A progressive short story from the Akron Writers’ Group, Wordplay. Written Winter, 2017.

Chapter One: Kathi Thompson

Pen and Ink Drawing by AAAL Member Brenda Ramseier

Tessa stepped onto the deck of her country home. She took in a deep breath of cold, crisp winter air. The full moon was not yet at its zenith; the rays still shone from the high southwest. A quick wind moved clouds across the sky. The long shadows of the walnut trees shifted as each cloud passed.

With her second deep breath, Tessa took stock of her situation. The moon was full. Tomorrow was Friday the thirteenth. An ice storm was predicted to start tomorrow and envelop the weekend. Indeed, school systems two hundred miles to the west had already called off for tomorrow due to weather. Earlier, she had called her employees to start their weekend early.

The storm was large and dangerous enough to have been given a name: Jupiter.

Full moon, Friday the thirteenth and Jupiter. What could go wrong?

Indeed, what could go wrong? Will was scheduled to arrive tomorrow night. His flight could be delayed because of Jupiter. If his flight was delayed, she might be able to put things right. She had to put things right. Will meant everything to her.

Shadows of the Moon

A chapter will be released every month. The first chapter was released January 5, 2025.

This was the writers’ group’s first (and only) attempt at a progressive short story. Several authors participated. We started with a title and a few basic rules. For example, we asked that authors limit their chapters to no more than five hundred words and asked that they call out the next writer to contribute.

We didn’t have a theme. We didn’t have an “order list” for writers. We didn’t script anything. The first writer started, and the second writer took it from there. And on it went.

One month in, we decided the pieces had to start coming together. At that point, we did put the remaining authors in order, so everyone knew how many chapters we had for the pieces to become a completed puzzle.

The entries remain the sole property of the authors and may not be used without permission. These writers represent just a portion of the total membership. Some concentrate on verse and others prose. Some are serious and thoughtful, while others are funny. Some write for pure enjoyment, others for the need to express emotions. Some write for themselves, others are published authors. Regardless of their reason for writing, they hope you enjoy their offerings.

• • Chapter One: Kathi Thompson 01/05/25
  • Chapter Two: Elaine Powers 02/05/25
  • Chapter Three: Maria Kelsay 03/05/25
  • Chapter Four: Larry Cunningham 04/05/25
  • Chapter Five: Linda Leasure 05/05/25
  • Chapter Six: Liz Flaherty 06/05/25
  • Chapter Seven: Pam Ege 07/05/25
  • Chapter Eight: Don Kegarise 08/05/25
  • Chapter Nine: Kathy Kegarise 09/05/25
  • Chapter Ten: Ken Meyer 10/05/25
  • Chapter Eleven: Ken Meyer 11/05/25
  • Chapter Twelve: Maria Kelsay 12/05/25
  • Chapter Thirteen: Linda Leasure 01/05/26
  • Chapter Fourteen: Larry Cunningham 02/05/26
  • Chapter Fifteen: Liz Flaherty 03/05/26
  • Chapter Sixteen: Kathi Thompson 08/20/26