A Chair on the Porch

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story a chair on a porch. Why is it there, and what might it mean? Think about using it as a prop or the main thrust of your story.


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"Maggi!" 

No response.

"Can't find the girl anywhere in the house. Aha! Must be on the porch on her old ragged chair." Mom muttered as she stepped towards the patio.

"Cathedra, Alison did not invite me to her b'day party and instead poked fun at my dress." 

Maggi whimpered as she caressed the arm of the chair.

"She is not my friend anymore!" 

Wiping her tears, "But you will always be my pal since you are here to listen to my pain and joys." 

Mom overheard and changed her opinion. She was now in awe of the chair! 

The Hermit

The sun was disappearing over the horizon. 

The noise was deafening as the waves clashed against each other but that did not deter my steps.

Was it the coolness that encouraged me to move on or was it the mind that had escaped to a location that made me a recluse.

It was just me and my memories with them as a toddler, a teen and an adult. 

"Wish Life was fair," I whispered as my tongue tasted the salt on my dry lips. "'miss our time together," let a loose tear, "while 'pray you two rest in peace!" 

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August 17, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write about an escape artist. It can even be you, the writer, escaping into a different realm or space in imagination. It can be any genre, including BOTS (based on a true story) or fantasy. You can focus on the escape, the twist or the person who is the escape artist.

A Tune...

Jangle!

Thump!

Whack!

Victoria came running from her room towards the noise.

She was startled as she gave silent stares.

After a few gulps, she inquired, "Are you okay?" as she extended her hand towards the victim who was laying under a pile of musical instruments.

"Yes, I am." Pete uttered as he grasped her hand to get out of the mess. Continued to justify, "I was trying to tune them for the big night when I lost control and had this unexpected landing."

"That was a productive fall. You composed a tune there!" she tried to sound convincing.




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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about an unexpected landing.

Happy Birthday !

"Happy Birthday Angie" shouted Tiffany as she shut her car door and walked towards her friend who was seated on the patio.

The birthday gal squealed with delight upon seeing the bouquet and after a quick embrace dashed in to put them in the water.

Angie was chattering nonstop.

When the birthday girl came out with two cups of hot beverage, she found Tiffany's head on her hands, "What's wrong?" she inquired.

"Oh, Angie! start behaving your age!" Tiffany was quick to comment.

 "Age is just a number!" she responded as she exhibited her bright white dentures.


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a wise story. It can be about wisdom, expressing wisdom or advice for turning 50! It can be a wise-cracking story, too. Go where wisdom leads you.
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Duped !

"I will trade it for your five marbles." said young Boyd with disheveled brown hair and two missing incisors while one hand scratched his bum and the other grasped the ball.

After a brief pause. 

He heard giggles, chuckles, and chortles; but Boyd was determined he stood there tapping his foot.

"Time is running out! If no marbles. I walk!" he said with a stern voice.

Silence and that was followed by marbles rolling in Boyd's direction. 
A crooked expression and the nimble boy picked the marbles. Teased them with the ball and was swift like a hyena. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about trading. 
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The Pride

"Look at this Red-breasted Flycatcher. Wonder how they were created." said one hawk to another while perched on a dead frog.

The latter one paused from tearing the muscles of the prey, "You Betcha! One has to be so vigilant to catch them."


"But they would be tasty since they are so pretty!" the former confessed.

"Sure. But only if we are able to snap them."

"Talk softly. We are supreme. We are the Lords in this terrain." the latter cautioned.

That made the former chuckle, "Wonder for how long since everyone has a time scale of supremacy."

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a raptor. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

The Big Brown Dog

"Cappie Go. Go!" I would shout at him as he would come near me.


The fear factor of a four-legged animal creeping onto me was still going strong although that episode happened as a toddler.

The howl, the shriek still fresh in my mind thus, making me very conscious if a dog would come near me.

Today Cappie, the big brown dog, was one of them.

I unknowingly was sitting on his blanket thus making him wag his tail around me, and I was on the yelling end.

