A to Z Blogging, 2016

a-to-z HEADER [2016] - april

It’s official!A to Z Blogging Challenge 2016

I did this last year and was really pleased with my results, so I’m going to do it again. I have joined the A to Z Blogging Challenge for 2016.

What this means for me.

Between now and the end of April, I’ll be writing and posting at least 26 stories to this blog… one for every letter of the alphabet. All the posts will happen in April, but hopefully I’ll get at least some stories pre-written this year (I didn’t last year) so April won’t sneak up on me and stress me out. All of my stories will be at the Flash Fiction length (under 1000 words… my goal is to be as close to 500 as I can). Most will probably be speculative fiction – sci fi, fantasy, magical realism… possibly horror although that’s not my favorite. Other genres may show up, but I expect the majority to fall within my usual preferred genres.

What this means for you.

Come to my blog (almost) daily in April to be entertained (I hope) by new flash fiction stories. Last year the blog posts were basically Monday through Saturday with Sundays off. I haven’t looked at the calendar yet, so I don’t know if that will be exactly 26 days again this year, or if there will be minor adjustments to that schedule to make it come out right. Either way, you’ll see lots of stories from me.

What if you want to join?

I would welcome anyone to join the challenge on your own blog, if you’re interested! I’m doing stories because that’s what I do. But if you don’t want to write stories you can write any kind of blog posts you want, at any length you want. Generally, there should be an A to Z element to the posts, but I know not every blogger strictly follows that guideline.

If you plan to join me – especially if you’re a fellow author who will be posting stories – let me know in the comments below and I’ll do my best to follow along with your posts!

As one of my heroes always says, you can do this!

Write on!

Friday Fiction – Procession

Oh, I’ve done it to myself again. I meant for this to be a flash fiction, but it’s clearly a scene from what should be a much longer story. A story I want to know more about. And I’m pretty sure nobody knows the details because, duh, I haven’t written them yet. I really do need to get on that kind of thing just a little bit faster. Seriously….

Bertrand walked, slow and steady, keeping proper pace with the procession of the orbs. The pomp and ceremony of the nightly parade stretched before him, and trailed behind. The holy road from Orb to Light extended precisely five miles from Temple to Fane. Each evening, just at dusk, precisely one hundred light bearers stretched along that road to light the passage of the spirits. Ten thousand steps, one every second. Bertrand would be on this road for nearly three hours.

MysteriousOrbHe wasn’t thrilled about the prospect. But, well, apprentices did not choose their assignments. And it was an honor to carry an orb, especially for one so young. So they said. So most believed.

As he stepped along the arching fairway connecting the holy sites, many residents of the city gathered to watch the passage. He wasn’t supposed to look, but he glanced surreptitiously to the small clusters of ordinary folk who came out to view their progress. Some had children playing at their feet. Occasionally, a child would chase along the common street that ran parallel to the holy road until a mother called out in hushed tones and reined in her charge.

It seemed odd to him that so many would be fascinated by the parade of light. Or was it pure devotion to the idea of light? He wondered, but had no answer. He found it disconcerting each time a new assemblage of citizens came into view that they were already staring at him. Watching his paces as he came into view. He assumed they had stared the same way at the light bearer barely in sight ahead of him, and that they would shift their view to the one coming behind as he retreated from their location. He had to resist the temptation to turn and watch for the moment when their attention shifted—that would be a serious breach of protocol and would earn him time with a willow switch he was sure.

He forced his mind to quiescence as he neared the half-way point in his journey. He supposed he should be murmuring his devotions as he’s been trained, but it was more interesting to count his footfalls and study his surroundings. He knew the devotions. He’d recited them already this morning, and at high, and at even. He didn’t understand why he should have to repeat them yet again just because he was plodding for public viewing along a private road.

When Bertrand neared the final third of the procession, he could finally sense the downhill slope of the road. It was a relief he didn’t know he needed, and he fought the urge to pause and shake the blood back into his tired legs.

woman-520052_1280As he approached another group of staring observants, gawking at his measured approach, a shiver prickled his spine. One set of eyes held his gaze. Dark eyes set beneath a dark cowl. Odd with so many dressed in colors of sky and sun.

He forced his eyes forward and marched on, the tingle not leaving his senses. Dark thoughtfulness clouded his mind as he considered who might be under that hood.

The light bearer carried his orb, step after step, into the Shrine of Light.

Copyright Notice: Please note that I fully assert my right to be associated as the author of this story, and while it is complete, it may not be finished. This story may be subject to alteration at the author’s discretion. Please do not copy, quote, or post this story or excerpts anywhere in any format. You are, however, free to share the link with anyone who might be interested.

Friday Fiction – The Gift

Kelsey held her head, hoping the throbbing would stop soon. The headaches were getting worse. Excruciating.

Her grandpa Mike had migraines. He died of an aneurism at 57. She only remembered him from pictures, but everyone said she was just like him. She didn’t have thirty years on her time clock though. Not according to the oncologist.

She picked up the phone and dialed. After two rings a click told her someone answered.

“Ray. My head is going to explode,” she said, tears streaming down her cheeks. “It’s time. ” She pressed her forehead against her hand, wishing she could stop the pain.

“Come tonight.” The voice on the line was raspy. Male. African-American? Maybe. They only spoke once before.Old Man (Imagicity 854)

“I’ll be there at 10.” A faint grunt of assent followed by a click and a dead line ended the call.

