Short Story Challenge - Notes on weeks 6-10

       So here is the a little behind the scenes peak at the creative process behind the Short Story Challenges of weeks 5-10, (For weeks 1-4, click HERE).

Short Story Challenge 10 - The Breakup

 

       Time seemed to turn into slow motion as it toppled unsteadily. By then it was too late – things were set in motion. I had already stumbled and started to fall before I really knew what was going on. Looking back, I guess it was my own fault for not treading carefully enough (or perhaps I was treading too lightly?), but in that moment of freefall, I felt a confusing mix of emotions rush through me.

Short Story Challenge 9 - Barry Barnado - Ventriloquist Extraordinaire

      He put the sock puppet over his hand and threw back the curtains. Today was a new day, full of promise and endless possibilities. This new ventriloquist act would be the best he had done yet – forget all those jumped up, over-complicated, hinge-jawed, wood crafted puppets – with this sock he would take it back to basics. It would be raw, unfettered and effective through its sheer simplicity. The voice – the voice would be the sole focus and the selling point of the act. No flashiness, no constant maintenance, just pure talent.

      Barry smiled as he bathed in the warm glow of the morning sun. Today was going to be a good day - he just knew it.

Short Story Challenge 8 - The Pig King

       Some people might ask me the reasons I constructed a throne made entirely of bacon, but they’ll never understand. Not really. Nor should they. Sure, the piece was entitled ‘The Pig King’, and people would undoubtedly read some superfluous meaning into it like ‘oh, its an allegory about how our empires are obtained by being built on the carcasses of those we have destroyed…’ or some such similar bullshit.

Short Story Challenge 7 - Hanging Around With Abergast and The Professor

      A few seconds, that was all it took; the camera was gone, and my only chance of success with it. As I watched it tumble down into the gaping ravine below,  I knew the film within would never be recovered. More importantly, I had to grab on to something fast or I too would share a similar fate to that of my Kodak SLR.

      My arms wind-milled almost comically as I flailed wildly in an attempt to maintain my balance. Too late! My footing abandoned me and I tumbled backwards over the cliff edge. Is this it? Is this finally the end for super sleuth journalist Archibald Abergast?

     Not likely.

Short Story Challenge 6 - Children of the Seasons

      Four children were left on Martha’s doorstep, one each for the four seasons. Winter’s baby came last, wrapped in night and gazing at the stars.

      No one knows where they came from or which persons were responsible for abandoning them so, and yet Martha took to raising them as her own, her loving warmth more than making up for the cold indifference with which they were cast aside.

Short Story Challenge - Notes on weeks 1-5

      For those of you good enough to have been following my weekly short storychallenges, here is just a little summary of the five I have completed so far.

      Although I don't want to fret too much about every detail (the stories are a speed writing exercise after all), here is a quick summary of each one I have written, including creative decisions, trivia and possible improvements/changes I would have made if I had more time and/or was writing a longer story.

Short Story Challenge 5 - Garden of the Seventh Circle

      The ivy had continued to grow since I had left the village, now hiding the doorway behind it. But if you looked hard enough, and knew what you were looking for, you could just make out the faint outline of the archway – the framing of brickwork around the door, almost completely concealed behind a mask of dark green foliage.

Short Story Challenge 4 - A Family Business

 

     When one is kneading dough, it is imperative to have clean hands. You can’t leave any traces or else people will come knocking at your door. I found this out the hard way, back then before we had made a genuine go of this family business.

Short Story Challenge 3 - Palingenesis

TUESDAY

      Lets face it, I’ve had much worse things stuck to the bottom of my shoe but this is definitely a first. I was so preoccupied with not losing my footing whilst trudging through the undergrowth that I didn't even see what it was that I had stepped on.

Short Story Challenge 2 - Tomato Soup

      “No thanks, I’m on a diet”, she replied without looking.

      It wasn't quite the answer he had hoped for. Time for plan ‘B'. She had refused the cake, which he was almost certain was going to work, but surely she couldn’t refuse some champagne?

Short Story Challenge Outline

      So recently I did my first short story challenge.

      The idea is to ask people for suggestions of an opening sentence and then go on to write a (somewhat coherent) short story from that. The main point of it, of course, is to get more disciplined with my writing - but also it allows me to associate ideas and stories from other people’s random garblings and in turn, to practice my creative writing a little bit.

Short Story Challenge 1 - Red Ring

          
            The priest pulled out his finger from the stripper’s ear lobe in shock.

            “Im sorry,” he stammered, “I didn't think you were going to make a noise like that…”

            She looked up at him, the dirty neon of the club splashed across her face. She half smiled, trying to mix a coy face with that of a sultry one.

            “Honey, whatever you’re into… I’ll make it good for you.”

            Taking his hand, she started to guide it towards her ear once more but the priest hastily pulled free. There was an awkward pause.

            “I... I shouldn't be doing this”, he said shifting in his seat uncomfortably.