THE RAVE

Posted on February 26, 2015 by John Yeo | 2 Comments

Each week on Tuesday Pen’n’Tonic will post a word, a phrase, a picture, or an idea that will constitute a prompt from which to submit a poem, a flash fiction piece (not longer than 250 words), an original photograph, an original artwork, or a combination of these things that you think applies to the week’s theme.

This week, as a learning exercise to help understand point of view, I challenge you to write the same story from two perspectives. Choose two main characters, one settings, and one mini plot. Write two stories, one for each character.

https://penntonic.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/creative-expressions-11-point-of-view/

THE RAVE

by John Yeo

We live on the borders of a modern dairy farm. About once every three months or so an illegal rave party would take place in one of the fields. The farmer was unable to control the influx of thousands of fans and partygoers. The police were powerless, in the face of such large numbers of people, attracted by news on social media.

FATHER

Father was always hopping mad.

“Why don’t they send in the army and round them all up as an example to other law-breakers! The loud volume damages peoples hearing, they will all suffer in later life. The rubbish they leave behind the next day is never properly cleaned up. These raves are illegal, yet the authorities are unable to uphold the law.

SCOT

Thirteen year old Scot the farmers son, had a different view, he was excitedly communicating with his i-phone to his friends from school describing the music and the excitement of the rave-up.

“The music is fantastic and all these really cool ravers with their friends camp out for the whole weekend. The beat never stops, I can hear it free at home! I look over at the field where thousands of young people are dancing, drinking and enjoying themselves. I wish I was a few years older, I would be with them enjoying myself

.

Image from the net

AN EVEN MATCH

Posted on February 25, 2015 by John Yeo | 17 Comments

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers-

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers is a new weekly fiction writing challenge. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image © Dawn M Miller

AN EVEN MATCH

by John Yeo

“Winner takes all”, said Wide Willy, leader of the local gang. Daring Dick leader of a rival gang smiled with disbelief.
“You will concede everything if we win, including Diana the darling of the town”
Willy nodded, “If Diana agrees I will concede all my love for her as well as our business assets, but if you lose we take control of your patch entirely.”
The tennis court behind the flats was rarely used, until Doreen and Len decided 6 year old James would be brought up, living and breathing tennis. Now 18, James’s talent was about to be revealed to the world. They were approached by Dick, who had been informed of James’s unbeatable prowess. Willy was confident as his player was county champion.
The match was fiercely contested, after 4 sets the players were even at 6 games all. Suddenly a helicopter landed and surrounded by police, all members of the two gangs were arrested on drugs charges.
18 year old tennis prodigy James ran away with Diana. All bets were off!

(174 words)

This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (12)

Posted on February 24, 2015 by John Yeo | 19 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 23/02/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words.

The link below takes you to Part Eleven
https://johnandmargaret1607.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/mysterious-island-11/

The old typewriter had a mind of its own.

Battered beyond recognition, it was found among the remains and rubble after an explosion in the hideout belonging to Diamond Jack next to Rattle Snake river. Jack was killed outright by a bomb, the typewriter survived, and the ribbon provided a valuable clue. One word was indented in capitals on the ribbon, DICKUS.

Jack had managed to leave a clue that miraculously survived the blast.

Marg was contacted and with the sad news came a summons to a meeting with the Brigadier and Don Francisco on the Mysterious Island. This was to be a mission that would involve many operatives from the two organisations and Marg would take charge of the Brigadiers section.
The training was intensive and Marg was well pleased with the teams performance. Her opposite number and right hand was Bella, a tough operative from Don Francisco’s organisation.
A serious warning threat arrived out of the blue……………..

(150 words)

To be continued…………..

The link below takes you to Part Eleven

https://johnandmargaret1607.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/mysterious-island-11/

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com

Picture it and Write ~ Decisions? ~ Decisions?

Posted on February 24, 2015 by John Yeo | 4 Comments

This is the latest Picture it and Write prompt from Ermilia’s blog

https://ermiliablog.wordpress.com/2015/02/22/__picture-it-write-101/

As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

DECISIONS? ~DECISIONS?

by John Yeo

The garden needs a lot of work and we are at the planning stage.

“I think if we cut the trees down, we can lay lawns and have a lake for wild-fowl, with flower beds and borders. We can build a summer- house with many arbours and marble statues everywhere. Nature can be modelled, shaped and controlled.”

“No! Why not have a forest garden and encourage wildlife with deer, squirrels and much birdlife. A natural garden would be best, we don’t need the artificiality of manicured lawns and borders, that is too much like hard work. Nature always wins in the end, whatever we do.”

“We can always concrete the whole area over and build high-rise flats, we could make a lot of money that way. Nature would take a long time to win then!”

