We're Playing Doctors and Nurses

This story began on my way to work at our youth centre, when a young woman passed me wearing a mask under her chin as if it was the most natural thing in the world. 

I thought about how I'd never seen a surgical mask in a doctor or nurse toy set and I fast-forwarded into a post-apocalyptic world (or maybe somewhere now) and thought about the consequences of discarded masks, a discarded health service, and a discarded world and the irony of the term 'stranger-danger' when statistically we are more likely to be hurt by people we know.

The story is pretty creepy I know. I'm hoping it makes the reader uneasy. I think it's a good thing when I'm not feeling comfortable about something, it's harder to ignore.

Thanks Paragraph Planet for publishing this. Writers, send any 75 worders you have their way here. 

Orphan Negative

Orphan Negative, a 75 word micro, was published by Paragraph Planet. This one was prompted by a QI episode - when I heard the term I knew I wanted to do something with it - and here's what I did!

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas  published by Paragraph Planet, was inspired by all those Christmas trees that appear out on kerb the day after Boxing Day.

Connected

Connected is another 75 word micro published by Paragraph Planet prompted by this Independent article with the headline:

MYSTERIOUS 'HEARTBEAT' DETECTED COMING FROM COSMIC GAS CLOUD

Landed My First Kick-flip

This micro, published by Paragraph Planet on August 6th, was inspired by a video of the joy of a Ukrainian girl landing her first kickflip. With the increased interest in pursuits like skateboarding, it is wonderful to see that some good has come from difficult times. 

The Birthday Cake Approaches

This micro, published by Paragraph Planet, on April 10th is a response to our time with Covid19 and a look into perhaps how a child might look back on it, this time next year.

Pancakes

Another micro fiction of mine called Pancakes was published by Paragraph Planet and it appeared, unsurprisingly enough, on the 25th of February 2020 - Pancake Tuesday.

Fruit is the New Gold

If you want a quick fiction fix, check out Paragraph Planet. They publish a new 75 word story every day. On the third day of Christmas they published my little paragraph story Fruit is the New Gold below.