Author: hannacharles

• October 27, 2022

  Grimm Goes to Disneyland

  I woke to the sound of a wet cough and vomit odor beneath my nose. Rolling onto my back, damp cobblestones kneaded into my bare shoulder blades.  Somehow I’d been able to keep my lower body clothed through the night, even if it was a pair of bell bottom corduroys that went out of style…
• August 31, 2022

  As Long As You’re On Time

  As part of the 12 short stories in a year challenge, I’ve also been forcing myself to write in different genres. Last month, I worked on a bit of fantasy/magic realism in The Story and Its Teller. This month I tried to incorporate a little bit of sci-fi, which is new for me. I hope…
• June 27, 2022

  The Story and Its Teller

  

  I made it! 12 short stories in a year. For June’s story, I tried playing around with magic realism. The magic realism genre blends fantasy and reality, where things tend to be “normal”, but with just a few spots of magic. I was inspired by this Town of Birds by Heather Monley, a text we…
• April 5, 2022

  Permanent Acquaintance

  

  This month’s short story challenge was 1200 with “permanent” as a prompt. While it’s not a true story…it could be, hence the painting of my corgi girl. Enjoy! I knocked and knocked, but my dog refused to grow a thumb and unlock the door. I peered through the window. My puppy, Fellah, sat on the…
• February 2, 2022

  The Chairlift

  Every month I receive a writing challenge as part of a writing group called Deadlines for Writers. This month is our longest challenge of the year at 2500 words; and the prompt was “charge.” Thanks for reading! ————————————————————– “You aren’t scared are you?” Erica rocked the chair-lift back and forth, suspended forty feet above glistening…
• December 20, 2021

  Holiday News – Short Story

  Detective Jake Smith walked up the porch steps and lifted a fist in the air. His hand hung before tapping on the wooden door. The door cracked open. Two blue eyes peered out, rimmed red. “Merry Christmas ma’am. I’m Detective Jake Smith. I’m here to speak about your daughter.” The door opened wide. “You mean…
• November 20, 2021

  A Little Peace – Short Story

  “I can’t let you pass, you have unfinished business.” He holds up a hand to stop me, as if that would do anything. The guards here work through guilt and persuasion, rather than physical force. “Come on, I’m tired. Let me in Pete.” I try to shove him aside, but it’s no use. “I know…
• September 29, 2021

  The Cabin

  Here is a third short story based on the prompt, “Inheritance”. Comment and let me know if you’ve inherited something that changed your understanding of your family history. “What am I supposed to do with that?” The lawyer hands me a set of keys and the title to this old, lonely cabin. “Well, it’s up…
• August 24, 2021

  She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

  Here’s another short story. This month the prompt was “flowers” for 1800 words. They say a sad/heavy ending will always get more praise than a happy one. What do you think? “She loves me. She loves me not.” Caleb chanted the mantra, plucking one petal at a time. If only the final petal would declare,…
• July 15, 2021

  Ditch – Flash Fiction

  I joined a writing group. I do not consider myself a writer, but I have a good amount of time on my hands and thought this could be fun. Every month we receive a prompt and a word limit. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy too, check it out here. As terrifying as it…