The Father

…“Father! You’re back at last!”
Miraim’s head appeared in the inner doorway, then disappeared before she returned carrying a large vase of water.
“Here,” she said. “Wash.”
Philip smiled at his busy daughter, so like her mother and a welcome reminder of home, of their real life.
“And how was your supper after we women left you to your gossiping?” She asked, hands on hips…

The Fourth Egg

Bonnie was sitting now, wiping her face with her ever-present handkerchief. She sat, poker-straight, and stared at her shoes, not at her husband.

“It’s so stupid,” she said. “I’m Secretary of the 4H Club, for crying out loud. I been raising and slaughtering animals since I was Maggie’s age!”

Day One; Story Done!

Best of all, I’m loving reading everyone’s posts, which all have a kind of breathless quality to them. We’re all giddy and excited because we committed to this and can’t believe it, and yet we have written and had fun and are loving letting our creative kittens out of the river-bound sack.

What Was I Thinking?!

OK, I’m a little nervous. Two days until we begin this journey of writing a story a day. But it’s a good nervous. It’s an energetic nervous. I’m like a stallion in the gate, ready for the off. Quivering a little. Already I’m noticing benefits from this Story A Day project: I’m looking at the… Continue reading What Was I Thinking?!

Short Stories Are Not Novels

The best short stories can say a lot, but they don’t try to do too much. Writing a story a day is going to be a huge challenge. Inventing characters and settings and inhabiting them for just one day? Huge. Don’t try to do too much. We don’t have the time or space to tell… Continue reading Short Stories Are Not Novels

A Week of Stories From One (Stolen) Idea

Is your story refusing to sing? Are you sick of the sound of your own prose? There are times when every (good) writer feels this way. It could be a moment of great despair, but it could also be an opportunity to try something new.

Ideas! Ideas! Finding Writing Ideas For You Short Story

I’m going to write A Story A Day in May. I bet you could too… Some days finding ideas is easier than others. On the days where the story ideas are flowing, stick a bucket under the spigot and catch them all. You’ll need them later. (And when you come back to them, give them… Continue reading Ideas! Ideas! Finding Writing Ideas For You Short Story

How To Write A Story A Day

I’m going to write A Story A Day in May. Dare to join me? I’m not sure yet (because I haven’t done it), but I think it’s going to be possible to write a story a day. Here are some of the ways I’m planning to make time every day to tell stories: Tell Stories… Continue reading How To Write A Story A Day