Hyacinth Grey. Indie Author. I write fiction.

Tag: fiction

  • Time Gone By – Part 33 – Science Fiction

    As soon as everyone was in the van, I turned on my phone. Stacey: I’m a bit surprised you didn’t call or text me. Oh no! I’d completely forgotten to reply when she’d let me know she was home. Mom: I’m sorry. I had my phone off. I’m glad you got home safely, but wish…

  • Time Gone By – Part 32 – Science Fiction

    Curly tried to get me to tell him the plan, but I wouldn’t. Three minutes later, I saw Adelle’s car. It was painted the color of arterial blood you might see in a bad detective movie. We waved to each other, and I gave them the thumbs up. I drove for a few minutes, and…

  • Time Gone By – Part 31 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “Wow!” Freckles said, looking out at the diving board and ocean.“Yeah, yeah, I’ll find it.” A man’s deep voice came from the entrance.Lisa had been smiling, but now she looked angry.Adelle said to Lisa, “Sounds like you’ve got more important things to do than watch some kid bellyflop.”Before Lisa…

  • Cleaning Up My Website

    You may have noticed that my Free Fiction Page is incomplete, and also that I’ve started linking stories on my Home page. I’m planning to clean everything up and have all my free fiction listed on both pages. I’m just working on how to do that so it’s easy to find stories without having a…

  • Isolation – Part 9 – Contemporary Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. I’m lying on the bed that Mercy used until we sort of started sharing my bed. She still keeps her stuff in here, and her phone’s on the nightstand. The screen is lit and displaying Mercy’s apps, but I can’t reach it. I’m lying on my side, facing out…

  • Billy

    In 2020, I wrote Lockdown, and last year, I started Isolation. The latter is almost finished, and I’ll post the last part(s) soon, but there’s going to be at least one more story for Billy to tell. Instead of posting it on this site, I’m going to publish the next one on Smashwords. It’ll be…

  • An Interview with Detective Maria Mateo and a New Lower Price for Wounded Bride

    An Interview with Detective Maria Mateo and a New Lower Price for Wounded Bride

    My first novel, Wounded Bride, was published two years ago today! “Mateo.” A shudder ripples through me. It’s strange to be talking to the fictional detective that I’ve created. “Hi, um, it’s Hyacinth Grey.” There’s a pause. Is she going to hang up on me or will she meet me for an interview? “You’re Hyacinth…

  • Favorite Quote

    Favorite Quote

    The short answer is: I don’t have one. I do like some quotes, but I don’t use a lot of them in my daily life. Therefore, I’m going to share one I used in a piece of free fiction. “Die Religion ist … das Opium des Volkes.” – Karl Marx Translated from the original German,…

  • Update about In Life

    Some of you may have wondered what was happening with my free fiction piece, “In Life.” I’m happy to tell you that I’m still working on it, but there’s something I’d like to share with you. It will still be free, but once it’s finished, it will be published on Smashwords instead of on this…

  • Ruth – Part 4 – Romance

    This is a work of fiction. Chapter 4 Sean and I ended up ordering one of everything, and we spent the meal chatting. While Sean was getting the kids ready to go, I realized I hadn’t invited him to dinner yet. “Would you and the kids like to come to dinner at my place the…

  • Isolation – Part 8

    Sorry, I can’t seem to get this post to convert to audio, so there’s no podcast episode. This is a work of fiction. As I paint, I keep thinking about Mercy. What did she mean about being able to sit and do whatever she wanted? Whose funeral did she attend nine years ago? Where had…

  • Time Gone By – Part 30 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. As I approached the door, I felt nervous.What if somebody, either the man who would later be accused of killing Lisa, or some other guest, took a dislike to one of the kids? I could hardly protect them.I told myself not to be silly.I knocked on the door.It opened,…

  • The Dark Tide

    Die Religion … ist das Opium des Volkes. – Karl Marx Everyone had been called to Worship. I stood outside the temple, and waited for the doors to be opened. It was early morning, and very bright, with sunbeams reflecting off the snow that had fallen the night before. I felt exposed, standing as I…

  • Check out a piece of free horror fiction

    A year ago, I started to write Lockdown. It’s finished now, and is available as both a blog post and as a podcast episode. Click the buttons below to open the blog post or the podcast episode.

  • The Dark Tide is coming, but don’t worry, it’s just free fiction!

    Last year, I wrote a novelette or maybe a very long short story. It’s called The Dark Tide, and it needs some revisions. I’m happy to announce that I’m well on the way to getting that accomplished. I hope to post it by the end of August.

  • Haiku – June 26

    I don’t usually need to do this for haikus, but this one requires it to be said that it is fiction. Upon her she feels, The chills of fever rising, And knows this is war.

