Writing – Joshua G. J. Insole

‘18.01528’: A short story about a heated conversation

27th Aug 202027th Aug 2020Leave a comment

Hey, guys! Hope you’re all doing well, as autumn fast approaches! This next one was written for the Reedsy contest, Dog Days of Summer. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about another day in a heatwave.” At first, I wasn’t really sure what direction to take the story in, but then inspiration struck and I went for a Mad Max-ian vibe. The title of my story is 18.01528, and — as per — you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!

The old man spoke, pale blue gaze resolute. He ignored the barrel of the assault rifle that was aimed at his forehead. “We were neither prepared nor equipped to cooperate.”
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Well, until tomorrow’s Friday Afternoon Frights… 😉

New short story: ‘Lights Shined into Pried-Open Eyes’

22nd Aug 2020Leave a comment

Hey, how are we all doing? I hope you’re all well! 🙂 Sorry for the brief pause (it seems it’s becoming a habit, as of late!), but I spent the week at my in-laws’ for my partner’s 25th. Lots of food, hiking, and drinking. I’m back now, however!

This next one was written for the Reedsy contest, In Reverse. I chose the prompt: “Come with us,” two burly men in gray suits say, grabbing you by the arm and handcuffing you. “You know what you did.” But you have no idea. The title of my story is Lights Shined into Pried-Open Eyes, and you can find it here on WordPress, or over on my Reedsy profile.

The plasma glow from the television was the only source of light in the apartment. All the curtains were drawn — they always were, day or night.
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‘Where the Children Used to Play’: A story about what happens after the horror

21st Jul 2020Leave a comment

Hey guys! How we all doing? Sick of this constant barrage of stories yet? Well, I’m afraid we’re not quite done yet — but we’re almost there! This next one I’m really rather fond of. It was written for the contest A Moment Like This, and for a while I was thinking about using the prompt, “Write a story told entirely through one chase scene,” but in the end, I went for, “Write a story about a summer afternoon spent in a treehouse.” I don’t want to become predictable, after all! Anyway, the title of my story is Where the Children Used to Play, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile.

They couldn’t climb, so she knew she was safe, even if only temporarily.
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Well, until next time, guys and gals — stay safe, and look after each other. 🙂

Read my philosophical short story: ‘snoitseuQ and srewsnA’

7th Jul 20205th Jul 2020Leave a comment

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.
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Well, until next time — stay safe, and look after each other!

‘Buy Another Birthday’: A short sci-fi story about love, death, and science

6th Jul 20205th Jul 2020Leave a comment

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.
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Well, until the next of the Reedsy backlog, have a good one!

My comedic zombie story, ‘Sequel to the Apocalypse’, was shortlisted for the Reedsy contest!

5th Jul 20205th Jul 2020Leave a comment

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.
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I really quite liked this one. I hope you guys enjoyed it too!

‘Blind Visitors’: Next one on the Reedsy list!

1st Jun 2020Leave a comment

Hey, all! I hope you’re all well during these trying times. I know I write a lot of horror, but at heart I think I’m a big softie. So, from the bottom of my heart, look after yourselves, look after each other, and always be kind.

Okay, that’s enough hippie philosophising, Josh… Time for the story! This one is called Blind Visitors, and I really like it! It was written for the contest Earth to Writers. I chose the prompt, “Write a story that begins and ends with someone looking up at the stars.” You can read Blind Visitors here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!

It’s looking up at the stars. Or is it looking down at them?
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Well, until next time, guys!

Next part of the Reedsy backlog: ‘Ten Fingers, Two Hands’!

29th May 2020Leave a comment

Continuing the wave of uploads, working my way through the Reedsy backlog! As there’s one contest a week, I’ve got quite a few kicking around. This story was written for the Dear Diary contest. I chose the prompt, “In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who’s up late at night because they’re having trouble sleeping.” The title of my short story is Ten Fingers, Two Hands, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile! (As always!)

Wednesday 13^th April, 2:33 a.m. — Dear Diary, I have lied to you.
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Well, that’s that for now! I hope you like the story — I’ve had this idea kicking around in my mind for some time now, and it was nice to get it out of the system, so to speak!

The next Reedsy entry on the list: ‘The Open Window Lets the Rain In’

26th Apr 20202 Comments

Okay, so continuing with the short stories I’ve been meaning to upload! This one was written for the Reedsy contest Staying Inside. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about a rainy day spent indoors.” The title of my short story is The Open Window Lets the Rain In, and you can read it here on WordPress, or over on my Reedsy profile.

It’s three o’clock in the afternoon when I discover the open window in the upstairs bathroom.

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I had a lot of fun writing this, I really enjoyed the creepy descent into insanity. Maybe it was a bit too close to home, with the current lockdown. 😉 Anyway, stay safe you guys! More stories coming soon!

‘Donum Ex Deo’: My celestial tale for Reedsy!

21st Apr 2020Leave a comment

*Looks into your eyes, flushes guiltily then glances away* Yeah, I know, I’ve neglected this blog as of late. But, hey, we’re living during a global pandemic. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s struggling a bit to maintain previous standards. On that note, I hope you’re all well and that you’re looking after yourselves! Seriously, stay safe, everyone.

Anyway, I’ve got a huge backlog of stories to upload, and a huge backlog of artwork to upload to my sister blog. This story was written for the Reedsy contest Bad Hair Day; I chose the prompt, “Write a story about a character who’s too polite to tell someone they don’t like a gift given to them.” The title of my short story is Donum Ex Deo, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile.

“Well, what do you think?”

“Uh…”

“You do like it, don’t you?”

“Well…”

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Sorry for being so behind on everything, I hope you’ll excuse me, considering current circumstances. Take care, guys! I hope to have more of my stories up over the next few days.