Showing posts with label *Writing: Drabble Cascade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label *Writing: Drabble Cascade. Show all posts

Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Drabble Cascade #64 - 'year' - Stop and Look (G)

This week's word prompt is 'year'. If you would like to join in the cascade just:

  1. write a drabble (100 words) or a flashfiction
  2. post it to your own blog with a link to the main Drabble Cascade post or the actual linked list (get the code from the link below) 
  3. before adding your link to the list below.


I was just thinking about how a year seems so different at different ages for my drabble below. Hope you enjoy it.

Stop and Look (G)
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

When you are seven, a year is an eternity; when seventeen, it's just right to get everything done; at twenty seven it seems not enough and at thirty seven, blink and you missed it.

They say time is always the same as long as you are travelling at the same speed. That must mean a person travels much slower when they are seven than when they are seventy; not exactly intuitive.

Maybe it's just our minds that move too fast as we age. Stop and look around once in a while and perhaps a year will be an eternity again.


get the InLinkz code

Thursday, 17 October 2013

Drabble Cascade #31 - Alone (gen, g)

Greetings, this is one of my drabbles for this week's drabble cascade. Our word of the week is 'independent' in support of all indie writers hit by the Kobo/WHSmith's mess.

Alone
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

To be independent, to stand alone relying on no one but yourself is a dream for some people. To be perfectly equipped to deal with life all by yourself is the goal. But in our modern world of gadgets and internet and text messages and Twitter it is possible to go through life without touching anyone at all. A friend is someone on the other side of social media who may turn out to be someone you don't know at all.

Being independent gets mixed up with being alone and it all goes wrong.

Sometimes 'independent' just feels like 'lonely'.

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Fic: Awkward Moment, (PG, Charlie Waterman Flashfic)

As I am sure you have noticed me mention, I have a new book out this week. It is called Cat's Confidence and it is book 3 in The Chronicles of Charlie Waterman. In honour of the release I have written a little flashfic for this week's Drabble Cascade. It is a tag scene to the book, but has no spoilers, so it can be enjoyed by all.

Awkward Moment
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Charlie opened the door from his bedroom and stepped out into his living room, where Alexander was waiting for him. They were still on their break after the last Task and they'd decided to take a trip to a world neither of them had visited before. Thanks to losing himself in the library all morning, Charlie was running late.

"Sorry," he apologised and then stopped, because he saw what Alexander was doing.

His friend had one of his many books in hand and was scanning through it. When Alexander looked up and lifted one perfectly shaped eyebrow, Charlie wasn't sure what to say.

"A stake through the heart would kill anything," Alexander said, "not just vampires."

"So would beheading," Charlie agreed, "and fire," at which point he realised, that possibly wasn't the most tactful thing to say.

Of course Alexander had to have picked up the book about evil vampires. The only vampire he knew couldn't have gone for one of the ones about dragons, because he wasn't that lucky.

"Now you know why everyone on Earth thinks vampires are fictional," he added with an awkward shrug; "none of the vampire lore actually makes sense."

Alexander stood up and placed the book back on the shelf without another comment and Charlie really hoped the book hadn't offended his friend. Books about evil white guys didn't offend him, but then half the universe didn't have the wrong idea about his race, so he wasn't sure he could judge.

"Shall we go?" Alexander asked and didn't sound overly bothered, but sometimes it was hard to tell.

"Yeah," Charlie agreed and plastered on a smile.

"That book did get one thing right," Alexander added as he lifted his arm to create a portal.

"Really?" Charlie asked, honestly surprised.

"Yes," Alexander said and paused in a way that wasn't overly dramatic at all, well not for a vampire anyway, "we are all devilishly handsome and good in bed."

The whole speech was delivered with a perfectly serious demeanour, so it took Charlie a moment to catch up.

"Oh you bastard," he said and laughed, "I was really worried there for a second."

Alexander merely gave him a superior smirk as the portal flared into life.

