Posts

Showing posts from 2017

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Take it off," she ordered, reloading her gun. "What? No," I said, clutching it against my eye. A rain of bullets splattered the wall across from us, and my breath came in shorter bursts than it should have. "Take it off," she ordered again, peeking around the corner and firing three shots. I could hear grunts and shouts as she turned back to me. "I can't," I replied. She slapped my hand away and yanked the black fabric from my eye. The images came all at once, faster and faster, until she covered my eye with her own hand. It took me a moment to focus back on the present, on her face, and I could hardly breathe. "There are things you're meant to see," she said softly, and handed me the eyepatch back. "Now the next time, when you really need it, it won't be so overwhelming." Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Source: Promptuarium.

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"How many girls live here?" he asked, as they passed a large group in the hall. She smiled and continued leading him to the main office. They stopped at a large mahogany door, where she gestured for him to wait and slipped inside. He gazed around the hall, taking in the ornate patterns across the ceilings and higher walls. Several girls, clad in the household colors of black and gold, passed him. He lifted his hat to them, but they stared ahead, not even noticing or acknowledging him. Find this pin on Pinterest ! Image: Dolce & Gabbana: Runway - Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2012/2013, Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Lost, little girl?" he muttered after she stumbled into the clearing. She hadn't seen him a moment ago but he was all too real now, watching her with dark eyes and keen interest. "I didn't see you," she started as he stepped forward. "Are you lost?" he asked again to which she could only nod. He placed his hand on the side of her face, causing her to flinch; she felt her head slam to the side. And she hit the ground, soft grass on the edge of the wood, again alone but no longer lost. Find this pin on Pinterest !

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Oh, do stop wasting our notes, Charlie," Jeremy said. "We could be out dancing, girls in our arms, romances in the moonlight," Charlie said. Jeremy chuckled, looking back at his notes. "You're an old romantic, Charlie," he said, dropping new papers on his friend's lap. "I'll just make more planes." Charlie glanced up at his more studious friend and stood, facing him. Jeremy raised an eyebrow. "What?" "Dancing?" Charlie suggested. "I know a great place, pretty girls, good music." Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Source: GQ Magazine.

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Not after such a long time," she replied to the disembodied voice. She was determined to keep - a voice with no body couldn't be gendered, she reasoned - it busy. The corridors continued on for what seemed like ages but she stayed calm, refusing to panic as the voice wanted her to. "So young, so willing, so unusual," the voice said, seemingly over her shoulder. She turned around slowly but could see nothing. "What are you?" she asked, more out of curiosity than fear. Find this blurb on Pinterest !

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"They were found in the girls' locker room, but somehow I don't think they'll try anything like that again." Find this pin on Pinterest ! Source: Scotland Barnes .

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"You say that like I'm ignorant," she said as she finished stacking the books on the cart. He followed her as she wound her way through the first section of the library. "But you're not supposed to know, either," he said, struggling to keep his voice down. "Why shouldn't I?" she asked, moving on to the next aisle. She knelt down to slide to two books back into their place. "I'm not hurting anyone." Find this pin on Pinterest !

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Welcome to Level 2. Please be sure to disarm all weapons before continuing through customs. Identification passes will be provided upon decontamination." Find this pin on Pinterest ! Gif source: "Harold-Feinstein-1950s," Nicolas Monterrat 

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She heard the comments at the funeral. "Wearing her hair like that," tutted one of the sisters. "As if she were a maiden." "And her dress," muttered another. "Such indecency." Now that they were gone, all those voices of derision, she could mourn him the way he asked her to. It was he who chose her dress in the last days, and she now honored his last request. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Paolo Roversi.

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She had tried so very hard to let go of the past, of her body, of her mind, and of her soul; but he had stopped her, pulled her mere moments away from her peace. Weakened from the attempt, she could only mutter, "No," and hope he took pity on her miserable existence. But he didn't. He wrapped her in his love and a warm blanket, and brought her home. Find this blurb on Pinterest !

Daily Writing Blurb

I wish there were necklaces given to us at birth that were half of a unique shape and our soulmate wore the other half, and they got warmer the closer together you were and colder the farther away you were... My journey had a definite destination; there were many of us, around the world, of various ages, whose necklaces had always been ice cold, almost burning our skin. It was an annual meeting for those who lost soulmates early on and were cheated of a cherished rite of passage. The meeting served to replace that rite, offering a journey and the promise of lifelong friendship; some had even discovered relationships so close to soulmates that their necklaces languished in jewelry boxes. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Source: psyducked, Tumblr.

