Dark Blue with Red and White Stripes – Flash Fiction

Thanks for coming for a story snack! This one’s based on a photo prompt for Friday Fictioneers for 20 august 2021.You can follow that link and click the frog to read all the stories, and if you want, you can write your own!

The photo prompt:

PHOTO PROMPT© Lisa Fox

The Inspiration

I borrowed Kassidy Spence from They All Died Smiling, my paranormal cozy novel. But this is when she was eight, long before the action of the book. Her aunt and uncle took her in at age seven, and this is something good that happened to her.

You can get your copy from your local library or wherever you love to buy books!

Covers of They All Died Smiling, available in audio, print and ebook.

The Story: Dark Blue with Red and White Striped

A knock at the door interrupted supper.

“Who could that be?” Walt asked, his eyes sparkling. “Let’s go see, Kassidy.”

They opened the door to Mrs. Spence and her son.

Randy held onto the prettiest bike Kass had ever seen, dark blue with red and white stripes and a yellow flag flying above. It sparkled in the sunshine.

Randy nudged it at her. “Angie grew up too much for it, and we thought you might like it, since you’re the only girl here.”

“For me? Thank you!”

Randy shuffled. “Sure. Wanna ride?”

Beck wiped her eye. “Finish your supper first.”

1 bird reads to 2 others as they sit on a branch

Thanks for reading!

Want more stories?

This blog is full of story snacks for you to “munch” upon, and you can find my books on Amazon or wherever you get your reads.

cover of the paranormal best-seller They All Died Smiling

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

f you’d like to write your own story for this writing prompt, please feel encouraged!

Sacrifice and Settlement | Flash Fiction

Thank you for reading. On this Veteran’s Day/Remembrance Day, my heart is with all who serve or have served in the military. Those who live sacrifice much for the rest of your life. Those who die pay the ultimate price for your service. No words are enough to express what freedom means to me.

Flash Fiction banner

This is for Friday Fictioneers for 13 November 2020, a weekly blog writing challenge hoste3d by the amazing and talented Rochelle Wisoff-Fields,

The Photo Writing Prompt

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Description for my blind/visually impaired readers: There ae holiday lights on branches over a window and something or other happening outside.

The Inspiration

Today’s story comes from Kassidy Spence, the main character of my paranormal novel They All Dies Smiling. The is a young military widow. This story takes place before the action of the book. Randy married her sooner than they had planned when he got orders to deploy so that she would have his benefits should the unthinkable happen.

They All Died Smiling, available in print, ebook, and Audible audio

You can read They All Died Smiling at your local library or pick it up from your favorite online or bricks-and-mortar bookstore. Just ask for it by name.

The Story: Sacrifice and Settlement

After dabbing my eyes yet again, I poised my pen over the signature line. The line undulated through the distortion of my sorrow. A tear went down with my name and the date.

Aunt Beck rested a hand on my shoulder. “You sure you’re up to decorating the senior center?”

“Best thing to do is be of service.” I squeezed her hand. “You taught me well.”

She picked up the envelope. “From a lawyer?”

Afraid to open my mouth lest I wail, I nodded, flipped the page, and handed the document to her.

“A settlement?”

“Randy’s estate,” I choked out.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

Fishing and First Love | Flash Fiction Story Featuring Kassidy from My Paranormal Novel They All Died Smiling

Thanks for stopping by for another flash fiction story! This is a 100-word realistic fiction tale for Friday Fictioneers 16 October 2020. Anyone can play along! Just click that link and follow instructions on the post.

Flash Fiction – very short story – graphic

The Photo Writing Prompt

PHOTO PROMPT © C.E.Ayr

Description for my blind/visually impaired readers: This photo shows pontoon boats and a dock on a beautiful, sunny day.

The Inspiration

I borrowed Kassidy from my paranormal novel They All Died Smiling, because I can! You get to meet her and Randy, her husband who died in military service, when they were still kids. The book is availalbe everywhere and on Audible.

The Story: Fishing and First Love

–> Click to LISTEN to the story.

Hands in pockets, studying his shoelaces, Randy sidled up to me.

“What? Do I have barbecue sauce on my chin or something?”

“Um…no.”

Smiling up at him, I patted the bench beside me, split my cookie in two, and gave him half.

“You fish?”

“’Course.”

“We just got a pontoon boat. Dad said I could ask you along.”

“Saturday?”

He nodded.

“Maybe.”

He frowned.

I grinned. “Just ’cause I work the bakery ‘til noon.”

Randy let out a whoosh of air. Had he held his breath?

“Your boss told me.”

Small towns.

“We’ll pull up to the dock for you.”

Caption: Reading birds image

Thanks for reading!

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

Unwanted Infamy | Friday Fictioneers 9 Oct 20 Flash Fiction

Hello, and thanks for stopping by! This is a flash fiction, or VERY short story, for Friday Fictioneers 9 October 2020.

