Well here we are again at the start of another weekend. Yes, it is Friday and that means it is time to tempt you all with some new prompts. Now that October is underway, some people might find it nice to curl up with some apple cider, a slice of pumpkin pie, and write! As usual it is time to see if we can encourage new authors, revitalize lagging authors, and see if we can keep our usual crew pumping out new works. Just the weekly reminder - Prompt responses under 1,000 words must be posted as part of a collection.

First off is a new prompt from the Poetry Guru - AC Benus. He offers up a new style of poetry for everyone to attempt. The Ballade - A Ballade is a song/poem that is also very like the Ghazal in being flexible in what type of theme the poet wishes to select. One of the greatest French poets, François Villon, used the Ballade to write of abstract things like the seasons, as well as a very emotional plea for acceptance and forgiveness on the day he was to be executed by the State. Curiously enough, another point of connection between the Ballade and the Ghazal is the "Envoi" (or, sometimes "Envoy" in English). This is a direct address from the poet to the person or abstract notion the Ballade is dedicated to. In it's way, it's very much like the salute of the poet in the final couplet of the Ghazal. Curious for more on this style then please check it out here - http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/topic/40858-poetry-prompt-14-%E2%80%93-ballade/#entry558402

Then of course there is the usual prompts for our ravenous members.

Prompt 452 – Creative

Tag – First Line

“So tell me all the details!”

Prompt 453 – Creative

Tag – The Break

You never got to take your vacation during the summer when everyone else did. With it slowly moving into fall you decide it is past time for a break. Where do you go on your vacation?

This week was a bit sparse with people taking a shot at the new prompts. We did have two authors who attempted Prompt 450 which asked authors to use the following in a story – an apple, a farm, hay, a horse, a diamond ring.

First up was JohnAR with another chapter of his metaverse.

 

It was ironic that some car radio – more likely an iPhone in a car – blasted Rocky’s theme through the air while he looked at the simple gravestone bearing his dead friend’s name. After all that had been the hit of the month when they had met 40 years ago.

 

The three men had terrible hangovers and Giovanni was convinced he got some STD on top because of all their fucking. Yesterday’s 4^th of July celebration had made women even more available to the three young men than normally in the already loose atmosphere of the late seventies. He was with Arthur, who had just taken over the alpha role in his Montana pack and was only weeks away from his wedding with the stunning, but not particularly warm, Fauna, and Giovanni, who was only few weeks away before starting his first job in a Wall Street firm after college. He, Lunn, had been the youngest, just out of high school and few weeks away from joining the Corps in Parris Island. What had magically brought them together was the desire to enjoy the last days of their freedom before all of them were called to ‘duty.’

Puppilull attacked this as well with a new chapter about the Vampire we've grown very interested in.

I was running. Running faster than I had ever done before or at least I tried. Behind me, I could hear the angry voices and the neighing of a horse getting closer. I should be able to outrun them, I always could. Somehow, this time they seemed to be gaining instead.

 

Through the narrow streets of this small town, over the slippery ground I ran. I looked over my shoulder and saw the lights from their lanterns. I could almost see their faces, distorted with anger and hate. I could definitely smell them, wishing once again I couldn’t. Hating the reason I could.

So that is a sample of what our authors did last week. If you are interested in the stories please read and comment on them. It helps an author to know people are enjoying their work.

I have question to ask you, loyal readers. Do you prefer to have a sample of all the works our authors have done or would you rather just have one or two spotlighted? I'd like to know as we go forward so prompts can reflect your interests.

Thank you for taking the time to look at this week's works by our talented authors. Please check back next week to see what new wonders have been produced. Remember to read, comment, and tell your friends about the stories and authors you enjoy. It helps to introduce people to new stories and gives a boost to the author. Till next time, be safe and well.