E is for Endless

For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I’m writing drabbles based on words I got from a random word generator.  A drabble is a short piece of fiction of exactly 100 words.

Enjoy!

Endless

The second hand on the clock had never moved more slowly.  Sophie head ached from staring at the bright white wall of the waiting room.

Waiting room? she thought.  Calling it a torture room would be more appropriate.

The astringent scent of the hospital filled her nose, and the acrid tang of vending machine coffee lingered endlessly on her tongue.

When the doctor finally walked in, her body went rigid.  He gave her a reassuring smile and said, “Your son’s surgery went well.  You’ll be able to see him soon.”

The tension drained from Sophie’s body.  “Thank you,” she whispered.

D is for Defamation and The Insecure Writer's Support Group: April 2017

For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I’m writing drabbles based on words I got from a random word generator.  A drabble is a short piece of fiction of exactly 100 words.

Enjoy!

Defamation

Panic bubbled up inside me.  “Take it back!” I demanded.  My fists were clenched at my sides, and my whole body trembled like a leaf in the wind.

Amy shook her head, her face disgustingly smug.  “No.  Everyone is going to hear about this.”

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so helpless, and I didn’t know what to do.  “Don’t you dare!  You can’t tell anyone . . .  That’s defamation!”

She smiled.  “Yes, I can.  It’s not my fault you lied to everyone.  You said you hate Star Trek, but I have proof you love it.  I found your fanfiction!”

It's the first Wednesday of the month, and you know what that means!  Let's convene the next meeting of The Insecure Writer's Support Group.  Our leader Alex J. Cavanaugh has rounded up a wonderful group of co-hosts this month: Christopher D. Votey, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Fundy Blue, and Chrys Fey.

Be sure to check out the IWSG website!

I'm not feeling too insecure this month because I've gotten a lot of good things accomplished so far this year.  I've submitted three short stories, and I have two more short stories in the works.  I'm also a few thousand words into a YA science fiction novel that I've had rattling around inside my brain for a couple years.  I'm eager to see how the rest of my year goes.  If I can get the first draft of that novel done by the end of the year, I'll be really happy.

Now for the question of the month!

Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, and publicity for your book? What were the results?

In terms of marketing specific books, no.  However, I'd say the A to Z Challenge has been good to me over the years. Adam's Apple and the Infinite Regress wouldn't exist without it, nor would various other pieces of flash fiction. I've met a lot of great bloggers who've seen my writing thanks to the challenge, and that's great for networking.

For any of you who have used the A to Z Challenge to market one of your books, how did it go?  What advice would you have for your fellow authors?

C is for Corpse

For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I’m writing drabbles based on words I got from a random word generator.  A drabble is a short piece of fiction of exactly 100 words.

Enjoy!

Corpse

I shifted uncomfortably.  Hours in a makeup chair made parts of my body I didn’t know I had go numb.

“Almost finished,” Corey said.  “You look like a proper corpse.”

This was meant to be a compliment.  I was playing a zombie in Corey’s short horror film, after all.

Corey dropped the makeup brush.  “You know why zombies are scary?”  He leaned close, his eyes intense.  “They remind us that death is always stalking us.  It’s there, ambling along, and sooner or later, it’s going to get us.”

I shuddered.  “Thanks for the pep talk, buddy.” 

Horror directors are weird.

B is for Bleak

For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I’m writing drabbles based on words I got from a random word generator.  A drabble is a short piece of fiction of exactly 100 words.

Enjoy!

Bleak

“Existence is bleak and meaningless,” I muttered.  “There’s nothing good in this world.”

My husband cast me a raised-eyebrow from across the kitchen.  He didn’t look like a ray of sunshine either, but he never does first thing in the morning.  However, his sleepy eyes and mussed hair couldn’t compare to the dark cloud that had descended upon me.  “Isn’t that a bit overdramatic?”

I shook my head.  “No.  The world as I know it is coming to an end.”  I lifted the canister from the counter and held it up for him to see.  “We’re out of coffee.”

A is for Apocalypse

For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I’m writing drabbles based on words I got from a random word generator.  A drabble is a short piece of fiction of exactly 100 words.

Enjoy!

Apocalypse

Office Memorandum

To: All Employees of the Office of Infernal Affairs

From: Your Boss the All-Powerful Evil Overlord

Date: April 1, 2017

Subject: The Upcoming Apocalypse

The apocalyptic event scheduled for 4:15 HST (Hell Standard Time) has been postponed due to budget cuts.  This decision was not made lightly.  I understand a lot of work went into planning the various natural disasters that would have brought about the doom of mankind.  Your work is appreciated. The plans will be filed away for future use.

The celebratory barbecue will still take place as scheduled.  I’ll see all of you there.

Celebrate the Small Things-March 31, 2017

It's Friday!  Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain.  Tonja Drecker and I are her co-hosts.

I submitted a short story this week.  That makes three submissions since the start of the year.  One per month.  I'm pretty happy about that.

I also started writing a novel.  This novel idea has been kicking around inside my head for about two years, and I'm happy to be getting it written down.  I have no idea how it's going to turn out, but I love the thrill that comes with starting a new project.

The A to Z Challenge is starting tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has to offer this year.  It's always a fun experience!

What would you like to celebrate?

Celebrate the Small Things-March 24, 2017

It's Friday!  Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain!  Tonja Drecker and I are her co-hosts.

The boys had a movie night at the school last night.  They watched The BFG and had pizza, popcorn, and pop.  They had a great time.

My oldest is turning 8 early next month, and we got his birthday presents sorted out.  Now we just have to hope he doesn't find where they're hidden before the day comes. Fingers crossed.  He's great at finding things we don't want him to locate.

Zoe is now 4 months old.  It's crazy to see how much she's grown.

I had a good week writing-wise, so I'm happy about that. Spring break being over definitely had something to do with it.

What would you like to celebrate?