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Prompted Writing


 

"She lifted the stack of letters from the ancient chest..."

It’s another Saturday Centus. We have 100 words, and I’ve given myself just one sitting, to write what comes to mind when we see the prompt. This is 100 words including the prompt: "she lifted the stack of letters from the ancient chest...".

Wiping the mud from hands still stained with her father’s blood, she lifted the stack of letters from the ancient chest where she had watched him return them every night for the whole of her life. After the suppers and the walks and the washing and the lying awake listening to the shuffling papers we bury what we fear, as we bury what we love in a short shallow grave out back. They were stained with his tears. Half a lifetime of tears. As was she.

And the one who wrote the letters had been stained with the other half.

 

If you have any comments I'd be pleased to hear them!



Feb 8, 2011
Jenny Matlock
Holy intense writing, Batman! This was amazing. I loved the cadence and rhythm and intensity of this writing. Really, really superb!

08-Feb-11 
Rekha
Some many questions left unanswered....well crafted and intriguing.
www.achronicleofdreams.blogspot.com

12th Feb 2011
Nonna Beach
Creeped out and yet pulled into the mystery...excellent !
http:lynnskitchen202.blogspot.com/

Jan 29, 2011
Kat
This was powerful, evocative and disturbing. Great take on the prompt, beautifully written.

Jan 29, 2011 10:29 AM
Ames
Oh wow a mystery! Secrets abound. Did she kill her father? Did he kill the one who wrote the letters? You've left us hanging.....~Ames
http://www.rivahchick.blogspot.com/

Jan 29, 2011 10:35 AM
Judie
OMG!
There are many possibilities here, aren't there? Great take on the prompt!
htto://rogueartistsspeak.blogspot.com/

Jan 29, 2011 10:50 AM
Sue
Oh, well done! =)
grannysuesnews.blogspot.com

Jan 29, 2011 11:01 AM
Elysabeth
Interesting - so perhaps this will turn into a longer story - so you can give us the backstory or the beginning - lol - Interesting - E :) -------------
Elysabeth Eldering Author of the JGDS series http://jgdsseries.weebly.com

Jan 29, 2011 11:32 AM
claudia
Oh, loaded with intrigue here...a murder's worth!

Jan 29, 2011 12:45 PM
Robyn Engel
Just one sitting? You've got a gift with words. This was eerie and very well written. I particularly like "we bury what we love." xoRobyn
Rawknrobyn@aol.com

Jan 29, 2011 4:40 PM
Viki
Very intriguing take on this. Kinda creepy though but really good, ha, ha.

Jan 29, 2011 7:20 PM
Michelle
Interesting, I liked this. Did she kill her Father? I'd for sure like to more of this one!
http://tragiccreativity.blogspot.com/

Jan 30, 2011 11:45 AM
Tina
Good one! We've had a lot of sweet and sentimental this go around, but blood and murder are great, too! (My continuing story is also bloody and murderous).
http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/

Jan 30, 2011 3:44 PM
Donna
I freaking loved it. Thanks
http://dazeedreams.blogspot.com/

Jan 30, 2011 6:12 PM
Jo
this is dark and unsettling ... really well written ... i am so intrigued ...
http://mypaperplayhouse.blogspot.com/

Feb 1, 2011 8:39 PM
Gems and Rhinestones
Bloody and engrossing! Great to read.
www.gemsandrhinestones.wordpress.com

Feb 3, 2011 5:47 PM
cj Schlottman
This piece is so visual and the concrete images give it great strength. Wonderful writing, masterfully drawing me in to the secrets of the letters. Thanks..........cj
http://theredsweater.blogspot.com/

Feb 5, 2011 1:00 AM
Tom Goette Wow, this was intense! I'm amazed at what some people can conjure up so early in the morning! Fantastic job!
http://tgoette-sophisticatedlunacy.blogspot.com/

Feb 6, 2011 11:19 PM
Anna's Adornments, Sweden
Good start! This was a dark and chilling text. Hope you do more with this. Maybe you should write a short story that reveals itself slowly? Best wishes, Anna
http://annasadornments.blogspot.com/2011/01/mrs-jenny-matlocks-saturday-centus-week_29.html

Feb 7, 2011 1:15 AM
gaelikaa
It's amazing how many original takes there are on this prompt. I loved them all and I love this one too.
gaelikaa-writeaway.blogspot.com