Erotic Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 2-3-12

2012-01-30T08:08:00.001-06:00

(Image stolen from Lexi some time ago; artist and title unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 2-3-12, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 85-105 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...crystalline..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 1-13-12: "Reflected Desire"

2012-01-13T00:01:00.004-06:00

(Image provided by David; artist, Helmut Newton, title unknown)

There were no restraints, no checks on her motion. Just the sure and certain knowledge that if she moved so much as an inch, he'd be gone like smoke. “Be still” he'd said, and he meant it.

With nowhere to turn, she gazed at her reflected form. Her arms ached. Her legs burned from the strain of holding herself so erect. The heels were killing her...but damn if they didn't sculpt the hell out of her calves. Her skin gleamed, pale and pearlescent. Her frame was spare and taut, muscles drawn in sharp relief. Her breasts stood tall and proud, nipples pointy, hard with excitement. She felt her breath quicken as she realized that she was maddeningly desirable. Her mouth watered, and she felt herself getting wetter by the second.

And she realized: This. This is what he was waiting for.

In a cracked and failing voice, she breathed, “Take me now...please?”

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 85-188 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...cracked and failing..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break. My own was a mix of business and pleasure, with more of the latter than the former, fortunately.

This little vignette was almost effortless for me, with my fingers racing on the keyboard to catch the words before they escaped. It makes me happy when it's that simple. Then again, a picture like this truly is worth a thousand words. To me, she looks a bit strained from holding that position, but I think there's also a fair amount of excitement and anticipation. Let's see if any of you think the same!

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to David for providing this week's photo.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 1-13-12

2012-01-09T08:03:00.001-06:00

(Image provided by David; artist, Helmut Newton, title unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 1-13-12, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 85-188 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...cracked and failing..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Check back here on Friday for the list of participants as well as my own take, and then again on Monday for the next FFF challenge! And as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see used in an upcoming week, send them my way. Thanks to David for providing this week's photo.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 12-9-11: "Breakfast Surprise"

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

(Image source: "Sunny Sunday Morning" by T.C. Reiner)

She staggered out into the kitchen, drawn by the aroma of her Elixir of Life. Her head was still pounding after last night's pounding, but she'd have done it all again in a second.

And might still, she thought speculatively, watching his ass work as he moved about in front of the stove. He wore an apron and nothing else.

“Ah! You're awake,” he said calmly. “Breakfast first, then dessert.”

“Dessert?” she wondered as she poured, still half awake.

“Why, yes,” he said. “First we get our strength back...then I attack you again and have you for afters.”

She shivered deliciously, feeling the clockwork mechanism get started, the floodgates opening again. “Wonderful,” she smiled, and sipped from her cup.

And choked, convulsed, sprayed the mouthful all over the kitchen. He whirled around, spatula held high, shouting, “What? What is it???”

“Burned coffee,” she coughed.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 60-160 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...burned coffee..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I'm not quite sure where I got the key phrase; it just popped into my head. Likewise, my approach on this one. I'm a big fan of sex after breakfast (or sex before breakfast.....or sex in the middle of breakfast) so I guess this isn't a big surprise. I don't do much good in the kitchen but I do well with breakfast stuff, and I do like to feed my partner the morning after a long night of fun. And yes, I've done the "apron only" thing once or twice.

Still, I know a few people who can't get started without their morning coffee, and even a prelude of foreplay would go awry if the coffee was burned. Not having a taste for the stuff myself, I wouldn't know. I hope you enjoyed this one.

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Please note that this will likely be the last FFF for the year. Starting early next week I will be traveling for the remainder of the year and my Internet access on private computers is going to be extremely spotty. You may see a post here and there, or I may leave comments once in a while, but don't count on it.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year. I'll see you all in 2012.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 12-9-11

2011-12-05T09:24:00.002-06:00

(Image source: "Sunny Sunday Morning" by T.C. Reiner)

Your challenge for this Friday, 12-9-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 60-160 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...burned coffee..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Check back here on Friday for the list of participants as well as my own take! And as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see used in an upcoming week, send them my way.

NOTE to all FFF regulars: This may be the final FFF for this year. I will be traveling for personal reasons from the 13th until the end of the year and so may not have access to a private PC, depending. I should know more by this Friday.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 11-18-11: "Over Too Soon"

2011-11-18T00:01:00.005-06:00

(Source image: "Monday" by Darren Hopes)

“It isn't fair, is it, Basil?” she mused aloud. “The weekends are just too damn short. Monday always comes too soon.” She grimaced. “If only some of my clients would too. Then I wouldn't be so sore, even after a weekend off.”

She sighed, and stubbed her cigarette out on the front stoop. “Ah well. No use moping; I'd better get back to work.” She stood and stretched, resigned to another week of empty embraces and unforgiving beds, of panted promises and protestations of love that never amounted to anything.

She drew back her shoulders so her breasts stood up nicely, and flashed a smile at the gentleman walking down the street. “Good morning, fine sir. Fancy a bit of a frolic?”

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 86-136 words. Additionally, I provided a key word I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...resigned..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

There was something a bit sad and lost about the woman in this artwork. I wanted to capture some of that in this little tale but when I started writing it went somewhere a bit different. She seems more fatalistic than sad, more resigned to her job than trapped by it. I suppose there could be worse ways to be making a living.

I'm not sure where I got the name "Basil" from. The cat just looks like a Basil to me.

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 11-18-11

2011-11-14T08:42:00.002-06:00

(Source image: "Monday" by Darren Hopes)

Your challenge for this Friday, 11-18-11, is to use the artwork above to write a flash fiction of 86-136 words. I would also like you to please use this word in your submission:

"...resigned..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 11-4-11: "On Sale Now"

2011-11-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Image source unknown but was titled "Entertainment Center")

“Thirty thousand? You gotta be fucking kidding me,” Howard laughed.

“I assure you, sir, it's worth every penny,” the salesman rejoined. “It has everything you need for a solitary evening of Monday Night Football.”

“Well...it is very well constructed,” Howard mused. “So lifelike...hey!” He jumped back as if his fingers had been burned. “It's warm to the touch!”

“Of course, sir!” the salesman said eagerly. “We strive for realism in our models.”

He shot Howard a knowing glance. “Would you care to try it out?”

Howard licked his lips, feeling his cock start to throb. “I, um...do you have a private room?”

The salesman smirked. “No need, sir. We've seen it all before.”

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 75-125 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...so lifelike..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I really really didn't like this picture, so I compromised by turning it into a display at a big-box store and making the guy who was buying it into a loser who can't get a girl of his own and has to pay thirty thousand for his "entertainment center". And then took it even more over the top by suggesting that there are so many of these sold that the customers "trying them out" in public was so common that the salesmen had become inured to it. The ridiculous approach was the only one I could come up with to make it palatable for me. I hate nude photos or porn that objectifies women.

Sadly, I think the fact is that something like this would be a big success. What a world we live in....

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 11-4-11

2011-11-01T08:51:00.001-05:00

(Image source unknown but was titled "Entertainment Center")

Trying something a bit different this week. For the first time I'm posting a picture that I find personally objectionable. Your challenge for this Friday, 11-4-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 75-125 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...so lifelike..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 10-28-11: "Sex on Dark Wings"

2011-10-28T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Battire" by Gernot)

The night air was heavy with promise. I breathed hard as I stroked, loving the exposure, feeling the explosion build.

Then, behind me, the tenebrous whir of leathery wings. I turned; she alighted. Skin pale as the moon, round heavy breasts, tresses of ebony, lips red as blood...delicate black wings.

“So glad I chose this rooftop to begin my hunt this evening,” she murmured. And began walking toward me, her gaze devouring my every inch.

“Uh.” Play the host, that's what you do for unexpected guests. “Uh, can I, would you like a drink? Some wine?”

“Oh no,” she purred, still moving in that slow stalk, eyeing my hardness deliberately. “I do not drink.....wine.”

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today, this near-Halloween day, was to use the slightly spooky picture above and write a flash fiction of 80-120 words. Additionally, I wanted you to use this H.P. Lovecraft word in your fic:

"...tenebrous..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

Truthfully, from the instant I chose this photo there was really no question about what direction I was going with it. The idea of the temptress, the succubus, the sexy female vampire -- all of these get plenty of play in many an erotic fantasy, and I'm no different. Maybe I wouldn't react so calmly if I was caught on a rooftop with my cock in my hand by a bat-winged temptress who obviously wanted fresh meat, but not blood, but hell, who knows?

And yes, I know her lips are black and not red. Sue me. :)

Happy Halloween! If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 10-28-11

2011-10-24T08:19:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Battire" by Gernot)

Happy Halloween! Your challenge for this Friday, 10-28-11, is to use the picture above to write a spooky flash fiction of 80-120 words. I would also like you to please use this H.P. Lovecraft word in your submission:

"...tenebrous..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 10-21-11: "Aural Sex"

2011-10-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

(Source image: unknown title by Beau Monde; website link broken)

“Just listen,” he said. “I think it's the best I've done yet.”

She put the headphones on, and...

...was lost, utterly, swept away and undone. Bass throbbed in her bones. Panoramic strings of notes curled around, holding her close. Point-counterpoint bore her along, synth waves buoying her up, steadying. Images flared in her brain, slow-sweet moans, lisping sounds of bodies locked together, slippery with sweat, fumbling towards ecstasy, cramped with desire, rigid in pained delight.

“Well?” he asked.

She couldn't speak. She just nodded.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 38-98 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...pained delight..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

No, I don't have any idea where the key words for this week's challenge came from. They just jumped into my head unbidden and refused to leave till I put them down as part of the challenge. I hope they weren't too much of a burden for the rest of you.

I've been musing over the idea of music as a sexual experience. There have been times when the song I was listening to was so transcendent, the notes so just right, the environment so enveloping, the power and wonder of it all so extreme that it was almost a religious thing. Quite a trick, for an atheist. And it occurred to me that with very little alteration, what is religion to some could be sexual for others. Music gets a lot of people horny, but what would music sound like if it was the very representation of the sexual experience? I tried to capture some of that in this very short piece, and think I succeeded. Opinions may differ.

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 10-21-11

2011-10-17T08:00:00.001-05:00

(Source image: unknown title by Beau Monde; website link broken)

Your challenge for this Friday, 10-21-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 38-98 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...pained delight..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 10-14-11: "Worth a Thousand Fantasies"

2011-10-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Framed" by Marcus J Ranum)

The instructor adjusted the frame, then stepped back, satisfied. “There,” he said. “Thirty minutes.”

Lyla settled back on her heels. Now that the time was actually here, she searched for a hint of her earlier panic, but it was nowhere to be found. Serene as a Hindu cow, she sat there, an object before their gazes.

The pose she'd chosen allowed her to glance around without disturbing her arrangement. She saw marked admiration in every glance, and caught some of that excitement herself. Her breasts drew tight and her nipples stood tall. Between her thighs, the insistent pulse mounted high.

“I love art class,” she thought.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 80-112 words. Additionally, I asked that you include the emotion of "calm" somewhere in the piece.

Nobody's checking word counts, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

Not much to say this week, other than to say that I think the young lady in this photo is just lovely. I want to run my hands over that lovely smooth skin, caress those sweet curves. I love her purple hair, too, and wish I'd found some way to work that into the story.

