Happy “last Friday in August.” Can that really be possible? I guess so, since during my last visit to the Big Box Store I saw that they (optimistically) had Halloween costumes out; I’m sure it will be Christmas decorations by next week.
Here the weather has been alternating between “I’m melting” and “where’s my sweater?” Today there’s a slight chill in the air, suggesting that Fall is not that far off, but temperatures are due to spike in the next few days, suggesting that Nature is still busy playing with the thermostat.
I’m off work for a few days, so I’m hoping the weather is just right for working out in the yard. I have several plants that need to get out of my kitchen sink and go into the ground, not to mention a few bushes and shrubs that have experienced recent growth spurts lately and need to be given a good trim. If all that doesn’t work out, I have a giant ToBeRead pile to keep me occupied, as well as a ToDo list that it’s highly unlikely I’ll even look at.
Regardless of what I wind up doing (or not doing), I’m going to make sure I give today’s writing prompt and random words at shot.
Care to join me?
For those of you working away on a story (whether a first draft or a polished version on its way to publication), if you’re not feeling random, we’d love to hear a bit – whether it’s a scene, a paragraph, or even a phrase that you are especially pleased with and would like to share.
If you don’t have a story in progress, or just want to work on something new, I hope either today’s random words or writing prompt will catch your creative fancy.
Ready?
What if: “Your character has to do something they’ve been putting off?
Feel free to interpret the “What” any way you choose (or ignore it completely) and include any (or all) of the following random words:
atrocity tornado heaven condemned
leather lights aftermath hogwash
proposal noise foul rat
sand drench flutter serum
I look forward to seeing your stories in the comments. If you’re not feeling in the writing mood today, or don’t have time, feel free to post suggestions you might have for future “what-if” prompts. Ideas are always welcome.
Happy writing to all!
Eight Ladies Writing 
The weather’s been weird, right? I’m tempted to put the flannel sheets on my bed, and just 10 days ago, I was ready to install a swimming pool in the backyard.
So I worked in all the words except “leather.” I just couldn’t find a way…
The Storm
“Really? You’re making me take down the Christmas lights now?” Cassian Perryman scowled at the drooping strings of lights that crisscrossed the front porch, fluttering in the fresh breeze and drenching the area with a reddish glow.
“Yes, now.” His beleaguered wife, Winnie, gazed at the heavens like a condemned prisoner. “We talked about this. The tornado’ll be here by early evening. And you heard the news—the aftermath across the state has been terrible. Water, sand, mud everywhere. Broken pipes. Fires.”
“All hogwash,” Cassian shouted over the increasing noise of the wind.
“And then the rats come. I’m not having rats.”
“We’ve got anti-rat serum in the basement.”
“There is no such thing! Just take down the lights! What if we have a fire?”
“We won’t have a fire. That’s what the rain is for.”
“You are useless. Why did I ever marry you? When I think how Hugh Stringfield proposed to me sixteen times! Sixteen!”
“Sixteen times, yada, yada,” Cassian said. “How many times have I heard that one?”
“And you’ll keep hearing it if you don’t take down the yard ornaments when we have foul weather! What about the fiberglass deer at the gate? I bet you didn’t take those in, either!”
“Those deer were your idea. They’re an atrocity, that’s what they are. I hope the wind takes them into the next county! Or the next country!”
“Really? Really? Fine! See how you like it! See how you like weathering a tornado! Just see!” And with that, Winnie stomped back in the house, slamming and locking the door behind her.
A very timely piece, Kay. But poor Cassian. Hopefully Winnie will reconsider before the storm sweeps him away.