Random thought: After having grandkids, we had to child-proof the house again—but they still got in.

Due to a jam-packed week prepping for a big bash in Arizona, this week’s post got out of the gate late. It’s also the perfect excuse for keeping things short, so let’s dive right in to this week’s 101-word tale. The prompt was provided by Clint Cornfield (no relation—at least that’s what I’ve told him since birth).

Have at it.

         She Found Joy in Irony

Her name was Joy, and just to spite her parents, she became an incredibly negative human being.

She hated her job, her hamster, her life. Her favorite sweatshirt said “Everything Sucks.”

After the usual succession of disastrous online dates, Joy had an epiphany.

“You may not know this,” she told her co-workers, “but sometimes I can be negative.”

“Really?” they said.

“I’m nothing but negative—and I’m tired of it. I’m gonna change.”

“But your pessimism is unparalleled. You could give a Ted talk on stinkin’ thinkin’.”

“That’s the stupidest idea ever,” Joy said.

And just like that, she was back.

Prompt: Most likely negative

Novel News & Notes:

In the world of writing my first novel (Questionable Characters), I’m still enjoying the break while I wait for my editor to get back to me with her thoughts on the latest draft. I’m not expecting to hear from her for a few more weeks. In the meantime, I’m thinking I might dive back into writing more sequels and prequels for stories from my first two books. If you have any suggestions on earlier stories that you think might deserve a fun sequel or prequel, please send your thoughts my way. I do loves me a good challenge.

As always, thanks for listening.

Scotty out