Most Creative Response

I must start by saying that we have had some wonderfully creative pieces this month - the competition was close! We now have an overall winner, but please, scroll down for much, much more creativity.

In response to the character and scenario prompts:

'Trickster's Gambit' by *orphicfiddler



This is a fantastic example of the wonderful things that can happen when two of our prompts are combined into an imaginative idea. This fantasy piece is both original, and evocative of the traditions of the genre. Not only is it creative, but also beautifully written. Whether you are a fantasy fan or not, this piece comes highly recommended.

A week later and some days thence, we spoke to the Man-King for the first time.
“Where is my son?” he was asking, and again, “Where is my son?”

Scenario Prompt Responses

Prompt: A boy is kidnapped.

'Marshmallow Cereal' by *AlahraNadal



In only four paragraphs, a man remembers a traumatic incident from his childhood. A cautionary tale for parents - do not leave your children unattended!

So carefully he set me down, still holding my mouth with one hand, he tightened his other over my arm to the point where it bruised.

'Verdigris' by ~Sheelbeh



This young boy is threatened with a gun, and taken from his bed. A disturbing situation indeed - but just wait for the twist...

I almost screamed but he shushed me as I inhaled and cocked the pistol. I knew what a gun was and I knew what it did.

'Spiderling' by *Memnalar



Not a piece from the perspective of the kidnap victim this time, but from someone going after the kidnapper. This is a very creative response to one of our prompts. A gripping fantasy tale with lovely descriptions.

Those boys of his aren’t getting any younger, after all. He needs fresh meat; new grist for the mill.

'Misty Morning' by ~helekri



This piece does not focus on the kidnapped boy at all, but on a description of the outside world. A very creative response. The prose is poetic; the story is not.

It was a glorious morning on the outside. Inside, all that was the same, was a cry of sadness, badly veiled.

Character Prompt Responses

Prompt: This character is a plant or an animal that lives in the forest.

'Strata' by ~StaticFactory



The memoirs of a rainforest tree. An older, wiser tree has a positive outlook on life, unaware of what lies in wait. If you are a human being, prepare to feel guilty! An engaging piece, and beautifully written.

You'll see many beautiful things... Animals will be born under your branches. You'll have the chance to hear wildly-colored birds sing when they stand on you. And your death will be slow, but graceful. That is the way a tree lives and dies.

'All That We Are' by *AlahraNadal



What a complicated little organism lichen is. *AlahraNadal has challenged herself to write from the perspective of lichen, and done a great job. An impressive little internal monologue, and a wonderful idea.

Without us, no others could be. No plants, flowers, bushes, trees. But what fun is it to claim honor among ourselves when it is not acknowledged by others?

'The Forest of Red and Yellow' by ~sagalisela



This piece has two central characters: a human girl, and an oak tree. The interaction between them is charming and compelling, and the descriptions are lovely.

It was the darkest, the deepest red I had ever seen. A red that made me think of the truest love, but also the cruelest blood.

'Tools' by ~Leonca



This piece is short - ideal if you haven't much time - but it is missing nothing. The use of the narrative voice is fabulous, and the ending does not disappoint.

Pour some water down there, and if the varmint don’t drown outright he’ll come crawling out in a hurry and you can crush him with the shovel until his head pops right off.

'Home' by =Elorine



This is a detailed character sketch of a fairytale-like figure: an old woman who lives in the forest, loved by all. The piece is written in such a way that it brings this character to life. In only five hundred-odd words, you will get to know her and utlimately miss her.

The house smelled of earth and herbs, of rain and sun, of baked bread and spicy stew, and it was filled with the memories of dozens of lifetimes.

Word Association Prompt Responses

Prompt: Hunger, rage, compassion.

'difficulties involving titles' by =austheke



In under three hundred words, this piece effectively uses the three abstract nouns in the prompt. It's about... well, the characters don't seem exactly sure!

“This is all about hate,” she said, breathless, as he ground down against her and her body felt abruptly like it was on fire.

'Hell Hath No Fury' by *random-kumquats



A peculiar story about a peculiar couple who lived in a peculiar house. You'll wonder where this is going... and perhaps you'll be surprised.

Who were the owners? Well, the only citizens of this country who would ignore the concepts of good taste and erect a structure painted in vertical stripes of pink, orange and green […]

'Metanoia' by ~Leonca



A sinister and intriguing piece indeed. The author throws you straight into the action. Why has a girl been manacled to a table and left in the dark? You'll never guess!

