Excerpt
Lost in the Desert
The sun was setting over the vast, empty desert as Emma stumbled across the abandoned gas station. She had been walking for hours with nothing but the scorching heat and the occasional gust of wind for company. As she pushed open the creaky door, the bell jingled and she was hit with a wave of musty air. Inside, the shelves were lined with dusty cans and stale snacks, but something caught Emma's eye: a faded map of the surrounding area. She leaned in closer, tracing her finger over the winding roads and dotted landmarks, hoping to find a way out of this endless wasteland.
By Barry Hake3 years ago in Fiction
The Rattling of Wars
The antique shop was an antique itself; passed down for generations. No one understood how it wasn't bankrupt, as city folk avoided the shop like the plague. An old murder-suicide tale haunted the place, and the family's compensation was what kept doors open.
By Oneg In The Arctic3 years ago in Fiction
Ground Shaking
The ground twitched violently as the earthquake struck the city. Buildings swayed and toppled, sending clouds of dust and debris into the air. People screamed and ran willy-nilly in a panic to escape the collapsing structures. The sound of shattering glass and crashing concrete filled the air as the once-vibrant city was reduced to rubble in mere seconds. In the aftermath, survivors emerged from the wreckage, dazed and disoriented. The smell of smoke and death hung heavy as the extent of the disaster became clear. The earthquake had brought destruction and chaos, leaving a once-thriving metropolis in ruins and terror.
By Delaney Howard3 years ago in Fiction
The Write Way to Victory
Amidst the sea of words that flow, A writer's journey must still go, Through valleys low and mountains high, To perfect their craft and reach the sky. Writing contests await, far and wide, To help hone the writer's skill and pride, To showcase their tales and heartfelt verse, And connect with readers, better or worse. Vocal.media, Writer's Digest, and more, Offer a chance to open new doors, With writing contests throughout the year, And themes that range far and near. Poets & Writers, a haven for verse, With regular contests that quench your thirst, And Winning Writers, with contests aplenty, Free to enter, to tempt the frugal penny. Reedsy, FanStory, and Gotham Writers, A trio that sparks creative fires, With monthly or weekly contests and themes, To inspire the wordsmith's wildest dreams. From The Women's Prize for Fiction to The Bath Novel Award, These contests are more than a mere reward, With cash prizes and publishing deals in sight, And opportunities to shine in the literary light. So, writers and poets, take a chance, Enter these contests and take a stance, On the path to greatness, with pen in hand, Your journey awaits, in a faraway land. - Vivia Volupta @thepleasurepen
By The Pleasure Pen3 years ago in Fiction
No Miracle Comes in Twos
“Identical Twins!” the doctor cried at the inky black-white sonograph. We all sighed through deep belly-waters. I hope she remembers, even after the foot-long scar above her hips, exchanged bite-marks on the extremities of her babies, the endless combat of teenagers, the double-tuitions, and a tummy-tuck 20 years later, was there was a moment that she called it a miracle? Did she think all the pressure would make us gems? It’s 35 years later. No phone calls, only voicemails saved. We talk about how we hope she imagines we are versions of her, made into perfect form from her sacrifice.
By Bel Beeson3 years ago in Fiction
Word Count
As he obsessed over his word count yet again the author wondered why such an arbitrary, meaningless number, seemed to be so important to so many people. After a great deal of thought the best he could come up with was that humans have an intrinsic need to measure things and believe that a thing which cannot be measured is a thing of less value. He went to bed that night and cried himself to sleep. A thing very typical for a writer like himself.
By Everyday Junglist3 years ago in Fiction
