Archives
RWA Traditional Author Weekend—A Newbie Reflects
Posted on April 22, 2024 Leave a Comment
On April 6th and 7th, I attended my first literary conference. As an RWA general member, I felt compelled to start participating in events other than the monthly “Power Up” sessions. The conference was instructive, energizing, but mostly daunting. Back in a previous life, I went to college to become a businessperson. I had zero […]
Here Comes the Pitch…
Posted on January 14, 2024 Leave a Comment
As the story goes, my sophomore history teacher, Mr. Chamberlin, singled out my mother and father on parent’s night to announce that I was, “an exceptional writer,” and “should be encouraged to write more.” This was news to them. This was breaking news to me. Up to that point in my life, I’d only considered […]
The Busiest Empty Space
Posted on July 31, 2022 1 Comment
It was sheer sensual blight. Up to this point, it was something literally unimaginable for Sam. There were blinking, spinning, and undulating lights, there were screens showing all manner of everything, there was music pouring from everywhere and everything. It was lousy with a frenetic vibe that would overdose even the most Zen humanoid. It […]
The Dance of the Cubes
Posted on July 9, 2022 1 Comment
The way the ice cubes glided, swooned even, around the bottom of the glass made Sam both happy and sad. Those final dance moves were special, sublime even. But when she took the last sip of the magic elixir that suspended the dancers, they began to simply collide at the bottom of her glass. Without […]
Born and Raised – The Redux
Posted on November 23, 2020 1 Comment
Even in the bewildering epoch between childhood and womanhood, she knew her home was not home. Once a month, Sam found herself dragged along to her mother’s hair appointment. Parked in one of the bright green Naugahyde chairs arranged like fence posts bordering the rectangular reception area of the salon, Sam would sit and wait. […]
Lipstick Sunset – The Redux
Posted on July 19, 2020 Leave a Comment
If I lay here forever, this can’t end, she thought, in vain. If I never give up this room, it will be mine, forever. She pulled the covers over her face. If I stay here, who will miss me? But he’d have to stay with me… The thought scored her heart. She felt like she was bleeding […]
Another One Bites the Dust – The Tridux
Posted on May 26, 2020 Leave a Comment
The thought of starting her own business with Kendra was as exciting as the thought of going back to Eau Claire and never again seeing these impossible people was excruciating. The whole thing made her ache at some foundational level that encompassed the heart, mind, and soul, especially. She desperately wanted another drink, but she […]
Another One Bites the Dust – The Redux
Posted on April 17, 2020 Leave a Comment
As they all approached the bend leading toward the conclusion of her harrowing and magical evening, the repetition of the chorus swaddled Sam in sense of reckless comfort. She had fleeting seconds to soak it all in, but it was just enough. She’d never fronted a band of any configuration or clique. The closest she’d […]
Dancing Queen
Posted on October 2, 2019 Leave a Comment
Like the rest of the servers, a crisply uniformed automaton bartender presented their drinks in a manner so efficient, Kenny wondered if their motions were being choreographed by a central consciousness. He mainlined half his G&T on the first lift. He dropped the remaining half of his drink on the bar and turned his attention back to Sam, who was gingerly […]
Soda Pop Girl
Posted on July 22, 2019 Leave a Comment
When the Uber driver plunged his finger into the doorbell at the street-level door, Sam and Kendra were sitting in the window seat. Sam wanted to soak up the magic of that space one last time, linger in that atmosphere just a moment longer. She’d yearn for its calming aura for months. Sam kissed Kendra on the cheek as the […]
Blake Charles Donley 