A Week Of Flash Fiction Prompts : Week 22
It is sometimes a challenge when faced with a prompt. It is too easy to rush straight into it from an idea. Sometimes I find it better to sit back and ponder all the possibilities. Occasionally the initial idea works best. From time to time a different type of story pops out and demands a new direction. I keep looking for the challenge to keep my writing fresh.
Here are this week's stories/poems from prompts. I hope you enjoy them!
Please click the heart or leave a comment if you wish. I always appreciate your acknowledgement. It helps lift the spirits to know someone appreciates what you have written.
I find I am gravitating towards writing Story Stacks: The Separation Method as a favourite form of writing. There is a challenge in creating five different stories to fit the picture prompt, each of a different word count.
The following stackers are among those I regularly write to prompts they provide. Each is acknowledged in the story or poem. The list here is for you to explore their writing.
Microzine Behind Every Door Challenge
Tales of the Zeitgeist HOUSE OF HAIKU PROMPT:
Izzibella’s Substack: Drabble Time
Previous Weeks Of Flash Fiction Prompts can be read here:
https://billferguson.substack.com/s/flash-fiction-from-prompts
May You Live Long And Prosper.
Lost In Translation
June 16 2025
Prompt by: Caro’s Writing Perspectives: LOST IN TRANSLATION. 100 words
Photo by Leeloo The First - Photography
“Blah, blah, blah,” said the figurehead.
“To interpret is useless,” interpreted the interpreter. “Meaning is not segregated. It is personal.”
“Blah, blah,” droned the figurehead boringly.
“The importance isn’t in the speeches presented, but in the deeds done,” continued the interpreter.
“Blah, blah, blah,” the figurehead stated. He banged his shoe on the table.”
“Passions are also personal to the extent that no one else should really care how important you think you are. You need to live your life so that you are happy,” ended the interpreter with a bang,
“Blah, Blah,” said the figurehead as he walked away.
Three Corner Cat
June 18 2025
Prompt by: Caro’s Writing Perspectives: One Hundred-Word Wonders: A writing prompt: LOST IN TRANSLATION
Photo by: Rachel Xiao - Photography
Red turned up the volume on the television.
“It looks like the doctor is in the house,” the announcer stated firmly. “Morgan has been accused of juicing up before. As they head back to the dish, grumbling is occurring. The Annie Oakley’s are not happy tonight.”
Red eyed the TV.
“The pill is presented. The aspirin was delivered. Jensen appeared to be browsing on this one.”
Red smiled.
“The dance was swatted hard! Oh my it’s a fartslam, ”
Red’s wife called from the kitchen. “I thought you were watching baseball?”
“It is going to be a long season,” Red thought.
A Perfect End
June 18 2025
The Diurnal Drabble Dare: Week 25
Here are your prompts for Week 25:
PICNIC, SAUNTER, DAYLIGHT, DOG, ONION RINGS, TYPEWRITER, SWIM
Photo by:Alena Shekhovtcova - Photography
Sam sat at his typewriter. “As the last rays of daylight peeked between the clouds the dog sauntered along gracefully carrying a picnic basket in his mouth. A new scent caught his attention. His nose jived wildly in attempts to determine direction. Finally he settled on the distinct aroma and bound off in search of the elusive onion ring.”
Sam yawned, grateful for the distraction. He rose, donned his swimming trunks and headed for the pool house. A short swan dive later he gracefully rose putting his head above the water.
“A perfect end to a perfect day,” he intoned.
A Flash of Lightning
June 18 2025
Prompt by: Tales of the Zeitgeist: HOUSE OF HAIKU PROMPT: LIGHTNING
Sharp spikes crackle loud
Woods burn sending smoke skyward
Animals scatter
Storms brew and rumble
The tower gets hit often
Well grounded it is
Light arcs intensely
Sparks fly as wood is shredded
Powerful fire burns
The Interview
June 19 2025
400 words
Writer pilgrim Substack: Writing Prompt 120: Prompt Station: 5 minute picture prompt
Photo by: Writer Pilgrim Substack.
“Is this a trick?” Mickey inquired to thin air as he looked at the door. He had been warned that the guy was eccentric but this was beyond anything Mickey could have thought up. He pulled out his piece of paper. The address was correct. The note read:
Jiggle the door handle.
Wave at the camera.
Push the bell three times
Wrap on the slot.
“All this just to get an interview,” reflected an exasperated Mickey. It wasn’t even a nice neighbourhood.
Mickey stepped up and considered the note. He followed all the instructions. Nothing happened. He stood back and considered the note again. “Maybe I mixed the order up,” he thought to himself so he proceeded to follow the instructions again.
When he finished there was a hiss to his left. Mickey turned to see a periscope rising to eye level.
“Credentials,” it asked.
Mickey pulled out his driver's license and held it before the periscope.
“All is good. Come back at 3 pm tomorrow and repeat the process.”