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 10-14-11

2011-10-11T08:31:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Framed" by Marcus J Ranum)

Your challenge for this Friday, 10-14-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 80-112 words. Rather than use a word prompt this week, I would like you to include the emotion of "calm" somewhere in your piece.

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key requirement, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 10-7-11: "The Treatment Was Successful........"

2011-10-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

(Source image by Vlad Gansovsky, title unknown)

“........at least, that's my opinion. You should give it a try!” Lisa said cheerfully.

Paul and Jane looked at each other tentatively. Jane licked her lips.

“What would it hurt?” she mused.

“Might even be fun,” he said.

“Okay, let's try!” And with that, she began tearing enthusiastically at his clothes. He growled and yanked her sweater open. Buttons flew everywhere and her breasts spilled into his hands. He dove in, sucking and licking as if his life depended on it. She pulled his slacks and boxers down, his cock flopping free and then rapidly swelling as she gave it a tongue bath. His hands were all over her, twining in her hair, grabbing her ass, slipping between her legs to find her, surprisingly, just as ready as he.

She jumped into his lap, lifting and sinking down with a groan. He gasped too as she started bucking, riding him wildly.

The lobby door opened, the receptionist glancing down at her clipboard. “Mr. and Mrs.....Johanssen, was it? Dr. Ruth will see you now.”

Lisa sipped at her coffee, glancing at Paul and Jane. They hadn't even heard. “I don't think they need to see the doctor anymore,” she said.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 78-208 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...enthusiastically..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

This one was fun. I looked at this picture and immediately thought "doctor's office!" And my imagination was off and running. At first I thought Paul and Jane were just bored and killing some time while they waited (you know how it is when you're waiting at the doctor's, the wait is interminable). Then, I'm not sure why, I took a closer look at the woman sitting next to them. She didn't look bored to me, but a bit smug. With that, my take on the picture solidified. This wasn't just any doctor's office, but a sex therapist's, where Paul and Jane were supposed to be meeting with the doctor to discuss their problems. But the woman sitting next to them had struck up a conversation with them, and given them a bit of good advice (more likely just a bit of common sense), and pretty soon they discovered they don't have any problems after all.

It's purely coincidental that they chose to try it out right then and there, of course. Has nothing to do with the fact that I think it would be really hot to have sex in a doctor's reception room with nobody caring. (God, I really am becoming an exhibitionist at heart).

Trivia: "The Treatment Was Successful......" is from that line of the old joke. The next line, of course, is ".......but the patient died." For those who actually know the joke, I thought it would add a bit of urgency to the story even before you read it. The use of "Dr. Ruth" was just so it was clear they were visiting a sex therapist. Both of these things are what's commonly known as "overthinking it", incidentally.

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 10-7-11

2011-10-04T09:44:00.002-05:00

(Source image by Vlad Gansovsky, title unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 10-7-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 78-208 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...enthusiastically..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 9-30-11: "Successful Campaign"

2011-09-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

(Image this week provided by Lexi, original source unknown...but doesn't it look like an advertisement?)

She was tall and slim, dark and pretty; he, short and round, bearded and bespectacled. They stared out the windows, side by side, looking down at the world below. Their vantage point accorded them a 360-degree view of the teeming streets.

“How does it work?” she wanted to know.

“I haven't the slightest idea, really. The neuroanatomists and chemists and physiologists who developed it could explain it, but every time they tried, my eyes glazed over.”

“Not interested in the technical side of things, eh?”

“Guilty as charged. All I care about is, does it work?”

“I guess we'll know soon enough, won't we? The transmitter was hooked up last night.”

“Where is it?”

“Ground floor level, disguised as a streetlamp.”

Her hand reached out, closed around the switch on the pedestal nearby. She hesitated.

“Is this right?”

His hand closed over hers, squeezing it gently. “Our culture is too repressed. There's too much emotional hurt and baggage attached. Sex should be fun between two people – or more than two. All we're doing is giving them a little help.”

“We'll see,” she murmured, almost inaudibly. And threw the switch.

In the streets below, a low murmur, a sigh of need, a ripple that passed over dozens of people. Skins flushed, hearts raced, mouths watered. Eyes met, and lingered. Chance contacts in the crowds unaccountably lingered. And lingered. And swiftly became caresses.

And the first of the impromptu couples dropped to the ground, tearing frenziedly at their clothes, clasping each other in passionate embrace, drawing each other down and into mergence. The murmur of need rose from a thousand throats, and everywhere, everywhere the lust storm rippled outward. Men embraced women. Women twined around others. Men coupled with other men. Women pounced on men who were already coupled with others. Threesomes, foursomes, couples. Everywhere you looked, love was being made. All surrendered to their animal instincts, lost in their pleasures, and enjoyed it as never before.

They barely noticed the bacchanal far below. In their cold, sterile boardroom, they were doing a little celebrating of their own.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 130-354 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...lost..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I absolutely loved this picture when I found it in Lexi's stash. Had planned to use it weeks ago, but, well, you heard what happened and I won't dwell on it. Instead, I'll just note that I wish it weren't necessary in our story for scientists to come up with a gadget that breaks down our barriers, something that helps people be less repressed. I think it would be marvelous if our society was free and open enough for people to feel able to couple in the streets like this, to take their pleasure wherever they chose, without fear of reprisal or censure.

Regrettably, I just couldn't come up with any scenarios that spoke of such a utopia. So I resorted to science fiction, imagining this gorgeous scene as the field test of a libido-enhancing gadget. I think it's meant to be advertising the condoms (Fallux?), but regardless of the picture's source, I'll just say that I really enjoyed looking at this one. Such a fantastic scene of unfettered joy and pleasure. Now that's fucking hot.

******************

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks again to Lexi for providing this week's photo/advertisement.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 9-30-11

2011-09-26T08:20:00.001-05:00

(Image this week provided by Lexi, original source unknown...but doesn't it look like an advertisement?)

I thank you folks for bearing with me during my recent time away. Your challenge for this Friday, 9-30-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 150-354 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...lost..."

Nobody's going to fuss if you blow the word count, or forget the required phrase (well, it's a word, this week), but you'll have to carry around the image of me shaking my head sadly in disappointment. (I'm booked up for spankings well into the next century, so I've had to stop giving those out as "punishment).

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Check back here on Friday for the list of participants as well as my own take, and then again on Monday for the next FFF challenge! And as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see used in an upcoming week, send them my way. Many thanks to Lexi for providing us with this week's photo (and also for stepping in once or twice while I was away).

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 8-26-11: "It's All About Me"

2011-08-26T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Photo this week provided by Red; originally from http://carmenicadiaz.net)

“Oh god. Nearly there,” she moaned.

“That's what you said half an hour ago,” he muttered, voice muffled by her muff.

“No, really, I mean it this time, I.... I...... IIIIiiiieeeeee!!!” her voice rose to a shriek.

Suddenly she sat up and pushed him away. “Wait, stop, stop!”

“What now?” he groaned.

“I need a picture for my blog. Just let me grab the camera, it won't take long.”

“Yeah. Right.”

“Lens......focal length......exposure time......okay, good. Now I just need to find the perfect angle.”

She looked down at his aggrieved expression. “Well? What're you waiting for? Get back to work.”

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 80-110 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...the perfect angle..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

When I first saw this pic, it had a mischievous, silly feel to it, as if she'd grabbed a camera while he was doing her in the bathroom and snapped a quick, blurry pic to titillate herself with when she was alone, bored, or what have you. I even tossed around a few phrasings in my head for when I got ready to write it.

Then, when I looked at the pic again, ready to start writing, it wasn't that way at all. Instead, it was a prima donna "blogger girl" who had an overinflated opinion of herself and thought she was the center of the world. Everything had to be about her "blog" and not even an impromptu bit of sex in the bathroom was exempt. The look on her face, I realized, wasn't a look of ecstasy, it was a look of preoccupation and mild annoyance that he kept jostling her just when she was about to snap the shot. I even got a bit angry at her for being such a bitch and obsessing over her stupid camera.

Don't ask me why it struck me this way and why I had such a visceral response. I swear I didn't see it that way the first time.

Disclaimer: I am, of course, not referring to any of you. None of you folks is that prima donna-ish.

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to Red for providing this week's photo.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 8-26-11

2011-08-22T08:29:00.001-05:00

(Photo this week provided by Red; originally from http://carmenicadiaz.net)

Your challenge for this Friday, 8-26-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 80-110 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...the perfect angle..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. The Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Check back here on Friday for the list of participants as well as my own take, and then again on Monday for the next FFF challenge! And as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see used in an upcoming week, send them my way. Thanks to Red for providing this week's photo!

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 8-19-11: "Delicious"

2011-08-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Image this week provided by Advizor; original source and title unknown)

"Sorry about the eggs. I'm really a bit rubbish at cooking."

"Mm. I have had more palatable breakfasts."

Curls of smoke drifted up from her cigarette as she gestured, lazily. "Mind you, that could be because this isn't what I wanted for breakfast."

I raised an eyebrow. "And you did want....?"

She rolled her eyes so hard they spun round in the sockets. "You, you idiot."

I blushed like a schoolgirl, but managed to squeak out, "So, um, why don't we get you what you really wanted?"

"Why indeed?" she purred.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 69-99 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...curls of [noun]..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

Try as I might, I couldn't think of any other reason these two might be still nude or half-nude at the table unless they were so keen to get back to the bedroom that they hadn't bothered to dress. There is a rather pensive look on the face of the one on the right, but I consciously chose to ignore that, preferring to go with the "barely contained lust" approach. Besides, I've written too much lately that's been dark and/or turbulent and/or depressing and/or pensive. Rather have something cheerful.

This is, I think, the first thing I've posted here where I'm actually writing from the female perspective. I just can't think of the "I" in a story and have it be a female and make it seem right. Hopefully I did all right with this one.

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to Advizor for this week's photo!

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 8-19-11

2011-08-15T08:53:00.001-05:00

(Image this week provided by Advizor; original source and title unknown)

I'm back from my biz trip and rarin' to go. Many thanks to those of you who played along over the past couple of weeks even without my mostly-benevolent eye watching over you!

Your challenge for this Friday, 8-19-11, is to use the picture above to rite a flash fiction of 69-99 words. I would also like you to please use this phrase in your submission:

"...curl of [noun]..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier -- tell all your friends. Enemies, too, if you like), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. Please do provide a link back to either the challenge post, to my main page at http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/, or to the FAQ. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 8-12-11

2011-08-07T08:00:00.003-05:00

(Source image: "Thrust" by Seth Aronson)

Your challenge for this Friday, 8-12-11, is to use the artwork above to write a flash fiction of 50-90 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...driving deep..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

**PLEASE READ: Note that I will be travelling for business reasons starting July 16th until mid-August. There will be a scheduled FFF Challenge each Monday while I'm gone, and a Friday "link collector" post, but I may or may not have the time to create my own story for the challenge each week. Because I don't do any NSFW stuff on my laptop, I also probably won't have email access during that time and also may not be able to leave comments on the other entries.

