Iām giving EVERYONE who participates in these Free Writing Friday challenges THREE comp months in 2024. That gets you access to 14 episodes of Sleight of Hand and the entire 100 Word Stories archive.
But wait, thereās more! If I select your story as my favorite, youāll get ONE FULL YEAR comped! That means you get to read the entire serial from beginning to end for FREE!
Iām giving away 6 FULL YEAR comps and an unlimited number of 3 month comps every Friday till December 29th!
Time to flex your writing skills and share your best 50 words to add to mine! Clock is ticking on the second weekend giveaway that ends at 10pm EST on Sunday, December 3rd.
IMAGE PROMPT
Consider the owl. Friend or foe? I leave you to decideā¦
A 100 WORD STORY COLLABORATION
[MY 50 WORDS]
With unblinking eyes it turned its head 180 degrees in either direction. The sky was black. Not a creature stirred. The owl was alone.
It spread its wings and took flight. Itās hoot warning others to keep out of sight. There was much that could only be done at night.
Write your 50 words to follow mine, then copy/paste them into the comments. Be sure to put ā[My 50 Words]ā first so I know itās an official entry.
REMINDER: You donāt have to write your story just on Fridays! Take this sentiment and free write all weekend long!
HOW TO JOIN THE COLLABORATION
I write 50 words (see above) then you write an additional 50 words.
My 50 must start. Your 50 must follow.
You have all weekend long to copy/paste your 50 words into the COMMENTS section of this post.
My 50 words will always use the IMAGE PROMPT as inspiration.
I will select my favorite 50 word addition to my story and share it in the following ways:
Substack Notes (you will get tagged as well)
Upcoming First Edition email on December 1st and January 1st (respectively)
If you are up for this challenge scroll to my 50 words BENEATH the IMAGE PROMPT! Good luck!
JUST WANNA WRITE YOUR OWN 100 WORD STORY?
Hereās how:
Write exactly 100 words. Not 99 or 101. The Word Count Police are tracking!
Genre? Writerās choice! So long as you give us all the thrills and the feels.
To Fic or to Non-Fic? You decide. What matters most is that youāre satisfied with the output.
Copy/paste your words in the comments, then share on your own Substack, and maybe, share to social media!
A Note on Substack Notes | Click the š āRestack with a Noteā and copy/paste your story for added reach and growth.
āWe ought to turn back, James.ā He wiped sweat from his brow and took small breaths to keep from inhaling dirt and age that lingered in the cavern.
āNonsense. Weāve come this far. What weāre looking for is just a few meters this way. I can feel it, mate. Weāre almost there!ā He slapped Charlie on the shoulder. His last sentence echoed down the tunnel. The sound traveling endlessly.
James whistled as they crawled. Infuriating Charlie even more. Finally, they approached an opening. James switched on his headlamp to get a better look.
āBloody hell,ā echoed through hundreds more tunnels.
Click on a card below to learn more about the Tarot deck that inspired this story:
Iāve had mystery & thriller on my mind a lot lately. Mostly because Iām in the middle of writing a mystery/thriller serial that will be releasing to paid subscribers starting January 1st, 2024. There will be some teaser things coming for you on Mondays this month but all this got me thinking about my favorite literary mystery/thriller series that Iāve read or Iām in the middle of continuing to read. These series heavily influence the writing Iām doing today. If you have heard of these, then perhaps my serial will be up your alley. And if you havenāt, maybe they sound interesting enough to make you want to give them a try.
THE KOPP SISTERS SERIES by
[Historical Mystery]
I have to admit, Iām putting this first because the writer of these books is actually on Substack and I think thatās amazing! Okay, so, just to make sure I donāt absolutely butcher what this fantastic series is about, here is what Amy, herself, has to say about the series from her website:
Several years ago, I stumbled across a newspaper article about a forgotten woman in law enforcement: Constance Kopp. I was immediately enchanted by her story, and that of her two sisters. For well over a decade, their exploits as crime-fighters and detectives made newspapers nationwideābut theyād been entirely forgotten. I knew immediately that I had to tell their story.
The books have been translated into a dozen languages, and adopted by book clubs and Community-wide Read programs.
But all that matters to me is that I pay tribute to these extraordinary women and give you the chance to love them as much as I do.
There are 7 books in the series out right now, and if youāre in the mood for a story that is far better than fiction about some bad ass sisters who solve crime better than any man ever could, I recommend at least sinking your teeth into the first book, GIRL WAITS WITH GUN.
