Friday, November 30, 2012

Men are Forces of Nature

   Charging into battle, warriors bravely face an enemy chanting the demise of both sides: none leave alive.
   Blood flickers and dies with its men.  The rotting flesh offers an appetizing stench to the scavengers of land and air. 
   Leaves.
   Rain.
   Snow.
   Dirt covers the field in time.
   Fallen timbers are cleared along with their tall brethren and thick cousins.
   Soldiers against forces of nature are paved black for progress. 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

What would one do with a million dollars?

   "One million dollars.  Going once--"
   "Here!" shouted the spotter.
   A wide grin grew on the auctioneer's face, "And that's one-point-one million to the lovely lady in the back.  Thank-you, ma'am.  Do I hear one-point-two?"  This bidding war had been going on for about fifteen minutes, and just when it seemed about ready to die, wham!  He jumped back to the middle-aged man in the charcoal jacket, "Sir?  One-point-two is the next bid.  One-point-two?"
   The gentleman let out a breath, and his spotter was working him for even a penny over one-point-one.  What better way to get another bid than to pull some emotional strings?
   "Do I hear one-point-two?"
   Silence.
   The gentleman shook his head.
   It took only ten seconds for the lady in the back to clap her puffy hands and cheer for her prize: 
The very last Twinkie.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Powerless Masses

   A resounding yell alerted disapproving shoppers to the little girl with matted blonde hair and bright green eyes running ahead of her mother's shopping cart.  Some childless customers rolled their eyes, but grandparents offered the young mother a reassuring smile.
   Workers could only watch idly--they were powerless, as always, to the whims of their store's customers.
   Another family came around the corner.  And then, three children ran wild.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Formidable Force of Innocence

   "Mommy!  Daddy!  Look what I got!"
   The mother asked, "What is it, dear?"
   "It's a sword!  I pulled it out of the ground like King Arthur!"
   The father smiled and replied, "King Arthur pulled a sword out of a stone, champ."
   Their little boy sagged a little but quickly regained his footing, "I'm going to meet Merlin and become the greatest king there ever was!  Just wait and see!"

Caught in a Fisherman's Net

   "It was a long time ago, Michaelangelo.  Just let it go."
   He closed the distance and wrapped his hand around Larissa's slender neck.  His feverish breath steamed the night air around them.  "You two had a lot to talk about."  He squeezed tighter, making her flinch, "What was the special occasion?"
   Larissa gulped for oxygen like a fish on dry land.
   "You don't need him.  We clear?"
   She nodded.

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Moment I Knew We Would Get a Divorce

   Very soon Jack and I would be seeing his grandfather for the last time.
   Our apartment felt much smaller.  Neither of us could be in the same room without glancing at the other at odd intervals before one of us got up abruptly to leave the other to their thoughts.
   We hadn't talked until now.  
   I couldn't stop crying when he asked, "Why'd you have to drink that night?"

Falling to the Marina

   Victoria clutched the knot of her teal knitted scarf and squeezed her eyes tight.  Then, she jumped.
   Taking the most certain plunge to the bright balls of light reflected below, the recent college drop-out approached the stars, as she never had before.
   The night was dark, but the stars were bright and shimmering on the ripples.
   Rising through the whitecap, she had never experienced a more precious breath.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

My Very First 69er

"Medical Emergency"

   I ran as fast as I could--carrying Molly down the hall.  I had one hand around each of her arms and her feet dangled, swaying with each of my steps.

   "No, no, no, no!"  I chanted.
   I ran to the bathroom, dropped Molly in the tub, and yanked at the faucet.
   "What are you doing, honey?" Mom asked.
   "Tommy and Gale gave Molly cooties!!"
   She laughed, "Oh, sweetie."

What is Writers' Bloc?

At the corner of happy and infuriating, you'll find Writers' Bloc--an entire city block filled with skyscrapers.  Each building is filled to the brim with writers past and present, distinguished and amateur--each working night and day to write beautifully and to fulfill their dream.  I am living to share a place in the Writers' Bloc.

You might be wondering who I am.  I am still pondering that age-old question, but I've worked out a few of the details.  I am a person who values people as individuals, each with their own story and their own voice.  I feel an innate drive to defend voices that cannot or will not be heard.  This fuels a passion to write realistic fiction with a focus on humanity.  Yet, to focus on life is to have the world at one's finger tips.  Therefore my scope must narrow (due to my own mischievous pleasure) to stories that make readers think.  I may be able to create the world, but readers must experience it in their own way.


As with any writer, there are obstacles to overcome in the writing process.  A widely popular blockade to writers is discipline.  I have a shameful disciplinary problem.  Those who know me well will find this irony quite amusing and some may even find it hard to believe.  Nevertheless, it is my unfavorable condition.  Hence the reason I am writing today--I am working to cure my dilemma by posting flash fictions and short writing exercises.


As a forewarning, in college I was told by a friend that I should never censor my narrator, and I never intend to do so.  Whatever the context demands, I am not one to shy away from the challenging material that may follow.  Also, a favorite exercise of mine is to write 69er flash fictions.  To briefly summarize, 69er flash fictions are stories or vignettes that contain exactly 69 words, excluding the title.  I find them incredibly invigorating to write; plus I enjoy educating people on the existence of 69ers ... in fiction, that is.


I hope readers may find my work entertaining and thought provoking, and in no way, shape, or form do I write autobiographies or characterize people from my life into my stories.  I focus on humanity and human conditions.  Any event or similarity is completely coincidental.  


Follow me on Twitter @readnwrite08.