That said, please don't let these differences keep you from playing anyway! The challenge entry will still go up each Monday and the link collector post will still appear each Friday. If you email me or leave comments, but I don't answer, it's not because I'm ignoring you -- I'm just off the grid for a time.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Check back here on Friday for the list of participants and possibly my own take if I've been able to create one, and then again on Monday for the next FFF challenge! And as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see used in an upcoming week, send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 8-5-11

2011-07-31T08:00:00.002-05:00

(Photo provided by Lexi; original source unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 8-5-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 80-160 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...strangled cry..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

**PLEASE READ: Note that I will be travelling for business reasons starting July 16th until mid-August. There will be a scheduled FFF Challenge each Monday while I'm gone, and a Friday "link collector" post, but I may or may not have the time to create my own story for the challenge each week. Because I don't do any NSFW stuff on my laptop, I also probably won't have email access during that time and also may not be able to leave comments on the other entries.

That said, please don't let these differences keep you from playing anyway! The challenge entry will still go up each Monday and the link collector post will still appear each Friday. If you email me or leave comments, but I don't answer, it's not because I'm ignoring you -- I'm just off the grid for a time.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 7-29-11

2011-07-29T08:24:00.002-05:00

(Source image: "Nurse" by Gernot)

[[Note: No story from me this week as I'm travelling; however, other participants, please leave a link to your own story! Please see below.]]

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 69-139 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...twitched helplessly..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

A note to all: I am travelling for business from July 16th till mid-August. Didn't have time to create my own take before leaving, but see below for the other participants who did play!

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 7-29-11

2011-07-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

(Source image: "Nurse" by Gernot)

Your challenge for this Friday, 7-29-11, is to use the artwork above to write a flash fiction of 69-139 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...twitched helplessly..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

**PLEASE READ: Note that I will be travelling for business reasons starting July 16th until mid-August. There will be a scheduled FFF Challenge each Monday while I'm gone, and a Friday "link collector" post, but I may or may not have the time to create my own story for the challenge each week. Because I don't do any NSFW stuff on my laptop, I also probably won't have email access during that time and also may not be able to leave comments on the other entries.

That said, please don't let these differences keep you from playing anyway! The challenge entry will still go up each Monday and the link collector post will still appear each Friday. If you email me or leave comments, but I don't answer, it's not because I'm ignoring you -- I'm just off the grid for a time.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 7-22-11

2011-07-17T08:00:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Rock of Man" by T.C. Reiner)

Your challenge for this Friday, 7-22-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 112-149 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...burning heat..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

**PLEASE READ: Note that I will be travelling for business reasons starting July 16th until mid-August. There will be a scheduled FFF Challenge each Monday while I'm gone, and a Friday "link collector" post, but I may or may not have the time to create my own story for the challenge each week. Because I don't do any NSFW stuff on my laptop, I also probably won't have email access during that time and also may not be able to leave comments on the other entries.

That said, please don't let these differences keep you from playing anyway! The challenge entry will still go up each Monday and the link collector post will still appear each Friday. If you email me or leave comments, but I don't answer, it's not because I'm ignoring you -- I'm just off the grid for a time.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 7-15-11: "Still Life"

2011-07-15T00:01:00.002-05:00

(Image provided by Lexi, photographer and title unknown)

Never seen a statue quite this realistic before. Absolutely exquisite.

...Wait, what? Moving eyes? Hang on a second.
The words arrowed into his brain as those eyes locked with his: Help! Get me out of here!
He stood stock still as the implications registered. He opened his mouth and she cut him off. I've jumped to the wrong place. So far I've been playing “sculpture”, but the second someone actually touches me, that's it. Please, help me!

He glanced around swiftly. The gallery was empty. All right, he thought, pulling off his coat and draping it around her shoulders. Get ready to move.

Her body was warm and soft. She felt very real indeed.

Oh, I'm definitely real, she sent. And once we have some privacy, I'll show you. I don't forget favors.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 85-135 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...stock still..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I had a lot of fun with this one. I've seen plenty of nude photos suggesting the subject was part of an exhibition at a very avant-garde museum, which leads to interesting speculations about how the average gallery-goer would react to a living, breathing nude.

But that wasn't enough for me. I just finished reading a time-travel novel (Up the Line by Robert Silverberg) and when I saw this my mind just naturally headed in that direction. I imagined her as a time-traveler who'd jumped into the wrong place and time entirely. How would you react at finding yourself nude in an art gallery god only knows where or when? If you're her, well, you freeze in terror and hope you can find somebody who might be sympathetic before you get arrested or otherwise apprehended. The idea to make her telepathic was partly to give her story more credence and partly to save time with introductions.

I kind of wish now I'd made the word length less stringent. I'd have liked to explore how, exactly, she rewarded him for his favor, later on.....

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to Lexi for providing this week's photo!

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 7-15-11

2011-07-11T09:34:00.002-05:00

(Image provided by Lexi, photographer and title unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 7-15-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 85-135 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...stock still..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

**PLEASE READ: Note that I will be travelling for business reasons starting July 16th until mid-August. There will be a scheduled FFF Challenge each Monday while I'm gone, and a Friday "link collector" post, but I may or may not have the time to create my own story for the challenge each week. Because I don't do any NSFW stuff on my laptop, I also probably won't have email access during that time and also may not be able to leave comments on the other entries.

That said, please don't let these differences keep you from playing anyway! The challenge entry will still go up each Monday and the link collector post will still appear each Friday. If you email me or leave comments, but I don't answer, it's not because I'm ignoring you -- I'm just off the grid for a time.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 7-8-11: "An Offer She Couldn't Refuse"

2011-07-08T00:01:00.002-05:00

(Image provided by The Temptress, title and photographer unknown)

She stood shifting nervously from foot to foot as I eyed her, measuring her worth, considering how best to make use of her. Her husband had run up some truly awe-inspiring debts to me, and rather than send my goons around to lump him up a few times, I'd decided that the use of his wife for a few weeks would pay the tab nicely. I understood he was still recovering from the beating she'd given him when she found out.

"Turn around," I directed, and she did. I pulled my belt free and in a twinkling had it looped round her wrists. Leather creaked under stress, and she hissed in pain as I drew it tighter. I ran my hand down that silky smooth back to the curve of her ass and squeezed, pleased with my acquisition.

"Face me," I said, and she did, her eyes flicking down to my crotch in boredom....and widening in surprise. Then she licked her lips and pursed them for a soundless whistle.

Perhaps this month wouldn't be so tedious after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 60-160 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...leather creaked..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I was caught by surprise with this one. I had thought I would perhaps tell a story about a domineering woman playing reverse-power games with her underling, dressing him in finery as if he were her boss and having him dominate her or be fired. It seemed a bit too much like sexual harassment to me, though (pleasant as the scenario might seem to me, sex with your employees is pretty much a recipe for trouble), so I cast about for a different approach. It occurred to me that the guy looked like a gangster of some kind -- something about the haircut, the grooming, the completely at-ease posture -- and suddenly there it was, a story about an urbane crime lord making use of his power and enjoying it to the utmost. I liked the idea that she went along with the idea not because she particularly loved her husband, but because she was bored and horny enough to find the prospect appealing. Hope you enjoyed it as much as she plans to.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to The Temptress for sending along this week's photo.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 7-8-11

2011-07-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

(Image provided by The Temptress, title and photographer unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 7-8-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 60-160 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...leather creaked..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Check back here on Friday for my take on the challenge and the list of participants, and then again on Monday for the next FFF challenge! And as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see used in an upcoming week, send them my way. Thanks to The Temptress for providing this week's photo!

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 7-1-11: "Memento Mori"

2011-07-01T00:01:00.003-05:00

(Source image: title unknown, photo by Samantha Wolov)

The candles burned low. The musk of our exertions hung heavy in the air. She lay adrift and asprawl, tangled under and over me, her head pillowed on my chest. I felt the heat, the moisture of her tears, the rhythm of her shaking shoulders as she wept.

"It isn't fair," she sobbed.

There wasn't enough air in the room, no words that would come, no answer to the unanswerable. The lump of ice in my throat was absolute. Instead, I tightened my arms around her, and she raised her head. Her lip trembled, her eyes were huge and dark, but she leaned close and our mouths met, bruised and tender, desperate and lost.

Eternity in slow sweet increments. She poised herself above me, hands on the wall, hips moving in slow ellipsis. Her breasts swayed, her hair swung forward, her breath came sharp and fast. I wanted, needed, to reach out to her, to reach for her, but it was too late for that. Instead I grabbed fistfuls of sheets, denying the ache I felt. Even as we fell together, fell upward toward completion, I ached, my heart, my straining muscles, my rigidity so sweetly enclasped. Ached, knowing it would fade. Ached, knowing there was no happily ever after, not for us. Never for us.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 150-220 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...fistfuls of [[noun]]..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I really have no idea where this came from. When I first saw this picture it was so clear -- a beautiful romantic moment in time, one of those eternities where time slows to a crawl. Endless waves of pleasure, drifting along, borne on a tide of mingled emotion and lust. I've had moments like that, some even in hotel rooms like this, and I relived some of them as I looked at the picture. I smiled, remembering. My fingers tapped at the keys, measuring, discarding, and when I started, that was exactly what I intended. To relive those happy moments, to capture some of that in a reworking.

And then it went wrong, somehow. Sometimes the best of intentions mean nothing, when the story weaves itself the way it chooses. Despite what I'd wanted originally, I watched from the outside as something very different emerged. I found myself waxing lyrical, turning a lighthearted romp into something more akin to a Tennyson poem. Not that I have the heartstring-yanking capabilities of Tennyson, but his is a style worth emulating, at least.

I didn't know what had happened with these two, whether life had forced them apart or whether their relationship had disintegrated. I just knew that it was all over. The title may give you some idea of my ultimate decision. You can come up with your own reasons, if it comforts you. For my part, I'm content to leave them behind and let them hold on to the time they have left.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 7-1-11

2011-06-27T12:19:00.001-05:00

(Source image: title unknown, photo by Samantha Wolov)

Your challenge for this Friday, 7-1-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 150-220 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...fistfuls of [[noun]]..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 6-24-11: "Audience Participation"

2011-06-24T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Image provided by Lexi, original source and photographer unknown)

"Ready?"

"Oh hell yes. I'm soaked. On three?"

"One, two, THREE!"

We stopped in the middle of the crosswalk, dropping our coats. She bent over and waggled her ass at me; I clapped my hands on her tiny flank, spread her, and slammed in. She threw back her head and moaned, immediately bouncing back against me, bucking frantically, trying to get me deeper. Heads turned. I heard gasps of shock, disgusted murmurs, and not a few ribald comments.

I knew time was short, so I really went for it, pounding her hard and fast, feeling her wetness coating my balls as they slapped against her violated pussy. She was never quiet, but now she was emitting banshee shrieks. I felt myself shooting towards the edge and brought down my hand in a sharp smack on her ass as I finished, roaring with atavistic glee. By her frantic spasms and her loudest howl yet, she wasn't far behind.

Slowly, I pulled out, drinking in the scandalized glares like fine wine. Rattle and hum of conversation, but still no cops. I scanned the crowd, and gestured at her, still bent over and panting like a dog.

"So who's next?"

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 100-200 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...rattle and hum..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

Lexi sent me this pic months ago but it just didn't catch my interest until this week. It wouldn't be fair to say I pick these pics based solely on my interest in them or my perceived ability to write something interesting, but sometimes that's not far from the truth. This one I just didn't feel like using until I had some kind of idea in mind ahead of time on how I was going to play it.

