Author: Derek R Henig

Precipitate

[ pri-sip-i-teyt ]

Verb

To hasten the occurrence of; bring about prematurely, hastily, or suddenly: to precipitate an international crisis.

Let’s Write…

** Either a story beginning, a story ending, a piece of flash fiction, a poem, painting, dance move—inspired by the word, precipitate, where does it take me? Where does it take you?

My job is… not what you would think. You humans often think of angels, guardians, and the like as saviors, but we don’t really save or protect like you’d want to believe. What we do is accelerate things.

Tags feel good, interesting perspective

The Word

Succedaneum

[ suhk-si-dey-nee-uhm ]

Noun

Substitute.

Let’s Write…

** Either a story beginning, a story ending, a piece of flash fiction, a poem—inspired by the word, succedaneum, where does it take me? Where does it take you?

Amy sat with her boyfriend, Ben, watching a movie on the couch. The mood in the room was tense due to several factors. First, a thunderous storm raged outside, introducing flashes of light and echoing booms at irregular intervals. Second, the movie of choice was a horror film. Last was that Amy held a secret.

Ben reached into the bowl of popcorn Amy made and removed a gluttonous handful. Her eyes followed his hand to his mouth. When should I tell him?—she thought.

Amy knew she should wait until the movie was over, until all the popcorn was gone, but the secret was too much to hold.

“How’s the popcorn?” she said.

“Great,” Ben said quickly, his eyes focused on the movie.

One of the characters in the movie was about to fall victim to the mysterious beast in the woods. Lighting filled the room, followed shortly by its thunder. The storm was getting closer.

“How does the popcorn taste?”

… she whispered, staring at Ben. Her mouth curving into a wicked smirk despite her efforts to remain stoic.

Ben looked over to her. “What did you do?”

“Nothing…” she lied. “I’m just curious how it tastes?”

“It tastes like popcorn,” he said, and his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Well…” she began, her smirk reaching full grin.

“Well, what? What did you put in it?” Ben said, looking down at the popcorn bowl with apprehension.

A flash of light filled the room, followed immediately by the cracking thunder, the storm now right atop them. The character in the movie was seized by the monster and dragged away helplessly.

Amy looked at Ben, “Would you believe that I didn’t use butter?”

“What?” Ben said, looking appalled.

“That’s right, it’s a butter substitute.”

Ben looked down at the popcorn, horrified. “I can’t believe it’s not butter!”

Notes/Thoughts/Ideas

I tried to take this in other directions, but the first thing that popped into my mind was that quote, “I can’t believe it’s not butter,” and I couldn’t get it out! Lol.

So, I don’t think I’d try to turn this into a movie, but I guess it could be a scene in something like “Scary Movie.” Or, a commercial for “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.” Other than that, it was just fun.

This whole word of the day thing is supposed to be that anyway. A fun way to improve as a writer, and maybe inspire others to join me along the way to improve their craft.

Either way, I hope you enjoyed the quick read!

What do you think of Succedaneum?

Could you believe it wasn’t butter?

Leave your thoughts, your own story beginning/ending, flash-fiction, or whatever in the comments! Where did succedaneum or my story take you?

If you liked this story, you may enjoy this other one-minute story, Taradiddle.

Today’s word is from Dictionary.com.

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Tags twist

The Word

Arboreal

[ ahr-BOR-ee-ul ]

Adjective

Of or relating to a tree: resembling a tree.
Inhabiting or frequenting trees.

Let’s Write…

** Either a story beginning, a story ending, a piece of flash fiction, a poem—inspired by the word, arboreal, where does it take me? Where does it take you?

Jalah sat in her usual spot, atop the rocky ledge, shaded by the rock-face behind her. She gazed out to the gigantic tree in the distance that didn’t seem to belong to their world. Taller than any mountain, and wider than a city, it was a wonder for all to look upon; but, now they didn’t just look.

Below, and far in the distance, Jalah new the crowds of people surrounding the tree were discussing what to do with it.

Some groups wanted to begin mining it, providing wood to the entire continent for generations. Others agreed, but only wanted to hollow out the tree, and then turn it into some kind of super shelter.