  • Announcement: What I’m doing for NaNoWriMo this November

    On June 20 last year, I posted about what I was planning for NaNoWrimMo, and I thought it would be fun to post this announcement exactly one year later. Originally, I created a poll to ask people what genre I should write in this year. I’m not sure if I shared it properly, so I…

  • Isolation – Part 7

    This is a work of fiction. My throat is sore and I’m thirsty. So this is it, I think as I tiptoe into the bathroom and fill a glass. This is the virus. I never thought to ask Mercy how hers started. Were her symptoms this mild and innocent, like a little bit of a…

  • The Basket – Part 4

    This is a work of fiction. Laine must have read the article on Friday. Poor Laine. Even though she’d said she didn’t like him, it was possible she actualy did like Arnie, the man who’d gotten the night off while she’d had to work. I needed to talk to her, but first, I was going…

  • Isolation – Part 6

    This is a work of fiction. “Do you think you’re going to be okay?” Mercy asks. We’re sitting at the kitchen table, eating lunch. She’s still smiling from our fun, but she also looks worried. “I feel fine, so maybe I won’t get it.” “I really hope you don’t.” She takes a bite of her…

  • Wounded Bride is a nice summer read

    Need a thriller? Get Wounded Bride now! Available in eBook, Hardcover, and Paperback for your summer reading needs. Read it on your deck, unwind before bed, or curl up with it on a rainy day. Wounded Bride is a fast-paced, hard-boiled detective novel, and there’s nothing like it after a long day of work when…

  • Check out Time Gone By

    Last July, I started writing some science fiction. Twenty-nine story parts later, I’m still writing “Time Gone By.” I’ve put all the links to the blog posts and the podcast episodes in one place.

  • A Story Idea

    Well, the Force was certainly with me yesterday. It seems to have given me an idea for a story. The title will be Fill ‘er with Premium, and the story will feature Maria Mateo, the lead detective in my novel, Wounded Bride. How much will it cost? Unlike the novel, the story will be free.…

  • Ruth – Part 3

    This is a work of fiction. Chapter 3 My day wasn’t over. I played and swam until nearly six. I was starving, and didn’t feel like having to drive home first. I went to my car to get some of the leftover salad, but there wasn’t any. Oops. I must have given it all to…

  • The Basket – Part 3

    This is a work of fiction. My sister really was too thin. As soon as I saw her, I couldn’t believe I’d ever thought her weight was normal. “What?” she said sharply. “What are you looking at?” “I’m sorry,” I said. “I just . . . well, I never thought I’d see you like this.”…

  • Ruth – Part 2

    This is a work of fiction. Chapter 2 Well, I had been thinking about the beach, so that was where I was going. I supposed it wasn’t the nicest thing to do, considering Jason was probably having to comfort Ruth and listen to Tracey crying (could little babies grieve?), but it was too hot and…

  • Time Gone By – Part 29 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. Before any of us could say a word, a different server rushed up to Adelle’s table. “Good evening,” she said. “Are you ready to order?” I thought Adelle was going to send her away, but she smiled frostily and said, “Sam, do you know what you’re having?” He did,…

  • Isolation – Part 5

    This is a work of fiction. Over the next few days, Mercy gets worse, and then she starts to get better. I spend the time bringing her water and then soup, cleaning, and working on paintings. I don’t ask her about Eva. I also don’t ask her if she wants to call anybody. I’ve seen…

  • In Life – Part 14 – Sci-Fi Fantasy

    This is a work of fiction. In life. When they use their 3D printer, people get in life. I remember asking what the noise was last night. The printer. It must have been the 3D printer, bringing Goldensword Harvestmoon in life. I’m sure I can ask, but I don’t want to talk to anyone. I…

  • Isolation – Part 4

    This is a work of fiction. “Eva!” My eyes fly open. I look at the clock. It’s 1:01 a.m. “EEEE-VA!” Mercy is screaming, but her voice is so dry and cracked, I’m afraid she’s going to damage her throat if I can’t calm her down. “Eva! Where are you?” I wish I knew who Eva…

  • In Life – Part 13 – Sci-Fi Fantasy

    This is a work of fiction. I follow Red through the opening in the wall and out into the sunshine. We’re on a path that appears to be made of some kind of stones. On either side of it, there are trees and bushes. In front of us, there’s a low, wooden building, and Red…

  • Time Gone By – Part 28 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. We swam until it was time for lunch. The hotel restaurant was quite busy, and we had to wait for a table. “I’m starving,” Freckles said. “Me too,” Lydia said. “No you’re not,” Sammy said. “Starving means you don’t ever get any food.” “It does mean you don’t have…

  • Ruth – Part 1

    This is a work of fiction. I started writing this story as part of this post about writing dialog. I’ve revised it and added more. Prolog “I told you,” Jason said. “I’m not coming home, so don’t pester me.” Pester him? As if I were a whiny little kid. The whole thing made me both…

  • Isolation – Part 3

    This is a work of fiction. “Would you like me to call an ambulance?” Mercy shakes her head. “Would you like to sleep in my guest room?” “Please,” she whispers. Thank goodness there’s one on the main floor. I’ve been setting it up for when Mom, Dad, and Mona come to visit. So far, there’s…

  • In Life – Part 12 – Sci-Fi Fantasy

    This is a work of fiction. “What time do you need to go back downstairs?” Grace asks. “Not until about ten.” “Oh good. I haven’t talked frankly with anybody except Peter and the kids since before we moved here.” “I don’t understand.” “My customers are wonderful, but if they knew, they might not be.” “If…

  • Time Gone By – Part 27 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. Unfortunately, swimming didn’t last long. We’d all been enjoying ourselves for about fifteen minutes, when two boys about Curly’s age entered the pool area. Behind them, there was a blonde woman whom I took to be their mom. Freckles was climbing up onto the diving board, and I was…

  • Writing Fiction Is – Haiku

    Writing fiction is, Having empathy with those, Who do not exist.

