general definition of whore (as in, someone who sells out for money).

Give ‘er a read and let me know what you think below!

English: Vaudeville performer Hadji Ali demons...

The Egyptian Miracle Man

“Almina, my darling, do not take these things so seriously…”

Hadji Ali watched his daughter in perplexity. She paced the room, a furious tigress. Read the rest of this entry »

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Let’s Do This

In Off-Topic on October 30, 2012 at 9:49 am

I’m doing this thing. NaNoWriMo I mean. I’ve been on the fence about it, mostly because I think I should be focusing on the novel that I’ve already written, editing it and getting it ready, but also because it has the potential to slow down my regular posts.

But as I see it, I’ve already stalled on the editing of Alberija and I could probably use a break from it. Meanwhile, I’ve had this other idea for a story kicking around in my head for long enough that I think it’s ready to be written out as a draft.

When it’s all over, I’ll put that draft away for a bit and go back to Alberija with fresh eyes – but for the next month, it’s going to be on in a way that is very much similar to Donky Kong. Read the rest of this entry »

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Passing Time

In Fiction on October 26, 2012 at 2:15 pm

As October goes on, so does my constant vacillation between abstraction and creepiness in my stories (though I did just take a break from all that to play dress up with some of my favorite dead authors).

Give this one a read and then head on over to Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s page, the brand new home of the Friday Fictioneers. Happy weekend everyone!

Passing Time

The coffee never gets cold. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Fourteenth Way (WWP Week 3)

In Fiction on October 24, 2012 at 11:54 am

It’s Wednesday, and for the last few weeks at least, for me that has meant the Wednesday Wiki-prompt. Week 3’s prompt was this article on the Mercury Dime.

I ended up getting pretty abstract with it (a more thorough explanation of why exactly will follow). But for now just give it a read and let me know what you think!

Blackbirds

The Fourteenth Way

In midwinter, an old man shuffles down a snow-deep street. His stomach hurts from the cancer, and blackbirds watch from the trees. He knows they are waiting for night to fall. Read the rest of this entry »

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Scarecrow

In Fiction on October 23, 2012 at 12:37 pm

Autumn leafs

Scarecrow

The boys shuffled through ankle-deep leaves on their way up the hill. The night was drawing on and their breath made ghosts in the frosty air.

“It’s not as good this year,” Lucas said wistfully. “What happened to all the king-sized stuff?”

“The economy, I guess,” Will replied, and Lucas grumbled his agreement. The grownups were always saying it, anyway.

“At least Mr. and Mrs. Crane always get the good stuff,” he said, and as he spoke the house at the top of the hill materialized through giant elms and magnolia trees, an enormous three-story Victorian with deep eaves and shadowed windows. The place was dark save for the sinister glow of jack-o-lanterns, their grins glimmering along the weedy walk. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Captain

In Fiction on October 19, 2012 at 12:19 pm

The Captain

The captain cleared the tangled cords from his eyes and swung them over his shoulder like lengths of filthy rope. He turned into the wind and felt the vessel pitch to starboard.

“Damn ballast,” he muttered. The crew had been careless with the cargo again.

He had a mind to take these landlubbers out to sea – orders be damned! – and leave ‘em stranded on some salty rock, but that just wouldn’t do; they had a schedule to keep.

One came up now, greener than seaweed, and nearly swooned.

“Hey mister,” he said. “Can you stop the bus? I think I’m gonna hurl.”


Read the rest of this entry »

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WWP Week 2: Famadihana

In Fiction on October 17, 2012 at 11:31 am

Last week, the Wednesday WikiPrompt was an article on Madagascar, and before I get to my story I’d like to thank Sean Fallon for being the first to join in with my fledgling prompt! You can read his (strange, funny, great) story here.

For my own part, I tried to dive into a specific piece of the article, a reburial ritual it mentioned. I’d love your comments and criticism on this (there are a few specific problems I have with the story, but I’ll wait to see if you can pick out the spots I feel are weakest).

Enjoy and thanks for reading!

Famadihana reburial ceremony, Madagascar

Famadihana

The wrappings were undone and the body lay bare, the flesh blackened and sloughing from the bones. A hellish stink hung stagnant in the heavy air.

“My God, Philip, what are they doing?” Sir Daniel asked. He had clapped a minted kerchief over his nose and mouth, but the stench was overpowering.

“The natives call it famadihana, sir,” Philip replied. “They think it honors the dead.” Read the rest of this entry »

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The Black Fool

In Fiction on October 15, 2012 at 10:26 pm

Stańczyk during a Ball at the Court of Queen B...

The Black Fool

“I’m the Black Fool now.”

Pietro Barbino was drunk again, and making japes at his master – but this time his master had nothing to say.

“Black Fool, for I’ve stained my motley garb… with this…”

He stared in wonder as he took his hands away. The blood, clotting, pulled into long, sticky tendrils. It seemed black in the half-light. Pietro leaned closer.

“I can’t hear you, Cosimo,” he growled. “Your mouth is open, but I can’t tell: are you laughing? Are you pleased with your fool?” Read the rest of this entry »

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The Blue Door

In Fiction on October 12, 2012 at 12:02 am

It’s Friday (though only by a minute here on the East Coast) and I’m jumping into the Friday Fictioneers game right on time this week.

I hope you like what I’ve done with the prompt, but either way, after you give it read you should head on over to Madison Woods‘ site for even more great weekend word-smithing!

The Blue Door

“Yeşil Hat. Mavi kapı.”

Giannis Markou read the note for the hundredth time, and for the hundredth time he felt his pulse quicken. “Green Line. Blue door.” Read the rest of this entry »

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It’s Only A Story

In Fiction on October 8, 2012 at 8:55 pm

It’s Only A Story

The train hurtled through the darkness – and the countryside, all black, rushed imperceptibly past.

“Tell us a story, grampa,” Dean said, “a scary one.”

An eyebrow raised, Charles set down his teacup. Read the rest of this entry »