Direction #WritePhoto

 

 

“No, no. That’s east. I’m sure of it.” Angela looked back at the three strangers she’d managed to pick up along her travels.

The tall, ginger-haired boy tilted his head. “I think that’s west.”

“North,” the little girl toddled up next to him. “South!”

Ginger-hair sidestepped the girl, giving Angela a look. “Why did we bring her?”

Skinny girl punched his arm, “Shit, she’s a baby. We couldn’t leave her. What’s wrong with you?”

Ginger-hair rubbed his arm then shrugged, “Kids are sticky and loud.”

“Okay,” Angela took a breath, blowing it out loudly. “Enough. We go that way. With the little girl.”

“Which way?” Skinny girl asked. “You’re flailing your arms around and expecting us to know what you mean. Also, let’s not forget we don’t know where the hell we’re going and no one agrees on…anything, actually. And can we give the girl a name at least?”

“Toward the sunrise,” Angela said.

“Sunset,” Ginger-hair corrected.

“Dammit!” Skinny girl flung her hand at the nearby house, “I’ll say it again. It’s right there. A house. Signs of life. Possible help. No-brainer. And, fine, I’ll give her a name. She’s…Pam.”

Now-Pam yelled, “Pam!” Skinny girl smirked. Ginger-hair did not. Angela opened her mouth to argue and Now-Pam lowered her voice, “no house.”

“It’s right there, squirt,” Skinny girl pointed. “See?”

“See?” Now-Pam poked her stubby finger to the branches seemingly growing out of the roof.

“Huh,” Ginger-hair said. “I don’t remember that tree being there.”

Angela backed away, “It wasn’t.”

“No tree,” Now-Pam said. “Bad house. Run.”

 

 

 

My attempt at #writephoto, a weekly writing prompt for poetry/flash/short stories hosted by Sue Vincent

 

 

TBR Piles Plot Your Demise 📚 🔪 😱

Most of us have an unmanageable TBR pile. Some of us aren’t reading quickly enough to put a dent in it. A lot of us are adding to it. It’s pretty simple mathematics or statistics or physics (I don’t know how those work). And the truth is…it’s going to eventually kill you.

Logic:

If you have a pile of unread books and you’re not reading them, they will sit on your shelf. If you’re buying more books, those will squish in alongside the books you already have on the shelf. If you continue to get new books, they will sit on top of the books you have, then in front of the books you have, possibly spilling over onto a nearby table (or four) and onto the floor. When you are hopping over hardcovers and ducking under paperbacks, you know you’ve lost control. Your love of books has blinded you and now it is too late. (You have literary Gremlins.) These books simply cannot stay perched atop the precarious pile any longer. Whether they trap you in a corner, suffocate you, or come crashing down on your head…they will eventually kill you.

Math:

Word problems are fun. (See what I did there? You know, because a toppling TBR pile is a problem. With words. Get it? Okay, let’s go.) There are 1000 books on your shelf. 1 book is taken off the shelf and read. 20 more books are purchased and added to the shelf. 5 books are taken off the shelf and read. 10 are received as gifts (lucky you) then 25 more books are purchased and 5 read. (If you subtract 1 from 1000 then add 20 then subtract 5 then add 10 and add another 25, then subtract 5 they actually defy the laws of math and multiply…and eventually kill you.)

Story:

Once upon a time, people and books lived together in harmony. They got along swimmingly. They were similar in a lot of ways and respected each other. After some indeterminate amount of time had passed (because this is too short to get into the history of it all), people forgot that books had feelings. People treated books poorly, bending their pages, breaking their spines, piling them in stacks on the floor, and, worst of all, leaving them to gather dust. The books felt unloved, neglected, and angry. Those tricky YA trilogies, dastardly detective novels, and sneaky mysteries gathered fellow books for a revolt. People began to get that uneasy sensation of being watched. Began to imagine books were glaring at them from shelves, tables, and floors. Under the careful watch of sweet romances (they’re the ringleaders), deadly plots were hatched (pun completely intended), and plans were carried out. Moral: TBR piles will eventually kill you.

