S: Rhonda The Schlemiel- Flash Fiction

Today I find myself wrapped up in School Meetings, 4k registration paperwork, and now IV therapy with my oldest. A bit busy today... it's late, and the laptop lights up the hospital room enough so that my eldest can't sleep so I have to hurry. Instead of science fiction... how about some character exercise today.

Today's S word was a challenge given to me by yesterday's blog visitor. I'd never heard of the word so bare with me as I try to pull together a story around it.

---

Rhonda dealt in absolutes. Things were "always this, or always that". Nothing was ever half way or only sometimes.

"I always have nightmares." She would complain to her mom. "All the kids at school pick on me."

In the early years, her mom was genuinely worried. Who always has nightmares? Who goes to school and can't find at least one friendly person? 

It wasn't until Rhonda came home complaining that she never gets desert at school that her mom really started to dig deeper.

"Why didn't you get desert today?" 

"Because they were all out."

"But didn't you tell me yesterday that you had a brownie?"

"Yeah."

"Well then you are not a total schlemiel are you?" Mom said.

"A What?" Rhonda asked in confusion as her mom laughed.

Rhonda's mom gasped for breath between her laughter.

"A schlemiel is someone who is totally unlucky and nothing ever goes right for them." Rhonda's mom explained.

"Yeah, I guess so." Rhonda agreed.

"Would you like a popsicle?" Mom asked.

"YEAH!" Rhonda jumped up and down with excitement.

Today's post was also inspired by the letter S. S is for: schlemiel    as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers: Have you ever felt completely unlucky? Tell us about something someone did that helped you feel better?

***

Find The Alien Mind on Amazon!

Did you like this post? If so you might enjoy my book!

For adults and teens alike, it is truly a science fiction adventure for the whole family!

If you'd prefer an autographed copy straight from the author you can buy one here as well!
Autographed Copy:$13.00 + Shipping

 

R: Rivi's Future- Flash Fiction

Apparently R is for Rivi today, because the young lady won't vacate my head and is BEGGING me to get to work on the second part of her story. Chill! Lets get the first one taken care of first!  

(Ps- for those of you who are in the Concord NC area and are coming to ConCarolinas at the end of May... I have been told by PDMI Publishing that The Alien Mind (the first book) is right on track for me to be able to bring copies with me. I am so excited! It looks awesome so far!)

In the meantime I'd like to give you a peek of what is going into the second book... Ps- As I am still in the rough draft stage, this scene may or may not stay, I have not decided yet.

Rivi opened her eyes and placed a hand on the edge of the patient's cot to steady herself. The world around her seemed to be spinning, with her at its center. Feeling slightly nauseated, she shook her groggy head and the world soon steadied itself. She looked up across the cot and the patient lying there to discover that there were five healers of different species looking at her in shock.

Rivi frowned and looked up at Dan who was also coming to. He watched absently as the Gront patient laying on the cot in front of him slowly awoke. The blisters and boils on his face slowly disappeared, and the Gront sat up as if nothing were wrong. 

Dan continued staring blankly at the cot.

“How do you feel?” one of the Aunantet healers asked.

“I feel fine. Thanks! The Gront replied as he jumped off the cot and ran out of the tent.

“Dan?” Rivi queried, still watching him.

Dan blinked his eyes and turned to look at her. A smile spread across his face.

“Huh? Oh, I'm fine. I'd best get back to work,” He replied with a laugh.

“Go ahead, you! Just don't scare me like that again,” Rivi exclaimed, laughing, pushing him playfully on the shoulder.

She shook her head as he laughed. Still feeling a bit dazed, she walked out of the healers’ tent and stumbled over the blackened ground of the Gront's home world. A cloudy sky cast dark shadows over everything. Rivi found a short rock wall nearby and sat down, trying to figure out what just happened. Rivi looked up and saw the comp amalgamator from the desk coming over to her.

“Hey, how are you feeling?”

“I'm feeling … confused. Your name is Etok, right,” Rivi stated, querying the Aunantet's personal computer, discovering also that Etok was only a year older than she was.

“Yeah. How did you do … Whatever you did in there?” Etok asked, looking at Rivi questioningly.

“I don't know. I'm not a healer, so I didn't think I'd be able to help much in the first place. I just thought I'd go and at least stand with him. It just seemed like to right thing for me to do, as his friend, but then—I don't know—it just happened. I was able to help him just like he was able to help me with a computer virus a few years ago.”

