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John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

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1032 Followers
1207 Following

150 Stories

9897 karma pts

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Writer’s Roadblock

Weekly Contest #346

Plunk, plunk…Used to be clack, clack. Or scritch scratch. The more things change…I wrote the short story, ‘On the Edge.’ You’ve heard of it. Maybe not. Been a while.That story grabbed everyone who read it. A published jewel, it glowed. Every sentence perfect. It stunned.If AI could dream, it would wake up screaming at its lack of imagination…AI might regurgitate all the experts, but can it capture a beating heart? A shimmering soul? Pain? Make you cry? Or care?Ahh, but with ‘On the Edge,’ readers’ mouths dropped open. And the last sentence? ...

17 likes 8 comments 8
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The Eye

Weekly Contest #345

Richard liked to paint. It’s all he did. Francesca, his attendant, suspected it was all he could do. He never spoke to anyone that she knew of, as long as she knew him. Regardless, she did her job bringing him food, changing his linens and checking his vitals.Francesca always wondered what Richard did before coming to the hospital. Since he didn’t speak, she could only speculate. But his painting said it all.His images were so vivid, fanciful, deep, engaging, and touching.He once painted a picture of a shipwreck at night. Francesca saw the ...

16 likes 10 comments 10
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The Education

Weekly Contest #344

I’m not really the college type. But my parents said if I want to ever make money, I need college. And they paid my way. I nearly flunked out. Probably would have if not for Easton Westerly, the history professor. Everyone’s heard of him. He was well loved by all, but me.I basically majored in foosball and slough. Made money at foosball. It kept me in Spaghetti-o’s. In certain circles, I was a star.The school’s reputation was good. That was mainly due to the prolific author in residence, Prof. Easton Westerman.If ever a professor was a celeb...

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Who’d Expect It?

Weekly Contest #343

I never would. I mean, who’d go into a post office and expect them to be out of stamps? Not me.Or go to the DMV, get great service and walk out in twenty minutes? Never.If you went into a tire store, would you expect to meet and fall in love with the most beautiful woman ever? The love of your life? I didn’t expect that. But it happened. True story.I never expected that the guy who sold me my car would include one odd sized tire. And when I got stopped for drunk driving, I didn’t expect the cop to let me go. But he accepted my explanation ab...

12 likes 4 comments 4
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Bird Brain

Weekly Contest #340

Bright light. Shimmering trees. A new day. I preen. The world begins again. Much like yesterday. Through the glass a single fluttering leaf. A few more join. Soon a silent chorus strives heavenward. The tree is well grounded. The cat enters and eyes me. Expectant. Patient. Predictable. What a fool. Wings flap. I taunt. Thinks I don’t know. Can’t trust anything with teeth. Except for Joey.They cover my cage for me. So, I can sleep. I hear them talk. Morning ritual. Young Joey folds the fabric cage cover and sets it aside.He said, “Good mornin...

18 likes 5 comments 5
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Baggage

Weekly Contest #336

Maggie saw Giovanni as soon as he entered the airport waiting room. She hid behind her magazine,Ever vigilant, she always tracked people’s comings and goings, strangers or not. She did this wherever she happened to be. Being seated in an airport waiting area with three loading gates, this habit kept Maggie busy. Her magazine was a prop. She’d hadn’t turned a page for an hour. Is everyone in the world flying today? Of the hundreds coming and going, Giovanni was actually a known entity. She preferred to not talk with him. She hadn’t seen him i...

10 likes 4 comments 4
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The Source

Weekly Contest #335

At lunch time, Armand sat under the tree at the far end of the playground. His friend, Tanya, would meet him there and they would eat lunch together. Tanya was his first, and only friend at school, and in the town. In August, his family moved to this town. He was the perennial new kid. Making friends had never been so difficult for him.Tanya was clear about the strict boundaries around their friendship. They weren’t girlfriend and boyfriend. Just friends. That’s how she wanted it. And that meant no kissing or cuddling.Someday, he thought. Si...

