Fifties by the Fire — a fifty-word, prompt-based writing challenge. Feel free to share your response below (and as a Note, if you’d like), or read and comment to join in on the fun.
Prompt: Use the word sphere in a fifty-word story (fiction, CNF, or poetry). Happy writing!
Here are the other guidelines:
Make sure your piece is exactly fifty words. Feel free to use Word Counter or the word processor you use.
Write a title with the genre in the first line. (Example: The Black Box, Fiction)
The title does not factor into the word count.
Good luck and have fun. Happy writing!
Special thanks to John Lightle for providing “Spheres” for our writing prompt.
John Lightle is a Texas writer, poet, and photographer who spends many hours sitting on his woodpile contemplating. When away from his frame shop, he schleps his artwork among area art shows. The job takes him across the countryside, occasionally overseas, photographing the quiet resolve found within the golden hours.
I’m here briefly, aiming to make waves. Like a pebble in a pond, my actions can ripple out causing a tsunami, resulting in chaos or peace. My hope? That the waves, within my sphere and beyond, will bring only floods of kindness, washing over the earth with joy and laughter.
I considered fake drowning to get her to notice me. Because I couldn’t stop noticing her. The way she wrapped her lips and tongue around that cherry red sphere of hardened sugar on a stick made my teeth hurt. I never knew her name. She was just Candy to me.
As soon as you said "sphere" my brain saw a "lollipop." 😂
I could write a novel inside the very tiny time frame of a girl eating a lollipop while our protagonist struggles to get up the nerve to talk to her. Could be fun!!
Our colony starship approached the planet within the hour. The purple sphere didn’t resemble the greens and ochres many of us knew from our previous home, but that was okay. It was alive. Unpolluted.
The sphere had a rhythmic, glowing, hypnotic pulse. The boy and his dog just stared. The dog shook. The boy reached down to touch it and his dog said “not yet.” The bird on the branch above said “not yet.” The boy was unable to speak, from that moment on.
It hovered above us for 110 days, silent, unmoving, a muted presence listening in on our collective mind. To save ourselves, we shut down all media, stopped our frantic, incessant chatter. The Sphere disappeared quietly as it had come, erasing away our vast internet.
Wow, Sharron! This is epic in scope. I absolutely love it. I wonder what the world would do (and how we’d move forward) if all media, the internet, etc was forced to shut down for some reason. Would we be in a world of trouble or would we persevere? I think people would go mad! Your story has given me a lot to think about! Thanks so much for sharing.
Chris, it’s great to see you by the fire! I couldn’t help but sense something ominous coming from this one. I appreciate all of the astrological references here as well. I’m going to have fun digging in here as I read it a couple more times! Thanks so much for sharing! Love your writing. It always makes me think.
thanks for the kind words, Justin- well, your timing of the writing event was impeccable. It coincided exactly with the new moon in aquarius, the transiting north node conjunct chiron, and right around the time of the chinese new year. the poem just provided a rare opportunity to say 'happy new moon' and 'may you live in interesting times' in one fell swoop :D
The sphere ball supported his aching back after his first day at the gym. The sphere shaped clock informed him that his workout had only been twenty minutes. And amidst the sphere shaped circular iron weights, all he could pay attention to was the juicy sphere burger round the corner!
The world’s finest glassblower filled his ledger with commissions for princes and dukes of every kingdom. This sphere was perfect. Nestled in a velvet-lined stand, it cast shimmering kaleidoscopes on the marbled terrace. The craftsman beamed. His Lordship stepped closer. Dazzled, he stumbled, an arm outstretched. One hairline crack. Shattered.
Oh, no! This is such a great take on the prompt, Barrie. I feel like an entire world came to life before me. I’m currently reading a fantasy novel (Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch) and your story would fit well in that world. Thanks a bunch for sharing!
Hi Justin, Here's my entry which is a true story from when I was walking the dog yesterday morning!
"The Ball
The blue plastic ball bounces down the dark empty road.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
A perfect sphere of innocent blandness.
