You’re too stressed. You need to take a break. You’re going to burn out.
This is what Nathan hears from Julia.
When he challenges her – because what is she really trying to say here? Because surely this is all about her, because isn’t everything, in the end, about her? – Julia insists that she only tells him such things because she loves him. Because she wants her boyfriend to be happy and health...
2021-08-28 16:30:10 +0000 UTC View Post
Thank you special helpers for submitting such creative ideas! ⭐ Now everyone, it's time to vote in this double-theme poll for your favorite "Back to pre-school/nursery" or "Hypnosis"ideas, and help inspire our flash and exclusive tales for September.
Patrons, you can vote for as many stories as you like.
2021-08-22 16:03:56 +0000 UTC View Post
“I’d do anything.”
It’s something you say.
Allison’s sister has four daughters. Madison’s girls seemed to just come on demand, like GrubHub.
Not for Allison. Not after checking Allison’s lady parts and trying IVF (bankrupting, excruciating), not after quality testing Chip’s sperm (embarrassing, validating).
It wasn’t Chip’s fault. Not Allison’s, either. Some things just aren’t meant to happe...
2021-08-15 15:56:55 +0000 UTC View Post
Hi special helpers! So last month we voted for a September theme, and we got two clear winners. So this month, I'm asking for ideas for both/either of these 🙂:
back to school/nursery
hypnosis
Please comment here with your one-line story ideas (as many as you like, but each idea can only be one line - this Is high-concept time, like "man gets dream job, only to find that..." or "woman wins lottery and ...
2021-08-13 12:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's a pre-Covid Parkdale tale for you to enjoy. With thanks to Fossil for both support and imagination, I'm happy to publish "Repercussion" today in full.
2021-08-11 14:14:25 +0000 UTC View PostHey, let's just read it now 🙂
1
“Female actors have an expiration date. I told you that twenty years ago.”
Starla looks into her compact mirror as she listens to her agent, Derek, on the phone, during their regular Monday catch-up.
“You’re too choosy. The roles you’ve had in the past, they’re not appropriate anymore.”
Meaning she’s too old. Meaning at 32, she’s over the h...
2021-08-10 20:43:48 +0000 UTC View Post
Doug can’t stop thinking about them; how they feel when he moves, what they mean for tonight. But like Patricia says, it’s okay; no one can see them.
Secret underwear, safely worn underneath Doug’s pajamas.
It was Harry’s bedroom they visited, not Patricia’s. A pair of adult-sized briefs, clearly designed for a little boy, complete with a toy car motif. As soon as Doug let Patricia pull them up his legs, he noticed t...
2021-07-31 13:49:38 +0000 UTC View PostIt’s the buckles that Harry keeps coming back to. Because the buckles, once opened (which is a feat of manual dexterity worth attempting again and again) reveal the numbers.
Doug points at the numbers with his finger, counting, from one to ten. Not for the first time, and surely not the last. Because Harry really likes this game, and as it turns out, Harry really likes Doug.
The ice was broken so quickly, so easily. ...
2021-07-30 12:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Toys et cetera
E. 55th Street, Chicago
The Mickey Mouse shape-sorter truck is made out of recycled milk jugs.
“Ten jugs!” Patricia exclaims, reading the outside of the box.
“Wow,” says Doug, “That’s something.” In truth, he’s not interested in recycled plastic. He’s not that interested in Mickey Mouse, for that matter. But he’s definitely i...
2021-07-28 12:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
I asked for ideas for themes, and you responded. Thank you! Time now to vote on the theme(s) that you like the most. This vote is open to all patrons, and you can vote for as many themes as you want.
And I know, it's hard when you're in the minority, but I'm noting what people are asking for, and I'll do my best to make sure everything gets covered at some point :)
Thank you special helpers for submitted such creative ideas! ⭐ Now everyone, it's time to vote for your favorite 'careful what you wish for' ideas, and help inspire our flash and exclusive tales for August.
Patrons, you can vote for as many stories as you like.
[Edit - sorry the last option should read "A high school senior wishes her classes weren't 2021-07-17 15:41:10 +0000 UTC View Post
Ah, let's just read it today 😊
It’s different at work. When I’m in the office - putting the finishing touches to a report, leading a meeting - I feel confident. Why wouldn’t I? Senior manager, proven track record, and I’m not even thirty years old.
