Cage Dunn's Blog, page 3

Haunted Hotel Story

Once again, shortlisted in the GlobeSoup monthly micro story. The theme for January was Hotel. Tell me what you think: Reviewing the Haunts My last travel guide review of haunted hotels. The guide leads us down the Main Street, past shuttered shop fronts, dark lanes. In the background, mine tailing humps hover with arms of … Continue reading Haunted Hotel Story

A Story from an AutoCrit Challenge

Have you heard of AutoCrit? It’s my go-to for several things, but one of the things I enjoy most is the challenges, with the winner read out on their YouTube Channel. The last one (Start Strong Challenge) had three things to use (given out of three weeks to ensure the writer remains adaptable in their … Continue reading A Story from an AutoCrit Challenge

A Rose by any Other Pong – the real deal

A short story, as described in the previous post: romantic comedy, placed 2nd in its group at NYC Midnight 250-word micro. Alice entered the speed-dating venue and picked up her name-tag – with the wrong name. “Do you have a blank sticker?” Alice took it and covered the tag, wrote ‘Alice’. This flash-dating event would … Continue reading A Rose by any Other Pong – the real deal

A Rose by Any Other Pong – teaser

That’s the title of the story I entered in the NYC Midnight 250-word microfiction competition – and the story placed 2nd (I’m in Group 44, Romantic Comedy (!!!)) in the first round of results – now I go onto the second round, and if the next story behaves as well as this one (and has … Continue reading A Rose by Any Other Pong – teaser

Start ’em Young

A short story that made the long-list at Globe Soup’s December 2024 Micro story with the theme of Casino. One finger flipped the cards face-up, and the three losers at Bingo’s table groaned. “Pay up, buds.” He grinned. The biggest kid scooted his stool back. “My father—” “Yeah. He got pubs. We’ll deal at ten … Continue reading Start ’em Young

Secret Santa – a Short Story for the Season

Approx 2k words. Summer, but for Ted the trip to the mall felt like a cold night lost in the outback. A long walk from the outer carpark to an entry door. People rushing around as he did his best to flow with the river of humanity. He fell behind the surging throng. Today, he … Continue reading Secret Santa – a Short Story for the Season

A Wish for Christmas

A Short Story, melancholy Dead leaves play patterns through the bay window, lay flickering shadows across the oblong table set for six. One glass of mulled wine, the last cracker from the box, the microwaved Christmas Dinner for One. “Salut!” she whispers, clinks their glasses, closes her eyes. Lit candles chase away gloomy shadows. Chairs … Continue reading A Wish for Christmas

For November, it was Forest

GlobeSoup story comp for November Micro Comp had the theme of forest. This is the list of Winners. Congrats to all those names, and as I’m not on it, I’ll share my piece. Let me know what you think. Petrified Tangles A vision emerges from the desert on the final day of their search. Recordings … Continue reading For November, it was Forest

Remember those comps?

The Renaissance story didn’t place (I’ll fix the transition to transformation part, and publish it as a separate short). However, the micro story – restaurant – did well and came in third! See for yourself: https://www.globesoup.net/restaurant There’s a new comp opening on 8 November, and another one in January – but I have to check … Continue reading Remember those comps?

A Repeat –

Because it only went out to email subscribers, despite showing ‘everyone’ – dammit!