Short Story, Word Challenge, Word Prompt, Wordle, Writing Challenge, Writing Prompts

Old Songs

Written for MLMM Monday Wordle;
the prompt words are shown below.
Here’s where the prompts took me.

ring, softly, fell, never, nostalgia, wrong,
pain, barrel, radio, danced, tea, only

Continue reading “Old Songs”
Free Verse, List Poem, Poetry, Theme Prompt, Writing Challenge, Writing Prompts

Acts Of Love

Written for dVerse Poets – Unlock With Lists.
Our host, Björn, invites us to get creative with
the use of lists. Here’s where the prompt took me.

Continue reading “Acts Of Love”
Mini Story, Phrase Prompt, Writing Prompts

Asphalt Jungle

Written for Fandango’s Story Starter
which is shown below.
 Here’s where the prompt line took me.

Continue reading “Asphalt Jungle”
Mystery, Short Story, Theme Prompt, Writing Prompts

The Conversation

Written for Muse On Monday. David has
asked us to write a story about household
chores. Here’s where the prompt took me.

Continue reading “The Conversation”
Mini Story, Word Challenge, Word Prompt, Wordle, Writing Prompts

Liverpool

Written for Sunday Whirl Wordle. Our host is
Brenda Warren; her prompt words for this week are
shown below. Here’s where the prompts took me.

crush, crisp, creamy, script, brisk, dreams,
dust,  seeds, dim, night, whisper, and shimmer

Continue reading “Liverpool”
Mystery, Photo Prompt, Short Story, Writing Prompts

The Gate on Clara Street

Written for Thursday Doors Writing Challenge 2026.
I’m excited to say this is my first time participating in
the challenge. Thanks to Dan Antion for the intro.

This week I am writing a story inspired by an intriguing
composite image on vintage newspaper of a 1920s New Orleans
home with iron balconies and gate by Teagan R Geneviene.

Continue reading “The Gate on Clara Street”
Continuing Story, Original Series, Recurring Character, Short Story

Housecalls – Part 6: Unknown Memories

For a refresher, you can read Part 5 HERE.

Continue reading “Housecalls – Part 6: Unknown Memories”
Mystery, Short Story, Theme Prompt, Writing Prompts

A Civil Matter

I’m recuperating from surgery
and hope to be back tomorrow.

Written for Muse On Monday where David
has asked us to write about someone breaking
into their own house. Here’s my take.

Continue reading “A Civil Matter”
Mini Story, Photo Prompt, Writing Prompts

Smooth Sailing

Our gracious host, Rochelle, is asking us to get
creative in 100 words or less using the photo
seen below. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
This is where the prompt took me.

Continue reading “Smooth Sailing”
Mystery, Noir, Recurring Character, Short Story, Word Challenge, Word Prompt, Wordle, Writing Prompts

Warning Sign: A Dirk Malone Story

Written for Sunday Whirl Wordle . Our host is
Brenda Warren; her prompt words for this week are
shown below. Here’s where the prompts took me.

ravenous, lurked, shame, space, found, glass,
hollow, flicker, rattled, slip, red, and crash

Continue reading “Warning Sign: A Dirk Malone Story”
Mini Story, Theme Prompt, Writing Prompts

December 10, 1977

Written for Missy’s Mad Challenge #086.
The prompt appears below. Here’s my take.

Continue reading “December 10, 1977”
Mystery, Noir, Recurring Cgaracter, Short Story, Word Challenge, Wordle, Writing Prompts

The Big Charade: A Dirk Malone Mystery

Written for Sunday Whirl Wordle. Our host is
Brenda Warren; her prompt words for this week are
shown below. Here’s where the prompts took me.

façade, doubts, curiosity, bitter, torn, hit,
restless, hope, massive, frail, strip, and sting

Continue reading “The Big Charade: A Dirk Malone Mystery”
Flash, Short Story, Theme Prompt, Writing Prompts

For Nina

Written for Muse On Monday where David
has asked us to write a story about being
stuck in traffic. Here’s my response.

Continue reading “For Nina”
Photo Prompt, Short Story

The Butterblume Affair

Inspiration for this story came from a
photo I saw on Brenda’s Random Thoughts.
Please che
ck out her great writing and lovely photos.

