Mistletoe

She was finished sitting around waiting for him to finally leave his noisy, big haired wife. It was time to take matters into her own hands, and what better time than the Christmas party? Armed with a ball of waxy leaves sprouting tiny white flowers that hung from a red bow, she marched up to her target and grinned wickedly holding the ball above them as high as her arm would allow. He looked around them at everyone and shot her a death glance, but leaned in for a good-natured peck on her cheek, but at the last moment she turned her head, in an age old girl move, forcing him to kiss her smack on the lips. When she wound her arms possessively around his neck, and deepened the kiss, she heard the satisfying sound of his wife gasp followed by her loud exit

Link up your own MISTLETOE story here.
Check out past Five Sentence Fiction posts here.

Lillie

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I am taking a blogging break for the holidays. On the first of January I will be back with a blog about my hopes, plans, and goals for 2012.


I hope you each have a beautiful holiday and the happiest of New Years!!

There will also be a link open at the bottom of this post until January 1, 2012 for anyone who wants to link up for the holiday Five Sentence Fiction.

The inspiration word: MISTLETOE

Lillie

Poison

Jacob snuck down the stairs, looking back over his shoulder to be sure his parents weren’t following, and stopped at the bottom to peek around the door to the chimney. Santa wasn’t here yet, but Jacob knew it wouldn't be long now. Since putting those worms in Suzie Jo Martin’s hair had made everyone so angry, he was sure his name was on the naughty list. He knew Santa wouldn’t be able to resist the milk and cookies, so Jacob had left a note to ensure the shiny red bike would finally be his. There was no poison in the milk, of course, but Santa wouldn’t know that.

Link up your poison post here.

'Wrap it up' Blogfest

Three awesome bloggers are hosting this blogfest,

Leigh Covington , David Powers King, and J.A. Bennett. 

To get all the details click the picture below.

My entry:

You came into my life as the birds began their Spring song. Brightly colored blooms surrounded us in the park that day. I remember the way you smiled with your whole face as you jogged over to me, apologizing for Brutus’s forgotten manners. I looked down at my new white skirt, freshly stained with the coffee I spilled when Brutus greeted me, and just laughed. We’d never met before, but I loved him. He looked through me with the intelligent eyes of a dog who knows a broken person when he sees them.

The Summer was one of cherished memories, our spring crush turned to summer love. I remember the long, lazy days on the beach with you and Brutus. The day Brutus saved the little boy’s ball from being swept out to sea was a special one for me. You glowed with pride watching him dive right in to grab the ball tightly between his teeth and, after shaking the salty wetness from his back, trot over to the toddler and lay the ball at his feet.

Soon the leaves turned fiery shades of orange, red, and yellow. In a blink the beauty was gone, and the leaves became dry, brown, crunches beneath our feet. It was then Brutus began spending more time on the couch, less time chasing his favorite tennis ball. I think you knew before I did; you tried to protect me.  I watched the spark die in Brutus’ eyes a little more each day. You and I would share desperate glances over his furry head, knowing there was nothing we could do but love him.

We were given a year of bliss with Brutus. I owe my life to him for what he taught me about love and happiness.

Because of him, I have you.

Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Poison

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction. This week’s inspiration word is: POISON

Photo found here.

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below.

Check out past Five Sentece Fiction posts here.

Also, be sure to visit everyone's FSF post

Lillie

Nineteen

She glares at the cursor, irritated by its mocking blink reminding her she spent too much time using backspace, Facebook and Twitter.  Five hours at the desk with only nineteen words to show for her numb rear and strained eyes. Sure, there had been more words at certain parts of the day, but in the end only nineteen remained. Sitting back in her brown leather chair, she imagined how it might feel to take her laptop outside to run over it with her car a few times, or throw open the window and hurl it down to the cold hard ground below, or take it out back, toss it on the old charcoal grill and watch it go up in glorious flames. But, she knew she would be sorry if she killed her laptop, because while it had been a rough day that hunk of gigabytes and ram housed pieces of her heart and soul.