Flash Fiction (very short story) graphic

Each week, she posts a photo writing prompt. Anyone can play, even YOU! Just write a story of exactly 100 words that the photo inspires you to create. Thanks for hosting, Rochelle!

The Photo Writing Prompt

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

Description for my blind/visually impaired readers. At the bank of a body of water with mountains beyond is a snack shop and a bunch of seaweed. Rochelle had to tell me what all that was this week!

The Inspiration

I like borrowing my characters from my paranormal novel They All Died Smiling. You can get your copy anywhere you get print books or ebooks, or on Audible.The reader is A-Ma-ZING!

The Story: Unwanted Infamy

While staring out at the lake, a conversation tickled my ear and roused my inner eavesdropper.

“Haunted?”

I wandered over to the Snack Shack. A snack, the price of admission for hanging around being nosy.

“Really?”

No itchy palms, so nothing evil, if anything.

“I hear banging every night.” The guy handed me my natural soda.

“Maybe coons?” I asked.

“No. I check every night.”

Evidence. “Have you thought of recording on your phone?

“Not yet. Hey, you’re the one got that demon out of a church, from YouTube.”

I need to change my hair color and leave the country.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

Red Eyes and Stupid Guys

Hello and welcome! This is a flash fiction story for Friday Fictioneers 2 October 2020.

Flash Fiction banner

The Photo Prompt

PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin

Description for my blind and visually impaired readers: I had no idea. Rochelle said it’s a big, red metal container.

The Inspiration

I wanted to use my characters from They All Died Smiling, my paranormal novel available everywhere. So, I did.

The Story: Red Eyes and Stupid Guys

Genre: Paranormal

Word count: 100

Those red eyes appeared around every dark corner, behind every visible puff of my breath again as I made my way from the El to our apartment.

I refuse to give in to fear and let you win. Once one demon knows you, they all do, so they sure had me on speed dial.

Sighing at the safety of my front door, I unclenched the key.

Hot breath touched my neck.

I whipped around, prepared for battle. My instinctive punch to the chest sent the bundled creep back a few steps.

“Whoa, Kass, It’s just me.”

“Russell? Warn a girl!”

Thanks for reading!

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

A Chicago Thing: Friday Fictioneers 18 Sept 2020 Flash Fiction

Thank you for stopping by! You are also welcome to write a 100-word flash fiction story for Friday Fictioneers 18 Sept 2020.

The Photo

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Description: It’s a city with tall buildings in the background, a car and smashed stuff in the foreground.

The Inspiration

Today’s photo brought me back to my roots in Chicago.

The Story: A Chicago Thing

Word count: 100

Genre: realistic fiction with characters from my paranormal novel They All Died Smiling,

Kassidy trudged along the snowy sidewalk. It’s sure be nice if people would shovel.

Walking along a residential street, she saw a table in a parking space. Had it not been snowing, she would have taken a photo of the oddity.

Amused, she noticed other furniture and sawhorses similarly marking cleared parking spots.

Must be a Chicago thing.

Swearing assaulted Kassidy’s ears. Just before the last corner, a man in an SUV hurled a sawhorse, smashing it to pieces. Still cussing a blue streak, he revved and parked.

Claire welcomed her inside. “I can’t wait to learn your cobbler recipe.”

Thanks for reading!

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

Gutters | Flash Fiction Featuring Kassidy from My Paranormal Novel They All Died Smiling

Hi! Thanks for stopping by for a little story snack! This one’s 100 words for the Friday Fictioneers blog challenge for 19 June 2020, based on a photo prompt.

The Photo Writing Prompt

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Description, for my blind/visually impaired readers. Through a window with a sheer valence, we see shows and the bottoms of legs on a ladder.

The Inspiration

I wanted to use characters from my paranormal novel They All Died Smiling so I have a chance to share Kassidy and her family with you. This takes place when she’s ten and living on the farm with her Aunt Beck, Uncle Walt, and their four boys.

Genre: Realistic Fiction from a Paranormal World

Word COunt: 100

The Story: Gutters

“Kassidy, I don’t want you up on the roof cleaning gutters.”

“Why not?”

“One of the boys can do it.”

“Aunt Beck, it’s gonna storm soon, and I bet there’s a ton of leaves in there.”

“But you’re…” She flaited

“A girl?”

“No, ten.”

“I can do it just as well as the boys. Besides, the stew’s in the oven and I’ve got time before I make the biscuits.”

Tears filled her eyes. I ran over and hugged her hard. “And you’re busy with Uncle Walt. I’ll be fine.”

She nodded. “If you fall off that ladder, I’ll kill you.”

Thanks for reading!

Get My Books Everywhere!

I have a variety of books from paranormal to fantasy to self-help to business. Get them on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

Listen to My Podcasts!

These are my podcasts. You can find out more about them on my Podcasts page. Please Subscribe, rate & review wherever you enjoy getting your pods!

