Every Wednesday Madison Woods posts a picture prompt to challenge writers to create a 100-word story or poem or anything that works for you. then post your work on your blog. additionally, on friday, you go back to her site and post a link to your blog entry in the comments on her Friday Fictioneers post.
I’m going to try to keep up with this, as should you. give it a shot. i prefer to stick to 100 words, but she doesn’t mind either way. not everyone has the time to sit and write, revise, edit, revise, edit, etc. until getting it down to 100 and telling everything you want to tell.
Although this week’s picture is called “Buzzard,” I’m choosing to think of it as just a bird. I expect many submissions will be similar, but here’s this week’s picture and my 100 words -
The Bird
“Wait!” Jimmy whispered, ducking behind shrubs. “There it is!”
“The bird?” said David.
“Shhh! I’m serious,” Jimmy warned.
“Are you nuts?”
“That bird killed three people.”
“Says who?”
“Kids at school,” Jimmy said. “Cops only found blood and chewed bones.”
“You’re an idiot for believing it.”
“They saw it pecking the bodies.”
“I’ll show you pecking.” David found a rock, then pushed through shrubs. “Hey! Stupid bird! Present for you!” A rock sailed by. The bird merely cocked an eye.
Behind Jimmy, leaves crunched. A pungent exhale blew the hat off his head.
The bird squawked, merely cocked an eye.
________________
100 words
Hi Rich,
I like birds, but intelligent they’re not, like the one in your story who kills the wrong kid. Hoping the bird got the smartass kid for dessert. This has a dark shadow that made me think of Lord of the Flies and also River’s Edge. The teen POV is right on and this is authentic sounding dialog.
Ron
I LOVED river’s edge! Such and underappreciated film!
Oh gosh. Those rumors were no joke. Just is not going to end well…
Need a hug!? I do…
Yea, but I always need a hug. Huddle for comfort.
likely the best reason.
I had nightmares after watching The Birds. Am I in for flash backs???? Great eerie story!
yes. i’m trying to keep you awake at night.
You don’t stop, do you…. Hahaha!
not yet.
like like like
Thanks thanks thanks.
Eerie…some rumors are not to be taken lightly. Funny I used the name Jimmy in mine as well, something about Jimmy and birds I guess
i seem to be stuck with jimmy and david each time. almost.
I can only imagine what horrible thing was behind them, just the way I like it. Well done.
thanks very much sir.
Giving me goosebumps!!!
I hear licking them helps. Be right over.
hmmm
as always… ahhhh yeah
thanks for reading.
Write xce
Ent dialogue Rich. Great job.
Yikes.. Meant to write excellent!
Much obliged.
thanks very much
welcome back
chillin’ and the image of the bird cocking an eye – stuck.. nice one Rich.
http://writersclubkl.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/friday-fictioneers-the-river/
thanks miss.
Merely the glance for a future victim.
and future scavenging.
Stopped reading when I saw the picture and went off to write something first, so thanks for the inspiration. Was amazed how quickly it came once I started to write.
Now I’m back to read yours, definitely a bird not to mess with, reminds me of Stephen King or Hitchcock even. Great, thanks!
nothing to thank me for. thanks to you for reading.
I like. The strength for me is in what’s not there. The bird just gives him a stink eye. Way to tell a story without being obvious. The knee-jerk reaction would be to finish with, “Get it?” Thanks for not.
sometimes less is more. thanks very much for reading.
[...] a photo prompt each Friday to inspire followers to write a piece of flash fiction. After observing Rich participate I decided before I read his work, to see if anything was lurking in the depths of my [...]
I love the way your always do something unexpected!
You also inspired me to my own
you can be sure you’re inspiring people too. thanks.
[...] so This is my First attempt at a Friday Fictioneers Story type thing. Saw this on Rich‘s page and had to give it a go- It’s originally done by Madison [...]
Love the youthful feel to your story, even if the boys are rather foolish. Fun dialogue. Enjoyed it very much.
Here’s my story for your readers:
http://nwfantasywriter.blogspot.com/2012/07/friday-fictioneers-omen.html
I often use foolish boys who pay a hefty price.
Love the twist. With you, I always need to have eyes in the back of my head!
I’m here: http://www.lazuli-portals.com/flash-fiction/tideline-transition
There’s serious stuff about to happen here… spooky.
http://castelsarrasin.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/every-cloud-friday-fictioneers-july-2012/
Excellent! Excellent!
Thank you! Thank you!
Creepy and well executed. Great story!
http://whimsicalquestsofacuriousmind.blogspot.com/2012/07/friday-fictioneers-71312-round-2.html
Always a booger in the bushes! Did the bird do it, or did it just stand by and wait for the dinner bell?
Waiting for the real demon to be finished.
It’s the monster from the basement…outside! Look out!
Oh, sad and chilling. Mine is here: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/fridayfictioneers-spectators/
I would love to read the next 1000 words! Get those asshole kids birdy!
If I write another 1000, you’ll be the first to know. Thanks.
I read 5 or 6 of these posts from Madison’s prompt and yours resonated with me
And I greatly appreciate that.
Whoa! Birds don’t crunch leaves. Loved the ending and I am guessing the bird is waiting for – whatever it is – to finish off the boys so he can ‘peck at the bodies’. He’ll most likely start with David… Loved the dialog and the story. Nicely done.
Here’s a link to mine. http://mahjira.blogspot.com/2012/07/bird-friday-fictioneer.html
Thanks and you’re exactly right.
I agree with mahjira…that bird is just hanging out till he can eat up the scraps. Nice. Horrifying.
Here I am:
http://glossarch.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/the-silence-friday-fictioneers/
Thanks. And yes, exactly right.
I’ve got this entire weird partnership cooking in my head now, between whatever’s breath could knock someone’s hat off and the bird. I’m seeing some big teeth in the silent partner.
Silent partner, yes. Like the pilot fish that eats the scraps from the shark attack. Exactly.
And the moral? Those who live in tender, delicious corpses-to-be should not throw stones at birds. Nice. Hope you had a good time at the beach!
Having a good time as I type. Thanks very much.
That is one weird bird.
http://logo-ligi.com/2012/07/12/soliloquy-of-a-disgruntled-raven/
Pretty much.
Your stories always seem to have an ominous ending, but they’re always very good.
Mine’s here: http://sphrbn.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/friday-fictioneers-slave-bones-part-2/
Thanks a bunch.
Ha. I loved how the bird merely cocked an eye at the boy from start to finish. Gotta watch the quiet ones. They’re usually quite opportunistic.
scavengers
creepy and very scary….well that means excellent. But then when do you ever write anything less than that..loved the ending
You never fail to help me feel good about my writing.