Until his owner came and swooped the blanket beneath me.



In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a Big Brown Dog.

The Shore of a Lake

"Wow!" she exclaimed.

He made an "ugh" face as he continued to read his book on the shores of the Lake Tahoe.

"What!" she said irritatingly, "Did you even bother to give a second glance?"

He pulled down his shades partially and gave a brief look, "The water is muddy so why to give me the trouble!" he admitted.

"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Now if the beholder is a grumpy old man, beauty does not care to show her true self" she said while continuing to click the picture of the pebbles amidst the mud.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using a lens. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

A Twist in a Routine

Kerri's daily walks were around the school campus.

Today was something weird.

The playground wore a deserted look. The air was still and heavy. The leaves were motionless, and not a single bird in sight.

"Where is everybody" she muttered in distress.

Peeked into several classrooms. Some were dark while some showed signs of movement.

Curious she knocked on one door and waited patiently until a lady answered.

"Quick, get in here!" she motioned,"There is a gunman on loose, and we need to take shelter."

That stunned Kerri; she froze but was pulled into the dark room.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about an empty playground. Is it abandoned or are the children in school?

Sacred Space

Morris squealed,"Get out you wrinkled hairy creature!"

The girl panicked and ran out of that four by four space that was her shrine, and NO one was allowed in there!

As she stood outside her sacred space, she was in tears while pondering over the invasion that was an intrusion into her privacy.

"I shall investigate and get to the bottom of this!" she said while wiping her tears and banging her right fist to her left palm.

While at a distance, a set of giggles could be heard that were secretly hiding the cage in their backpack.

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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write an office story. Join in the fun at Carrot Ranch.

Nature's Fury

Cloe and Jake were walking hand in hand, with a scarf over their respective heads that bit into with their lips. Their steady steps would sometimes get an unwary cause of the sandstorm that would push and try to drift them apart.



But instead, they would halt, grip their fingers into each other's palms and continue their walk with the hope to find a roof to escape the fury of the sand storm in this merciless desert.

 Life had been burdensome and treacherous thus, making them spit out only venom at each other.

Nature's Fury united them!

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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write about a surprise from a desert.

The Droppings

"Gosh! she did it again" I snapped as I picked up her poop from the backyard.
"I have told Janet a thousand times about her feces in my yard, but alas! no action" I continued to complain as I was cleaning up. 

**

Days go by and no sign of elimination on my property. At first, I was pleased, but there were moments I missed seeing the feline animal and her purr with her soft gaze that said a lot about her emotions after her 'act' in my yard. 

I inquired and was devastated to know about her ill health. 

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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a cat.  Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

The Squirrel and the Compact Disc

"Sheesh she took it again," lamented Karly as she saw the branch that once had a cherry growing.

"I told you...let's pluck it." she reminded in an aggravated tone.

"But what's the use of an immature fruit. No one would have been able to eat it at home" Mom commented.

"Well, the squirrel did," Karly said while wiping her tears and removing those CDs from the branches that were hanging like an ornament. 

"These were of no use. The Squirrels did not get scared off their reflection. I rather use them to record my melancholic stories." 

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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that features a squirrel. It can be about a squirrel, for a squirrel or by a squirrel. Think nutty, naturalistic, dinner or ironic. Go where the prompt leads and don’t forget to twirl with imagination.

The Granny

"No one loves me!" Liz screamed as she banged her door while shutting herself in.
Sobs could be heard loud and clear.

After a few minutes, the door opened, and she was apologizing to her Granny, who was knitting while swaying herself to calmness in a rocking chair.

"I love you" replied the Granny while hugging her tight and explaining her rebel behavior in school that got her into trouble.

Liz tried to clarify, and the Granny gave her space by keeping mum. Towards the end of the analysis, Liz realized her lunatic conduct and blushed out of embarrassment.

