"A Tree Full of Crows" is a story that made my mother blush--but she also chuckled as I read it to her. Have you ever had a bit too much wine with a bunch of women? If not, this will give you a taste of what happens at a 40+, ladies-only BBQ. 😉 "A Tree Full … Continue reading Short Story: A Tree Full of Crows
A story's gotta start somewhere, right? About three years ago I saw a woman with a semicolon tattoo, and I thought, "Wow! Someone who loves punctuation as much as I do!" But the semicolon nagged me--there had to be more to the story, and I was right. Semicolons are used by writers who could end … Continue reading Short Stories that Start with Research: Understanding the Semicolon
Oh, and I've been walking by the river. Maybe that's why I feel so refreshed. Truth be told, I’ve been busy. A good busy. A productive kind of busy. There have been three areas of focus in the months I’ve seemingly vanished. Teaching, house, yard work Writing Pottery Teaching, house, yard work Need I say … Continue reading Where the Heck Have You Been, Rach? Why, I’ve been Studying the Pelicans
Sometimes my short stories come one snippet at a time. I’ll suddenly have a character or a setting in my head, but the story is not clear. Usually, I open a new file and type out what’s in my head. I toss the ideas into a bulk folder called “Unfinished.” Once in a while, another … Continue reading Short Stories One Snippet at a Time
Once in a while, the first draft of a short story works. These are the stories you start and finish in one sitting. They usually need a second and maybe a third draft before they are ready to submit. Please understand that this rarely happens. When short stories are quickly written in one go, I … Continue reading Stories that Come Out Great in the First Draft