Recently, Frank at A Frank Angle challenged bloggers to write a short story based on the image above. It had to be 150 words or less, be posted after his entry goes live on July 10th, and bear the title “Footprints in the Sand.”
Challenge accepted! Here is Frank’s creative entry and below is my submission. I’m happy to have had the photo prompt and Frank’s encouragement. Here is where my imagination led me:
Footprints in the Sand
It was all that Magnus had left. Amy’s footprints in the sand. No more coconut aroma as she rushed up to hug him. No more circling his arms around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. He moaned at the mental image of her soft lips coated with strawberry gloss brushing against his own.
Kneeling down, he put his hands gently over the marks left by the soles of her red runners. Amy’s words “on my own” and “growth” repeated in his head and he wondered how long he would hear the breaking of her voice as she said, “harder on me than you.”
As he drove his fist into the sand, he noticed a hint of blue to the side. Her woven bracelet. He grabbed it with a new vigor. He could drive to her house in 20 minutes. He could almost taste the strawberries again.
©2017 Christy Birmingham

The badge for Completing the aFa Short Story Challenge. Woohoo! Image via A Frank Angle.
I got so inspired by your story I just wrote my own too, and pasted it in Frank’s blog. Fun! xo
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OOOOOH! I’ll be over to read – that’s so cool, Pamela!!
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Pamela,
I approved the comment, so it’s showing now – but I haven’t read it because I’m working myself down the page. …. but I’ll get there. Thanks for joining in the fun …. and a friend of Christy’s is a friend of mine.
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You’ve captured some very powerful feelings and images in just a few words Christy.
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Thanks Andrea!! I kept having to edit it to keep it within 150 words. It is 149 words 😉
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Oh, I hope he’s not chasing a lost cause. Great story, Christy. 😀
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I don’t want him to get his heart broken again either! Thanks for the support, Diana 🙂
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Oh Christy as usual
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You rang?! 😉
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😇
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🙂 ❤
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I like the emotion and the ending that can go in multiple endings. The blue bracelet was a surprise! … Thanks for joining the fun …. and for Pamela jumping in!
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Thank YOU Frank for inspiring this write. I’m glad you enjoyed it as I liked yours too. We both surprise readers at the end – part of the fun, right?! I like that Pamela came to play too 🙂
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My pleasure … did you read John Howell’s? …. a great surprise ending!
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A clever story!
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Awww thanks my friend!
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Lovely story Christy. Read it three times there I loved it so much. Here’s hoping for Magnus xxxxxxxx
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I’m rooting for Magnus 🙂 Wow, 3 times read.. I’m honored xx
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I hope we are going to see his footprints next successfully heading fro hers then I can read that 3 times too xxxxxx
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Ohhhhh do you think I should expand the story? Oooooooooh~~ xxoo
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Yes… I well do. ( know what it don’t matter, like if he gets a slap that way next bit. That is a kind of hook. Cos we re still waiting to see what happens. So long as you give a reader hope I reckon I it’s ok re whatever wringer you put your characters through. x
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Well done Christy. There really is something romantic about footprints in the sand. Hugs.
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Thank you! Huge hugs xx
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Great story, Christy! I love those postcard short stories, they are so much fun to write.
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It WAS fun – like a glimpse into a life… Thanks Carolee 🙂
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Very nice story. Maybe you can tell a story of your footprints in the sand.
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Oooooh maybe 😉
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Maybe you need a reason to walk barefoot and pretend that your beautiful feet are in the sand.
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That was wonderful, Christy! So much packed into 150 words.
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Great of you to stop by and I’ll be coming over to visit too 🙂
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Je te souhaite une excellente semaine. Bises amicales
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Happy summer to you, Georges 🙂
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Hi Christy, oh my! I can sense his longing finding her bracelet, bittersweet, well done x x x
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The word “longing” is the best one for it, Jennifer! I’m so happy to see you **hugs** 🙂
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Beautifully captured moment Christy…loved this. ❤
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That’s lovely of you to say, Jane ❤
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Well written post, Christy.
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Appreciate the compliment!
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Wow! Christy, I love this and have read it a few times now…sumptuous feel to it, heart-breaking at the start but ending on a hopeful note…. A great short piece in response to the photo!
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I think you’re awesome for reading it a few times and liking the hope of the ending, Annika 🙂
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I didn’t expect a happy ending. It was a nice surprise. Nice story Christy☺
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Awww 🙂 It’s nice when surprises are positive ones!