~*~

Thursday, 29 August 2013

Drabble Cascade #25 - More Than Eternity (PG, fantasy)

This week on the Drabble Cascade, to celebrate 25 weeks, we are having a competition. If you enter the cascade you can win an Amazon voucher for your Amazon of choice. Click on this link to see all the details. It's very easy, all you have to do is write a drabble or a flash fic. Our prompt word of the week is 'time'.

Click to read my drabble and see the list of the other entries.

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

Drabble Cascade #22 - Singing (gen, G)

This is my gen drabble for this week's drabble cascade. If you would like to join in with your own drabble or flash fiction, just check out this intro post for the instructions (it's really easy).

Singing
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Some people think rain is mournful. I think it is the rhythm of the world. If I could I would dance, but, let's just say I lack the physical prowess to do that justice. I could possibly manage a small shower, but a thunderstorm would be beyond me.

Hence I sing.

There is a tune in everything if you listen and find it: in the wail of a storm; in the breath of a summer breeze bringing the drizzle. Notes from deep alto to floating treble lie just under the surface.


Next time listen for the song in the rain.

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Drabble Cascade #20 - The Magic of Books (PG, Fantasy/Sci-Fi)

So for the Drabble Cascade this week, we picked a word deliberately, rather than using the random number generator. In honour of the Blogger Book Fair our word of the week is 'book'.

To all writers passing by, we invite you all to join in the Drabble Cascade. All you have to do is write a drabble (a story of exactly 100 words) or a flash fiction (up to 500 words, but really, we'll take anything :)) inspired by our word of the week.

Then you can add you link to the linked list below (or drop Soph or me a comment and we will add it for you).

This is one of my drabbles for this week. The others a linked in the list below.

The Magic of Books
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

There is magic in every book.

For some people it transports them away in their minds to places they have never seen to experience things they have never experienced.

For others it transports them away... literally.

Different books have different levels of power and transport potential, but I can tell you, it's a bit of a shock the first time it happens. We're called World Wanderers and we learn very quickly to carry a home-book at all times. Took me three years to find a way back the first time, but then I was reading space opera when it happened.

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Drabble Cascade week #16: Dark (R with warning for abuse trigger)

The Drabble Cascade happens every Tuesday and runs all week. We have a prompt word, this week's is 'hidden' and we invite anyone who would like to, to submit drabbles (100 word stories) or flashfic (up to 500 words). To play you simply write, post and add your link to the list at the bottom of this post. Anyone can join in and we accept original fic, fanfic or even meta as long as it is inspired by the word of the week.

This is a flashfic for this week's word.

Please be aware I am placing it behind a cut because it has possible triggering subject matter, although there is no actual adult content, simply adult concepts. If reports of child abuse are an issue for you, please do not click into this flash fic. This week I was rather darkly inspired.


Tuesday, 21 May 2013

FB3X Drabble Cascade #11 - Sons and Lovers PG13

This week our prompt word for the Drabble Cascade is eyes. If you would like to join in (everyone is welcome to) all you have to do is write a 100 word drabble or up to a 500 words flash fic of original fic, fanfic or meta inspired by the word and post it, before adding your link to the list at the bottom of the post (it's under the read more so as not to clog the feed).

Our word of the week is 'cold'.


Sons and Lovers
by Natasha Duncan-Drake



Jack was freezing his nuts off, which was kind of ironic given his name. If Lain made one more joke about Jack Frost, Jack was dumping his arse and that was a fact. When they had first met and Jack had revealed what he was called, Lain had laughed for a good minute and Jack had had no idea why. It was only later he found out he was dating the son of the Snow Queen.

"I'm cold," he whined, even though he was wrapped up in three big blankets.

"When we get there I promise to find some way to warm you up," Lain said and gave him a devilish smile full of sinful ideas.

It went some way to heating Jack's blood, at least a little.

"Mortals aren't designed for this place," he said, still marginally tetchy.

"You'll get used to it," Lain replied. "We're perfect together; it won't be long before you start picking things up."

