I’ve been suffering from a bit of writer’s block recently. I get an idea, open a new document, and stare at the screen. I might write something but then delete it because I don’t think it’s good. Last week I made myself a goal to write something to submit to Indies Unlimited’s Flash Fiction Writing Prompt this week.
Every week on Saturday, they post a picture with a prompt. This week’s prompt was Determination.
I spent the weekend looking at the photo and couldn’t get started on anything. Then I had an idea and went to ChatGPT and asked it for a “250 word story about determination and a man fishing on the rocks” This is the story it gave me:
Henry stood on the rocks by the ocean, his fishing line cast out into the deep blue waters. He had been there for hours, waiting for a fish to bite, but so far, he had no luck. But he was determined to catch something today.
Henry was a man of determination. He had been through a lot in his life, including a difficult divorce and the loss of his job, but he never let those challenges defeat him. Instead, he turned to fishing as a way to clear his mind and find peace.
As he stood on the rocks, he could feel his determination growing. He was determined to catch a fish today, no matter how long it took. He adjusted his line, trying different bait and casting techniques until finally, he felt a tug on the line.
With all his might, he began to reel in the fish, his muscles straining from the effort. The fish fought back, but Henry refused to give up. He kept reeling and pulling until finally, the fish was in his hands.
Henry held the fish up triumphantly, a smile spreading across his face. He had done it! He had caught a fish! The determination that had kept him going in his darkest moments had paid off once again.
As he packed up his gear and made his way back home, Henry felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. He knew that he could face any challenge that came his way, as long as he had the determination to see it through.
This gave me an idea and a starting point, and I wrote this:
She panicked when she woke up and found her grandfather nowhere in the house. He was only two days released from the hospital with strict orders to take it easy. A phrase that didn’t exist in Henry’s lexicon, apparently. Kate shoved her shoes into her boots, pulled on a hoodie, and headed out to find her grandfather.
She found him sitting on the jetty. Through all the events, good and bad, in his life, he always found solace in sitting out on those rocks with a line cast out in the ocean alone with his thoughts. It was never about catching fish, though he was always happier when he brought one home.
She’d have a talk with him when he got home about not climbing out onto the jetty to fish. Maybe he could fish off the end of the dock from now. Kate rolled her eyes, yea that was like asking Henry to relax. Turning to leave, she stopped when she saw him move, worried he was having another episode.
He wasn’t having an episode; there was a fish on his line. She saw the smile on his face, as he reeled in his catch, unhooked the fish, and store it in his little cooler.
Then he looked up at her and smiled. Of course, he knew she was there. She gave a small wave and then turned to head home. She had to get ready to cook a fish for dinner.
If you read this before Friday, April 14, 5 pm Pacific time, and like what I wrote, please vote for me!