(Note: I'm using this writings to revise my novel in progress. Here's the opening of one of the characters.) “Looks like they killed off one of those fish,” my dad said, easing himself into the chemo chair. “What makes you…

From stories I have learned two things: One is I could have written something better than this (infrequent) and Two: How on earth does one ever conceive such a thing, put it together, think it up, write such beautiful prose?…

We called it the Haunted Hobbit Road. It was outside Edzell, Scotland. We were young American men stationed on Edzell during the Vietnam War. We were mostly drafted and could enlist in the Navy for four years and maybe not…

The anger that grew around Pearl's heart held her heart in a thick bramble. It was full of thorns like a blackberry vine. Her heart remained as shining and bright as a pearl, but the brambles grew tight around it.…

(Using this prompt to play with a revision): To be honest, after the initial shock, I found myself losing interest in the paintings and the exhibit. The first one, the one I'd glimpsed through the window, was the best, and…

Ana bounded into the storeroom of the Horn and Hoof Inn and Tavern early in the morning, not surprised to see Julian and Priya at the rickety table in the center. Steam rose from mugs in front of them and…

There's a lot to figure out today. There's the meeting with the Gurrentz's downtown, but first we have to arrange the cab to pick us up, but not too early because we don't want to wait. We'll have time for…

The clatter of ash staves striking each other filled the small chamber. Mervin clung tightly to his quarterstaff and desperately battered aside each of Master Sarmil's blows. Sweat slicked his limbs, poured down his brow, and caused his linen shirt…

Finkam was an odd name, half German, half Jew. Fink was an easily identifiable Jewish name, but Fink also meant finch in German. It was common for both. "It is like me," thought Agatha, fingering her golden curls while staring…

It was one of those touchy-feely things some school Districts do to fill time in Staff Trainings although the stated purpose was to bring everybody closer, team building, etc. Jenna thought it was counter productive at best, a really poor…

Pearl began to hate her mother Maeve. Her mother who lived only for her. Her mother who hated herself. Her mother who was angry at her father. She blamed her for their troubles as a family, just as her father…