This week I finally got something when I looked at it again. Sex in public is one thing, but what about turning it into performance art? Something where not just the participants had fun, but the audience got to join in as well? It gave a nice twist to something that...well, something that probably isn't too likely to happen in the first place. Or maybe it's just an excuse for an orgy scene. I think the world would be a lot better off with more orgies. In public, even.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to Lexi for providing this week's photo.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 6-24-11

2011-06-20T09:52:00.002-05:00

(Image provided by Lexi, original source and photographer unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 6-24-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 100-200 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...rattle and hum..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 6-17-11: "Five Star Service"

2011-06-17T00:01:00.002-05:00

(Source image: "Room Service" by John DuPret)

"Will there be anything else, madam?"

She shook her head, distracted by something. "No, thank you."

He turned to go, and then she knew what it was. She'd forgotten the customary gratuity. And such prompt service deserved a tip. A large tip.

"No, wait."

He turned back, inquiry in his gaze. "Yes, madam?"

She untied her robe and let it fall to the floor. She expected shock, but he merely nodded and approached, his hands already going to the zipper of his slacks.

After, when she'd regained her breath, she confessed to being surprised.

"Why should you be?" he said calmly, already dressing, not a hair out of place. "We pride ourselves on five-star service."

She could only agree.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 64-94 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...a large tip..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I enjoyed putting this one together, but I should have perhaps allowed a longer word length. I wanted to do more with this than the word limit allowed me to. I may explore the concept a bit more later, or bring more of a Victorian feel to it (it certainly has that look, in the artwork), but at least I'm satisfied with this one, for a change.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 6-10-11: "Mercury Rising"

2011-06-10T00:01:00.004-05:00

(Source image: "Daddy Always Tells Me to Keep Cool" by Merlin Enabnit)

Never had there been a summer like it. Hundred-degree temps every day, not a cloud to cut the haze, the sun's rays remorseless, a hammerblow unrelenting.

I remember it so well, how we sought privacy but found nothing better than an icehouse. She sat on a block, her excitement mingling with melted water, trickling down her thighs and calves. I bore her back, kissing, licking droplets of sweat from the hollow of her throat. She moaned and shuddered when I slid two fingers into her under that summer skirt.

She scooted to the edge of the block, hiking up the skirt. And I slid deep, and pumped slow and steady, till my own cum gushed into her, trickling out to freeze in accusatory white drips on the block.

Summer heat is unbearable in more ways than one.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 40-140 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...trickling down..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

This was partially inspired by the pic and partially by Lexi's recent summer heat post, which got me all hot and horny and sweaty just reading it. I've never fucked on a block of ice, and can't imagine it would be all that much fun in reality, but I *have* experienced that unbearable summer heat which is only made worse by your lust for your partner. Some kinds of heat can only be quenched one way, and some other kinds only get fanned higher when you try to put them out. I quite like this piece, if I may be permitted a bit of self-aggrandizement. I chose to imagine the lady wearing a light summery skirt rather than the one-piece swimsuit pictured above. Ever tried to get quick access with one of those? They suck for it. Dresses or summer skirts are more fun.

The title is actually not a play on Sting's "Mercury Falling" (though I do love that album). In fact, the music I'd be more inclined to think of for this is Richard Shindell's "A Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress", though that's a lot more bittersweet than anything depicted here.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 6-10-11

2011-06-06T09:49:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Daddy Always Tells Me to Keep Cool" by Merlin Enabnit)

Your challenge for this Friday, 6-10-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 40-140 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...trickling down..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 6-3-11: "Tensile Strength"

2011-06-03T00:01:00.003-05:00

(Source image submitted by Sephani Paige, source unknown)

“Oh, come now,” he goaded her. “Can't you do better than that?”

She ground her teeth in perfect fury. “You contemptible bastard,” she gritted. “I begged. I did the little-girl voice like you wanted. I called you 'daddy' for Chrissake. Now let me fucking loose!”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Oh, that is fucking IT.”

She took a deep breath, then put her head down and strained. Consciousness dwindled down to red streaks and black dots, but – nothing...until...

The chain hit the breaking point, and it snapped with a musical “ping”.

He turned, but she was all over him. “Now you're mine,” she gasped, already yanking at his jeans.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 110-118 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...the breaking point..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

BDSM isn't really my thing, as I've mentioned, but I found this one interesting, mostly because to me, she doesn't really look all that upset, just tantalized. I played around with several approaches, but then decided on something a bit darker. I thought of the Stephen King novel "Gerald's Game" and how annoyed Jessie got when the teasing went a little too far in that one. Then I suddenly saw it another way: how would it be if, rather than getting enraged by the torment, she was just really, REALLY turned on, and desperate to get fucked? So I turned the tables a bit by having her break free and, instead of tearing his face off, fucking him until he bleeds to repay the torment. I think I like that outcome better than rage.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Many thanks to Sephani Paige for this week's photo.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 6-3-11

2011-05-31T08:04:00.001-05:00

(Source image submitted by Sephani Paige, source unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 6-3-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 110-118 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...the breaking point..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 5-27-11: "Eye of the Beholder"

2011-05-27T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Body Painting" by Saturno Butto)

Elizabeth looked at me calmly, expression unreadable. Victoria continued with her work. Sarah sent me a glance full of mute appeal, helpless naked emotion in her eyes. She was being held down firmly by Victoria, who was swirling intricate designs into her back.

“A very pretty tableau,” I said. I reached between Sarah's legs and my hand came away wet. “We've selected a good one here.”

Sarah closed her eyes and bowed her head, surrendering at last.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 60-80 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...[[noun]] in her eyes..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I was nearly undone by this one. When I first selected it it positively sang to me but when it came time to write I was blocked in virtually every direction I tried. Finally, in desperation, I resorted to the same "betrayed by her body" theme I've used in many previous tales; that worked well enough for me to construct a believable scene, but it feels like recycling to me. I'm not very happy with this one, I'm afraid.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 5-27-11

2011-05-23T09:23:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Body Painting" by Saturno Butto)

Your challenge for this Friday, 5-27-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 60-80 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...[[noun]] in her eyes..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 5-20-11: "Another Day in Paradise"

2011-05-20T00:01:00.003-05:00

(Source image: "C.L.U.M.B.A. and Maria in Hong Kong" by Igor Vasiliadis)

The briefcase's click was loud, much louder than it had any right to be. But Maria could barely hear it for the hammering of her heart.

The leader's eyes played over the neat stacks of bills in the case, coldly calculating. He leaned over and spat something in machine-gun Russian to one of his associates, then straightened.

“This is not Cold War era,” he said, sneering. “Russia does not raise fools. You are short by at least fifty thousand.”

The Yakuza boss sitting on the other side of the table raised an eyebrow. Like the Russian, he leaned over and spoke to his associates; as with the Russian, his rapid-fire Japanese was too fast for Maria to follow. Then he shook his head.

“She is not worth it,” he said. He stood, and his men stood with him. “No deal.”

The Russian spat. “I see that Japan does raise fools.”

Bolts clacked as MP5 submachine guns swung up to point at the Russians. More clacks as the Russians drew their own weapons. The threat of bloody apocalypse hung heavy in the air.

Maria's voice, bored, broke the spell. “Oh for God's sake,” she said. “I'll make up the difference myself.” She swung off the table and took the Yakuza's arm. “Let's go.”

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 100-220 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...heavy in the air..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

This is, I think, the first time I've written an FFF that only hints at eroticism and sexuality. If you like, keep looking at the picture so you can see how lovely and sexy Maria is, even half-nude, and keep that picture in your mind while you read. But I was more fascinated by the story behind this one, what sort of intrigue might be going on in this back room of a seedy bar.

No, there's no briefcase on the table (it looks like a tray of poker chips to me, or possibly some other board game), but I saw it in my head as a briefcase full of money. And then I wondered why Maria was the only one who was missing her clothing, so I decided that she was being displayed because one of the sides was selling her to the other one.

Then I did some thinking about how someone being sold into slavery would feel, and suddenly there was the last twist: what if Maria wasn't horrified or terrified or upset by being sold, but gets off on it? So if the deal looked like it wasn't going to go down because the buyers hadn't brought enough, what would she do to make sure it did go through? Why, chip in the remaining amount herself, of course. And then follow her new owner home and submit to his every whim. Because the very idea gets her all shivery and wet with excitement.

Disturbing? Maybe. All I know is that's where my mind went this week. Your mileage may vary.

Also, yes, I know the participants are Chinese, not Japanese (the pic was taken in Hong Kong, after all). I don't care. I made the two sides into Russians and Japanese because that was how I saw the tale in my head.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 5-20-11

2011-05-16T08:26:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "C.L.U.M.B.A. and Maria in Hong Kong" by Igor Vasiliadis)

Your challenge for this Friday, 5-20-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 100-220 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...heavy in the air..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 5-13-11: "Jungle Judy"

2011-05-13T12:03:00.001-05:00

(Source image: unknown title, artist: the legendary Hajime Sorayama)

“Well, then,” she said. “Let's see if you're up for this.”

Swiftly, efficiently, she disrobed, her violin curves the promise of untold delights. Yellow eyes blinked at me, intent.

And then she reached down, and unsnapped its collar. I'd taken it for a rug, but it stirred and rolled over, gazing at me no less intently than she had. It yawned.

“This is Shahriman,” she said. “He's very protective of me. If he sees I'm not pleased, he may not react well.”

She stretched, lazily. “So. You'd better please me.”

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 60-99 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...yellow eyes blinked..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I had this scheduled to post at midnight but with Blogger's downtime apparently scheduled posts didn't go up; nor did it post automatically when Blogger came back up again. Sorry about the delay in getting this up.

Sorayama is legendary in the pinup world, and for good reason – such gorgeous artwork he brings to us. This one definitely brings out a primal, powerful feel, at least in me. I looked at the feline grace in her stance, and the powerful curve of her body, and wondered how different she really was from the tiger lying at her feet. Then I thought, how would it be if she used the tiger as a threat? Could her lover please her well enough to keep himself in one piece? Maybe a bit farfetched, but I do like taking things to unexpected places sometimes. I hope you enjoyed this one.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 5-13-11

2011-05-09T10:39:00.004-05:00

(Source image: unknown title, artist: the legendary Hajime Sorayama)

Your challenge for this Friday, 5-13-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 60-99 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...yellow eyes blinked..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 5-6-11: "Once Upon a Time...."

2011-05-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Bedtime Reading" by Valery Bareta)

“The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty”. Hmm. Well, I sure as hell haven't got anything better to do tonight, so I might as well give this a shot.

A bit slow to start, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Always wanted to read a hot fairy tale.

Hmm. Intriguing. Interesting concept, at least.

They did what? How awful. This cannot be turning me on. Et tu, nipples? Et tu, cunt? Traitors.

Oh. Oh my. I think I'm glad I wore a nightie to bed and not anything more substantial. Makes for easier access. Mmmmm. Ohhh, that feels good. Mmm, delicious.....fingers.....wetness.....oh yes. Nice slow strokes.

Hell of a situation. Why isn't she running away? I mean, granted, she's a bad girl, but....wait, what? Did I really just SAY that? Am I getting off on her pain?