THE ALEX DELAWARE SERIES by Jonathan Kellerman
[Psychological Thriller]
There are 38 books in this series, with the 39th coming in February 2024. But donāt get overwhelmed by that number. What I love about this series is that you donāt have to read them in order. The first book was published in 1985! And ever since then heās published at least one book per year in this series about a psychologist whoās friend is a private detective. The detective will lean on his friend, Alex, for help in solving some cases. There is, of course, a bit more to it than that. But I love that the main character solves cases well because of his knowledge in psychology. I came across this series and writer because of a stand alone book called Billy Straight. I was hooked. It was also at a time when being a behavioral analyst with the FBI was high on my career goals list. Suffice it to say, Iām not working for the FBI today (or am Iā¦) but my love of this series still remains to this day.
You can find all 39 in the series here. Iād recommend any of them to start with but for good measure, try his most recent and if you enjoy it, then go back in time to see what thrillers were like when written in the mid-1980s.
HAWTHORNE & HOROWITZ by Anthony Horowitz
[Detective Mystery]
I feel as if this next man needs very little introduction. Iād be surprised if you didnāt already know who he was or his name. Especially if you love mystery television series as much as I do. He has a laundry list of accolades and accomplishments under his hat, but let me mention those which I only just recently discovered myself (after I loved this particular series, that isā¦).
Heās written the telescripts for many episodes of my favorite television series: Poirot (David Suchet) and Midsomer Murders.
Author to other notable series such as:
Sherlock Holmes
Alex Rider
James Bond
If you didnāt know, in order to write within the canon of Sherlock Holmes or James Bond, you would need to be asked (or ask yourself) by the estate that has ownership of the IP. Similar to how Sophie Hannah is currently continuing to write Hercule Poirot mystery books. It is an honor, to say the least, and they donāt ask just anyone to do it. Heās pretty dope and the Hawthorne and Horowitz series is even more dope.
The premise is that Anthony Horowitz is approached by Hawthorne, and semi-washed-up former detective. Strangely enough, Anthony Horowitz finds himself in a similar Watson-esque situation where heās asked by Hawthorne to write a sort of autobiography. Detailing a case that Hawthorne intends to solve. This could be how he gets himself back in good graces withā¦wellā¦everybody whoās ever written him off. This unlikely friendship blossoms where Horowitz tags along in order to write the story and Hawthorne solves the cases.
I think what I love more than the connection these two characters have, are the titles of the books. They are so clever. Iāve always wanted to not only write a mystery series that has heart and purpose like these books, but also is accompanied by pretty cool titles as well. I recommend starting with book one, The Word is Murder, and then working your way through them.
THURSDAY MURDER CLUB MYSTERIES by Richard Osman
[Detective Mystery]
I am heavily influenced by British television and literature. Youāll discover this about me fairly quickly. Richard Osman is someone I discovered from watching him on a season of Taskmaster. Itās a great variety show about some UK celebrities (not all comedians) who are given some pretty ridiculous tasks to complete, points are arbitrarily handed out by the host, and the winner at the end gets a useless trophy. My wife and I laugh till we are in tears watching this show. But I digress.
It turns out that many of the participants in this television show also are authors. Richard Osman among them. Heās written a pretty amazing series that is still active today. The 4th in the series has recently released in the states. I like to think of it as a cross between The Golden Girls and Murder, She Wrote.
Four septuagenarians with a few tricks up their sleeves A female cop with her first big case A brutal murder Welcome to… THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB
FLAVIA DE LUCE MYSTERY SERIES by Alan Bradley
[Amateur Sleuth]
Alan Bradley Alan Bradley’s internationally bestselling series follows 11-year-old Flavia de Luceāa precocious amateur detective and aspiring chemist with a passion for poisonāas she solves the never-ending mysteries of her small English village.
I love how well written this series is. It just works. You might think it couldnāt because itās a child solving crimes but itās no less believable than J.B. Fletcher or Father Brown inserting themselves into a murder to help the authorities bring the killer to justice.
I recommend reading the first book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, and then going forward from there as they are stand-alone but do follow an order from her first case and so on. Iām not 100% sure the series will continue as Alan Bradley is getting on in age. Iām just glad for the books he has written for us to enjoy.
What, if any, mystery/thriller series have you read or are in the middle of reading?
Next week, Iāll be sharing some television series and episodes that I recommend mostly because they influenced me, in a positive way, to pursue writing my own mystery/thriller series in the future.
āTrust me. I heard itās a ride weāll never forget,ā she said, squeezing his hand tightly.
āI heard itās just some boring Tunnel of Love. With all the really cool things to do at a carnival you really wanna do this?ā
āItās more romantic. But after we can do whatever you want,ā she said, leading him by the arm through crowds of people.
āStep right up, two by two only, for a ride that will change your life,ā shouted the carnival barker as he looked down and winked at the couples beginning their ride.
The bloodcurdling screams started soon after.
