N.O.A. Rawle: Through the Eyes of a Stranger

Today sees "Santa Workshop" up on 101 Short Stories - I love this site - they like my work! The story behind this one came around Christmas time of course, although it's theme is timeless. Christmas gets lost in shopping fever and gift giving is a capitalist's dream. It's also a time when everyone suddenly gets charitable and donates to the cause of their choice. This set me thinking about someone who wanted to donate more than their cash. This year, my Children reached the stage where they are beginning to question the existence of Santa too. These things combined put me in mind of perhaps, a retired gentleman who wishes to relieve the suffering of child labour in sweatshops. Now what if he, running on the premise that Santa is a good guy and that all children love Santa, cultivated his look to resemble Santa? He'd have in mind those Christmas card images of Santa bouncing kiddies on his knee, no doubt. There are children who have know idea who Santa is o

Here's a quick read for you on 101 Word Stories, Dirt Won't Hurt.  Share it with your friends! It's one of those stories that came in a flash (pun intended). But it's true. I woke up at about 3am with that well-worn phrase that all mums use, rolling around in my head and the story flowed straight out after! In a few minutes I had it down on paper. Of course, there was a little tweaking to get it exactly 101 words! I've had more than one suggestion that I expand this but where to go? Positive, hybrid super human? Or negative, end-of-humanity? Perhaps something else entirely...

I'm pleased to report two items of good news: First, I got an email to say that one of my flash fiction pieces "Dirt Won't Hurt" will be published on the  101 word short story  site next week. This is part of a competition voted in 'shares' on Facebook and 'tweets' on Twitter so be sure I will be getting in touch about that when I know more! Secondly, I am up for Author of the Month again (!) over on The Noble Artist's site. There are excerpts  from my story and those of some other top stories by Angel M. and Roh Seymour on Facebook. Don't forget that the "Once Bitten" anthology is out on April 11th from KnightWatch Press !   Busy, busy, busy!