Greetings, members of Simplyprose, new and old. It’s time once again for the Simplyprose newsletter, where we share with you the responses we’ve received and extol the virtues of our participants skills and talents, or something like that.
So, let’s begin then.

Most Creative Response

‘The Storm’ by ~LadyDoom


Normally, we don’t look to the word association prompts for most creative piece because takes very little creative effort to work three random words into any given story, but this one really stood out among the others as pretty unique to me. It’s not everyday that someone decides to put a goldfish - a creature notorious for having a limited memory and attention span - as a prophetic instrument. It makes a touching, but otherwise old story really interesting to read.

Once, a long time ago when I was a child, I taught a goldfish to speak.

Scenario Prompt

A group of friends throw a surprise party

'Surprise' by ~Leonca


Short pieces are always the hardest to comment on, because there’s not a lot of writing to analyze, but if I have to pick something to talk about for this piece, it’s the author’s choice of tense. By writing the story in the present tense, it makes you feel as if you were really there as all this is happening, which makes you really feel the surprise when you see what it really is.

Betty goes to Frank and tells him that they should do something special for Darrell on his birthday.

Character Prompt

This character is a man, woman or child who has lost someone close to them. They know more than they are letting on.

'Unknowing' by ~TwisteDreamz


You might finish this story thinking that it wasn’t much of a surprise ending, but I really don’t think the story is meant to surprise anyone. The way the author lays the details and the clues down, I think it’s pretty clear that the author means for you to know exactly what the ending is supposed to be and in that, the story does a good job.

"Mind if I sit here?"

'Ostracized' by ~random-kumquats


There’s a line from an Evanescence song that I recall very strongly. “Though you’re still with me, I’ve been alone all along.” Sometimes, a person doesn’t have to go away, or die in order for you to loose them. Sometimes, the closest person to you can be the person farthest away and this story demonstrates that sort of powerful loss wonderfully.

I remember a time when he was my world, more important than the ground beneath my feet.

'A Brother's Love' by *ArchArad


One thing that I like about this piece in particular is that the author seems to be playing with paragraph spacing, making use of not just eloquent imagery in the narrative, but also using the way it appears on the page to enhance the flow of the story. While this may not be the best aspect of the writing, it’s one that I really appreciated.

There are so many, she thought to herself.
So much to lose.

'Dearly Departed Dad' by *ArchArad


This piece is one that really engages the active reader. While the author’s flair for detail is apparent, what makes this a great piece is more what is not said. By carefully choosing not to reveal certain details, the author grabs hold of the readers and makes them think out the story more than we might have if we had been told everything.

The priest’s voice droned on, a counterpoint to nature’s tempo.

'Consultation' by ~strife7roxas13


This one is a real ride. The author gives us a sense of something being off right away, and that tension builds throughout the story to it’s climax, which will simply blow your mind.

“Listen,” Ted said. “Be careful with the kid okay. He freaks me out.”

'Deception' by ~Lunar-Xero


The author of this piece is a brilliant master of subtle foreshadowing. From the very first chilling line, I had a strong feeling that something was hidden just beneath the surface of the story, that something was very wrong with the scene. Because that sense was established, I couldn’t stop reading until I found out exactly what it was.

Carl Wright gazed down on the ceremony from atop a rolling hill, the way a Greek god would observe his creation from Olympus.

'Botanical Garden' by =Lilith-Elina


It’s starts off so softly, so gently. Then it crushes you with its twisted ending. With her usual talent, Lilith-Elina shows that to really feel the impact of pain and loss, you first have to know what it feels like to be on the far opposite end.

Like every day in summer, when the weather was fine, they took a walk through the botanical garden.

Word Association Prompt

Storm, Fear, Confession.

'The Yellow Dress' by ~Leonca


Sometimes a story has one of those really well-developed, complicated plots that engages you from beginning to end. In the case of this story, however, Leonca demonstrates that sometimes plot is not as important as the characters and the emotions they feel.

My mother did not believe in wearing black to funerals.

'The Carrion Eaters' by ~Freyad-Dryden


Prophetic dreams, a deserted city and a hand-reared dinosaur. Through eloquent prose, the author builds an intriguing fantasy world in which a brother and sister are led to a group of people called the Carrion Eaters.

The beam of light streaming down from the clouds like a halo was dimmed, shedding its light hopelessly on a pale land drained of vitality.

'Death Valley' by ~random-kumquats


I’ve always liked stories about redemption, or characters seeking it, probably because I’m the kind of guy who makes a lot of mistakes. I like this story because it is that kind of story, but also because it shows that the hardest kind of forgiveness can sometimes be the kind where you need to forgive yourself.

Dylan’s lips were dry as he muttered words thought forgotten.

