Time for the Absolute Write Blog Chain. This month's theme includes a wonderful variety. Instead of sticking to one topic, each poster decides the topic for the following poster. The prompt chosen for me is: Blind Date With A Ventriloquist. Such a fun topic!
You know the drill. The links/topics for my fellow AWers are listed at the end. Check them out for some fun reading. They'll entertain you, I promise!
Camryn pushed the bangs from her eyes as she walked out to the car waiting for her. Nerves tingling and heart racing, she opened the door to get in. The man behind the wheel smiled setting her at ease. As soon as she was fastened in, he took off. She smoothed her skirt.
"It was so great of you to agree to this," the man driving said.
Oh shoot! In her nervousness, Camryn had forgotten his name. What was it? She tapped her finger on her leg. Marcus! That was it. "I could say the same for you."
Camryn had been on several blind dates over the past two months, but this one sounded much more promising. She didn't know Marcus well, but her brother insisted she'd enjoy his...what had he said? Quirks. That's right. Marcus had quirks. Camryn pressed her palms together to hide their shaking. If quirky was the best she could find, she was doomed already.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Tell her guys."
Camryn looked at Marcus, confused. Who was he talking to? Hearing a voice but not seeing Marcus's mouth move, she turned her head. "What!" Two pairs of eyes stared back at her. She hadn't agreed to children. Wait. They weren't moving. Weren't even breathing. Air rattled in her chest.
"Meet Maxine and Buddy. Friends of mine."
Camryn shook her head, certain she was seeing things. Then she realized they were puppets. She suppressed a laugh. "Are you a ventriloquist?" she asked.
His fingers tapped against the steering wheel. "I don't really like that term. These two are my oldest friends. They go everywhere with me. You won't mind helping one of them into the restaurant, will you?"
He had to be kidding. "You're taking them inside with us?"
"We can't talk to them if they have to stay in the car."
Quirky? This was eery. "They're not real."
He jerked the car to the shoulder of the road. The car skid to a halt.
"She doesn't like us."
"Who is this chick?"
Marcus faced her. "You'll have to get out now."
"Excuse me?" Camryn stared at him, then at the stuffed passengers in the back.
"They don't take kindly to prejudiced people. Buddy carries a knife."
"And I'm always packing!"
Unsure whether she should laugh or be scared, she opened the door and then got out. Marcus drove off, the tires kicking rocks at her shins.
Some date. Camryn slid out of her heels, thankful for her skirt. She could hitch a ride home.
Prompt for the next participant: EVIL CUPID
UPDATE: For another take on this prompt, take a look at nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com. You won't be disappointed. So funny!
orion_mk3 Yuppies Who Hate the Family Business
ConnieBDowell Unexpected Library Encounter
bmadsen Cupcake Disaster
MsLaylaCakes Unfortunate Sports
HistorySleuth Less Than Fortunate Foods
writingismypassion Blind Date With A Ventriloquist (you are here)
katci13 Evil Cupid
KitCat Hunting With Hounds
Angyl78 A Ghost's Bad Day
randi.lee The Wrong Bar
Lady Cat Visitors
pyrosama What the Leprechaun Said
Ralph Pines Under the Bed
more to come...
Showing posts with label Absolute Write. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Absolute Write. Show all posts
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
January Blog Chain ~ Thirteen
Time for the first AW Blog Chain for 2013. And surprise, surprise, this month's prompt is 13. After taking a look at my short post, check out the links for my fellow AWers. They have some great stuff to share!
Thirteen.
Twelve.
This can't be happening. Jemma's trembling fingers dialed the number again. Please, why aren't you answering?
Eleven.
Ten.
The countdown continued to flash on the news screen. Sirens blared. No! She was running out of time!
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
She slammed the phone down and turned, tripping over her feet in her haste.
Six.
Five.
There wasn't time; she knew there wasn't. On any given day, it took ten minutes to get from her office to the outside lot. The warning came only one minute ago.
Four.
Three.
What would she tell him? If the missile hadn't been launched at the government building she worked in?
Two.
Tanner, I'm sorry.
One.
I-
Hope you enjoyed. Now take a look at the following:
orion_mk3
Ralph Pines
SRHowen
areteus
angyl78
Amanda R
randi.lee
ConnieBDowell
writingismypassion (you are here)
Araevno
Briony-zisaya
kewii
Katci13
MsLaylaCakes
HistorySleuth
Thirteen.
Twelve.
This can't be happening. Jemma's trembling fingers dialed the number again. Please, why aren't you answering?
Eleven.
Ten.
The countdown continued to flash on the news screen. Sirens blared. No! She was running out of time!
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
She slammed the phone down and turned, tripping over her feet in her haste.
Six.
Five.
There wasn't time; she knew there wasn't. On any given day, it took ten minutes to get from her office to the outside lot. The warning came only one minute ago.
Four.
Three.
What would she tell him? If the missile hadn't been launched at the government building she worked in?
Two.
Tanner, I'm sorry.
One.