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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a rebellion. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

The Resolute

Zack narrowed his eyes as he focussed on somebody at a distance. Dressed in soot from the recent blast, he had no regrets and his twinkling eyes said it all inspite of a bandaged arm and scrapes on his forehead. 
"I did it" he shouted in enthusiasm as he approached that body, and hugged her tight while tears trickled down uncontrollably from her's.
"I knew, you could do it!" she whispered and allowed the propitious public to haul him away, after all, he built a bridge for all to access. The proud mom admired his what-it-takes.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write an industrious story.
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Bullet Dancing

Angie was miffed at the bank clerk, 'Sign this, Sign that. Crazy laws and regulations. What does she think of herself!' she could not stop cursing while stepping out of the bank. 

'Now I will make her dance to my tunes once she steps out'  she said while revolving her finger around the trigger guard back and forth in her right hand. With her cowboy hat crooked as it blocked the rays of the sun, she stood on the corner and waited for the clock to strike 5 pm to avenge her thirst of being laughed at over her clumsiness. 


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write dance into your story. Twirl your characters round and round or stomp your plot onto the page. Use dance in any way that comes to mind. Be specific or free, tango or disco.
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Café Noir

Tamara gulped many times but to no luck. The saliva refused to ingest. The excitement was making her sweat as she circled around the cafe.
"Tammy" 
She froze, blinked a couple of times to register, and picked her Latte. 
Stared at it
Walked holding it with both hands.
'I missed you' she whispered as she took a small slow sip and savored it with closed eyes while giving out a tremble.
'Duty took me away from you. The war was full of turmoil and vitality that caffeine was not needed. Glad to be back!' she muttered to the cup.
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In 99 words (no more, no less) write about a place of comfort that is a refuge. Have fun with it, like a pillow fight between best friends at a slumber party or newlyweds in search of the perfect mattress. Or you can go dark and write about unusual comforts, like a bad habit or a padded cell. Play with the idea of comfort and refuge.

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Birth and Death

"There! you see that patch near that big oak tree." I pointed to a place at a distance surrounded by mountains.

"Yes, I see it." came a confirmed response, "But what's so special about it?" he inquired in a puzzled tone.

"Place me there once I am done with the worldly pleasures of life" I added solemnly.

Quickly a hand was placed on my shoulder followed by a warm hug, "Oh! I am sorry. Did not know you were dying."

Taken aback I asked in a quizzed tone, ""Aren't we all since the day we are born?"

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a final resting place. You can take any perspective that appeals to you from the historic to the horrific. Just don’t scare me too greatly. You can also choose to write about those buried before they came to their final rest. An extra challenge is to discover a story or character from a local cemetery. I double-dog dare you to join me with your own cemetery day!Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

aha! Water...

Paula walked in a dainty fashion while skewing her eyes towards her parked car taking gulps that were becoming hard to swallow.

The blaring sun had scorched her body, and she had underestimated the weather by not carrying enough water with her. The walk that started off with enthusiasm was now a juggle between the mind and body that kept throwing weird messages across. 

Not a single soul in sight.

Suddenly she heard loud thuds. She pulled away.  Sprinters raced past her. Just then she felt a tap on her shoulder and a bottle of water was in sight. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that reveals or explores a moment of serendipity. How did it come about? What did it lead to? You can express a character’s view of the moment or on serendipity in general. Use the element of surprise or show how it is unexpected or accidentally good.

A Loss and a Win

Aisha slowly opened her eyes, and bodies around her expressed joy as they thronged her bedside. 

"How are you?" 

The patient raised her eyebrows as she looked around her bed with curiosity.

After a few irregular breaths and flickers as if trying to get an answer to that question she replied irritatingly, "Who are you ?"

That query made everyone take a few steps back from the bed. 

Aghast at first but relieved that she has lost her memory thus giving her a new life, and leaving behind the images of the horrible incident that made all shiver with fright. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about someone or something that’s lost. It can be lost in a setting (storm, darkness, ocean) or it can be a feeling. Is there a recovery? What are the consequences of remaining lost? What are the opportunities?

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