Continue reading “The Butterblume Affair”
Flash, Micro Story, Word Challenge, Word Prompt, Writing Prompts

Remembrance

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt
where she asks us to get creative in exactly 76
words using the prompt word ‘sensibility’. Also for
Sue & Gerry’s Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge
Yellow. Here’s where the prompts took me.

Continue reading “Remembrance”
Micro Story, Word Prompt, Writing Prompts

RDP Friday: symmetry

Written for RDP, where Martha asks us
 to get creative with the word “symmetry”.
Thanks, Martha! Here’s where the prompt took me.

Continue reading “RDP Friday: symmetry”
Flash, Short Story, Word Prompt, Writing Prompts

The Beekeeper

Written for Gerry & Sue’s Weekly Prompts
Weekend Challenge
using the word ‘alternative’.
Here’s where the prompt took me.

Continue reading “The Beekeeper”
Flash, Mini Story, Phrase Prompt, Theme Prompt, Writing Prompts

The Look Of Love

Written for Fandango’s Story Starter.
Here’s my story, using Fan’s prompt line:

It had never entered Richard’s mind that his son
was not his own blood.

Continue reading “The Look Of Love”
Flash, Micro Story, Word Prompt, Writing Prompts

RDP Monday: saunter

Written for RDP, where sgeoil asks us
 to get creative with the word “saunter”.
Thanks, Heather! Here’s where the prompt took me.

Continue reading “RDP Monday: saunter”
Flash, Mini Story, Word Prompt, Writing Prompts

The Diagnosis

Written for Esther’s “Can You Tell A Story In”
exactly 59 words using the six prompt words
shown below. In exactly 59 words, here’s my flash.

psychosomatic – cancel – accountant
fluff – reggae – needlepoint

Continue reading “The Diagnosis”
Poetry, Theme Prompt

Love Is

Written for dVerse Poetics: “The Evolution of Love”,
hosted this week by Sanaa. We are asked to write
a poem about love as something sacred – not just
roses and hearts, but the small unseen ways
someone stays, This is my response.

Continue reading “Love Is”
Dialogue, Short Story, Word Challenge, Wordle, Writing Prompts

The Talk

Written for MLMM Monday Wordle.
Here’s where the prompt words took me.

date, love, good, struggle, touch, wisdom,
generations, heart, dreams, songs, coffee, and hands

Continue reading “The Talk”
Micro Story, Word Prompt

The Mating Game

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt
where Sammi asks us to get creative
in exactly 26 words using the word ‘mood’.
Here’s where the prompt word took me.

Continue reading “The Mating Game”
Informative, Music Blog, Theme Prompt

It’s My Life

Written for Song Lyric Sunday
“Pondering Existential Thoughts”.
This is my response to the challenge.

Continue reading “It’s My Life”
Mystery, Phrase Prompt, Short Story

The Color Of Lies: A Dirk Malone Story

Written for Violet’s Literary Quote Challenge
where she asks us to include the following line
into our writing: “Things need not have
happened to be true
.” Here’s my response.

Continue reading “The Color Of Lies: A Dirk Malone Story”
Mini Story, Word Prompt

RDP Sunday: spark

Written for RDP, where drkottaway asks us
 to get creative with the word “spark”.
Thanks, Doc! Here’s my take.

Continue reading “RDP Sunday: spark”
Micro Story, Musing, Word Prompt

RDP Friday: junk

Written for RDP, where Martha asks us
 to get creative with the word “junk”.
Thanks, Martha! Here’s my take.

Continue reading “RDP Friday: junk”
Uncategorized

Soft Touch

This is an oldie, published twice already,
but since we’re currently buried in a few
feet of snow, I figured it could use another
airing. Hope you enjoy this one …. again.

Continue reading “Soft Touch”
Mystery, Noir, Short Story

The Platinum Cigarette Case: A Dirk Malone Story

Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #230.
Here’s my story, using Fandango’s line:

a swift kick, the door splintered, revealing

Continue reading “The Platinum Cigarette Case: A Dirk Malone Story”
Informative, Mini Story, Word Prompt

RDP Thursday: catalyst

Written for RDP, where leapingtoes asks us
 to get creative with the words ‘catalyst’.
Thanks, Toes! Here’s my take.

Continue reading “RDP Thursday: catalyst”