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Aw, come on, Sean," Jesse whined after squinting at the camera in Charlie's hand. Tim and Pat looked at Sean, but ended up looking at each other. They glanced back at Jesse, shrugging. "How does he expect me to get any good summer pictures if he keeps phasing out?" Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Brent Rivera, Instagram

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
He hung from the air vent, unprotected and entirely exposed. The finely embroidered rug, one of the headmaster's prized possessions, swayed at least three feet below his shoes. Glancing around, he tried to spy some cover; his landing would cause a notable thump, regardless of how carefully he fell. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Jamie Isaia for Keller NY

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
The robot looked at him as it finished fixing the toaster. "I understand that human dreams cannot hurt them," the Artificial Life Emulation Entity said. "There is no reason for fear." "No physical harm," the man muttered. "Many experts study the psychological effects," ALee said, moving towards him. "Shall I compile research to ease your anxiety?" The man shook his head, picking up the toaster. He stood and placed the appliance in its usual place on the kitchen counter. "No, thanks, ALee." Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Source: Promptuarium, WordPress

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
That a fantasy series could capture the reality of magic so accurately nearly frightened her, but she also found it strangely funny. She wouldn't be a bit surprised if the author was magically inclined too. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: missing source

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She found him in the early morning gloom, tied to the chain of the off-limits swim area; it was the perfect place to put someone if you wanted them lost. But he didn't seem lost, if his abnormally webbed fingers were anything to go by. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: David Talley

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
And that was the end of it. No one talked of it anymore, out of fear or disbelief or discomfort. It became a rude subject, like politics or the flaws of society. It was hardly surprising, therefore, when, like many undiscussed histories, everyone forgot. Find this blurb on Pinterest !

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She saw him moving that morning as the bus sped by the gated acreage, plastered with signs of public safety and warnings to report suspicious behavior. She didn't report this, her curiosity winning over her practicality, but instead got off the bus and doubled back. Intent on finding the moving man, she picked her way cautiously through the overgrown grass along the fence; he didn't look like a dead body. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Poster by David J Rodger, from Yellow Dawn

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She was in the middle of the road; he was absolutely sure he saw her before he slammed on his brakes. Despite his passengers' complaints and questions, he insisted he saw her. He even got out of the car, squinting into the darkness in a vain effort to find the girl in the ragged white dress. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: missing source

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Don't you realize how special you are?" Star Children Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: missing source.

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
Dreams are meant to stay dreams, and nightmares are meant to stay just that. But this dream turned into premonition, and she found herself exactly where her mind had showed her. It was like those kitchens of the 1950s, pristine with frosting pink trim. And she was sure this was the first time she had ever worn a ruffled apron. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Prompt: WritingPrompts, Tumblr

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Two minutes late," he tutted, glancing at his pocket watch. He sighed, looked around for passers but saw none. Rather than wait, he gestured for the portal to pass, in the interest of keeping the cycle closer to schedule. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Vimark, 2010.

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
He spent most of his time in that corner of the garden; she commented on it often, exuding disappointment. He would nod, smile into his soup, and consider what book to take with him the following morning. What his wife didn't know, couldn't possible know, was why he chose that particular tree each morning. On the estate next door, there would pass a young woman; he assumed she was a maid in the house but she returned with new fascinating books and he knew he would love her if he could only work up the nerve. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Jack Batchelor, Flickr .

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Don't you ever think of hanging upside-down?" he asked, using the door to climb up onto the bar. Marty shrugged. "It's a good way to change your perspective." "I'll keep that in mind," Marty replied and glanced around. "Stop fidgeting," Adam ordered, gazing slowly around the room. "You're making me nervous." "Me? I'm not the one searching for something by hanging off the ceiling," Marty replied as he scoffed and crossed his arms. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: MirkoStoedter, DeviantArt

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She earned their trust enough for them to relax, even smile, while she was there. With her, they felt at ease and allowed her, after so many days of asking, to bring her camera to the camp. She would treasure that smiling reminder for many years to come; it would help to mask the reminder of the darkness that followed.  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: The 100

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
Peter had never mentioned them to her; if he had, she wouldn't have frightened so easily.  "Who are you?" Wendy asked, as the girl stood up from the roots she had been digging.  "I am Jane," the girl replied. Wendy regained her composure, and her manners; she put out a hand to shake.  "How do you do? My name is Wendy Moira..."  "You're the Wendy-bird," the girl replied, ignoring the outstretched hand. "You tell stories to the boys... and Peter."  "Do you like stories?" Wendy asked.  "Come with me," Jane said and, grabbing Wendy's arm, took off running down the forest path.  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Claude Berri’s Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources

Silence in the Suburbs

Image
The oppressive quietude would augment any natural noise, if it dared exist on this road. Even the wind dare not shudder the trees nor shift the fallen leaves among the stiff shrubs.  Each law-breaking step brings you closer to dark abyss, pressing against your overwhelmed flashlight, until you encounter the singular street lamp. The sudden circle of light would shock the senses were they not already shocked by the lack of sensation. Instead of bearing comfort, the light coldly washes over you, trickling ominously down your back and prickling the hairs on the back of your neck. In such dead silence, some people hear only their own heartbeat. Here, where you are suddenly aware of each ion of your being, your heart feels as though it dare not beat, it dare not break through the silence lest it bring down the wrath of this abnormal nature upon you. The solemnity, the inherent wrong, of a stretch of land where birds will not nest, squirrels will not scamper, and your breath bar