Story in Emojis:

📚 😊

📚📚 😍

📚📚📚 😟

📚📚📚📚 😳

📚📚📚📚📚 🔪 😱

📚📚📚📚📚 🔪 💀

This silliness is in response to Diana’s awesome writing prompt about TBR piles. Check out her post here:

Diana’s awesome writing prompt

Featured On the Reef ~ The Roses Mini Sagas @RosesMiniSagas

On the Reef is a series featuring fabulous indie authors from around the blogosphere and beyond. Titles, covers, and blurbs that catch my eye, new releases, great reads… Basically, authors I’d like to highlight and works I’d like to share with my fellow book-loving word nerds. Happy Reading!

Featured

The Roses Mini Sagas Anthology Edited by Georgia Rose & Sally-Rose Runham

Could you write a story in fifty words? This is the challenge set by the Roses Mini Saga Competition. Fifty words, no more, no less. Included in this book are the winners, and all other entries from the 2020 competition…

We dare you to challenge yourself and look forward to receiving your entry.

You can get your copy here: 🙂

Universal Link 

Anthology of mini saga stories of exactly fifty words, with a beginning, middle and end, telling a story in a few succinct words. Stories have an element of time passing, and show a message or things happening. Stories arranged in themes including nature, life cycles, timeless love, relationships, courage and resilience and treating people with respect, taking care not to make a wrong first impression. Themes of all mini sagas include Nature, Life Cycles, Philosophy, Trauma and Long-lasting love. Easy to read stories for those who find long books too tough. Not particularly easy to write short stories, but provide a real challenge helping us to develop our capability at creative writing. Themes cover dementia, loss of memory, the pandemic, lockdown, a changed word after the pandemic, pubs opening, beautiful descriptions of nature and wildlife, angst at cyclists travelling on pavements, joys of crafts and baking, raising difficult teenagers, love that lasts throughout life, unusual relationships, tragic events.

You can get your copy here: 🙂

Universal Link 

About Roses Mini Sagas:

What is a Mini Saga?

A mini saga is a fun way to tell a story in 50 words exactly, with a title of no more than 16 words.

It should have a beginning, a middle and an end, and some period of time should pass through the story.

It should have gravity. That’s to say, it should make a point which has some drama or psychological truth. It must aim, in fact, to be a saga in miniature.

The 2022 round of entries opens the 10th December 2021.

The Roses Mini Saga Anthologies

Check out the guidelines here: The Roses Mini Sagas Anthology Rules & Guidlines

On the Reef: The Shark’s Friday Feature 

Featured On the Reef ~ J.D. Estrada @JDEstradawriter

On the Reef is a series featuring fabulous indie authors from around the blogosphere and beyond. Titles, covers, and blurbs that catch my eye, new releases, great reads… Basically, authors I’d like to highlight and works I’d like to share with my fellow book-loving word nerds. Happy Reading!

New Release

Rhymes from the Wicked Nursery by J.D.Estrada

Rhymes from the Wicked Nursery is a poetry collection full of verses that will definitely not go gently into the night. So tuck in, keep a night light handy, and read at your own risk.

This is JD Estrada’s 18th release. He really hopes it keeps you up at night while feeling bad at the things that make you giggle.

You can get your copy here: 🙂😈

Amazon US | Amazon UK

About JD:

After years working in advertising, J.D. Estrada decided there were better ways to write fiction. Born on August 13th, he shares birthdays with Alfred Hitchcock and Fidel Castro… an interesting coincidence since his mom is Cuban and he loves a good story.

Truth be told, he always dreamt about being an inventor, he just didn’t know he’d end up doing it using words. Where some people choose to invent new products, he has chosen to invent worlds through words.

An avid reader of Science Fiction and Fantasy, throughout his life, he’s always loved writing and connecting with people. Mind you, although he loves those genres, his reading tastes are as eclectic as his musical passions. So from rock to salsa to classical music, he also reads and writes in a variety of genres and is just as satisfied writing a review or a poem as he is in writing his next novel.

His favorite band is Pearl Jam, he was born in Puerto Rico, he bodyboards and to him, playing a guitar is as therapeutic as a notebook.

He hopes you are doing well and that you enjoy your visit to any of the literary planets he has lovingly crafted.