I-
Hope you enjoyed. Now take a look at the following:
orion_mk3
Ralph Pines
SRHowen
areteus
angyl78
Amanda R
randi.lee
ConnieBDowell
writingismypassion (you are here)
Araevno
Briony-zisaya
kewii
Katci13
MsLaylaCakes
HistorySleuth
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Changes Are Coming
*Listening to the crickets and sweeping out the cobwebs*
It's been quiet here on my blog lately. With everything going on, I needed to take a step back to re-focus. Besides working full time and trying to write, I have been trying to help my husband with his lawn care business. Plus we are in the process of adopting, we're getting ready to apply to become foster parents, and we buried our furry baby, Tucker, a couple weeks ago. That was a heartbreaking experience, and we are still grieving his loss. If you have pets, you understand. It's been a roller coaster few months to say the least. My head is still spinning.
Anyway, I'm not typically a fan of change. I know, I know, this is coming from someone who is preparing for a lot of change! But sometimes change is necessary, and not all change is bad. When I started this blog, I didn't want to set a schedule for what I would post and when. It was easier for me to have the freedom to write about anything, whether it was writing related or about life or whatever. However, at this point in time, having something to focus on would be better. So I am in the process of creating a schedule for myself. I'd like to start participating in my blog chains, also. Currently, the only one I take part in is the one at Absolute Write. I love it, but I'm skipping this month's.
So it's going to be quiet for a little while longer while I switch gears even though I could probably come up with plenty of things to write about. I spent yesterday evening on a mower with large mosquito looking bugs constantly flying into my face. They love that tall grass. Wow...maybe I should have participated in AW's blog chain this month. That could be the basis of a good horror story. :)
But sometimes I just need a break. I hope my fellow bloggers don't mind. When I return, I should be refreshed.
Hope all is well!
It's been quiet here on my blog lately. With everything going on, I needed to take a step back to re-focus. Besides working full time and trying to write, I have been trying to help my husband with his lawn care business. Plus we are in the process of adopting, we're getting ready to apply to become foster parents, and we buried our furry baby, Tucker, a couple weeks ago. That was a heartbreaking experience, and we are still grieving his loss. If you have pets, you understand. It's been a roller coaster few months to say the least. My head is still spinning.
Anyway, I'm not typically a fan of change. I know, I know, this is coming from someone who is preparing for a lot of change! But sometimes change is necessary, and not all change is bad. When I started this blog, I didn't want to set a schedule for what I would post and when. It was easier for me to have the freedom to write about anything, whether it was writing related or about life or whatever. However, at this point in time, having something to focus on would be better. So I am in the process of creating a schedule for myself. I'd like to start participating in my blog chains, also. Currently, the only one I take part in is the one at Absolute Write. I love it, but I'm skipping this month's.
So it's going to be quiet for a little while longer while I switch gears even though I could probably come up with plenty of things to write about. I spent yesterday evening on a mower with large mosquito looking bugs constantly flying into my face. They love that tall grass. Wow...maybe I should have participated in AW's blog chain this month. That could be the basis of a good horror story. :)
But sometimes I just need a break. I hope my fellow bloggers don't mind. When I return, I should be refreshed.
Hope all is well!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Fire and Ice ~ August AW Blog Chain
Time for the August AW Blog Chain. This month's prompt is Fire & Ice. As usual, the post can be fiction or non-fiction. For those of you unfamiliar with the chain, please read my fictional post and then take a look at what the other participants had to say. The links are listed below. Thanks!
Pain shot through her fingers as she gripped the door handle. She let go, thankful her hands weren’t numb yet. She rubbed them together. Maybe there was no use trying to get out. Even if she wanted, she’d never be able to open the door. The freak storm which had left behind several inches of ice had her trapped. The room she now occupied was a mere four degrees warmer than outside. She’d never experienced such an extreme cold. But she didn’t really mind. The rage that burned within her was enough. For now.
She could no longer walk, so she crawled across the floor in search of anything she could use to break a window and the layer of ice which covered it. If she survived, her feet would be amputated because of frostbite. Perhaps her hands would be, too. It wouldn’t be long before she could no longer use them. Still, she was determined.
Finally, she located a hammer and eased her way back to the window. Her first swing barely cracked the glass. Gritting her teeth against the pain and the cold, she swung again. And again. And again. But her arms soon gave out; the ice was thicker than she thought. Slumping against the door, she imagined him lying on the ground somewhere. Was he suffering worse than she? She hoped so as she gasped for one more breath. He deserved no less for leaving her to die.
Now, check out the following:
orion_mk3
Ralph Pines
areteus
Catherine Hall
bmadsen
pyrosama
meowzbark
BBBurke
writingismypassion (YOU ARE HERE)
wonderactivist
SuzanneSeese
randi.lee
Proach
BigWords
Pain shot through her fingers as she gripped the door handle. She let go, thankful her hands weren’t numb yet. She rubbed them together. Maybe there was no use trying to get out. Even if she wanted, she’d never be able to open the door. The freak storm which had left behind several inches of ice had her trapped. The room she now occupied was a mere four degrees warmer than outside. She’d never experienced such an extreme cold. But she didn’t really mind. The rage that burned within her was enough. For now.
She could no longer walk, so she crawled across the floor in search of anything she could use to break a window and the layer of ice which covered it. If she survived, her feet would be amputated because of frostbite. Perhaps her hands would be, too. It wouldn’t be long before she could no longer use them. Still, she was determined.
Finally, she located a hammer and eased her way back to the window. Her first swing barely cracked the glass. Gritting her teeth against the pain and the cold, she swung again. And again. And again. But her arms soon gave out; the ice was thicker than she thought. Slumping against the door, she imagined him lying on the ground somewhere. Was he suffering worse than she? She hoped so as she gasped for one more breath. He deserved no less for leaving her to die.
