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Cold City Streets

Okay, I'm having fun with another prompt from Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff https://rochellewisoff.com/, and to ©Ted Strutz for the photo. I've also uploaded the story to InLinks. If you want to give it a try, write your own 100-word story and click on the frog on Rochelle's blog! COLD CITY STREETS The city…Read more Cold City Streets

A warm old kettle

Here's another 100-word story from a picture prompt: “Where’s the Nescafe, Pop?” “Cabinet over the stove. Told her it would dry out up there, but she never listened.” “Well, it’s dried coffee anyway—” “It changed the taste!” I spooned Nescafe and poured hot water from the kettle. “Where’d you get these mugs, Pop? She never…Read more A warm old kettle

So I’m a Peeping Tom

I’ve always loved being a peeping tom, and it's even better in a small town. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not some kind of sleaze. I just mean, if I’m not the one doing the driving on the way home, I will gaze out at the night-lit windows as we pass and make note of what I…Read more So I’m a Peeping Tom

Visiting the Generation Gap from the Other end

When we get older we sometimes participate in a kind of disconnect without realizing it. I don’t mean things like politics or music; with a little effort or enthusiasm I can keep up my end enough to carry on a conversation about most things with my grown grandchildren. But sometimes I have to remind myself…Read more Visiting the Generation Gap from the Other end

The Thornbush

A 100-word story for Friday Fictioneers @ https://rochellewisoff.com/ PHOTO PROMPT © Ronda Del Boccio She crouched behind the thornbush and heard him croon her name in the night. His silhouette crossed in front of the backyard security lamp, and she clenched her eyes tight so he wouldn’t see her tears reflecting the light. At first…Read more The Thornbush

Silence

This weekend’s word prompt from https://rochellewisoff.com/:  “Silence” “Write a poem or a piece of prose in exactly fifteen words.”This shows how the mind of a crime novel writer works! Evening light Bird song A shot fired Silence A heartbeat I breathe again Bird song

How do I handle haters? With pity.

Yesterday I read a great newsletter/blog post by Marcy McKay, author of "Pennies from Burger Heaven", and it started me thinking about the haters out there, especially the ones trolling posts by authors, be they famous or wannabes. And that started me remembering many things. In his later years, my father became critical of everyone…Read more How do I handle haters? With pity.

Lost In the Woods

Here's another 100-word piece I wrote to a "Friday Fictioneers" prompt photo: “Your Mama’s a gypsy. You can’t tie ’em down.” “Why’d she take our car and not say goodbye?” Daddy smiled and then refused to talk about it anymore. “Just you promise me,” he said, pointing a finger at me. “You won’t leave like…Read more Lost In the Woods

Sometimes you just want to read a good book, not write one.

I enjoy Alyssa Maxwell's "Gilded Newport" series so I entered a drawing in her newsletter. I won! A signed edition of "A Murderous Marriage" (book 4 in her 'Lady and Lady's Maid' series), plus a beautiful teacup and saucer with some beautiful English Breakfast tea to go with it! Time to stoke up the pellet…Read more Sometimes you just want to read a good book, not write one.

An Ode to Walter Mosley

Last weekend I attended the 2018 New England Crimebake. I had not been before and wasn't sure what to expect. But if you are a crime novel writer or reader, this is a place to celebrity-watch and get fired up over all the great new books coming out. This year's Guest of Honor was Walter…Read more An Ode to Walter Mosley