Published in About Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlyAbout Me — CathylouiseConstantly exhausted chronic illness survivor with a passion for words that sometimes come together into readable sentences. Hi, I never know what to write when it comes to telling people about me. I’m not much good at small talk and usually express who I am through my poetry. …About Me3 min read
Published in Pure Fiction·Jul 30Member-onlyCrisis Chapter 2: Realizations and Bloody DreamsJade contemplates the night’s events and deals with an ever-present fear — New to the story? Catch up with the Prologue and Chapter one Within an hour, I was standing under a steaming shower, examining the worst of the damage. The bruises around my throat were now the color of the average park flowerbed in midsummer, although not as artfully arranged. My…Fiction4 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Jul 23Member-onlyFake Interactions, Link Bombing and Other Problems with Open Reading GroupsChecking my stats was a rude awakening this morning — It’s Saturday morning as I write this, and my house is quiet (for once), so I’m taking the opportunity to catch up on some reading. I post a story at least once a week in a Facebook read and share group. Over the week, I read the replies. If I…Writers Blokke3 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Jul 22Member-onlyHow the Mighty FallOr, what happens when you go on holiday for a week — I finished Zane’s 100 Story Challenge a couple of weeks ago. It was a hard slog but well worth the work. You can read more about that here: A Light at the End of the Tunnel No 101 of 💯: For once, it isn’t an oncoming traincathylouise12.medium.com The long and short of it, I significantly increased my reads from averaging 10–15 reads per day to over 30 reads per…100 Story Challenge2 min read
Published in Pure Fiction·Jul 21Member-onlyCathylouise, My Living EulogyChallenge accepted: What would I say about myself when I’m dead — Sweet Chaos set a challenge to hone our writing craft by writing our own eulogies. It was great fun and a little sobering. Here is mine. Cathy finally has nothing left to worry about, except whether she was right about what the afterlife had in store for her. She departed…Fiction2 min read
Published in Pure Fiction·Jul 18Member-onlyThe Demon Maitre D’Humans are such simple creatures. They make hundreds of little contracts in any given week. Capitalizing on this was easier than I imagined. — I spied my first target within minutes of beginning my shift, a lone diner with an air of self-importance. Yes, he would work perfectly. “Good evening, sir,” I said in my best Queen’s English. “Do you have a reservation with us?” “Yes,” he replied, “In the name of Elliot.”Fiction3 min read
Jul 10Member-onlyA Light at the End of the TunnelNo 101 of 💯: For once, it isn’t an oncoming train — Sunlight poured through the curtains as the writer lay quietly bathed in the warm light. There was no need to rush this morning; the writing challenge was finally over. A few moments later, their eyes shot open. Crap, they thought, I still have work to do and the challenge to…100 Story Challenge2 min read
Jul 10Member-onlyAn Afternoon Tea to Die ForNo 100 of 💯: When your usually stoic butler is suddenly nice, you know something is up — “Sir, here is your afternoon tea. Earl Grey as requested, with a generous slice of my homemade chocolate cake.” “Thank you, Jarvis. I can’t help wondering what is on the schedule this afternoon for you to be so thoughtful!” “There is nothing much this afternoon, sir.” He replied, his voice…100 Story Challenge2 min read
Jul 10Member-onlyWhispers in the DarkNo 99 of 💯: There is a place between living and death — The voices surround me, whispering. Sometimes they are pleasant, loving, and kind. Other times they mock me. When I am agitated and cry enough, they laugh and disappear. The voices like to remind me of everything I am missing out on. Beeping sounds and hushed whispers that I cannot quite…100 Story Challenge1 min read
Jul 9Member-onlyChesus and the Holy Tomatoes Verses Vicious CheeseNo 98 of 💯: Some parties just push the limits of taste and maturity — As you enter the city, an imposing figure dressed in royal robes meets you. Guards dressed in red with green helmets surround him. The figure raises his arms in welcome, “Welcome to my domain. I am Lord Chesus, and these are my loyal guards, the Holy Tomatoes. …100 Story Challenge2 min read