Ouch. Ohh, yes. Like that. Punish her. Make her beg like the nasty slut she is. Ohhh. Ohhh yesssss. Oh gods, yes. More. Harder. Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh, OHHHH, OHHHHH.........

The book crashed, unheard and unheeded, to the floor.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 160-185 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...unheard and unheeded..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

When I was with Melissa, years ago, one of the things we experimented with was reading erotic stories together. It was a fantastic idea and we read a lot of stuff that turned both of us on. One of those, however, was Anne Rice's "Sleeping Beauty" series (The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty; Beauty's Punishment; Beauty's Release), a decidedly adult fairy-tale series with extreme sadomasochism and bondage in it. And some of the stuff in it turned my stomach, mostly because of the humiliation and degradation involved for the characters. I don't mind the idea of S&M, or mixing pain with pleasure -- though it's really not high on my list of fun stuff -- but when the people in the story are being treated like filth, humiliated and tortured and broken, I just don't get how someone can find that erotic. We read only part of the first book before deciding it wasn't doing anything for either of us and changing to something else. I did read the rest of the series eventually, mostly to find out if it got any better, but didn't enjoy the rest of book one or books two and three any more than I had previously.

When I saw this picture, out of nowhere came my memories of those stories, and I knew I wanted to write about her experiences with same. Maybe she liked the pain, the humiliation; maybe she felt a kinship with the Beauty of the tales. Maybe she wanted in her secret heart to be tormented and hurt like the ones in there. It isn't my cup of tea, but the books sold fairly well, so who's to say that someone else might not really get off on those tales? Your mileage may vary. That's part of the fun in relationships, discovering what turns someone else on. How boring it would be if we all liked the same things, eh?

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 5-8-11

2011-05-02T08:18:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Bedtime Reading" by Valery Bareta)

Your challenge for this Friday, 5-8-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 160-185 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...unheard and unheeded..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 4-29-11: "A Stolen Kiss is Sweetest"

2011-04-29T00:01:00.003-05:00

(Source: Untitled image by Will Santillo)

God, why did I let myself be dragged into this? Liz thought. She scanned the room, looking for someone, anyone, who had two brain cells to rub together. These people are like a flock of chattering magpies. Lots of noise, not a damn thing to say. And I'm too hot and this wine is terrible and that music is crap and god, I hate this.

And then her eyes fell on Adele, and Adele turned and stared back, pinned Liz to the wall with that searing gaze, ignited her from crown to toes. And Adele smiled a long slow smile, and mouthed one word: “Bathroom”.

And Liz stumbled robotically towards the bathroom, heart hammering, breath already coming hard and fast. How does she do this to me every single time? she wondered.

And Adele followed, the lock clicking behind her. She advanced, bearing Liz back, Liz's mouth opening to accept Adele's hot tongue, feeling Adele's hands ripping her blouse open, wanting Adele's nipping teeth on her hard nipples, Adele's fingers buried in her pussy, wanting Adele, all of her.

Adele pulled back, grinning. “My lovely, lovely Liz,” she purred. “I have something for you.”

And Liz's eyes went wide as Adele opened her slacks to reveal the biggest strap-on Liz had ever seen. She shuddered, and spread her legs. “Oh yes, baby,” she moaned. “Now.”

“Right now,” Adele agreed, and thrust hard.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 120-240 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...hard and fast..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I'm always curious about lesbian and gay relationships. I've read a lot of stuff that indicates one of the pair usually plays a dominant role, "playing the guy" if you will. Adele and Liz are my attempt to play out that kind of dynamic. I kind of wish I had more room to develop these two, and may do so later on. I picture Liz as the academic, intellectual type, possibly a scholar or an art gallery owner, overtly feminine but hiding her sexual appetite from the world. Adele I see as head of her own business firm, the kind of woman who dresses in business suits and wears her hair short, looking like something out of a Patrick Nagel print, knowing that people call her "butch" and not giving a damn about it. I imagine that she met Liz at her gallery and immediately moved in, knowing that Liz wanted someone to guide and teach her, finding to her surprise that Liz was enthusiastic and very unlike the drab personality she presented to the world.

In any case, I found this picture delightful, a moment of pure passion between two people who are obviously very much into each other. Lust? Love? Infatuation? Or just a power exchange? It seemed it could be interpreted lots of different ways. I think it's all of those, for these two. And I think it's hot as hell. I hope you enjoyed the pic and challenge this week.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 4-29-11

2011-04-25T08:14:00.001-05:00

(Source: Untitled image by Will Santillo)

Sorry about last week's break, folks. It was unavoidable. Still, we're back this week and ready to go with another FFF! Thanks are also due to Lexi who stepped in at the very last minute and provided another challenge for you folks. Lexi, you rule. (But then again, those of you who read her already know that...and if you aren't already reading her, why the hell not?)

Your challenge for this Friday, 4-29-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 120-240 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...hard and fast..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 4-15-11: "Shadows and Light"

2011-04-15T00:01:00.003-05:00

(Source image: "White Drape" by Ricardo "r/ace" Acevedo)

I stood staring out the window, back rigid, shoulders hunched against the hurt. She sat on the couch, legs drawn up, eyes hooded and empty. Gray twilight was invading the room. Darkness grew and deepened as the silence stretched.

“So that's it, then?” she wanted to know. “Three years together, and now this?”

I couldn't, wouldn't, answer her. I couldn't draw in the air, couldn't force words past the agony blocking my throat.

“Don't I even get a farewell fuck?” she whispered, and her voice broke.

I turned to her, and there in her beseeching face was all the love I'd hoped for. Hoped for, but never had. And now it was too late. But it was wrong to end it like this.

In the gathering dark, with shadows encroaching on the floor, veiling our faces, we made love one last time. And it was sweet, so very sweet, to feel that warmth, to keep from drowning.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 4-15-11

2011-04-11T10:29:00.002-05:00

(Source image: "White Drape" by Ricardo "r/ace" Acevedo)

Your challenge for this Friday, 4-15-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 60-160 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...the gathering dark..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 4-8-11: "Rebirth in Flame"

2011-04-08T00:01:00.002-05:00

(Image title unknown, by François Miville-Deschênes; artwork provided by Wordwytch)

Here I stood, on the shores of the lava fields of Kilauea, masturbating violently. The urge was inexplicable, but it was too strong for me to ignore.

In almost no time I was fountaining urgently, my semen splashing into the fire and vaporizing. Yet even as it hit...

A deep rumble heralded Her arrival. The lava burst and boiled, spraying high as She emerged: a being of molten ire, glowing orange-red, perfectly formed, beautiful and terrible beyond belief.

She shook Herself, spraying lava droplets in all directions. “Who has awakened Me?” she boomed, Her voice the crackle of flame and hiss of steam escaping. “Who calls me?”

Her eyes fell on me, standing stunned on the shoreline with dick in hand. “Oho!” she roared. “Come, then. It's been centuries since I took a consort. We'll see if your seed is that potent every time.”

She gestured. Sheets of flame coalesced around me, but didn't burn. I felt them sinking in, right down to my bones. My vision went red and I felt a liquid shifting as I was forged anew.

I stepped out onto the lava sea and approached Her. Her eyes flared white-hot with anticipation as my glowing rod rose high. She embraced me, and we flowed together, and I knew there was no going back.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 111-222 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...molten ire..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I had so much fun writing this, you can't even imagine. Several people mentioned a while back that they do like my fantastic and fantasy tales, so...well, who am I to deny that?

The artwork was one of those pieces which engendered such a range of ideas that it was simply a matter of choosing the one I was happiest with. First I considered the idea of a secret observer watching a flame spirit dance in her lava pool and capturing her for himself. Then I thought about making it a solitary thing, a fire goddess enjoying her bath, pleasuring herself as the flame burned. Then I wondered how it would be if a mortal summoned this goddess almost by accident, but she refrained from burning him to a crisp because she liked what she saw. I seized on that one and ran with it. The only problem I had was explaining why he suddenly had the urge to masturbate into a lava field. I dealt with that (and with the fact that he wouldn't be able to get closer than about six feet because the heat would be too intense) by the simple expedient of ignoring it completely. Hopefully the result was nevertheless enjoyable.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to Wordwytch for providing this week's artwork.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 4-8-11

2011-04-04T09:53:00.001-05:00

(Image title unknown, by François Miville-Deschênes; artwork provided by Wordwytch)

Your challenge for this Friday, 4-8-11, is to use the artwork above to write a flash fiction of 111-222 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...molten ire..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 4-1-11: "Gray Eyes, Grave Matters"

2011-04-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Dita's Bear" by Sean McCall)

“Yes?”

“Lew Wainwright. You wanted to see me?”

“Yes, please come in.”

She had cloudy gray eyes, peering at me through a smoky haze. And a voice that sounded like it was lost at the bottom of a well: frail, timid. She wore a drab dress that tried but failed to hide her figure. I admired the architecture as she walked ahead of me.

“Drink, Mr. Wainwright?”

“Sure.”

The neck of the bottle chattered against the glasses as she poured. She was nervous about something, but damned if I could tell what. She downed half hers in a gulp and wandered away across the room.

“Mr. Wainwright...”

“Make it Lew, please.”

“Lew, then,” she agreed. “Thank you for agreeing to help me.”

“I haven't.”

She looked confused. “But...”

“I said I'd come out and listen. I still haven't heard anything about what's eating you.”

“All right, then,” she said softly. “Here.”

I whistled. The photograph she'd handed me showed her in a position only a husband should see.

“Blackmail?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I want these destroyed. If you can find them, and the man who took them...” She shivered, then: “You can have what you see here.”

I laughed. “That's the bunk, sweetheart. What's to keep me from taking it right now?”

And she shrank back into the recesses of the sofa as I approached, gun already in hand.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 100-200 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...smoky haze..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I've been reading entirely too much crime noir lately -- Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Ross Macdonald, Cornell Woolrich -- and so when I went hunting through my stash of FFF pics and saw this boudoir-style pic, I was immediately catapulted into a seedy world where all femmes are fatale, all private dicks are world-weary, and everyone double-crosses everyone else. I was on fire with possibilities, and I came up with several little tales. Only one problem: I'd forgotten about the short word count. I simply couldn't shoehorn it down to anything less than the 248 words I have here without leaving out important bits. So, for the first time I've gone over my own word limit.

That said, I do mostly like how this turned out. Some of the sleuths in crime noir fiction are almost as scummy as the criminals they hunt. Sam Spade, for example, has an affair with his partner's wife, strikes a woman, beats up a suspect for information, lies to the police, and laughs when the woman who loves him is sent to jail. The world isn't black and white in crime noir, but shades of gray. I wanted to reflect some of that -- a private dick who decided to take his reward before he'd wrapped up the case the dame brought him. His first name is a nod to Macdonald's Lew Archer, one of the best of the crime noir series.

