Category: Photo Prompt - Writers cramp! ©

FRIDAY NIGHT ~ 16th JANUARY 2016

18/1/2016

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.
https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com
Hosted by Priceless Joy.
The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Picture © Etol Bagam

FRIDAY NIGHT
by John Yeo

Bill entered the bar and spat on the wooden floor. A gooey green mess landed at the feet of a woman, seated at a wooden table. The heavy makeup she wore hid the hard, world-weary face. Bill, adjusted his trousers, balanced on an ample waistline. Lank, greasy black hair hung beneath a grubby hat.
“What the heck? You dirty, lousy, good for nothing!” Lucy spat right back into his bleary red-rimmed, black eyes.
Bill took a wild swing, with his right hand, a sledgehammer of a fist missed by a mile. He cursed loudly, then doubled up in pain as Lucy kicked him square in the groin.
A nasty shouting and screaming row developed. Bill wildly attempted to grab a fist full of Lucy’s long brown hair as her sharp, finger-nails gouged tracks across his already scarred face.
The bar swiftly emptied as the police arrived, to end this public dispute.
Bill’s final words to Lucy were “Where’s my dinner?” The couple walked off arm-in-arm.
“Happens every Friday night!” said the barman to the policeman.

(174 WORDS)

Copyright ©. Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

WEIGHTLESSNESS ~6TH JANUARY 2016

8/1/2016

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.
https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com
Hosted by Priceless Joy.
The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image provided by Pixabay.com

WEIGHTLESSNESS
by John Yeo

“Ferdinand, I have to go to Weightwatchers this morning, I have a weigh-in. Last week I came out two pounds over my recommended body-weight. I keep telling that gruesome coordinator that I am heavy boned, and the more calcium I ingest the heavier I become. I think I will have to consider some elementary changes to decrease my bone-density. I was far heavier when I wore flesh, l needed a lot of food-intake to keep the whole apparatus alive.”
“Yes Esmeralda my dear.” Thought Ferdinand, breaking into the interminable flow of thoughts.
“Have you seen my robes? I will need to cover up if I am to leave the crypt, I am sure they are around somewhere. Last time I wore them was on Halloween night when we went out haunting together. I do resent having to go all the way to a public crypt to a Weight Watchers session. The rattle of all those dangling bones would be unbearable if we had any ears to hear with."
“Yes Esmeralda my dear.” Ferdinand replied.

(174 WORDS)

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

THE OUTER SPACE ~ 31st December 2015

2/1/2016

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.
https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com
Hosted by Priceless Joy.
The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

This week’s photo prompt is provided by Sonya with the blog, Only 100 Words.

THE OUTER SPACE
by John Yeo

Billy and his pals were strolling home from school, when they came across this weird green structure in a back garden
“What’s that?” Billy asked. “I’ve never seen anything like that before, it looks like an upside down onion on legs!”
“Wow” exclaimed Tommy. “Funny looking thing. It’s got a lot of rust on the legs, perhaps it’s scrap iron, My Dad says scrap metal is worth a fortune these days.”
Mary, had a much richer imagination than the two boys, she took one look over the fence and said, “I’m frightened, that looks like an alien spacecraft.”
“No, whoever heard of a rusty spacecraft. They're all shiny and new when you see them on the tele.” replied Billy.
Tommy agreed, “No Mary, this is probably an old- fashioned TV aerial, gone rusty.
Just then two men in overalls appeared.
“Clear off you lot, ”
The children ran away fast from these warlike invaders.
“OK. Sebastian, let's get started there's a lot of work to do on our modern art sculpture before the exhibition starts!”

(175 WORDS)

Copyright Written by John Yeo. ~All rights reserved.

AFTERNOON TEA ~ 9th DECEMBER 2015

11/12/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image © The Storyteller's Abode

AFTERNOON TEA
by John Yeo

The ladies of the local WI were taking afternoon tea in a very busy tourist area of the city. The sun shone beautifully as many people strolled by enjoying the pleasures of a peaceful afternoon.
That was before the siren of an approaching ambulance in the distance, broke the spell. The ambulance was unable to get through, as the pathway was too narrow. A crowd quickly gathered around a young woman who was lying on the ground obviously in the later stages of her pregnancy.
Doris quickly left her WI friends at the table and leapt into action. "Get hot water and towels from the restaurant! Quickly" she shouted. Soon the hearty cries of a new-born child could be heard as Doris calmly exclaimed.
"It's a girl!"
Later when the paramedics finally arrived, Doris explained she had been a midwife for thirty years during her working life.
"I'm going to name my baby Doris, after you." said the grateful young Mum.
"No don't do that, she wont thank you for that." Laughed Doris.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

(174 WORDS)

MAN-TRAPS ~2nd DECEMBER 2015

4/12/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image Supplied and Credited by Priceless Joy

MAN-TRAPS
by John Yeo

The ship landed on an Earth-like planet, a huge single green sea, bounded on all sides by a mountainous land. The vegetation was stunning, multi-coloured trees, covered in succulent fruit that looked edible and appetising.