Link up your own NINETEEN story here.
Check out past Five Sentence Fiction posts here.


Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Nineteen

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.
Thanks to Steven at Stuck in my Own Mind for this week's word!

This week’s inspiration word is: NINETEEN

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below.
Check out past Five Sentece Fiction posts here.

Also, be sure to visit everyone's FSF post!

Lillie

Write on Wednesday - Nine Ladies Dancing

Write On Wednesdays Exercise 27 - Mel suggested that we look at the "12 Days of Christmas" poem/song and select one of the days/lines for our writing inspiration. So, whether a Partridge in a Pear Tree or Five Golden Rings, write your line at the top of your page, set your timer for 5 minutes and write the first words that come into your head.

Martinique watched the nine ladies dancing elegantly across the polished hardwood floor. Her mouth curved into a smug smirk. She would soon be the tenth. Poor Elizabeth, the former number ten, had fallen down an entire flight of stairs last week, leaving her with multiple broken bones and not a single chance of staying in the show.

Closing her eyes, breathing in the satisfaction, Martinique smiled. No one saw who pushed Elizabeth down those stairs. It was such a dark area. Must’ve been an accident, they all said. Martinique knew better. She knew how to get what she wanted, so that’s what she’d done.

“Ah, Martinique,” the rail thin instructor said, tapping his fingers together in front of his face. “So happy to have you. You’ve quite graceful shoes to fill. Come on, let’s see what you’ve got.”

Martinique fought the grimace trembling behind her lips. She wanted to spit in the man’s face. How dare he treat her like some green, off the street, dancer? Pushing down the burst of red fury behind her eyes, she lifted her chin and headed out onto the floor.

First she sprung into her classic chasse, that led to a flurry of perfectly pointed toes as she executed a flawless sous sous. She ended with particularly difficult grand jete, which she nailed. Slowly letting her arms fall from above her head, she kept her eyes focused triumphantly on the doubting man.

“Is that what you had in mind?” she questioned.

He snapped his fingers at the other nine dancers, who had pressed in a line against the wall to watch her performance. “Okay, break time is up, let’s get started.”

She fumed. He didn’t so much as nod at her work. As she took her position in line, she pondered the ways to make him pay for his disrespect.

Check out the other WoW posts here.

Only Writing in my Head!

Ever get to that place in the novel writing adventure where it’s all you think about, but writing is still difficult? I’m so there.

My dog gets my frustration!

I am still working on my NaNo novel. It is a story I love, full of characters I want to be friends with, but I still have a hard time getting the words out. Sometimes, I want to start back at the beginning and edit, edit, edit. Other times, I think I should continue writing and edit later.

The story is always on my mind. I don’t have the slightest problem thinking of things that I want to happen, things I want to tweak, or characters that need a little something extra. The story plays alive and well across my mind; everything is magic and harmonious in my head, but as soon as I sit down to get all of it down the creative factory closes, an iron door falls shutting in everything I wanted to say. It’s the strangest case of writer’s block I’ve ever encountered.

Sometimes I think the pressure I feel to write perfectly, self-inflicted pressure of course, harms my writing more than anything else. I want the words to flow as beautifully on paper as they do in my mind. So, when I sit down to write I fear I won’t live up to my own expectations. It’s a constant battle between me, myself, and I.

How do you get past this?

On a happier note, an amazing writer has started a blog! Check out Steven’s blog. He basically kicked NaNoWriMo rear, and is still going strong. Also, if you’re up for #wordmongering on Twitter, he is around for motivation. Just try and keep up with his 30 minute words counts. I dare you! Find him on Twitter: @ashviper

Secrets

They are the gumdrops and lollypops in our day. The sweet things, whispered late at night that no one knows but us. Separated in a crowded room, it's the single shared glance that is an entire conversation. 

