Flash Fiction (My First Attempt)
Over the weekend and today, I wrote two pieces of coursework to send to my tutor. One was a 2,500-word true-life short story, which I may share another time. The other, today, was my first-ever attempt at flash fiction (under 300 words). As I said to my blogging friend, Jeff Cann, yesterday, I never write fiction, having always said I can’t do it, so this is unusual for me. I thought I’d share it with you here.
FEATHERS
Andrea was washing the dishes when she was startled by a scream from outside. She hobbled over to the kitchen window and looked to see where the sound had come from. A minute later, the phone rang. As she answered it, the irate voice of her neighbour shouted, “your bloody cat has killed a pigeon in my garden,” to which Andrea replied, “I’m really sorry, but how do you know it was my Lucy? She’s never caught a bird before; several cats prowl this area.”
The voice yelled, “Your cat was sitting nearby and looking very proud.”
She smiled to herself and tried to visualise a proud cat. “You’ll have to come and clear this mess up,” Mick demanded.
Andrea explained she’d injured her ankle, so she couldn’t help. She felt quite sorry for Mick now, having to deal with the feathered casualty and knowing how much he hated cats. She felt sorrier for the pigeon, as she loved all wildlife. She apologised, still not convinced it was Lucy’s fault but wanting to keep the peace. They’d always been good neighbours up until now; it would be a shame to fall out over this one incident.
She offered Mick some plastic bags and old gardening gloves to clear up the dead body. Five minutes later, she could hear him cussing as he dealt with the corpse in his back garden. Andrea finished washing up, despite the water being only lukewarm now. She glanced up and was horrified to see Mick, having hopped quietly over the low fence, furtively creeping along the wall to her dustbin. He lifted the lid and unceremoniously plopped the dead bird in.
Now, he was the one who was smiling.
Ellie Thompson's World 
Nice.
Thanks, Brian. I will try to catch up some of your recent posts today.
Thats great Ellie! Very good attempt! I liked it!
Thank you, Carol anne. I’m glad you liked it. Xx 😘
Really liked this Ellie. This happened in my neighborhood. One of my cats killed a bird two houses over at a birdbath. The neighbor called up my mom super pissed. Being a lifelong cat owner she shrugged it off with a ‘yeah, that’s what they do’. Bad blood, lemme tell you,
And thanks for the link. 🙂
You’re welcome, Jeff. It was partly you who inspired me to have a go, so thanks. 😊
Thank you, Jeff. I’m glad you liked it. Cats will be cats – as much as I don’t like Peanut catching mice and birds, I know that’s part of nature. I’m glad your mom wasn’t affected by her fuming neighbour. Peanut only catches small birds, often the ones that have fallen out of their nest (which is sad) but she’s, thankfully, never gone for a pigeon or larger bird. I think if she did, I’d have to ground her for a week! 😉😂
I like it!
Thanks, Greg. I appreciate that.
Never say never Ellie! You keep it up and you might get me to try my hand at poetry. Now that would be a major accomplishment!!! Lovely piece Ellie.
True, Brian. I’ve always said I couldn’t write fiction to save my life, so I even surprised myself! I really think you should have a go at writing a piece – I’d love to read it if, and when you do. I’m glad you enjoyed my little story. Thanks for your kind comment 😊.
Nice, you should be proud! You did it!! 🙌🤗💖
Aww, thank you, Pamelap. That’s very kind of you to say. I surprised myself when I’d finished it as I’ve never written fiction before. I hope you’re okay or as well as you can be. Xx 💜🌹💛
You are so welcome! 🙏💖
Love it.
A whole new avenue on your horizon!
Thanks, Granny. I’m not sure if it’s a new avenue. It took me much longer than my poems. I might just give another piece a go if I get time. Thanks for your encouragement. Love you Xxx 💓🌼💞
loving this, so glad you wrote this beautiful piece, thank you💙💙🎶
Aww – thank you so much, Krissy. I’m very glad you liked it. Thank you for your kindness in commenting. Xx 💜🌹💛
Did you have trouble writing this, being that you thought you could not write fiction?
