Stretch: The Backyard Battle
Writing Exercise #29
I have decided that August is the month of the Blackpage! We got a first glimpse of this world here. What I have struggled with is figuring out how to tell the story more completely. So August, I will write stories set in this world, to help me flesh it out, without necessarily telling parts of the story. This is a similar idea to how I have written a handful of stories for Bounty Hunt, but I am going to try to keep them set instead in the world of the Blackpage.
This is a new kind of exercise—a Stretch. It’s 500 words long, rather than the usual 250.
If you have ideas for Prompts, Crunches, Sprints, Relays, Stretches, 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!
Stretch: Write that idea about the faerie battle.
Timmy sat on the threshold to the backdoor of his house. He breathed a sigh of relief. His chores were done. Momma and Poppa were busy. This was the time of day that he got to explore. But before he began, he always liked to take a deep breath of the fresh air—when he was busy, he never got to see the trees or hear the wind in the leaves. He didn’t get a chance to observe the artfulness of the clouds in whatever form they took that day. Timmy always enjoyed this moments respite—after work, before play.
He leaned back and closed his eyes and let the sounds fill his ears. Far off, Poppa was chopping something. Momma’s footsteps could be heard moving throughout the house.
There was a new sound today—rustling in the tall grass near the woods.
He opened his eyes and located the sound—the grass was parting as if some animal was walking through it. He stood, and quickly realized it wasn’t an animal, but lots of little men. Armor clad, carrying little spears and flags. Faeries. Poppa told him about faeries—such were his bedtime stories. But to see them—Timmy was awestruck.
The small column of armored faeries marched along the edge of the woods, when suddenly a bird-call rang out. Sparrows swooped down on the column, tiny shouts rose. The sparrows had riders—faeries too. It occurred to Timmy that he was witnessing a battle. The armored men had been ambushed!
He rushed over to help separate the combatants. “Shoo! Shoo!” he shouted, getting the birds to fly away. Many faeries lay on the ground, a few groaned and got to their feet. The bird-riders seemed to have gone away.
Timmy got on his hands and knees and looked closely. A few of the little faeries were walking around. A few were left lying on the ground.
“Are you faeries?” Timmy asked them.
One of them stepped forward, carrying a banner. “Aye!” he shouted in a small voice, “We are men-at-arms for Lord Dalawan, Emperor of the Fair Folk. Thank you for coming to our aid!”
“You’re welcome.” Timmy said. “Why are you crossing through my yard?”
“The roads are watched by the rebels. We are trying to get back to our Liege Lord after an expedition. The path home led us here. We need rest and supplies. May we encamp here for the night?”
“I’ll have to ask Momma but you do seem very small. What supplies do you need?”
“Just for the night—then we will be on our way. Food, if you have it. It has been many days since we last had a fine meal.”
“OK.” Timmy said. “I’ll be right back. Um. What do you eat?”
The little faerie officer laughed. “Meat and bread, same as you, my friend! Meat and bread!”
Timmy rushed inside. His head was abuzz with excitement. Fair-folk, in his own yard. His friends aren’t going to believe this.
(499 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:
What was your favorite bedtime story when you were growing up?
Which side would you have helped—the armored faeries or the bird-riders?
What meal do you like to eat after a hard days work?
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? You can buy a hardcopy too! Check it out at the link!
God bless!
Also, https://indianamichael.substack.com/p/interference
Stretches are fun!
Scoot does fantasy!
I liked this a lot, the concept of a tiny faerie battle - significant for the combatants, almost trivial for a human child - is an interesting one. I look forward to learning more about the Fair Folk!