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Sue · Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 10

Santa lives! Here's the next one:

The corner of the curtain moved as if a strong wind forced the stiff fabric aside.
‘Was that a breeze?’ Lisa said, her voice trembling.
‘Breeze? What breeze? The doors are all shut,’ whispered Taylor.
‘Perhaps it came from under a door then?’
‘Shh … what was that?’
The gruesome groan rang out through the corridor; its perpetrator obscured by the darkness.
‘It’s nothing,’ said Lisa, ‘Just the …’
‘Don’t tell me it the wind again, Liz, I’m not buying it.’
‘Well what else? You can’t make me believe it’s a ghost.’
‘Yeah? Why not?’
‘Well, for starters I would have to believe in them.’
‘Isn’t that why we’re here? So I can prove to you that they do exist?’
‘Oh please.’
‘You don’t have to act so tough with me, it’s not like you’re going to win a medal or something.’
The white mist at the end of the hall moved closer to them, its shape becoming more distinct with every step. Liza trembled despite the layers of clothes and the thick jumper she wore; she absentmindedly grabbed Taylor’s hand. He reached over with his free hand and knocked over the china vase from the side table, it crashed to the ground with a bang, shattered pieces spread across the floor.
Lisa screeched, released Taylor’s hand, and took off as fast as she could for the front door. Taylor burst into fits of laughter as the ghostly vision stopped in front of him; its hand reached to its head and ripped off the bed sheet to reveal Pete.
‘Think you can forget about getting her to go out with you again, mate.’ Pete said before laughing as hard as his friend.

Twiggy · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Australia

Twiggy · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Australia

I enjoyed your ghost story, Sue! Was a bit confused at the name Taylor, as the only one I know is a girl.

I like the way it's not full of 'he said' and 'she said', the dialogue just flows. I can just hear Lisa when she says "Oh please." Smile

Twiggy · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Australia

jumper
ghost
medal
curtain

The warmth of the sun lulled her into closing her eyes. It took her back to the heat at the gymkhana where she and Ghost had won a medal over hurdles. There wasn't another jumper there that could equal him.

The grey horse had long gone, but still living up to his name, a ghost in her memory.

A pleasant voice roused her, offering a cup of tea, drawing a curtain across the past.

Merri · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject:

Sue and Twiggy, what different interpretations of the prompts! One's a ghost that's a memory of a Ghost, one's a ghost that's fake. What's mine? You decide!

Chilly

The room had a distinct chill, although the rest of the house was warm enough. They had mentioned a ghostly presence here, but she would not believe it. Would not. She pulled the curtains shut, snuggled into her warmest jumper, and sat down to read her novel.

The floor creaked. It was not, of course, a ghost. She knew that.

Around her neck hung a St.Christopher medallion, protection for travellers. She fingered it, idly wondering if it protected readers in chairs. If it protected from ghosts. Not that there was a ghost here, of course.

Goose flesh rose along her spine. She put the book aside and rose, going to the door leading to the passageway. She opened it . . . and screamed!

admin · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 1:17 pm Post subject: A delight reading your stories

Merri, I got chills down my spine!

Loved the different images that were created from the same four words. That's one of the things I love about writing and creating stories. One word - the same word - can have so many interpretations. What a wonderful way of spending a morning - reading your stories, thank you.

Twiggy, don't apologise. You did get that across, but your story left me thinking about it before I commented. And isn't that the ultimate goal of a writer? To not only reach an audience, but to make them think.

It was moving and meaningful to me. I saw human beings shown at both ends of the scale: first as an innocent child and then at a time when wisdom is our friend. Perhaps I saw sadness, but I also saw peace, and I found myself almost wishing I could be like that old man. Content and peaceful, perhaps a little sad to gain these precious gifts so late in life.

Good on you, Sue.
I believe in Santa too. Very Happy

Funny story, don't boys do cruel things to girls in the pursuit of friendship? And probably vice versa.

It is hard with using names these days, everyone changes them and do all sorts of things in the pursuit of being different, or perhaps to name a child after a relative or friend. Taylor was originally for males, adapted from the surname, but over time it's been used for both girls and boys.

Which brings us to another question: should we, as writers, use names that cannot be confused - unless there's a reason for it? Or does it not matter?

admin · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: Want some more words?

Here they are:

domestic
net
flea
chorus

Twiggy · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Australia

Joys of domstic bliss,
like voices of sirens,
sang to her,
a chorus of promises,
of polished silver and brass,
of fireside and slippers,
of children's soft voices.

Drawn into the net,
unaware
that the many flea bites
of disillisionment
carried
emotional plague.

Merri · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Want some more words?

Her Next Door

I can hear her next door; screeching, she is. And I know why, too. Him, he's come home and given her a flea in the ear about wasting time on the net when she should have been getting his dinner ready, I reckon.

Men, they don't understand a woman needs a bit of down-time from domestic drudgery. So what if it takes hours of her day? He has his time to relax, out mowing the lawn, digging the garden, even taking an outing to the shops to get groceries. And taking the kids to their activities. I often hear a chorus of kids' voices, singing out "Come on Dad, we'll be late."

I'd be screeching at him too, if I was her. And I tell you I can screech. Just ask my ex.

admin · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

I thought those last words might've stumped you, but I can't beat you. Try these ones:

round
guitar
comb
dirt

... and for those who wish an extra word:

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