Monthly Archives: March 2022

March 30, 2022 · 12:01 AM

Wednesday Words #379 (3/30/2022)

Welcome to Wednesday Words!  Every Wednesday I will post some sort of prompt for a flash fiction piece.  The prompt will go live just after midnight Eastern time.

The prompt might be a picture, or it might be a list of things to include in a story, or maybe a phrase or a question or something from a “news of the weird” type thing, or a… who knows?

After that, it’s up to you.  But if you do use the prompt to write a bit of flash fiction (say, 500 words or so) I’d love to see what you came up with, so comment below with a link to where it is on your blog (or on WattPad or wherever).

(And a pingback to the post here where you found the prompt would be appreciated but isn’t necessary.)

Oh, and this isn’t a contest or anything.  It’s just a (hopefully) fun thing for all concerned.

And, hey, if it inspires more than 500 or so words, run with it!

This week’s prompt:

a barn
a bouquet
soup

And, as always, I’d love to see what you come up with!

 

 

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March 28, 2022 · 7:15 PM

Almost Live

This post is coming to you semi-live from a hospital room. I got really short of breath on Saturday, and the nurse I was supposed to be relieving basically told me to go to the ER on my own or she was calling an ambulance.

So I went home, got some stuff together, and went to the ER where I was promptly admitted because my blood count was about half of what it should be.

The evil day job isn’t happy.

Neither am I. I’m horrible for getting IVs into and then the vein blows within a day. Not to mention the daily blood draws. I am so bruised…

All this time to do nothing, you’d think I’d have gotten a lot of writing done. You’d have thought wrong. There is no way to get the over the bed table and the bed adjusted to create a comfortable height for typing. I’ve been managing to plug along on my hundred words a day, but that’s about it.

Hopefully I’ll get out of here tomorrow.

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March 27, 2022 · 12:01 AM

Sunday Snippet, March 27, 2022

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Picking up from last week’s post from a fantasy WiP tentatively titled Wild Worker.  By the way, if anyone has missed previous posts and is curious, just use the calendar in the upper right over there to navigate to them.

He was still muttering about the Shenarian Cult when she had changed clothes, and continued as they walked to the pub. Ciana fervently hoped that once they got there he’d go off with a bunch of his friends and either vent to them or at least end the evening in a better mood.

The Lucky Hammer was patronized almost entirely by men. Wealthy men. Most of them owned the mines that produced the precious metals that her father used in his work. It was here that he did most of his bargaining and deal-making.

Her grandfather, however, had introduced her to some other merchants, and tomorrow when she went to market she would take a side trip to purchase the materials needed for Emella’s order. And, since those merchants were friends of her grandfather but not overly fond of her father, perhaps she could mention her name and see if they knew of her. 

“Emien!” Someone called out in greeting. “How is the jewelry business?”

“Good enough to buy the house a round of stout,” he replied, nodding to the barkeeper.

“And when are you marrying off that pretty daughter of yours?”

“He’s not,” Ciana replied. “I’m considering restarting the Cult of Shenaria.”

A burst of laughter met her reply and her father had no choice but to join in, although she knew he’d likely be taking her to task for it later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

 

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March 26, 2022 · 7:21 PM

Rainbow Snippet for 3-26-2022

rainbow logo 1

Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, bloggers, and readers to gather once a week and share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).  Check out all the other awesome snippets by clicking on the picture above.

This snippet picks up from last week’s, from my still unnamed FF vampire novel. It’s also extremely raw (as in I’m pretty much writing this for Rainbow Snippet posts until I get the first draft of a different novel finished) so never mind any head-hopping you’ll see in any snippets. Sam has called her sister for help.

Celia laughed and hooked Sam’s arm with hers, turning her toward the store. “Come on, let’s get you all dolled up. How was she dressed?”

As Sam described the clothes Olivia had been wearing Celia opened the door to the shop. “Sounds about right,” she said, ushering her inside. “I’ve seen people waiting to get inside and it pretty much matches the stuff they were wearing.”

“I have to dress like that?”

“Well, you can’t go in jeans and T shirt.”

“Are you sure?”

But Celia had abandoned her to greet the shop’s owner.

“Linda, this is my sister, Sam,” she said, motioning for Sam to join them. “She got invited to Evernight and has nothing to wear.”

 

 

 

 

 

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March 25, 2022 · 8:35 PM

Daydreaming Reality

So, I’ve struggled through two days of the evil day job. They weren’t too bad, actually. Tomorrow I’ve picked up a shift at another assignment and I’m kind of already regretting it. (I picked up every Saturday in April, too, and Easter Sunday. At least my checkbook will be happy.)

My arms aren’t as sore as they were, but it still hurts to drive. I’m going to give them a couple more days to sort themselves out and then if steering is still an issue I’ll take my car to the garage to have them check the power steering fluid and belt.

At some point on the bus ride today I was working through a scene in my head. (I don’t remember for what – I tend to do that multiple times a day.) Anyhow, the scene was so vivid that when someone said something to me and I snapped back to reality it was really disorienting. Fortunately, I don’t normally do that if I’m driving, but it’s still a little scary how out of touch with “reality” I can get.

Now, if I could only get those vivid scenes down on paper – or pixels.

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March 23, 2022 · 12:01 AM

Wednesday Words #378 (3/23/2022)

Welcome to Wednesday Words!  Every Wednesday I will post some sort of prompt for a flash fiction piece.  The prompt will go live just after midnight Eastern time.

