Snapshot Prompt

Oh, my gosh, I cannot believe September is almost over. This is the last week to get an entry in for the monthly ad contest and then next week, I'll let you know who has won. :)

For right now, let's see how we did last week.

Unnoticed by Leanne Sype
Deadly Brunch by Randy Lindsay
Step On My Grave by Lauren Ritz
The Spinach Cafe Display by Scott Taylor
Cold Death by Carrie Sorensen


Thank you to everyone who has participated. If you're interested in submitting some artwork or photography for the prompts, check out the information here.

As for this week's Snapshot Prompt, let's get going. First, the rules:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.
2) There is also a 500 word maximum.
3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.
4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!
5) We were going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because we know full well that asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

This week's photo:

This week's words:

coat

lipstick

nursery

software

hour

So, here we go. Get your stories in by nest Tuesday at 8 pm EST so I can pick a winner in time to get the post out. Good luck everyone. I can't wait to see what is created.

Snapshot Reveal: Cold Death

My bonus this weekend? I woke up thinking it was Monday, only to learn it was Sunday. :D Of course, now it is actually Monday, which means a Snapshot Reveal.

Check out the prompt here. We're having linky issues, but please link yours up so you can participate in the contest. We will feature them in this Wednesday's prompt post. You can also link them up in the comments if you would like to show them off right away.

Happy Monday. :)
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Cold Death


Death stood outside the cafe, using the specials whiteboard supported by a step ladder to block the cold wind. Today, it seemed, the mortal shop was serving french onion soup, spinach ravioli and a hot apple cobbler meal for only $12.99. It wasn't his favorite, but he wasn't here for himself.

Where he came from, the atmosphere was much warmer, so muggy the air seemed to wrap around him. He preferred the areas on the mortal world that best resembled his home. It had been his best campaign to convince the 'snow birds' to move south for the winter, right along with the little sparrows. Unfortunately, not everyone could make the trip, so he was stuck visiting these cold place that, for some reason, felt they needed to compound the season with larger-than-life snowflake decorations in their windows.

Finally, the young man he'd been waiting for. A traveler down a road that was coming to an end. The young man had heavy glasses, a heavy moleskin coat and a heavier backpack, all bending his narrow frame. The strain was becoming too much for a heart with thin walls.

The youth stopped at the specials sign and got out his translation dictionary, frowning over the words for a moment before nodding and heading into the cafe. Death waited until they were side by side, uncurling his arms against the cold. His bony hand passed through the young man's chest, threads of his soul tangling around the narrow appendages. The young man stopped, collapsing to the ground as his heart finally gave out. Death slowly tugged, pulling the rest of the tangled soul from the failing body, tucking it inside his long, black coat.

Ah, now time to take the youngster home. Death gave a final shiver before parting the veil, leaving the cold, mortal world for his warm, comfortable home.

Snapshot Prompt

Nicole has some serious dedication. I know I've said that before, but she is still sending us posts via her iPhone. Not only that, but she's continuing her novel project on her phone as well. I'm not sure I would do the same. In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. Kudos to you, Nicole. :)

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Yay! We're back! We had an awesome week last week, so make sure you go by and check out these amazing posts:

For Keeps by Chasing Revery ...just one entry again???? You guys!!!

Alright, to make myself feel better I will showcase the entries from the week before. Anyways, I don't think we did that last week. Here are a few other entries to check out:

The Sweetest of News
Waiting to Be Released
They Need an Older Brother
Visitation

Alright...I feel better.

And in case you forgot, each entry into the writing prompt is a chance to win a prize! So make sure you check out the details! Also if you are a photographer, we'd love to feature your work. Click here to find out how to make that happen!

Don't forget about the rules:
1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.
2) There is also a 500 word maximum.
3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.
4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!
5) We were going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because we know full well that asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

Okay, here is the photo this week:

 

And the five words:

Dictionary

Ladder

Sparrow

Spinach

Cafe

When your ready, submit your link below!

Toddler Tales: Snake

"Ah, Joshua, keep that away from me. Snakes are scary."

"Scary to you."

Hmmm.

For Keeps - Snapshot Reveal

How did the weekend go so fast? Probably because it was so much fun. :-)

Well, here's my Snapshot Prompt for the week. It's mood is in contradiction to how I actually feel, but I tried to do Tena's photo choice justice.

Be sure to check back to the prompt post if you would like to share your own Snapshot Story and join in our monthly ad contest.

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For Keeps

Toby walked into the summer cottage, dropping suitcases just inside the door. A cramp threatened his neck so he gave his shoulders a quick roll, tilting his head to the side to ease the pain.

"Come on in, Tobbs," he called to his German Pointer. Once he'd decided he wasn't going to have a son for a namesake, he'd decided to get a dog to do the job. It had worked out so far, ever since he'd trained the mutt to stop jumping on people.

The cottage wasn't very big, really only 3 rooms altogether. The main room including enough space for a small kitchen, a couch and an old TV. The bedroom and a tiny 3-piece bath took up about a third of the place. Luxury was not the name of the game here - fishing was.

Heading toward the cupboards, Toby opened door to do a preliminary check of what food had been left behind. There were a few cans of beans and even a dented can of cranberry jelly. As long as the fishing was good, it would be plenty to get him through the long weekend.

Before he closed the last cabinet door, Toby stared at a photo taped inside. Three firefighters were holding on to a flagpole, the stripes and stars hanging like a limp kerchief, grieving along with the world. Behind them was a pile of rubble, the place where she had--

Toby's chest constricted his breathing. He slammed the door, clearing his throat loudly and blinking his eyes, telling himself it was hard to see because it was so damn dark in here.

