Killing Perfect Prompt #4

Sometimes authors will start their story in the middle, to throw the reader right into the action. Begin your next horror story somewhere in the middle, preferably someplace terrible. In Media Res In Media Res, when used correctly, can be a great way to build tension. Done right, it not only makes the reader question…Read more Killing Perfect Prompt #4

Killing Perfect Prompt #3

In a sci-fi world, your hero's phaser broke in the third chapter, write the worst possible payoff.

Killing Perfect Prompt #2

You're writing a detective story. The story opens just after the murder of your main character's wife. Write a terrible narrative hook for this story.

Leave Your Guns at Home Pt. 3

Baldy stared at the bottle in his hand for a minute, then grinned. “Quarter a hand, minimum ante, 3 rounds of betting.” The Bounty Hunter grinned back at Baldy, each stupidly grinning at the other’s misfortune. The barman watched them with a nervous eye, wondering if the four gold coins he’d pocketed were going to…Read more Leave Your Guns at Home Pt. 3

Leave Your Guns At Home, Pt. 2

“Thanks, partner.” The barman handed him the empty shells, the bottle of brandless amber liquid probably distilled from a cactus in somebody’s shack, and a thin little cigar. “Keep the change.” He ambled over to a little table near the bar where he could see most of the restaurant. He didn’t have to look to…Read more Leave Your Guns At Home, Pt. 2

Leave Your Guns At Home

Outside the two-bit two-street town a sign sat askew in the sand. “Leave your guns at home.” The Bounty Hunter smiled to himself. Where, exactly, is that meant to be? Ah well, can’t leave ‘em here, and a man needs a drink in the desert. With mock resolve he pulled his belt up and trod…Read more Leave Your Guns At Home

Scavenger

The slight in and out hiss filling the absence of sound in space is quite calming. It reminds me of Star Wars. Darth Vader. Maybe not the most calming of presences, but it reminds me of a better time. Sitting in my orbital pod, warm and cozy, hooked into internet I was siphoning off a…Read more Scavenger

Perfect Game

I imagine this must feel somewhat like skydiving. Standing on the edge of a precipice, somewhere between glory and oblivion. No going back. No quitting while ahead. All you can do is jump.

A Bottle

The painted lettering has worn off the side. Unintelligible smudges of blue ink remains. It smears off with the sweat from my hands. Flat sides, easy grip. Flick off the cap and the little strip of plastic holds it on. The spout is covered with little ridges from it knocking against my teeth. It’s recyclable,…Read more A Bottle

In the Night

1:36 am The back-lit digital screen blinked the number at him as his car snaked along the highway at 83 miles per-hour. A momentary glow lit up his face orange. A puff of smoke hid it again, hanging still in the tiny atmosphere enclosed inside the mustang. The tiny digital screen went out again, and…Read more In the Night