We Quills are back with more flash fiction fun! (Do you hear that crowd cheering?)

Robin Lythgoe, author of As the Crow Flies, selected our prompt this time. 

Please take a look at what we each came up with and if you'd like to share a story of your own, we'd be delighted!

It is Truly Magic

by Patricia Reding

Copyright Patricia Reding 2021

Some say it doesn’t exist.

But they are wrong.

It does. It does.  

“It does!” Nellie cried, as though repeating her mantra, whether in her mind, or verbally, would make it so. 

She pulled her boots on, then wriggled her toes, testing . . .

I hope you enjoyed that. Now, for Robin Lythgoe's tale.

Robin is running a bit behind, but is sure to catch up in short order. For now, check out her site here.

P.S. Broaddus. What have you for us?  

Gogs

by P.S. Broaddus

Copyright P.S. Broaddus 2021

People don’t talk about it, probably because they don’t remember, but being eight is the hardest age. Even harder than being a junker. Or a evaporative farmer, or whatever we are now.

I guess it didn’t start right when I turned eight. So maybe it’s eight and a half. (Turning seven was even awesomer, ’cause that’s when I got my goggles, and my nickname, “Gogs.”) Even so, turning eight was pretty good . . .

Thank you so much, Parker!

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by!

There can be no mistaking that 2020 has been a most unusual year.

I believe Robin Lythgoe and I started our Quills posts in 2013. Later, Parker joined us. I do recall times when we’ve not all been able to put a piece together for our joint-post, but I do not recall a month when we did not post at all—until last month, that is. June 2020 came and went too quickly, and too many personal issues held us up. Consequently, we had no post last month. We are pleased, however, to be with you again, and just in time to wish America a very, very, very Happy Birthday, indeed!

The topic we chose this month was to put together a character sketch. I am currently in the process of introducing someone new, Athan Eamon, in Volume 4 of The Oathtaker Series, (for now, entitled, Blue Gloom), so I thought I would use Athan as a subject. I’ve known about Athan for a long time, although I was uncertain as to when he would actually show up. Then, wouldn’t you know it, a door opened and … there he was …

What follows is the beginning of a rough character sketch for Athan, and beyond that, an excerpt from my current work-in-progress...

An Anthology

This is a collection of 25 stories that span a broad range of time. The authors are meant to be well known, though I only recognize a couple of names, like Piers Anthony.

The first story, Draconic King by James Wymore, is a well written Fantasy tale of the dragonslayer kind (with some differences), others include a story of a succubus spirit of a volcano, a weird story of an encounter with a ready meal and others covering a wide spectrum from Fantasy to Victorians.

The common factor holding them together is that the authors are all established names with credits behind them. This shows in the quality of writing in the stories. Recommended for those who enjoy a well written short story.

Hello, all!

This month we Quills are back to one of our favorite types of posts. That is, we will share some new flash fiction tales with you. (Here is a quick link to a page identifying where you can find our prior stories.)

This time, P.S. Broaddus, aka Parker, author of A Hero's Curse, chose the picture for which we would each create a story. When I first saw the pic, the word "whimsey" came to mind. You'll see how I made use of it. In the meantime, let's see what Parker and Robin have for us! 

Parker? Off you go!

Welcome to Sky

by P.S. Broaddus

Copyright P.S. Broaddus 2020

"My dad could eat your dad."

"Not if he can't catch him first."

"He's one of the best fliers we have!"

"He still can't outfly my dad. No cat can outfly a bird."

"Bet I could outfly you."

"Not a chance."

The nestling and the kitten eyed each other. The kitten broke the terse silence. "I'm Starbucks. I was named after-"

"I'm Boeing!" The nestling interrupted. "I was named after the fastest flying machines of the old gods."

Starbucks huffed. "As I was saying before you interrupted me, I was named after the elite fuel of the old gods.

(Readers, be sure to follow the link for the rest of Parker's story.)

Now, Robin Lythgoe, author of As the Crow Flies, has something for us. Take it away, Robin!

December has arrived and as usual, I am scurrying about with visions of sugarplums dancing in my head—which is to say that I am trying to work out what to get for whom, and from where, and at what cost, and so forth … One thing is for certain: when it comes to the simple gifts one may purchase, the age of technology has made life so much easier. For another year now, I will do most if not all, of my holiday shopping online. I love clicking the BUY button and then waiting for things to arrive on my doorstep.

But our subject this month has put me in a more introspective mood about gifting …

​We Quills have decided to comment briefly on a gift we received at some time that made a lasting memory, and on something we gave that made a lasting impression.

Robin Lythgoe is the author of As the Crow Flies. Robin’s stories, perfect for ages 12-85, come packed with adventure and humor. Perhaps you know just the right person to receive a copy of one of her works for Christmas … (?)

Robin -  What do you have for us today?

​

It was 1999, and my father was dying. The cancer was fairly aggressive. Shocking, when he’d been so healthy all his life. He’d left the family years before to follow a drummer only he heard. We didn’t see much of him, but still—it was Dad. Time was short. So was money ...

Thank you for sharing, Robin, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Moving on ...

P.S. Broaddus offers delightful tales for middle school readers—and I know how difficult those are to find. So, if you've got a young one on your gift-giving list (and who of us doesn't?), you'll find out more about his work on his sight. In the meantime, let's see what he has to say about gift-giving ...

When I think about giving, and gifts, a story from when I was close to nine or ten comes to mind.

My younger brother and I were given a few dollars by our folks and encouraged to find something for each other for Christmas. Being a kid, I did some quick math, figured I could snatch a passable something and still have monies left over.

Thank you so much, Parker!

Finally, here are my thoughts.

Gift giving is an art—a fine art. Gift giving is the fine art of selecting just the right thing for someone—and it is one that I work at. At times I’ve hit the sweet spot so perfectly, that it left even me surprised. But before I get to that, let me comment on a gift I received that made a lasting memory.

Some years ago ...

So, what are the greatest gifts you ever gave? Ever received? We'd love to hear about them!