Why do I fear this child’s play thing?
Then I have it.
It is moving against the wind. Making its inexorable path towards me.
Ignoring my shame, I turn and run."
I wrote a couple of 50 word short stories on your last prompt of Arrival/Departure but I missed the boat on that one. I'll publish them separately and give you a shout out so you can let me know what you think! Thanks very much for Fifties by the Fire. It's a really great idea and let's me read a lot of excellent fiction that I might otherwise have missed. All of the writers below are just awesome!
Daniel, thanks so much for sharing this! I really enjoyed it. There are so many talented writers here. We’re in good company. Sounds wonderful regarding your other fifties. Hope all is well and thanks again!
He thought about the terrible time they had. He wished he never took her. Now, holding the sphere in his hand, he saw his own reflection in the glass. He felt himself tighten, shifting its white landscape. He set it down. now in a flurry. The thing inside became unclear.
The most important things around are circular. Unless you're a flat-earther. Life itself is a circle. Live, die, and come around for another go. And it's beautiful, IMO.
Thank you for your acknowledgment Justin. I make it my business to offer my knowledge and talents and positivity to all those within my circles. But I have recently gotten the futility of war on a whole different level. Am unable to move the needle away from any who are in charge of funding such wars. Have a state presidential primary coming up and my ballot shows limited choices, a group of names unknown to me and many dropouts. Health care beyond my financial reach. And the list goes on.
It's Black History Month. As a long time student of African American literature, I offer three hybrid haikus from my Black Lives Matter section in my new book, Journeys of Voices and Choices, from Human Error Press. For me BLACK LIVES MATTERS reaches outwards and inwards and includes the incessant bravery and astonishing achievements of a group of people.
from The Black Lives MATTERS HAIKUS.
HARRIET TUBMAN
Bright eyes grip North Star
Hands grip revolver
She leads folks to first freedoms
Louis Armstrong
Orphan lifts horn.
The moon somersaults
And the saints come marching in.
Lil Armstrong. (Louis Armstrong's wife and piano player)
Here is a poem from my current work of poetry, Journeys of Voices and Choices, poems from late fall of 1964 to a few months ago.This poem "Bom" is part of a group called Middle East Mural.
You will find a wide variety of poems. I have also been very fortunate to get some terrific blurbs especially from a writer friend Ive known and read with since 1972!!1 and we are both still going strong at 78!
Hey everybody! My first book of poetry has been published by Human Error Press(which suits me since Ive made so many of them in my 78 years on this earth. You will have an unusual time with Journeys of Voices and Choices with a kaleidiscopic variety of styles, both traditional and completely innovative, and as oneoldfriend said, "It's actually FUN to read!: For those on the West Coast in SF Ill be reading February 17 Saturday from 3-5pm at. the Bernal Heights branch of the reknowned San Francisco library. For those on the East Coast, Ill be reading April 7th Sunday ( the day of Ghengis Khan's barmitvah) at Unnameable Books in Turner's Falls, Massachusetts. And stay tune, for there may be more readings.
Skyward, fiction
The invisible sphere settles around the old man, cradling him in warmth.
He’s unconscious, his breaths a thick death rattle. Somehow, he witnesses his entire life; it’s played before him like a splotchy motion-picture reel.
He’s ready: his chest stills.
The sphere lifts skyward, guiding his soul through limitless space.
"guiding his soul through limitless space". Fine work, Justin
Still working on my review of your collection, but here's another great example of how you like to play with death. So much death!
Why oh why do I always write about death, Stephen?! Help! 🤣 And thank you so much—hope all is well!
Nicely done.
Thanks, Mark!
A great way to go!
Oooooh.That last line!
Thank you, my friend!
A Pebble’s Impact -CNF
I’m here briefly, aiming to make waves. Like a pebble in a pond, my actions can ripple out causing a tsunami, resulting in chaos or peace. My hope? That the waves, within my sphere and beyond, will bring only floods of kindness, washing over the earth with joy and laughter.
