Crunch: The King Is Dead
Writing Exercise #16
Keeping the Crunches coming—the 250 word writing exercises exploring a prompt. This time, inspired by the time I was talkin’ ‘bout ghosts with
.If you have ideas for Prompts, Crunches, Sprints, Relays, or other writing exercises in the future, please leave them in the comments! If you would like to write your own take for this exercise, please comment with a link so that I can see what you wrote and support your work, maybe even share your version with my subscribers. Please let me know if you have any thoughts, comments, or constructive criticisms as well!
Enjoy!
Crunch: Write something about Ghosts
The halls are empty, the candles are low, the voices of the people echo distantly—or is that a memory?
I told them I didn’t want the crown. My father’s body is barely cold, and they ask me of all people to lead? So what if I am his only son—is there nobody else? I feel his ghost everywhere I go. This is his hall, these are his paintings. Any room I enter, I feel his presence. It’s not quite like he is here, but it’s not like he is gone.
That is how I found myself brooding in the throne room, with his crown on my head, staring at his chair.
Am I allowed to grieve? Is that OK? Am I allowed to take a moment to appreciate that my own father is dead and was only yesterday chucked in some hole in the ground? I look up at his portrait—the massive Coronation portrait that hangs behind the throne. It feels like he is looking down at me—like he always did.
“Was I not enough, Father?” I asked.
My own voice echoed the question back to me.
I sat down in the throne—his throne. From here, the hall stretched out away from me. At the far end of the hall, a portrait of my six-times-great grandfather. His familiar but distant disappointment gave me chills.
The empty hall was crowded with the ghosts of my ancestors. I smiled at the thought. Then the candles went out.
(250 words)
The Promptee Has Become The Promptor
Your feedback helps to improve my writing. I would really appreciate a comment on your thoughts on this writing exercise. Consider telling me your thoughts about:
Do you believe in Ghosts?
Have you ever been to a castle?
If the King and/or Queen visited your house what meal would you serve them?
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
Hey, before you go—have you read my recently published Serial, SANDBOX EARTH yet? It’s done, and ready to go! Check it out at the link!
God bless!
Great story! I liked how emotional it was and your use of italics was wonderful. I am a fan of cliffhangers, but in this case I think your last sentence undercut the emotional build up just a bit.
As far as ghosts, I do believe they exist in some capacity. I've never been to a castle, but I would love to visit one someday!
I'm not sure on the question of ghosts, perhaps they could be souls from purgatory. Perhaps it's my protestant upbringing but in general, I'm suspicious of the idea that ghosts are souls of the departed.
I don't recall having been to castle. Unless you count the Smithsonian Castle lol.
If the King and Queen ever come to my house, I hope they'd do so when my mom's visiting. Because I'll give them my mom's cooking. Whatever it is, I'm sure they'd like it.