Fifties by the Fire — a fifty-word, prompt-based writing challenge. Feel free to share your response below, or read and comment to join in on the fun.
Prompt: Write a fifty-word story (or poem, or work of CNF — any genre) that uses the word vortex, portal, or whirlpool. Use all three, if you’d like! For an extra challenge, add a speculative, sci-fi, or fantasy slant to your story. (But you by no means have to - just a thought.)
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: Off the Trail, Fiction)
The title does not factor into the word count.
Good luck and have fun. Happy writing!
Special thanks to John Lightle for providing “Vortex on the Creek” 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.
A brachiosaurus! Man! That unexpected twist took your story up a few notches, if you ask me, and 100 million years back in time! ( Cool way of referencing a specific time jump without having to mention the time.)
The swirling clouds had just turned a sickly shade of green, when the girl witnessed them changing into a whirlpool right before her eyes. The desert was was dry, yes they need rain, but not this-not what was coming. Unfortunately for her, she dove for the nearest arroyo.
Unbridled lust floods her quivering body as she waits. When the door slowly opens, she runs to him, a whirlpool of desire. He takes her in his arms, breathes into her ear the two words she longs to hear.
The green glass door is a portal. Nobody knows from where it came, or where it goes. Only few can enter — a mutt, but not a dog, a sheep, but not a cow. Lucas is rejected, but Sally leaps on through. I've discovered the secret of the green glass door.
Rebecca gets through, but Justin doesn’t. A cup of coffee does - twice, in fact - but the cup of tea doesn’t. Unless it’s the British vernacular version, cuppa!
Jan 21, 2023·edited Jan 22, 2023Liked by Justin Deming
"...world became a mirror...Now, they were faced with themselves." Yikes! This is a nightmare! How many people could bear being faced with themselves? Excellent, Chris!
Staticky white noise. A frothy chop moved rapidly across the bay on an otherwise calm day, batting her around; a cat with string. Tiny whirlpools encircling her, sucking her paddle into their vortex. The kayak wobbled, uncertain, then righted itself. The sea smelled like wet rust. The fog rolling in.
A Whirl Through Time, Fiction
The whirlpool appeared before us. It was a monster. A calamity.
It pulled our ship into its current, then forced us into the downward spiral. We prayed. Cried.
Yet water didn’t fill our ship – our lungs.
We emerged on a coastline with tall, leafy trees.
A Brachiosaurus turned its head.
Ooh, a time portal. I love it!
Thanks, Dascha!
A brachiosaurus! Man! That unexpected twist took your story up a few notches, if you ask me, and 100 million years back in time! ( Cool way of referencing a specific time jump without having to mention the time.)
Thanks, Sharron! Best wishes to those poor souls on that ship. At least they bumped into an herbivore, ha!
Desert Terror
The swirling clouds had just turned a sickly shade of green, when the girl witnessed them changing into a whirlpool right before her eyes. The desert was was dry, yes they need rain, but not this-not what was coming. Unfortunately for her, she dove for the nearest arroyo.
Whoa, this is awesome, Kim! Frightening, too. The visuals you created are powerful! 🔥
ANTICIPATION - fiction by Sharron at 🍁Leaves
Unbridled lust floods her quivering body as she waits. When the door slowly opens, she runs to him, a whirlpool of desire. He takes her in his arms, breathes into her ear the two words she longs to hear.
Häagen-Dazs? he whispers.
Oh baby, she sighs, yes yes YES!
Haha! I love this. Her response made me laugh. Who doesn’t want to hear those two words? I completely understand why she feels this way. 🤣
Well, darn it, you get old and your priorities change...
Amen, sistah!
This is awesome!
Thanks, Dascha. When most of one's alternative opportunities disappear, Ice cream is a darned good substitute... Right?
Riddles by the Fire, Fiction
The green glass door is a portal. Nobody knows from where it came, or where it goes. Only few can enter — a mutt, but not a dog, a sheep, but not a cow. Lucas is rejected, but Sally leaps on through. I've discovered the secret of the green glass door.
I’m intrigued! I feel like this one needs to evolve into a short story, Brian! 😄
You just have to figure out the riddle, and you'll know the same secret as I do 😁 This would be a great exercise for your classroom at school.
Aha!!! I think I figured it out. Maybe? Jelly could pass through, but not jam....is that correct?! Fun story, Brian. 😀
Yes! Neither of us could pass through, but Sharron Bassano could 😁
Haha, yes! 😂 I may have to bring this into school on Monday. Thanks so much for sharing!
And now everyone who reads this is going to be like what are those two jokers talking about 🤣
Rebecca gets through, but Justin doesn’t. A cup of coffee does - twice, in fact - but the cup of tea doesn’t. Unless it’s the British vernacular version, cuppa!
Great story, AWESOME puzzle!
Bring me back a souvenir, please! 😄
Thanks, but I believe I will steer clear of that old green glass door. I am a real lacy-pants - and don't have what it takes to risk it.
So ... um.... could beets pass through but not rutabagas??
You got it!
Hey! What? Hold on a minute.
I guessed differently, but based on the letters...it might have been correct.
It looks like it may be based on where in the alphabet the name of the creature falls? Only the latter half of the alphabet from "M" onward?
It's double letters. Look at the words and names. I'd be in too.
I realized that after! 😊
Do tell! This sounds like the opening for a much longer story.
The Restart, Fiction
The metal had remained cool for so long, the tunnels inside undisturbed. Dormant.
Patiently it waited, while the white coats ran their tests.
They should have left it that way.
When they pressed the button, the portal opened and their world became a mirror.
Now, they were faced with themselves.
Eeek! Spooky stuff. Makes you wonder...great story, Chris!
Thank you!
Wow wow wow. Even minus the portal, IRL, we rarely want to face ourselves!
Thanks Amie!
"...world became a mirror...Now, they were faced with themselves." Yikes! This is a nightmare! How many people could bear being faced with themselves? Excellent, Chris!
Haha! Exactly! Thank you
Reversing Falls, Fiction
Staticky white noise. A frothy chop moved rapidly across the bay on an otherwise calm day, batting her around; a cat with string. Tiny whirlpools encircling her, sucking her paddle into their vortex. The kayak wobbled, uncertain, then righted itself. The sea smelled like wet rust. The fog rolling in.
So atmospheric, Amie! I feel like I’m planted there in the kayak with her. Your writing (and storytelling) is superb!
This is strange. I posted a story but I don't see it.
Hmm...maybe try posting it again? I’m not sure why that would happen. (Unless somehow it got sucked through Brian’s green glass door.) 😄