Beautifully written with such an important message, GeorgeAnn. Thanks so much for sharing!
Candy – Fiction
I considered fake drowning to get her to notice me. Because I couldn’t stop noticing her. The way she wrapped her lips and tongue around that cherry red sphere of hardened sugar on a stick made my teeth hurt. I never knew her name. She was just Candy to me.
This is brilliant, Meg. Love it! The opening lines of your next YA, perhaps? I would read more of this story if there’s ever a continuation!
As soon as you said "sphere" my brain saw a "lollipop." 😂
I could write a novel inside the very tiny time frame of a girl eating a lollipop while our protagonist struggles to get up the nerve to talk to her. Could be fun!!
Haha, it’s perfect! The voice in your story is what drew me in. It feels distinct/unique, even with this piece at fifty words. 😊
Hop to it! Sounds like Meg Oolders.
Right?!
Very nice ... "cherry red sphere of hardened sugar on a stick" - delicious
Well done!
Ditto what Justin said. Oooo.
This is sugar-coated naughtiness perfection!
😊
“Second Chance” (sci-fi)
Our colony starship approached the planet within the hour. The purple sphere didn’t resemble the greens and ochres many of us knew from our previous home, but that was okay. It was alive. Unpolluted.
Unlike the dead rock we abandoned.
Maybe this time we can build a world that lasts
Oh, man! This is excellent, Rich! Let’s hope we can correct course before it’s too late. 🌎
“The dead rock”💜
Ah, hope.
Sphere - Fiction
The sphere had a rhythmic, glowing, hypnotic pulse. The boy and his dog just stared. The dog shook. The boy reached down to touch it and his dog said “not yet.” The bird on the branch above said “not yet.” The boy was unable to speak, from that moment on.
Wow, Uncle Scott! I love this. There’s a fable feel to it with a sci-fi slant. How cool! I’d love to read more of this story!
Cool story.
Whoa! So simple. So engaging. It has my wheels turning, I'll say that.
Spooky sci-fi! Love it!
Did the branch have an opinion?
The Sphere, fiction
It hovered above us for 110 days, silent, unmoving, a muted presence listening in on our collective mind. To save ourselves, we shut down all media, stopped our frantic, incessant chatter. The Sphere disappeared quietly as it had come, erasing away our vast internet.
We worship a new God now.
Wow, Sharron! This is epic in scope. I absolutely love it. I wonder what the world would do (and how we’d move forward) if all media, the internet, etc was forced to shut down for some reason. Would we be in a world of trouble or would we persevere? I think people would go mad! Your story has given me a lot to think about! Thanks so much for sharing.
Bravo.
Who's Afraid of the Ole New Moon? (poem)
At no point did he fear of something far
far like say the lesser spheres are;
Fixed stars or wanderers,
Eris, Algol, Chiron conjunct the node
a bodyless demon's head
at no point, except, until too late
when the new moon devoured, fell
in the wood dragon's foul scarlet craw.
Chris, it’s great to see you by the fire! I couldn’t help but sense something ominous coming from this one. I appreciate all of the astrological references here as well. I’m going to have fun digging in here as I read it a couple more times! Thanks so much for sharing! Love your writing. It always makes me think.
thanks for the kind words, Justin- well, your timing of the writing event was impeccable. It coincided exactly with the new moon in aquarius, the transiting north node conjunct chiron, and right around the time of the chinese new year. the poem just provided a rare opportunity to say 'happy new moon' and 'may you live in interesting times' in one fell swoop :D
be well out there!
Yes, I caught the Chinese new year allusion! Wonderful stuff. Hope all is well!
Sphere of life
The sphere ball supported his aching back after his first day at the gym. The sphere shaped clock informed him that his workout had only been twenty minutes. And amidst the sphere shaped circular iron weights, all he could pay attention to was the juicy sphere burger round the corner!