Jalah thought it was very odd, all the debating. Why do they have to do anything with it?—she thought—we’ve never thought this way before. Jalah agreed that the tree was more than just a tree, but not a resource for fire, or shelter.

“It is a symbol,” Jalah said aloud.

The words were the end of a great internal debate she’d been struggling with every day on her rock ledge—trying to find where she stood in the groups of people below.

“It is there to inspire us to dream big, and to be better!”

The words were again only said to herself, but in her mind, she was speaking to the vast crowds below. The sun began to peek over the rock face behind her, shining atop her black hair. It was lunchtime.

Jalah stood up with a determination in her heart. She would form a new group below.

“We will do nothing with the tree, but look.”

Jalah began her climb down, smiling the whole way.

Notes/Thoughts/Ideas

Happy Earth Day! I know that was a few days ago, but it seems the “word of the day people” decided today was a good day to speak about trees. Two of the words I got in my email this morning were about trees.

Anyway…

I think there’s a cool little story here. A story of politics and cultural debate, perhaps? What should we do with this incredible resource before us? What if the answer was just to let it be a symbol?

We can definitely make the conflict more interesting by throwing in some dire circumstances. There’s a shortage of wood, and they need wood for fires as “winter is coming.” No white-walkers, though. Also, there could be an overpopulation problem, and shelter is lacking. No place to put everyone.

All of these conflicts would be better set in a different world than ours, and in a different time. No skyscrapers, no steel structures, and so on. No gasoline. A place and time where wood is the only resource for fire and building.

Either way, I just like Jalah’s feeling that this great tree is there to inspire only. It is a gift to encourage humanity to live bigger and better.

What do you think of Arboreal?

What would you do with this giant tree?

Leave your thoughts, your own story beginning/ending, flash-fiction, or whatever in the comments! Where did arboreal or my story take you?

If you liked this story, you may enjoy my short story, Transference. The whole idea for that story started with imaging alien creatures living in trees.

Today’s word is from Merriam-Webster.

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Enjoy a One-Minute Story, Learn a New Word, and Create With Me! Delivered to you every morning

Tags internal debate, pick a side

The Word

Philobiblist

[ phil-o-bib-list ]

Noun

A lover of books

Let’s Write…

** Either a story beginning, a story ending, a piece of flash fiction, a poem—inspired by the word, philobiblist, where does it take me? Where does it take you?

Amar walked through the massive doors for what must have been the hundredth time that summer. They were twenty feet tall, wooden, with gold inlays set in intricate patterns throughout. Amar made a mental note to arrive earlier tomorrow to see how they opened them.

The place was crowded as always with local admirers, scholars, and foreign tourists, yet it was also serenely quiet. It was a library, after all.

Amar walked by a small group of tourists huddled together by the entrance and overheard their guide, speaking in a low whisper.

“Welcome to the New Library at Alexandria…

… Although we are in Cairo, the name is a homage to that fabled library. Just as the world has nicknamed this library’s founder Alexander The Great.”

Amar kept walking—he knew the stories already. A really wealthy man here in Egypt began collecting books twenty years ago, and then built this place to house them. They said he lived in the library somewhere, but Amar hadn’t found out where.

Amar followed the signs for “Fantasy,” which led him down several hallways and through other vast rooms all lined with books floor to ceiling. Amar was so immersed in wonder that he walked right into someone.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Amar said, looking up to the man.

“Not a problem, my boy,” said the man.

Amar couldn’t believe it. “Your him—Alexander The Great. The one who built this place.”

The man smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “Where are you heading, son?”

“The Fantasy Building.”

“Ah, yes. Very nice.” He looked over Amar’s shoulder, and Amar followed his eyes to the sign that pointed the way. “Well, I don’t know which way it is, but I’m sure you’ll find it.”

With that, Alexander The Great walked away, leaving Amar standing there stunned.

Notes/Thoughts/Ideas

I wonder if the ending hit like I wanted it to? Was it clear that the man, Alexander The Great, couldn’t actually read? If not… that’s what I was going for! Lol.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Right? I thought that would be the perfect thread to weave into a story inspired by today’s word–philobiblist.