Click on a card below to learn more about the Tarot deck that inspired this story:
āWho are you? I donāt show mercy to intruders!ā she shouted at the apparition hovering in the middle of her living room.
āDonāt you recognize me? I see time hasnāt been your friend after forty years. Has it really been that long.ā The old woman squinted at the ghost. Then her eyes widened. āAh, you do remember me.ā
āYouāre late,ā she said, lighting a cigarette and blowing smoke at the ghost. āIf youāre here to scare me or make me feel guilty, save your non-existent breath. You deserved everything you got.ā
āIn that case, fancy a game of chess?ā
Click on a card below to learn more about the Tarot deck that inspired this story:
My name is less important as my profession. I am the Wondermere Historian. My previous job involved storytelling to some capacity and I was asked by the current ruling family to document their past. I agreed, but only as long as I could take my research in any direction I choose. After some haggling over what exactly that meant, we reached an amicable arrangement.
The year when I am writing this to you is 1735. Much has happened in the last one hundred to two hundred years. How exactly they expect me to capture it all is beyond me but I thought Iād start with a brief history of how exactly Wondermere came to exist in the first place any why itās a place everyone, including myself, love to call home.
Size: 248 square miles
Population: ~15,000
County: Bullmar
Capital: Wondermere, Est. 1554
Access: Bullmar Railway passes through Bullmar County
Tourist Attraction: Magicianary at the colosseum and other smaller establishments
Ruling Family: King Cyprus II
A BRIEF HISTORY OF WONDERMERE
Note: This is not, by any means, the full story. More will be revealed over time.
The year was 1535 and King Malfus I (born Seamus Conroy) was planning a birthday party for his only son, Andrew, turning twelve years old. A party that took the better part of an entire year to plan. In that time there is very little mention made in the historical archives of Tilly, Andrewās sister, five years old at the time. At least, none that I could find in my research. Not even of Andrewās mother, Queen Gertrude, who was pregnant for the fifth time and likely on bedrest due to her first two childbirths: stillborn.
As it turns out, the king, too busy making sure everything was perfect for his son, couldnāt be bothered with the women in his life. After all, Andrew was his only son (at the time) and heir to the throne. But then, along came a traveling stranger to Bullmar who changed everything. I could find no mention of his name, but I digress.
The stranger brought with him magic tricks that captured the attention of the children of Bullmar. His popularity became so widespread that the king felt compelled to invite him as the main entertainment for his son who was jealous that all the children were enjoying magic, and he was left out. This invitation turned out to haunt the king and his lineage for generations to come.
From the moment Andrew witnessed his first magic trick he wanted to know more. He ordered the traveling magician to only perform magic for him. It didnāt take very long for him to want to learn how to perform the magic himself. The stranger relented. News of this reached the king who hoped that by forcing the stranger to teach his son magic, it would repair their fractured relationship.
Unfortunately, prince Andrew was not as apt a pupil and grew frustrated that he could not manage to perform even the simplest of magic. Fearing that his head would be lopped off if the prince continued to be upset the stranger decided his last resort would be to teach him card magic. It required quick fingers, a delicate touch, and most of all, hours of practice per day. He hoped this might give him the ample time he needed to escape with his life.
Prince Andrew picked up a few of the simpler tricks. In fact, I found brief mention of his even performing private shows for staff and his family. There were faint scribblings of his sister, Tilly, showing great promise as well! I wonder if that means the stranger not only taught prince Andrew but princess Tilly as well.
This āplay timeā as king Malfus came to call it grew tiresome. The prince had reached adulthood, and the king wasnāt getting any younger. In fact, records indicate he was likely dying of some incurable disease I canāt pronounce!
The time had come for the prince to assume the throne as he was well into his twenties. First, he needed to take a wife, be crowned king and produce his own heir, all before his fatherās death. These were duties that prince Andrew refused to acknowledge or show any interest in.
I should also state that I uncovered the death records of Matilda āTillyā Conroy. She died in the year 1542, at the young age of twelve. Also, Queen Gertrude (nee Gertrude Lyford), died in the year 1563, just three years before her husband. Prince Andrew wouldāve been forty-three when he was crowned king, but all signs indicate he was far from ready.
He did have a younger brother, prince Seamus Conroy II, but he left the kingdom as he expected it would succumb to ruin due to what he viewed to be his brotherās obvious lack of leadership. I have an entire historical account I can share on Seamus, but for another time.
I can also state (with very little authority) that I find no record on what ever became of the stranger. It is believed that when Andrew was still a prince he was imprisoned until his death. No one was allowed to see or speak to him except prince Andrew. This was to ensure magic would be something only the royal family had complete control over. Once crowned king and his parentās deceased, King Malfus II (nee prince Andrew Conroy) immediately set out to have a colosseum built.Ā
He wanted a place where he could perform his magic for everyone. Of course, he still wasnāt very good. But if you wanted to eat, drink, and not be executed, you clapped and applauded whenever you received an invitation to the palace. No one refused a direct invitation from the king.