" Looks like we have found what we are looking for!" Said the Captain, to his second officer, who was operating the outer periscope to survey the terrain.

"Yes Sir, there doesn't seem to be any visible inhabitants, just those strange purple mushroom-shaped plants on the fringes of that forest."
Johnson, the second officer, had travelled with the Captain on many missions before.

"Good!" Exclaimed the Captain, "We'll send an exploratory team and a rover to explore.
As the team got out from the rover, and began walking forwards there was a whoosh as a tentacle whipped out from one of the plants and picked up an explorer and calmly swallowed him. The other members of the team tried to escape but they were surrounded by alien plants.

Cousins of the Earth's, Venus fly-trap. Alien man-traps.

(175 WORDS)

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

ALIENS ~ 26TH NOVEMBER 2015

28/11/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image from etolbagam.com ~ Provided and credited by Priceless Joy

ALIENS
by John Yeo

The twins were playing at the bottom of the garden with their rag dolls in a woodland clearing.
"Let's pretend they are alive, and make a story up Jenny." Said Jilly excitedly, "I'll take the two with big eyes and you pretend to be the yellow and blue ones."

"OK Jilly," replied Jenny with a grin and they began an aliens game, using strange different voices for the toys, and having wonderful fun.
Half an hour later there was a loud summons from the house,

"Come in you two! It is very late now, and time for Supper."

"Alright Mummy, we are coming." Chorused the twins.

"What about the toys Jenny?"

"Oh, leave them where they are, Jilly. They should be alright."

Later, at the end of the garden there was a quiet whir as a flying saucer landed. Three strange, three headed beings, approached the rag dolls, that were abandoned by the twins.
Strange noises as they swept the toys into their ship and flew away.

"Gullaglugpulladaplugogollygosh"
("Captain we have captured some aliens!")

(174 WORDS)

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~All rights reserved.

THE QUESTION ~ 19TH NOVEMBER 2015

21/11/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image provided and credited by Priceless Joy

THE QUESTION

by John Yeo

The peahen looks on in wonder as two peacock suitors vie for her attention, so different in looks and size and appearance.

The dazzling white peacock was cocksure of winning the ladies hand, everybody was stunned at his handsome appearance. Not a feather in disarray to spoil his courtship display, a beautiful youthful bird.
Standing next to him was the competition a wise old bird who preened with unlimited resources and a reputation for looking after the ladies. A famous wise old bird. Food and shelter would be luxurious here, her children would want for nothing.
Which bird won the Peahens hand?

Jim, a stunningly handsome well built youth, was a ladies man, desired by many ladies, in love with life, when he fell in love with a desirable beautiful lady.
Rick Roller, an ageing very famous singer, was also in love with her, and spent vast sums of money on his appearance, preening to seduce her. Money would be plentiful here and the children would want for nothing.

Which bird won the ladies hand?

(175 WORDS)

Copyright © Written by John Yeo all rights reserved.

THE SAD SIDE OF THE RIVER ~ 3rd OCTOBER 2015

5/10/2015

Francois Gall (Gall Ferenc) (Hungary,1912-1987 Paris) 1941 "The girl at the banks of the Seine"- oil on panel

750 WORDS ~ 3rd OCTOBER 2015 ~ FLASH FICTION

Francois Gall (Gall Ferenc) (Hungary,1912-1987 Paris) 1941 "The girl at the banks of the Seine"- oil on panel

My friend Mile V Ristovski, posted this intriguing oil painting on his Facebook page and it seemed to leap off the page. I decided to use it as a prompt to weave a flash fiction story.

THE SAD SIDE OF THE RIVER
by John Yeo

Adele and Louise and Jules and Jean were always together, they grew up together in the same street in Roquebrun. A pretty village in Provence with beautiful scenery and mountains, with a little stone bridge over the river Orb.
Adele and Louise were sisters, both born in the little house where they had always lived.
Their Mother and Father were well respected members of the community and outwardly friendly to one and all. Mother was a leading member of the local church and chairperson at the church meetings.
Their Father was a successful estate agent and the two girls never wanted for anything. There was a secret mystery surrounding him that he kept very close to his heart.