A man who has gained great wealth in his life yet holds this secret that he can’t read. He’s ashamed of the lack in his education. Instead of learning to read, he simply collects books to lend to the appearance that he’s someone who reads.

He takes it to the extreme by building this massive library, making him a legend in the literary community and the world.

The lengths we may go to hide our faults is a great theme to explore here. Also, a theme about idolizing “false gods.” Putting too much attention to trying to be like other people, instead of being ourselves. Lots of cool ideas to explore here!

What do you think of Philobilist?

Would you visit this library? No need to answer—who wouldn’t?

Leave your thoughts, your own story beginning/ending, flash-fiction, or whatever in the comments! Where did philobiblist or my story take you?

If you liked this story, you may enjoy my short story, Nature. There’s a lot of cool details of ancient locations in it.

Today’s word is from Oxford English Dictionary.

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The Word

Obstinate

[ AHB-stuh-nut ]

Adjective

Perversely adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion.
Not easily subdued, remedied, or removed.

Let’s Write…

** Either a story beginning, a story ending, a piece of flash fiction, a poem–inspired by the word, obstinate, where does it take me? Where does it take you?

“Where the hell are you taking us?” Bran said, looking through his human’s eyes to where he wanted to take him, and then towards the mayhem where they were actually going.

“I know you said we should turn back,” said Hart, “that we should run—but it doesn’t feel right.”

Hart looked around his controls and pulled on a large blue lever, making their human push harder and run faster. Warning signals flashed with red lights around Hart—their human was fatigued. Hart ignored them.

“Are you getting the same readings I’m getting up here?” Bran said. “He’s exhausted. I’m not sure how long he can keep up this pace.”

“He’s got a little more left in him,” Hart said. “Focus on his breathing, Bran.”

“Hart, I don’t understand,” Bran said…

… “Why are you doing this? We always go where I say. It’s how all the other bodies do it too.” Bran flicked a switch of his own, putting the human’s focus on his breathing none the less. Hart was giving him little choice.

Hart spun around in his chair and cranked the heart-rate dial up two more notches. “I know, Bran, and I’m sorry, but there’s this feeling…” Hart turned to the mysterious orb that hung in his control room. The orb released an odd energy and filled Hart with a sensation that was urging him to take their human into the danger—against Bran’s insistence.

“A feeling?” Bran said. “Hart, you can’t even see! You can’t hear the terrible sounds, you can’t smell the burning in the air!”

“I know, Bran,” Hart said, “but for some reason, we were designed so that I have the action controls. You see the world, and I followed where you thought we should go.” Hart looked to the strange orb he never understood before. “Now, I understand what my role is. You can gather all the information, Bran, and we’ll need that. But it’s my job to choose. You can complain, or you can help make this work.”

Silence filled Hart’s control room for a heartbeat, and then Bran’s voice sounded, “Ok, turn right thirty degrees.”

Notes/Thoughts/Ideas

What if our bodies were controlled by other beings in our brains and in our hearts? I thought it was a fun idea to run with.

For a story, a bigger story, I imagined this world where all the brains (Brans) are in control of the hearts (Harts). Yet, the hearts have the actual “controls” to take the human bodies where they want. Then, there’s this one body where the heart goes against the brain’s direction.

That’s where this flash fiction came in—at that moment. The mysterious orb that Hart sees is intuition. We feel what’s right despite all our logic telling us to go the other way.

Basically, this was just a fun way to think about the differences between our heads and our hearts. I hope you enjoyed it!

What do you think of Obstinate?

Lead with the head, or with the heart?

Leave your thoughts, your own story beginning/ending, flash-fiction, or whatever in the comments! Where did obstinate or my story take you?

If you liked this idea, you may enjoy a similar idea with my short story, The Missing Sheriff.

Today’s word is from Merriam-Webster.

Get THE WORD Every Day!

Enjoy a One-Minute Story, Learn a New Word, and Create With Me! Delivered to you every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

Tags interesting perspective