Website / Blog
Amazon Author Page (Please check out his other books here)

On the Reef: The Shark’s Friday Feature 

Featured On the Reef ~ Allie Potts @alliepottswrite

On the Reef is a series featuring fabulous indie authors from around the blogosphere and beyond. Titles, covers, and blurbs that catch my eye, new releases, great reads… Basically, authors I’d like to highlight and works I’d like to share with my fellow book-loving word nerds. Happy Reading!

New Release

Project Gene Assist: The Complete Series by Allie Potts

Project Gene Assist: The Complete Series combines all three books in the Project Gene Assist series into a single, omnibus volume that will leave you thinking about the next era of human evolution.

Book one: The Fair & Foul details how the road to the end of the world is paved with good intentions. A source of unlimited clean water, the cure for cancer; these are just some problems researcher and programmer, Juliane Faris, knows humanity could solve if only they just had access to the right information, and processing information is what Juliane does best. Given the opportunity to unlock superhuman abilities of the human brain, Juliane jumps at the chance to merge her mind with technology, even if it means trusting the egocentric Alan Dronigh with more than her life.

Book two: The Watch & Wand takes place fifteen years later. Civilization has broken down leaving law and order to be defined by those left behind. Stephen knows he should be grateful to have lived through society’s fall, but can’t help wishing his life was more than survival until he meets a girl on the run from a group known as the Watch. Now, caught between rival factions with their own hidden agendas, Stephen has no choice but to go on a mission to reclaim a piece of missing technology.

Book three: Lies & Legacy brings Juliane and Stephen’s stories together. Juliane’s woken to a post-apocalyptic world with large gaps in her memory. Plagued by guilt, Stephen longs to sleep without being haunted by the faces of those he’s lost. Both are seeking more than answers. Meanwhile, the new world has created an opportunity for those seeking power to step in and take control. On one side, are the Sorcerers, a group of super-humans whose telepathic-like abilities come at a terrible price. On the other–an elite squad of genetically modified individuals who are now more beast than man. Juliane is on a mission to reclaim her legacy. Stephen is out to save his soul. Can either stop the upcoming war before it destroys what’s left of humankind? In this struggle for survival of the fittest, they may have to find a way to save themselves first.

Available for preorder. Delivered to your kindle November 16th!

You can get your copy here: 🙂

Universal Link 

About Allie:

Allie Potts, born in Rochester Minnesota was moved to North Carolina at a very early age by parents eager to escape to a more forgiving climate. She has since continued to call North Carolina home, settling in 1998 in Raleigh, halfway between the mountains and the sea.

When not finding ways to squeeze in 72 hours into a 24-hour day or chasing after children determined to turn her hair gray before its time, Allie enjoys stories of all kinds. Her favorites, whether they are novels, film, or simply shared aloud with friends, are usually accompanied by a glass of wine or cup of coffee in hand.

Website / Blog
Amazon Author Page

On the Reef: The Shark’s Friday Feature (Couldn’t wait to share this one.) 😉

Harvest Moon #Haiku

moonlight kisses trees

late summer’s emerald leaves blush

rosy autumn hues

I haven’t written one of these in a long time. But, this week, Colleen’s #TankaTuesday is turning 5 years old. Happy Birthday, Tanka Tuesday! 🥳 I wanted to celebrate by participating. (Sorry, Colleen. I’m a bit rusty.)

The theme is autumn’s ‘harvest moon’.

A haiku-ish contribution to Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge. You can write any of the following: Haiku / Tanka / Haibun / Cinquain / Senryu. Check it out and challenge yourself to some poetry.

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore Extra – #Anthology – The Shadows We Breathe (volume 1) Edited by Sarah Brentyn

Sally put together a beautiful post to highlight The Shadows We Breathe and help share its release! 🎉 Please check out the post and, while you’re there, be sure to see what’s new at Sally’s place.

The Shadows We Breathe #NewRelease

Lemon Shark

It’s here! 🥂🖤 🎉

The Shadows We Breathe is now available in eBook and paperback!

eBook

Paperback

I am so grateful to have worked with seven talented, amazing authors to create this gorgeous anthology of short fiction.

 

Thank you to all the authors who contributed. And to Loni Townsend and Allie Potts for their help and patience in explaining techy stuff I don’t understand. 😜💕

 

Blurb

WE ARE ALL PART SHADOW 

Life promises joy and sorrow. Alongside the light, there will always be traces of darkness. It is the nature of being human.

