flash – Elaina Roberts

Flash Fiction Friday -March

Time for a new monthly flash fiction piece, this one for the month of March. Since March is best as a surname, I’ve chosen to focus on the birthstone. Mostly bloodstone with a bit of aquamarine thrown in for good luck. A type of chalcedony, bloodstones were once believed to have healing powers and often used to make seals or amulets. All sorts of goodies, right? Let’s go!

Flash Fiction Friday -February

Welcome to February, the coldest, shortest month of the year. For this monthly flash piece, I decided to use the official birthstone, Amethyst, instead of the month. I couldn’t envision anyone naming a child February, even in a fantasy setting, so Amethyst was born. This flash piece is based on an ‘almost story’ I’ve had bouncing around my head for several years. It’s something I’ve wanted to write, but the story simply wouldn’t gel for me. I put it off to see if the story ever grew. It didn’t, but I think I have enough for a nice little flash piece. Let’s see, shall we?

This piece is an urban fantasy short set in an unnamed city large enough to have fairly tall buildings but small enough to allow for the two characters to meet in the manner they do. This one doesn’t come with any NSFW warnings, as it’s more sweet than sexy, so enjoy wherever you wish!

Flash Fiction Friday -January

To ring in the new year, I’m going to try something new for the site. Since my rabid squirrel brain can’t seem to stay on task when it comes to my flash fiction, I’m aiming at a monthly entry relating to the current month: birthstones, holidays, solstices, the month itself, whatever I can think of. Here’s hoping it lasts longer than a month or two before it wanders off to play in the woods.

This piece is a fantasy short set in the faerie courts but only loosely based on existing mythology. The PoV character is a half-fae princess of the Winter Court named January who’s grown rather tired of the ballroom and wanders out to gardens. Who she meets there and the events which follow may not be suitable for a professional environment. You have been warned.

Flash Fiction Friday -An Unexpected Holiday

Today, I’m stepping back into Barif, the new home of the wolves of Sorrow for a sweet flash piece. During Izabel’s book, she and her mate fly over a scenic area of waterfalls unlike anything remaining on Earth Prime. They aren’t able to stop. So much had happened and Ranoch needed to return to Korlyn’s Glen, but he promised his Izabel they’d return. This is their first trip.

Warning: this story may be NSFW and references events in both Izabel and the upcoming book, Jelayan. I don’t think they’re spoilers, but as always YMMV.

The photo which inspired this flash piece is one I took at Mt. Ranier National Park in Washington State. The waterfall is one of many flowing down the mountain, and it’s as cold as the glacier which feeds it.

(A Delayed) Flash Fiction Friday – Impossible Choices

Chuck Wendig is back at it again with Flash Fiction prompts! This week, he’s offered up a series of AI Art generated doors. Pick one and tell a story about it. I was feeling particularly indecisive, so I chose all five! If you want to play along, the prompt is on his website. Write your thing, post to your own space, and link to his. Or just go over and read what’s on offer. You do you. I’m not your mom!

Below is my story, coming in just under the limit at 933 words. The unnamed main character has a choice to make, and they all suck. Which door would you step through if you were her?