The prompt this week was

• Character: Psychologist
• Object: Ketchup
• Genre/Tone: Speculative

As much as I enjoy writing flash fiction, sometimes I just don’t feel like I click with the story I’m writing. And with the time limit, there’s really no chance to change tack and try something else. The moment I started writing this week, I just wanted to go back and make different choices, but that inexorable timer told me it was not possible within our agreed upon parameters. “I hate this, this is so bad,” and variations on that theme popped up between both Robert and me the whole time we wrote. Robert read his story out loud, and I love what he wrote! I wish that I’d written it! It’s charming and funny and unexpected. I dithered around, trying to avoid reading mine, and finally ripped off the bandage. And, well, Robert didn’t hate it. He even liked the ending. It just goes to show that you’re not necessarily the best judge of your own work. Or maybe, your feelings aren’t the best judge of your work. Be gentle with yourself, work with someone you can trust (if you can!), and be open to both critiques and to praise. Funny how both hurt sometimes.

If you join us in this prompt, or any of the others, please let us know! If you’re joining us for the first time, here’s the primer on this prompt system. Happy writing!