“Now you are being silly, I know you don’t like to be overlooked and feel crowded, I see a natural garden, where we keep the trees, and have a woodburning stove. We would have our isolation with privacy to write and create. We will have a vegetable plot with chickens in the middle of our own forest. Nature would be our friend and we would both win then.”

Yes! We can build a small gallery with workshops and encourage a community of artists and writers. We will build cabins in the yard and sell our work in the gallery shop. Nature would be our partner and our friend.”

As usual the image is supplied and credited by Ermilia

THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT SNOW

Posted on February 20, 2015 by John Yeo | 7 Comments

This week’s challenge is ~ Snow, snow and more snow.

https://penntonic.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/creative-expressions-10-snow/

Image provided and credited by Pen’n’Tonic

THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT SNOW

by John Yeo

1 ~ I see flurries of silent snowflakes

falling, drifting, settling,

A winter wonderland is created.

2 ~ The snow hangs thickly

on the branches of bushes and trees.

Bending, almost breaking

beneath the weight.

3 ~ Garden birds search hungrily

for hidden food under the icy blanket.

Snow covers and hides all.

4 ~ Water is frozen, solid and hidden,

beneath the thick snowy blanket.

Thirsty birds and animals

lick snowflakes for moisture.

5 ~ A snowflake is a thing of beauty

ice crystals that shine

with geometric splendour.

6 ~ Children wrap warmly in scarves and gloves

to welcome the snow with joy.

Skating and sledging, to and fro

With whoops of sheer delight

7 ~ A snowman is built by children of all ages,

Mum and Dad and old Uncle John.

A carrot for a nose and an old battered hat

with a scarf around the neck.

8 ~ In the snowy wastes, travel

over the glassy smooth surface is fast,

furious and exhilarating.

9 ~ Visibility in a snowstorm is impaired,

the snow falling thickly, too dense to penetrate.

Snow blindness can result from the glare.

10 ~ Housebound by thick snowy drifts

the old folk are trapped indoors,

many look out desperately for help.

Sleigh bells ring jubilantly as horses arrive

with a sledge,

laden with food and warm clothing.

11 ~ Falling flakes add wonder to

the miracle of dazzling white snow.

A thick white carpet brings clean,

fresh magic everywhere.

12 ~ Life is harsh as plants push through

the snowy white blanket.

When the snow stops falling

sunlight begins the thaw.

13 ~ The world becomes a sea of slush

as the snow melts swiftly away.

Leaving behind a muddy, watery, dirty

sea of sludge.

FRYING-PAN INTO FIRE

Posted on February 19, 2015 by John Yeo | 11 Comments

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers-

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers is a new weekly fiction writing challenge. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

FRYING-PAN INTO FIRE

by John Yeo

Image by Dawn M. Miller

We were desperately searching for somewhere to live, Mary was expecting our first child in three months. Our landlord rented our flat furnished, no children allowed. We searched the small ads everywhere and tried many agencies without results, they all wanted a massive payment up front, it looked as if homelessness beckoned.
I noticed a newspaper advert for a bookshop manager with accommodation provided. This is not my normal profession, I trained as a research scientist. I applied for the job where I met the adorable Tom and Barbara, both octogenarians headed for retirement. I was hired on the spot and after the interview Tom and Barbara became fast friends. We moved into a lovely spacious flat with furniture donated and provided by friends.
Then we learned about the gruesome twosome next door, Rock and Roll ravers and rebels who ran a drugs cafe, open 24 hours a day.

(149 Words)

This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers Feb 18, 2015

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (11)

Posted on February 17, 2015 by John Yeo | 17 Comments

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story 16/02/2015, which is a challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to your story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words.

The link below takes you to Part Ten

Mysterious Island (10)

: Image supplied and credited by Monday’s Finish the Story

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (11)

by John Yeo

Little did they know when the photographer took their picture they would find themselves trapped in a painting.

They say life is an ongoing ever-changing picture, when Diamond Jack arrived to say goodbye on his very powerful motorcycle, he presented Marg with a painting as a present. Jack is an artist, he had many sketches and photographs of Marg and the team with the wolves, to turn into paintings. Marg said goodbye before catching her plane to London.
The Brigadier was upset, Dr Dickus was still on the loose, last reported on the way to Dubai, with Angelo on his trail.
The Brigadier was very interested in the painting that Diamond Jack had passed on to Marg, he never revealed how he knew about it, there were two well known international scientists among the musicians. When the painting was examined, there appeared to be writing beneath, that turned out to be a very valuable formula. Marg was rewarded with a huge bonus.
Several months later death struck swiftly……….

(150 words)
To be continued…………..

The link below takes you to Part Ten

Mysterious Island (10)

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com

Five Sentence Fiction ~ OPEN

Posted on February 13, 2015 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

This week’s word: OPEN

http://lilliemcferrin.com/five-sentence-fiction-open/