Writing

So Long, Farewell

/ Liz H-H / 15 Comments
© Ayr/Gray

Many thanks to Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr for their photo prompt, THE UNICORN CHALLENGE.  (07/18/2025). No more than 250 words in length.

The room is cool, a soothing respite from the blistering heat outside its door. Her bare feet shuffle across the smooth wood floor. She reviews each object of art: bucolic landscapes, highland towers, night streets, dawning oceans. Paintings stop in interesting places, to continue with other voices, other rooms. Perhaps a novel, or love-lost poem?

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Frau Holle 2025

/ Liz H-H / 8 Comments
tall broom leaning against a flat white wall, flooring is polished brick.

© Ayr/Gray

It’s an inside job for sure.

I gaze out at the fat, fresh snow falling, fairy voices singing with bell-like giggles as winds gust and tumble them into one another. Not yet time for Spring cleaning. It’s only February. Yet an urgent inner tug tells me to create something to meet the pure snowfall half way.              Continue reading →

Fini!

/ Liz H-H / 8 Comments

So this is the end of a month-long challenge to write to prompt every day. I’ve done this group challenge for several years, as well as ones for the month of November. Productivity goes way up for the month, usually followed by a brief period to recharge, before jumping back into it. Usual output is a number of flash stories, not-great poetry, and very creative non-fiction (thematically true, but not necessarily true to MY life).

As we say in a favored Saturday morning writer’s group, “Remember: All of it’s true, none of it’s true.” to which I add, “That’s not really the point anyway.”

So, Basta! Fini! It’s the last Friday of a month that has been challenging in so many ways. I know there’s a bowl of Tatertot Hotdish ready to be heated up, and a lowball of Whisky Black with my name on it. And another Episode of a very popular Dystopian DVD waiting for me. It all seems very appropriate right now. Hope to read you all next year. And thank you, Linda Hill, for getting us organized!   

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2025)

Just Jot January Day 31 Prompt: FINI, by our generous hostess, Linda. Be sure to visit their blog to read or just say hi!  See what other folks have done with the prompt, or add your own! https://lindaghill.com/2025/01/31/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-31st-2025/

Single Syllable P

/ Liz H-H / 2 Comments

I could pick up the pace, pack my portfolio with poor-to-middling products. But I’m feeling peckish, so will instead toast some bread and fill its pocks with creamy butter. Delay the puck of promise, a hockey shot to the gut that reminds me: I swore to write every day this month on these prompted challenges.

Thus reminded, I brew me more Joe, grab the blanket, and here I go…    

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2025)

Just Jot It January 18th/Stream of Consciousness Saturday – PROMPT: “pack/peck/pick/pock/puck.” Use one or use ’em all for bonus points—it’s up to you! Enjoy!  https://lindaghill.com/2025/01/17/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2025-daily-prompt-for-jan-18th/   

Wait

/ Liz H-H / 19 Comments

The challenge? Write a story in exactly 6 sentences based on Denise’s one word prompt: GRAIN. Visit, comment, and write & perhaps post your own on SIX SENTENCE STORIES

All the To-do’s have been done: cat bowls cleaned and filled; appointments made and most delivered; floors vacuumed and kitchen linoleum scrubbed within an inch of its worn-fifties life; visits with friends — weak coffee and overpriced egg on toast, bacon a buck a slice – because it’s really mostly about catching up; glancing out the kitchen window at yesterday’s first seasonal mow, the red, resolute dandelion stems pushing their way through damp, fat clumps of clipped blades.                Continue reading →

Microflash on Fire

/ Liz H-H / 13 Comments

cat behind a cauldron

About a year ago, these three were accepted for an anthology that disappeared in the wind. The prompt word was FIRE, the constraints to 1. Write a story (beginning + middle + end) and 2. Write the story in exactly 99 words. Creative challenge…I share to show how easy and fun it is, and that it’s a great way to warm up for longer projects. Hope you enjoy!

First Flame

Cora nestles her belly into black granite, stretching to catch the sun’s heat. Her legs scrabble amidst a low sizzle as leathery wings unfurl. A perfect pearl hardens under her curled tongue. She is scarlet, precious, and utterly alone.          Continue reading →

Taking Stock of Things

/ Liz H-H / 8 Comments

Norwegian Forest CatNorwegian Forest Cat


We write because it feels good,

Like after a long, exhausting hike

When you sit on your front steps

Watching the cat paw

For fresh grass under the snow.

And also because

We feel itchy and awful when we don’t…

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2023)