This is great, Sunil! I appreciated the levity and the fun, final twist. Nothing like a burger after a workout! 🍔 😄
Ha ha!! Glad it tickled you:)
The burger wins! 🤣
No contest:)
Count me in for the hamburgers, Sunil. Cute!
Lol!!
Great prompt. Slightly different take.
The Commission (flash fiction)
The world’s finest glassblower filled his ledger with commissions for princes and dukes of every kingdom. This sphere was perfect. Nestled in a velvet-lined stand, it cast shimmering kaleidoscopes on the marbled terrace. The craftsman beamed. His Lordship stepped closer. Dazzled, he stumbled, an arm outstretched. One hairline crack. Shattered.
Oh, no! This is such a great take on the prompt, Barrie. I feel like an entire world came to life before me. I’m currently reading a fantasy novel (Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch) and your story would fit well in that world. Thanks a bunch for sharing!
Off to check out work by Scott Lynch ... not a genre I'm super-familiar with so a great trail of breadcrumbs to follow. Thanks so much.
Enjoy! His first in the series is titled The Lies of Locke Lamora. I’m hooked. He’s an incredible writer!
Oops!
Lord Clumsy!
It shrieked, resemblng a greasy unshaven orange with three months grubby brown scabs.
"Is THAT what's shrieking at our door?"
"I'm not sure," my wife shivered.
It shrieked again. We covered our ears.
I locked the door. The shriek encircled me.
"Itzzsphere. We have nothing to fear but fear itself."
Another Try - Fiction
He held the sphere between his thumb and index finger. It was perfectly round. Looking closely, he could have sworn it got slightly larger.
“What do you call this?”
“A Universe.”
“What should I do with it?”
“Throw it on the pile over there. Let’s see what this one does.”
Love this, Mark! You’ve painted such a visual scene in such a short space. Such a clever idea, too! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story.
It was fun. Thanks for the prompt.
And that is how you pull the rug out from under your reader. A mighty twist! Outstanding!
Thank you, Stephen. 🤓
Hi Justin, Here's my entry which is a true story from when I was walking the dog yesterday morning!
"The Ball
The blue plastic ball bounces down the dark empty road.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
A perfect sphere of innocent blandness.
Why do I fear this child’s play thing?
Then I have it.
It is moving against the wind. Making its inexorable path towards me.
Ignoring my shame, I turn and run."
I wrote a couple of 50 word short stories on your last prompt of Arrival/Departure but I missed the boat on that one. I'll publish them separately and give you a shout out so you can let me know what you think! Thanks very much for Fifties by the Fire. It's a really great idea and let's me read a lot of excellent fiction that I might otherwise have missed. All of the writers below are just awesome!
Daniel, thanks so much for sharing this! I really enjoyed it. There are so many talented writers here. We’re in good company. Sounds wonderful regarding your other fifties. Hope all is well and thanks again!
White Memories-fiction
He thought about the terrible time they had. He wished he never took her. Now, holding the sphere in his hand, he saw his own reflection in the glass. He felt himself tighten, shifting its white landscape. He set it down. now in a flurry. The thing inside became unclear.
Spheres.
The most important things around are circular. Unless you're a flat-earther. Life itself is a circle. Live, die, and come around for another go. And it's beautiful, IMO.
Peek-a-boo, fiction
You cannot hide from us.
Ripples emanate outward from the sphere in all directions.
Not dissimilar to a buoy on a lake - except that's flat. Two dimensional.
Your reverberations echo through space and time.
That is how we found you.
Inconsequential ripples that normally go unnoticed.
Reflections refracting off moonbeams.
Love this, Stephen! Your first and final sentences are both incredible!
You’re too kind. Although I did a lot of tinkering because I felt it was a nice premise.
It's a Spherical Spherical World, CNF
As Bubba would say it to Forrest,
"You have sphere, and you have hemisphere, and
you have atmosphere, and you have biosphere, and
you have lithosphere, and you have ionosphere, and
you have magnetosphere, and you have photosphere, and
you have stratosphere, and you have troposphere, and
then you have...