Now, check out the following:
orion_mk3
Ralph Pines
areteus
Catherine Hall
bmadsen
pyrosama
meowzbark
BBBurke
writingismypassion (YOU ARE HERE)
wonderactivist
SuzanneSeese
randi.lee
Proach
BigWords
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
June's Absolute Write Blog Chain
Today's post is part of the Absolute Write June Blog Chain. This month's prompt is about weird worlds. Take a look at my piece of fiction below, and then take a tour of my fellow AWer's blogs to see their awesome work.
~
Luc punched the seat in front of him and cursed. “Where’d you learn to drive?”
~
Hope you enjoyed. Now check out the following:
dclary
orion_mk3
Proach
pyrosama
areteus
MelodySRV
Diana_Rajchel
writingismypassion (YOU ARE HERE)
randi.lee
magicmint
AFord
Sweetwheat
Nick Rolynd
more to come...
~
Luc punched the seat in front of him and cursed. “Where’d you learn to drive?”
Daemon, the driver, was still reeling from the collision with the golden sign and took a moment before speaking. “The glare blinded me, boss.”
Both climbed out of the vehicle and glanced around. Luc didn’t recognize the lush valley. The stillness was eerie and so unusual, so weird, but with a tint of familiarity that he couldn’t explain. “Do you at least know where we are?” he asked while rubbing his sleeve as if the sunlight would soil his suit.
A brief hesitation was met with a slap to the back of Daemon’s head. “Sure, boss, sure.” Working a kink out of his neck, Daemon added, “It’s just over that rise there. It’s got to be.”
Luc wasn’t about to go traipsing through thick, green grass. There was no telling what kind of filthy creatures could be lurking there. And the sunlight was already forcing his temples to pound. “Then get to it! I’ll be waiting.” He took his place in the back seat and closed his eyes. His nap had been interrupted, and he was hoping for a few more minutes of rest.
Knowing better than to disobey, Daemon trudged along the frightening landscape. He’d never seen such bright colors. Green grass went on for miles and tickled his feet. The clear blue sky held no clouds. And the sun. It burned his skin, but not like the piercing burns he was used to. Hoping he hadn’t botched the job too bad, he made his way over the rise and shielded his eyes with his hand. Then he screamed.
Seconds later, Luc was jerked awake by a tug on his arm. “What now?” He set his piercing eyes on his driver who was now kneeling on the ground and gnashing his teeth.
His body trembling, Daemon pleaded for mercy. “I’m sorry, boss. I didn’t mean to bring us here.”
Luc jumped out of the vehicle. The sound of a heavily clad army filled the air. A trumpet sounded. He ran to the front of the car for a better view of the sign that had fallen to the ground. The glare remained, but he was still able to read the bold letters. HEAVEN. Luc’s eyes widened until they were ready to pop out their sockets. Turning and pointing his gnarled finger at Daemon, he yelled, “You damned fool! Get us back to Hell!”
~
Hope you enjoyed. Now check out the following:
dclary
orion_mk3
Proach
pyrosama
areteus
MelodySRV
Diana_Rajchel
writingismypassion (YOU ARE HERE)
randi.lee
magicmint
AFord
Sweetwheat
Nick Rolynd
more to come...
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Accepting Constructive Criticism
My writing philosophy is this: anyone can write. However, not everyone can write well and tell a good story while doing it. Writing takes a lot of work. And one of the things a writer must be is objective. Let's be honest. We love our stories and our characters. However, we can't let our feelings overpower our objectivity. This is especially true when it comes to critiques.
I recently blogged about the novel I am working on titled REKINDLE. As I began writing, I felt the need to get the story set up properly. Thinking I was off to a great start, I continued with the story. But something felt off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I was not connecting with Kallie at all. Joey's scenes were going great, though. So each time I sat down to write, I would edit and add some more. I'd do the same thing the next night. And the next night. With just over 8,000 words (four chapters), I stopped. I couldn't go on. I am not one of those writers who can "get the story down and edit later." Yes, I edit when I've got my first draft done, but I can't keep writing when I know something is so terribly wrong.
So what did I do? I posted my first chapter at Absolute Write. After receiving some awesome advice, I deleted the first couple pages. I didn't even try to edit; I just took them out completely. I did revise the new opening scene, and guess what? The story reads better. It's not burdened by an unnecessary opening. I can connect with Kallie much better. And now I can continue. With a few minor revisions to the remaining pages, I'll be on my way.
I could have reacted differently. I could have insisted that the opening was necessary (I loved the first paragraph!) and tried to edit. I could have pleaded my case and tried to figure out something else. But I didn't. Instead, I looked at the story objectively and acted accordingly. And that is necessary for all writers to do.
I recently blogged about the novel I am working on titled REKINDLE. As I began writing, I felt the need to get the story set up properly. Thinking I was off to a great start, I continued with the story. But something felt off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I was not connecting with Kallie at all. Joey's scenes were going great, though. So each time I sat down to write, I would edit and add some more. I'd do the same thing the next night. And the next night. With just over 8,000 words (four chapters), I stopped. I couldn't go on. I am not one of those writers who can "get the story down and edit later." Yes, I edit when I've got my first draft done, but I can't keep writing when I know something is so terribly wrong.