  • The Basket – Good Friday

    This is a work of fiction. The Basket Good Friday Laine found the body. We always visited Grandma at Easter. At Christmas she came to our parents’ house, and at other times of the year we visited her, but Easter was special. We normally went on Thursday and stayed three nights. I’m sure it started…

  • Happy April!

    April is both National Poetry Month and Indie Author Month. Each day throughout the month, I’ll post a haiku, a story part, or both. Full of creation, Restful beauty or darkness, Deep human nature.

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 24

    Chapter 24: Susan It’s November 25, and I still haven’t decided what to do about tomorrow. I do have to work, but I’m considering quitting my job. The smell of the cleaners is starting to make me feel sick, and the pay’s been cut to less than minimum wage. I really don’t like the kind…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 23

    Chapter 23: Melanie I hear Martin’s car in the garage, and then he comes into the house. “Hi,” I call. He comes into the living room. He’s pale. “Are you okay?” “I feel like a criminal.” “What?” “In a way, I am one. I just got a speeding ticket.” “Joseph gets those sometimes. Mom yells…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 22

    Chapter 22: Martin Well, today’s the day. I need to make sure Melanie doesn’t see the paper. One of us normally gets it and puts it in the living room. I have to work, and it’s my turn to make breakfast. I won’t have time to sit and read the paper, so I can’t take…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 21

    Chapter 21: Susan It’s been thirty days since the summons was published in the paper. Even through a lawyer, I’m not going to communicate with Martin. Besides, a lawyer would need to know my address, and I don’t trust anybody anymore. I’ve seen Matthew a couple of times. We went to McDonald’s. We talked. We…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 20

    Chapter 20: Melanie Martin still doesn’t like the idea of a guy doing my ultrasound, so I reschedule it for when he’s at work. “I won’t ask for any information without you there. But they need to do this.” The person doing the ultrasound is a woman. She’s brusk and business-like. In fact, she doesn’t…

  • The Christmas Room – complete story

    Listen to Podcast Episode The Christmas Room This is a work of fiction. This story has two endings. This blog post and podcast episode contains the entire story. The Beginning The tree was at least twenty feet tall. How such a gigantic pine had been uprooted, transported, and set up there without any apparent damage,…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 19

    Chapter 19: Susan There’s a problem with my idea to tell Matthew what he’s done. I don’t want to go to his place ever again. And in spite of her promise, I’m afraid that my doctor might call Martin about me. She doesn’t know my new address, but I gave her my new number when…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 16

    Chapter 16: Martin “We need to be a team.” That’s what Melanie has just said. Well, of course we need to be a team. We’ll be the greatest team ever. I say this out loud, and she smiles. “What does being a team mean to you?” she asks. “Huh?” “What do you see us doing…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 15

    Chapter 15: Matthew I don’t think too many people believe in love at first sight. I know I didn’t used to. Now I do. I don’t even know her name yet, but I know that I love her. Dad would say I’m bonkers. Mom would say I’m nuts. Both would ask: how can you love…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 10

    Chapter 10: Martin Susan looks at me blankly. Wow, she must really be tired. No problem. I’ll help her out. “You’ve been so upbeat lately, and your skin is really glwoing. So I thought, well, could you be expecting?” “What? You mean like expecting a baby? No way.” She laughs. “All that stuff about pregnant…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 9

    Chapter 9: Susan I keep telling people on my show that they can write, and in early December, I’m ready to revise my tenth book. I’m careful this time. After I’ve seen Martin off to work, I wash up the breakfast dishes and do any urgent housework, and then I go into my office. I…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 5

    Chapter 5: Susan I suppose I’ll just have to accept that he’s no longer interested in my books, if he ever was. Has our seven-year marriage been a sham? I hate to think that way, but what if it’s true? I go into the room we prepared for the child we haven’t had. It’s my…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 4

    Chapter 4: Martin The house smells great. Susan’s in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on our dinner. “Hi honey,” she says. “Did you have a nice day today?” Did I? Well, the hour with Melanie was wonderful, but I wouldn’t call the rest of the day good. “I finished the book.” “Yes, I had…

  • Podcasting my NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel

    Last November, I wrote a romance novel in seventeen days. Some of the posts included more than one chapter. I would prefer to podcast them as individual chapters, so over the next few days, I will repost any chapters that don’t have their own post. To find the podcast episodes or the blog posts for…

  • Isolation – Part 2 – Contemporary Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. I spend the weekend helping Dad clean the house thoroughly, moving my things to my house, visiting Mom and Mona, and shopping for groceries and other important things. Once Mom and Mona are home, I go to my house. Mom and Dad ask me to stay, but I think…

  • Isolation – Part 1 – Contemporary Fiction

    Podcast Episode This is a work of fiction. I wanted to know what happened to Billy after the events in “Lockdown,” and being in his head was so much fun. Mom and Mona are both asleep. “What should we do now?” I ask Dad. He looks exhausted, and I hope he’ll decide to go home…

  • Lockdown – Horror Fiction – Complete Story

    Podcast Episode This is a work of fiction inspired by a Tweet by @mims_words about vampires during lockdown. It was published in ten parts on this blog, and those can be heard as separate podcast episodes, but I thought you might like to read or listen to all of it at once. Here you go.…