The two brothers, Jules and Jean's parents were relative newcomers to the area, although the two boys were born in the village and grew up there.
The boys were brought up by their Mother who had been widowed, but she somehow got by and they enjoyed a good standard of living.
One fateful day this placid peaceful existence was about to be shattered forever.

Adele and Jules, fell head over heels in love with each other.

Jules remarked one day to Adele 'I want to get away to live in Paris, the bright lights and the high culture are calling me. I can easily get a good job as I have my degree in economics.'

'Oh! No, Jules, please don't leave me here, you know how I feel about you and I am sure we were meant to be together.'

'Come with me, Adele, I will take care of you and we can be married there. Let us go now and find Jean and Louise and see what they have to say about our plans!"

Excited, the four friends were discussing this turn of events. When Jean could get a word into the noisy happy discussion led by the two girls, he had this to say.

"We also would love to live in Paris and see the wondrous sights of the big city with the impressive architecture and the fluid magnificence of the river Seine. What about our parents? We should ask their permission and get married before we leave."

The four friends all agreed that this would be the right thing to do, but they would have to wait and carefully pick the right moment. The girls father was the biggest hurdle to get over, he had already shown a strange attitude
towards their friendship. Almost over-protective of his two daughters.

Jules had an inspiration, "Why don't we ask Mum, what she thinks about the idea first and maybe she will put a good word in for us, she has always been friendly with their Dad."

A few days later the two brothers broke the news to their Mum.
With a shocked, stunned reaction she fainted on the spot. When she had recovered she told the boys never to even consider getting involved with those two girls and never to see them again. The two boys were amazed at this reaction and there was a huge family row, both of her sons were curious and kept pressing their Mother to tell them why she was against the idea.
When Jules and Jean threatened to leave home and never come back, their Mother became frightened and begged them to stay. Swearing them to secrecy she confessed to a very real reason why she could never agree to any involvement with that family. Both boys were shocked and stunned.

Jules shouted, "Mother, I am leaving for Paris immediately. Sorry I have no alternative!"
Jean assured his Mother he would be as good as his word and break off all friendship with the two girls.

Jules left for Paris and never said a word to his love Adele, boarding a train he left for the city, without a goodbye.

Adele, heartbroken and distraught begged Louise to talk to Jean, without success.
Jean cruelly broke off relations with both girls.
With a tear in his eye he said,
"Goodbye, Jules is in Paris, you must talk to him!"

Adele left home heartbroken to find her love in Paris and every day she walks along the riverbank of the famous river Seine, searching for Jules.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

SOCIAL SLIP-UP ~ 30th September 2015

2/10/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

SOCIAL SLIP-UP
by John Yeo

The party was a huge social event among the islands and inlets around the approach to the port. The marine community arrived in many vessels, there was always ample mooring space at the big house. The servants had been busy for a whole week in preparation for this long awaited event. Sebastian, the son of a wealthy industrialist Ivan, and his beautiful wife Dolores, had reached the age of eighteen. The guest list was composed of the members of some of the wealthiest people in the community and security was very tight.
The magical night arrived, Sebastian at the door greeting the steady trickle of arrivals with a fixed smile became somewhat uneasy.
Something was not quite right, the security had expelled several young people, and there was a growing presence at the main gate as more and more people attempted to gate-crash the party. Soon fights began between the gatecrashers and security and the police arrived.
Suddenly it became clear, Sebastian had publicly invited his girlfriend Penelope through a post on his Facebook page.

(175 WORDS)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

SPIRIT PAINTWORK ~23rd Septenber 2015

25/9/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image © Graham Lawrence

SPIRIT PAINTWORK
by John Yeo

Penelope attended the local art group, where all the local artists got together once a month to visit a location and create a work of art. This month they were painting in a very pretty walled garden attached to a historic Manor House. Penelope set her easel up and began to paint . A polite cough broke her concentration and she turned to see a lady dressed in a period costume admiring her work looking over her shoulder.
"There was a horse trough next to the gate where you came in. Many's the time I rode through here!"
Penelope was taken aback. "You rode here?"
"Yes! before the young Squire was killed. We always rode together."
Penelope suspected a practical joke and called to her friends
"Come here everyone!"
Turning back she found the gracious lady had disappeared.
Puzzled she made enquiries from one of the gardeners.
"Ah! that will be the ghost of her ladyship. Reputedly her one true love was thrown from his horse and killed here. She hung herself from an apple tree!"

(175 WORDS)

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved .