Blue Flower

#38 by Mazzy Star

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s prompt, Elvis Night at Andy’s, by Good Boy Records! And so far so good in this new format. So we’ll continue with the trial.

Once again this week I’m going to publish the newsletter making the prompt available to the writing group on Tuesday, as usual. But I’m going to wait until the the deadline to send it — Monday at Midnight. That way our readers will receive the newsletter already loaded with your submissions!

I’ve decided to start sharing our Headliners with you, too! Beginning next week our Headliner submission will be sent out to subscribers on Tuesday — effectively announcing the week’s prompt.

Week #37 Feature🏆

The Week #37 Feature goes to Debra Martin, for her submission titled, Elvis Night at Andy’s. Written in third person, her journal entry was just what I’m hoping for each week these prompts are released. Debra’s story was moving, because she was moved by the song prompt. And that readers, is what it’s all about!

It was just another ordinary morning as she made breakfast for her brother. Something she's done over a thousand times since he came to live with her. A task she does on co-pilot and under five minutes as she multi tasks while listening to this week's “Song from the Jukebox” prompt.

Elvis Night at Andy's

Her mind slipped into the past as she sat there replaying the song over and over again. Memories that were buried deep in the crevasses of her mind played like old films, projected in the blankness of her stare. She lingered in them as time stood still.

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Here’s this week’s prompt, Blue Flower, by Mazzy Star!

“Blue Flower” is a standout track by the alternative rock band Mazzy Star, from their debut album She Hangs Brightly (1990). The single reached #29 on the Billboard Alternative Chart.

The song explores uncertainty in a relationship — waiting for a sign or signal from a partner, questioning if the love is fading or one-sided.

Waitin’ for a sign from you
Waitin’ for a signal to change
Have you forgotten what your love can do?
Is this the end?

Grok says that listeners often see it as a mix of vulnerability and defiant coolness — the narrator both cares and pretends not to.

“Blue Flower” was originally written and recorded by the folk group Slapp Happy (Peter Blegvad, Anthony Moore, and Dagmar Krause) for their 1972 album Sort Of.

Calling all Poets, Fiction, or Non-Fiction writers that love music — Share your prose of 1500 words or less, using the prompt, Blue Flower.

Remember:

• Each Tuesday I’ll publish a newsletter with that week’s song prompt — along with a featured writer’s submission from the previous week.

• Anyone is then free to run with it! Just add the link to your story or prose in the comments of this newsletter.

• Subscribers to Stories from the Jukebox, also have a chance to be featured in the following week’s newsletter. And I’ll do my best to give feedback and restack each submission.

There’s always rules:

1. All forms of prose are welcome, just keep it under 1500 words.

2. Submissions must be published by midnight on Monday.

3. Submissions must include a tag/link to this week’s Song Prompt Newsletter embedded within the post.

While anyone is welcome to add their post in the comments at any time — all rules must be followed for a post to be eligible to be featured or shared.

How would you like to pick our prompt? Find out how to join our revolving list of Headliners here.

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Our thirty-eighth prompt was chosen by Gray, of the Southern Writers Guild. Gray is a prolific writer. She’s just published and released her first book, Opera Rose and Other Devotions, and is hard at work on her first novel.

Turtle Meat Mixtapes is her flagship publication. Some stories are raw. Some are cozy. All of them are true in spirit — with mixtapes to match!

Here’s our Headliner, Classé Girls: A Commitment, by Gray!

“I don’t like this blouse.” Grace’s brow furrowed as she studied the mirror. “It fits wonky.”

Classé Girls: A Commitment

Grace had met a few nice gentlemen. And a few… not.

The “how r u” messages were landing like a thud.

Mr. Unhinged had opened with: You’re the first match I’ve had on Hinged in over a year. All these dating apps are shitty…

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Do you know a reader or writer that’d be perfect for this prompt? Share it with them!

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too!

Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.

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