  • Writing Advice: Break up long sections of dialog, and an accidental story

    When I sent Wounded Bride to be edited, the book was full of long sections consisting of nothing but characters talking to each other. In that story, the detectives talk to suspects, and you’d expect there to be lots of dialog, but it should be broken up by actions, sentences about what your characters are…

  • Time Gone By – Part 26 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “I’d like to be up there,” Curly said in a low voice. “On her diving board?” I asked. He shook his head and pointed. High up on the third floor of the house, right above where the diving board was, there was a balcony. “You could see people diving…

  • The Choice

    This is a work of fiction inspired by the Everyday Inspiration writing course from WordPress.com. The one-word prompt was “choice.” It was published in six blog posts in April 2020. Each post was fairly short, so I’ve combined them into one for a podcast episode. The Choice What to do? She looked at the clock.…

  • Podcast!

    Yesterday, I shared a post from the WordPress.com blog about podcasting with Anchor. Now I’ve got my very own podcast. It’s all about my free fiction. So far, I’ve created one episode, which is the first part of my science fiction story “Time Gone By.” Once I have podcasting figured out, I’ll probably create a…

  • Why Subscribe to my Newsletter?

    To subscribe, please fill out the form at the end of this post. 3. It’ll land right in your Inbox. No need to do anything. It’ll just be there. 2. I’ll share announcements about upcoming books. You’ll be among the first to know what I’m working on, and there’ll probably be more detail than you’ll…

  • Time Gone By – Part 25 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “Where should we eat?” I asked. “McDonald’s,” Sammy said. The rest of us shook our heads. “Why do you always do that?” Sammy said, giving me an accusing look. “Do what?” “Ask where we want to eat but never listen to me.” “Because we don’t all want to go…

  • Time Gone By – Part 24 – Science Fiction

    Time Gone By – Part 24 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. The drive to the airport was a long one, and by the time we arrived, I was thoroughly sick of hearing Freckles ask, “Are we there yet?” As I stepped out of the van, I had the strange feeling that my phone was going to ring and it would…

  • A Word about Word Count in Fiction

    I seem to be obsessed with word count. I don’t mean that I worry about my stories having specific word counts, but I keep wondering how many words long a story is. “How many words?” is the first question I have when people talk about their writing. Many years ago, when I first started trying…

  • Haiku – January 22

    Tomorrow it will, Be one year since FriesenPress, Published Wounded Bride.

  • Need a Distraction? I offer free fiction on this website

    Since starting in April 2020, I’ve finished five pieces of free fiction, and two are in progress. All of them can be found on my fiction page. To help you decide which one to read first, here are short descriptions of all of them. The Choice Rita hates her job, and an e-mail she receives…

  • Time Gone By – Part 23 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “What’s that?” Freckles asked, pointing to the steering wheel of the old car which had been mounted on the wall beside the dashboard. Something that looked like an electical spark was moving slowly around. “I don’t really know, but it’s not dangerous. I can put my hands all over…

  • Time Gone By – Part 22 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. Louisa took a small red device from her pocket and pressed a button. A man’s voice filled the room. “This is Radio United States, the only radio you need, and the only one there is. “News report. “Not much has happened recently. We’ve put down a few dogs, but…

  • The Christmas Room – Contemporary Fiction – a story with two endings

    This is a work of fiction. The tree was at least twenty feet tall. How such a gigantic pine had been uprooted, transported, and set up there without any apparent damage, I had no idea. Every branch was hung with strings of great big red, green, and white lights. At the top, there was a…

  • In Life – Part 7 – Sci-Fi Fantasy

    This is a work of fiction. Today’s the day. It’s the first Saturday in August, I know how to turn on a computer and do some basic things, but I don’t know if I’m going to accept the quadruplets’ invitation. I stand in front of my closet, unsure of what to wear. If I don’t…

  • 3 Reasons to Buy a Copy of Wounded Bride today

    Don’t need a reason to buy books? Go directly to the Wounded Bride page. 3. Wounded Bride is my first book. Buying it and taking a chance might be a little like how you cheer for a rookie player on your favorite sports team. 2. It’s a hard-boiled detective, police procedural thriller, so you can…

  • Time Gone By – Part 19 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “Freckles, no!” He ignored me and dashed through a gap in the fence we were passing. “Freckles!” I yelled. “Come back here right now! We’re not allowed in there.” Beside me, Lydia stopped pulling the wagon and looked at the hole in the fence. It was definitely time for…

  • Cover Reveal: The Dark Tide – free fantasy fiction

    The Dark Tide The gods are angry, and everybody must flee. One man cannot leave until he packs every one of his daughter’s sketches. The Dark Tide is the story of his quest to find the truth. Will the truth destroy him and everyone he loves, or will it make him and his family stronger?…

  • In Life – Part 5 – Sci-Fi Fantasy

    This is a work of fiction. Later that morning, I meet Adam at the church. We arrange Aunt Bev’s funeral for a Monday so that her friends from the salon won’t have to take a day off. I dread going home and calling Becky, but I know I have to. She doesn’t go to church,…

  • Cover Reveal: Time Gone By

    Time Gone By A free science fiction story. Right here. Lydia’s in charge of her four grandchildren for three weeks. They’re going camping and mostly having a good time, but… Somebody has invented a time machine. And has seen a terrifying glimpse of the future. A ruthless man will stop at nothing to take over…

