2023 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 8
Write a piece of flash fiction each day of February with the February Flash Fiction Challenge, led by Managing Editor Moriah Richard. Each day, receive a prompt, example story, and write your own. Today’s prompt is to write a story based on an odd news headline.
For today’s prompt, write a story based on an odd news headline. Whether you use an existing headline for inspiration, make up your own, or incorporate the headline into your story, the choice is yours!
I went to the Strange Headlines section of NPR, and this headline caught my eye: An owl twice attacked a Washington woman. A biologist says it's becoming more common.
Remember: These prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you.
(Note: If you happen to run into any issues posting, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue. Fingers crossed there are no tech hiccups!)
Here’s my attempt at a story a story based on an odd news headline:
Home
The owl attacked Mrs Johnson again, my mother’s text reads. Your father says its because she took all those trees down.
I stare out the window of my 5th story office. Nature doesn’t exist here; not true nature, anyway. Cherry trees line this block, but they’re kept manicured and tame. In the cubicle next to me, Namay keeps a plant in a purple pot. Appalachia’s call aches through me like a bad winter wind.
When are you coming home next? My mother asks.
I type out I am home and then delete it. Even a half-lie is still a lie.