 

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

Claim free stories, sneak peeks, and more at InnerGuidanceOnDemand.com/read

Sanctuary Secret

Here’s a flash fiction story for you, written for Friday Fictioneers 12 April 2019

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly blog challenge in which the host shares a photo writing prompt. You write a 100-word story that touches on the image in some way. It’s not about the specifics of the prompt. It’s about what comes to mind. Please feel encouraged to write your own tale and play along if you wish!

Here’s the photo prompt

Here’s the inspiration

Kassidy Spence, the Reluctant Demon Hunter, goes on what is supposed to be another interview for the paper, but supernatural powers have other ideas. You can buy the paranormal/urban fantasy novel They All Died Smiling everywhere online, offline- or at your local library in print, ebook or audio. Just ask for it by name.

Genre: Paranormal

Word count: 100

The Story: Sanctuary Secret

My footsteps echoed. First visit to a nun house, but my signs warned of demon trouble.

“I’ve been waiting for you.” A plain-clothes nun approached on cat feet.

My heart thudded. “I’m Kassidy Spence from the Trib. Are you Sister Francesca?” I looked at my watch, relieved to be ten minutes early.

“Yes. I didn’t say you were late.”

My palms stung so hard I thought they’d burst into flame. How to handle this?  I pulled out my smartpen and notebook for the interview.

The nun shook her head. “Follow me. God always puts us where we need to be.”

Thanks for reading!

Get My Books Everywhere!

I have a variety of books from paranormal to fantasy to self-help to business. Get them on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

Listen to My Podcasts!

These are my podcasts. You can find out more about them on my Podcasts page. Please Subscribe, rate & review wherever you enjoy getting your pods!

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

Claim free stories, sneak peeks, and more at InnerGuidanceOnDemand.com/read

Freedom on the Rocks

Welcome, and thank you for visiting! This is a flash fiction story for Friday Fictioneers, a weekly writing challenge based on a photo writing prompt.

Wanna play? You’re most welcome to join in the fun! Get the prompt and participation instructions here.

The Photo Writing Prompt

PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays

The Inspiration:

The photo reminded me of a scene from the prologue of They All Died Smiling My publisher wouldn’t print it, so the only way to read it is either the redacted version of this scene here (to accommodate the 100-word limit) or by subscribing to receive free stories. You’ll get the whole prologue and some other goodies when you do that. You can se the form below or click InnerGuidanceOnDemand.com/read.

The Story: “Freedom on the Mountain” from the forbidden chapter of They All Died Smiling:

Genre: Paranormal

Word count: 100

The spectacular view of pink and golden rays of sunlight streaming through a hole in dark grey clouds lit her way like the Star of Bethlehem.

Alison cried, “Thank you, Jesus; I’m free!” as she leapt over the edge.

She hurtled toward the rocky ground. The whoosh of air tugged at her hair and eyelashes. She shouted and laughed her way down the nine-hundred-foot drop.

Her bones shattered before the echo of her triumphant shouts faded into memory. Like a sacrificial offering, her lifeblood dripped down the rocks and into the stream, tinting it crimson, diluting her essence.

Thanks for reading!

Get My Books Everywhere!

I have a variety of books from paranormal to fantasy to self-help to business. Get them on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

Listen to My Podcasts!

These are my podcasts. You can find out more about them on my Podcasts page. Please Subscribe, rate & review wherever you enjoy getting your pods!

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

Claim free stories, sneak peeks, and more at InnerGuidanceOnDemand.com/read

Paper Roses

Here’s a super-short story, 100 words, to be precise. It’s from a fun blog challenge called Friday Fictioneers.

The Photo Prompt

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for 22 February 2019

The Inspiration

When you write a novel, the characters really come to life. They each have habits, hobbies, interests, and so forth. Aunt Beck doesn’t appear in my paranormal/urban fantasy novel They All Died Smiling, but she raised Kassidy, the protagonist, and is mentioned.

The Story: Paper Roses

I set the groceries on the counter. Aunt Beck at the craft-covered table. Pens, paper, tape runner, glue, and more covered every inch. “Good thing we’re not eating in here.”

“Kass, run this through the cutter,” she said, not looking up.

“Uh, wanna let me put away the food first?”

“Not really.” Her smile crinkled her eyes. “Need to finish these for the table decorations.”

I picked up a page of roses. “Let me save you hours.”

“How?”

“I’ll copy this on the printer so you don’t have to hand-color.”

She smacked her forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Thanks for reading!

Get My Books Everywhere!

I have a variety of books from paranormal to fantasy to self-help to business. Get them on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

Listen to My Podcasts!

These are my podcasts. You can find out more about them on my Podcasts page. Please Subscribe, rate & review wherever you enjoy getting your pods!

Cheers to your #BLISSfulLife!!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award-winning author, photographer, and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best-selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her from doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda’s books on Amazon at Amazon..com/author/rondadelboccio.

Claim free stories, sneak peeks, and more at InnerGuidanceOnDemand.com/read