The Colosseum of Wonder was completed on King Malfus II fiftieth birthday, in the year 1573, in what quickly became the capital of Bullmar; Wondermere.
I canāt find any accounts that state exactly how many people it can hold, though, if you ask Mrs. Pomroy, present-day caretaker of the colosseum, it can comfortably seat over forty thousand.
It didnāt take long for the Conroyās to lose what little rule and respect they once had in Wondermere. But, fortunate for King Malfus II, the Colosseum of Wonder was an absolute success. Especially, once he decided to step back from the stage and take a more managerial approach. He realized that magic could not be contained or controlled. Once people from far and wide heard about the colosseum, visitors were paying him to perform on the stage. Wondermere became the most visited place in the world.
Nearly two hundred years later and Wondermere is still the largest and most visited place in all of Bullmar. None of it possible without the control that King Malfus II put in place.
There is one thing I feel must be mentioned for the record and although the royal family would never allow it under normal circumstances, for the purpose of my job, I must now tell the truth behind the First Deck.
Remember when I mentioned the simple tricks that King Malfus II learned and performed on stage? Well, it wasnāt exactly the best performances on record. In fact, it was on the opening night of the Colosseum of Wonder. It wasnāt a packed crowd as news hadnāt reached quite as far and many were not about to travel for days by land and sea to watch a performance given just by the king and no one else.
Therefore, it was attended by everyone who lived in Wondermere. Suffice it to say, the magic wasnāt exactly well received. In fact, it was right at the time when King Malfus II was about to regale the crowd with a card trick that required several members from the audience to join him on stage. He was, by all anonymous accounts, nervous and sweating and his hands were shaking slightly at having strangers so close to him. The cards flew out of his hands and into the air. The audience thought it was a part of the act and applauded but the ones on stage knew that it wasnāt. They scrambled to pick up the cards for him, he tried to stop them as they were his deck, and no one was allowed to touch them. Someone bumped into him, and he fell, breaking a bone in his wrist which left him unable to use his left hand ever again.
There are no names of the people who were on stage with him, but I wouldnāt be surprised if they were executed immediately. Thatās how it was back then when King Malfus II ruled Wondermere. He decreed that cards were never to be used for playing and especially not in a magic act. He searched endlessly for the deck that he used that night. It was supposedly the same deck that was given to him (stolen, some believe) by the traveling stranger. To this day it has never been found though rumor exists that itās still in circulation, kept safe by a secret group of underground magicians. Whether thatās true or not, to be caught in possession of that deck or any other leads to immediate death by hanging.
The colosseum was closed for several weeks afterward the incident, until a traveling act asked him for a meeting and persuaded him to open the doors to others who would pay him a lot of money for the privilege. He would, of course, have complete say in who could perform on the stage.
This deal caused a ripple effect throughout Wondermere. Buildings were converted to small theaters where acts could practice, and the king would get information from those performances to determine who should be invited to the colosseum. To get an invitation from the royal family is the highest honor any magician could hope to receive.
Today, invitations come from King Cyprus II based on council he receives from the many theaters around Wondermere.
They say writing a story is solitary. Not for me. There are actually three of us.
Thereās me, the main character. The one you think closely resembles yourself. Smart. Witty. But flawed. In need of help to be better and grow over time in the story. But Iām not really you, am I?
I donāt know. I like to think I can play the lead role in a story. It is my story after allā
Donāt forget about me. Iām the one you deny. The villain. The evil that has more in common with you than you care to admit.
Click on a card below to learn more about the Tarot deck that inspired this story:
The voice. I canāt stop hearing it. I know who it is. Talking in my head. Narrating a life Iāve never lived. Distracting me from the one Iām living.
It started the day I was attacked by a masked assailant. Head hid the pavement and I was asleep for ten days. They say I was lucky. Tell that to the voice in my head!
Iām not who I think I am. Iām a victim of circumstance. No! Iām a fighter of lost causes. I am a lost cause! No! I am a torn soul.
When I sleep Iām another me.
Click on a card below to learn more about the Tarot deck that inspired this story:
I found an old key one day while leaning up against a tree, taking a nap. Ever since then Iāve been trying to find the door it belongs to.
My family and friends might say Iāve become obsessed with finding it. But thatās not true. For instance, Iāve stopped trying it on newer doors. And I havenāt broken into anyoneās home in two days. Now, Iād say thatās progress.
Truth is, Iāve been staking out this one house for several days. My research tells me every door inside will be old. I hope one of them will open for me!
Click on a card below to learn more about the Tarot deck that inspired this story:
