Further to the fun 79 word challenge set by Author Andrew Joyce – click HERE to check out HIS story.
I’m delighted to post the first seven entries received (to visit the writers blogs, click on their names or photos) as follows:
〜〜〜〜〜
‘The Scent‘ by Emily Gmitter
She stood at the stove, wearing one of his white business shirts over her birthday suit. Maple-flavored bacon sizzled in the pan.
The scent must have awakened him; she felt his arms encircle her waist. She did not turn around. They stood in silence for a moment before he whispered in her ear.
“That was a great fight last night.”
With her back still to him, she said softly, “I hate you.”
He stroked her hair gently. “I know.”
〜〜〜〜〜
Change by Gigi Sedimayer
I wandered aimlessly, as I did so many times before, around the outback of Australia, when an incredible idea popped into my mind.
Sneakily I looked around for a suitable animal, thinking: Would it be really possible to change into an animal to see and feel how they live?
Then I murmured, ‘I really want to know.’
A dingo passed my path. I closed my eyes with the dingo in my mind.
Pop.
I looked at my furry legs.
〜〜〜〜〜
The Crush by Diana Wallace Peach
His eyes glinted, feral, his hair tousled with ageless youth.
Desperation erupted in my chest.
The attraction felt fatal, my desire fraying all threads of reason.
He was raw imagination, eternal; I married and bound by time.
Curled on my bed, I ached in the slatted sunlight.
If only I could leave behind the humdrum of my life, abandon the dull comfort of my ordinary days.
Instead, I closed my book and buried the pages on which he thrived.
〜〜〜〜〜
The Stoic by Melissa Barker-Simpson
“What’s on your mind, Cuttman?”
Dennis stared at the stoic-faced medic. He wasn’t amused by the question, not in the slightest.
“Why don’t you tell me?”
At that, the explosive environment ceased to exist and silence descended on them.
Then Carter, no longer stoic, threw back his head and roared with laughter.
He did this without moving his hands; hands that held his buddy’s skull together so he didn’t leak brains all over the battle field.
“Hang tight, bud.”
〜〜〜〜〜
From this day forward… by Sue Vincent
A cobweb-lace wedding gown captures the dew that soaks his knees.
Her eyes look up, wide with wonder.
A mist in his own softens the world.
The chill embrace of a new day… a new beginning.
For a moment life stretches out before him, a glorious tapestry of laughter, children … and love.
All still to come… a discovery to be shared… together.
Slowly he stands; white rose petals lie stark against the freshly turned earth of her grave.
〜〜〜〜〜
Avocados by Sally G Cronin
They were on everyone’s list today as there were only three blackened avocados left.
Mr. patchy red beard and Birkenstocks, pushed in picking up all three.
He squeezed them with perverse delight and threw them back down.
‘Only an idiot would buy that rubbish,’ he said smugly.
I repressed the need to stamp on his bare toes.
‘Not if you are making guacamole,’ I replied tartly. ‘In which case you have done half the job for me already!’
〜〜〜〜〜
Wormholes by Jane Dougherty
The wormhole dumps them in a glacial desolation, the crumbling ruin of a shopping mall, the only shelter from the mutant dogs, crows, and ratmen.
As the Apocalypse limps towards its spectacular finale, and rival tribes of demented, brutish boys fight in a futile struggle for survival, Carla and Tully sneak away across the devastation of the Paris suburbs, looking for the only escape route—another wormhole.
Night falls; soul-eaters feast on living and dead.
Wormwood enters his kingdom.
〜〜〜〜〜
If YOU would like to join in the fun and have YOUR 79 word story posted, along with your photo and blog/website link email your entry to me at:
tsraauthorarticles (AT) gmail (DOT) com,
Subject: 79 WORDS
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
Great idea! I’ve reblogged it and maybe I’ll send in a story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
GREAT Nikki – I look forward to seeing it 😀
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Nikki McDonagh – author and photographer and commented:
This is a great opportunity to hone your writing skills. Why not give it a go?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing – BTW That includes YOU Nikki 😀 😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing what you can do with only 79 words! These are skilled writers indeed! But Sally, how you stole the show with your avacados! I really did L.O.L.! 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Don’t forget to send me YOUR entry Ali 😀 😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am thinking about it, Chris… its a hard one, but I’m defo going to give it a try. Have to say, though, the standard is HIGH! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed it is Ali – But I KNOW YOU can do it 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your words of confidence.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😀
LikeLike
Thanks Ali and I only went out and saw a guy fondling a couple of avocados in the store and laughed out loud.. he did not have bare toes so was safe..XX
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! Hilarious! He was obviously seeing more than avacadoes!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😱🙀 Naughty Ali 👀😈😄😄😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOLOLOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Melissa Barker-Simpson and commented:
I loved this 79 word story challenge. Thanks to Andrew Joyce for throwing down the gauntlet (so to speak), and Chris for gathering all the stories together and sharing them. It was a huge thrill to be part of this first group – all such talented women. Don’t miss their stories and, don’t forget, it’s not too late to take part 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And you don’t have to restrict yourself to just ONE entry Mel 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Thanks, Chris 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
79-words. Excellent, all. Love this flash challenge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soooo – You’ll be sending me YOURS Sarah? 😀 😀 😀
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Kim Troike and commented:
These are tremendous, so fun to read! Not sure if I have the time. Wow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Persuade yourself Kim 😀
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
Great stories from those taking on the 79-word story challenge–issued by Andrew Joyce and hosted by Chris Graham…enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, you all know I *meant* to type “79” words. And goodness! The “c” disappeared from the name of the man who started this fun challenge. Thankfully, I know someone important and knowledgeable recently said that we should not stress about typos, so I won’t. (Besides, humans have no idea how hard it is to type with paws. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your meow is my command Zoe – corrections already done 😀 😀 😀
LikeLike
Thanks Zoe – I look forward to seeing YOUR contribution too 😀
LikeLike