  • Time Gone By – Part 17 – Science Fiction

    “That little doggie isn’t even big enough to eat solid food yet,” I said. “By the time he is, he’ll love the cats and not want to hurt them, let alone eat them.” “That’s right,” the woman behind the counter said. “So if you’re sure, then you can take them all home now.” “We are,…

  • Day 17

    Chapter 22: Martin Well, today’s the day. I need to make sure Melanie doesn’t see the paper. One of us normally gets it and puts it in the living room. I have to work, and it’s my turn to make breakfast. I won’t have time to sit and read the paper, so I can’t take…

  • Day 16

    Chapter 19: Susan There’s a problem with my idea to tell Matthew what he’s done. I don’t want to go to his place ever again. And in spite of her promise, I’m afraid that my doctor might call Martin about me. She doesn’t know my new address, but I gave her my new number when…

  • Day 15

    Chapter 18: Melanie Something’s going on with Martin. There are inconsistencies in things he says and does. One thing is about cooking meals. He wanted to ask his mom to come live with us. That wouldn’t worry me, except for the house. One day when we visited her, she mentioned loving her job because she…

  • Day 14

    Chapter 17: Susan I haven’t slept well the last few days. I leave work and don’t need to work tomorrow, or is that tonight, but I’m too tired to do anything. I crawl into bed. A piercing sound wakes me. What is it? It sounds like a fire alarm. My heart pounds. I leap out…

  • Day 13

    Chapter 15: Matthew I don’t think too many people believe in love at first sight. I know I didn’t used to. Now I do. I don’t even know her name yet, but I know that I love her. Dad would say I’m bonkers. Mom would say I’m nuts. Both would ask: how can you love…

  • Day 12

    Chapter 14: Martin Melanie and I end up in her car. It smells much better than mine, but is a lot smaller. That’s not a problem. She is so much fun to be with, and the thought of going home to Susan fills me with dread, but I know I can’t stay out much past…

  • Day 11

    Chapter 13: Susan Martin hardly speaks to me anymore. Living with him is like living with a ghost who can eat. Thank goodness I have my books to write and my show to do. On the second Saturday in March, Jeff calls at seven. “Hi,” he says. “I’m not feeling so great.” He doesn’t sound…

  • Day 10

    Chapter 12: Martin My first date with Melanie is everything I’d hoped for, except I can’t take her home with me. We step out into the freezing night and go to our separate cars. I sit in mine with the engine running and watch her drive away. I imagine myself carrying her into the bedroom,…

  • Day 9

    Chapter 11: Susan I’m so relieved that Martin’s not in the house breathing down my neck all the time. The Christmas-loving kid is gone, and although he was annoying, I prefer him to the quiet, sullen man I send off each morning and greet each evening. We mostly keep away from each other, and he’s…

  • Day 8

    Chapter 9: Susan I keep telling people on my show that they can write, and in early December, I’m ready to revise my tenth book. I’m careful this time. After I’ve seen Martin off to work, I wash up the breakfast dishes and do any urgent housework, and then I go into my office. I…

  • Day 7

    Chapter 8: Martin “Martin?” I recognize Connie’s voice, and she sounds worried. I look up from my desk. Luke is home with the flu, but it’s Tuesday, so I won’t be seeing Melanie today. “What’s wrong?” “My son’s sick. It seems like there’s a bad bug going around his school. I’ve called Rick, but he…

  • Day 6

    Chapter 7: Susan I’m so nervous, I can hardly do up the buttons on my blouse. It’s just after seven on Tuesday, and my interview at the radio station is for eight. What will they ask me? What if I fall apart and run screaming? I’ve never even called into a radio show, let alone…

  • Day 5

    Chapter 6: Martin I arrive at one minute to six. There are two people in the waiting room. One of them is Rick, and the other one is a young guy I’ve never met. “Good morning!” Rick says. “This is Luke. Luke, this is Martin.” How has Rick managed to get this shift again? I…

  • Day 4

    Chapter 4: Martin The house smells great. Susan’s in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on our dinner. “Hi honey,” she says. “Did you have a nice day today?” Did I? Well, the hour with Melanie was wonderful, but I wouldn’t call the rest of the day good. “I finished the book.” “Yes, I had…

  • Day 3

    Chapter 3: Rick I’ve been asked to work a double shift, so I’m at work at 6:00 a.m. Amazing how many peeps are here already. I reach for my coffee and knock it over. Oh man. I look around, but don’t see any paper towels or napkins. It’s all over the desk and under the…

  • Day 2

    Chapter 2: Susan He’s demanding his dinner — like a spoiled kid — again. Not gonna happen. Why can’t he cook something himself if he’s really so desperate? He used to be nice. It’s getting to the point now where I’m ashamed to say I’m his wife. He used to be such a nice guy,…

  • Day 1

    Chapter 1: Martin Maybe I can use her books as a weapon. The idea pops into my head while I’m at work. I don’t have time to ponder, and I don’t want to risk writing something like that down, so I’ll just have to wait and hope I don’t forget. “Hey Martin!” It’s Rick. He…

  • Starting Tomorrow, I will post what I’ve written each day for my NaNoWriMo Project

