Friday, October 5, 2012

Details, Details


Okay. I haven't posted in two months. Thanks to my hubby who finally figured out how to sync the darn new Blogspot to the fancy Google Chrome, I am finally back on board!

Whew. Now, for the fun. It's Friday Fictioneer day. As always, writers from around the globe write a 100-word flash fiction piece based on a photo prompt. Read my story below. You'll find many others at www.madison-woods.com. Please post a link to your story in the comments here.
 


DETAILS, DETAILS
By Beth Carter

 The Medleys had been to two open houses. Mildred saved her dream home for last. Glen followed the click clack of his wife’s heels.

“What’s this?”

“A kitchen.”

“With paper lanterns and fish wallpaper?” Glen lifted his Cardinals cap, rubbing his bald head.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Mildred smelled the flowers and caressed the chipped blue vase.

Glen drummed his fingers on the island. “Why the hell is there an Oriental rug on this table?”

“You don’t know nothin’ ‘bout decorating.” Mildred stomped to the window. “See that view?” She folded her arms. “I want this house.”

“There ain’t even a damn coffee pot.”

35 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Where? I didn't see it nor did Glen. That white thing on the counter looks like a pitcher to us. :) I'll head to yours soon.

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    2. It could be a pitcher...Or it could be a coffee pot. The handle looking thing on the left is where the heated water comes up. The half circle on the right is where the pot goes . The handle thing is white in the middle, looks like a power socket behind it where the cord is plugged in. If you look at the handle looking thing close there is a something white coming off of it at an angle. Maybe the cord maybe not? As far as the flowers go they don't look real I can see light coming through one of them.

      To some people details matter to others not so much. A well told story. Believable dialogue. Keep up the good work.

      Tom

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    3. Well, now. You definitely notice details! It still doesn't look like a coffee pot to me.

      I look at the big-picture details and focus on a few smaller details. Most of my stories seem to be character and dialogue- driven. Thanks, Tom.

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    4. It's a good story.... how much the details of picture and your story match up doesn't really matter. The coffee pot could be in the Cabinet or there may be no coffee pot at all.
      Tom

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  2. You can always get a good deal on a coffee pot at Target. I'm with her. Beautiful kitchen. Sounds like Glen needs a man cave. Fun story, Beth. Welcome back fellow OWL and FF.

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    1. Thanks, Rochelle. I was going to say something about Glen just wanting a barn but that would have made it too long. I enjoyed yours. Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Hi Beth,
    What, no granite counter tops? No stainless steel appliances? How can Mildred live like that? Great fun take on the photo. Ron

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    1. Haha! Thanks, Ron. As long as Mildred doesn't have to cook, she'll put up with the lack of granite and stainless steel. Just a feeling I have about her... I'll hop over to yours soon.

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  4. a dreamer and a practical person.... lots of interesting discussions ahead! Nicely said

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    1. Gotta love opposites! Thank you, billgncs. I'll look for your story.

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  5. LOL, I get the feeling these two don't agree on much ;) Cute story and glad you're back!

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    1. Ha! No, they don't. And I get the feeling Mildred is the boss, don't you?! Thanks for commenting, Madison.

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  6. Welcome back! I'm fairly new here--started in August.

    You create two great characters here with their dress, their gestures, their voices. Well done!

    Here's mine: http://wrasselings.blogspot.com/2012/10/friday-fictioneers-experience.html

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    1. Thanks much, Cindy! I'm thrilled you caught all that. Glen and Mildred are, indeed, opposites and a bit set in their ways. I'll look for yours now.

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  7. This reminds me of the House Hunters on TV. Loved it. Glad to see you're back too!

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    1. I've never seen House Hunters. Thanks for the feedback, Shirley. If someone knows how to disable that thing, please let me know. Computers and I are surly bedfellows. :)

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  8. BTW, I typed in the Catpcha TEN times before it took it. Is it my imagination, or are those things getting HARDER all the time?

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    1. Annoying. Sorry about that. I'm not sure how to disable it.

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  9. tell the dope to go buy a coffee pot and enjoy the house!

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    1. Glen just wants to complain. He doesn't want to move. :)

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  10. Hey Glen...stop complaining and go out and buy a damn coffee pot. Boy, am I glad I'm not married to this whiner. pS: Welcome back, Beth...for the hundredth time. lol.

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    1. I think his wife is more bitchy. She wears the pants, that's for sure. Thanks for the hundredth welcome back, Lora! :)

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  11. Doesn't everybody keep their rugs on the table? Loved this Beth, and I just know she'll get her way, coffee pot or no coffee pot. Nice one.

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    1. Thank you, Sandra. Yes, Mildred always gets her way. I love writing about people like that, don't you?

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  12. I wouldn't want to hang out with Mildred or Glen.

    I don't even like the Cardinals!

    Nice depiction of people I'd like to seal up in that room after they buy it. But Glen: buy yourself a coffee pot first!

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    1. What don't you like the Cards?! Boo.

      Thanks for your comments. I enjoy writing about people who are surly. They're more fun.

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  13. Haha! Cute couple!
    I can imagine lot of domestic brickbats once they are in the house!

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    1. Thanks, Parul. Yes, I may have to keep Mildred and Glen around for a short story idea. I appreciate your stopping by.

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  14. Funny, Beth. I wondered about the rug on the table too, but I did like the fish wallpaper.

    BTW - my grandchildren really enjoy The Missing Key. Erika especially loves the, "Me oh my, my oh me" repetitions.

    http://russellgayer.wordpress.com/

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    1. YEA, I'm so happy your grandchildren like my book. Thank you sooo much for telling me. You just made my day!!! I had fun writing that "Me oh my, my oh me" because I get exasperated when I can't find something.

      If you have time, please write a review on Amazon and/or BN.com. I'd really appreciate it. The Amazon link is here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The%20Missing%20Key%20by%20Beth%20Carter

      P.S. I'm going to run a contest if I can get my darn computer to cooperate. Of course, you'll know the answer but you can tell others to guess.

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  15. Dear Beth,

    Opposites attract, but for the life of me, I've always wondered why. Great story. Welcome back.

    Madison knows how to disable Captchas. Off to do battle with yours now.

    Aloha,

    Doug

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    1. Aloha, Doug.

      Thanks for your comments. I think opposites attract in the beginning because of the chemistry but I imagine after years the differences get old. I truly enjoyed your story.

      Sorry everyone is having to draw their swords to deal with my Captcha (which should be named gotcha).

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  16. Great dialogue, funny story. All just perfect, right down to the names. Mildred Medley. Love it!

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    1. Thanks, Jan. I'm glad you liked it! Yes, she's kind of a meddling Mildred, isn't she?

      Loved your haiku, as always.

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