What does your story’s characters eat? Today at Jessica Barksdale’s retreat, she suggested we write about food for 20 minutes. In Norman in the Painting, Jill wants to stall before going to her sister’s house. Viv, who has had too much to drink, tells Jill that the body of her colleague was found by the […]
A short story called “Duration Matters”
In Written Across the Genres, the last Mainstream Fiction short story, is “Duration Matters” by Arleen Eagling. It’s written in first person. The protagonist, Jennifer, is a high school student and she’s in trouble. Here are the first couple paragraphs: “Three months after I transferred from prep school to Ramsey High, I waited outside the […]
Writing Retreat Weekend Coming Up
My writer mentor teacher from years ago at Diablo Valley College, Jessica Barksdale, will be leading a writing retreat this coming weekend. I’ve submitted my ten pages and look forward to hear what is working and what isn’t. A chapter from Norman in the Painting will be scrutinized. She supplies us with breakfast and lunch, […]
“Saving Sheena” a Short Story by Jan Davies
Jan Davies short story called “Saving Sheena” is in the Mainstream Fiction section of Written Across the Genres, my anthology available on Amazon and Kindle and can be ordered at a local bookstore. Sheena’s grown and married children are worried that she’s lonely living by herself. Here’s is an excerpt: “All five pairs of eyes […]
George Carlin Quotes
George Denis Patrick Carlin born on May 12, 1937, died from heart failure on this day, June 22, 2008, at seventy-one years old. “He was regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians.”His final HBO special, It’s Bad for Ya, was filmed less than four months before his death. In 2008, he […]
Computer Repair Short Story in Anthology
Gary Lea wrote “Countdown,” a short story in my anthology, Written Across the Genres. A friend calls the protagonist to repair a computer that has a virus. Here is an excerpt: “No backup? Did I hear that right?” “I know. We screwed up. It’s just that Frank thought Len did it and Len thought Frank […]
The Use of Diary Entries in a Short Story
Paula Chinick, who wrote a mainstream short story called “Hidden Discovery” in my anthology, Written Across the Genres, used diary entries between narrative paragraphs. Jean, the protagonist, talks in first person about finding her mother’s diary after she died. “I found it a few months ago while forced to go through her things alone. Alone, […]