She dropped the phone back on its cradle then opened a bottle of pills and swallowed two, knowing they wouldn’t help.

At nine-thirty-nine, Kelsey pulled her car into a parking lot, killed the engine, and turned off the headlights. She gave herself a more-than-ample window for driving. The migraine made it difficult to see—she experienced a lot of visual aura with her headaches—but she managed to get to her destination early. A low, white building stretched out in front of her.

Better an empty office park than a crowded mall lot. She knew this one had no security cameras. Her eyes drifted shut as she waited.

A tap on the window jerked her forward causing renewed the agony in her head. She blinked back tears and swallowed hard against the bile that threatened to rise.

 

After composing herself, she turned her head toward the man who stood next to her car. She thought about rolling down the window, but she owed him more than that. She fumbled for the door handle and climbed out of her car.

The man was thinner that she expected. Gaunt. “You don’t look well,” Kelsey said. “Are you sure about this?”

He smiled, his teeth oddly bright against his dark skin. “I’m not well. That’s why I’m here.”

She stared into his eyes a moment longer, then nodded. “I’m ready if you are.”

“I’ve been ready since my wife passed. Seven years.” His voice caught as he said it.

He lifted a bony hand and pushed a stray strand of hair away from Kelsey’s face. He twined his fingers in her hair, leaned forward, and pressed his lips to hers. They were dry, but gentle. She leaned into him and caught his free hand in hers.

It only lasted moments. Kelsey looked up and realized the pain was gone.

“Live well,” he said. “And thank you. I’ve missed my Mary too long.”

A smile brightened his face as the light left his eyes. Kelsey eased his frail body to the ground.

“Cancer free. You have your whole life ahead of you.”

Kelsey smiled at her doctor’s report. “Thank you, Ray.”

Copyright Notice: Please note that this is mostly unedited, raw writing. I fully assert my right to be associated as the author of this story. Please do not copy, quote, or post anywhere in any format. You are, however, free to share the link with anyone who might be interested.

You’ll want these bonuses for HTTS

I promised some bonuses for How To Think Sideways, but Holly has promised some bonuses too. The first 25 people who register for the class when it opens are going to get these sweet deals. If you’re thinking about it, jump quickly!

FIRST CONFIRMED SALE:

3 private recorded (so you can keep a copy and don’t have to take notes) half-hour Skype chats with me, where you can ask me your HTTS writing questions, brainstorm a story idea or issues with your WIP, or just chat*, PLUS any 3 workshops of your choice from the Workshops List. PLUS BONUSES FOR 4th – 10th and 11th – 25th confirmed sales.

SECOND CONFIRMED SALE:

2 private recorded (so you can keep a copy and don’t have to take notes) half-hour Skype chats with me, where you can ask me your HTTS writing questions, brainstorm a story idea or your WIP, or just chat.* PLUS any 2 workshops of your choice from the Workshops List. PLUS BONUSES FOR 4th – 10th and 11th – 25th confirmed sales.

THIRD CONFIRMED SALE:

1 private recorded (so you can keep a copy and don’t have to take notes) half-hour Skype chat with me, where you can ask me your HTTS writing questions, brainstorm a story idea or your WIP, or just chat.* PLUS any 1 workshops of your choice from the Workshops List. PLUS BONUSES FOR 4th – 10th and 11th – 25th confirmed sales.

4th – 10th CONFIRMED:

1 group webinar** (1 hour+) on a writing topic chosen by the group, with Q&A afterwards, plus two Short Courses of your choice (does not include bundle). PLUS BONUS FOR 11th – 25th confirmed sales.

11th – 25th CONFIRMED:

1 group webinar** (1 hour+) on a writing topic chosen by the group, with Q&A afterwards.
The launch starts tomorrow Friday, Feb. 27th at 10:00 AM ET, and a lot of folks are going to be lined up waiting for the page to go live.
While you’re waiting, though, you can still get her Free 3-Day Workshop. ALL THREE DAYS are available now.

http://www.hollylisle.net/Think-Sideways-Class.html

Free mini-class from Holly!

Hey – I know this is late notice. But I just found out that Holly is offering 3 free mini-workshops leading up to the re-launch of Think Sideways.

This class would be a perfect way to get a feel for Holly’s teaching style before making the commitment to one of her big classes. As I said, this  is 100% free, but it’s designed to help you develop some story ideas, right out of the box, and it comes complete with downloadable worksheets!

JimCarrey-youcanfailIf you’re interested (and why not… it’s free!!!), click this link to get the Three Free Writing Mini-Workshops. You won’t find this on her main site – it’s only for people referred by other members. Doesn’t that make you feel special!

So go get it now! All that’s required is an email address.

Note: The link above is an affiliate link. If you purchase anything after clicking that link, I may receive compensation.

Watch Night is finally available!

WatchNight-KindleIt’s up, it’s up, it’s up!

I know I haven’t been communicating as much as I intended lately, but partly that’s related to the fact that I’ve been busy putting the finishing touches on my short story!

Anyway, my story, Watch Night, is now available for download. The catch is, the only way to get it is to join my mailing list. You can do that by going here and signing up. (And never fear, I despise spam. This is a low-volume list that is only to let you know what’s going on with my writing, and what’s coming up in my publishing world.)

I’m really looking forward to hearing your feedback on this, so make sure you go sign up now!