It’s time for Friday Fictioneers. Writers from around the globe are challenged to write a 100-word story based on photo prompt.
Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting the Fictioneers every week. Thanks to C.E. Ayr for providing this week’s inspirational photo.
Please feel free to join in and write your own story. Here are instructions to guide you at Rochelle’s Addicted to Purple blog. All are welcome.
I’ll admit my story is a bit abstract. I struggled with this one. I provided another ending, and probably cheated with word count. Sorry! I hope you get something out it.
Genre: Fiction (100 words)
Rush in.
“It’s obvious you lied,” said George.
Proceed with caution.
“It’s my interpretation. Not a lie. There’s a difference.”
“What does that make my story?” George asked. “Because I’m telling the truth.”
There are two sides to every story.
A truth for every lie?
“Is it a lie because you don’t believe me?” Alex stared at the split mural remembering it whole.
Two halves make a whole.
Take everything you need, but give it everything you got.
George picked up a rock and threw it at the demolished building, crumbling before his eyes.
The end is yours to decide.
*********************
Alternative Ending:
Two halves make a whole.
George picked up a rock and threw it with everything he had at the demolished building, crumbling before his eyes. He stared at progress, a future shopping mall with office space. They could eat and shop.
Or, he could split.
**********************************
Click here for more stories from the Fictioneers.
Sounds like a conversation I just had with two supervisors on 2nd shift. Talk about 2 sides of the same story. I like the abstract format you used to convey this interaction. Well done.
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This very well may be two supervisors on the same shift. It’s a bit of a skeletal frame. I always like to try something different. Thanks, Russell.
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Well done.
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Thanks, Jay!
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I was with this right up until the last three paragraphs. Well done for an innovative take on the prompt and a theme that made me think. 🙂
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Thanks for your feedback and for commenting, Sandra! I must be losing a few with this one. I considered changing the end, but I haven’t been able to get back to it. I’m glad you got something out it. Thanks.
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A “different interpretation of the truth” or a lie? Sounds like lawyer-speak 🙂
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Exactly, Ali. The truth doesn’t have to be the actual truth sometimes it would seem. It’s the truth that does the job, that works, that people accept. Thanks for your comments.
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“Take everything you need, but give it everything you got.” Those are good words.. and the end? Yup.
So when are we going to see some longer stuff out of you, Amy?
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I appreciate your comments, Trent. I’m glad they meant something. I considered tagging an end on there now. But an end to what? Perhaps there is never an end. I’m feeling philosophical today.
Well, I’m working on that book, see. I really am. I was writing every day except for the last two. 🙂 I also started a short story, so maybe you’ll see that one. Thanks for the encouragement, mister. 🙂
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Good fiction doesn’t end. It just floats, and you can float with it to whatever ending you want. Good fiction makes people want to write; I always thought that.
Hope you’re doing well with the book, I think you mentioned that before. Would love to hear details or catch a snippet! and of course would love to see the short story.
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Good fiction floats! Yes, I like that, Trent. And that good fiction makes you not only want to read more, but write! I feel that way when I read you.
I hope to have some fiction to share with you. Don’t give up on me. 🙂
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You know I won’t… no way. You got style, Amy.
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Awww, thanks man! Smiles.
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Now that is one bizarre image for the story. Nonetheless, I like you first ending better – don’t know why – just do.
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The image was taken in Vancouver. It’s inspiring a lot of interesting stories. Thank you, Frank! I didn’t think anyone liked it. 🙂 Now, we can vote on it.
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I like the first ending better, it makes the story universal, like a fable. No two people see things exactly the same way. Great experiment, love it.
i like it when people play with the flash fics.
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I like your comment about it being more universal, like a fable. That’s excellent. I couldn’t be happier to hear that. I’m all for experimenting with FF. I like to see people step out too. Why not, right? What do you have to lose? It’s such a supportive community to do it in. Thanks for your nice comments, Gah.
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Great job, Amy, with a very unique format. I vote for the first ending!
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Thank you, Jan. It’s fun to try something different. FF is always a good place to take a chance, right? I like the first ending now, too. Not only are there two sides to every story, but more than one ending! 🙂
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I like the first ending. It has the same rhythm as the rest of the story.
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Thanks for that, Dawn. Now that I put both endings out there, I like the first one, too. Sometimes the first one is the best one, maybe because it’s more instinctual.
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Amy – what can say – a talented fingers with magic ink…well done!
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Oh, Mihran. You’re very sweet. Thanks for the kind words!
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I liked the word play and twists. Very clever, Amy!
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Thanks, Dawn! Glad you liked it. It’s fun to experiment.
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I think I like the first ending better. It seems more metaphysical and transcendent. Of course I don’t know exactly what I just said, but I think it’s appropriate. I like the choice concept with the dual endings. Works for me!
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Why thank you, Perry. I like what you said and I agree it seems to be more fitting for my story. Whatever that means. It’s kind of ironic I gave another ending. Yeah, I meant to do that! Thanks for being so agreeable. 🙂
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Amy, I like the abstract take on it. I’m pretty sure I got everything you intended and I like how you tied it to the picture. I think having the alternate ending on it is better. The original way is a little too abrupt and doesn’t explain enough. Anyway, great job!
-David
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Thanks for your feedback, David. I’m not really very tied to either one. It was fun to experiment, I suppose. I found this to be a tough prompt, but a good one! Thanks.
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Dear Amy,
I believe you need “at” after “he stared” in the second ending, which I personally preferred. On the whole I liked the dreamlike quality of your story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. Fixed it! It’s interesting to hear what ending people like. Thanks for chiming in and for your nice comments.
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The abstractness in this is more like it leaves me with a sense of eavesdropping… a little bit like only listening to one side of a conversation… The wall becoming a metaphor .. I liked the original version, even though you tied it stronger to the intent.. maybe you could work in part of the alternative ending…
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Thanks for your feedback, Bjorn. I suspect some kind of merging of the two would be a more complete story. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I like the idea that it feels like eavesdropping.
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A good way to deal with what is truth and what is lie and though our truths may be different that does not make them a lie. A huge subject to debate. I like the first ending best.
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True, Irene. It could be a huge debate. Not everyone’s reality is the same, right? Thanks for your observations and input! I think there are more votes for the first ending. 🙂
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I like ending two, Amy, taking the abstract and nailing it up on the wall with something concrete. Interesting, you!
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Aw, thanks for your input, Mark. The second one is definitely more concrete. In writing the second one, my story is changed a bit. But that’s the fun in writing a 100 words and play around with things. Thanks for reading!
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Thanks for putting yourself out there not once, but twice! ❤
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Thanks for reading me a second time!
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