Well, might as well go back outside before his eyes adjusted. Grabbing his pair of poles, one black and one pink. It wouldn't have been what he picked out, but she had always liked pink. Over the years, he'd slowly replaced most of it. This pole was good, though. It caught more fish than his fine black one, sometimes. So, this he would keep, along with their yearly fishing trip.

"Tobbs," Toby called, the dog jumping down from the couch, eager to get back out. Tackle box and poles in hand, Toby forced himself out the door. He would have to catch something if he wanted to eat tonight, after all.

Toddler Tales: Blackout

We had a 3 hour blackout the other day. Joshua had been in his basement playroom when, suddenly, the lights and his ABC movie turned off at the same time.

He was very startled and didn't understand why nothing worked. He wanted a drink, but I told him we couldn't open the fridge (at this time, we didn't know how long the blackout would be). He started crying, asking how we were going to get food.

I calmed him down, and we made powdered lemonade. He got a cup of Goldfish crackers. Then we set to work and built a fort for him in the dining room where he could snack and color until the power came on.

The power came on just before bed time, but the fort stayed another few days. Every time someone came over, he would tell them to come and see what Mommy built during the blackout.

Snapshot Prompt

Tena has the ropes this week and she's paying tribute.

Also, check out the new button! Congratulations to Leanne Sype for winning our Ad Contest. You'll see her button for the next month. Make sure you visit her at Pen to Paper Communications.

For now, on to the prompt.

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Hey Everyone!! It's once again Seeing as how yesterday was September 11, a date that many will NEVER FORGET... I figure it only apro po to use the following picture/photo for this weeks Photo Prompt:

Never Forget 9/11

And the Five Words that must be used are:

Cottage

Namesake

Preliminary

People

Kerchief

RULES Your story must be related to the photograph and include ALL five words in it. There is a 500 word maximum. Most important, remember to have fun Don't forget to link your story (using the little blue "froggy" link at the end of this post or send a link to your host (in a comment will work). Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with so come on let's get those thinking/writing caps on!!!

 

Just Trust Me, Please - Part 10 of the Collaboration Challenge

Nicole has done it. She has brought to a close our 10 week Collaboration Challenge.

Have you been waiting for this moment to dive in? Well, here are your links ...

Part One: Two Doors

Part Two: Shall I Turn On The Lights

Part Three: The Estate

Part Four: You'll Know It When You See It

Part Five: Message, Hold The Bottle

Part Six: Secret Letter

Part Seven: The Truth

Part Eight: The Secret of Time Travel

Part Nine: Broken Threads


And now, for Nicole's finale.

Just Trust Me, Please

Nicole Pyles @ The World of My Imagination

Visitation - Snapshot Reveal

Happy Monday! I'm planning some small changes around here during this fine month of September. It shouldn't be terribly disruptive, but I'm looking to reorganize in the hopes of being more organized. ;)

As for today, here's my Snapshot Reveal. You can check out the prompt, the stories submitted so far, or even submit your own here.

Have a happy Monday.


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Visitation

"Mom, come down here. Look! It's like a whole different world."

Mary laughed. "You say that every year."

She followed Ben down the cobbled path to the stone patio overlooking the lake. Trees bowed toward them as if showing respect to this place even as they guarded it.

"Why doesn't anyone else come here?" Ben kicked a fallen acorn into the foliage.

"I rent the place for your birthday."

Ben rolled his eyes, bending over to check out some flowers growing on a creeper vine.

"Hike up them trousers." Without standing up, Ben attempted to pull his waistband back up to his waist.

"You sound like Grandpa. All you need is a ball cap and a toothpick."

"Then Grandpa is right. You need a belt for those things. I'm sure I bought you one for just that reason."

"Hey, I'm 13 now. Be happy I took my vitamins."

Pride filled Mary as she watched her son explore the forest around, his feet never leaving the stone as she'd always warned. This was a special place for them, though Ben didn't know the real reason behind it. One day she would have to tell him, but until then he could believe this was only for them.

"Mom," Ben called suddenly. She recalled herself from her daydreams and focused on her son, looking out over the lake. "I saw a tail fin. It was huge."

Mary got up to stand next to him, her stomach sinking. "What could be that big inn in a lake?"

"It goes deeper than you think." Her eyes were nervously skimming the water. Ben was 13 now, true, but surely he wasn't old enough. She had to have more time.

The surface remained undisturbed. Ben lost the buzz of excitement and Mary was able to relax as well.

"Perhaps it's time to head back."  Ben nodded in answer, looking back over the lake one more time before heading up the trail toward the parking lot. At the edge of the patio, Mary stopped to watch the lake on impulse.

The surface was rippling near the outer curve of the stone patio. The sight had her running to catch up with Ben, leaving the grove behind for another year.

Snapshot Prompt

Okay, it looks like whatever slump we were in is working it's way through. Look at all these stories we have from last week's prompt.

A Cowboy's Grace by Chessny Silth
A Phone Call by Scott Taylor
Promise @ My Unpublished Life
Maybe It's A Dream Sequence? by Nicole Pyles
Cast Adrift by Carrie K Sorensen

Amazing. :) Everyone must have remembered it was the last week to enter for the Ad contest. Do you want to know who won? Random.org says .....

Leanne Sype it's you!!

Congratulations, Leanne!

Now we have a week to work on your button. Let us know if you have one, if you would like to make your own or if you would like us to make one for you. :-)

If you would like to know how to win, you can check out the details at this post. Also, we have found we need to expand on the rules a little bit (how exciting is that), so we will be creating a Contest Rules Page one of these days to help you with the nitty gritty of it all. Also, don't forget we are accepting photo submissions. We haven't gotten one yet, but that just means you could be the first.

Okay everyone. Here is what you will be writing toward this week:

The Photo:

The Words:

Fin

Vitamins

Trousers

Toothpick

Creeper

Be sure to let us know how it goes and link up below.