Writing in this style is damned hard, though. Good crime noir is sparse, terse, barely descriptive. It's not just the dialogue and the phrasings, it's the atmosphere in general. I can enjoy the hell out of reading it, but I am never really happy with the results when I try to emulate it myself. Hopefully you do like it.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 4-1-11

2011-03-28T09:11:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "Dita's Bear" by Sean McCall)

Your challenge for this Friday, 4-1-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 100-200 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...smoky haze..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 3-25-11: "Café Confidential"

2011-03-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

(Source image: "Casablanca" by TC Reiner)

She was everything I'd come to love about Casablanca: full of grace and spirit, a glint in her eye and spring in her step, white teeth agleam in face kissed by the sun, body taut but full of promise. For weeks my waitress at this dusty little streetside café, she danced right along the edge of flirtation but never overstepped it.

Till the day I brought my guitar. From the first chord I struck there was something in her eyes, dark and flickering. I wrapped cadenzas around her, held her fast with fingers dancing on the strings, her gaze locked with mine, the spark jumping.

After, she settled onto my lap with a swirl of skirts. “So beautiful,” she sighed with a lilting French accent. “Why did you not tell me you played?”

“Better to show you,” I grinned.

“Ah! yes, it is better to show,” she agreed. “Like....this?” Her eyes danced, flicking downward, to where she had pulled up her skirt. She was bare beneath it.

“Very much like that,” I agreed, and slid my hand up her thigh.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 119-187 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...kissed by the sun..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

Originally I'd planned to call this one "Moroccan Fire" and play up the sensation of heat I got from looking at the photo. I pictured long, humid glances of passion between the players in the tale, sultry heat in a café, sweat rolling down bodies, torrid romance building slowly. And then my research on Morocco and Casablanca informed me that it has mostly a very pleasant and mild climate with neither extreme highs nor extreme lows. That threw that approach out the window.

So I seized on the guitar instead. Music is always flowing through my head, and so it was almost effortless to fit a fiery Moorish rhythm into the story I had in mind next. I tried to suggest this was a glimpse into the Casablanca of yesteryear, before its jeweled luster dimmed, by giving her a French accent. Maybe the waitress wouldn't give him the time of day, but she went all to pieces when he played for her. Stranger things have happened. It makes me wish I had more musical talent than I do, but I'll settle for wordsmithing any day of the week. I hope you enjoyed this little fanciful tone poem.

Please note that I am no longer collecting the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below using the widget. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. Your cooperation is appreciated.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 3-25-11

2011-03-21T11:10:00.002-05:00

(Source image: "Casablanca" by TC Reiner)

Your challenge for this Friday, 3-25-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 119-187 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...kissed by the sun..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 3-18-11: "Broken, Beaten, Scarred"

2011-03-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "I Am So Hidden" by China Hamilton)

The tile was cool and smooth against her bare feet. Her eyes were hopeless, lost, through the eyelets of the mask. Her breasts heaved with suppressed emotions, her whole body shivering as if in a high wind.

The door swung wide and he entered. She twisted to face him, arms crossed protectively before her. Shock skirled across his face and was gone in an instant.

"My God," he whispered. "What have they done to you, my darling?"

Trembling, she reached up and removed the mask.

And he smiled, the sun bursting through clouds. "Is that all?" he murmured, reaching up to caress her scarred visage. “You had me worried there for a minute.”

And he kissed her passionately, hands moving over her body, and she responded ardently, though the tears still trickled down the ruins of her face.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 85-135 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...cool and smooth..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

This picture fascinated me. At first I had planned a sort of Phantom of the Opera tie-in, with the Phantom taking a lover from among the dancers and musicians of the Opera House, but with a twist -- that he would require her to hide her own face while they made love. I decided against that one because it seemed there'd be very little intimacy with the faces of the participants hidden, but it's still given me ideas for some semi-anonymous fantasies that may yet see life here (I understand that semi-anonymity can be a powerful turn-on, at least in some of the stories I've read). We'll see.

In any case, the approach I wound up going with actually came over me when I happened to see a woman on TV whose husband had left her after a horrific burn accident left her scarred. I'm one of those old-fashioned people who thinks that love does conquer all, so I promptly wrote this sort of fairy-tale approach (fairy tales AGAIN; I really do need to stop that) where our heroine had been the victim of horrible torture that left her face scarred but her body intact. Naturally, she is terrified that her lover won't want her anymore. Most men, I think, would look only at the body and still be titillated, but would they react well if and when she removed the mask? Our heroine's lover isn't at all fazed by it, but (as seen by the TV show I watched) real life is not always so forgiving.

So, after last week's lighthearted take I go right back to the introspective darker stuff. What's my mind coming to? I don't know. Let's see what you all come up with.

Please note that for the past few weeks I have been trying something different with the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 3-18-11

2011-03-14T09:22:00.001-05:00

(Source image: "I Am So Hidden" by China Hamilton)

Your challenge for this Friday, 3-18-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 85-135 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...cool and smooth..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

My take on this pic will go up by 12:01 AM on Friday morning. If you are participating this week (and the more the merrier), simply stop by any time after that and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry. Everyone wins!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 3-11-11: "Splish Splash"

2011-03-11T00:01:00.001-06:00

(Source image: "Good Clean Fun" by John Hogl)

Submerged with only my nose above the water, I luxuriated in heat and silence, a vessel adrift. A small part of me wondered when my beloved might get home.

Timeless minutes later, I found out. Her small hand stole into the water and caressed my sleeping penis; it awoke to her touch, as it always does, raising its head happily.

I shuddered pleasantly and broached, scattering water everywhere. Straddling me, she settled down and onto her favorite toy. I moaned as I was enveloped in warmth and silk sleekness. Clinging to each other, we rocked to and fro softly, loving the day's stresses away.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 69-119 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...enveloped in warmth..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I consciously tried to make this week's pic and phrase more happy and upbeat, as I'd had more than enough of the negative side of things over the past few weeks. I chose something that just made me beam from ear to ear when looking at it. Look at those two, the expressions on their faces, the tenderness in their embrace. That's not just sex, that's not just fucking, that's lovemaking. If you get the distinction.

I've never been surprised in the bath like this, but over the years I've had some wonderful loving interludes that are great for scrubbing away any unpleasantries of the day (or week). I've had one of those weeks this week, actually. Sadly, though my partner is loving in many ways, I doubt it would ever enter her mind to surprise me like this. But hey, that's what fantasies are for, isn't it?

If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 3-11-11

2011-03-07T08:59:00.001-06:00

(Source image: "Good Clean Fun" by John Hogl)

Your challenge for this Friday, 3-11-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 69-119 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...enveloped in warmth..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

As with last week, I am no longer collecting the participants list, so you no longer need to notify me by email or leaving a comment here if you're planning on playing along on Friday. Instead, once you've posted your Friday entry, just drop by here to see my own Friday post (which will be scheduled for 12:01 AM on Friday morning) and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 3-4-11: "A Learning Experience"

2011-03-04T00:01:00.001-06:00

(Image source: "Schlampenfieber" by Ben Marcato; all websites I have found for Ben are currently down)

“Please, Mistress,” he begged. “I can't.......breathe.......”

“Shut up!” she snarled. Her thighs were burning, straining to hold this ridiculous position. He was paying her for this?

She slapped his face, realizing simultaneously that she was starting to slip. She lost her balance and slid forward. There was a sharp crack and suddenly his head dangled loosely, lifeless.

Shit. Apparently being a domme really wasn't for her.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 40-70 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...a sharp crack..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

Surprise! There's more to being a domme than one would guess, I imagine. Never having been into the whole pain vs. pleasure thing, I can nevertheless appreciate that you've got someone else's body in your care, and possibly their life as well if you're playing around with binding or erotic asphyxiation or anything else that presents real danger. I have no doubt that there are plenty of doms (and dommes) out there that know what they're doing, and take plenty of care with their victims. But what would happen, I wondered, if a housewife was trying to indulge her fantasies and discovered that she wasn't very good at it?

Naturally, from there it was just a quick jump from "she's not very good at this and she's not enjoying it" to "she screws up big-time and the guy pays the price". I don't know, maybe I've got a pessimistic outlook on life. Okay, I tell a lie, I already know I do.

Next week's offering will be more cheerful, I promise. At least the photo will be more bright and sunny. Flying Spaghetti Monster only knows where I might go with even a bright and sunny photo these days....

Please note that this week, as for the past few weeks, I am trying something different with the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. We'll see how this works out.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 3-4-11

2011-02-28T08:37:00.001-06:00

(Image source: "Schlampenfieber" by Ben Marcato; all websites I have found for Ben are currently down)

Enormous thanks are due to Lexi, who stepped in while I was traveling last week and hosted an awesome FFF. I owe you one, Lexi. Thanks!

Your challenge for this Friday, 3-4-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 40-70 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...a sharp crack..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

As with last week, I am no longer collecting the participants list, so you no longer need to notify me by email or leaving a comment here if you're planning on playing along on Friday. Instead, once you've posted your Friday entry, just drop by here to see my own Friday post (which will be scheduled for 12:01 AM on Friday morning) and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 2-18-11: "...And When She Falleth"

2011-02-18T00:01:00.003-06:00

(Image source unknown, but it just begs to be called "Precipice". Photo this week provided by Lexi.)

She stood on the edge, looking down into emptiness. The wind sliced her to the bone, carved her up in shivering chunks and left her spread over the landscape.

Such a long way to fall. She tightened her hold on identity, grasping for the shreds of sanity that he'd left her. She tilted her head, staring down still, poised on the precipice of her own making....

….and fell.

Fell screaming, calling out his name, body dissolving in a rush and whirl of light and sound and heat. Plummeted, still calling his name as she sundered and burst from within.

Afterward, she lay clasped in his embrace, listening to thunder within. Silent tears trickled forth unfelt.

“I've never seen you let go like that,” he whispered. “I feel humbled.”

She rolled into him, clutching him tighter. “Hold me,” was her only answer.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 115-148 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...poised on the precipice..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

This pic was dark and turbulent but it was nevertheless arresting enough to practically leap off the screen at me when Lexi sent it my way. There was really no other possible choice for this particular week.

I made a conscious effort to take the darkness shown here and spin it another way. One of my ex-lovers used to keep very tight control over herself when we were making love; she would enjoy it, but would never really let go enough to fully experience the pleasure we were creating. Then one day she really did let go, and damn near cracked a window with her shriek of ecstasy when I sent her over the edge with mouth, fingers and tongue. The aftermath transpired a bit like this story -- me, astonished and humbled by the power of her release, and she almost crying with the relief of tension and deliberate release of control. There were many more orgasms after that one, but none that quite matched that one exquisite moment. Even now, I remember it (and her) fondly.

Please note that this week, as with the last couple weeks, I am trying something different with the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link below. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. We'll see how this works out.

In any case, the participants list is below. Go check them out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to Lexi for providing this week's (plus a few others which I may use later on).

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 2-18-11

2011-02-14T08:26:00.002-06:00

(Image source unknown, but was titled "Precipice". Photo this week provided by Lexi.)

Your challenge for this Friday, 2-18-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 115-148 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...poised on the precipice..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

As with last week, I am no longer collecting the participants list, so you no longer need to notify me by email or leaving a comment here if you're planning on playing along on Friday. Instead, once you've posted your Friday entry, just drop by here to see my own Friday post (which will be scheduled for 12:01 AM on Friday morning) and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry.