In this anthology, we explore relationships—how they sculpt us, hurt us, help us, and reveal our deepest desires.

Eight artists, whose words paint worlds, bring you stories of heartache, loss, hope, and forgiveness. They unveil the intimacy and complexity of relationships.

Whether family, friend, or lover, connections to others can hold us up or break us…

View original post 366 more words

A Fresh, New Look

Lemon Shark

 

 

So… Remember all the hubbub about whether or not I should change my book covers? Well, folks, the deed it done. Just a super short post to show you the new beauties.

Meet the new Hinting at Shadows and On the Edge of a Raindrop.  

 

 

To celebrate the new look, Hinting at Shadows will be on sale for a limited time. Just 99c/99p! 

 

I’m guest posting over at Marcia Meara’s today (thanks, you fantabulous gal, you) so go check that out! 

 

Huge thank you to the talented Loni Townsend for the gorgeous cover art.

And thanks to Allie Potts for getting these covers into print-ready form so I could have my precious paperbacks (and for creating the beautiful 3D images). 

 

View original post

Featured On the Reef ~ Allie Potts @alliepottswrite

On the Reef is a series featuring fabulous indie authors from around the blogosphere and beyond. Titles, covers, and blurbs that catch my eye, new releases, great reads… Basically, authors I’d like to highlight and works I’d like to share with my fellow book-loving word nerds. Happy Reading!

New Release

Metaphorically Speaking by Allie Potts

What does a night of card games, a child’s invention, one thoroughly spoiled dog, and the occasional business have in common? They all serve as sources of inspiration in this collection of personal reflections on success and the ongoing pursuit of happiness.

Metaphorically Speaking is packed full of lessons about life gained over the course of eight years. In it, Allie Potts, weaves each lesson around her often humorous and relatable, early experiences writing while parenting. The result is a collection that encourages mindfulness and appreciation of the everyday, but above all, is sure to bring a smile.

Life happens. Might as well learn from it.

You can get your copy here: 🙂

Universal Link 

About Allie:

Allie Potts, born in Rochester Minnesota was moved to North Carolina at a very early age by parents eager to escape to a more forgiving climate. She has since continued to call North Carolina home, settling in 1998 in Raleigh, halfway between the mountains and the sea.

When not finding ways to squeeze in 72 hours into a 24 day or chasing after children determined to turn her hair gray before its time, Allie enjoys stories of all kinds. Her favorites, whether they are novels, film, or simply shared aloud with friends, are usually accompanied by a glass of wine or cup of coffee in hand.

Website / Blog
Amazon Author Page

On the Reef: The Shark’s Friday Feature

Featured On the Reef ~ Joan Hall @JoanHallWrites

On the Reef is a series featuring fabulous indie authors from around the blogosphere and beyond. Titles, covers, and blurbs that catch my eye, new releases, great reads… Basically, authors I’d like to highlight and works I’d like to share with my fellow book-loving word nerds. Happy Reading!

New Release

House of Sorrow by Joan Hall

Dream home or damned home?

Ruth Hazelton is over the moon when her husband Lee agrees the nineteenth-century Victorian in Madeira, New Mexico, is the perfect home for them. While he starts his new job as police chief, she sets about unpacking and decorating.

But it’s not long before Ruth needs more. She becomes a fixture in the community, making time for everyone, volunteering, hosting events—she’s every bit the social butterfly her husband is not. Through her friendships, she learns several former residents of her home met with untimely deaths. If she were superstitious, she might fear a curse, but such nonsense doesn’t faze her.

Until the unthinkable happens.

Now, as the end of Ruth’s life draws near, she must find a way to convey her message and stop the cycle to prevent anyone else from suffering in the house of sorrow.

Just released today! You can get your copy here: 🙂

Amazon US | Amazon UK

About Joan:

Joan Hall likes to create character-driven fiction with strong, determined female leads and enigmatic male characters. She has always enjoyed reading a good mystery or suspense story, so it’s only natural that’s her favorite writing genre.

When she’s not writing, Joan likes to take nature walks, observe the night skies, and explore old cemeteries. She also likes ghost walks and learning local folklore. Joan and her husband share their Texas home with two cats.

Website / Blog
Amazon Author Page

On the Reef: The Shark’s Friday Feature (on Tuesday) 😉