FLASH FICTION FOR ASPIRING WRITERS for 03-11-2015
James’ Bliss
James dreamed of retiring and living on a houseboat docked at the pier because of his love for the sea and all things nautical. Sandy dreaded their retirement because of James’ dream. But, as a dutiful wife, she followed him to their new home, “James’ Bliss.”
While Sandy endured months of motion sickness induced by her rocking home, she dreamed of living on land, resigning herself to living in constant motion. On her birthday, James promised to take her to the Flocken Island where their friends, the Burgs, have their boat docked.
That evening, while enjoying a meal and a glass of wine with their friends, James could barely contain his excitement as he handed Sandy her gift.
She opened the card and two tickets fell out. She fought back the tears raging in her throat, as she read, “Carnival Cruise.”
Then, he handed her a photo of a beautiful home.
(150 words)
This is my submission for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. We are given a photo prompt and challenged to write a story, based on the photo, of 150 words or less.
Flash Fiction is fun, challenging and addicting and you are invited to join us! For more information, please click on this link FFfAW (Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers):
BEAUTIFUL WORDS 
I hope that beautiful home is on land for Sandy’s sake. By the way, I love that her name is Sandy given that she’s not a fan of water. 😉
Haha! I hadn’t even though about that. Sandy. Haha! Yes, he bought her a home on land (hopefully near the “sandy” beach and near his second love, the boat, “James’ Bliss. LOL
Oh well thank goodness because i was about to suggest she divorce one who was so selfish!
I decided by the time I got to the end that I would have him buy her a house on land. LOL!
Nice job, Joy, at first my heart sank for poor Sandy, but I’m guessing he was pulling her leg and it was really a home on land…lol… or maybe he was saying, “come on this month long carnival cruise and you can stay a week in this holiday cottage” 🙂 This week, because I entered the pic, I’m having problems finding my imagination, I already know the pace too well and can’t seem to dream up a story, but I need to wait till thurs anyway, so plenty of time
He bought her a home on land. 😀 Cruise was for both of them but of course, more for him. The house was for her, but for both of them. 🙂
Lovely 🙂
Yes, you have time to write a story for the prompt.
So he knew, after all, how miserable she was. And surprised her with the house. 🙂 But, just to stay happy himself, got the cruise. 😉
I think so. And I think she is going to enjoy the cruise knowing she will be living on land. Of course that home is close to the beach and pier where his boat is. 🙂 They are both going to be happy. 😀
THAT is a wonderful plan. 🙂
That is a great plan! The beauty and perks of compromising and strengthening your marriage.
LOL! That’s the truth! That’s what I call “massaging your marriage.”
Lol! I’m going to remember that
I really do hope the new “home” was on land. Sandy- I liked the play on the word Sandy also (near the water but always sea-sick) showed herself to be quite a devoted wife. I wish that she had been devoted enough to talk to him instead of suffer in secret! Apparently, the secret was not well kept- hence the house!
1) “tears raging” ….. very nice! 2) James’ Bliss…. leads one to believe James knew it was HIS dream and NOT HERS to begin with? I am in awe- sort of- of Sandy’es devotion… but James does not measure up to well as a husband? A little late in the game.
I think some people can get so caught up in what they want and desire that they “see” their spouse as wanting the same thing. They’re seeing through blinders. Sooner or later reality catches up with them and they see the truth for what it is. Sandy loved him enough to sacrifice what she wanted for him to have what he wanted. I think Love won in the end. I am a hopeless romantic and believe in love. They both loved each other just as much. But.. I also think that home is beachfront! LOL!
I would bet on beachfront property also!
😀
I also thought Sandy’s name was an intentional inclusion intended to denote that she prefers land.
Thank you for reading and commenting! Actually, it happened accidently. It is a good idea, but I didn’t have that in mind when I was writing the story. I just happen to have a neighbor by the name of Sandy.
Please, oh please, let that house be firmly set on dry land! Poor Sandy! You did a wonderful job with this one PJ. I could feel the tears gathering when he handed her the cruise tickets. So glad there was some hope at the end!
Yes, I almost didn’t write that last sentence in, but something made me do it. Haha!!
It was a great line. I’m glad you put it in.
I could well understand wanting to live on land after living on the sea for so long. Nicely done Joy.
Thank you Michael. Thank you for reading and for the lovely comment.
I think your last line is really crucial. It turned James from selfish *&$&£%%! into loving husband. Good job!
Thank you! I wasn’t planning on putting that in until I got to the end and knew I needed to.
I can understand her dislike of living on a boat. The constant rocking is off-putting, and a potential re-enactment of the Titanic…no thank you!
I’m with you on that Francesca! Maybe a weekend but not permanently!
What a sweet husband. Tickets for a cruise and a new home!
I was just trying to add the froggy link to my blog but I don’t think it worked. Any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong? Thanks.
You have to get the code from InLinkz and paste that code on the html (I use Blogsy and I have to paste it on the html side of my post). I have the code that I can send to you over email if you would like. (I will need your email address).
Where ever your write or wrote your post for the challenge, go to the html side and paste the code there. I have the code that I can email to you and all you have to do is copy and paste to your post and not have to get it from InLinkz. You link your post by clicking on the blue button and it takes you into the grid where the stories are and in there is another blue button that you click on and add your information into those 3 boxes. (Those are on my directions for the challenge, but if you need them again, I will get them for you).
I think I’ve already linked my post as I clicked the blue button and went into the grid part and added my information into the 3 boxes. I will try to add the froggy button again. Thanks for your help.
Sure, no problem. I know that linking stuff gets confusing and frustrating.
Nice save at the end, she was so close to the exit sign.
I think so too. Thank you! I’m glad he came through for her too.
In my opinion some cruises can be quite rocky but at least that is temporary> At least Sandy is now headed for dry landy ~ A great story Joy 🙂
Thanks John! I just read your story and I loved it. 🙂
Haha, my heart felt for poor Sandy asi’m not a fan of boats myself. Turns out it’s only joke 😀 . I think Sandy would stand a few weeks of carnival cruise for an entirety on land.
I think it is a fair trade. 😀
It definitely is! 😄
Oh PJ, might i add, this week’s flash fiction has some really wonderful stories, i enjoyed reading them :D. I’m glad you have so many entries.
We would love to have you join us!!
No!!! That was so awful of her husband. She hates the sea. He doesn’t know her at all. I did like the twist at the end though no matter how sad it was. The only thing that wasn’t clear for me was the POV it seemed like it switched between the two main characters. We’re you doing 3rd omniscient?
I was actually trying to do the third person. Narrator telling the story. Did I fail miserably? lol
Oh no you did not. You definitely wrote in third person but I wasn’t sure if it was 3rd limited or 3rd omniscient. Just my personal taste I prefer limited. I think omniscient is very hard to do. You should consider writing in both as a writing exercise aside from this, you’ll get two very different takes.
It has been so long since I have been in college that I will have to look up to see what the difference of those two are. When I figure it out, I will try and do some practices with each.
Sounds like a plan! 🙂
I have been reading up on them (all, or most anyway). Now I have a better idea what you were asking me.
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