    I’m writing a romance novel for NaNoWriMo 2020, and I’ll be posting what I’ve written that day by 9:00 p.m. Pacific time. My usual blogging schedule will be suspended until December 1, unless I finish early. Warning: there will be typos and probably plotholes. There could be swear words and descriptions of sex. Oh, and…

  • Time Gone By – Part 16 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “What?!” Stacey screamed into my ear for the second time that day. I was starting to get a headache. “We lose our jobs and then he goes on a shopping spree? What did he buy and when?” “Calm down,” I said. “All of these transactions were made before you…

  • In Life – Part 4 – Sci-Fi Fantasy

    This is a work of fiction. There’s hardly any traffic on the way home. As soon as I walk through the front door, I take off my shoes, go to my room, change into my old pyjamas, and lie down on my bed. It’s not late but I’m through with the day. The problem is…

  • Need a Thriller? check out Wounded Bride

    Wounded Bride is my first book and was self-published with FriesenPress in January 2020. Check out the info and get your copy today! About the Book The city of Chicago is relentless. Murders and other violent crimes pile up: a woman lies in the hospital in a coma, a man is brutally attacked in his…

  • In Life – Part 2 – Sci-Fi Fantasy

    This is a work of fiction. I make myself a fancy lunch because I don’t know what else to do, and I’ve just gone into the bathroom when the phone rings. I hurry and make it to the phone by about the twelfth ring. “Alexis!” It’s Amanda, my best friend in the whole wide world.…

  • In Life – Part 1 – Sci-Fi Fantasy

    This is a work of fiction. “I’m not feeling well,” Aunt Bev says. We’re sitting at the kitchen table, and I’m eating toast, but she hasn’t touched hers. “Are you going to call in sick?” I ask. She works at a salon doing people’s nails. Me? I can’t stand the feeling of stuff on my…

  • Starting Sunflower Saturday

    shallow focus photography of yellow sunflower field under sunny sky Photo by Susanne Jutzeler on Pexels.com What’s Sunflower Saturday? It’s like any other Saturday, but with a cool, silly name. What will you post? Sometimes a previous post like I’ve been doing, but I’m pretty much making another Change-it-up-Tuesday. Will it ever have anything to…

  • Time Gone By – Part 12 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. As soon as we arrived, Sienna wasted no time in asking her question. Lydia watched in something like awe as Sienna walked right up to the young (in his thirties) man at the gate. “Hi. I’m Sienna. Are you hurting the environment chopping down all these trees for firewood?”…

  • Writing

    “Writing” is the writing prompt today. I normally talk about writing fiction, but nonfiction must also be written word by word, thought by thought, letter by letter. Both must then be revised. Nonfiction especially requires profesisonal editing. A typo in a story is annoying to both Writer and Reader, but not the end of the…

  • Time Gone By – Part 11 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. By the time the others returned, it was time for Andy to take Steven and Dan back to their cabin for one last night. The rest of us walked over to Emily and Andy’s camp site and the older kids and I helped to put up Emily’s tent. Once…

  • What is my free fiction about?

    I’ve been talking a lot about free fiction lately, but I’ve neglected to write “About the Story” blurbs for most of the pieces I’ve posted. To correct that oversight, here they are. Once you find one you like the sound of, click the link above to be taken to the page with links to all…

  • Lockdown – Part 10 – Horror Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. I look more closely and see that their window is covered with something black. Then I see some yellow. I stare at it. The yellow smiley faces where Victoria’s eyes should be. My heart leaps. She’s staring out at me. Nothing moves. The rubber mask is too flat. There…

  • Time Gone By – Part 10 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “Oops,” Andy said.“What?” Dan said.“I forgot we still have the cabin tonight, so we don’t need to move to the camp site until tomorrow.”“That’s okay,” Emily said. “We need it tonight.”“Oh, right. So who’s riding with who?”“Can you come with us?” Dan asked Freckles.“No,” Sammy said. “Freckles rides with…

  • Fun with Free Fiction

    Back in April, I launched free short fiction on this site with The Choice. That piece was short, but over the months since, I’ve started writing longer pieces. Both finished stories and pieces in progress can be found on my Fiction page. As of this writing, the story called Lockdown has almost come to an…

  • Lockdown – Part 9 – Horror Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. Once I’ve put the formula into the food bank bin, my purchases are much more manageable.I find myself not wanting to go home, thinking I should stay away until Victoria has come and gone. But no, I should go home and give Mom and Dad the cinnamon buns. But…

  • Only a Month and a Half to Go

    I can’t believe there’s just under seven weeks until NaNoWriMo starts on November 1. Every day, I’m going to post what I’ve just written. I won’t have time to fix typos and might even miss plotholes. I’ve created this page so I can keep updating you without needing to find and link to old posts.