They'd been going out together for nearly a year now and had been sharing a flat for the last three. Jack couldn't argue that they made a great couple, but this was news to him.

"Is that why you finally decided to bring me?" he asked.

Lain went home at least once a month and then reappeared renewed and invigorated by a trip to his native world. That was one thing that had worried Jack about their relationship, but Lain always said that he loved Earth and Jack enough to spend a good percentage of his life there. The other thing that bothered Jack was the fact Lain was immortal, but every time he brought it up Lain just laughed, kissed him and told him not to worry.

"Well that and to meet my mother," Lain replied, his white hair flying in the air that whipped over them as the carriage sped along.

Jack's mind kind of froze and he stared at his boyfriend.

"You, um, you didn't mention that before," he said, not sure whether to be petrified or just plain scared.

The Snow Queen was legend even among the supernatural community and those mortals aware of them. She was said to be exquisitely beautiful and as deadly as the ice and snow she commanded.

"Yes I did," Lain said and smiled, "when you were making supper last night."

Jack mentally cursed; he'd had the blender running for soup and he knew Lain had said something, but he hadn't caught what. He'd just hummed and smiled and now he realised he should have asked.

"Oh god, I'm going to meet your mother!" He started to panic.

"She's going to love you," Lain told him and kissed his cheek, "and I can't exactly marry a man who hasn't met Mummy."

"But she's... she's..." then Jack's brain caught up with what his boyfriend had said. "Did you just propose?"

Lain grinned and Jack couldn't decide whether to kiss him of kill him.





Tuesday, 14 May 2013

FB3X Drabble Cascade #10 - Cocoon of Safety? PG

This week our prompt word for the Drabble Cascade is eyes. If you would like to join in (everyone is welcome to) all you have to do is write a 100 word drabble or up to a 500 words flash fic of original fic, fanfic or meta inspired by the word and post it, before adding your link to the list at the bottom of the post (it's under the read more so as not to clog the feed).

This post is also inspired by May Monster Madness which is a blog hop I am taking part in at the moment. I have done a post for today here May Monster Madness #4 - Fear of the Dark, but I thought it would be good for this week's Drabble Cascade post to be inspired by it as well as our word of the week.


Cocoon of Safety?
by Natasha Duncan-Drake


Click, tap, slide.

It repeated over and over again as Joanna lay there under the covers. She tried not to even breathe, lest the sound alert whatever was making the noise.

Everything had started while she was trying to fall asleep and her first instinct had been to dive under the duvet, but now she realised her error. She was trapped and she could not see. She dared not look, just in case her hiding place was safe, but neither could she stop her mind from imagining terrible things.

Click, tap, slide, tap. That wasn't right. Then the duvet twitched.




Tuesday, 16 April 2013

FB3X Drabble Cascade #6 - (At)Tempting (G)

This week our prompt word for the Drabble Cascade is spice. If you would like to join in all you have to do is write 100 words of original fic, fanfic or meta inspired by the word and post it, before adding your link to the list below.

I would just like to state, this is not inspired by my own husband, who is a great cook ;).


(At)Tempting
by Natasha Duncan-Drake


I can smell the heavy scents of spice as I come home and my first thought is: 'Oh god, Jeremy's cooking.'

My wonderful husband is many things, but a cook he is not.

I hurry into the kitchen and note that every single pot and pan seems to have been used and there is mess everywhere. However, on the table there are two plates of what look like passable curry.

"I did it," Jeremy says, covered in what appears to be mango chutney.

I can't be mad that it will take us hours to clean, because he looks so pleased.





Tuesday, 9 April 2013

FB3X Drabble Cascade #5 - Dance of Death (PG13)

This week our prompt word for the Drabble Cascade is dancing. If you would like to join in all you have to do is write 100 words of original fic, fanfic or meta inspired by the word and post it, before adding your link to the list below.

Dance of Death
by Natasha Duncan-Drake


Her instructor had called it the deadly dance. A blade in each hand, she took in her six large, male opponents before flowing into motion.

