I have just read Maggie’s great short story responding to a First Line challenge. Someone gives you the first line of a story, and you have to work from that.
That gave me an idea for this blog.
Send me a first line about anything, and I will try to write a short story of less than 1000 words based on it. You can add your line as a comment, or send it by email to petejohnson50@yahoo.com
Over to you.
beetleypete 
From chuq.
Pete this is the first line from a book, Assignment: Reason by Edward S. Aarons……”Durell awoke knowing that today was both an end and a beginning”….hope this qualifies. chuq
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Sorry for not replying sooner, chuq. Yes, this line is fine, and I have an idea what to do with it. This will be the last of the stories suggested to me by first lines, and should appear before the end of this week.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete! Are you still taking lines? Here’s a line from me. I am curious to read an office story.
Another chaotic day at work. Sae contemplated leaving ever since she was appointed a new manager.
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Yes, that’s fine, Swati. I will be doing these in order once my serial has concluded. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Awesome! Thanks Pete 😊
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Love this idea Pete, looking forward to some exciting stories! Warmly, C
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I will be starting these short stories when my serial has concluded, Cheryl.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’m not worried about you, Pete! I still need much more input, for at least half a year. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
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I got a good response to this, and now have to write many more stories! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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You have a lot of good writing ahead.
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My next project, once the serial has concluded, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Looking forward to it! Best to you, Pete.
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waking up in a cornfield still dressed in her habit, with nothing but a candle, a half-eaten almond joy bar, and a small mewing kitten gave her pause…
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A nun in a cornfield with a kitten? That’s a real challenge!
Thanks, Beth. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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well…..)
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She looked in the vast wilderness and only one thought sprang to mind.
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Thanks, BB. When my serial is over, I will get to these in order of receipt.
Best wishes, Pete.
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“With Ken’s affairs now fully in order, considering it was time to see what could be done to take Whitney Cars to the next level.”
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Ah, I will now have to write the ‘missing episode’ of my serial!
Thanks very much for your line.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love this idea Pete! I’m sorry I’m late. Had to go grocery shopping and then got yelled at by a crazy lady because I was wearing a mask.😕 I just emailed you my line.🤗 She had never been so terrified in her entire life.
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Thanks Kim. I have added it to your comment so i don’t lose it by accident.
I will get around to all of these in order, once my serial concludes.
Best wishes, Pete.
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My my! You’ll busy for a long time now. Here’s one to add:
“On a bitterly cold January morning, after saving for two years, he had enough money to buy a plane ticket to Arizona to visit his friend Cindy.”
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Yes, I have a lot to deal with after my serial concludes!
But your one is special to me of course, dear Cindy.
Best wishes, Pete.
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He looked into the camera, knowing this may be watched by millions, and cleared his throat: “Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini – I label these… tyrants as some of the worst humans to ever dwell on our Earth; so today is a very sad day to see myself included, by some, on this list.
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That’s a long first line, but I am up for it!
On the list for when I get around to them all. 🙂
Cheers, Pete.
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I never expected to come upon a sexy hitchhiker walking barefoot on a lonely desert road, but there she was, shielding her eyes from the sun with one hand, and desperately thumbing a ride with the other.
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Thanks, David. That has gone onto my (increasingly long) list. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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If I hear them say “It’s for your own good” one more time…
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That’s a hard one, Chris. Got me thinking! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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The possibilities are endless, Pete 😃
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That’s the problem! 🙂
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You can replace it with the following, Pete:
She frowned thoughtfully at the tarot cards arranged before her.
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I might do both! 🙂
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👍😃
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oh my! How dull I feel that I can not come up with a first line! I am not giving up. I will turn up again. great idea!
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You have time, Michele. I have a lot to get through it seems! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete. x
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A loud humming that had started as a gentle vibration, invaded the peace and quiet of my Saturday morning, not so much a sound as a sensation.
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Ooh, an unusual one, Carolyn. On the list to be done! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Here’s my suggestion, Pete.
Devon often wound up in strange predicaments but finding himself tied to a chair with a rattlesnake at his feet was new even for him.
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That’s on my list, Maggie! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I look forward to reading it, Pete.
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She had always imagined the world would end with a nuclear war, or at least a zombie apocalypse, but this, this was just disappointing.
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Good one, FR. You are on the list!
Cheers, Pete.
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good challenge to develop creativity He was bathing in his bathroom when someone knocked on the door.
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Thanks for your line. It is now added to the list.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This time, their argument was lengthy, nasty, and spiteful.
By the way, you write great, and it is always a joy to read you.
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Thanks very much, NW. Your line is now number 4 on my list.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Carrie said farewell to the departing locksmith, closed the door and locked it with the shiny new key and let out a deep sigh.
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Thanks, Jude. You are number three.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn´t stay here.
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Thanks, Darlene. You are number two on my list now. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Bertram was slowly discovering that being dead for administrative reasons was not perhaps the success he had hoped.
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Thanks, Jim. First on the list!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Just keeping you on your toes 🙂
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