Please see last week's entry for an example of how it works. Any questions, let me know.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 2-11-11: "Know Thyself"

2011-02-11T00:01:00.003-06:00

(Source image: "Searching Narciso" by Martin Toyé)

Stretch, flex, lift, relax. Curve of hip, sheen of sweat, arch of deltoid. Working out in front of the mirror was the best motivator he'd ever had. Its glass eye showed every flaw, every ounce of fat, every wasted movement. It drove him ever onward along the road to physical perfection.

Always he fell short, though. What he saw in the silvered glass was always a pale reflection of his mind's eye image. Something...something was missing.

Frustrated, he stretched out a hand toward his mirror image, resting it on the glass. And jumped in shock as his palm met warm, yielding flesh.

His heart raced...and his cock twitched. He saw his double's do the same, and smiled a slow smile.

Time to really work out.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 107-127 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...a pale reflection..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I seem to have a relentless urge to turn these into fantasy-themed works. Mythology, fairy tales, elementals, magic and mystery...yeah, I do telegraph my love of fantastic fiction JUST a little bit. I can't help it.

The title of the photo may have been "Searching Narciso" but I didn't get the sense that the subject was idolizing himself. Rather, it seemed to me that he was working out in front of a mirror because (like a camera) a mirror is very good at forcing all of your flaws into the open, do what you will to try and hide them. What better way to keep yourself on the straight and narrow, to keep the workout intensity up? When every little jiggle of fat is magnified by that reflection, you want even more to get rid of it.

Then I looked at the way he was caressing the thigh of the reflection. It looked like fascination to me. I imagine most of us would be pretty fascinated if our reflection suddenly stood before us in the flesh, too. Maybe you'd be horrified. Maybe you'd be freaked out. Or maybe, like the fellow in this tale, you'd be turned on. Maybe he's a little bi-curious and he wants to experiment a bit with somebody who knows his pleasures better than anyone else.

Regardless, wouldn't that be a great workout? Burning calories was never so much fun.

Please note that this week (as with last week) I am trying something different with the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please visit my site, A Panserbjorne's Musings, and leave your link in the post there. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. We'll see how this works out.

In any case, the participants list is only in that post on my site. Go check it out, and thanks to all who played along.

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 2-11-11

2011-02-07T08:08:00.003-06:00

(Source image: "Searching Narciso" by Martin Toyé)

Your challenge for this Friday, 2-11-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 107-127 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...a pale reflection..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

As with last week, I am no longer collecting the participants list, so you no longer need to notify me by email or leaving a comment here if you're planning on playing along on Friday. Instead, once you've posted your Friday entry, just drop by my website, A Panserbjorne's Musings, to see my own Friday post (which will be scheduled for 12:01 AM on Friday morning) and leave your link using the widget in the body of the post. Then everybody will know you're playing along and they'll come leave nice comments on your entry.

Please see this entry for an example of how it works. Any questions, let me know.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 2-4-11: "Forty-Love"

2011-02-04T00:01:00.004-06:00

(Source image: Playboy Playmates Karissa and Kristina Shannon)

“Forty-love!” I called, as the ball bounced just out of reach. They glanced at each other, expressions unreadable. Something passed between them, unspoken.

Ready for the next serve, I tossed the ball up, ready to smash...and whiffed air. The ball bounced away, mockingly.

Karissa and Kristina were stripping. They stood there with saucy smiles, breasts bared, shirts discarded, sliding tiny skirts down to drop to the clay, a double dose of distraction.

“We propose a new game,” Kristina called. “Nude. Winner takes all.”

“Dude,” my partner said under his breath. “How often does an opportunity like this happen?”

I glanced back at the girls. “You're on,” I answered.

Three 6-0 sets later, they approached, panting, to claim their reward. “Winner takes all” had never sounded so sweet.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 68-134 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...a double dose..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I wanted something light and fun this week. Accordingly, I selected a pic which had a warm friendly feeling to it, but had endless potential for mischief (come on, just look at the expressions on their faces). You could tell these two were up to something even if they weren't nekkid.

Naked tennis would be a lot of fun, I think, but like the fellas in the story, I'd be too busy watching the lovely ladies in motion to pay any attention to the fuzzy yellow sphere. I'm sure I'd lose just as handily as they did. Now the only question is, what kind of reward would the ladies want for their victory? I leave that as an exercise for the reader.

Please note that this week I am trying something different with the participants list. If you are playing along this week, please leave your link on the post at my site. It will appear in the text of the post itself, not in the comments, so everyone that's playing will be listed here. This frees me from having to chase people down to find out if they're playing or update the Friday post several times for late entries. We'll see how this works out.

In any case, the participants list is shown in the FFF entry on my site, Insatiabear. Go check it out, and thanks to all who are joining in this week!

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 2-4-11

2011-01-31T08:10:00.002-06:00

(Source image: Playboy Playmates Karissa and Kristina Shannon)

Your challenge for this Friday, 2-4-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 68-134 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...a double dose..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

SPECIAL NOTE: I will not be collecting a participants list this week in the usual way (that is, by comments and emails left for me). Instead, the Friday post will have some code in the body of the post itself that will allow you to leave a link to your entry if you are participating. This does mean that you'll have to drop by my site, Insatiabear, on Friday (my Friday entry will be scheduled for 12:01 AM, so it'll go up in plenty of time for you all to leave your own link), but it also means I don't have to chase people down to find out if they're participating or not, or spend half of Friday editing the post to add late additions. We'll see how this method works for a week or two.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 1-28-11: "Not As Expected"

2011-01-28T08:00:00.004-06:00

(Photo source unknown)

“So how was your day, hon?” he asked, standing in the doorway, relishing her shock. “From the looks of you, it was a good one.”

She had the grace to look embarrassed. Terror warred with resignation on her face.

“No answer?” He smiled grimly and moved toward the wardrobe, opening it, revealing a busty blonde with her arms held protectively over her nudity. He jerked his thumb at the door. “Out.”

She stumbled out of the room, sneaking frightened glances over her shoulder. He turned to Lauren, still huddled in the middle of the bed. “Thirty minutes to gather your things,” he said. “If you're not gone by then, I come after you with this.”

The shotgun's "click-clack" rang and echoed, promising blood.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 93-129 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...held protectively..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I think the expectation with a picture like this is the typical porn movie scenario: if a guy comes home and finds his woman cheating on him with another woman, he's supposed to be delighted rather than upset, and happily join in, or at least watch them ravage each other. That's definitely a happier outcome (and I like to think it's how I would react), but what about those to whom trust is everything? The ones with whom a breach of confidence is enough to cause irreparable damage? To someone like that, I thought, it wouldn't make a damn bit of difference whether his girlfriend was fucking another man or another woman. And so, rather than follow the "let's all get naked and have fun" path, I went with the more depressing and bitter one. I rather hope most of you came up with something more delectable.

Massive bonus points for anyone who can identify what movie I stole the title phrase from.

The following people are participating this week. Go check out their take on this FFF, won't you, and thank 'em for playing along.

Oversexed Librarian: http://oversexedlibrarian.blogspot.com
David: http://dsinvegas.blogspot.com
Soren: http://amorousdays.blogspot.com
Sephani: http://sephanipaige.wordpress.com
MarQe: http://marqe.blogspot.com (MarQe is a newcomer to FFF; go say welcome)
Lexi: http://lex-ploits.blogspot.com
Angelika: http://angelikadevlyn.wordpress.com
Dee: http://curvaceousdee.com
Max: http://mystic-satyr.blogspot.com
Dioneo: http://eccespanko.blogspot.com

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

Please note: I will be trying an experiment for next Friday. Rather than gather a participants list via email / comments, I'll be using a widget which allows participants to leave their links at the end of my Friday post to let everyone else know they've participated. That way it doesn't matter if you decide to participate at the last second, or if you forget to contact me ahead of time. Just leave your link on the post and you'll be set. The Friday post will go up at 12:01 AM.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 1-28-11

2011-01-24T09:11:00.001-06:00

(Photo source unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 1-28-11, is to use the photo above to write a flash fiction of 93-129 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...held protectively..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

The usual reminders apply: if you're planning on joining in the fun, please email me (insatiabear (AT) gmail [DOT] com) or leave a comment here, sometime before Friday. And please, for the love of all that's holy, include a website address if you email me, or if your commenting profile doesn't have a link to your page. It makes things a whole hell of a lot easier for me. You all want to do that, don't you? Right. If you don't let me know you're playing, or don't tell me where you can be found, I'll have to leave you off the list of participants when I post it on Friday. And nobody wants that.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 1-21-11

2011-01-21T09:17:00.004-06:00

(Photo borrowed from Tempting Sweets, model/source unknown. Photo a bit larger than the usual size because it's hard to see details when it's at smaller sizes).

I am breaking my own rule here and not posting a story this week. Due to a death in my family I find myself rather unable to write anything sexy and hot. The list of participants this week is below. There will be another challenge on Monday; see you all then.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 101-156 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...rich and dark..."

The following people are participating this week. Go check out their take on this FFF, won't you, and thank 'em for playing along.

Drenchxoxo: http://thedrenchedone.blogspot.com
Soren: http://amorousdays.blogspot.com
Advizor: http://advizortoall.blogspot.com
Rozewolf: http://wordwytch.wordpress.com
Lexi: http://lex-ploits.blogspot.com
Angelika: http://angelikadevlyn.wordpress.com
Aeon's Angel: http://afreedomtosubmit.blogspot.com

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 1-21-11

2011-01-17T09:41:00.001-06:00

(Photo borrowed from Tempting Sweets, model/source unknown. Photo a bit larger than the usual size because it's hard to see details when it's at smaller sizes).

Your challenge for this Friday, 1-21-11, is to use the photo above to write a flash fiction of 101-156 words. And here's a phrase for you to use in your submission:

"...rich and dark..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

The usual reminders apply: if you're planning on joining in the fun, please email me (insatiabear (AT) gmail [DOT] com) or leave a comment here, sometime before Friday. And please, for the love of all that's holy, include a website address if you email me, or if your commenting profile doesn't have a link to your page. It makes things a whole hell of a lot easier for me. You all want to do that, don't you? Right. If you don't let me know you're playing, or don't tell me where you can be found, I'll have to leave you off the list of participants when I post it on Friday. And nobody wants that.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 1-14-11: "Service with a Smile"

2011-01-14T08:49:00.003-06:00

(Source image: "Jeans Girl" by Reinfried Marass. Photo provided by Rozewolf.)

“Pardon me?”

Olivia pulled her head out from under the bonnet of the Mustang and rose, stretching. “Yes?”

“Um....I need a master mechanic,” the blonde standing by the garage door said tentatively. “Is that you?”

Olivia nodded. “Oh yes,” she said, liking what she saw. Dirty blonde hair, artfully tousled, hourglass figure, legs that went for approximately six miles. “Good service with a smile, that's me. What've you got that's in need of work?”

“Well, my Caddy hasn't had a good tuneup in a long, long while,” the blonde replied. Her gaze locked with Olivia's in a direct challenge. Olivia almost heard the click. Her heart started hammering.

“Oh, you don't have to worry, I'll take care of that,” Olivia said. “Change your oil, put some acid in your battery, stop your radiator from steaming. Trust me, I'll lubricate you good.”

Oh, shit. Betrayed by lust. She went crimson. “It! I'll lubricate it good! I, um. Oh geez.”