“Rivinaig, things like that don't ‘just happen,’” Etok protested. “Comp amalgamators can't join with healers and certainly not in the middle of a healing. Furthermore, it is very rare for a healer to be able to join with a comp amalgamator while they are working with their computer, much less enter the amalgamator's mind to help them with a computer virus.”

“Look, I can't explain it,” Rivi admitted, looking up at Etok. “I just know what happened.”

“The two of you must be pretty close friends to be able to help each other like that,” Etok said as she sat down beside Rivi.

“We've been friends for about three years. We've gone through a lot together. Something like this is nothing compared to the Aruk.”

Today's post was also inspired by the letter R. R is for: Rivi   as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers:  I know this isn't exactly flash fiction... yesterday and today were really busy days for me so I had to find substitutes. I am hoping to have some more breathing time tomorrow. Only 8 days left to the challenge!

Would you like to give me a random S word (I'll pick one per person) to add into tomorrow's story?

***

Find The Alien Mind on Amazon!

Did you like this post? If so you might enjoy my book!

For adults and teens alike, it is truly a science fiction adventure for the whole family!

If you'd prefer an autographed copy straight from the author you can buy one here as well!
Autographed Copy:$13.00 + Shipping

 

Q: Ask V.L. Jennings Some Questions

Ok... today, because I have a MILLION things to do... (like not quite seriously but it feels like it)

My To -Do list:

-Run through edits on The Alien Mind, now that they are back from editing (will take a few days)

-Grocery shopping (Done)
-Find a general contractor who can repair our gutted house (long story, pipes burst in attic over winter and had to be gutted down to the studs) - Got this done!
-Find someone to mow the lawn at our old house (the gutted one) - not yet done

-Run to post office to return a purchase- (done)

-Drop book off at library (done)

-Stop by bank (done)

- Oh and yes Jo your formatting request is on my mind- will get to that asap promise ;)

-Prepare for oldest Kiddo's IEP meeting (thanks to friends and various groups on facebook I think I am ready)

-Take trash off to dump site. (done)

-Oh and also write up something for Q today- EEP! This is just today folks... Tuesday and Wednesday will be just as hectic!

Anyhow...since I really should get to editing, today I am inviting you all to ask ME a question. Go ahead Fire Away! (Please just keep them clean though)

Getting to know you questions:


*Who was the first person who you cared more about their well being than your own?

 First person? Hmm- I can't say for sure but I have a distinct memory of chasing my sister down the road when she was like one or two- somehow she managed to open the screen door all by herself. I won't name names here :P 


*What vivid memory do you have skipping school? 

Never skipped...not without my parents taking me out of course.


*What is the most played song in your music library?

 I don't have a music library... I have my radio and youtube. Jason Gray's Remind Me Who I Am is one of my big favorites when I just need to feel some music.


*When you are under stress, do you prefer to be alone or do you seek comfort in friends? 

Depends on the stress- but MOSTLY I prefer to be with friends... just let me vent- I know you can't fix it but it helps me figure things out ;)


*What do your actions today say about your priorities ? 

Huh? Um... I dunno- you look at the to-do list and tell me lolol.


*What is the most important room in the house?

What kind of question is this? This depends on what needs doing. Hungry? I bet you will really love that kitchen. Sleepy, then the bedroom is for you. Me- I do most of my work and play on my computer either offline or online so maybe the livingroom is my favorite? *shrugs* (actually no- I have the BEST bed in the whole world- if I could move my computer there I would never leave lol)


*When you pack for a trip, do you pack light or heavy?

I almost always over pack... I start packing a month before hand if I am REALLY excited. Either that or I am making up packing lists lol.


*What vivid memories do you have of spent time with your grandparents?

Playing Yatzee with grandma, Grandpa making icecream cones. Nana taking us camping.


*What TV re-run do you sit down to watch whenever it is on?

Doctor Who, Smallville


*What movie can you quote word for word?

Please don't judge - Little Mermaid -.-


What technology scares you?

AI probably- I like my computers taking commands thank you.


Where are your ticklish spots?

Its less about the where and more about the how... Sometimes even a normal touch to my back can tickle -.- I'm weird I know.

Today's post was also inspired by the letter Q. Q is for: Questions   as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers:  Go ahead- ask me anything!

