This is another new challenge for me and it certainly looks to be an interesting one. I think it’s a really brilliant idea of Priceless Joy’s to have a challenge for ‘aspiring’ writers. The challenge involves writing a piece of fiction from the photo prompt provided in around 100- 150 words. It encourages participants to comment (constructively, of course) on other entries, thereby supporting each other’s writing. If you’d like to join in with this challenge, follow the link in the title of PJ’s, blog: Beautiful Words. The challenge runs from Wednesday to Wednesday every week.
Here is this week’s photo . . .
and this is my story . . .
From the opposite side of the road, Nora Wainwright massaged her aching back and surveyed the Bookstore: her destination, as always, at 10.30 a.m. on weekdays. Her friends weren’t due for another hour and she had time to kill.
She considered the store’s new frontage; the façade it presented to the world. At 72, Nora could do with one of those: a good makeover. Nothing too drastic, mind, no surgeon’s knife and complete image change. She’d still look like Nora Wainwright – just as the Bookstore had kept its original, sash-style windows and ornate relief. A new hairdo, some modern clothes and makeup would be nice. She glanced at her well-rounded midriff. She could lose a few pounds, too… Her gaze drifted up to the Bookstore’s second floor, the mouth-watering confectionery in the coffee lounge.
Nora headed across the street, intent on considering makeovers whilst enjoying her first cream bun.
Word Count: 150
Millie Thom 
I enjoyed this Millie! I have to agree. The time for make-overs is tomorrow. Especially if there is a cream bun in the offering. 😀 Thank you so much for participating and I hope you will continue. 🙂
Really quite interesting. More of a ‘slice of life’ rather than an event with an ‘ending’. That is precisely why it is a good piece 🙂
Yes, I don’t think these little flash fiction pieces always need a definite ending. Sometimes we can leave readers guessing how things would turn out. My main aim with this ‘story’ was to make the comparison between the renovated building and an elderly lady deciding that a makeover would do wonders for her appearance, too. The ending showed the little lapse in her willpower. Whether temporary or not is open to speculation. Thank you for the really nice comment. 🙂
I think it is the hint to things, events and personality traits that lends interest to the genre of flash fiction.
I totally agree. 🙂
Just lovely, Millie. So simple, yet evocative of the thoughts and emotions of your protagonist. You used a few, well placed details within the story that built a picture even without the actual photo. Nicely done.
Thank you, Mara. Who knows, in a few more years, I might be standing there, thinking the same things as Nora. Perish the thought . . .! Lovely comment – it ‘right chuffed me up’. (Don’t ask me what dialect that was. I’ve no idea.) Have a great day. 🙂
Nice! How many times have I considered losing weight while tucking into a nice plate of chocolate ice cream 🙂
Ah, yes, willpower’s a fickle thing. It often refuses to play nicely. And chocolate ice cream . . . What more can I say? 🙂
The last line made me laugh. If only there was a way to get the makeover and have the buns, too. I enjoyed how Nora compared herself to the building, that was very clever.
Well, I thought about myself in a few years time when i wrote this. At the moment, though, my husband thinks I need to put on a stone – so I can manage the odd cream bun or two. Glad you liked it! 🙂
Nora has a noble mind 🙂 i like it
Perhaps she has a noble mind – but not a greta deal of willpower when it comes to cream cakes! Thank you, Heath. 🙂
Good job Millie! 🙂 I would love to have a makeover while having a cream bun. Who doesn’t? 😉
Hi Klhoe. Good to see you back. Cream buns are just made to tempt us, I think. ‘Naughty but Nice’ as that old TV advert used to say about anything with fresh cream. Thank you for liking it. 🙂
Very good to see you all again 😉 hahaha they are for sure 😛 You’re more than welcome 🙂
I love the contrasts being married in a happy ending. I hope Nora gets her make-over after cream bun. She sounds like fun!
Thanks, Joycelin. I can’t see her getting that makeover, somehow. Cream buns hold too much allure. 🙂
Hahahah! Can’t believe she ditched the library for a cream bun… 😉
I would have gone directly to the library after the cream bun… heheh!
Lovely lil’ story story Millie! 🙂
Cream buns seem to lead everyone astray. 🙂
Ohhh yeaa! 😉