The man’s voice did not change in tone as he spoke. It seemed too flat, too empty of emotion.

'I Hate To Love You' by ~Ying-and-Yang-Inc



A woman awakes from a nightmare, and then is sent into a dangerous situation. She seems calm, but you just know it's not going to go according to plan.

She had to identify her target since there was no picture given to her, not even a simple description. But she was used to these kinds of missions. This one was no different.

'Tell You Something, Marge' by ~TheLightsWentOutIn99



This story opens with a line of dialogue, and the speaker is not identified. You'll wonder who is speaking, and to whom. Then you will wonder where their conversation is going. Let us get you started:

“And one day, you realize that you’re not the only one with problems, that other people’s problems are worse. You realize that, and then you want to help people.”

'Not by Sight' by ~christianneoplayer



A man goes to visit a woman. Why? And who is she? You'll wonder. This piece is effectively written; the author uses detailed description where appropriate, but still keeps the story shrouded in mystery.

Her home had always reminded him of a Georgian mansion, white with high pillars and magnolia bushes and tall spiral staircases.

'Whore' by ~Rebelegade



A hypnotic piece of erotic prose. What can I say? Get ready to blush!

And then you notice that her pile of expensive clothes is at the foot of the bed and it hits you; she’s naked. She’s naked on the bed and waiting for you.

'Hunger For Compassion' by ~helekri



A short, reflective piece. It won't take long to read, but perhaps it will get you thinking.

What was pride when you had less of an existance? How could you keep your pride if you couldn't keep your thoughts?

'Life in an Undead World' by ~NamelessShe



We don't seem to get many horror submissions, but here's one! It's not too horrific... unless childbirth makes you squirm! A well written piece, and certainly different.

The child squirmed, shivering; he was smaller than he should have been, but it was a miracle he was alive.

Miscellaneous Prompt Responses

Prompt: Re-write a fairytale. (A more detailed version of this prompt is in our February journal.)

'The Infernal Goddess' by ~anotherfirename



This is based on a story you may not know - that is, it isn't as famous as some - but I think you'll enjoy it all the same. Intriguing and atmospheric, this is an enjoyable little tale.

Instead she just stares coldly at me, an aura of rage vibrating in the air around her. There is no sympathy. There is no mercy. Just the unstoppable anger.

'The Angel' by ~lightsentry



A re-imagining of Andersen's 'The Angel'. The author claims not to be religious, but he has written this heavenly tale beautifully.

On this day, so long ago to us, but no more than a slight memory away for God, an angel was sent down to earth in secret to welcome a good child’s soul to Heaven.

'La Petite Sirene' by ~SourPopsi



This is a very true re-write of Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid'. You might want to read this if the original is a bit too wordy for you! Still, the author mimicks the tone and language of the original well, as she tells the story with the voice of the Mermaid herself.

Through the dark and the silt She flew, Her arms like fans and Her eyes like silverfish- all flashing light and cheating warmth. She came from the North, some said, where the waters ran cold as lies and gargantuan beasts swam beneath islands of milky clouds.

'The Wolf and the Three Tribes' by ~boaste



A creative and compelling version of 'The Three Little Pigs' - very different from the original, but recognisable nonetheless. The use of symbolism and metaphor is superb. A fabulous idea, and well executed.

The first tribe was ignorant and clung to their outmoded ways of life. They settled at the bank of a wide river and built a village of mud and straw.

'The Three' by ~EvenAfterTwelve



A version of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' like none you will have seen before (I hope)! This piece is nasty. If you like nasty, you'll love this!

Her name was Madilyn, but people called her Goldilocks on account of golden hair. It looked like shit now, but once it had been quite the flowing mane, apparently.

Combination Prompt Responses

'A close call' by =Elorine (in response to the character and word association prompts)



A quintessential fantasy piece. Ishmael is a wet-behind-the-ears vampire (or, more accurately, half-vampire), whose cockiness comes back to haunt him. If you like this, why not check out the rest of this writer's gallery? There is plenty more in the same series.

And he couldn't let his hunger for blood and revenge rule him; that would be giving in to his feral instincts and, no matter how often he'd trained to avoid it, too much blood would send him into a fit of bloodlust he wasn't yet old or strong enough to control.

Please check out these great pieces and leave some comments!

When you've done that, why not go to the *simplyprose page and check out this month's prompts in our journal?

(From now on, the new prompts will not be appearing in our news features, but you can always see our prompts in our current journal.)

All submissions are welcome. Submission instructions and guidelines are also detailed in every journal. Newcomers, please read before submitting.