P: Catalaide's Purple Miracle- Flash Fiction

The running lights of Catalaide Station glittered off of the shimmering rings of dust that encircled Saturn. A shining diamond in a sea of glitter. Ignoring the view, Inspector Cade poured over his reports while his ship docked with the station. The ‘blessed station’ is what the locals called it. Its reputation was reaching so far that shuttle tickets to get here had reached astronomical prices. His job was to find out why.

 Ignoring his pilot’s protests on social courtesies, Inspector Cade picked up his briefcase and left the shuttle as soon as the airlock seal hissed. He learned long ago that he would find out more about a place than he would if he had announced his arrival. He turned down a short hallway and headed toward the center of the station. As he neared the elevator doors he brushed the wrinkles out of his jacket, straightened his tie, and looked at his watch.

 Great! I’m late! 

 The elevator took him down to level 7. Deep organ music trickled in through the doors and Cade took a deep preparing breath before the doors swished open. Light, music, singing and prayers filled the room that Inspector Cade walked into. Hundreds of people and no chairs, or aisles. Cade politely made his way to the front of the room to see what all the commotion was about.

 He couldn't believe what he saw as he neared the front of the throng. A purple shawl, surrounded by fog, hung in midair swaying ever so slightly. No one was holding it, no one touched it.

 “This is what people are paying their entire life’s wages to come see?” Inspector Cade asked a woman to his left. 

“Oh yes Sir! Isn't it amazing? It’s a miracle!” The spry young woman responded.

 “Is it always there or does someone take it down?” Inspector Cade prodded.

 “Oh no sir! No one touches it,” The woman answered, her blonde curls swaying as she shook her head in objection to his question. “It disappears before lunch and doesn't come back till next Sunday.”

 Inspector Cade looked around the room and noticed a large mirror hanging above the elevator doors.

 What an odd place to put a mirror.

 He stayed there till almost noon watching the purple shawl floating in the fog. Inspector Cade walked around the room, talking to different people, asking questions about the shawl. A few mentioned some rumors of miracles that had happened in the room, but most said the same thing. The fog collects, the shawl appears and stays for a few hours and then disappears again right before the fog dissipates.

 Convenient. Inspector Cade considered the location of the mirror again.

 Later after the fog had dissipated and the people all left the Inspector turned off his gravity boots and floated up to inspect the ceiling. It wasn't long before he found the small projector unit aimed down at the mirror.

 Just as I suspected... it’s all an illusion!

Today's post was inspired by the letter P. P is for: Purple  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



This post is ALSO part of the 52 week flash fiction challenge on facebook
Week 4 word prompt: Shawl
Word Limit: 20- 500
This one tops out right at 496 words.

Thanks for reading!

For Readers:  Would you expose the illusion or would you let the people continue in their delusion?


-> photo credit: Shawl via photopin (license) <-

O: Transporting Octopi- Flash Fiction

Teddy dropped the gushing hose over the top edge of a tank so large it almost filled the entire room. 

"I TOLD the boss that it would be a hassle trying to transport this 8 tentacled beast on board a star ship," Joe grumbled.

"They are transplanting him on that planet they are terraforming right?"

"Yeah, his mate is traveling on the Ordova."

"Oh gee, he better like his mate then, not much choice!"

->photo credit: P4181541 via photopin (license) <-



This is 5 Sentence Fiction. Originally started by Lillie McFerrin, today I chose to find a picture and use a word of my own.

Today's post was also inspired by the letter O. O is for: Octopus  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers:  What's your view on moving animals to help repopulate areas- or even other planets?

N: Nine Pizzas - Flash Fiction

"My very educated mother just served us nine pizzas, they are waiting upstairs in the dinning room."

Fred paused the game on the xbox before looking up at Andrew in confusion.

"There's only two of us, how come she bought nine?"

Andrew shrugged before plopping down on the couch beside Fred and taking over the second controller.

"Don't let her hear you complain but apparently mom is in rebellion over the whole, Pluto no longer being a planet thing."


->photo credit: Village Pizzeria Pizza via photopin (license) <-



This is 5 Sentence Fiction. Originally started by Lillie McFerrin, today I chose to find a picture and use a word of my own.

Today's post was also inspired by the letter N. N is for: Nine  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers:  Were you upset over Pluto not being a planet? What sorts of Pizza do you like?

M: Spaced Out Mushrooms -Flash Fiction

 
Jack popped some chunks of fresh vegetables into the dicer and in moments a freshly chopped salad was ready to be poured into his ziplock bag of dressing.