It’s the worn spot under the weeping willow where we sit on sunny afternoons.

Shared hearts, shared secrets.

Five Sentence Fiction - Secrets

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s inspiration word is: SECRETS

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below.

Check out past Five Sentece Fiction posts here.

Also, be sure to visit everyone's FSF post!

Lillie

Write on Wednesday: Flames

Write On Wednesdays Exercise 26 - Look at the photo at the top of this post. What does it inspire in you? Set your timer for 5 minutes. With the photo in mind, write the first words that come into your head until the buzzer rings. If you aren't a visual person, you could try lighting a few candles and writing by candlelight. Different sensory experiences can be useful for inspiring creative writing so please play around to make the prompt suit your writing needs. If you do try writing by candlelight, let us know. I'd love to know how it works for you!

A hand curved carefully around the tiny flame, providing shelter from the storm. Lost between here and there, desperate to remain. She walked past angry faces, shadows carved from crippled branches dipping and swaying in a devilish dance.

Once, twice the light threatened to die.

The only beacon, she willed it to burn on through the storm. Stronger than the curved hand. Stronger than the beating heart. Her anxiety grew as she felt the slipping of sand through the hour glass like boulders falling from a steep incline, barreling towards expiration.

It was like that here.

Where no light was found, but for the faint spark on a dying candle stick. But there was hope. Hope that sparks became flames and flames became life. She glanced down at the flickering orange oval that was her future. Her mission was not an easy one, but she’d give her life readily to protect the radiance it promised.

Not a fleeting thing. But, a pulse growing stronger, steadier.

Her mouth lifted at the slight brightening of the light, as though it understood their mission. Together they would set the fire of life to this dead place.

Check out the other WoW posts here!!

Sacrifice

Anna sat comfortably where Joe parked her, enjoying the mingling crowd of family and friends at her thirtieth birthday party. She looked up and smiled warmly as her cousin came to crouch in front of Anna’s wheelchair for a chat. It had been a rough few weeks as Anna’s Multiple Sclerosis roared loudly as if to remind her it was bigger than she and would ruin her birthday party if it felt like it, but with her husband’s love and never ending devotion as caregiver, the party was a hit.

          “You look lovely, and I just want you to know what an inspiration your strength is to us all,” her cousin said, squeezing Anna’s hand.               

          “Well thank you, but the credit goes to him,” Anna replied, nodding at Joe who was busy filling a plate full of Anna’s favorite treats.

Link up your own SACRIFICE story here.
Check out past Five Sentence Fiction posts here.


Lillie

A Writer's Treasure Hunt - Week Four

After NaNoWriMo wraps up, we’ll all be proud of ourselves for our hard work, but also ready for a break. So, I would like to give away two books to one lucky winner as an end of November treat!

The first book you can win is an autographed copy of The NaNoLand Chronicles By: Chris Baty. The second is a surprise that you will have to uncover. Each week in November I will post clues so that you can hunt down one of the words in the title of the mystery book.

After all clues are posted, the first ten people to unscramble the words, and comment with the correct book title, will go into a drawing to win both books! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2011.

Clues for Week Four: The word you are looking for this week is five letters long.

1)    Head over to Becca's fantastic site.

2)    The first letter can be found under The Why tab. When you find out what Becca love's beginning, the letter is the last letter in that word.

3)    Under categories find short stories. The next letter is the seventh letter of the title of Becca's story.

4)    Locate Becca's post from January 20, 2011. The next letter is the ninth letter of the second subheading in this post.

5)    Go to the contact section for the fourth letter. Click the link to see Becca's twitter feed. The letter is the sixth letter in her blurb about herself.

6)    The fifth letter is in Becca's post from September 7, 20011. Becca gives an example for 'the alternative' in parenthesis. The letter is the eigth letter in her example.

If you need to catch up:

The first week's word can be found here.

The second week’s word can be found here.

The third week's word can be found here.