After work, riding the B train back to my apartment, that’s when I begin to get nervous. I can’t sit still; I have to make sure that I have my phone, my keys.
Suzie th...
2021-07-17 11:38:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Looking ahead to...September (I know, where does the time go...) I wanted to ask y'all for story theme suggestions. Here are some of the the themes we've had in the past:
So, please let me know what you think our next theme should be 😊 If we get a bunch of ideas, then we will use a poll to deci...
2021-07-15 19:41:29 +0000 UTC View Post
It’s the day before we leave. We see my Mum for dinner, same as we do every Sunday.
After tonight, it’ll be different. We’ll be two hours away. No more nipping over for a cup of tea. No more popping in for a chat. So I expected some recriminations as we eat. She made me my favourite; scampi and chips, Vienetta for pudding, but with a perfect menu, Mum was sure to turn on the waterworks.
It’s like I’m losing a piece of me! 2021-07-15 11:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Let's get going with our 'potty-training' themed July 😊
2021-07-14 20:25:51 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello, special helpers! With July's "potty training" tales already in the works, I would love to see your AR ideas around the classic AR theme of:
be careful what you wish for
Please comment here with your one-line story ideas (as many as you like, but each idea can only be one line - this Is high-concept time, like "man gets dream job, only to find that..." or "woman wins lottery and decides to show off her wealth but ends up..." - ...
2021-07-10 15:46:13 +0000 UTC View Post“Handsome boy,” says Jessica lightly. Standing opposite him, she strokes his chest, past his toned stomach, until he pulls away. “Such a handsome boy.” She looks at him appreciatively. “When I saw you at Ed Street, sitting at the bar with a Stella, I thought to myself, ‘Might as well do someone who’s good looking.’” She grins. “I wanted a handsome puppy.”
I’m not a puppy, Max almost argues. But that’s not the point.
The test is the point.
He puts a hand up, to stop Jessica touchin...
2021-07-01 02:15:40 +0000 UTC View PostMax’s stomach growls. Like a dog, like a puppy. He almost bursts out laughing.
“Come on,” says Jessica. “Mummy’s going to make you pancakes.” She beams at him. “All good boys love pancakes.”
The menu sounds agreeable; the name does not.
“You’re not…” Max begins quietly, awkwardly. Why doesn’t he just say it? What is he afraid of?
Jessica lowers her hands. “Not…?”
Somehow, he can’t say it. Max can’t point out the most obvious thing. That he’s too old, too big, to be this woma...
2021-06-30 01:45:37 +0000 UTC View Post
Ngatea
Max wakes up thinking of Jessica’s smile. He thinks of the freckles dusting her cheeks, the strawberry-blonde hair that frames her face.
Max thinks of Jessica and he feels nothing but love for her. Love and devotion. Obedience.
Because he’s a good puppy.
Opening his eyes, he’s surprised that she’s not there, looking down at him.
He’s alone in the room. Is that normal? Is that right?
There...
2021-06-28 16:35:30 +0000 UTC View PostThank you special helpers for submitted your ideas! ⭐ Now everyone, it's time to vote for your favorite 'potty training' ideas, and help inspire our flash and exclusive tales for July.
Patrons, you can vote for as many stories as you like.
It’s all worked out. I graduated high school two weeks ago, and I’m spending the summer getting ready for college.
Get a summer job, buy a car, pick my first semester classes, find a place to live, get a part-time job I can fit around my college schedule. I keep a list on my phone of all the steps, so when I start to think it’s too much, that I can’t cope, I look at the list and remember, it’s one step at a time.
Oh....
2021-06-17 22:54:30 +0000 UTC View Post
Stan nods at the interviewer. “Yeah, good question. Trying to get back on my feet. Made some mistakes, got into some trouble.” He glances around the room – how many nondescript offices has he sat in, just like this one? - and nods at his own story. “Chance for me to turn over a new leaf, you know?”
Not true. But it sounds true. How does Stan manage to sound convincing? By repeating the phrases his mother says to him, trying ...
2021-06-10 22:30:14 +0000 UTC View Post
