One of the greatest compliments I have ever received was from a colleague who had just read one of my sarcastic emails sent to inform the rest of the staff about something unimportant. Sue: “You will never get away with sending an anonymous letter.” Me: “Whaddya mean?” Sue: “Because I don’t even have to look at…
Here is what I imagine could have happened as Stephen King was planning to write Joyland: Okay. I like amusement parks. I should think of a certain ride that is likely to terrify lots of people. I know – the ferris wheel. I’m seeing a struggle on that ride, and it stalls. Two people are…
I recently received a rather unexpected comment on something I had written, and I think I did a good job of responding politely. Like most writers, I greatly look forward to comments, either positive or negative. Naturally, we like the positive nods because it means, usually, we did something well. I pause with usually…
Don’t get me wrong – I like death, but death has limits and needs reasons. Without motive and a ground work, death is no more interesting than a flat tire or a carnival that closes early because the rains arrived. As goes for death, the same goes for the paranormal, demonic, and unexplained things that…
“Every good writer has been told – Show, don’t tell. And every bad writer needs to be told again.” – a guy named Eddie There are a million people looking for writing advice and another million ready to provide it. However, just because someone offers something doesn’t mean that the something is worth taking. Just…
There are many “wrongs” in Philomena. You can debate them politically or rank them in degrees of more or less “wrong,” but only two thing matter. First, none of the wrongs can be undone. Second, when one learns of a “wrong” that has been done, what do you do next? Do you learn? Do you…
When asked, I don’t normally participate in round-robin, tag team kind of things unless there’s a good reason. Sometimes the reason is not what was asked but who asked. Whom asked. By whom it was asked. Dammit. In this case, I was asked by the lovely, talented tease by the name of Dana, aka, DCT designs,…
Every Wednesday Randi Wisoff-Fields posts a picture prompt challenging writers to create a 100-word story, poem, or whatever works for you. After posting your work on your blog, go back to her site and add your link on her Friday Fictioneers post. Place. Page. Give it a shot. I prefer to stick to 100 words, but she doesn’t mind either…
Every Wednesday Redwood Wisoff-Fields posts a picture prompt challenging writers to create a 100-word story, poem, or whatever works for you. After posting your work on your blog, go back to her site and add your link on her Friday Fictioneers post. Place. Page. Give it a shot. I prefer to stick to 100 words, but she doesn’t mind…
Faith If it had been only the first or second time Burt had rung for the nurse, he wouldn’t have been as upset. Five unanswered rings was too much. He had tried every angle of his tongue, the corners of a sugar packet, and a chewed-off fingernail, yet nothing dislodged the shred of…
brainsnorts inc. 