Gayle Beveridge-Marien
@gaylemarien2024.bsky.social
Gayle Beveridge writes because she loves it. It is her radiant red-sky sunset, her budding spring flowers. It is bird song and a long walk in the bush. Gayle is a past winner of the Boroondara Literary Awards. Her work has appeared in many anthologies.
The #last time their aggressive neighbour promised a cease fire, eager for a peace they #cherished, they believed him and laid down their weapons. He lied. They are again in the #middle of a war he imposed on them. They fight on because they now know only victory will save them.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
November 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The #last time their aggressive neighbour promised a cease fire, eager for a peace they #cherished, they believed him and laid down their weapons. He lied. They are again in the #middle of a war he imposed on them. They fight on because they now know only victory will save them.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
He plans a #huge Christmas dinner to #unite the family. If he can invoke the true spirit of Christmas, rivalries and past arguments can be put behind them. Had he realised the naivety of his plan his house might not have burnt down and his father might still be speaking to him.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
November 30, 2025 at 6:01 AM
He plans a #huge Christmas dinner to #unite the family. If he can invoke the true spirit of Christmas, rivalries and past arguments can be put behind them. Had he realised the naivety of his plan his house might not have burnt down and his father might still be speaking to him.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
With no power to impose a lock-down the #Health Minister gives a #wildly overstated #estimate of the disease's mortality rate to terrify the public to self-isolate for their safety. It's a white lie this time, to save lives, a first for this crooked MP. He likes the feel of it.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
November 28, 2025 at 12:12 PM
With no power to impose a lock-down the #Health Minister gives a #wildly overstated #estimate of the disease's mortality rate to terrify the public to self-isolate for their safety. It's a white lie this time, to save lives, a first for this crooked MP. He likes the feel of it.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
At seven feet in #height he is a basketball superstar. He makes every #goal look easy. Woman beg to be his date for the awards night. He shuns them all. He has the city's best tailor make him a #suit. His date deserves the best. He takes his mother and her smile lights the room.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
November 18, 2025 at 5:47 AM
At seven feet in #height he is a basketball superstar. He makes every #goal look easy. Woman beg to be his date for the awards night. He shuns them all. He has the city's best tailor make him a #suit. His date deserves the best. He takes his mother and her smile lights the room.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
The foreshore trees, protected by #law, blocked a sea view for a wealthy couple in a showy house. #Totally convinced they deserved their view they cut the trees down. The #shocked townsfolk vandalized the showy house but unlike the trees it still stands. There is no justice.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
November 10, 2025 at 7:38 AM
The foreshore trees, protected by #law, blocked a sea view for a wealthy couple in a showy house. #Totally convinced they deserved their view they cut the trees down. The #shocked townsfolk vandalized the showy house but unlike the trees it still stands. There is no justice.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
Ma said, "Not a #borrower or a lender be." I thought it #perhaps uncharitable and I lent tools to my neighbour. When I asked for them back he always promised tomorrow but I saw them advertised on the community #market pages. I'm listing Ma's wisdoms now; they are to be heeded.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
September 22, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Ma said, "Not a #borrower or a lender be." I thought it #perhaps uncharitable and I lent tools to my neighbour. When I asked for them back he always promised tomorrow but I saw them advertised on the community #market pages. I'm listing Ma's wisdoms now; they are to be heeded.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
They say the pills have #potential to prevent disease. A #pleasure to eat with a euphoric #smell, they are untested. Bribes ensure approval for use. But they are toxic. By the time people begin dying the company is rich beyond measure and touting a pill promising eternal life.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
September 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
They say the pills have #potential to prevent disease. A #pleasure to eat with a euphoric #smell, they are untested. Bribes ensure approval for use. But they are toxic. By the time people begin dying the company is rich beyond measure and touting a pill promising eternal life.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
Debate in the #party room raged all day and night and still the members could not #decide on policy. #Exhausted they went for a break. They remained divided come election day. How could they resolve this?
The public relieved them of the pressure; they voted for the other guys.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
The public relieved them of the pressure; they voted for the other guys.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
September 11, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Debate in the #party room raged all day and night and still the members could not #decide on policy. #Exhausted they went for a break. They remained divided come election day. How could they resolve this?