‘God Answers’ by =Everlovingteen


Children are brilliant. When I read stories, particularly by online writers, all too often, I see people portray children as incapable of real thought, but this author actually represents a young character as having the level of direct, if unrefined, logic that my own personal experience has made me come to expect from most children. I think it shows a certain level of good observation on her part.

I’ve always had a fear of God, most people do I guess.

'uke' by *ddrcoke21


There’s something really slimy about most motivational speakers, as if inside they know that everything they’re saying is a lie and they’re just saying it so that they can get paid. The author of this story captures that feeling of falseness from the very first description to the very end.

Cliche, cliche. Everything is so cliche around here

'A Matter of Interpretation' by ~NamelessShe


I think that this author really doesn’t need anyone to introduce her, or speak for her. Her talent does that for itself. This is one you have to read. You’ll get a real kick out of the ending.

The time and place for conscience clearing was no where even remotely near now.

'Dissension of Muses' by `innocencedied2nite


This story is intense. Every sentence is packed with tension and emotion. The author’s style of prose and careful selection of words enhances the emotional force that drives the story forward. This is one that everyone should read carefully, if for no other reason than there is a lot to be learned from the author’s talent.

Thick silence permeated the room, suffocating any sort of comforting feeling.

'Dark Sidhe' by ~Nicephorus


This was another one that I considered for most creative piece. This story gives me the same sort of pleasure I get from reading Neil Gaimon, a fluid mix of modern realism and mythic/folkloric elements into a coherent piece of fantasy. And it’s totally eerie.

"You pray," it rasped, "to the wrong God."

Miscellaneous Prompt

Write about a new life

'Brand New' by ~Zekidear


Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that you really treasure, even if they are unexpected and, at times, unwanted. This story, though short, does a really good job of demonstrating that.

Her breath was heavy as she panted, her fingers reaching out in the air to find something to hold onto.

'New Life' by ~vampirexXxwitch


This piece is a really unique take on the prompt. When we talk about new life, we first want to think about birth, or about spring, or something to that end, but this story goes more into what life really is and considers what it takes to be considered new. Truly a unique approach.

The first thing she could remember was that everything was so vibrantly green, and never looked so grey.

'I Remember' by ~answersonpostcards


The first part of a larger story, the prologue is a brief moment to that sets the stage for the rest of the story using really beautiful prose.

My bare feet glided effortlessly along the beech floorboards as I pulled my legs towards me.

'The Winged Herald - Zeus' by *LatteBleu


LatteBleu has done a lot of work with Greek myths in the past couple of months and all of them together seem to create a really unique universe where the gods are adapting to the changing times. This piece is a really witty piece of writing that will have you laughing the whole way through.

Today, the Mount'O Gods release their Spring '09 operating system, boasting a more colourful and environmentally friendly interface compared to previous efforts.

'Without You' by ~random-kumquats


A very emotional piece, not about the victim, but about the pain the tormentor can feel when she sees the results of her actions and the price some people have to pay to start over with their lives.

I wasn’t a bully or anything.

Combinations

Scenario and Character

'Surprise' by ~Amriah


A little bit of mystery, a little bit of drama, a little bit of tragedy, a lot of interesting reading. You won’t be disappointed if you decide to read this story.

“Surprise!” Everyone screamed when Tim swung his apartment door open.

Scenario and Word Association

'A Most Unpleasant Surprise' by *HiddenCaitastrophe


With echos of some of the best of the classic women’s writers, this story presents to us a well-developed character who we feel like we know and want to see grow more from her current place in the world. Well worth taking time to read.

Though I love my Papa dearly, there are times in which I find him to be utterly blind

That’s it. There is no more. Be sure to check out this month’s prompts, if you haven’t already. And, as always, the writers responding to our prompts appreciate any comments you can give them.

Farewell

It’s been almost a year since I joined up with Simplyprose as the news feature coordinator. I’ve really enjoyed the work. The project is run by an excellent staff and we’ve got some really dedicated and talented writers taking part in our prompts. It’s sad to leave it behind.
All my life, I’ve quit things that I shouldn’t have because I got bored with them, but this is a case of the opposite; even though I’d much rather continue, I have to quit. There are things in the “real world” that I need to focus my efforts more on right now, things I need to be doing to further my own life goals and I spend far too much time on the internet to accomplish them. So, as much as I hate to leave, I have to set aside my responsibilities to Simplyprose and focus on the bigger things in my life.
I may not be gone forever. Perhaps in the future, if the need becomes available again and I have my affairs in order, I will be able to come back and work with *ThornyEnglishRose and the rest of the Simplyprose staff again, but only time will tell. Until then, I hope that you all will continue to support me, as I will continue to support you all as much as I can. You are some really talented people and I have every confidence that the person who takes my place as the news feature coordinator will do at least as good a job as I did.

Sayonara, and happy writing,

Reynold James Dalton
AKA ~Freyad-Dryden