The blonde moved in as Olivia fumbled. “Shut up,” she said, almost kindly. “I liked it better the first way.” She licked her lips, and her hands slid down Olivia's back to her ass.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 153-208 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...a good tuneup..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I'd been toying with the idea of writing a piece that was all mechanical innuendo, phrase after phrase, getting as dirty as I could get without ever using the "real" words. I kept putting it off because for once my copious imagination was deserting me; I couldn't come up with decent scenarios to save my life.

Then Rozewolf sent me this photo with a couple of others, and the second I saw it I knew I had my garage piece. Since it was a Caddy in the pic, I also drew heavily from Johnny Winter's awesome blues tune "Master Mechanic", to the point of stealing many of the phrasings from the lyrics. Maybe it's cheating, but I choose to call it a homage. That's my excuse, anyway. I was too busy to get anything more detailed done this week. God, how I hate it when real life gets in the way of my playtime.

The following people are participating this week. Go check out their take on this FFF, won't you, and thank 'em for playing along.

Sephani Paige: http://sephanipaige.wordpress.com
Soren: http://amorousdays.blogspot.com
Drenchxoxo: http://thedrenchedone.blogspot.com
David: http://dsinvegas.blogspot.com
Lexi: http://lex-ploits.blogspot.com
Oversexed Librarian: http://oversexedlibrarian.blogspot.com
Advizor: http://advizortoall.blogspot.com
Rozewolf: http://wordwytch.wordpress.com (Rozewolf also provided this week's photo)

Check back here on Monday for the next challenge! And if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks again to Rozewolf for providing this week's photo. I mean seriously, look at that ass.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 1-15-11

2011-01-10T08:47:00.001-06:00

(Source image: "Jeans Girl" by Reinfried Marass. Photo provided by Rozewolf.)

Thanks to all who participated over the past couple weeks even though I wasn't around to administrate things! Thanks also to David and to Lexi, who made some efforts to try and organize things a bit with me gone. I appreciate it, folks.

But we're back to normal this week (or at least, as normal as things ever get around here). Your challenge for this Friday, 1-15-11, is to use the photo above to write a flash fiction of 153-208 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...a good tuneup..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

The usual reminders apply: if you're planning on joining in the fun, please email me (insatiabear (AT) gmail [DOT] com) or leave a comment here, sometime before Friday. And please, for the love of all that's holy, include a website address if you email me, or if your commenting profile doesn't have a link to your page. It makes things a whole hell of a lot easier for me. You all want to do that, don't you? Right. If you don't let me know you're playing, or don't tell me where you can be found, I'll have to leave you off the list of participants when I post it on Friday. And nobody wants that.

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Check back here on Friday for my take on the challenge and the list of participants, and then again on Monday for the next FFF challenge! And as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see used in an upcoming week, send them my way. Thanks to Rozewolf for providing this week's photo!

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 1-7-11: "Deluge"

2011-01-07T08:00:00.001-06:00

(Image provided by Sephani Paige, original source unknown)

The world had fallen in thunder and ruin around her ears. How could she have been so blind?

She'd been charmed by those good looks and his ready wit, missing the vicious glint dancing in the depths of those unreadable black eyes. A mistake, and a nearly fatal one. Now she lay prostrate in the alleyway, clutching shreds of her clothing, bruised and torn, aching head whirling, his foul cum still leaking down her thighs.

A rumble overhead announced the gods weren't done fucking with her yet. Droplets of pain fell on her upturned face and danced staccato steps along her spine. They tore away, at last, the last remnants of self-control. Silently, she wept in tandem with the raindrops, wondering just how she could ever go back to her life after what had been done to her.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 106-206 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...droplets of [[any noun you choose]]..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I don't know what it is about the new year that tends to make me melancholy. You'd think that it would be a time of happiness and rebirth for pretty much everyone concerned. So it is for most (and for me as well, this year), but for the life of me I just can't shake the deepening sadness that tends to creep over me for the last few days of the year and the first few of the new year (witness, for example, this piece that I wrote for New Year's last year). Maybe it's the result of having spent too many New Year's Eves alone with no one to kiss. Maybe it's the fact that I'm too damn introspective for my own good. Maybe I'm just depressive and need to snap the hell out of it. Maybe I'm just overanalyzing and I'll be right as a trivet again after I kill a few children and old ladies (as Stephen King would say). Maybe none of these.

Even without that, though, this picture would tend to make me sad. Try as I might, I couldn't turn it into anything happy; there's just something in her posture and the expression on her face (what little you can see of it) that says to me she's anything but happy. Maybe the rest of you had more luck with it.

In any case, I hope your own holidays and New Year's have been much more cheerful than this. As in the past couple weeks, there is no participants list this week as I am traveling for personal and business reasons. Look for a return to normality on Monday, when I will be returned from my travels and once again be collecting participant lists and leaving comments on everyone else's entries. There will probably be a more cheerful picture as well, to help wash the lingering bad taste of this little tale away. And, as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way. Thanks to Sephani Paige for this week's photo.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 1-7-11

2011-01-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

(Image provided by Sephani Paige, original source unknown)

Happy New Year! Your challenge for this Friday, 1-7-11, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 106-206 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...droplets of [[any noun you choose]]..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

SPECIAL NOTE:

I will be travelling for personal and business reasons from December 18th until January 10th. During that time I will not be able to collect the participant list like usual to go along with the Friday post, and will probably not be able to leave comments on everyone else's takes. However, since I don't want you all to be entirely bereft of FFF action, I will still have a challenge post/pic/phrase up on each Monday during that time period, and will still provide my own take on Friday. I just won't be able to provide a participant list like usual on that Friday. I hope you folk will still participate!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Check back here on Friday for my take on the challenge, and then again on Monday for the next FFF challenge! And as always, if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see used in an upcoming week, send them my way. Thanks to Sephani Paige for this week's photo.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday 12-31-10: "Spell of the White Witch"

2010-12-31T08:00:00.002-06:00

(Image source: femjoy.com , model unknown)

"Turkish Delight is for little boys," the Witch purred. "Wouldn't you rather have...a man's reward?"

Edmund's heart beat faster as the Witch unfastened her robe and let it fall to the snow. Stretching, she lay full length. Her body shone, pale and bright. Winter's kiss left no trace upon her.

Edmund's blood burned. He knelt behind the Witch, now very aware of the pressing heat at his groin, dimly understanding that pleasures beyond his dreams could be his for the taking.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 66-86 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...winter's kiss..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

I've been rereading C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series recently. This picture inspired me to write the only piece of "fan-fiction" I've ever created. When I saw this woman lying nude in the snow, with that fur coat and hat, all I could think about was the White Witch from the first book in the series. In the story, Edmund betrays his companions to the Witch for some Turkish Delight. Me, I'd much rather have the Witch herself. The idea of entwining with a beauty like this, steaming it up in the snow...oh yes, what a delight that would be. She looks a lot more tasty than any conjured confectionery.

Please note that there is no participants list this week as I am traveling for personal and business reasons. I hope you enjoyed this week's pic and challenge. Check back here on Monday for the next challenge, and if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB

Flash Fiction Friday Challenge for 12-31-10

2010-12-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

(Image source: femjoy.com , model unknown)

Your challenge for this Friday, 12-31-10, is to use the picture above to write a flash fiction of 66-86 words. Since everyone seems to be enjoying the required phrases, please use this phrase in your submission:

"...winter's kiss..."

As usual, nobody's checking word counts, or the key phrase, but you only cheat yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're breaking them to earn a spanking....in which case, see me after class.

SPECIAL REMAINDER-OF-DECEMBER NOTE:

I will be travelling for personal and business reasons from December 18th until January 10th. During that time I will not be able to collect the participant list like usual to go along with the Friday post, or be able to leave comments on everyone else's takes. However, since I don't want you all to be entirely bereft of FFF action, I will still have a challenge post/pic/phrase up on each Monday during that time period, and will still provide my own take on Friday. I just won't be able to provide a participant list like usual on that Friday. I hope you folk will still participate!

Here's a button for you if you want to include that in your post. Use it to link back to the challenge post, if you like, or link to the Flash Fiction Friday FAQ if you'd rather do that. That Flash Fiction Friday FAQ is also the link you should visit if you're new to the whole FFF thing and have questions. I want everybody to enjoy this, after all.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Flash Fiction Friday 12-24-10: "A Holly Jolly Christmas"

2010-12-24T08:00:00.002-06:00

(Artwork above is from a 70s Playboy cover by Haddon Sundblom, who is rather more well known for his other Christmas art.)

Christmas Eve, and Santa was more stressed than he'd been in months. Lists to check (twice), an elf rebellion to quell (the little buggers had gotten into the egg nog and were refusing to finish up the last few toys), last-minute transportation arrangements to handle (Rudolph, usually reliable, had been found dead drunk in a snowbank, muttering something about being a misfit). Santa wished grimly for a drink, and went back to rechecking the "naughty" list.

"Awwww. Is Papa all stressed out?" he heard from behind him.

Turning, he beheld a vision. A Christmas hat cocked at a jaunty angle. Golden hair framing an angelic -- no, make that a devilish smile. And the shortest red robe he'd ever seen. Not to mention the spectacular body it was just barely hiding.

"Here," she cooed. "Let me take care of that." And she spread her robe like she was unwrapping a gift.

Ten minutes later, Santa was feeling much more jolly. "Ho! Ho! Ho!" he boomed cheerfully. "I've gotten my present; time to get all the good girls and boys their presents too!

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Claus," she grinned.

"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Claus," he replied, and kissed her tenderly.

(Click for details on FFF!)

Your challenge for today was to use the picture above and write a flash fiction of 121-199 words. Additionally, I provided a key phrase I wanted to see used somewhere in the submission:

"...unwrapping a gift..."

Nobody's checking word counts, or for the key phrase, but you're only cheating yourself if you break the rules. Unless you're doing it to earn a spanking (in which case, see me after class).

Special Bonus Director's Commentary Track:

This was partially inspired by Jimmy Buffett's highly amusing island-flavored Christmas tune "Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum" (listen to it on Youtube here; lyrics are here if you really have trouble figuring them out). Who has more reason to be stressed during the Christmas season than Santa himself? I mean, the number of things he has to keep track of must be just ridiculous. And aside from the odd household that leaves out cookies and milk for him, how many people ever say thanks? I like to think that Santa's wife does what she can to help keep him unstressed, and I also like to think that someone who's that cheerful must have a very happy and very active sex life. So I wrote a little piece where Santa gets a nice bout of happy holiday sex from his loving wife and the problems he's dealing with just melt away. If you don't like that, well, humbug to you. :)

Eagle-eyed readers, or at least readers with the same exposure to children's TV specials, may also have noted the tip of the hat to the old Rankin-Bass animated "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" holiday special, both in the title and in the piece itself. I will never tire of watching that; there are so many happy memories associated with it. I never thought Rudolph was a misfit, but then that may just be because I was something of a weird misfit myself, growing up. And "Papa" is just what Mrs. Claus calls Santa in that special; there's no Santa-daughter incest going on here. :)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Please note that there is no participants list this week as I am traveling for personal and business reasons and have limited access to email and to Blogger. I hope you enjoyed this week's pic and challenge. Check back here on Monday for the next challenge, and if you have any photos or artwork you'd like to see in a future challenge, please send them my way.

-- PB