short stories

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Elizabeth: Friday Story Time and Sprints

I have lots of books to be read, stories to be written, and tasks to complete from my ever-expanding ToDo list.  Naturally, I decided to stop by the local craft store the other day, just to look around.  I didn’t need anything, of course, but they had yarn on sale and I found some that was pretty and super-soft (and did I mention on sale!), so naturally I had to get it.

That is why instead of reading or writing or doing, I’ve spent the last few evenings after work turning six skeins of pretty, super-soft yarn into a pretty, super-soft blanket, courtesy of my trusty “J” crochet hook.  Can a person really have too many blankets?  I’m hoping the answer is no, otherwise I might have to go into the blanket-fort-building business, just to justify their existence.

Anyway, the weather has taken a turn toward the chilly in recent days – perfect time to curl up on the couch with a my new fluffy blanket, a pot of tea, and get some words on the page.  I have a number of stories in progress, not to mention several shiny new ideas floating around, but I think I’ll start out giving today’s random words and writing prompt a try.

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Elizabeth: Friday Story Time and Sprints

Happy 1st Friday in October.

In my post earlier this week I mentioned that social media can sometimes bring out the worst in people, but yesterday I saw the opposite and it made me think that Luke Bryan may have been right with his song, I Believe Most People Are Good.

I have a group of friends and acquaintances that I only know through the internet.  We met as commenters on various websites and blogs and formed a community that has lasted for years, supporting each other through good times and bad.  Most of us have never met face-to-face, but we’re friends nonetheless.

Yesterday, I saw the positive power of that community surround one of our own who has been tirelessly battling against advanced cancer; a cancer that seems finally to have seized the upper hand.  There were messages of love and strength and support, and I hope they were of comfort as she saw them or her husband read them to her. Over the past years, it has been wonderful seeing this group rally around each other, whatever the circumstances, and it’s nice to know they are there, no matter what.

It looks to be a beautiful day out at the moment, a good time to take a little break from the internet and focus on something different.  I think I’ll take my coffee out onto the patio and see what I can do with today’s random words and writing prompt.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

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Elizabeth: Friday Story Time and Sprints

It’s time to wrap up another week as well as another month.  I thought that whizzing sound I heard was a train rushing by but apparently it was actually just the passage of time.

This has been a (welcome) relatively quiet work at week which meant there was time to take care of all the little tasks that tend to get pushed aside in the rush toward deadlines.  My email box has been reduced to a minimum, unnecessary outdated files purged from my computer, and my teacup can no longer be considered a toxic hazard.  Progress!

On the home-front, this week has included taking care of a cat with a mysterious malady that laid him quite low.  With the inborn skill of all animals, he managed to disappear just before his appointment with the veterinarian, but he was finally located and locked in the house.  We still have no idea what happened to leave him looking like he was at death’s door, but after 5 days of sleeping almost continuously in his nest of blankets, he finally woke up this morning eating, drinking, and no longer staggering around like a decrepit drunken old man.  Now he’s just cranky that I won’t let him go roaming about outside. Continue reading →

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Elizabeth: Friday Story Time and Sprints

Wait . . .. what . . . it’s Friday?   Next thing you’ll tell me is that the kids have all gone back to school and football season is in full swing.

*checks calendar*

Huh, will you look at that.  Okay then, hold on a second while I go out and take the patriotic decorations off the porch and haul out the autumn wreath and pumpkins.

Great, now that that’s taken care of, it’s time to focus on all those unfinished things on the schedule to accomplish this year; specifically, the thousands of words, still needed on the current manuscript.  Far fewer words would be needed if I hadn’t spent so much time recently reading my way through my TBR list, exacerbated by just how easy it is to check out an eBook from the local library.

Today I’m determined to put down the book and make a serious attempt . . . oh look, squirrel! . . . just kidding.

Playing with the writing prompts on the last few Fridays has been such fun, not to mention reading the creative results that others have posted, that I think I’ll start my writing session with today’s story prompt.  Who knows, it may trigger an idea for my own story.

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Elizabeth: Friday Story Time and Sprints

Happy Friday all!  We appear to have reached the time of the year that confirms living on the west coast of the US, with the potential for earthquakes, has definite benefits over living on the east coast, with the potential for hurricanes.  News coverage here for the past few days has been all about Hurricane Florence and its path of potential destruction.  Although the firefighters on the west coast – which seems to have been on fire for ages – would no doubt appreciate a drenching of water, I’m glad Florence is far, far away from here.  Hopefully all of those in the path of the storm remain safe and Florence won’t have a lot of troublesome siblings following in her wake throughout the season.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . . I mean back at the Day Job, it’s been a busy, busy week, as seems to be the norm lately, capped off with an early morning wake-up call at 3:45am to make a flight for a quick one-day meeting out of state.  Ugh!  Not at all my traditional wake-up time.

Fortunately, there is now a nice relaxing weekend on the horizon and I plan to make the best of it.  With September already halfway gone (how did that happen!), there will definitely be some writing involved, since I have goals to be met.  To get my mind away from current disasters and into a happy writing state, I think I’ll start by giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

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Elizabeth: Friday Story Time and Sprints

I was cleaning out my email inbox earlier today and saw a notice about the Mid-Michigan RWA Best Banter Contest.  The contest, which closes in a few days (September 10th), is for published and unpublished authors.   The requirements are simple:  enter a scene (up to 1,500) words, along with an optional non-judged lead-in for the scene (up to 250 words), with your best banter.

“Do you have a scene with witty, fun dialogue between your characters?  Show off your best story banter . . . enter the Best Banter Contest.”

The contest sounds like fun and I have just the scene in my mystery manuscript that I think will fit the bill.  Now to get it spruced up and submitted before I forget.   Again!

Meanwhile, this has been a short work-week but there is still one more day (or less, depending when you read this) to go.  I have lots of things on my ToDo list, including a few walks in the park with the four-legged friend who is currently visiting.  After the work is done and we’re back from our walks . . .I’ll probably stare into space for a while . . .but once that’s done, it will be time to pull out the old pen and paper and get some words on the page.  I think I’ll start by giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

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Elizabeth: Friday Story Time and Sprints

There are currently six raccoons on my front porch – it looks like a mom and her kids – so fluffy!  That explains all of the thumping I heard in the backyard a few minutes ago.  I’m afraid they are destined to be disappointed, however, if they are looking for something to eat.  I’m pretty sure the skunk and the opossums cleared everything out when they stopped by a while ago. Meanwhile, my cat is sitting here on the other side of the screen door looking baffled.

Once the “Wild Animal Kingdom” portion of my day comes to a close, I’ll be curling up with a book and relaxing for a bit.  After that, it’s on to the enjoyment of a four-day weekend.   I’ll be kicking it off by sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely breakfast.  Once I’ve gotten that taken care of, I’ll be flexing my creativity-muscles by playing with today’s writing prompt and random words.

Care to join me? Continue reading →