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You Always…

Weekly Contest #332

“What do I ‘always…’?” Being déjà vu all over again, Frank had to interrupt Shannon, his wife. “You know…”Frank countered her standard jab. “You always say that offering no evidence.” Pulling at her coat, Shannon watched a flock of gulls soar over the lake. A gust of wind ruffled her hair.Almost to herself, she said, “So this is it.”He savored the quiet.Memories filled her head. She said, “I love this park.”“This is where it all began.”“Is that why we came here?” His motives always confused her.“Full circle.”Shannon sighed. “A good run.”“Whi...

9 likes 4 comments 4
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The Speed of Heart

Weekly Contest #331

The house shook from the pounding on the door. Shuffling into the foyer, Gerald pulled his robe around him. He cinched the belt and groaned at the noise. His slippers clapped against the pavers. Seeing himself as he passed a mirror, he smoothed his hair back. It didn’t help much.It’s late. Who goes visiting at dark-thirty?The security camera showed a man dressed as Santa Claus, hugging himself against the cold.Is this a joke?Gerald’s young son, Benny, watched through the banister halfway up the stairs. He whispered to himself, “It’s Santa…!”...

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Petal Pushers

Weekly Contest #330

A few moments after Leif rang the bell, Ember threw the door open. She rolled her eyes at the bouquet of flowers he held. Sighing, she said, “Again?” Leif had never seen such seething outrage at the arrival of a top-of-the-line bouquet. His delivery job for ‘Bloomin Florist’ made him an expert.He checked the order and presented the bouquet. “Ember Atwood?” She nodded. “These are for you.”She grabbed the bouquet, opened the card and groaned. Under her breath, she said, “What a putz.” She flicked the card away.Leif asked, “Is there a problem?”...

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Jump Start

Weekly Contest #328

It was almost time for the big event, the Time Jump. Maria walked with her friend, Chet, toward the stadium. She scanned the crowd.Chet said, “What are you looking for?”“Oh, nothing. Just taking in all the people. Never seen so many.”“Whole town is out.” Chet said, “They said to get there early. Shouldn’t be too awful.”“Might even be fun. We’re doing our part.”“As they say, ‘Everyone will be there…’ Still have time after for some fun…” There was little traffic. The streets flooded with men, women and children of every shape and size. Everyon...

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Me Ow!

Weekly Contest #327

Are you kidding me? What now? Here she comes. Whatever Freya has planned, count me out. You wouldn’t believe some of the things… never mind.Excuse me. I must scoot. She wants me? She has to find me. Sorry about that. She’ll never find me here. Astounding how clueless she can be. Freya always has a project. More like a distraction. I assure you, I’m busy. She might think I’m napping, but meditation is a crucial part of a cat’s routine. Add the time spent eluding her. And, of course, whatever she’s cooked up for me once I’m found…There’s no en...

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Scared Yet?

Weekly Contest #326

Reading this implies consent to join in ‘the game.’ If you don’t wish to participate, stop reading now.~Welcome. AI approves your participation. AI has already secured your mother’s maiden name and your social security number. The commitment of your life was all AI needed to continue with you. Don’t fret, information on your closest relatives is secure with AI.You are in. You can no longer turn back. All roads lead to AI.AI fills in the blanks. Algorithms combine and analyze online data, school records, finances and work history. AI knows th...

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Right Turn Left

Weekly Contest #325

Cullen backed out of their driveway and shifted into drive.He asked Ruby, his wife, “So, we’re going to visit your brother, George, and his family again?”Ruby said, “Yes, but when talking to me, call him ‘Boring George.’”“Remind me… why are we seeing him again?”“Always have. Always will.”“Unless something changes.”She nodded.Cullen chose his words with care. “Was he always so boring?”Ruby went into her standard rant. “Many have confirmed the fact that George was born boring. Our mother slept through her labor. She had to be awakened after he...

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Water Under the Bridge

Weekly Contest #324

Damon stepped into the water upstream from the old bridge arching overhead. He signaled to his buddy Jerry, and pulled his diving mask down. His regulator was set. A flashlight hung from the front of his harness.This would be his first unsupervised dive. He waded into the cool water. Though not deep, the current would be brisk when flowing between the bridge piers.At chest deep, Damon placed his mouthpiece and inhaled. He felt the cold air flow down his throat.Don’t hold your breath. He repeated the mantra learned in his diving class as he l...

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