northie

Well, ... yes and no. Certainly, I think Leo might disagree, based on his first few days.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the story. 😊

Ah, well... I read it and thought 'Yay!' I can usually make something out of a prompt, even if you end up looking at it sideways. 🤨😄

Belief of some kind - not necessarily tied to religion though. That's the route Theo's trying to head down. Make Hell somewhere attractive. Kinda. One of the best things about a prompt response is not having to devise a complete, bulletproof backstory.

Sorry - that has been corrected. See the story front page. Glad you enjoyed reading it. 😊

Well... it's in his interests as much as anyone else's that Hell is successful. His present SMT haven't exactly covered themselves in glory...

I'm not remotely a prankster (or, for most of my life, a good subject either) but your description of the incident had me laughing out loud. And at least our hero 'fessed up. 🤨😄

Apologies - this was one mad rush job. The prompt is now part of the front page info. Glad you enjoyed it.

For a change, the sun shone as Theo Godley entered the unknown part of his new morning commute. He took pleasure in the fresh-minted light which sliced its way through the city centre high-rise thicket with surprising efficiency. His new business shoes were rubbing already. Definitely not designed to be walked in, but he’d forgotten to locate his comfy trainers in the earlier rush. Idiot. The shoes were black, as was his suit. All as per instructions for the new job. Weird for an office jo

Theo Godley's on his way to a shiny new job. Maybe the best job of his career so far. Only, it isn't what he expected.

I'm going to be right up to the wire... 😬🤞

Welcome to the club, kbois! Congratulations!

Art is resistance. Art is defiance. Art speaks truth to power. It may not take to the streets or stand in the way of unjust laws, but every contribution is equally valid. Even more so if committing your words to (digital) paper helps you weather the oncoming storm. Self-care is going to be an important part of the next few years. These skyscrapers all speak loud and clear of what may be to come, couched in your inimitable style.

I think I know where I'm going with mine but I've little sense of how long it's going to be or how much time I need to set aside. Planning? What's that? A word limit always gives me a spur - it forces you to be brutal in how you approach the storytelling. Oh, well. Let's see...

I like my prompt - no guarantees it'll be done by the deadline but I'll have fun...

OK... let's see if my newly-revived inspiration survives the encounter... 🤨😄🖊

You and a heck of a lot other people, dear friend. Hopefully, we'll all find a little light, a little comfort, somewhere, sometime. Thank you for this.

Thanks, Adi. And thanks for the prompt. 🤨😄 I spent 2023 not really finding the words I wanted. A course elsewhere and this prompt gave me and my imagination the shove they needed. I hope it continues...

Thank you! As to fathers being twins... Unfortunately, Julian's father isn't a rare species. You'd hope they might be by now, but they aren't. Roll on, acceptance.

The Mars house by Natasha Pulley. My rating: 5 (out of 5) stars Like other recent novels, this is both a great story and a shrewd commentary on current times. Western exceptionalism turned on its head, refugees, language barriers, how to start a new life, gender issues, and politics are all woven into this engaging, engrossing sci-fi/fantasy/romance. Life on Mars is difficult. Those who have adapted over generations can cope with the cold, the long, long winters, and the reduced gravity. Those who have recently arrived can't. However they have one advantage: strength. Earth strength. A strength that is both feared and needed by the resident population. January Stirling is a British ballet dancer and now, bewildered environmental refugee on Mars. Aubrey Gale is a Chinese-heritage, Mars-born politician, head of his House and a candidate for Consul. This is their story and it's one that draws you in and makes you care, really care, about what happens along the way. It should also make you think and reflect. And maybe, also consider mammoths.

Indeed. Here in the UK, it's more about policing people's appearance and enforcing 'acceptable' boundaries for how individuals should look. To me, gender is a social construct (distinct from biological attributes) and covers a wide spectrum, with 'male' and 'female' at either end and a considerable space in between. I am one of the in-betweeners. I'm glad you liked Julian. He is one of my more engaging characters.

He does, even though he's pushed into quite a lot of what happens. Most of it, actually. I get that. 🤨😄

I'm interested that you found it complex. Essentially, it's one Monday in Julian's life but, as you say, a lot happens. It stirs up all kinds of memories as some days do. Yes, Julian manages to fulfil the 'honest and open' mantra but he finds it very difficult. Much more so than he thought at the start of the story when the phrase kinda trips off his tongue without much regard to what it actually means. Thanks for reading. 😊

Thanks!. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks! The 'clever construction' was more a question of deciding this spot needed something else; then that one, then another. I'm pleased you appreciated the 'emotional depth'. I don't think you necessarily need to understand something before you can accept it happens and makes other people happy.