I believe: Flash Fiction For Aspiring Writers

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

 

Screen Shot 2018-04-10 at 9.08.55 AMThe car parked beside the building, its roof level with the gutters had the rundown structure possessed them.

“We’re here.” Julia unbuckled her seatbelt. 

“You have to be joking. This isn’t a coffee shop. It’s a Wendy house surely.” Michael made no move to alight.

“C’mmon. It’s the best coffee this side of the moon.” Julia was out and at the entrance before seeing the empty blackboard. “Perhaps they’re closed. The blackboard had the menu on it the other day.” She poked her head inside. Emptiness met her. Her face dropped.

“Tell you what. You stay here and I’ll bring us back a couple of coffees. It looks like a nice place to sit. The view’s great.

He drove off. Julia watched him go before she saw the blackboard fill with tempting treats. She poked her head inside to bustling movement and the smell of coffee.

“We don’t serve those who have no magic in their hearts love. What potion do you want today?”

Word Count 165

Thank you to Priceless Joy who hosts FFFAW 

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Palm Matting: Tuesdays of Texture

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
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Troubled Water: Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
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In response to Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge

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Underneath: A Book Review

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
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photo courtesy amazon.com

This is the second book written by Anne Goodwin that I have read and reviewed. The first Sugar and Snails I reviewed in Feb 2017. I was looking forward to her second book Underneath, a very different book from the first but with one similarity – they both have a secret at the beginning and not until nearly at the end do we find the answer. There the similarities end.

This is a dark tale of two deeply disturbed adults. Both had horrific upbringings. Neither wants children. From the time Steve, a hospital orderly, meets Liesel, a social worker over lunch in the hospital cafeteria you are screaming at her to get out. Steve, also the narrator, is a creepy character that should send shivers down anyones spine. These feelings intensify as Liesel goes house hunting with him and moves into the house that she has helped him purchase, one with a lockable cellar room which we know from the beginning has been used to imprison a girl.

Steve is infatuated with the beautiful Liesel who gets him to visit his family and seemingly gives him some normality to his life however when she decides that she does want a child and gives an ultimatum that Steve too must want one by Easter the scene is set to wander into darker and darker spaces. I won’t give more of the story away. What is the point of a pyschological thriller if you aren’t chilled to the bone because you already know what happens.

The book is written in six parts – each starting with a couple of pages in the cellar. This is written in italics. Then we move into the present or perhaps a flashback into the past. There are no transitions between present and flashback and although in places they are confusing  to read because it throws you off balance I think this technique was a clever ploy by the author as it adds to the readers sense of alarm and foreboding.

Would I recommend this book – yes I would. It is not a book that you can say is enjoyable (unless you enjoy being creeped out) but one that sends shivers up your spine and stays with you after reading. If you like psychological thrillers/dramas this book is for you. I’m glad I have read it and will certainly return should Anne Goodwin write another novel.

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Weekend Coffee Share 1st April 2018

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

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Welcome. Keep your hat and sunglasses on. I’m taking you down to the river to the new place we have our morning coffee. The coffee is great and you know I love the river anytime. They have a full variety of beverages so whatever you drink you’ll be right.

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I told you it was good didn’t I.

Bundy is getting near the end. He sleeps all day and isn’t keeping many of his meals down. He won’t walk now although he gets very excited at the prospect of a car drive. When we get to the dog park he continues to lie on the seat so we leave him whilst we take Muffin for some ball throwing. We then drive down here for coffee. When we arrive Bundy is standing waiting to be lifted out of the car. He wants to come here so we think he is still enjoying at least parts of his life. After coffee he and Roger drive home and Muffin and I walk. Muffin hates being separated from Roger and Bundy and the first part of the walk is a combination of dragging and enticement with treats.

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Not a lot has been happening in my world of late. I eat, walk, sleep, read, dance, watch TV and of course write. The most exciting thing I did during the week was go for a bike ride. Now that doesn’t sound too exciting but when you haven’t ridden a bike with gears before and didn’t have a bike as a child and have reached an age where balance and nerves are not too buoyant then it becomes a big deal. A friend put me on a spare bike and I wobbled up the street with her holding it upright. After a few goes she let go and I wobbled up and back on my own. Mind you I couldn’t turn so I walked it around to take it the other direction. Eventually I was deemed safe enough to be taken on some back roads to an entry to a bike path that went around Lake Doonella. The only problem I had was when two bikes came by going in the other direction I immediately rode off the path into the bush. It will be a long time if ever before i risk being on a road. Still, I did it and I’m super proud of myself and I know I won’t laugh at old riders that have their bottoms padded in the future.

So that is about it for my week. Have you read any good books or seen any films that should be seen? Looking forward to seeing how your week has been. Thank you for dropping in for coffee, it is lovely to see you. Thanks to  eclecticali  who is our host of the weekend coffee share.

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Dancing on the Jetty: Silent Sunday

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
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Overturning David Harum: 99 word flash fiction

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

“Jazzy ain’t spring grand.” The dog scratched. “Yep. Blue sky, melted snow, blooming daffodils and tonight romance. Just fantastic. A glorious day my boy.”

 If only you’d develop a different philosophy and treat the fleas I’d be happy. Bugger the sky, the melting snow and romance.

 xxxxxxx

“A nightcap?” Winston invited the girl. “Come meet Jazzy.” 

Jazzy scratched. “He’s got fleas.”

“David Harum says its essential for a dog to have fleas. Keeps ’em from brooding over the fact they’re a dog.”

“Treat that dog or you’re getting no romance.” Winston produced a can of insecticide.

Thank you lust.

In response to Charli’s prompt where she asks:

April 5, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a silly sun story. Up north, “sun silly” is the energetic and playful response to returning sunlight. It could also be an April Fool’s jest, a silly story, or a reaction to spring fever. Be silly and write playfully! Go where the prompt leads.

Respond by April 10, 2018. Use the comment section below to share, read and be social. You may leave a link, pingback or story in the comments.

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Limb: Six Sentence Stories

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

“Harry the sign said shut your window otherwise the lions’ll tear you limb from limb.” 

“Can’t you just shut up Essie and let me do what I want. I want some good photos and if I want to go out on a limb let me.”

“But the lion’ll get me too Harry so shut your f****g window.”

“Shut it yerself,” Harry said as he left the car and walked slowly toward a solitary tree which he climbed.

“Harry come back.”

Shaking his head in the negative Harry thought, ‘let the lions do there worst; better to be out on the limb than see me tearing Essie limb from limb.’

Thank you to our host Denise from Girlie on the Edge who has set yet another wonderful prompt word.

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Skywatch Friday: 6th April 2018 Noosaville 2.40pm

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
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Today was back to perfect after a week of on and off weather due to a cyclone a little further north. It was the sunset on Tuesday 3rd April that got me snapping away. 5.51pm.

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For skywatch Friday where skies around the world can be seen.

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Pick a word: April 2018: Thursday’s Special

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

Once a month Paula chooses five words where you can pick one or all to demonstrate with a photograph. This month the words are:                                         dawning, condensed, coalescing, verdant,  sempiternal 

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There came a point in Muffin’s puppy training where it dawned on her just what she was supposed to do. The light came on and there was someone at home.

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Condensed

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Muffin and Nikki Bella coalescing

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In the Green Room verdant was prolific

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Sempiternal – beliefs of different kinds held by followers as everlasting and unchanging

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