So what did I do? I posted my first chapter at Absolute Write. After receiving some awesome advice, I deleted the first couple pages. I didn't even try to edit; I just took them out completely. I did revise the new opening scene, and guess what? The story reads better. It's not burdened by an unnecessary opening. I can connect with Kallie much better. And now I can continue. With a few minor revisions to the remaining pages, I'll be on my way.
I could have reacted differently. I could have insisted that the opening was necessary (I loved the first paragraph!) and tried to edit. I could have pleaded my case and tried to figure out something else. But I didn't. Instead, I looked at the story objectively and acted accordingly. And that is necessary for all writers to do.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
May's Absolute Write Blog Chain ~ Zombie Apocalypse
New month, new theme! During the month of May, Absolute Write's Bloggers are taking on the Zombie Apocalypse. Check out my post below, and let me know what you think. Then take a look at the other creative slayings. Thanks!
****
He peered out the window one more time before returning to his choices. There weren't many. The serrated knife with the curved blade could slice any human but wouldn't stop even the least vicious corpse. Unless he had the time to cut away the decaying flesh piece by piece. But that would take too long; there would be no time for that. Same for the machete. He needed something else, something...well, what would be deadly against a zombie? Zombies were already dead.
Something pounded on the door, drawing his attention. It wouldn't be long now. Soon the door would give way to the insatiable creatures waiting outside. He longed for a better weapon. But he wasn't locked inside his arsenal at home and only had the few items he'd been able to carry when he fled the house. He should have grabbed his shotgun at least, but she'd been too close. She. The girl he loved and had hoped to settle down with. Get your act together! he told himself as the pounding intensified. No use thinking about her when he was facing his own death. Or undeath.
The door finally broke, allowing the infected brain eaters entry to the room. He'd be cornered soon. What kind of idiot locks himself in a room with only one door anyway? There was no time to point a finger at himself. He reached for the baseball bat and locked his eyes on the zombie leading the charge. The bat wouldn't help him win the battle, he knew. Resigned to die fighting, he swung the bat, making contact with the first creature's head.
"Sorry, babe."
****
Hope you enjoyed it! Now please check out the following:
dclary
orion_mk3
randi.lee
Ralph Pines
writingismypassion (you're here; remaining links will be posted as they become available)
dclary
SinisterCola
PragmaticPimp
magicmint
SuzanneSeese
J. W. Alden
AFord
Diana_Rajchel
pyrosama
areteus
Nissie
MonkeyQueen
pangalactic
Penelope
kimberlycreates
****
He peered out the window one more time before returning to his choices. There weren't many. The serrated knife with the curved blade could slice any human but wouldn't stop even the least vicious corpse. Unless he had the time to cut away the decaying flesh piece by piece. But that would take too long; there would be no time for that. Same for the machete. He needed something else, something...well, what would be deadly against a zombie? Zombies were already dead.
Something pounded on the door, drawing his attention. It wouldn't be long now. Soon the door would give way to the insatiable creatures waiting outside. He longed for a better weapon. But he wasn't locked inside his arsenal at home and only had the few items he'd been able to carry when he fled the house. He should have grabbed his shotgun at least, but she'd been too close. She. The girl he loved and had hoped to settle down with. Get your act together! he told himself as the pounding intensified. No use thinking about her when he was facing his own death. Or undeath.
The door finally broke, allowing the infected brain eaters entry to the room. He'd be cornered soon. What kind of idiot locks himself in a room with only one door anyway? There was no time to point a finger at himself. He reached for the baseball bat and locked his eyes on the zombie leading the charge. The bat wouldn't help him win the battle, he knew. Resigned to die fighting, he swung the bat, making contact with the first creature's head.
"Sorry, babe."
****
Hope you enjoyed it! Now please check out the following:
dclary
orion_mk3
randi.lee
Ralph Pines
writingismypassion (you're here; remaining links will be posted as they become available)
dclary
SinisterCola
PragmaticPimp
magicmint
SuzanneSeese
J. W. Alden
AFord
Diana_Rajchel
pyrosama
areteus
Nissie
MonkeyQueen
pangalactic
Penelope
kimberlycreates
Friday, April 13, 2012
Absolute Write Blog Chain ~ April
Time for another Absolute Write Blog Chain post. This month's prompt is "dead bunnies." As usual, the post can be fiction or non-fiction. Check my fiction attempt below. Then check out all the other great posts from my fellow AW'ers. It's been a creative month!
She heard them calling her name, but she yanked her pillow over her head to drown out the sound. Then her eyes popped open as memories from previous years flooded her senses. After tossing the pillow to the side, she sat up in her bed and shuddered. She took her time getting ready, though; maybe they'd start without her.
"I can't stand the torture," she whispered to herself. Then she shuddered again, knowing fully well the agony was making her insane.
As much as she wanted to, there was no way to escape the cruel massacre that was to come. Her parents actually believed it to be adorable. Or was it possible they were only pretending? Perhpas they were equally frightened by the behavior and didn't know how to get her little sister the help she needed. Whatever the case, her parents allowed the mutilation to continue each year.
"Might as well get it over with." Talking to herself again. Never a good thing.
She went downstairs, each step measured by a cracking sound that echoed off the walls. Her short walk completed, she arrived in time to see her sister was already making quite the spectacle of herself.
"Come see your sister," her mom invited with a smile.
Her feet refused to move another inch. All she could do was stare at the little girl who looked more like a monster primed for its task. Her little sister, with that golden hair, could fool anyone. But innocent she was not.
Her skin crawled as she stood there. She flinched as another neck was snapped. Those poor little bunnies! How many had her parents bought this year? And the mess. Of course there'd be a mess. Her sister couldn't very well pop the heads in her mouth without getting goo all over her. Around her. And the feet! Why eat the heads and feet, yet nothing else? It was sickening really.
She fought the urge to lash out as her father set a small trash can next to her sister. They were laughing now. Yet she couldn't make one sound, not even as her mom leaned down and began cleaning up the mess. She was about to bolt to her room when her sister looked up and smiled. The remnants of the little creatures were smeared over her face. Chunks were stuck in her teeth. Her sister held her slimy hand out; a small effort to share. But it was too late. The bodies were now removed from the floor and her mom was carrying the trash can out of the room.
All that chocolate. Wasted.
Hope you were entertained. Now check these out! (Please of course.)
orion_mk3 - http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com (link to this month's post)
KatieJ - http://www.crystalwindchimes.wordpress.com/ (link to this month's post)
kiwiviktor81 - http://storygenerator.net (link to this month's post)
Nissie - http://www.paperheroes.net (link to this month's post)
SuzanneSeese - http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
pyrosama - http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
dclary - http://www.davidwclary.com/ (link to this month's post)
randi.lee - http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com (link to this month's post)
Turndog-Millionaire - http://turndog-millionaire.com/ (link to this month's post)
julzperri - http://www.fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
Penelope - http://poet-slash-writer.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
AFord - http://af12.webs.com/ (link to this month's post)
Araenvo - http://plottypus.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
writingismypassion - http://charityfaye.blogspot.com (link to this month's post)
magicmint - http://www.loneswing.com/ (link to this month's post)
Anarchicq - http://anarchicq.com/ (link to this month's post)
Ralph Pines - http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ (link to this month's post)
Whisky - http://nopart2.wordpress.com/ (link to this month's post)
She heard them calling her name, but she yanked her pillow over her head to drown out the sound. Then her eyes popped open as memories from previous years flooded her senses. After tossing the pillow to the side, she sat up in her bed and shuddered. She took her time getting ready, though; maybe they'd start without her.
"I can't stand the torture," she whispered to herself. Then she shuddered again, knowing fully well the agony was making her insane.
As much as she wanted to, there was no way to escape the cruel massacre that was to come. Her parents actually believed it to be adorable. Or was it possible they were only pretending? Perhpas they were equally frightened by the behavior and didn't know how to get her little sister the help she needed. Whatever the case, her parents allowed the mutilation to continue each year.
"Might as well get it over with." Talking to herself again. Never a good thing.
She went downstairs, each step measured by a cracking sound that echoed off the walls. Her short walk completed, she arrived in time to see her sister was already making quite the spectacle of herself.
"Come see your sister," her mom invited with a smile.
Her feet refused to move another inch. All she could do was stare at the little girl who looked more like a monster primed for its task. Her little sister, with that golden hair, could fool anyone. But innocent she was not.
Her skin crawled as she stood there. She flinched as another neck was snapped. Those poor little bunnies! How many had her parents bought this year? And the mess. Of course there'd be a mess. Her sister couldn't very well pop the heads in her mouth without getting goo all over her. Around her. And the feet! Why eat the heads and feet, yet nothing else? It was sickening really.
She fought the urge to lash out as her father set a small trash can next to her sister. They were laughing now. Yet she couldn't make one sound, not even as her mom leaned down and began cleaning up the mess. She was about to bolt to her room when her sister looked up and smiled. The remnants of the little creatures were smeared over her face. Chunks were stuck in her teeth. Her sister held her slimy hand out; a small effort to share. But it was too late. The bodies were now removed from the floor and her mom was carrying the trash can out of the room.
All that chocolate. Wasted.
Hope you were entertained. Now check these out! (Please of course.)
orion_mk3 - http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com (link to this month's post)
KatieJ - http://www.crystalwindchimes.wordpress.com/ (link to this month's post)
kiwiviktor81 - http://storygenerator.net (link to this month's post)
Nissie - http://www.paperheroes.net (link to this month's post)
SuzanneSeese - http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
pyrosama - http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
dclary - http://www.davidwclary.com/ (link to this month's post)
randi.lee - http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com (link to this month's post)
Turndog-Millionaire - http://turndog-millionaire.com/ (link to this month's post)
julzperri - http://www.fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
Penelope - http://poet-slash-writer.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
AFord - http://af12.webs.com/ (link to this month's post)
Araenvo - http://plottypus.blogspot.com/ (link to this month's post)
writingismypassion - http://charityfaye.blogspot.com (link to this month's post)
magicmint - http://www.loneswing.com/ (link to this month's post)
Anarchicq - http://anarchicq.com/ (link to this month's post)
Ralph Pines - http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ (link to this month's post)
Whisky - http://nopart2.wordpress.com/ (link to this month's post)
Monday, April 2, 2012
Back To Writing
I hope everyone made it through April Fool's Day. Yesterday morning I was browsing through posts on Facebook, and my heart went out to a family member who posted he was no longer engaged. I even left him this nice, heartfelt comment only to discover he was pranking everyone. I removed my comment and stayed off Facebook for the rest of the day.
Anyway, now that I'm in the process of putting my focus where it needs to be (my writing!), I have to make another list of agents to send Shards of Glass to. Some agents haven't responded to my previous submissions, and I'm thinking they probably aren't going to. So another round of submissions will be made hopefully by the end of this week.
As for my Freedom series, it is turning out pretty well. I'm more than halfway finished and hope to start posting the series in May. *Crossing fingers for posting sooner!*
One other note. Last month I was way too busy to participate in the Absolute Write Blog Chain, so I missed out on all that fun. But I will be returning this month. We'll be writing about dead bunnies. Should be an interesting challenge...stay tuned.
Anyway, now that I'm in the process of putting my focus where it needs to be (my writing!), I have to make another list of agents to send Shards of Glass to. Some agents haven't responded to my previous submissions, and I'm thinking they probably aren't going to. So another round of submissions will be made hopefully by the end of this week.
As for my Freedom series, it is turning out pretty well. I'm more than halfway finished and hope to start posting the series in May. *Crossing fingers for posting sooner!*
One other note. Last month I was way too busy to participate in the Absolute Write Blog Chain, so I missed out on all that fun. But I will be returning this month. We'll be writing about dead bunnies. Should be an interesting challenge...stay tuned.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
January Blog Chain ~ Winter Nightmares
Today's post is in response to the Absolute Write January Blog Chain. This month's prompt is "winter nightmares." It can be fiction or non, and mine is a true story from last year. Enjoy!
It was frighteningly cold that Tuesday night in February. Freezing rain left the roadways coated with a perilous sheet of ice, and I let out a slow breath as I pulled into my driveway unharmed. My husband and I, being used to losing power at the slightest wind, took stock of the weather as soon as I was inside. The forecast was ominous. The winter storm was threatening a large portion of the midwest along with the eastern seaboard. When the power went off the first time, we considered our options. We could stay the night with my husband's grandma, which would put us both closer to work and, therefore, make our morning drive not so horrible. Or we could take shelter at his parents' house, putting us fifteen miles further from our jobs. As the power kicked back on, we dared to think we would be okay. Perhaps we could just stay home.
As the lights flicked off and the house became silent once more, we grew anxious. Could we make it one night without power? It was just one night. Time passed, and we knew the power was not coming on anytime soon. We can make it one night. But our entire house ran on electricity, and we had none. The electric stove would be of no use for making dinner. The electric water pump which piped water from our well was disabled. And the water in our electric water heater would soon grow cold and drain itself at the first flush of a toilet. What could have been our saving grace was the fireplace, but the only wood we had was already buried outside underneath an inch of ice. The wind howled and the drops of ice beat against the roof as we made a decision to head to my husband's grandma's. We called to give her the news, but alas! Her power was out now, too.
We packed our bags and gathered our dog's necessities, prepared to seek warmth from my husband's parents' house instead. We locked our doors and drove away, certain we'd be home the next morning. My husband's 4WD truck could not get him to work the next day, and he called me. "You are NOT going to work today." If his truck couldn't go 32 miles, my little front wheel drive car would not go 55 miles.
Later that day we attempted a trip to our house. Chickens depended on us for food and water. We cared for them the best we could and drained our faucets of what little water they held so no pipes would freeze. Then we returned to my in-law's home.
We were without electricity for five days. Each day we checked on our house, and our chickens, and each day I fell on the ice covered snow. It became comical. I slipped fourteen times in one day. Thankfully I was never hurt. When we were able to return home, I was grateful it hadn't been worse. Some people were still without power. And at least we had had somewhere to go.
Check out this month's other participants and their posts:
orion_mk3
MamaStrong
pyrosama
TurndogMillionaire
Alpha Echo
LilGreenBookworm
Domoviye
kimberlycreates
writingismypassion (you are here)
SuzanneSeese
Diana_Rajchel
Ralph Pines
Alynza
Literateparakeet
in one
Tomspy77
Inkstrokes
kiwiviktor81
more to come, check back soon...
It was frighteningly cold that Tuesday night in February. Freezing rain left the roadways coated with a perilous sheet of ice, and I let out a slow breath as I pulled into my driveway unharmed. My husband and I, being used to losing power at the slightest wind, took stock of the weather as soon as I was inside. The forecast was ominous. The winter storm was threatening a large portion of the midwest along with the eastern seaboard. When the power went off the first time, we considered our options. We could stay the night with my husband's grandma, which would put us both closer to work and, therefore, make our morning drive not so horrible. Or we could take shelter at his parents' house, putting us fifteen miles further from our jobs. As the power kicked back on, we dared to think we would be okay. Perhaps we could just stay home.
As the lights flicked off and the house became silent once more, we grew anxious. Could we make it one night without power? It was just one night. Time passed, and we knew the power was not coming on anytime soon. We can make it one night. But our entire house ran on electricity, and we had none. The electric stove would be of no use for making dinner. The electric water pump which piped water from our well was disabled. And the water in our electric water heater would soon grow cold and drain itself at the first flush of a toilet. What could have been our saving grace was the fireplace, but the only wood we had was already buried outside underneath an inch of ice. The wind howled and the drops of ice beat against the roof as we made a decision to head to my husband's grandma's. We called to give her the news, but alas! Her power was out now, too.
We packed our bags and gathered our dog's necessities, prepared to seek warmth from my husband's parents' house instead. We locked our doors and drove away, certain we'd be home the next morning. My husband's 4WD truck could not get him to work the next day, and he called me. "You are NOT going to work today." If his truck couldn't go 32 miles, my little front wheel drive car would not go 55 miles.
Later that day we attempted a trip to our house. Chickens depended on us for food and water. We cared for them the best we could and drained our faucets of what little water they held so no pipes would freeze. Then we returned to my in-law's home.
We were without electricity for five days. Each day we checked on our house, and our chickens, and each day I fell on the ice covered snow. It became comical. I slipped fourteen times in one day. Thankfully I was never hurt. When we were able to return home, I was grateful it hadn't been worse. Some people were still without power. And at least we had had somewhere to go.
Check out this month's other participants and their posts:
orion_mk3
MamaStrong
pyrosama
TurndogMillionaire
Alpha Echo
LilGreenBookworm
Domoviye
kimberlycreates
writingismypassion (you are here)
SuzanneSeese
Diana_Rajchel
Ralph Pines
Alynza
Literateparakeet
in one
Tomspy77
Inkstrokes
kiwiviktor81
more to come, check back soon...
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
December Blog Chain
Today's post is part of the Absolute Write December Blog Chain. This month's prompt: Home for the holidays. Write about a holiday memory. It can be fiction or non-fiction.
I have chosen both fiction and non-fiction. The following story is based on three Christmas traditions we had when I was growing up, which I hope to continue when I have kids. Those traditions are:
~Making cookies
~Placing the baby Jesus in the nativity scene on Christmas Eve
~Eating cake for breakfast and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus
After reading, please check out the links for the other participants in this month's blog chain. Enjoy!
The whole family was celebrating Christmas at Grandma’s this year. When everybody was there on Christmas Eve, my cousins and I surrounded Grandma’s table, eager to start baking cookies. I sat impatiently as Grandma rolled the cookie dough out for us. As soon as she was done, I grabbed a star-shaped cookie cutter and got started.
“I want that one,” my cousin Jessie whined.
I glanced up from the table. Jessie wasn’t talking to me; she was fighting with her brother Joey. Grandma reached for the tree-shaped cookie cutter my two cousins were having a tug of war with. “Can’t you two learn to share?” Grandma asked.
I went back to work on my cookies, thankful my cousins didn’t care about the star, but I was sad, too. I liked the star because it made me think of the star that shone in the sky the night baby Jesus was born. I wished my cousins understood the true meaning of Christmas.
Once we had a few cookie sheets full of decorated cookie dough, Grandma put them in the oven. The smell of sugar cookies soon filled the house. My cousins and I went to play in the back living room while the cookies baked.
“Hey, it’s missing something.”
Jessie and I looked up from our game to see what Joey was talking about. He was studying the manger scene on Grandma’s table. Jessie stood and went over to her brother. “Hey, the baby’s gone!”
“Well duh!” Joey replied. “I said something was missing.”
“Baby Jesus isn’t supposed to be there yet,” I replied, remaining on the floor. “Grandma let’s me put him there before we go to bed. Because Jesus was born on Christmas.”
Each of them rolled their eyes at me. “Who cares when he was born? I just want the presents!” Joey stated.
Jessie nodded in agreement. “I wonder what Santa will bring us?”
I just shook my head. Jesus was more important than Santa. Didn’t they know that?
Grandma wouldn’t let us eat any cookies until after dinner. Joey and Jessie ate a whole pan full, but I only ate a couple. I didn’t want to go to bed with a full tummy because I wanted to have plenty of room for the birthday cake. I was helping grandma put the frosting on it when Joey and Jessie ran into the kitchen. “We get cake too?” Jessie asked.
“Not so fast,” Grandma replied, pulling Joey’s hand away from the cake. He still managed to get a scoop of frosting on his finger, and he licked it greedily. “That’s for breakfast.”
“We get cake for breakfast? Cool!” Joey said.
“Mommy and Daddy never let us eat dessert for breakfast!” Jessie added.
“Well tomorrow is a special day. Tomorrow is the day we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. And this cake is for Him.”
I nodded happily. Jesus’ birthday was the best day ever. My cousins shrugged as if the reason for the cake didn’t matter, but it mattered to me. And when I went to bed later, I looked out the window and stared at the sky. “Thank you, Jesus.”
Here is a list of the other participants:
orion_mk3
Ralph Pines
pyrosama
AbielleRose
Domoviye
areteus
Alynza
SuzanneSeese
robeiae
MamaStrong
Kimberlycreates
darnzen
LilGreenBookworm
AuburnAssassin
more to be added...
I have chosen both fiction and non-fiction. The following story is based on three Christmas traditions we had when I was growing up, which I hope to continue when I have kids. Those traditions are:
~Making cookies
~Placing the baby Jesus in the nativity scene on Christmas Eve
~Eating cake for breakfast and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus
After reading, please check out the links for the other participants in this month's blog chain. Enjoy!
The whole family was celebrating Christmas at Grandma’s this year. When everybody was there on Christmas Eve, my cousins and I surrounded Grandma’s table, eager to start baking cookies. I sat impatiently as Grandma rolled the cookie dough out for us. As soon as she was done, I grabbed a star-shaped cookie cutter and got started.
“I want that one,” my cousin Jessie whined.
I glanced up from the table. Jessie wasn’t talking to me; she was fighting with her brother Joey. Grandma reached for the tree-shaped cookie cutter my two cousins were having a tug of war with. “Can’t you two learn to share?” Grandma asked.