  • Time Gone By – Part 9 – Science Fiction

    People might be wondering where the “science” part is in this story. It’s coming, but I’m not sure when. This is a work of fiction. We spent a while preparing the spaghetti with meatballs (everyone agreed that chopped up hamburger patties were a great meatball substitute), and we also made pancakes, hashbrowns, and all the…

  • Lockdown – Part 8 – Horror Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. The next morning, I check my e-mail. Rachel has sent a payment. It’s half of what I’ve asked for. She’s also included a note. Thanks again for agreeing to illustrate my book. Here’s the first half of the payment. I know I’ve already said this, but your work is…

  • Time Gone By – Part 8 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. By dinnertime, everybody had something on their needles, and it had stopped raining. While Lydia helped me with the dishes, the boys ran around, burning off the energy they hadn’t been able to use up that day. I woke up at midnight, and on my way back to my…

  • Lockdown – Part 7 – Horror Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. The next morning, I go into the kitchen to make breakfast, and see the plate of food for Mom still on the table. With a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach, I throw it out, put the plate in the sink to wash later, and take out…

  • Time Gone By – Part 7 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. I didn’t let the boys sleep in, and at first, I took Freckles’s silence for tiredness. Therefore, I was expecting him to complain loudly when I asked him to help with the dishes, but he didn’t. “Grandma,” he said, “can I talk to you about something?” “Yes, of course.”…

  • Time Gone By – Part 6 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “What are we doing now?” Freckles asked. “Let’s all go for a hike.” “I need a nap,” Sammy said. “Can I stay here?” “Yes, but are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” “I can’t have a nap if I’m hiking, can I?” “No, but it might…

  • Wounded Bride is Available Now in Hardcover – clicking or tapping the image takes you to the Wounded Bride page where you can select a retailer to get your copy today!

  • Free Fiction – Lockdown – a story of love and courage

    Billy is nineteen, afraid of the dark, and trying to finish his first year of college. His adoptive mom has just had a baby, and Dad can think only of his new child. Lockdown, a horror story, is the tale of a young man who must keep his family together, or is that… alive. Posted…

  • Time Gone By – Part 5 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. It was Lydia’s turn to help with the dishes. While the boys ran around, burning off breakfast, Lydia washed and I dried. “I heard them,” she said. “What did you hear, and whom?” “Benjamin, Samuel, and David.” She stopped talking and scrubbed vigorously at something that was cooked onto…

  • Lockdown – Part 4 – Horror Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. Great big tears start to roll down Dad’s cheeks and fall onto the table. I should probably say something to him, but what? He looks so totally miserable, and I want to comfort him, but how? It probably has something to do with Mona, and I know less about…

  • Time Gone By – Part 4 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. At 5:15, Lydia and I approached the camp site. As we did, I heard the boys laughing. Good, they were having fun. Then I heard what sounded like some weird electronic noises. We came out into the grassy area where the tents were, and I saw all three boys…

  • Lockdown – Part 3 – Horror Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “Your order has been placed,” the salesman says. “Thanks. When will it be delivered?” “You should get it in about a month.” “A month? I need it for college now.” The line clicks. He’s hung up on me! I call back to speak to somebody in customer service. After…

  • Short Fiction Sunday – Lockdown – Horror Fiction

    Billy’s nineteen and still afraid of the dark. His adopted mother has just given birth, and Dad can think only of his new daughter. Lockdown, part 1 was posted on July 10, and a new part will be posted every second Friday.

  • Get your copy of Wounded Bride

    Detective Maria Mateo is new to the Chicago Police Department. Wounded Bride is available now. Get your copy today. From somewhere inside the book: There hadn’t been any point in eating. She was out of the job she loved, so why bother?

  • Time Gone By – Part 3 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. The car was quiet as I drove out of the city half an hour later. At first, the boys had talked a little, but that had petered out after about fifteen minutes. I guessed they were all too full from breakfast. Suddenly, Lydia let out a small cry. “What…

  • Lockdown – Part 2 – Horror Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “Dad, we’re—” He looks at his watch and says, “Oh, it’s 9:30. Somebody’s coming at ten to see how Mona’s doing.” Before I can ask him if he has any pretzels or chocolate in his home office, he runs into the kitchen, comes back with the broom, and tries…

  • Time Gone By – Part 2 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. “Let’s see if we can find those boys,” I said. I’d already seen they weren’t in the kitchen, so I walked by the bathroom, but the door was open and nobody was inside. Next was the office, but that was locked, so they couldn’t have gotten in there. Time…

  • How to Pick Genres to Write in

    There is a huge variety of genres from which to choose before you sit down to write some fiction. Here’s how to pick them. You will probably hear the suggestion to write in a genre you read a lot. I don’t have a problem with this, but why limit yourself? If you have an idea…

  • Lockdown – Part 1 – Horror Fiction

    This is a work of fiction, and was inspired by this Tweet from Mims the Word. The street light I can see from my window is broken. I’m nineteen, and Dad took away my nightlight when I was ten. We’re in lockdown, but I’m a lot more afraid of the dark than of COVID-19. That’s…

  • Time Gone By – Part 1 – Science Fiction

    This is a work of fiction. It was a crisp July day and everybody was complaining that summer wasn’t acting very summery, but the cool air was perfect for the day ahead with my grandkids: Curly (Benjamin), Sammy (Samuel), Freckles (David), and Lydia. She was like me in that we were both girls, shared the…

  • The Dark Tide – Part 10

    This is a work of fiction. “Before we go,” my wife said, “why did that man want to kill me?” I told her about the bicycle cart accident just as the mother bird had been landing. “My daughter,” my wife said when I’d finished speaking, “would you please help me pull him out of this…

  • The Dark Tide – Part 9

    This is a work of fiction. It took longer than four hours to reach the place where the young sitting bird, the children, and my daughter’s love were, because we had to stop along the way for food and water. My daughter ran ahead to warn her love that he mustn’t be seen or see…