Mark shut the airlock behind him as he floated into the station's living quarters module.

 "Man, either someone down there is trying to play a joke or we got a really trippy shipment of stuff on that shuttle today." 

Jack scooped a fresh chunk of salad all stuck together with dressing out of the bag and savored the bite.

"Um, Jack those mushrooms weren't THAT kind of mushroom!"


This is 5 Sentence Fiction. Originally started by Lillie McFerrin, today I chose to find a picture and use a word of my own.

Today's post was also inspired by the letter M. M is for: Mushroom  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers:  If you could send an astronaut on the international space station any one item, what would you send them?

L: Litter In Space- flash fiction

Matt fired the thrusters on his ship just for the briefest of moments. His locating equipment was warning him of an object just to his right.

 Why can’t I see it!

 As his ship slowly floated into position the magnification raised on his screen revealing the tiny shiny metal object. Matt used the mechanical arm attached to his ship to pluck the tiny metal object out of space. Turning the object back and forth in front of his window he realized that the darn thing was a screw! Matt groaned in irritation before using the arm to tuck the bolt safely into a compartment in the side of the ship.

 Space litter was a problem for all ships. One tiny bolt colliding with a moving ship was the equivalent of a bullet being fired at the ship at point blank range. Many crews and many ships had been lost to these disasters, spilling more debris out into space.

A few months ago, Matt had suggested to his father that someone should go out there and pick up all that litter. 

Matt rolled his eyes. How did this become my job?


->photo credit: 3rd UFO Sighting around Shuttle Endeavor since May 16th launch date, Video. via photopin (license) <-

Today's post was also inspired by the letter L. L is for: Litter   as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers: Though this is fictional there really is over 19,000 pieces of space debris floating in Earth orbit being tracked by NASA. They have to prepare flight plans to keep any vehicles from being hit by it or it could severely damage the ship.

So... what say you? Should we go up there and collect it all- or wait decades till it all falls/burns back to Earth (as it will eventually)?

K: Kids In Boxes- Flash Fiction

Every few months Sandra would sadly look through her daughter’s report cards. Failing grades, always failing grades.

 “Whats going on, honey?” Sandra asks her barely responsive daughter. “Do you not understand what the teacher is saying?”

 The little girl shrugs, “I listen,” is all she says.

 Teacher meetings come and go, new goals are placed. They are never reached. Farther and farther her daughter falls behind and still they push her to the next grade.

 “She can sit in class and participate in the work; she gets some of them right.” The teachers say proudly.

 “But she’s not passing the tests and her grades are horrid.” Her mom points out.

 “Oh, but she’s come so far.”

 Picture a world that you can not understand. Picture a world in which everyone who tries explaining things sounds a lot like Einstein. It is in this world that Tiffany is trapped.

 A new textbook, more words she can not understand. She floats by because she can at least read the words. She dare not ask questions because she can’t figure out how to explain what she isn't understanding. Everyone else understands it, why can’t she.

 Tiffany starts to wonder if it’s her.

 “The kids ask how I got here, if I’m so dumb.” Tiffany tells her mom.

 “You are not dumb, honey, your brain just learns at a different pace then theirs do.” Sandra explains while trying not to cry.

 Years have gone by. One step forward and two steps back. They have no explanation, they have no reasons why she should be struggling.

 More tests paint a dismal picture and new suggestions that don’t help.

 A kid in a teen’s body, desperate to learn, but bottled up inside. Trapped by her mind’s deficiencies; she’s left with just muddling through.

 The potential is there, if only she could... remember... if only she could... understand.

• -> photo credit: Arvind Grover  via photopin (license) <-
  
  
• Today's post was inspired by the research I have been doing all day.

Today's post was also inspired by the letter K. K is for: Kids  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers: Sorry... I don't really have a question for you today. Tomorrow shall be a cheerier post though ;)

J: The Jade Fox Mission- Flash Fiction

 Her ship set down on the warm black paved road in front of her great grandmother's house and a group of deer leapt from the nearby field to hide in the woods. The engines shut down and Tonya climbed out of her ship. Humans had left the planet long ago to give it a much needed break. A time to rest and rejuvenate itself. There were way more song birds in the area now than Tonya had seen on the vids and the vegetation had certainly taken over.

She waded through the chest high grass that had grown up through what was once a gravel driveway. The posts holding the porch roof had long since deteriorated and the back porch roof hung precariously out over the steps without any support.

