Looks like my story "Randomness" for Spooktoberfest came in first place (as judged by Dani) and runnerup (as judged by Jackie). I can't overstate how excited that makes me. There were some really good entries and I have no idea how they were able to decide.
Huge, huge thanks toDani at Entertaining Interestsand Jackie at Bouquet of Books for putting together such an entertaining blogfest. There were upwards of 40 entries. It was fun to read them and they really got me in the mood for the festivities tonight. The kids always have fun.
Be safe out there. Here are some safety guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services: HALLOWEEN HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS
The laughter coming from outside brings with it great pain. The hard wooden rails of the chair dig into his spine. He rotates a miniature chocolate candy in his hand. The silver wrapper crackles as he looks for evidence of perforations. There are none. It’s impeccable. He drops it into the paper bag laying at his feet. There it joins the untainted. Randomness, pure randomness, just like life. The tapping at the door brings him to his feet. He strides forward as his shoes make loud knocking noises on the hardwood floor. Once outside, he looks down at the monsters that stare back at him. Their eyes waiting for him to move. “Trick or treat,” they yell. Among them are the quintessential ghost made with holy sheets, a witch carrying a cobweb filled cauldron, a dinosaur with razor sharp felt teeth, and a jack-o-lantern that waddles up behind them. Counting them, he knows these are the last ghouls of the night.
He lowers himself holding the paper bag by the rolled down brim. He gives it one last shake, one last play with fate. He drops a chocolate in each bag as the children push them to the front. Past them he sees the smiling parents. One father kneels down and snaps photos of the pumpkin toddling towards a red wagon. The squeals of joy pierce his soul. They remind him of times long past, times removed by fortune.
He expects sirens, screaming, and crying. But all that follows is silence, cold dead silence, like the last three months. From his pocket, he pulls out one final chocolate. Slowly he removes the silver wrapper and pushes the bar into his mouth. He lays himself down on the porch. He closes his eyes. Now he waits.
Happy Monday! It's a new month and I am reminded of how no matter what has happened in the past there is always a new beginning. That's why I like Inspirational Mondays. Where I blog about something that inspired me.
I have a 10,000 short story that I am editing currently. It's screaming to be longer. I didn't intend for it to be more than a short story, but I can't do it justice otherwise. And that's where I'm stuck. The prospect of expanding that universe is so daunting that I would then have on my hands two incomplete novels.
From one story, come three and the ever expanding world that is blossoming in my brain is hard to pin down. It's a blooming universe.
Luckily, time is on my side, yes it is. I've gotten over the initial desire to put stuff out there quickly. What's the rush? There are thousands of people out there putting out millions of stories. I have no reason to rush and will continue to edit and revise, ten years if I have to. I'm inspired to know that I have more time. I just hope to know when I'm done.
Huge, huge thanks to Dani at Entertaining Interests and Jackie at Bouquet of Books for putting together such an entertaining blogfest. There were upwards of 40 entries. It was fun to read them and they really got me in the mood for the festivities tonight. The kids always have fun.
