Category Prompt
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Clip
A note on the coffee machine held in place by a clip made a heart-stopping announcement: THE MACHINE IS OUT OF ORDER. This is the message from hell. There is no signature and, therefore, no avenue of appeal. How can the machine be out of order? What manner of trickery is this? Who is responsible? […]
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Recognized
Today, I randomly opened Circumstances of Childhood to page 177 and pointed to the page with my eyes closed. Under my finger is the word ‘recognized.’ Our prompt. Recognized by John W. Howell © 2024 “Why the clown mask. You going to a party?” “I don’t want to be recognized.” “By whom?” “That guy standing […]
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Fork
Waiting on the nectar that sustains all life. I’m not sure why it is taking so long, but to investigate, a fork is put into play to remove the inspection hatch plate. All seems normal until it appears the start button has not been pushed. This demonstrates the need for the glorious liquid before doing […]
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Hot Water
I randomly opened the book His Revenge to page 109. Without looking, I pointed to the page, and the closest word to my finger was a tie between hot and water, so I used both. Hot Water by John W. Howell © 2024 “What are you reading?” “A fascinating book about scientific experiments.” “Really. You […]
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “i before e”
The desire for something different led to punching the Latte button instead of plain coffee. Had to stand back as the machine did its work. Much hissing and bubbling produced a tall glass of delightful milk foam and a layer of golden nectar. Someone called out my name, so I knew it was ready. While […]
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Frustration
I open the book His Revenge randomly to page 143 and, without looking, point to the page. The word closest to my finger is frustration. Frustration by John W. Howell © 2024 “Don’t say it.” “Don’t say what?” “Express your frustration with this situation.” “Okay. You just said it, so I don’t have to.” “I […]
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Peace/Piece
The message on the coffee machine’s screen is very clear: No coffee until we are clean. Throwing hands up in the air, all peace seems lost until the second message flashes: It only takes two minutes; press start. Grabbing a piece of courage, pressing start saves the day. There is some noise, and then […]
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Communicate
Today, I randomly opened the book My GRL to page 241, and without looking, my finger landed closest to the word ‘communicate.’ Communicate by John W. Howell © 2024 “So what did you say?” “I said that is no way to communicate.” “What happened then?” “He reached in his pocket and pulled out a little […]
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – ‘School’
The essence of the gods slowly makes its way into my cup. Being old school, there is no reason to move or engage in mental activity without that first sip of Columbia’s second-most favorite export. The cup is full, and the first sip is consumed. Thoughts turn to the alarm clock. It is set for […]
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Answer”
Today, I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 45 and, without looking, placed my finger on the page. The word closest to my finger is “answer.” Answer by John W. Howell © 2024 “Is that your final answer?” “What do you mean, ‘final answer?’” “I mean that you can’t change your […]



















