Short Shorts

By Kate McPhail

This is a collection of flash fiction and short stories compiled from contest entries and requests from children. Some of these short stories were inspired by word or picture prompts, some by setting or first sentence prompts, and some came from related stories. The stories cover several genres and most have a twist at the end.
The final section details the author's process in writing each story and gives some information and ideas for readers to create their own short shorts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate McPhail
• Release date: Feb 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370055838

Kate McPhail

Kate McPhail was born in Oregon and grew up in Washington. She returned to Oregon in 1972. After obtaining a BS degree in Elementary Education, she taught in several Oregon private schools. She is also certified Master Level English and Writing tutor, has a MA in Professional Writing, and is certified as an educational Trainer through The Oregon Registry. While raising her four children, caring for 57 foster children, and hosting six foreign students, Kate participated in many children's organizations and was a member of the Post 18 chapter of Marion County Search and Rescue. She also held some professional titles: Childcare Center Director, Education and Environments Manager and Team Resource Supervisor (Site Director) at Head Start, and Family Advocate at a Woman's Prison. After working with children and families for over thirty years, Kate retired to become a full time author and entrepreneur.

Book preview

Short Shorts

A collection of Flash Fiction and prompt stories

Kate McPhail

All rights reserved.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

Dragon Wings Publishing by Smashwords

Copyright 2018 by Kathryn McPhail

ISBN-9781370055838

BISAC: Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories

Dedication

To D’Angelo, who once told me my writing is magical! and wanted me to put his name in a story. It is somewhere in these pages, with perhaps somewhat of a twist!

About Short Shorts

Many of these stories were responses to online word prompts or contests. While putting these stories together, I learned many things: a picture can generate a tale with a twist; a setting or mood can generate a sci-fi fantasy; a list of random words can generate random adventures; and childhood memories can turn into fun stories. I hope you have as much fun reading these as I had writing them.

In the Woods

Benjie had gone mushroom picking on this beautiful spring morning and was hoping for some quiet reflection time. What with another baby on the way and the need to relocate becoming obvious, he needed time away from the constant noise of his large family.

A sudden loud crash made him look up in shock. Was there someone stalking him? His heart raced as he heard something large crashing through the woods behind him.

Dropping his mushrooms, he turned to run and stumbled over a fallen tree. Scrambling to his feet, he turned away from the path, hoping to lead whatever it was away from his family's home.

Benjie continued to stumble through the forest. He looked back over his shoulder but couldn’t see anything through the thick trees. He knew they were still following him, because whoever followed him made a great deal of noise.

Benjie smiled slightly. They always thought they were going to catch him, but no one ever had because he was faster than anyone ever expected, given his size.

He led the chaser through into the thick brambles. He smiled grimly at the sudden yelp followed by some words