The public relieved them of the pressure; they voted for the other guys.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
The public relieved them of the pressure; they voted for the other guys.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
He won a scholarship to university, left his #rough life behind and #wrapped in a cloak of respectability climbed the corporate ladder #with speed. Once he's rich his seedy family tries to blackmail him. He laughs. A top spin doctor, he'll leverage bad press to his advantage.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
September 9, 2025 at 9:04 AM
He won a scholarship to university, left his #rough life behind and #wrapped in a cloak of respectability climbed the corporate ladder #with speed. Once he's rich his seedy family tries to blackmail him. He laughs. A top spin doctor, he'll leverage bad press to his advantage.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
They lived in #abject poverty. Their neighbour, also poor, stole their #pig. When he wouldn't return it, they kidnapped his daughter and claimed #ransom. It was never paid. The thief, free of responsibility now, sold the pig and left his child behind. They grew to love the girl.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
August 18, 2025 at 10:44 AM
They lived in #abject poverty. Their neighbour, also poor, stole their #pig. When he wouldn't return it, they kidnapped his daughter and claimed #ransom. It was never paid. The thief, free of responsibility now, sold the pig and left his child behind. They grew to love the girl.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
He is only nine. Short for his age he can't keep up with the school #exercise class on their cross-country run. Soon they are out of sight and he is alone. He climbs a #hill, takes a pencil and notepad from his pocket, and in his imagination he soars like a bird on the #wing.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
August 14, 2025 at 11:04 AM
He is only nine. Short for his age he can't keep up with the school #exercise class on their cross-country run. Soon they are out of sight and he is alone. He climbs a #hill, takes a pencil and notepad from his pocket, and in his imagination he soars like a bird on the #wing.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
He had a severe case of arachnophobia, couldn't even cope with a picture of a #spider. She had developed a #deep hatred of him over the years. She wanted a divorce and everything they #owned. She hunted and caught spiders. He's dead of a heart attack now and she's a black widow.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
August 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM
He had a severe case of arachnophobia, couldn't even cope with a picture of a #spider. She had developed a #deep hatred of him over the years. She wanted a divorce and everything they #owned. She hunted and caught spiders. He's dead of a heart attack now and she's a black widow.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
I was excited to receive the runner up prize in the WriteTime June quarter short story competition with my tongue-in-cheek story 'I Think David's Still Lost.' To read it click on the link:
writetime.org/i-think-davi...
#amwriting #WritingCommunity #writingcompetitions #writing
writetime.org/i-think-davi...
#amwriting #WritingCommunity #writingcompetitions #writing
August 9, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I was excited to receive the runner up prize in the WriteTime June quarter short story competition with my tongue-in-cheek story 'I Think David's Still Lost.' To read it click on the link:
writetime.org/i-think-davi...
#amwriting #WritingCommunity #writingcompetitions #writing
writetime.org/i-think-davi...
#amwriting #WritingCommunity #writingcompetitions #writing
She's #hungry. "Close you eyes. Open your mouth," her brother says. Instead of a jellied snake she gets a live worm. He runs. She finds him; creeps up on him and hits him #square on the head. "It was just a #prank," he cries. They'll keep their silence. Mum doesn't need to know.
#vss365 #2Wordprompt
#vss365 #2Wordprompt
August 9, 2025 at 2:44 AM
She's #hungry. "Close you eyes. Open your mouth," her brother says. Instead of a jellied snake she gets a live worm. He runs. She finds him; creeps up on him and hits him #square on the head. "It was just a #prank," he cries. They'll keep their silence. Mum doesn't need to know.
#vss365 #2Wordprompt
#vss365 #2Wordprompt
They were identical #twins. By sight none could tell them apart. But Elle had an abundance of #charm. Her world was one of #colour and happiness. Jean's was a grey world full of discontent and jealousy. When Elle died, some say they saw Jean suppress a sly grin at the funeral.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
August 3, 2025 at 8:22 AM
They were identical #twins. By sight none could tell them apart. But Elle had an abundance of #charm. Her world was one of #colour and happiness. Jean's was a grey world full of discontent and jealousy. When Elle died, some say they saw Jean suppress a sly grin at the funeral.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
He wanted quiet in the mornings but the birds chirped incessantly. When the eggs hatched and the noise #increased he destroyed the #nest and all within it. Job well done he thought until he saw the #scowl on his wife's face. He got his quiet then. He got the silent treatment.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
August 3, 2025 at 12:40 AM
He wanted quiet in the mornings but the birds chirped incessantly. When the eggs hatched and the noise #increased he destroyed the #nest and all within it. Job well done he thought until he saw the #scowl on his wife's face. He got his quiet then. He got the silent treatment.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
Done and dusted! I've just submitted my story to the #FuriousFiction August 2025 competition. This is a prompt-driven, 55 hour competition with a 500 word limit that runs from the first Friday of each month.
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writingcompetition
www.writerscentre.com.au/furious-fict...
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writingcompetition
www.writerscentre.com.au/furious-fict...
