" Never from my lips would come a word of criticism about this site, but I have a few ideas that might be of use. This is not what I expected to happen when I came to write my first prompt response, but since ... well, let me just make my suggestions.

"…

There's a new super-villain in town, Dark Cloak. Their face is never seen, but they seem powerful and definitely malicious; their most notable characteristic is a deep, black, flowing cloak or cape that serves Dark Cloak's many sinister purposes.

This eb…

Last year I wrote an essay on edible fish; during a performance of an Elizabethan play this evening, I suddenly got the news that I had won a huge award for my Cod piece!

ME: Hey, I heard that Karl Urban, the actor who plays Dr. McCoy in the new Star Trek films, is the twin brother of Kieth Urban, the singer. That's pretty amazing!

NEIL: Oh, for Pete's sake, Joan, you can't believe everything you read! That's just an Urban…

Tenever grudgingly released the spell in his hand, but readied his wards all the same. They were complex, interlocking affairs with Byzantine safety procedures and a hellish rate of drain, but they were effective.

"Guys, this is Eraeon of the Firsts. Era…

It’s time to come back, it’s time to come home

I’ll find my way home to Brockton

Though I’ve been away for ever so long,

I think I’ll return to Brockton

With Brockton I’m safe, I’m not misunderstood

It’s never my fault, I’m loved ‘cos I’m good

With Brockt…

Communism really only works on paper. Don’t try to use Communism with plastic, wood, metal, or glossy paint surfaces. Communism is not engineered to be compatible with Windows 3.1 or later, or Mac OS 8.6. However, some Communism might work on your Vectrex…

The King sent out a messenger into the Wide World to seek out information. The messenger did not return. So he sent out more than four hundred servants to seek the messenger out. The King then assembled these servants to inquire as to their progress.

KING…

All of us--Troy, Maxine, and I--made a solemn vow to protect the liter of wine from the biker gang. We set it down at the top of the stairs and kept a sacred vigil.

But then a hullabaloo started outside and the head of the gang, Sharpe, kicked down the f…

Somewhere out there, describing a perfect sphere at this point, is the very first radio transmission made by humans. Attenuated and weak, but detectable information in a sea of noise.

And after that comes the second radio transmission. And a third. The t…

Tenever's reflexes were superb, and before Sadie could issue a warning he threw a firebolt that flashed across and-

The elf flicked a hand and the fire vanished in an instant, darkness returning to the cabin. Having done so, he stood calmly, clearly wait…

Story is marked as mature

The tone sounded for break. I slumped into a chair with my coffee. Sipping it as it cooled, I noticed that I was not joined by any coworkers. Was there a staff meeting?

The door opened. I watched with interest, but it was only the postman.

"This needs a…

The first day I saw it, it was just a little spot. Right over my left ring-finger knuckle. I thought maybe I had not washed well, or I got some ink on it from work.

The next morning my whole knuckle was green and looking a little fuzzy. I considered a tr…

Captain Chessington stood behind her desk, her face stern as she listened to the report from the Quartermaster.

"You are quite sure, Mr Jones," she queried, willing him to retract even a sentence of the report he had just made to her. "I'd best do this i…

"The cooks will not take such abuse from the swabs!" Chef's face was red, and he slammed his ladle into the round table.

"Your soup is little better than our mop-water!" screamed the chief swabbie.

"My steersmen and engineers can't stay awake, living off …

For weeks, the nightmare has been the same. The way the child's head snapped back, the scream of the mother as she cradled the lifeless form. For days I didn't even know if it was a boy or girl.

The officer's gun. It was an impulse move. I saw my torment…

"I am Togua, true leader of Avorhelis, and with this authority I banish Tyris from this city. His selfish acts have caused great devastation to our home. The direct deaths of dozens of citizens, as well as hundreds of injuries and damages are upon his hea…

The medics found Minla unconscious next to a shattered vase, a small pool of water and a bouquet of exotic-looking flowers. One of them, taking pity, picked up the flowers as they loaded her up into the ambulance.

The attending doctor took the toxicology…

The doorbell chimed.

Confused, Mina rose from her chaise, disturbing her cat, who airily strode off to preen. She wasn't expecting anyone, nor any packages. Frowning to herself, she turned the deadbolt, twisted the knob lock, and slid the chain lock back…

Special Report: Use of Coffee Authorised

Casualties are high in the sixth day of heavy fighting here on the desk. Coalition leaders have confirmed that tactical coffee strikes will be used to halt the advance of procrastination forces that remain a thr…

The morning did not improve Sadie's mood. There was the rare luxury of hot instant coffee with milk powder, but that was where the positive outlook ended.

A thin mist blanketed the surrounding Hills, reducing sunlight to a faint glow and visibility to a …

I wanna write on fire.

Not with fire like a sparkler in the night.

Not like some imaginary, magical way of literally writing on a fleeting flame.

Writing with abandon, with freedom, with vigor; that's what I want.

No more tiredness, mental fogginess, …

Nothing.

A vast expanse of unknowable darkness.

I saw it. My feet may have even dangled towards its embrace. Tiny shards, the whole of my heart broken long ago, tumbled easily down the well. Perhaps I should have grasped for them. Perhaps they will …

"How do you kill an Empress?"

I steeled the muscles in my face, and let my eyes rest on the man's shoulders. If this turned into a trap, I would make sure to take him with me into the void. Leaning back, I wormed myself into the chair's thick cushions, l…