Life in progress


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Random Update on My Week

Day 5 is almost in the bag and we’re all still alive.

It’s been an interesting week. I managed to write and submit a new short story to my publisher (I can’t believe I can actually say “my publisher”!) yesterday. Transmundane Press’s next release will be an anthology themed on dreams. I’m happy with what I’ve written–hope they will be too. Wish me luck.

Speaking of luck, it’s lucky St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow. If you’re interested in reading the stories that have kept me busy editing for the last three weeks, you can download the e-book, Shamrocks, Shillelaghs & Shenanigans for free at your favourite e-book retailer. C’mon. With a cover like this, I know you’re curious:

You can find all the links at the bottom of this post.

In other news, as I was driving the other day, annoyed that it was taking so long to get to my destination, I started to wonder if I’m getting spoiled by fiction. Okay, I know that doesn’t make much sense on the surface, but hear me out.

When I write scenes, if I want my characters to go from one exciting scenario to the next, I just put them there. Because let’s face it, most of the time traveling is boring. There’s a reason kids ask “are we there yet?” I spend so much time in the world of fiction, whether I’m reading it, writing it, or editing it, that it has become more the norm than what’s normal.

I really need to get out more, don’t you think?

Anyhoo, that’s my short update. Back to work.

Here are the links to the FREE book of sexy short stories.

Enjoy!

Amazon US

Amazon Canada

Amazon Australia

Smashwords

Apple

Kobo

Barnes & Noble

 


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197. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Note: Strong language

Friday, March 16th, 9:00pm
Hillary (and Sean)

 

Hillary sits at the window. Sean takes the seat beside her.

Sean: Hey.

Hillary: What?

Sean: I just said hey. Who pissed in your Rice Krispies this morning?

Hillary snorts.

Sean: You and lover boy break up?

Hillary: I’m not talking about him.

Sean: Ohhh, trouble in Paradi–

Hillary: (cuts him off) Wanna get fucked up?

Sean: Sure.

Hillary: Good. I got the dope. Just promise me you’re not gonna talk about that fuckhead, and you might get more then just dope.

Sean pretends to zip his lips shut.

Hillary: (regards him silently for a moment) I think I like you this way.

Sean: You know me. Anything for a blow job.

Hillary: (turns to the window) Never mind.

 

Next stop: Saturday, March 17th, 10:00am

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS March 17/18

Would you look at that! It’s Friday again! That means it’s time for your Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. There used to be a time, looong ago, when I could come up with something original for the opening line to this post. As you might have noticed, I’ve run out of new ways to say “it’s Friday.” What’s a girl to do? But I haven’t run out of original prompts yet. Four years’ worth of weekly prompts, this month! The first SoCS prompt was for March 8th, 2014. Anyway, here’s your prompt:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “green.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here at this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome Stream of Consciousness post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our new SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

 

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!


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196. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Note: Strong language

Thursday, March 15th, 5:00pm
Drommen and Francine (and Hillary)

 

Drommen: Let’s just get you home okay? You look like you’re about to collapse. I don’t know why they let you out so soon …

Francine: I’m okay.

Drommen: (puts his arm around her) No you’re n– (looks up to see Hillary board the bus) Oh God.

Hillary: (approaches) Jake! You’re out!

Drommen: (widening his eyes and shaking his head minutely) Jessica, hi. This is my sister, Francine.

Francine: (looks up and smiles thinly) Hi. Jake’s mentioned you. Nice to meet you.

Hillary: Hi. (turns to Drommen) So, how was–

Drommen: (cutting her off) Francine’s not feeling well. Can we talk another time?

Hillary: Sssure … I just wanted to say I’m glad you got out of j–

Drommen: FUCK! off now, please.

Hillary, looking as though she’s about to cry, walks to the back of the bus.

Francine: Why were you so rude? I thought you liked her.

Drommen: I do. Just … never mind. Let’s get you home, okay?

 

Next stop: Friday, March 16th, 9:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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195. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Wednesday, March 14th, 8:00pm
Grub (and Hillary and everyone else on the bus)

 

Grub sits at the window. Hillary takes the seat beside him.