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"I'm telling you, there is no bus coming," said Freya. She leaned back on the low wall where they sat. Tish glanced at her and adjusted the bandana over her mouth. After a moment, she gestured toward the still standing bus sign.  "It says every half hour on Saturdays," Tish repeated for the third time in the past hour.  "Tish, there is no bus. We should move on," Freya said and, with a sigh, hopped down off the wall.  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: iishke , DeviantArt

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"You just couldn't wait to start a bloody street fight, could you?" she whispered, glaring at him as they stormed to their car. "Just couldn't wait ‘til morning, could it?"  "You don't know what you're saying," he replied, opening the car door for her. She paused, showing him her arms.  "Dirt, Thomas, and the beginning of multiple bruises. You know where I got them?" she asked. He started a reply but she continued. "From you, Thomas. Your hands did this because you  wouldn't listen."  "You got in the way, Tess - I didn't mean to hurt you," he replied and gently stroked her arm.  "I know," she said and slid into the car. "You never do." Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Claire Hummel

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She hadn't aged physically, all of her youthful beauty had remained, but the years had drained much of her spirit - her enthusiasm, her excitement, and her passion had faded under the pressure of time; she always thought nothing would break her, yet here was the evidence against her.  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: The Sarcastic Muse

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
He passed a hand through the sunlit dust, the first natural light he had seen in weeks, and marveled at how pale his skin seemed in the bright light. It almost made him laugh thinking about how seriously he took tanning before all this had happened. He sighed, putting his arm down again, and tried to guess what time it was and how long it had been since he spoke to another human soul. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo:  lediogo , Tumblr

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"What do you see now?" the doctor asked. Nick glanced around, clutching to a thick rope he believed to be real. He looked down and immediately regretted it. "What do you see?"  "The ship is sinking. And below me... It's like the ocean is angry, angrier than I've ever seen," he added.  "Now open your eyes, and tell me what you see."  Nick looked around again, sitting up on the couch. "I'm in your office, again."  "Do you know why you're here, Nick?" asked the doctor.  "Because what I saw isn't real, Doctor," Nick replied, lying back.  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Larry Rostant

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
He knew no one would believe him as he watched her cauldron foam in the clearing before him. He considered trying to get closer but the rose bushes surrounding her had thorns like he had never seen. After several gashes across his arms, he thought of running back, telling someone to get help or at least grab a camera. But it wouldn't be believed. There was nothing he could do but watch.  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Rockall, DeviantArt

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Is twelve really necessary?" he remembered the guard asking him as they shut her cell.  "You clearly don't know her if you're asking that," he had responded.  But even he had clearly underestimated her. He gazed around the now empty cell, the window bars bent and a neat pile of twelve open handcuffs sitting on the vacant bed.  Find this blurb on Pinterest !

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Remember me to one who lives there," warbled the girl as her fingers danced over the ivory keys. "She once was a true love of mine. Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme."  "Piper," her aunt called, coming down the stairs.  A sour note echoed through the house as Piper scrambled to shut the piano lid before her aunt could see her playing.  Her aunt bustled in, hardly looking at her as she finished putting in an earring. She looked over the couch and under some of the tables, before finally looking at the girl on the piano stool. " What are you looking for, Aunt Emmeline?" Her aunt sighed, took hold of the girl's arm, and dragged her into the living room.  "No music, Piper," her aunt scolded and then straightened her blouse. "You stay out of the music room while I'm at work." Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Flickr

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"Something's wrong with me," she said as he came into the room. The plants all around them were in various states of decay, only a couple remaining strong.  "Nothing's wrong with you," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Sometimes plants don't like being inside."  "Plants don't just decide to die, Austin," she cried, nearly dropping the fern she was nursing. Her voice shook as she steadied herself. "That's just not how it works. Not for me." Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Emily Katz photographed by Michael J. Spear.

