Triumph isn’t in grand, world-saving gestures, Astoria realises.
It’s in the small wins: the 30-word stories, enduring long-distance love with Bertie, and resistance to wearing even one pair of Crocs.
#30Words365 #Triumph #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
A sunrise paddle on lulling swell with restful deep breaths was meant to relax her.
But when Rowan awoke adrift hours later, her entire fight-and-float extinct needed to kick in.
#30Words365 #Fight #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Daily, Josie leaves work exhausted, heading towards chaotic demands at home.
Until midway, like a time-criminal, she starts stealing small moments to herself with a sleight of the minute hand.
#30Words365 #Criminal #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
“One crime, no consequences,” says the genie.
Amanda considers…
…Jaywalking
…Double parking
…Obscene kite flying
Then whispers into the genie’s ear.
Finally! She can wear her Crocs with no judgement…
#30Words365 #Park #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
@akscotland.bsky.social
Astoria’s cr*p week (literally) isn’t improving. ⬇🧵
She hasn’t even started construction of her 500-word #TwistedTournament story (due in 16 hours).
‘What even is ‘cosy vampire genre’ anyway?’ she wonders.
@twistinthetale.bsky.social #30Words365 #Construction #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Ratty thinks she makes great 3D-printer sh*t
Literally creates a big pile of it.
But Ratty’s triumph’s extinguished by ugly Crocs
When Amanda’s mum 3D-prints a shoe that truly rocks.
#30Words365 #Extinguish #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
@akscotland.bsky.social
Bertie wants Astoria to experience an unforgettable out-of-this-world date.
Mission achieved.
And next time, he definitely won’t mix up the spaceship’s drinking water plumbing with the onboard sewerage recycling system.
#30Words365 #Mix #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Quiet, sunny weekends are critical for recovering from his high-pressure job.
No surprise then, that somehow Dirk rams the neighbour’s early-Saturday-morning leaf-blower in the only place the sun don’t shine.
#30Words365 #Somehow #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Deep Space Network radio antennas…
Martian orbiters relaying data…
Laser technology…
Sounds unromantic, right? Not at all!
Without them, Bertie can’t nurture his amorous link with Astoria back on Earth.
#30Words365 #Link #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
They hide deep under the ocean, elders schooling youngsters on their solemn legacy.
Emerging into radioactive atmosphere decades later, their skin immediately blisters. Turns out they’d been extinct all along.
#30Words365 #Legacy #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Despite her fury, Josie feigns control with her calm, authoritative, persuasive tone.
“You’re back late!” exclaims Dirk when she arrives home.
“Where’s the number for that dog trainer?” she growls.
#30Words365 #Fury #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
During each pitch, strike, catch and home run, the kids stare enthralled as their hero leans, twists or rants at the umpire.
Watching their dad watch baseball is pure entertainment.
#30Words365 #Strike #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
30-word stories lodge in her head
Unless coaxed with a nice glass of red.
But this wine and creative practice
Sometimes goes cactus
And Astoria writes off the night instead.
#30Words365 #Practice #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
The swish of fast pedals, quiet solar-powered transport, and emphasis on local community replace belching fumes, aggressive horns, and crawling commutes...
Turns out, fuel-rationing isn’t quite the disaster Helen expects.
#30Words365 #Disaster #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
“I’m exhausted. I bent over backwards, tied myself in knots and really stretched myself this time.”
“So… yoga really taxes you?”
“Wait, what!? No, not yoga! I’m talking about solopreneurship!”
#30Words365 #Taxes #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Jane wanders through city shadows, knowing she’ll never live here again.
Tonight, her favourite haunt is serving spirits.
“Special occasion?” asks the cadaverous barman.
“My 50th deathday,” sighs Jane wistfully.
#30Words365 #Death #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Bella counts followers while her real-life friends drift away.
Bill watches his investments grow… alone.
As for Freddy and his dog-walking business? He’s happily covered in dog slobber (yet again!).
#30Words365 #Life #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Acclimatising, the collision of fresh herbs and earthy spices with cigarette smoke and petrol fumes wrenches Jodie from exhausted motherhood back to the energetic optimism of her gap year abroad.
#30Words365 #Smoke #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Every year, I aimed higher.
But the once-in-a-century storm disturbed me to my roots.
And I collapsed, with a confetti of leaves, from the riverbank into the swirling waters below.
#30Words365 #River #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Sure, maybe it’s yearlong madness
But it’s also with daily gladness
We’ve reached 30-word-story #252.
And to give credit where it’s due…
…Scott, thank you – I’m glad we’ve had this.
#30Words365 #Credit #WritingCommunity #AmWriting @mrbrokeneyes.bsky.social
Even from the back of the classroom, Brandon’s ‘parfum de teenage boy’ is rank.
“Brandon carries an air of confidence.” Miss Eliza finally settles on when writing his school report.
#30Words365 #Rank #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Date night and the babysitter cancels.
Instead, Dirk and Jodie eat takeout to the background music of AI-narrated YouTube shorts, children screeching and the percussive beat of a yapping dog.
#30Words365 #Music #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Wilma found the lamp in an antiques shop. Polishing it, a genie appeared.
White teeth, wealth and one unicorn later, the genie sighed...
…Wishes wasted (again) instead of world peace.
#30Words365 #Shop #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Roachford’s Annual Pest Conference is buzzing. The Beetles perform and despite a few bugs, the event goes viral.
Then everyone fleas because next, Roachford hosts the Annual Pest Control Conference.
#30Words365 #Control #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Astoria isn’t used to really, really, really long-distance relationships.
And while a romantic weekend with Bertie fills her with joy, she also dreads the 13-month round trip to Mars required.
#30Words365 #Joy #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Deb used to be a well-paid, overweight, stressed-out, exhausted manager, dreading the daily toxic office politics.
Today, she cycles to her job in the village, poorer, fitter, healthier and happier.
#30Words365 #Dread #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Headtorch on, hundreds of glowing eyes reflect back.
Sara traces one pair to a tiny spider on a delicate leaf.
Cute.
Behind her, ginormous eyes blink. Errrm, not so cute...
#30Words365 #Blink #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
“What are ‘randos’?” asks Dirk.
“Random guys. Why?” says Josie.
“Elise texted that some damaged our house during the—”
“—party!” they cry together, parental weekend away abruptly cancelled.
#30Words365 #Damage #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
Bertie craves Astoria’s daily 30-word stories (including the bonus tale every 36.5 Martian sols).
For he’s realised each public post radiating across the interplanetary void is written just for him.
#30Words365 #Void #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