Grub: Hey.

Hillary: Hey.

Grub: I love you, man.

Grub reaches out to touch her. She moves to the seat behind.

Grub: (stands and turns) I love you, man!

Grub: (lifts hands) I love all of you!

Grub gets kicked off the bus.

 

Next stop: Thursday, March 15th, 5:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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One-Liner Wednesday – Report

Day Two of March Break has come to a successful conclusion: we are all still alive.

In other news, is it spring yet?

Asking for a friend.


If you would like to participate in this prompt, feel free to use the “One-Liner Wednesday” title in your post, and if you do, you can ping back here to help your blog get more exposure. To execute a pingback, just copy the URL in the address bar on this post, and paste it somewhere in the body of your post. Your link will show up in the comments below. Please ensure that the One-Liner Wednesday you’re pinging back to is this week’s! Otherwise, no one will likely see it but me.

NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, like Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

As with Stream of Consciousness Saturday (SoCS), if you see a pingback from someone else in my comment section, click and have a read. It’s bound to be short and sweet.

Unlike SoCS, this is not a prompt so there’s no need to stick to the same “theme.”

The rules that I’ve made for myself (but don’t always follow) for “One-Liner Wednesday” are:

1. Make it one sentence.

2. Try to make it either funny or inspirational.

3. Use our unique tag #1linerWeds.

4. Add our very cool badge to your post for extra exposure!

5. Have fun!

#1linerWeds badge by Dan Antion

 


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194. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Tuesday, March 13th, 4:00pm
Simon (and Darlene)

 

Simon sits at the window. Darlene takes the seat beside him.

Simon: (turns slowly to look at Darlene) Excuse me.

Darlene: Yes?

Simon: If you lived among cannibals, would you ever brag that you have good taste?

Darlene: (thinks for a moment) No, I wouldn’t.

Simon: Neither would I.

 

Next stop: Wednesday, March 14th, 8:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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Linda G. Hill, a Featured Interview

I was interviewed! You can read it here. 🙂


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193. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Note: Strong language

Monday, March 12th, 5:00pm
Phil (and Fiona)

 

Phil sits at the window. Fiona takes the seat beside him.

Fiona: Where’s your car?

Phil: I beg your pardon?

Fiona: Your car. Ain’t you the guy I seen who’s gettin’ a car?

Phil: (snorts) Right. You told me you got into an accident. Probably jinxed me.

Fiona: Did you get into ‘n accident too?

Phil: Yeah. Smashed up my car AND my arm. (points to left arm in a sling) I’m just waiting for the insurance company to settle.

Fiona: You’re not gettin’ another car, are ya?

Phil: I plan to.

Fiona: (turns away and mumbles) Thats men for ya. Crazy shit for brains.

 

Next stop: Tuesday, March 13th, 4:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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192. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Sunday, March 11th, 10:00am
Phyllis (and Zoey)

 

Phyllis sits in the aisle seat. Zoey approaches.

Zoey: Excuse me, may I sit there?

Phyllis: (looks up with a snarl) I knew you were going to ask me that.

Phyllis moves to the window seat and Zoey sits.

Zoey: Thanks.

Phyllis: (waves her hand) Think nothing of it.

They sit quietly for a few stops.

Phyllis: There’s going to be three people waiting at the next stop.

Zoey: Ookay.

Phyllis: What? You don’t believe me?

Zoey: No, sure. I believe you.

Phyllis: I’m psychic. That’s how I knew you were going to ask me to move.

Zoey: (raises one eyebrow) Hm.

The bus stops and three people get on.

Phyllis: (smirks) See? Told you.

Zoey looks at her but says nothing.

Phyllis: You think I’m crazy don’t you?

Zoey: No …?

Phyllis: I’ll prove it again. Next stop is going to be five people getting on.

Zoey: Oookay.

The bus stops and four people get on.

Zoey turns to Phyllis, eyebrows raised.

Phyllis: It’s because I have a skeptic sitting beside me. (flicks hands at Zoey) Go away! You’re blocking my abilities!

Zoey shakes her head and changes seats.

 

Next stop: Monday, March 12th, 5:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.