Mickey stared at the periscope. “No interview is worth this,” he said determinedly to the door.
The door hissed and opened. “You said the magic word. Please enter at your own risk.”
Mickey stepped cautiously over the threshold and jumped as the door snapped shut behind him. There was a small knocking sound. The floor fell away sending Mickey spiraling downward. As he landed flat on his face he felt the floor moving upward. The ground parted and Mickey was elevated to the sidewalk in front of the door. He groaned loudly.
“Hey Mister,” called out a kid riding by on his tricycle. “What you doing down there?”
Mickey groaned. “It appears I got pranked.”
The kid laughed. “Happens every time someone pushes that bell.”
Mickey regarded the kid carefully.
“The entrance is around back,” laughed the kid.
“This interview had better be good,” snarled Mickey as he picked himself up and dated himself off.
Mickey walked around the block trying to compose himself. He calmed as he turned the last corner. “My boss had better appreciate this,” he muttered. He spotted the door and stopped cold. The same door stood in front of him.
“I give up,” he said. “Fool me once. Okay. Fool me twice ain't going to happen he said as he pulled out his phone. “Boss, I need another assignment. This guy doesn’t want to talk.”
Bangled Up
June 19 2025
what now?: Prompt #77: TODAY’S PROMPT: a character carrying something physical: something has to happen
Up to 400 words
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Rene was walking down 5th Avenue pausing occasionally to look at the wares of the street vendors. “I have seen this street vendor before,” she thought as she paused in front of a rather huge man wearing an I Love New York t-shirt. Rene kept coming up with crickets. She fingered her bangle carefully, hitting the secret button.
Poof. She found herself standing in front of Union Station in Toronto. She picked her way along the crowded street. Thinking she would like an Ice Cream she walked up to the vending cart when the feeling hit her again. She looked at the vendor knowing she had seen the man before. This time he wore a Toronto Blue Jays shirt. She looked at him as he turned to look at her. He smiled. She reached the bangle and pushed the button once more.
Poof. She found herself standing in the winding ticket line at The Louvre. She quickly extricated herself from the line and walked towards a restaurant she knew to be a safe haven. When she reached the restaurant she was escorted to a table along the road. She pulled out her phone and called her boss.
“I’ve been trying to find you,” stated her boss. “Where are you?”
“I’ve had to move quickly. I am in Paris. I’m not sure how long I will be here. I keep running into the same guy everywhere I go,” she said as her eyes caught sight of the man from New York and Toronto walking along the street in a French National Team Jersey. She started to rise.
“Your contact will be wearing a French Soccer Jersey.”
She sat back down. “A slightly heavy guy? Beard?” she asked.
“Yes, why?”
“He is here,” she said as he pulled out a chair and sat down. She fingered the bangle and pushed the button.
Poof. Rene found herself standing at the rail of an ocean liner with her phone in her hand. “Boss, there are two of them,” she said.
“Our guy has a bangle like yours.”
She spotted her follower. With speed Rene ran at her pursuer and pushed the bearded man over the railing.
Her identical coworker approached her. “Nice work. Here are your instructions.” he said as he pushed his bangle.
“Boss, I’m coming in. We need to talk,” Rene said as she pushed her bangle.
Illusions: A Life Guideline
June 19 2025
Prompt by: Writers' Hour Magazine: ⏳ Weekly Writing Contest | June 15: First Read
First Read: Write about a book you wish you could read again for the first time. Revisit that first encounter. How did it shape you? 500 words
I first read this book as a 22 year old University student.
To my mind this is the ultimate book. When I first picked it up I found the cover intriguing. The title and author’s name were in white over the cosmos. The beautiful blue feather was front and center as if pointing to a new direction. Even the title “Illusions” had many disparate meanings. The words on the back page of the paperback were inviting. “A great way of looking at life.” It made me do something that many books don’t. It invited me to open to the first page and read.
On the first page I was hooked. It didn’t start with the story but a series of parables that laid out the story in simple terms. In the 33 small statements, set up much like a psalm, it laid out where it was going. My mind went “Aha” a new way to look at life. It reinforced the concept that maybe organized religion has gaps propagated by oral tradition rather than informed analysis of personal events. And as I read it seemed truer to religious aspects more so than religion actually does. It all seemed realistic, as if life could possibly happen this way.
The two main characters, the reluctant messiah and the sceptical friend, exist within the dialogue of friendly banter where the pushing and pulling of learning feels genuine and real. The scenarios infused my mind with the possibilities that could exist. Their easy and quick instructional dialogues convey the warmth and honesty that is often missing in life.
It is inspirational, one of those books that appear to be timeless. It is effortless in its short presentation. 192 words.
My girlfriend at the time, a strong Catholic, was appalled by the book. It went against everything she had been taught and learned. Looking back I can see that following predictable, safe, and familiar paths were where she was at. This book opened my mind to possibilities.
