in Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The Photo.
Tinkerbell by John W.Howell © 2021
“Okay, Ms. Watson. We need a really nice photo to go on the back of your book.”
“I don’t understand why.”
“Your readers will want to know what you look like. That’s why.”
“I’ve published ten books without a photo. Why now?”
“The publisher has decided.”
“Oh yeah, just like the title, time of publication, and everything else.”
“I have a job to do. I don’t make the rules.”
“Oh, I know that. Excuse the rant. I just feel like I have no control.”
“I can imagine. I know if someone kept telling me what pictures to take, I would feel the same way.”
“You are being told to take a picture of me.”
“I meant my own pictures. My client’s pictures are paid for by them, so they have a say so.”
“Does that make it right? How much are you being paid for this one.”
“Not much. $200.00.”
“Wow. That seems like a little amount.”
“Well, it’s the going rate for a sitting.”
“What if I doubled that?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll pay you $400 not to take the photo.”
“I have to send something to the client. They paid in advance.”
“I have an idea. You have any costumes here?”
“Only a dog costume.”
“I’ll put that on. You take my picture and send it along with $200 and make up an excuse. I’ll give you $400 to do that.”
“You have a deal. Here’s the costume.”
“It’s hot for sure.”
“Now smile, Tinkerbell. That’s great.”
“Thank you so much. I feel free.”
“You know they’ll just hire another to take the photo.”
“Yeah, but thinking of the look on the faces over there is well worth it.”
Fiction Favorites 
Couldn’t she even manage a smile?
Nice one, John.
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Well you know how writers are. Thanks, Keith.
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Very crafty . . I like it. 😁
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One small bit of rebellion. Thanks, Marc.
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Haha!
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Author in a dog costume might actually get some sales.
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I think you’re right!!
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Hahaha. Maybe we should try it. Couldn’t hurt. 😁
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You sure have quite the imagination, John. Nice job!
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Thank you, Jill. 😁
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LOL!! Where in the world do you come up with these ideas, John? Pure hilarious craziness! 🤣
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You tell me. I sit at the keyboard and the crazy comes out. I like it though. When I was in school several teachers asked me kindly to leave my imagination at the door. They are not looking over my shoulder, so away I go. Thank you, Gwen. 😁
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Yep, I suspected as much!! Poor teachers!! 🤣
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I guess that is one view. Wait I think that is the only view. Poor Mrs. Bice.
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Hah! And here I was expecting something like. “Djou talkin’ to ME?”
Love it.
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Hahahaha. That would have been fun too. Thanks, Dale. 😁
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Couldn’t help but imagine a Mexican accent with that face! LOL
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“I don’t have to give you no more stinking ice cubes.”
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Hahaha! Exactly!
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😂
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Ha ha ha!! Love it!!
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Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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A cute story to go with a cute photo! 🙂
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Thank you, Mae. 😊
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I might buy a book if I thought a dog wrote it.
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ARF.
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Ha!
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😁
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Well done, John. Of course now I’m wondering if you’re the author or if it’s Lucy.
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Hahahaha. Caught me. Er her.
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So you freely admit to leaving an unrestrained unsupervised imagination just out side the door while you sat innocently in the classroom ? Relax your teacher is on the hook for part of this. Besides who doesn’t trust a squinting Chihuahua ?
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Yes but the imagination knew it was only a matter of time before the release would come.
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Oh my, John! I am absolutely laughing out loud. Your imagination is a mysterious place. 🙂 Good one!
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It is isn’t it? Thanks, Jan.
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Please send me details of where I can have you take my photograph. Would a Koala Costume do? 😊 Laugh out loud funny take on the prompt, John.😂
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I think a Koala would be perfect.
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I think I could bear it. 😂
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You sure you aren’t in vaudeville? 😂
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😂It feels that way sometimes, my friend. Gotta keep on laughing, this old world seems all too willing to have us do the opposite.
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So true.
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HaHa, good one, John! And the expression on that doggie face is priceless! Wonder if my publisher would agree to something like that?!
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Maybe. Might be worth asking.
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That’s a heck of a weird direction to take this prompt, John! Trust you 🙂
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Weird is as weird does. 😁
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hahaha, love it.
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One good thing about being an indie is we can use that picture if we want to:)
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For sure. Or leave it off. Thanks, Denise. 😁
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Great work, John. I feel sometimes that if I put a picture of one of my dogs on the back of my book, I might sell a lot more copies.
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Only if you say the dog wrote it. 😂
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Well, my dog ate a lot of my homework while I was in school. Maybe that manifested in the ability to write.
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Could be. I was suggesting an outright lie. The dog did the book. 😂
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I will try that next time..every author’s nightmare…hugsx
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hahaha. 😁
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It looks like he sucked on a lemon made the face and “CLICK” went the photographer. 🤣
Definitely, the look on the publisher’s face would be worth seeing.
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I know right?
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🤣
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Now that is one amazing dog costume. It looks just like the real thing. Well, if the author thing doesn’t work out, he can always get a job as the Taco Bell mascot. 🙂
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There you go. Good backup plan.
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Always know where the back door is, John. 🙂
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Good advice.
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Oh, those looks would be well worth it! What a great take on this prompt, John.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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[…] Tinkerbell by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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Que lindooooo!!
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Muchas gracias, Renata.😁
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Magina…Bom dia !!
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A very good morning to you as well. 😁
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