Writing

A Little Photo Fiction

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Two-hundred words based on this photo prompt at Sunday Photo Fiction:Skeletal Couple

Tabitha steadied the gun and took aim. A red line marked her target, wiggling as her wrist quavered. She pulled the trigger.

“There.” She foisted the gun on Stephen, then returned the flatware to its shelf. “What’s next?”

Stephen sighed and studied the papers he held. “Uh, twelve chargers?” He glanced around the housewares section, empty save for another browbeaten guy and overeager woman. “Wouldn’t that be in electronics?”

She giggled. “No, silly. It’s a decorative base for the plate.” Continue reading →

Is the Happily Ever After Ending a Meaningless Trope?

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A recent Smithsonian article (“Why Can’t Romance Novels Get Any Love?”) discusses the lack of academic and intellectual respect given to the romance genre. It’s an interesting read, but just as illuminating were the comments, some dismissive not only of the genre but specifically the “happily ever after.” (HEA) The article offers many points for discussion, but I’m going to focus specifically on the HEA element.

Is the HEA a product of our deluded imaginations – our desperate grasp at a world in which everything turns out well in the end? Or does it point to a divine hope – something more profound than a feel-good conclusion? Is it a meaningless trope or does it point to the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love?Happily Ever After

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My Guest Post: What 10 Minute Novelists Means to Me

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Read my guest post today at 10 Minute Novelists, What 10 Minute Novelists Means to Me. 

Writing time was—and is—whenever I can grab it amid diaper changes, snacks, reading board books, sorting laundry, and all the mundane but necessary details of maintaining a household and caring for young children. Throw in some volunteer activities, and, yes, my husband, and whatever minutes I could cobble together for an uninterrupted task did not add up to much. In other words, I could have been the poster child for 10 Minute Novelists. Read more. . . 

What 10 Minute Novelists Means To Me

Then join us a week from today (March 26-27, 2015) for the 10 Minute Novelists Birthday Party (And Book Release) Extravaganza. Send me a private message via this website if you’d like an invitation!

A Little Photo Fiction

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Two-hundred words based on this photo prompt at Sunday Photo Fiction:

Sunday Flash Fiction FallsKiyara sprinted down the sidewalk, shouldering past old ladies lugging shopping bags, kids dodging cracks in the pavement, and business men preoccupied by their cell phones. Oblivious to all but her escape route, she ignored the commotion in the street, where a Hummer had rear-ended a compact sedan. Continue reading →

Top 10 Tuesday: 10 Ways to Increase Your Daily Word Count

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I signed up for the 10 Minute Novelists 365K Club, which means I’m striving to write an average of 1,000 words a day every day this year. This has forced me to find a variety of ways to add to my tally of words written. I offer this list not only for self-proclaimed writers, but for anyone looking to stretch his creativity, to increase his command of the written word, and reap all the other benefits associated with the tasks and accomplishments listed below.
  1. Blog. I approached this one with great trepidation, but it’s gone well. Not only do I have self-imposed writing requirements and deadlines, but it has helped me to crystallize my thinking.
  2. Write a letter. More and more, this is becoming a lost art. Texts and emails are nice, but nothing beats a hand-written note on paper. Make it a love letter to your significant other, to your children, a friend with whom you’ve lost touch, or maybe an elderly person who’s been left out of the loop in your life because she doesn’t use a computer or electronic devices. (Bonus points for use of cursive.)

    Writing

    Pencil to the paper.

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Should You Journal? My Life on Paper

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In 1981, at the tender age of nine, I was given my first diary.

Here’s what it looked like:

My First Diary

Dear Diary

And check out this clever message written on the side:

Message on diary side.

It reads: You are a sucker if you believe this. Carolyn’s diary key is hidden in music box. Ha ha!

This, unedited for your amusement, is my first entry (Here and throughout, names are reduced to initials to protect the innocent.): Continue reading →