Reader Series: 'Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography'

Image
This is the fourteenth post in a series leading up to the premiere of Netflix's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' on January 13, 2017. The series will cover each of the 13 books and 'Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography.' Be warned: there are spoilers ahead. The autobiography was released before the ninth book in the series, The Carnivorous Carnival . Although it's declared "unauthorized," it is in fact officially and takes us on a journey to learn about our ever-vigilant author and the mysterious VFD organization. Made of compiled facsimile documents, clippings, and blurry photographs, this book does answer some questions ASOUE series readers would have. Unfortunately, the book also brings up a whole new medley of questions. We get glimpses of events in the pasts of several adults in the series, and some explanations for actions they took that were previously incomprehensible. The autobiography also explains the eye tattoo, so wel

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
Through the patterned window on the door, he could see Cassie bounding down the stairs, her brown curls bouncing with her.  "Hi, Skip," she said, stepping out onto the porch. "What's up? Couldn't you wait 'til class tomorrow?"  "No," he replied, and hugged her.  "Are you okay?" she asked, hugging him back.  He pulled away and kissed her softly, taking her by surprise. Before she could properly react, he had bolted off the porch and disappeared down the street.  Find this blurb on Pinterest !

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
"I know," Leo replied, meeting her eyes for the first time since the meeting started. The empty room pressed against them and she looked away to peruse the maps spread across the table.  She paused, looking up at him again. "I don't know if I can say yes again."  "I'll understand if you don't," said Leo, solemnly. "But I very much hope you will."  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Nardy

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
“I’m with him. For better or for worse,” Mrs. Randolph said, moving to the other side of the table. Victor pulled the folders from his satchel, but she ignored them.  “He’s been hiding the truth from you, Mrs. Randolph,” Victor said, gesturing to the files. “You don’t know what he’s done.”  "Did you think I married him without knowing exactly who he was?" she asked, smiling at him.  "Mrs. Randolph, you must know none of this will end happily, least of all for your husband," Victor cried, tossing the files onto the table before her. "Look at the papers. Look at the pictures. Memorize the faces and the names. Look at your husband's list of the dead!"  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: (c) Burn Notice

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
The Rats, a gang with an affinity for chains and the color yellow, controlled this side of town, west of the train tracks and east of the river. Yet, whenever Amelia walked the tracks with Tara, the Rats were sure to keep their distance. The same went for the Cobras, on the west end of the river; the Skull Squad, characterized by red skull tattoos; and the Coyotes, from State Street to Vulture Avenue.  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Promptuarium

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She watched them from the window; if they had known she was there, they wouldn't have decided to spend the night in her haunted house. She had to laugh at their awkwardness, standing on her lawn as if the house would eat them upon their entrance.  Keeping her eye on them, she made her way through the puddles and plants of the hall until she could watch them come into the entrance hall.  Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: .:Her Secret Place:. (c) Photo Manipulation Collaboration, DeviantArt .

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
Juliet wavered slightly on the edge of the shelf as she reached up to one of the high shelves for some of the larger, more interesting volumes. These were the books worth reading, she knew; that was the only reason he would put them so far. She reached further, shuffling her feet over on the slippery, polished wood. Her fingers grazed a particularly extravagant volume, she stepped forward. In the next instant, she slid from the shelf with a crash, a scream, and several heavy volumes.  Find this blurb on Pinterest !

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She waded out into the garden pond, eyes fixed on the fading paper floating among the lily pads. Ignoring the soaking of her gown, she bent over the paper, squinting at the disappearing ink. With little luck, she carefully scooped up the page with both hands, cradling it as she made her way out of the water, back to her panicking lady-in-waiting. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: The Lost Letter (c) Photo Manipulation Collaboration, DeviantArt

Reader Series: 'The End,' Lemony Snicket

Image
This is the thirteenth post in a series leading up to the premiere of Netflix's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' on January 13, 2017. The series will cover each of the 13 books and 'Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography.' Be warned: there are spoilers ahead. The Baudelaires and Olaf shipwreck on an island, where the siblings are welcomed by a girl named Friday; Olaf is shunned. Island facilitator Ishmael takes in the Baudelaires and introduces them to the island's strangely oppressive customs, which the siblings secretly defy. Kit Snicket and the Incredibly Deadly Viper also wash up on the shore, and Olaf attempts to pass himself off as Kit to the islanders. For the first time in the entire series, the adults see right through his terrible disguise. Eventually, the children (for holding "contraband" items) and Olaf are kicked out of the community. However, the Baudelaires discover Ishmael's hypocrisy, in addition to his corruption an

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
He glared at her. "It doesn't matter now," he insisted and turned back to the machine they were attempting to fix. "Sid," Violet said, grabbing the wrench from his hands. "Violet, it's over. Finished. I can't change that ending any more than you can by talking about it," Sid said and took the wrench back. "Now, are you gonna help me with this, or not?" She sighed but eventually decided to leave, slamming his toolbox shut with frustration. Find this blurb on Pinterest ! Photo: Edit by Leah Stiff.

Daily Writing Blurb

Image
She could see the sun rising, just barely through the thin spaces before her. She squeezed through, ignoring the scrapes, until the spaces become too small and she was forced to watch the sun rise over the waves that she could see only with squinted eyes. It was the first time in the entire misadventure that she really felt her hope begin to fade. Find this blurb on Pinterest !