Bait
It takes a real talent to tell a story in so few words. What was…
Endure and Sing
Inspirational piece. Am glad you picked the rat to be the protagonist in your story,…
Endure and Sing
Such a sweet tale - and with a good moral to the story. I thought…
Endure and Sing
Wow! This is a good story! Really good to read to little kids, the moral…
Endure and Sing
Hi Katy, it really does add an extra dimension to hear your story read aloud…
Endure and Sing
In my neighboring country Denmark, we have the classical storyteller Hans-Christian Andersen. Your sweet story…
Endure and Sing
A really nice one with a wonderful story line. I can see why this was…
Endure and Sing
A beautiful story! I was reminded of seeing Paul Potts and Susan Boyle on Britain's…
Endure and Sing
Your story inspired me to keep going no matter how discouraging it gets. At times…
Endure and Sing
Thank you so much for the feedback! I pray that the young readers will be…
Endure and Sing
Thank you for taking the time to comment and convey your thoughts on the story.…
Endure and Sing
Hi Katy, don't we all feel like the rat in your story at times! We…
Vows
I must admit it was the picture of the church, with its grave yard, under…
Between Belonging and Dying
A very powerful story, Daniel. Your writing makes it easy to feel the reality of…
Between Belonging and Dying
Oh my gosh, Daniel. Your story really defines the word superb. You make me experience…
Between Belonging and Dying
A horrendous situation, more so because so many people find themselves going through it. A…
Between Belonging and Dying
What an extremely powerful story Daniel, really well written and with an ending that had…
Between Belonging and Dying
Daniel, this story is one of the best flash fiction stories I've ever read. You…
In Memoriam
It's terrible to lose someone you love and accept that he is not a part…
The Problem with Women
I think Carrie has said it all. We rest our collective case. ?
The Fisherman and the Sea
Under Pink Blossoms
Green Choices
Inspirare
The Spookfest
Adieu
Attitudes
The Missing Candies
The Magic Moment
Give Me Wings So I Might Fly
Whistle Twice for Yes
The Inhabitants
Lord What Fools These Mortals Be
Unwanted
Escape to Paradise
The Problem with Women
Meg in Her Bath
Endure and Sing
A Paranormal Pandemic
Pilgrimage Poetry
People First, software second - Since 1985...
Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!
I love, love, love this story! In a few deft words, you’ve painted a new portrait of a man many of us first learned about in high school – quite a character, this one! Through your clever writing, we see his attraction to the ladies, his trouble with bailiffs, his way with servants, his outwardly respectable life which doesn’t quite mesh with his inner thoughts! I love the way you use the language and vernacular of the times and of the historical diary. Anyone reading this story would be tempted to learn more about Mr. Samuel Pepys!
This is a great example of flash fiction, and how to get the most out of just a few words. Congratulations!
Thank you so much for your comprehensive comments. I am not sure if you were also a writer on the “zen garden club” site, so maybe worth adding that there were also constraints of lavender, a picket fence and a grandma that had to be incorporated into Pepys’s day. Fun, fun.
Oh wow – I wasn’t a zen garden club writer, so I clicked on the pink box above your story and it showed me all the old zen garden prompts. Now I see what you mean. It might be helpful to other people who read your story to see that prompt:
lavender flowers
reach above the picket fence –
Grandma is watching
Now I’m even more impressed with the way you worked lavender seamlessly into the story. I guess the old crone is the grandmother and of course you mentioned the picket fence. Fun is right.
After writing 11 stories this year to those prompts from various flowers and haikus, I found myself enjoying working within the restrictions, preferring that to the single word themes….but needs must, so I keep having a go.
I really enjoyed how you made history come alive, Susan. Looking forward to more of your stories on the new site 🙂
Thank you. Never sure how well English history travels, especially after my daughter said she had never heard of Samuel Pepys, which was pretty incredible considering she has a history degree!
I loved the writing style; a story in diary format. Learnt a lot.
Ha ha. As long as you know grandma isn’t actually in the annals of English history
Hi Susan, I am often amazed at all the different styles of writing we have here in the Voice Club, you can actually see, given the time, the person/s behind the writing, and that adds to the story. I see you having a very active imagination, (always thinking how?) you really love expressing all of your feelings, have this inner drive, and love the beauty in nature and what you see around you. Wonderful qualities Susan. I love this write, I like the way you chose this style of writing. Thank you for sharing your gift – Eric.
Thank you. I enjoyed lavender month.
Hi, Susan. Congratulations on this one. You always have a clever writing style. Hope to read more stories from you here in Voice club.
I haven’t thought of writing in a diary format, but after reading your story I will certainly try it! It feels more realistic and authentic. It is after all a biography, a personal testimony, that shows the character’s feelings and thoughts.
Ha ha. Of course I was copying the style of Samuel Pepys but you could be a modern diarist.
And thank you, Susan, for sharing your wonderful story with us and inspiring us to try out something different.
Hello Susan. How nice that you are the Featured Voice on the new Stars page. You’ve always been one of the writers I admired most, so I decided to go back and read all of your stories again. This one is one of my favorites. It is exceedingly clever, and accurately portrays the man, his writing style and his period of time. Congratulations for being featured! Our new members will enjoy reading all your great stories.
Wow, Fuji, thanks for alerting me to my ‘15 minutes of fame’. I have been AWOL recently on a project taking up my time but I must write something before all the deadlines pass.
Congratulations for being featured, Susan.
Thank you.
Hi Susan – Congrats on being a featured voice star! I have also been AWOL, but now glad to return to the Voice Club. I had writers block recently, but now really hope to get back to writing. After checking your star page, and all your wonderful stories, I got some new inspiration! Thanks ?
Sweet comment, thanks.