A slash to the throat, a stab to the heart, a slice of a hamstring, a jab to the femoral artery, a point to the eye, a swipe through the spine. There were actions in between, of course, but those were important ones.

Wiping her blades on one of the dead, she left those still alive moaning behind her. It did not pay to stand against members of the Spider Clan; assassins every last one.






Tuesday, 2 April 2013

FB3X Drabble Cascade #4 - The Bride (PG)


This week our prompt word for the Drabble Cascade is chain. If you would like to join in all you have to do is write 100 words of original fic, fanfic or meta inspired by the word and post it, before adding your link to the list below.

The Bride
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

It was fine spun gold, light, beautiful and ornate, but it might as well have been iron. It was a betrothal gift from her husband to be and it chained her as heavily as any manacle.

They said he was brave, honourable, but Lila did not wish to marry.

Steeling herself, she read the note that came with the gift.

My bride,
our union will bring peace to our lands, if not to us. I pledge to you my loyalty and trust and hope one day to give you my heart.
Yours always,
Simon

Perhaps the rumours were not wrong.




Tuesday, 26 March 2013

FB3X Drabble Cascade #3 - From the Pit (PG)

This week our prompt work for the Drabble Cascade is stone. It's actually one of my prompt words, thank you random number generator. In case you were wondering, that's how we're choosing the words. People have suggested them and we have them in a long list and use a random number generator to choose which one for which week.



From the Pit
by Natasha Duncan-Drake


Cold, dead stone surrounded him; his prison. They had thrown him down here calling him witch, sorcerer, demon.

He had never hurt them. Always tried to help and yet now they beat him and imprisoned him.

That he could have forgiven, but he had been in communion with her, touching her spirit. They had ripped him from that and then they had hurt her. He could not let that pass.

Falling down into the power that lived, inside he called to his lover, to nature, offering his magic, and she answered. Stone crumbled under roots and vines. They would pay.




Everyone is welcome to join the cascade. Full instructions are available here at this weeks intro post.


Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Fantasy Boys XXX Drabble Cascade #2 - Word of the week: Moonlight

And we're on to week #2 of the drabble cascade. Thank you to everyone who played last week. This week our word prompt it moonlight and everyone is welcome to join the cascade, all you have to do is write a drabble, be it fanfic, original fic or even meta. The only rule is that is must be exactly 100 words.



Foolish Heart
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

They said moonlight was the key. If he looked into the pool under the light of the full moon he would see his one true love and then all this foolishness would be over. Once he knew who the girl of his dreams was, he could put all of his pining for his best friend's brother to the back of his mind and forget it.

The sky was clear, the moon bright and Liam closed his eyes and bent over the pool. He recited the sacred words and looked. His heart skipped a beat as Paul stared back at him.



If you would like to join the cascade then click the image below and it will take you to this weeks intro post that has all the details.

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Fantasy Boys XXX Drabble Cascade #1 - Word: Question

So this is for the Drabble Cascade being hosted by FB3X. To see all those participating and to read their drabbles, check out the linked list at the bottom of the post. I'm doing three drabbles this week, one at FB3X, one here and a fanfic one on my LJ. The cascade will run all week, so please join in.


The One Never Asked
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Jess put down the gun she was cleaning and looked over to the grizzled man who had been her mentor and occasional lover since she was eighteen. They were the best bounty hunting team on the west coast and had been for ten years.

"Why do you do it?" she asked the one question she had never dared before.

A man had shot her daddy and then Bill has rolled into town, taking down the bad guy; she had a reason and Bill had to have a reason too.

"Someone has to," was not the response she had hoped for.



FB3X Drabble Cascade #1 - Word of the Week: question (thanks to Alix Nowarra for the inspiration)
Join in the cascade, post a drabble inspired by our word of the week to your own blog, or website, add this list to the bottom of it by copying and pasting in the code from here and then add a link to your post to the list.
Drabblers