  • The Dark Tide – Part 8

    This is a work of fiction. I went to check on the female Leader of Worship. As soon as I removed the gag, she asked for water, which I provided. Then she said, “What will you do with my Partner of Worship and me?” “I will set you free once I have killed him.” “May…

  • What happens when the gods are angry but a man cannot leave behind what he treasures most? – The Dark Tide – fantasy fiction

    The Dark Tide – Part 1

  • The Dark Tide – Part 7

    This is a work of fiction. As soon as I took the gag out of his mouth, the male Leader of Worship started screaming for help. Quickly, I gagged him again, and then I listened. I heard a distant voice. So did he. He smiled. It took a few seconds before I could hear it…

  • 3 Tips for Fiction Writers Struggling with Setting

    Setting is crucial to creating something your Readers will love, and if you struggle with it, then you’re like me. Getting setting right might be easier if stories took place entirely in one location, but they seldom do, so writers have hard work ahead. We have to constantly change the scenery, move in and out…

  • What Would You Choose? staying in a job you hated or… facing the unknown – The Choice (short fiction)

    It’s Saturday night, and Rita is offered a choice: either stay in the job she hates but be able to pay the bills, or reply to Matt’s e-mail… The Choice Short story previously published in six parts on this blog, and when it was finished, I put it together on a page for your convenience.

  • The Dark Tide – Part 6

    This is a work of fiction. The canoe drifted toward the house, and I thought it was going to collide with it, but it skimmed past the corner of it and carried me downstream. I had nothing left in the world except the canoe, the clothes I wore, and my daughter’s sketches. If I could…

  • Writing Advice – The Long and the Short

    Writing Advice – The Long and the Short

    Featured image: tranquil lake reflecting house and forest — Photo by Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels.com There’s nothing like sitting down with a thick book or tucking into one on your tablet. But at other times, you probably want something lighter. There’s no reason you can’t have both. Does the idea of writing a novel fill…

  • The Dark Tide – Part 5

    This is a work of fiction. The two men laughed as they drove the bicycle cart away, and I was left standing alone at the edge of the precipice. For a few seconds, I considered jumping off and joining my daughter, but my wife might still be alive, and I owed it to my daughter…

  • The Dark Tide – Part 4

    This is a work of fiction. The bird flew through the clear air, and I looked far into the distance, and could see nothing but evergreens, snow, and blue sky. A frigid wind blew all around me, and I thought how good it was that the children and the young bird were tucked up safely…

  • The Dark Tide – Part 3

    This is a work of fiction. I held the sketch in my hands and looked at it carefully. It showed two babies. I couldn’t tell for sure, but I thought it might be of the two children upstairs. Why had she done this sketch? It was as good as the ones she’d done when she…

  • Science Fiction

    Because it’s May 4, I want to talk about science fiction, even though this post has nothing to do with Star Wars. In November 2019, my NaNoWriMo novel was a sci-fi story called On Ice. It’s still in the freezer, waiting for me to take it out and revise it, but while it’s coming up…

  • The Dark Tide – Part 2

    This is a work of fiction. The wind howled all night, and I woke up several times, but no cloud came for me out of the earth. At dawn, I rose and got dressed. I put my daughter’s sketches, still in their folder, into a light bag and strapped it securely onto my back, and…

  • The Dark Tide – Part 1

    This is a work of fiction. Die Religion … ist das Opium des Volkes. Karl Marx Everyone had been called to Worship. I stood outside the temple, and waited for the doors to be opened. It was early morning, and very bright, with sunbeams reflecting off the snow that had fallen the night before. I…

  • How Often?

    Dear Reader, How often would you like me to post short stories (or parts of them) on this blog? You can answer via this Poll on Twitter or by leaving a comment below. The choices are the following: once a week every 2 or 3 days as often as possible other (please explain)

  • The Choice – Part 6

    This post is a work of fiction inspired by the Everyday Inspirations writing course from WordPress. The one-word prompt was “choice.” Matthew’s phone rang. Good, his new client would be ready for him. He lifted the receiver, but didn’t speak. “Good morning, Mr. Reid,” his secretary said. “Your nine o’clock has arrived and is in…

  • The Choice – Part 5

    This post is a work of fiction inspired by the Everyday Inspirations writing course from WordPress. The one-word prompt was “choice.” Rita watched Matt walk out of the Starbucks and get into a dark gray car. The engine came on and he roared away. She took a sip of coffee but it tasted awful. Might…

  • The Choice – Part 4

    This post is a work of fiction inspired by the Everyday Inspirations writing course from WordPress. The one-word prompt was “choice.” Rita looked into Matt’s clear blue eyes and wanted to ask a million questions, but didn’t know where to start. “How are you feeling, Rita?” His words were soft, mellow, and yet very clear.…

  • The Choice – Part 2

    This post is a work of fiction inspired by the Everyday Inspirations writing course from WordPress. The one-word prompt was “choice.” Rita tried to think who Matt might be. The older guy with sallow skin who would probably drop dead if he didn’t eat some vegetables soon? Or maybe Matt was the thirtysomething black guy…

  • The Choice – Part 1

    This post is a work of fiction inspired by the Everyday Inspirations writing course from WordPress. The one-word prompt was “choice.” What to do? She looked at the clock. It was 9:24 p.m. on a rainy Saturday evening in April. Take a chance, accept his invitation, or pretend his e-mail didn’t exist and go back…