Tag: free
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THIS IS NO JOKE! Testimony of Outlaws is FREE for the Month of April
Please help me celebrateNational Poetry Monthby downloading my haiku + Christmas stories collection, Testimony of Outlaws, for free from Smashwords at:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1095732. Relax and enjoy. This is no joke.Promotion ends on April 30, 2023.Please share this post on your favorite social media platform(s).
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ACT NOW! TESTIMONY OF OUTLAWS IS FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!
Because I forgot to unmark this post as a sticky and remove my top of page banner, I have made Testimony of Outlaws FREE until January 8, 2023. What is it? A lot of haiku poems, and also two stories about Christmas.Some of the poems are new, and so is the story called “Lights.”
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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A Letter to Oops
Dear Oops, I went to my free fiction page the other day and noticed that many links to stories were missing. I’m working to rectify this error on my part, and I hope to have that page fully updated by August 1. I don’t plan to let this happen again, so Oops, you shouldn’t expect…
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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.…
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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.”…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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?…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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