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I enjoyed your take on the photo prompt. Well done …
Isadora 😎
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Thank you, Isadora~ And great to meet you via the aFa Challenge 🙂
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Your welcome … it’s a pleasure to meet you, as well. I hope you’ll pop over to read my entry when you have the time.
Isadora 😎
https://insidethemindofisadora.com/2017/07/10/footprints-in-the-sand/
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I loved your take on the prompt, Isadora! Now following your blog too 🙂
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I’m pleased you were able to pop over to read it. Thank you, Christy. I appreciate the follow. I, too, shall add you to my blogger friends. 😎
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You depict romance and longing beautifully in the beginning. There’s no way I don’t want to know what happens next. He doesn’t want to swim in the sea of guilt anymore, is desperate for that rare outlet (or woven bracelet).
What really satisfied me was the motif of strawberry. You used it commendably well.
An emotional roller coaster!
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Mahesh, how great to see you! It’s been too long. I am glad you picked up on the strawberries and felt the rawness of emotion as that means I conveyed them successfully. I’m hoping to extend the story and include it in my next book, which will be a collection of short stories 🙂
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A collection of short stories sounds great. All the best, Christy😊
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Thanks and same to you!
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I love this! (But I sure hope Magnus doesn’t shift into stalker mode.) 😉
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Well you’ll be happy to know that he may… or may not.. Ummm never mind 😉
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Love it! You’ve written a very sensitive and exciting story, in very few words. I just submitted mine. I was hesitant, but I overcame the jitters of answering my first writing challenge. ♡♡
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I think it’s great that you participated!! And I like that you included reference to clothing 😉
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Lovely story, Christy! Excellent visuals.
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So sweet Amy how you caught up on all my posts and left me supportive comments. I value your friendship! If you want to guest post on either blog, please let me know 🙂
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Hauntingly beautiful Christy. It gave me goosebumps. ❤
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Awww ❤ Thank you Debby
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Most welcome my lovely ❤
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It’s a sunny Friday here and hope you’re having a nice day 🙂
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Thanks girlie. Unfortunately, we’ve barely had a full sunny day without rain this summer yet. Last night it was jacket time. I think summer has forgotten us 😦 Wishing you a lovely weekend. ❤
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Ohhh I hope you get more sunshine soon. Actually I wish I could trade your weather for ours as we have wildfires over in another area of BC right now (they could use the water!). Hugs and enjoy the days ahead, no matter the weather 🙂
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Arg, nobody is ever just right, I know about the fires. I guess our weather is like Goldilocks and the 3 bears, finding the right temperature. 🙂 xx
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Awwww xx I hope everyone stays safe. The weekend is here! I’m working today but taking tomorrow off. Wishing you some R&R too ❤
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Thanks Christy. Enjoy! ❤
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Beautiful, Christy. I loved the way you appealed to the senses your in your story.
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I recently read a helpful article about appealing to the senses.. how did you know?!! Hugs
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Loved it Christy! Quite sensual as I could smell the loss. And you thought to add a found object in the sand. Can’t remember anyone else doing that. Glad I found your other blog!
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Ohhhh I like that we’re fully connected now, Jo 🙂 If you have a second blog too, please let me know. Thanks for the support xx
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Such sad feelings and images created in this reader’s mind by your well written words. Thank you for creating a memory 🙂
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So nice of you to appreciate it, Walt
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Oh, I love this!! It sounds like the start to a fabulous novel!! And so good to be back…for now. Nearly a month of travels complete (and limited internet). Hope you’ve been well, sweet friend! Love your words here – love the mystery and all the thoughts my mind conjured up as I read. What happened to her? Was it a date? Was it something else? Could he get to her in 20 minutes? All these questions mean that there is some good, good reading here. 🙂
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Ohhh I ended up writing a lot more for this one, Cyndi, and I’ll put the completed story into my short story collection (book 3, when it releases). Thanks for appreciating the read! Have missed you 🙂 Welcome back for a bit and nice of you to visit xx
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That’s so exciting! I know book 3 will be a HIT! Sending you big, big hugs. Hope you’re having a wonderful start to your week! xo
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Lovely story, Christy. Footprints in the sand, lost bracelet. Hope everything works out for those two 🙂
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So glad the story caught your attention as that is a fine compliment, Inese! I’ll be over this week to visit 🙂
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Always glad to hear from you! xx
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Hugs!!
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Amazing Story!!!!
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Great to have it appreciated!
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Wow, its cool and very well written.
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Appreciate that!
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Interesting story!
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Love the spirit! 🙂
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Great to read that!
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Great story 👍
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Aw, thanks!
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💖💕💖💕💖
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😀
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