Furious Fiction | Australian Writers' Centre
A new FURIOUS FICTION challenge goes live on the first Friday of each month. Sign up to the Fan Club to be notified!
www.writerscentre.com.au
August 2, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Done and dusted! I've just submitted my story to the #FuriousFiction August 2025 competition. This is a prompt-driven, 55 hour competition with a 500 word limit that runs from the first Friday of each month.
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writingcompetition
www.writerscentre.com.au/furious-fict...
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writingcompetition
www.writerscentre.com.au/furious-fict...
Poachers hit his #sapphire mine #for the second time in a week. Despite the #danger he waited in the mine each night. He fought the bastard who came; took a knife to the heart and died. His widow wed soon after. Nobody knew the poacher was her lover. They got away with murder.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
July 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Poachers hit his #sapphire mine #for the second time in a week. Despite the #danger he waited in the mine each night. He fought the bastard who came; took a knife to the heart and died. His widow wed soon after. Nobody knew the poacher was her lover. They got away with murder.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
She has the body of a goddess, the face of an angel and a #crimson gown with the seductive #shine of satin. She seduces the dictator; slits his throat in his bed and stays to #watch his life drain away. "For my brother," she says. Retribution is hers and she has just begun.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
July 26, 2025 at 10:29 AM
She has the body of a goddess, the face of an angel and a #crimson gown with the seductive #shine of satin. She seduces the dictator; slits his throat in his bed and stays to #watch his life drain away. "For my brother," she says. Retribution is hers and she has just begun.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
An edit and a rewrite and my entry to the City of Stonnington What's Your Story? Writing Competition has been submitted. www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/Library/What...
#amwriting #storycompetitions #writingcommunity #writers
#amwriting #storycompetitions #writingcommunity #writers
What's Your Story? Writing Competition
Held annually by Stonnington Libraries since 2012, What’s Your Story? celebrates creative writing and storytelling within the City of Stonnington.
www.stonnington.vic.gov.au
July 26, 2025 at 2:24 AM
An edit and a rewrite and my entry to the City of Stonnington What's Your Story? Writing Competition has been submitted. www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/Library/What...
#amwriting #storycompetitions #writingcommunity #writers
#amwriting #storycompetitions #writingcommunity #writers
The #intelligence community in a rare show of unity joins #together to thwart the greatest threat to the crown in known memory. It may be a hoax, but they fear it's not; the claim of a #penny found in archeological dig, proving the current royals have no claim to the throne.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
July 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM
The #intelligence community in a rare show of unity joins #together to thwart the greatest threat to the crown in known memory. It may be a hoax, but they fear it's not; the claim of a #penny found in archeological dig, proving the current royals have no claim to the throne.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
Her #balance let her down. A totter, a trip that ripped her rice-paper skin, then the bone-breaking fall. Put into care, she knew she'd #die there and was sad. "I miss my garden," she told them. When she woke the next morning a pot of flowering #violets sat on the bedside table.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
July 25, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Her #balance let her down. A totter, a trip that ripped her rice-paper skin, then the bone-breaking fall. Put into care, she knew she'd #die there and was sad. "I miss my garden," she told them. When she woke the next morning a pot of flowering #violets sat on the bedside table.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
Every #promise made to him became a promise unmade. He grew up expecting #nothing from anybody. Was happiest if you could call it happy when he was #alone. The stray dog came at night, looked at him with sad doggy eyes. Whimpered a sad doggy cry. It undid everything he believed.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
July 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Every #promise made to him became a promise unmade. He grew up expecting #nothing from anybody. Was happiest if you could call it happy when he was #alone. The stray dog came at night, looked at him with sad doggy eyes. Whimpered a sad doggy cry. It undid everything he believed.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
The king contracts the world's best architect. His #purpose - to build a splendid dance #hall for the #Queen, a gift to reawaken their passions. But at the hall's opening the King stands alone, perplexed and confused. The Queen and the favoured architect are nowhere to be found.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
July 21, 2025 at 10:29 AM
The king contracts the world's best architect. His #purpose - to build a splendid dance #hall for the #Queen, a gift to reawaken their passions. But at the hall's opening the King stands alone, perplexed and confused. The Queen and the favoured architect are nowhere to be found.
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
#vss365 #2WordPrompt
Just submitted my story to the Writers' Playground 11th Challenge. The prompts challenged me, the story plan I set down didn't work 'to plan.' Creativity is flexible, sometimes it needs room to grow, to follow it's own path. #creativewriting #amwriting #writingcompetitions #writingcommunity
July 21, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Just submitted my story to the Writers' Playground 11th Challenge. The prompts challenged me, the story plan I set down didn't work 'to plan.' Creativity is flexible, sometimes it needs room to grow, to follow it's own path. #creativewriting #amwriting #writingcompetitions #writingcommunity