Hi, J. I did, yes. I worked on it for a couple of days during the weekend and some of yesterday. It’s the first piece of fiction I’ve ever written. I surprised myself! When I’ve tried to write longer pieces of fiction, I tend to drag it out too much and start waffling. I guess, practice makes perfect (or acceptable anyway).
Take this as a sign of your growing strength, Ellie. You tried jt, and you did it. I have a challenge for you, once you are ready to think about doing another piece of fiction. And if you want a challenge. Let me know.
Thanks, J. I will definitely think about writing another piece of fiction – probably not for a while as I’m so busy these days. With me, it’s one extreme of the other! I will let you know when I’m ready for the challenge 😊.
Excellent for a first attempt, Ellie. See, you can do it.
Thank you, Mick. I’m glad you liked it. I even surprised myself! X 😊
Very interesting Ellie!!👌 Keep going on.❤❤❤
Thank you, Mousumi. I’m glad you liked it and thanks for your encouragement. I hope you are well. Xx 💓🌼💕
Loved it, Ellie.
You got this!!
Thank you, Vidah. That’s so kind of you to say. Xx 💖
So glad to see you prove yourself wrong, Ellie 🙂
Thanks, PeNdantry. It was certainly a challenge 😊.
My nan use to have a saying, Ellie, ‘there’s no such thing as can’t, just won’t.’ This was a great read and you did it. Keep going Ellie, I am sure there are many more stories for your writing to uncover.
Thanks so much, Davy Now you’ve said that, it’s brought back memories of my Nan saying that, too. I’m glad you liked my story. It’ll be interesting to see if I can write any more fiction. I do find it easier to write non-fiction, though.. Still, I’m up for a challenge but it might take me some time 😊.
Way to go. Ellie! 🙂 ❤
Thanks, Penny. That’s a lovely comment 😊💕
Thinking of you and your, gap. Hoping the next safe harbour is coming into view.
Thank you so much for remembering, Richard. No sign of anything yet. How lovely of you to think of me. Thanks again.
Haha. Love the twist at the end. 🙂
Thank you, Brit. I’m glad you liked it. It’s my first piece of fiction ever; not sure when the next piece will be – when inspiration strikes, perhaps. Xx 😊💕
It’s a good first. 👍🌼
Smiled reading this, very well written. Keep surprising us, Ellie!
Thank you, Thompson. That’s kind of you to say. It’s my first piece of fiction, but I think it might take me some time to think of something else fictional to write about 😊.
What course are you doing?
It’s actually a writing course, Ann. It’s once a week via Zoom, and then I have work set to complete for the following week, or if it’s a longer piece, then I can take extra time. I hope you are well. Xx 😊.
That sounds really interesting, Ellie. I hope it goes well 🙂
Thanks, Ann. Xx 😊.
Really nice job Ellie. I enjoyed the story from start to finish and am looking forward to more as you explore this style.
Thank you, Tommy. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. I think it might take me some time to think up another piece of fiction, but hopefully, not too long. I’ll have to wait for some inspiration to strike, I think 😊.
I enjoyed reading it, Ellie! 👍🏼❤️
Thank you, Aaysid. I’m glad you liked it. Xx 😊💖
What an interesting work!!
Love it.
Now, I would love to see you write a health blog.
That would be fun.
Thank you, Devang. I’m so glad you liked my short story. I’m not sure I’d know where to start with writing a health blog. I think I’ll leave that up to you as you write these so well yourself 😊.
Maybe you can try!!
It will be fun ☺️
Just add element of humor and the original you. People will love it more than anything else.
It’s hard to believe this is your first flash fiction! Well done! I did not expect the ending and I expect it might be the start of an epic neighborly feud.
Thank you so much, Bridgette. It really was my first piece of flash fiction, or any fiction, come to that – ever. Perhaps, I should write a follow up about the neighbours’ relationship after that event, but I don’t think that would go anywhere. I like the idea, though. Xx 😘💕
Do it! Maybe write from the neighbors perspective next as I’m sure the story the neighbor has around the incident is very different.
Ah, that’s a different and helpful way of thinking about it. I will think more about that. I so appreciate all your encouragement, my friend Xx 🌹💓