Fiction
The Birth, Dissection & Evolution of a Story Never Written
For as long as I’ve had the desire to entertain readers with creative fiction writing, I’ve had a mermaid tale in my mind, just dying to come to life. It started out as a simple story idea, but has gradually evolved into something much greater.
By Justiss Goode4 months ago in Critique
The Road to Somewhere Else. Content Warning.
A Road to Somewhere Else came out of nowhere, nothing personally witnessed or experienced, written in its entirety over four intense days and nights in the early 2000’s. Mike’s story has never left my mind all these years, a tale that continues to haunt me . . . with no clear venue but this to bring it to light.
By Katy Doran-McNamara4 months ago in Critique
Cloudy with a Chance of Cupid. Honorable Mention in Not Quite There Yet Challenge.
Over the past couple of years, I've entered (or at the very least, registered for) the NYC Midnight Short Story and 500-Word Fiction Challenges, which are online challenges for writers across the world hosted by NYC Midnight.
By Alyssa Musso4 months ago in Critique
Imposter Syndrome. Runner-Up in Not Quite There Yet Challenge.
Indecisive. That’s what I am. What should we have for dinner? What film should we watch? Don’t ask me. It’s not that I don’t have an opinion, especially when it comes to writing a story – In fact, I have so many ideas it's the equivalent of spinning countless metaphorical plates. But choosing one? Well, I might as well be Greek.
By Sian N. Clutton4 months ago in Critique
The Story Behind Ben Boa. Runner-Up in Not Quite There Yet Challenge.
At the start of this year, I told myself this is the year to make it happen. “Let’s make it a New Year’s resolution that you will do it,” I told myself and then did a reality check. "Let's not get too excited or go too far."
By Calvin London4 months ago in Critique
Gone Fishing
This idea for a micro fiction piece was borne from the fact that I grew up fishing the rivers and lakes of Minnesota. Being that it will soon be the second anniversary of my father’s passing, and that my brother continued to fish with him until his car accident, I wanted to make this piece about a father and son. The story itself is purely fictional.
By Julie Lacksonen4 months ago in Critique
A- B Disconnect
The roads were busier than usual as the barriers kept rising. The metal vehicles buzzed all over as the barriers rose and fell. Built for collision, not comfort, the full-metal vehicles rattled along the roads to the city of Altronia. Elizabeth could feel her stomach shift as the vehicle sped past the barriers, and the traffic without humans was as bad as when they drove. The A-B competition was the one thing Elizabeth had selected for the event, hoping to make the A team, the best team, but playing for the B team if necessary. The yearly multi-sport event that teens would compete for dominance in physical sports. Elizabeth was running late. The event of the year was running on time. The ride there jolted as she grabbed the vomit bag in the back, emptying her stomach for the second time. The competition was only miles away, and yet the traffic was crazy between all the other cars. A stream of light flashed as the car came to a sudden stop. The wall stood up as Elizabeth flung forward. The wall lowered as the car sped to the event center. Looking at her watch, she saw the time had gone by quickly, and she was going to be late. This could cost her a chance to make the A team despite leaving so early. As the large building came into view, Elizabeth hoped she could finally check in. Another slam on the brakes left her holding on for her life.
By Sarah Danaher4 months ago in Critique
The Blossoming Garden Arrangement
Down south, anchoring the Empire State, tall ships arrived, transporting different breakfast teas peacefully serving the world. Javits enjoyed spotlight shining attention illuminating his accomplishments, confirming center stage star behavior success.
By Marc OBrien4 months ago in Critique
Forever Undone. Runner-Up in Not Quite There Yet Challenge.
Nightfall approached as a thick fog descended on the valley, slowly engulfing the blacksmith’s hut that sat at the far end of the meadow just at the forest’s edge. It was a modest structure accompanied by an equally modest forge and barn. An estate so unassuming and so far removed from the local town that one would hardly expect a blacksmith of such high regard to reside there.
By Penina Pohl4 months ago in Critique
Someday I'll Write That Novel
That's what we all say, right? Someday, we're all going to write a book. (I was going to say "novel," but then I remembered some people have the attention span to write an entire book of nonfiction.) I want to write a novel. I want to prove to myself I can do that, and I need the practice stretching my ideas over a longer word count. So far, I haven't figured out how to get there. I like to think I'm pretty good with beginnings and endings, but in the case of Vivian, I may have written the middle of an outline with no idea what comes before or after.
By Rebekah Conard4 months ago in Critique
