Win Cash Prizes & Get Professional Feedback @ Flash Fiction Magazine
Learn More
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Volunteer

Queen of Patience

March 23, 2023 12 Comments

By Terra Wertz

The old me would’ve killed it. Naked and vulnerable, I’d scream, turn off the water, wrap myself in a towel, tear off toilet paper, tiptoe over to smash it, and flush it away.

The old, old me would’ve feigned distress, longing for a knight to slay it. Afterwards, I’d offer myself to him. We’d tangle in silk sheets. I’d wish him gone by sunrise.

Tonight I’ve been crowned. From above, Her Majesty inspires, poised proudly in her intricate web. Her wood-colored legs whisper words:

Spin your web, Highness.

My beauty and power mirror hers. I carefully select my prey. Undisturbed. Patient.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

The Power of Imagery with Nina Schuyler

September 12 & 13 on Zoom
Enrollment closes Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 PM Pacific

If your descriptions are vivid but your stories still feel thin, this workshop is for you.

Join award-winning author Nina Schuyler to learn the difference between description, which tells a reader what things look like, and imagery, which carries plot, character, and meaning at the same time.

In just two days, you'll learn to choose images that hold emotion without naming it, pair them so each one deepens the other, and build patterns that gather meaning as the story moves.

Learn More and Enroll

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dick Noble says

    March 23, 2023 at 7:57 am

    great opening paragraph

    Reply
    • Terra Wertz says

      March 23, 2023 at 9:20 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
    • Kait Menguc says

      March 26, 2023 at 8:39 am

      I’m with you- such a compelling opening!

      Reply
      • Terra Wertz says

        March 26, 2023 at 10:34 am

        Thank you kindly!

        Reply
  2. Sharon Wittig says

    March 24, 2023 at 6:30 am

    Fantastic story. So descriptive for 101 words. All Hail the Queen!

    Reply
    • Terra Wertz says

      March 24, 2023 at 12:57 pm

      Indeed! Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Yigit Menguc says

    March 27, 2023 at 7:58 am

    Oh! This is ancient sorcery. I love it, Terra.

    Reply
    • Terra Wertz says

      March 27, 2023 at 5:26 pm

      A tale as old as human nature, yes ! I am honored you dig it!

      Reply
  4. Shauna says

    March 27, 2023 at 12:52 pm

    Welcome to her Majesty’s parlor! Love it!!

    Reply
    • Terra Wertz says

      March 27, 2023 at 5:23 pm

      Why thank you!!

      Reply
  5. Sarah says

    March 27, 2023 at 5:16 pm

    I could taste your venom. Great piece.

    Reply
    • Terra Wertz says

      March 27, 2023 at 5:24 pm

      She’s planning the sting…

      Thank you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search Stories

The end.