Happy Halloween, guys and gals! So, here we are: number four! This one is a bit more cheery, and good deal less bloody than the last one. It was written for the prompt, “Write about someone taking a child trick-or-treating for the very first time.”
The title of this one is All HAL’s Eve, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
How is it September next week? Where has the time gone!? This next one was written for the Reedsy contest, Second Chances. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about childhood sweethearts coming across one another after many, many years apart.” As you can probably guess, I took it in a rather weird direction… The title of my story is Eye to Eye, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
A glimpse was all I needed to recognise my childhood sweetheart; I’d never forget those killer’s eyes.
Continue Reading
Well, that’s all for today! Until next time, guys. 🙂
…and we’re almost there! It’s been fun and furious! This next one was written for the contest Worth the Wait. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about a person waiting for an answer to a question.” It feels like a spiritual sequel, of sorts, to my other short stories Sea the Moon and snoitseuQ and srewsnA. The title of my story is The Lonely Earth, and — as always — you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
She stepped barefoot onto the grass, feeling the dampness of the night against her skin.
Continue Reading
I’m really enjoying these dreamy, floaty pieces — I’m sure there’ll be plenty more to come!
Hey everyone! How we all doing? Good? Grand! I’ve been shortlisted for the Reedsy contest again! Always lovely. This was for the contest Superpower! I chose the prompt, “Write about a person who collects superhero comics.” The comedic, alien sci-fi slant came very quickly — and the mental image I found to be quite endearing! The title of my story is A Little Bit Off, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile.
We all knew there was something a little bit off about Hugh.
Continue Reading
I’ve now lost count how many times I’ve been shortlisted for the Reedsy contest, which to date I’ve won twice… Still hoping for that third win, at some point. 😉 If you’re interested in reading the others, check out my Short Stories section! The ones that have asterisks have either won or been shortlisted. Well, until next time, have a great day, and look after each other. 🙂
So, these next two really break the mould for me — they’re both children’s stories. (I know, right?!) They were each written for different prompts, but they both have similar themes and protagonists, so I thought I’d bundle ’em together in this double feature!
The first one was written for the contest Fuzzy Friends (Or Foes?) — I chose the prompt, “Write a story featuring an animal who subverts expectations.” The title is Deep Space Canine (yes, that is a pun on Deep Space Nine…) and you can read it here on WordPress, or over on my Reedsy profile.
“Grrround Control, mission has successfully been completed, repeat, mission has been successfully completed, Grrround Control.”
Continue Reading
All right! The next one was written for the contest Kidding Around — I chose the prompt, “Write a story about someone who discovers a mysterious object in their home.” The title is Winston and the Legend of Va-Khum, and you can read it here on WordPress, or over on my Reedsy profile!
Listen closely, Little One, and I shall tell you a tale of a day long since passed.
Continue Reading
Well, I hope you liked these! I actually had a lot of fun writing ’em — even if they are completely different to my usual fare. This doesn’t mean I’m leaving my horror roots, I just like to branch out and explore a bit, y’know?
Hey, everyone. How are we all doing? Another one from the Reedsy backlog! This one was written for the contest End of Story. I chose the prompt, “Write a story that ends with a character asking a question.” I went a bit weird, a bit philosophical, a bit sci-fi, with this one. I hope you enjoy it, I had fun writing it! The title of the story is snoitseuQ and srewsnA, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
“Because we’re here.”
The words, which had not been casually proffered, hovered in the space between them for a moment; from the mind of one and into the ears and heart and soul of the other.
Continue Reading
Well, until next time — stay safe, and look after each other!
Hi everyone! We’re on a roll with getting through this backlog, aren’t we? This next piece I’m really rather fond of, and I’ve got a niggling idea to explore it further in a longer piece… We’ll see! This was written for the contest Just the Beginning. I chose the prompt, “Write a story that starts with someone returning from a trip.” The title of my story is Buy Another Birthday, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
Alan found himself standing at the gate of a little cottage, completely oblivious to the fact that he’d been killed in a hit-and-run accident seven months prior.
Continue Reading
Well, until the next of the Reedsy backlog, have a good one!
Whew, look at me go! Getting through these at breakneck pace! Pretty soon I’ll have all caught up. This next one is a comedy story about zombies, set in a fantasy world. I just let loose and had fun with it! This was written for the contest Write It Down, and was shortlisted — which is always a lovely confidence boost! I chose the prompt, “Write a story about an author who was just published a book.” The title of my short story is Sequel to the Apocalypse, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
Baldahr Seltro didn’t mean to cause The Great Undead Uprising of the third century (third century post-Reckoning, that was) but cause it he did.
Continue Reading
I really quite liked this one. I hope you guys enjoyed it too!
Hey there, everyone! Back again! Sorry for the radio silence, but I moved to a new apartment and was without proper internet for roughly a month. I kept writing though — I’m always writing! So, on with catching up on the Reedsy backlog!
This one was written for the contest You’ve Got a Friend in Me. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about two people who meet and become instant friends.” The title of my story is The Hands That Rattle the Cage, and you can read it either here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
“Hey!”
The shout startled her from her reverie. Jackie opened her eyes and squinted up at the sun. It was about midday, by her estimates.
“Hey, you!”
Continue Reading
Well, that’s about it for today! I’ll be catching up on all the others over the coming days! In the meantime, stay safe, everyone!
Well, here we go! Another week, another Reedsy contest. This week’s theme was This Magic Moment; magical realism. I chose the prompt, “Write about someone who works an average job — but incorporate elements of magic into it.”
I’ve recently been writing more and more non-horror pieces. Last week’s Grandma’s Garden (read it here) was a return to the norm — or at least, my norm! This week I’ve explored a bit more of non-horror. Nothing wrong with a bit of experimentation, right? The title for my story is Maledictions and Muffins, and — you know how this bit goes by now, right? — you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile.
The witch waved her wand in the direction of her victim, whispering the ancient incantations under her breath. The words snaked out from between her lips, like a worm out of an apple. Her opponent began to expand — growing, widening, fattening. Mavis knew that it wouldn’t be long until the object of her spellcasting finally bid adieu to this mortal world and exploded, insides splattering in every direction.
Continue Reading
The reason for the latest batch of non-horror pieces is simply because I don’t like to force my stories. I try to keep it very natural and easy. As a rule, I try to stick with the idea that comes first — as this is generally what I want to write, as opposed to what I feel I should write. This isn’t to say I’m abandoning horror (far from it, haha!), simply that I’m broadening my horizons. We can’t be all doom and gloom and zombies and gore 24/7, can we? Nice to spice things up a bit — every now and then!
So, I hope you guys like the piece — I really had fun writing it (but, then again, I always do!). I really liked the idea of a a kind and friendly witch in a cosy kitchen full of tasty smells, with a fluffy black cat pestering her for some crumbs. I thought it was simply a heartwarming picture.
Well, this has been enough rambling for one week, right? I best be buggering off! P.S. If you like the artwork that I made for this story, why not check out my side blog, Art in Soul?
Joshua G. J. Insole 