I have come back to this book many times over the last 47 years. There is a calmness, a serenity that exists in its suggestion that everything you need is within you. You are in control of you. There are times when I have forgotten the message. It is at this point that I reread the book and remind myself that everything is fine. Life continues. People have opinions but they are their opinions. You are going to be who you are because of the way you look at life.
Looking back I see it as a guide post for believing in myself and my abilities, especially when it comes to writing. Through this book I see possibilities that may never have existed without experiencing it.
Illusions
The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
By Richard Bach
A Dell Book
Old Friends
June 19 2025
Prompt by: THE FICTION DEALER: Microdosing Fiction - 100mg of Old Friends
Photo by Daniel Fazio on Unsplash
“Bobby?” asked a questioning voice. “Bobby Meacham?”
Bobby turned slowly to stare into a face he hadn’t seen in 40 some odd years. “Johnny Turnbull!” he said with some enthusiasm. “You look like you could still run the 100 m in 12 flat!”
Johnny smiled. “Not sure about the 12 flat anymore, but still fleet of foot.”
Bobby smiled. “So what are you doing here?”
“I’m glad you asked,” replied Johnny as he pulled out his gun. “I need you to give me your cash.”
“C’mon Johnny. You were always a kidder.”
“Not kidding. The cash.”
“I know who you are. Everyone will know. I even have security.”
“Fleet of foot remember. I will be gone before they even ask you my name.”
Bobby frowned as he opened the cash register and handed over the cash.
“Consider it a loan,” yelled Johnny as he opened up his speed disappearing into the night.
“I should have known,” reflected Bobby as he dialled 911.
Old Friends 2
June 19 2025
Prompt by: THE FICTION DEALER: Microdosing Fiction - 100mg of Old Friends
Photo by Daniel Fazio on Unsplash
“Some people never change,” reflected Becky Wilson as she surveyed the crowd at the class reunion. “Take Tabby Smith. Still wearing low cut, see through clothing, covered with a jacket and flirting with everything insight.” Becky downed her drink.
Tabby approached Becky with her hand out. “Becky, nice to see you. It’s been a long time.”
“Tabby…” began Becky.
“It’s Tabitha now,” Tabby interrupted. “I had to become more formal as I progressed. Tabby just sounds much like a cat.”
“Of course,” replied Becky. “Being Mayor now you have to keep up your appearances,” she said as she walked away.
The Sea Excursion
Longer Version
June 21 2025
538 Words
Developed from Along the Hudson: One Night Under the Stars in Mexico
Write a fifty-word story (fiction, CNF, or poetry) about a nighttime excursion and the short story based on the prompt.
Photo by: Josh Sorenson - Photography
“How many times a week do you cross the lake?” inquired Sean.
“A couple of times a week,” replied Syvia as she directed her boat through the waves. “I pick up packages on both sides of the border and return them to their owners on the other side. Some companies find it cheaper and more expeditious to use my service. My employer tells me you are a special delivery,” asked Sylvia.
Sean smiled. “One might say that. It was suggested that I make my way across the border until all the fuss dies down.”
“Fuss?”
“My employment situation was terminated on one side of the border so now it is time to relocate so that I can ply my trade again.” Sean smiled at his word usage.
“What would your trade be?” inquired Sylvia.
“One might say that I dabble in procuring interesting pieces and recovery and loss.”
“Ever lose things?”
Sean looked at her carefully. “My boss always wants something lost. I find a way to honour his requests.
Sylvia eyed the cloud bank that rested just above the water line. A smile crossed her face as she changed direction.
“Isn’t there something about customs with your packages…” began Sean.
Sylvia cut him off. “I don’t have time for this right now. See that fog bank. It makes the trip a bit more dangerous.”
“Dangerous? How?” responded Sean.
“While I have radar it is useless against smaller objects. There could be objects floating in the water or even some objects could sneak up on us and cause some damage. Could you go to the bow of the boat and keep an eye out for me?”
“No problem,” responded Sean as he moved forward. Sylvia noticed that he left his life jacket on the back of the seat where he was sitting as she pulled back on the throttle.
Sean reached the bow and was looking over into the water.
“I think I see something,” yelled Sean. “It looks like a log.”
“Is it running along with the boat or across it?” asked Sylvia.
“Along with it came the reply.” Immediately Sylvia hit the throttle and pulled it back sending Sean into the cool water. She smiled and kept moving forward despite his pleas for help. Soon there was silence.
As she edged forward she slowed her boat placing the engine in neutral. Sylvia went aft and raised the seat where a number of smaller packages lay hidden. She lifted each package and hurled it over the side where they floated for a second before beginning their plunge to the bottom of the lake.
Upon completion she returned to her seat where she flicked on her radar and picked up speed heading across the border.
“Another problem taken care of,” she said. “Another customer will be happy,” as she pushed the boat at full throttle, altering her direction, skimming the surface towards the American side of the border.