Rose Winters

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Sep, 2023

Stories (8)

8 Stories

238 karma pts

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“Bug-Batty—A Phobic's Guide to Hosting” by Rose Winters

Submitted to Contest #238

Shauna had never hosted a writer’s group before, and she was a little nervous. She had a thousand phobias. Dirt phobias, noise phobias, and especially insect phobias. The smallest gnat would put her in a catatonic state until it was caught and removed.But she had all her ducks in a row. She had written an email invitation with very careful instructions. Once more, she reviewed those written instructions in her mind, and the reasoning behind them:1. Park in the front of the house, not the side. (A reasonable request—the...

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“A Box of Broken Crackers and a Shoelace” by Rose Winters

Submitted to Contest #237

I was as broken as a box of crackers… that had been stomped on by an elephant, put in a paper shredder, and dumped down the garbage disposal. Yep. A smidge glum, you might say.The D word. It sucks.First, it's the nauseating "Oh, you poor thing." (Barfing a little as we speak, even now.)Then it's the traumatizing "I have a friend you should meet!" and "Have you tried the new dating site?" which would leave me begging for a samurai harikari sword.I wasn't ready. Men made me want to scream and run away. If a guy looked at me, I'd sort of do a D...

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“The Cat's On The Roof...” by Rose Winters

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #233

Jane was having the worst writing slump of her life, stuck in a perpetual merry-go-round of clichés. Her fingers tapped on the keyboard:“Boy meets girl.” She shook her head. Oh hell no.“Boy murders girl.” Too man-power-ish.“Girl murders boy.” She rolled her eyes and angrily wrote:“Grandma murders Grandpa.” Come on, think!She growled and spun her faux leather chair around, staring out the window for inspiration.Come on, muse… work your magic.The lights blinked on and off, as if in answer. Maybe it was her muse. Maybe things would be okay afte...

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“War's Ember” by Rose Winters

Submitted to Contest #232

War's EmberGibad clung to his fuzzy bamabat toy—what was left of it. Just a black jeweled eye hanging by sinew and a fearsome claw extended from a paw where there used to be eight. Stuffing and filth. But most importantly, a dull red patch of intact plush fur that Gibad kept pressed tightly against one ear, his other little tangerine-colored hand held against his other ear. He didn’t want to hear the bad sounds, so he’d hidden in his tiny cave.Gibad was afraid of many things. He’d been afraid that morning when Daddy and Uncle Roft had holler...

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“A Glimmer” by Rose Winters

Submitted to Contest #231

A GlimmerDr. Vee set down a pair of ruby pumps and lay women's undergarments on a bench. "Good morning, G-11. You have a new outfit today. You're going out of our compound."G-11 stepped out of her charging unit, pulling off her smock, her shapely pale latex legs stepping into the red heels. “How do I look?”Dr. Vee held back his amusement, averting his eyes. “Underdressed.” He handed her the bra and panties.She cocked her head. “I believe I will still be underdressed. Minimum modesty protocol states that I cover myself from armpit to six inch...

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“The Fourth Wall” by Rose Winters

Submitted to Contest #230

"Vomit's Better with ketchup."Keelie threw a rubber knife at Will’s head. “You’re disgusting.”“I’m serious. Watch.” Will squirted ketchup into a jar of ‘pureed squash’ baby food. “Okay, Keelie, don’t swish it around, just hold it in your mouth. No swallowing.”“As if I would.” Keelie reached down her dress and adjusted the rolled-up socks in her bra, smacking her barely pubescent hot pink lips. “For the love of the craft. Bottom’s up.” She carefully poured the mix in her mouth, trying not to wince at the slimy texture, and nodded.Glancing aro...

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“A Christmas Worth Forgetting” by Rose Winters

Submitted to Contest #229

A Christmas Worth ForgettingThe doorbell clanged and the whole family moaned. Everyone except Florence, who headed for the door, exasperated. “Kids, be nice to Uncle Brian. I mean it. It’s Christmas Eve, for God’s sake.”“But he’s so mean.” Jillian plopped a bowl of mashed potatoes onto the crimson tablecloth, smoothing her Christmas-colored plaid skirt.“Not mean. Just crotchety. Do as your mom says. Play nice.” Jim leaned over the golden-brown turkey, carving generous slices, his black brows furrowed in concentration.“Dad, Uncle Brian’s tota...

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“What Lurks in Dreams” by Rose Winters

Submitted to Contest #215

What Lurks in Dreams Location: California Dream Institute Cal woke up flushed and clammy. And furious. He’d failed again to control his dream. “That was a bad nightmare.” Dr. Kline nodded to the erratic line graph that spiked like an earthquake reading. She pulled the electrodes from his forehead. “Did you catch that bad guy you’re always after?” “Not yet. Next time.” Her ruby lips parted into that delicious smile. His tortured dreams were almost worth the reward of her fingertips on his skin. “Your pulse is still high.” She ripped...

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Author bio

I'm a writer, copy editor, and musician. I'm a very lucky mom to have besties in my kids and a very out-of-the-box hubby. I have a goofy sense of humor and tend to hole up in a cave with my computer and crazy imagination, and sometimes have to force myself to come up for air! Writers are weird that way.

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #233

The Cat's On The Roof... – read story