The things I do for my mother, Tonya thought, gritting her teeth as she tiptoed up the steps afraid to disturb the hanging roof.

Tonya tried the handle on the back door and was relieved when the handle turned easily. Pushing the door open gave Tonya her first glimpse of the home her dying mother would give anything to see again.

The view would probably crush her, Tonya realized sadly, now appreciating why her father suggested she go instead.

Sunlight streamed in through the gaping hole in the roof above that had long since collapsed. Years of rain and rot inspired trees and weeds to grow up through the collapsed floor boards. Green leafy branches reached up to the sky through the living room roof where a ceiling fan had once hung.

I hope the back bedroom isn't this bad or else this trip will have been for nothing.

Carefully making her way around the debris and rotting floor boards Tonya reached the hallway and found it a little dryer. Her mother had visited here a great many times when she was a kid. She had spent summers with with her grandmother, Tonya's great grandma.

The first room off to the right was her grandmother's piano room. She recounted for Tonya how she had sat for hours at the old heavy upright piano while her grandmother patiently tried to teach her how to play. Warm sunlight on the music sheets and the smell of fresh snickerdoodles, the reward for a lesson well studied.

Tonya poked her head into the room today to find the upright piano poking our from a large gaping hole in the floor. Sunlight from the window now inspiring weeds to grow up around it from under the house. No doubt the floor joists had collapsed under the piano's weight years ago.

I wonder if it could still make the sweet music I heard on mom's vid. Tonya decided that it probably wouldn't and continued onto the next room.

Tonya pushed the door open to the guest bedroom and gasped in relief. There hanging from a chain on the ceiling fan, still intact, hung the jade fox her mother still so lovingly remembered.

###

->photo credit: JadeCrouchingOx via photopin (license) <- And yes I am very well aware that the picture is not of a fox... sorry, I'll keep looking. If anyone finds a public domain one or one that I can share with a link back let me know!

Today's post was inspired by the letter J. J is for: Jade as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



This post is ALSO part of the 52 week flash fiction challenge on facebook
Week 3 word prompt: Fox
Word Limit: 20- 500
This one tops out right at  497 words.

For Readers: What is one thing from your grandmother's house that you would love to have as a keep sake?

I: Icy Explosion- Flash Fiction

"Drill one to drill two" Issac called over the radio. "I'm about finished here. I need to head back to base to drop off this shipment of ore boss."

 "Sure thing, drill one," Henry answered, "I think this asteroid is all mined out anyway.

"Before you head back you two might was to look at these readings." Annette called over the radio from the other side of the asteroid.

Henry pulled up Annette's stats on his ship's dashboard.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing boss?" Issac asked Henry.

"Annette, from what I'm seeing, this looks like water. Is that what you are reading?"

"Yes sir, it looks to be a rather large deposit of it too."

"Liquid or solid?"

"Not sure boss,"

"Ok, you both be prepared to drop your loads if we find liquid water. The station will pay handsomely for fresh water." Henry instructed.

Annette watched the stats on her console as she continued drilling down through the rock to get to the water deposit. The pressure started building down inside the drill line. arning lights flashed on the console.

"Keep going Annette," Henry advised.

Light tremor readings began building on Issac's side of the rock.

"Boss... I think we have a problem." Issac warned.

"No problem, this rock's just going to fight us for it's spoils that's all." Henry replied.

"Almost there!" Annette called out.

"There!" Annette cried out.

The ground shook the drill ships and the team's instruments were flooded with information. Issac threw the switch to fire his thrusters as the mining tunnel beneath him collapsed and almost swallowed his ship.

"We gotta get off this rock!" Issac yelled even though no one could hear him through the din of their own instruments.

Moments later all three of their ships were thrown back into space by flying rock debris. Large chunks of the asteroid smashed into the three drill ships from all sides. Damage and proximety alarms rang out as the three of them tried to maneuver their ships out of the paths of the debris.

Annette's instrument data disappeared off of Henry's dashboard as a particularly large chunk collided with her ship.

"Dangit!" Henry swore through his teeth.

He steady his ship and eyeballed her stat center for signs that she was ok.

"Boss... Is Annette," Issac asked quietly once he found a safe zone on a nearby asteroid.

"I don't have sights on her, do you?"

"Saw the whole collission Sir, She's adrift now. No stat data coming in." Lewis answered, choking over his words.

"GREAT!" Annette shouted over the radio. "Dead as a doornail! My ship's engine took major damage from that hit boss."