I went back to work on my cookies, thankful my cousins didn’t care about the star, but I was sad, too. I liked the star because it made me think of the star that shone in the sky the night baby Jesus was born. I wished my cousins understood the true meaning of Christmas.
Once we had a few cookie sheets full of decorated cookie dough, Grandma put them in the oven. The smell of sugar cookies soon filled the house. My cousins and I went to play in the back living room while the cookies baked.
“Hey, it’s missing something.”
Jessie and I looked up from our game to see what Joey was talking about. He was studying the manger scene on Grandma’s table. Jessie stood and went over to her brother. “Hey, the baby’s gone!”
“Well duh!” Joey replied. “I said something was missing.”
“Baby Jesus isn’t supposed to be there yet,” I replied, remaining on the floor. “Grandma let’s me put him there before we go to bed. Because Jesus was born on Christmas.”
Each of them rolled their eyes at me. “Who cares when he was born? I just want the presents!” Joey stated.
Jessie nodded in agreement. “I wonder what Santa will bring us?”
I just shook my head. Jesus was more important than Santa. Didn’t they know that?
Grandma wouldn’t let us eat any cookies until after dinner. Joey and Jessie ate a whole pan full, but I only ate a couple. I didn’t want to go to bed with a full tummy because I wanted to have plenty of room for the birthday cake. I was helping grandma put the frosting on it when Joey and Jessie ran into the kitchen. “We get cake too?” Jessie asked.
“Not so fast,” Grandma replied, pulling Joey’s hand away from the cake. He still managed to get a scoop of frosting on his finger, and he licked it greedily. “That’s for breakfast.”
“We get cake for breakfast? Cool!” Joey said.
“Mommy and Daddy never let us eat dessert for breakfast!” Jessie added.
“Well tomorrow is a special day. Tomorrow is the day we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. And this cake is for Him.”
I nodded happily. Jesus’ birthday was the best day ever. My cousins shrugged as if the reason for the cake didn’t matter, but it mattered to me. And when I went to bed later, I looked out the window and stared at the sky. “Thank you, Jesus.”
Here is a list of the other participants:
orion_mk3
Ralph Pines
pyrosama
AbielleRose
Domoviye
areteus
Alynza
SuzanneSeese
robeiae
MamaStrong
Kimberlycreates
darnzen
LilGreenBookworm
AuburnAssassin
more to be added...
Saturday, November 12, 2011
November Blog Chain
This is my first time participating in the Absolute Write Blog Chain. There is a different prompt for each month, and November's is writing a back cover blurb for a book that has been written or is planned to be written.
My blurb is from my current WIP, Shattered Innocence (working title). The genre is Christian Fiction. After the blurb you will find a list of this month's participants. Feel free to click on their links to check out their blurbs. Enjoy!
With so much to keep hidden, making friends is difficult for ten year old Emily. If not for Nicky, the boy next door, Emily would have nobody to trust or turn to when her parents are fighting. As Emily grows up, she depends on her best friend, and his Christian home becomes her safe haven. It is there she learns God is not just a word thrown out in anger.
As the line between friendship and something more begins to blur, Nicky prepares to leave for college, and Emily must accept that his dreams may not include her. With Nicky away at school, Emily tries to hold her life together. Desperate to escape for just a little while, she makes a decision that will turn her world upside down. Scared and ashamed, she keeps the truth from Nicky until she's left with no choice but to call him. He rushes home to be with her, but she'll have to place her trust in someone else before she can begin picking up the pieces of her shattered life.
There it is. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think. And just as an FYI, I'm thinking about changing the title to Shards of Glass. I like the imagery and symbolism of that much better.
Here are the other participants links:
orion_mk3
Ralph Pines
MysteryRiter
AuburnAssassin
Jarrah Dale
SinisterCola
dolores haze
pyrosama
alynza
writingismypassion (you are here)
Cath
Inkstrokes
egoodlett
LadyDae
SuzanneSeese
more to come as they become available
My blurb is from my current WIP, Shattered Innocence (working title). The genre is Christian Fiction. After the blurb you will find a list of this month's participants. Feel free to click on their links to check out their blurbs. Enjoy!
***
With so much to keep hidden, making friends is difficult for ten year old Emily. If not for Nicky, the boy next door, Emily would have nobody to trust or turn to when her parents are fighting. As Emily grows up, she depends on her best friend, and his Christian home becomes her safe haven. It is there she learns God is not just a word thrown out in anger.
As the line between friendship and something more begins to blur, Nicky prepares to leave for college, and Emily must accept that his dreams may not include her. With Nicky away at school, Emily tries to hold her life together. Desperate to escape for just a little while, she makes a decision that will turn her world upside down. Scared and ashamed, she keeps the truth from Nicky until she's left with no choice but to call him. He rushes home to be with her, but she'll have to place her trust in someone else before she can begin picking up the pieces of her shattered life.
***
There it is. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think. And just as an FYI, I'm thinking about changing the title to Shards of Glass. I like the imagery and symbolism of that much better.
Here are the other participants links:
orion_mk3
Ralph Pines
MysteryRiter
AuburnAssassin
Jarrah Dale
SinisterCola
dolores haze
pyrosama
alynza
writingismypassion (you are here)
Cath
Inkstrokes
egoodlett
LadyDae
SuzanneSeese
more to come as they become available
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