Eccentric

05/10/202405/12/2024 / Liz H-H / 19 Comments

Many thanks to Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr for their photo prompt, The Unicorn Challenge (05/10/2024). No more than 250 words in length.

Hildie was at her wit’s end. Franz had always been forgetful, more interested in the mechanics of lock-work, how to build a better mousetrap, and getting just the right measurements to repair the town’s old clock tower. His work was much admired, his prices more than reasonable, so his peculiarities were forgiven by the townsfolk and accepted as the oddities of a brilliant mind. Continue reading →

Song of the Sea

03/24/202403/25/2024 / Liz H-H / 25 Comments

From Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr’s photo prompt, The Unicorn Challenge (03/24/2024). No more than 250 words in length.

“So many to choose from,” Douglass breathed, mouthpiece in one hand, carefully considering his next step. He’d waited under the dock, saving the oxygen in his scuba tank. The docks ceased their sway and rattle as the heavy footfalls of captains and crew stumbled up to the clubhouse for an exclusive marina fundraiser. They’d strung lights on boom, mast, and stays, sure that the sea gods wouldn’t rain on their parade. Continue reading →

Savage Starfish

03/16/202403/24/2024 / Liz H-H / 20 Comments

From Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr’s photo prompt, The Unicorn Challenge (03/15/2024). No more than 250 words in length.

Trigger Warning: Do NOT read this before bed!

Stella Starfish had heard all about it from Momma Bear. While Poppa and Baby built sand castles down the beach, Momma had leaned in, broad, clawed toes in the water and gripping the sand, related how Goldie had lured Poppa Bear into an affair with her golden curls, intense blue eyes, and silky hairless skin. Granted, Poppa wasn’t the brightest — some even said he was a couple sandwiches short of a picnic – but still! Continue reading →

Comes the Springtime

02/13/202402/14/2024 / Liz H-H / 22 Comments

I’d taken to the deepest forest,

Slipping under darknight canopy,

Desperate for a glittering mask,

A gilt-net bag of Turkish Delight,

Strands held tight in concealing ice. Continue reading →

Modern Tales

12/09/2023 / Liz H-H / 19 Comments

From Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr’s photo prompt, The Unicorn Challenge (12/08/23). No more than 250 words in length. Otherwise, let your creative flag fly!

Seven swans, seven brothers, and one sister unable to speak… Continue reading →

Baba and the Hood

11/29/202311/29/2023 / Liz H-H / 14 Comments

The challenge? Write a story in exactly 6 sentences based on Denise’s one word prompt: DETAIL

Visit, comment, and write & post your own on Six Sentence Stories :

Squinting, she ran a wrinkled hand around its polished brass curves, walking all around the vehicle as she examined all surfaces and admired its fine detailing, inside and out. Continue reading →

A Place Where Stories Begin

11/16/202311/17/2023 / Liz H-H / 15 Comments

So, Charli Mills, over at Carrot Ranch, has challenged us to write a story, in exactly 99 words, that begins with “Once Upon a Time.” Or something from another culture or from our own pickled brains, that invites the reader to enter that space where stories begin. So, of course, I present to you three microflashes that I hope are fun.

Nope, Nu-uh

Once upon a time, in the before times when tigers smoked, and fish farted unicorns on black sandy beaches, before Noah built his ark and the Wright brothers flew their plane, an egg hatched. Continue reading →