ONE EPIDEMIC LEADS TO ANOTHER?

I often find that things happening out in the world will trigger a writer’s plotlines and characters. But sometimes they just get me to wondering. For instance, I recently read that this country is suffering from an “epidemic of violence”. Well, I thought, that’s kind of silly — this has always been a violent country.…Read more ONE EPIDEMIC LEADS TO ANOTHER?

Crime Bake 2021

Exciting times! Last weekend I attended (in person – first time in two years!) the New England Crime Bake conference for writers and readers in Boston, Massachusetts. I was proud to be chosen as one of three Honorable Mentions for the 2021 Al Blanchard Short Crime Fiction contest. The winner was Joseph S. Walker, and…Read more Crime Bake 2021

Looking Back

The railings had a hard rough frost yesterday that didn’t feel slick at all, more like the gritty stuff they put on steps to keep people from slipping. Winter is coming. As always, and four years after moving here from the city, I’m still amazed by the utter silence in the mornings. My heater is…Read more Looking Back

C’mon, Granny

It's been a busy summer with not much chance to take another walk through the woods. I did write this 100-word tribute to a friend who was born to a mining family. PHOTO PROMPT© Roger Bultot “Smile, Grandma!” “Get that thing outen my face.” “C’mon. All your grandkids want to see you.” “I’m still livin’…Read more C’mon, Granny

My summer walk before writing

New England roads Whew, it’s been a dry spell but I’m back. When I finally got settled in my new place, I found to my delight that I could walk down to the village and back in less than an hour, a considerable improvement over where I lived before. The biggest problem is that there…Read more My summer walk before writing

A Picnic by the River

So many things going on in life! While I keep working at my next novel, it's a treat to take a break and work on something else. Here's this week's 100-word story to a picture prompt provided by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for the Friday Fictioneers. Tell me what, if anything, it makes you think about: PHOTO…Read more A Picnic by the River

Theft of Humor

Or is it just out of fashion? Hello! Here's a little story to this week's picture prompt posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for Friday Fictioneers. This is the conversation that came to my mind when I saw it: PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz Sally dumped her bin on the Post Office counter. “Whatcha got today, kid?”…Read more Theft of Humor

Life Revisited

A 97-word story to a picture prompt from Rochelle Wisoff-Fields and the Friday Fictioneers: PHOTO PROMPT © Alicia Jamtaas The young girl held her father’s hand. “What’s that thing, Daddy?” “Well, there used to be something here called an amusement park.” “Amusement?” She wrinkled her nose. “What’s so amusing about a busted-up railroad?” “It’s not…Read more Life Revisited

Priorities

Here's a little 100-word conversation that jumped into my mind as soon as I saw this picture. It seemed relevant somehow. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, both for the photo prompt and for hosting the Friday Fictioneers. PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields "How can you report on something so stupid, Ted?" "I report what they tell…Read more Priorities

Story of My Life

I'm on a roll! Here's another 100-word story to a photo prompt from Rochelle Wisoff-Fields and her Friday Fictioneers. Quick and easy, folks. This one is for writers: PHOTO PROMPT @ Jan Wayne Fields Cherie looked happily at the little clutch of supplies stuffed into the corner of her “desk”. Never mind that it was…Read more Story of My Life