The prompt might be a picture, or it might be a list of things to include in a story, or maybe a phrase or a question or something from a “news of the weird” type thing, or a… who knows?

After that, it’s up to you.  But if you do use the prompt to write a bit of flash fiction (say, 500 words or so) I’d love to see what you came up with, so comment below with a link to where it is on your blog (or on WattPad or wherever).

(And a pingback to the post here where you found the prompt would be appreciated but isn’t necessary.)

Oh, and this isn’t a contest or anything.  It’s just a (hopefully) fun thing for all concerned.

And, hey, if it inspires more than 500 or so words, run with it!

This week’s prompt:

an origami star
windchimes
a ship

And, as always, I’d love to see what you come up with!

 

 

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March 21, 2022 · 9:24 PM

Ouch

Someone just needs to shoot me and put me out of my misery.

Last night I got “stuck” in the bathtub. (And somehow clunked my head on the back of it – no bruise yet but I’m sure I’ll have one soon enough. It’ll match the one on my jaw/chin from face-planting on the garbage can last week.)

I’m beginning to think that weekends are hazardous to my health.

We ended up having to call EMS for a lift assist, but at least they got me out.

Part of the problem was that in trying to get out I over-stressed my upper arms and they refused to help anymore. I think I pinched a nerve in my right arm, too, as it was tingling all the way down to my fingers and has a very limited range of motion. Made it to the chiropractor and he gave me an excuse for today and tomorrow, so (since Wednesday is my day off) I don’t go back to the evil day job until Thursday. With any luck I’ll have more movement and strength in my arms by then. And better range of motion in my hips. (I have another appointment with him on Wednesday morning.)

Right now, it hurts to drive, walk, even type. (My left arm hurts too, but not as much as my right one. I took ibuprofen a while ago but it doesn’t seem to be helping much.)

I should probably call my aunt. She lives in Virginia so won’t be much help, but she’ll get a laugh out of this which will make me laugh. (Her accidents are the stuff of legends.)

So, today I’ve mostly watched movies. I’m going to do my 100 words and watch another one. (Movies are safe. I don’t have to use my arms or legs, or stand up, or do any of the other 101 things that my body is currently convinced are impossible.)

Stay safe and upright, everyone.

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March 20, 2022 · 12:01 AM

Sunday Snippet, March 20, 2022

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Picking up from last week’s post from a fantasy WiP tentatively titled Wild Worker.  

“An old woman came in this morning while you were out and asked me to make some jewelry for her to gift to her granddaughter. She picked out the designs, gave me some raw gems to work with, and was very clear that I was to do it, not you.”

“And why is that?”

Ciana shrugged. “I don’t know. She didn’t say exactly. She saw my design doodles and liked them, and insisted that I be the one to do everything with the making of the pieces. Maybe she’s a member of the cult of Shenaria.”

Her father snorted. “There are no more Shenarians. Get that silly nonsense out of your head. Crazy bunch of women who thought that anything touched by a man was profane.”

 

 

 

Find more great reading
at the Sunday Snippet group.

 

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March 19, 2022 · 12:01 AM

Rainbow Snippet for 3-19-2022

rainbow logo 1

Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, bloggers, and readers to gather once a week and share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).  Check out all the other awesome snippets by clicking on the picture above.

This snippet picks up from last week’s, from my still unnamed FF vampire novel. It’s also extremely raw (as in I’m pretty much writing this for Rainbow Snippet posts until I get the first draft of a different novel finished) so never mind any head-hopping you’ll see in any snippets. Sam has called her sister for help.

“Olivia Elder! She’s the owner of Evernight. They say she’s at the club every night but that she’s very reclusive.”

Sam shrugged. “She seemed nice. And she seemed like she wanted me to come to the club. She gave me a business card and said to show it to the doorman and I’d be admitted.”

Celia shook her head. “You’ve never shown any interest in clubbing before.”

“I’m still not interested in clubbing. Just in the club’s owner.” She looked toward the store and sighed. “Even if it means I have to wear… whatever it is you wear to clubs.”

 

 

 

 

 

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March 18, 2022 · 8:25 PM

Happy Stuff

Welcome to the weekend!

Demon Dog and the Diva did a few zoomies in the basement last night, and then he actually ran about halfway up the basement stairs. He hasn’t run on the stairs in two weeks, so to say I was thrilled is an understatement.

Tomorrow night I’m going to crate the Diva and let Demon Dog sleep with me. I don’t want them both up there right now because they like to play King of the Mountain (with the bed as the mountain) and I don’t think he’s ready for that yet.

And I’m waiting until tomorrow because my roommate will be away. If I do it tonight he’s likely to jump down off the bed when she gets home and I want him to not overdo it.

So, that’s my happiest news of the week.

In Evil Day Job news, I picked up a bunch of Saturday shifts at a group home next month, which will nicely cover for my Wednesdays off from the bus run. Full pay checks and not sacrificing my mental health. What’s not to love about that?

So, all in all, life is pretty good, even if it is supposed to rain this weekend.

And spring is coming! We could still get some snow here and there, but my crocuses are blooming and that makes me happy. And all of the soft serve places are starting to open for the season.

And writing is still chugging along. My accountability partner (the one who is reading my hundred words a day) is full of theories about what’s happening in Song and Shadow, so that’s kind of fun. Tonight’s hundred words won’t be for that, though; they’ll be a continuation of the still unnamed FF vampire novel so I have a post for Rainbow Snippets tomorrow.

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