Haha! I love this. 🤣 I can hear him saying it to Forrest. Haven’t seen that movie in ages—kinda want to watch it now. Thanks for the chuckle, James!
Thank you for your acknowledgment Justin. I make it my business to offer my knowledge and talents and positivity to all those within my circles. But I have recently gotten the futility of war on a whole different level. Am unable to move the needle away from any who are in charge of funding such wars. Have a state presidential primary coming up and my ballot shows limited choices, a group of names unknown to me and many dropouts. Health care beyond my financial reach. And the list goes on.
It's Black History Month. As a long time student of African American literature, I offer three hybrid haikus from my Black Lives Matter section in my new book, Journeys of Voices and Choices, from Human Error Press. For me BLACK LIVES MATTERS reaches outwards and inwards and includes the incessant bravery and astonishing achievements of a group of people.
from The Black Lives MATTERS HAIKUS.
HARRIET TUBMAN
Bright eyes grip North Star
Hands grip revolver
She leads folks to first freedoms
Louis Armstrong
Orphan lifts horn.
The moon somersaults
And the saints come marching in.
Lil Armstrong. (Louis Armstrong's wife and piano player)
Razzle-dazzle Lil
Plays first set left hand
Writes second set with right hand.
Coleman Hawkins
He played his heart inside out.
Blood flew everywhere. Earth soared....
Even when he wept
Christ he swung. Even
The stars kept time, tapping.
Holiday
Billie knew what a little
Moonlight can do ooo ooo
Her starlight-in-reverse
Trail terrrifies
The night sails backwards, plunges
Seas of roaring gardenias
Ellington
When the Duke's mom died
He filled up her church
Thousands of yellow flowers
MalcolmX
Bonfire eyes blazed
Devoured whole libraries
Read us the riot act
These are incredible!
Do I or Don't I? poetry
Who has a sphere of influence over me?
Friends or foes, family, my cat?
For the bigger picture, no one really
Maybe the Almighty in the long run
Wish I were more sure about that
Do I have a sphere of influence?
Don't think so though have tried many times
A lovely poem, Sharon. Thank you so much for sharing. And for what it’s worth, you’ve had an incredibly positive influence on me!
Here is a poem from my current work of poetry, Journeys of Voices and Choices, poems from late fall of 1964 to a few months ago.This poem "Bom" is part of a group called Middle East Mural.
Bomb
I went out for pizza,
And ate all my blood.
I went to buy shoes,
And saw my foot fly through the air.
Hold me, mother.
For the last time , hold me.
Ernie Brill. 2003
Whoa, Ernie. This is visceral and hits hard. A heavy and incredibly well written poem! I look forward to checking out your book!
You will find a wide variety of poems. I have also been very fortunate to get some terrific blurbs especially from a writer friend Ive known and read with since 1972!!1 and we are both still going strong at 78!
Good for both of you. Inspiring stuff, my friend. Just ordered myself a copy. Looking forward to its arrival!
Hey everybody! My first book of poetry has been published by Human Error Press(which suits me since Ive made so many of them in my 78 years on this earth. You will have an unusual time with Journeys of Voices and Choices with a kaleidiscopic variety of styles, both traditional and completely innovative, and as oneoldfriend said, "It's actually FUN to read!: For those on the West Coast in SF Ill be reading February 17 Saturday from 3-5pm at. the Bernal Heights branch of the reknowned San Francisco library. For those on the East Coast, Ill be reading April 7th Sunday ( the day of Ghengis Khan's barmitvah) at Unnameable Books in Turner's Falls, Massachusetts. And stay tune, for there may be more readings.
Congratulations, Ernie!!! This is such exciting news! Best wishes with the release of your book and future readings. 🎉
My entry was less than 50. But that's allowed, right?
Oh of course, Rene! There are no real rules here. 😊
Sweet! Thanks!
YA novel, I meant to say. Oops!