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

The Builders Next Door

December 25, 2025 5 Comments

By Tim Kirton

I haven’t needed an alarm clock for almost six months now. My eagerly awaited, early retirement ‘lie-ins’ are rudely interrupted each morning by angle grinders, sledgehammers, high-powered drills, or sometimes just the soothing (sic) booming bass beats of what must be the world’s loudest speaker.

The thick layers of dust and debris have become a permanent feature on windows, doors, and pathways. The discarded food wrappers, drinks cans, and Rizla packets, beautiful additions to the once perfectly manicured south-facing garden.

So far, I’ve kept myself together. So far, I’ve kept schtum. So far, I’ve kept the 12-bore shotgun unloaded. So far.

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. K J says

    December 31, 2025 at 12:27 pm

    A great short story that encapsulates the horrors of builders next door. I wonder how long the gun will stay unfired?

    Reply
    • Tim says

      January 2, 2026 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks kj for your kind comment. P.s still unfired !

      Reply
  2. Karen says

    January 1, 2026 at 4:55 pm

    Immediately drawn in to this short story and can definitely resonate with.

    Reply
    • Tim says

      January 2, 2026 at 4:51 pm

      Thanks for your comment Karen?

      Reply
  3. Pamela Cartlidge says

    January 4, 2026 at 11:30 am

    I know the feeling. Going through it right now.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

Primary Sidebar

Search Stories

The end.