"Cesar's ghost Annette! What's your status? We can't read any stats from you over here." Henry called out, relief crackling through his normally level voice.

"I'm ok sir, but you have to see this to believe it!" Annette answered.

The debris slowly cleared to reveal a solid chunk of ice floating where their asteroid had been.

->photo credit: BENNU’S JOURNEY - Heavy Bombardment via photopin (license) <-

Today's post was inspired by the letter I. I is for: Ice    as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding Sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

*For Readers: 

As always... if you have something that starts with the letter J that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!

***

Find The Alien Mind on Amazon!

Did you like this post? If so you might enjoy my book!

For adults and teens alike, it is truly a science fiction adventure for the whole family!

If you'd prefer an autographed copy straight from the author you can buy one here as well!
Autographed Copy:$13.00 + Shipping

 

H: Husbands- Name Game

photo credit: Count & Countess Armfelt (LOC)
via photopin (license)

Why Do Husbands get to keep their names but we don't?- (A just for fun, not to be taken seriously, post)

Ok... because I needed a little bit of a breather from writing sci-fi flash fiction posts, today I thought we could play a little game instead.

 In many cultures when a couple gets married the wife takes the husbands last name. However, many wives have grown so accustomed to their maiden names that they don't jump for joy in letting go of it. I've also heard the excuse that "they didn't want to become just another Mrs. soandso" - in the case where the husband had been married previously.

Hey, it happened to me... it didn't bother me much. Sure I was glad to take my husband's last name! My NEW problem I was also already published under my maiden name. Twice. Sure... I could jump through hoops and have my publisher reprint the covers (LOTS of hassle). But even then my married last name is a bit bulky for a book cover. So whats a woman to do?

Wait a minute... who says it should always have to be the woman that worries about this?

Then it struck me... we need a new fad! Instead of the woman hyphenating her name or taking her husbands name there is ANOTHER choice.

Mashup your last name!

So here's the game...  take your hubby's last name and your maiden name (or your last name and your wife's last name if you are a guy) and combine the two to make up a new last name!


In my case... Instead of V.L. Jennings... I'd be V.L. Yarninngs

*Cue Laughter

Today's post was inspired by the letter H. H is for: Husbands   as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding Sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

*For Readers: Mash up your last names! Tell me what they are in the comments!

As always... if you have something that starts with the letter I that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!

G: Gas Giant Predicament- Flash Fiction

photo credit: Giove and Europa via photopin (license)

“Ok, so how would we build a colony on a gas giant, assuming the gas giant has some sort of solid ground.” Edward asked the rest of the team sitting around the long table.

 “Why not just look for a more solid planet?” Darren asked.

“What if the crew needs to land for repairs or an emergency and they have no alternative?” Celia suggested.

 “Really?” Darren rolled his eyes.

 “Yes really. Our team is going to be out there for years, they’ll need to have contingency plans.” Edward replied.

“Ok, so lets say they release an inflatable bubble out of the air lock.” Joe suggested.

 “What, like they would an inflatable raft?” Edward asked.

“Sure!” Joe answered “We could realistically package a space dome small enough to stow somewhere but big enough that they could begin building their more permanent shelter inside.”

 “Ok, but how would they repair their ship?” Celia asked.

“Why not have a plastic bubble, zippered air lock?” Andy suggested.

 “Big enough to drive the ship through?” Darren asked.

“Sure!” said Andy.

 Edward walked over to the drawing board to peruse their list of possible materials.

“Ok... but where would they get the materials to build their more permanent station?”

“Perhaps, they don’t build the more permanent station unless it looks like they will have to stay there. Otherwise they could just move the ship inside and live in the ship.” Darren said.

 “Do we think we can find a material that will stand up to whatever storms may be on the gas giant? What about acid rain?” Edward pointed out.

 “I know who to ask about that.” Joe volunteered.

 “Ok, you see to that Joe,” Edward double checked the board again, “What does everyone else think? Will this plan work?”

Nods from all four of the other members satisfied Edward.

“Ok, so we have the story line, can we do all of this on our budget?”

 “I’m more worried about how we are going to make the gas giant storms look realistic using just green screen technology!” Andy exclaimed.

Today's post was inspired by the letter G. G is for: Gas Giant  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding Sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

For Readers: Do you think their plan would work on a real Gas Giant? Why or why not? What would your plan be?

As always... if you have something that starts with the letter H that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!