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selected short fiction
"The Contemporary Monoscript"
Lonely? The contemporary monoscript will cure that. A kind of play, in one act, from 1994.
"Dear John ..."
Divorce isn't funny—or is it? First published in Satire (Autumn 1994). (Computer technology has changed radically since this was written, so a few of the gags may for some be out of fashion.)
"In the Family Way"
Money and how to get it—well, maybe not. Part of my serialized novel.
"In the Family Way: Faucet of Hope"
More adventures in FAMWAY! You know, in the great scheme of things, most people really don't like adventures.
"In the Family Way: Only Jesus Never Knew This"
One really shouldn't willingly run in the wrong race.
"In the Family Way: Latent Millionaire-ism"
Go ahead and run the race, rat.
"Mister Skinner - Part One" 
A strange rash is just the beginning of Mr. Skinner's adventure.
"Pray Only to God"
A boy learns why Friends pray in silence—and why we should. This quirky flash fiction first appeared in the New Quaker Notebook.
"Seamus Goes to Jail"
My friend Seamus goes to the mall in Daytona Beach wearing a plain T-shirt, but ends up in jail for refusing to remove his subversive anti-war article of clothing. This flash fiction first appeared as a blog entry in New Quaker Notebook.
"A Young Man and His Shark"
With friends like this, who needs enemies? This flash fiction first appeared as a blog entry in New Quaker Notebook.
» Available in 'The Man Who Rowed Lake Pontchartrain and Other Stories' (2004):
"Frenzy"
Madness happens. A flash-fiction piece first published in 69 Flavors of Paranoia (1996).
"The Highwaymen"
Two men who dwell not in houses discuss God and the philosophy of perspectives as they share a bottle of Bourbon.
"Into the Village Came the Strong Man"
Can the village's special sculture be restored? Will its restoration also return peace to the village? What's this got to do with Ecclesiastes 1:15? A fable first blogged in New Quaker Notebook.
"Miracle at Troy"
A comatose girl, a helpful friar, an undecided physican—these all figure in an incredible event.
"The Molestation"
Christian Sanderson lived a contented life in an idyllic setting in suburban Louisiana. Until he met the girl down the street.
"No News Is Good News"
Stanton and Catherine Anderson participate in a miracle—well, sort of.
"The Queer"
The 7th grade was a time of many changes for the unusual Marion, but no one could have predicted how he would disarm the school bully.
"Stephen's Bible"
There was once a young man, Stephen, who left his home to follow Jesus, taking with him only a worn Bible and the clothes on his back. A retold tale first blogged in New Quaker Notebook.
"The Sweet Tooth"
Alex and Lee Ann have two great children, a canary, and not enough money.
"Why Harry Potter Won't Change His Glasses"
My friend Brian O'Keefe became famous with one funny story. This flash fiction first appeared as a blog entry in New Quaker Notebook.
» Available in 'Twelve Stories from New Orleans' (2009):
"Death Hurts Most the First Time Around"
A pushmower, weeds, and a friend's wake bring back memories of another loss.
"Dinner at Antoine's"
It didn't really happen—but it could have. Another short piece of humor written when I still thought in bawdy terms. From my "New Orleans Memories" series.
"The Drive By"
Although my friend Hank is a company president, driving a late-model car would conflict with his commitment to simplicity—so he drives what?
"The French Quarter"
A short piece of humor written at a time when I still thought in bawdy terms. From my "New Orleans memories" series.
"Finbar's Rebirth"
An angel lets Finbar have the big do-over. This flash fiction first appeared as a blog entry in the New Quaker Notebook.
"Funerals"
Grandpa John like to do his own thing, usually at the worst possible moments. This older fiction piece (from my "New Orleans memories" series) also proves that even this genre is not beneath me.
"L'Improbable"
My friend Gavin tries out his new suicide machine. This flash fiction first appeared as a blog entry in New Quaker Notebook.
"The Look"
A man learns the truth about fruit snacks and whither the adolescent attitude.
"Louisiana Cat"
The short life of an enormous orange cat. This flash fiction first appeared as a blog entry in New Quaker Notebook.
"Love in a Flash"
A short, hot love affair and a postage-due card. This flash fiction first appeared as a blog entry in New Quaker Notebook.
"The Monger"
How the modern urban legends really got started, à la Raymond Chandler. First published in Back Porch (Summer 1995).
"Where a Man Plays There Will His Heart Be Also"
A widow in a Cajun-style cottage, and what's hidden on her dead husband's computer.
© Merle Harton, Jr. | All rights reserved
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