Once you have the title of the mystery book post it below.
Winner announced December 1, 2011.

Best of luck,

Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Sacrifice

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s inspiration word is: SACRIFICE

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below. Also, be sure to check out the other link ups! Any feedback on Five Sentence Fiction is welcome!

Lillie

Write on Wednesday: The saddest thing I ever heard

Write On Wednesdays Exercise 25 - I heard a song on the radio during the week and I thought the lyrics would make an interesting prompt for WoW. So, write the words "The saddest thing I ever heard" on your page, set your timer for 5 minutes and write the first words that come into your head based on the given prompt.

Everything about the weather is wrong. The sun is shining brilliantly in the clear blue sky, even while a storm ravages my soul. Chirping birds busy themselves near the stone bath, making a cheery fuss over the freshly blooming spring day. Even the blue tulips around my mailbox seem to dance in the light breeze.

It's all wrong. I would prefer rain falling steadily from a dark and angry sky, while lightning bolts pierce through the clouds like javelins. That, at least, would make sense.

With the perverse humor of the weather, Hunter strolls from the house with his last bag, whistling. Whistling! It is the final stitch unraveling from the tattered mess our relationship has become. He is happy to leave me. The last fifteen years meant so little to him that he can leave me behind humming a merry tune all the way. I watch him from the porch of our home that in an instant becomes just a house, a stack of bricks and mortar: a tomb of memories. He tosses his bag into the passenger seat as he climbs into his recently acquired cherry red coupé.

The last sound before he heads off into his life after me is the resolute slamming of the car door. It is the saddest thing I ever heard.

Be sure to check out the other WoW posts here.

Lightning

He pulled the bill of his hat lower over his eyes, shook his head once, twice, then nodded. Rolling his shoulders slowly back, he adjusted his fingers. Two seam, it was his money ball. Sucking in a breath he stepped back, lifted his right leg, twisted at the waist, and let out a whoosh of air as he dropped his shoulder letting it fly. He grinned discretely when the bat swung catching nothing but air, can’t hit lighting.





Link up your own LIGHTNING story here.
Check out past Five Sentence Fiction posts here.


Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Lightning

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s inspiration word is: LIGHTNING

 

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below. Also, be sure to check out the other link ups! Any feedback on Five Sentence Fiction is welcome!

Lillie

Picture found here.

A Writer's Treasure Hunt - Week Three

After NaNoWriMo wraps up, we’ll all be proud of ourselves for our hard work, but also ready for a break. So, I would like to give away two books to one lucky winner as an end of November treat!

The first book you can win is an autographed copy of The NaNoLand Chronicles By: Chris Baty. The second is a surprise that you will have to uncover. Each week in November I will post clues so that you can hunt down one of the words in the title of the mystery book.

After all clues are posted, the first ten people to unscramble the words, and comment with the correct book title, will go into a drawing to win both books! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2011.

Clues for Week Two: The word you are looking for this week is three letters long.

1)    Head over to Maureen’s fantastic blog.

2)   The first letter can be found in the About section. It is the first letter of the month the comments were written in.

3)   On the opening page of the blog find her perfect take ‘On Writer’s Block’. The second letter is the last letter in the second word.

4)   Find Maureen’s post on ‘twitter jail’.  What does she say being booted for a whole day is for someone with [her] affliction? The second letter is the fifth letter in that word.

Once you’ve hunted down this week’s word hold on to it and link up below so other treasure hunters can check out your blog!

If you need to catch up:

The first week's word can be found here.

The second week’s word can be found here.

Best of luck,

Lillie

Conquering Fears

Tonight I did something I always try to avoid at any cost.

The idea of talking to a group of people makes me lose sleep, no matter the group or the subject. In my public speaking class in college I considered it a success as long as I didn’t pass out during my speech. Whenever I present to a group my face heats up and turns a lovely shade of red. I hate it. I know people see it, but no matter how hard I try to psych myself out there’s nothing I can do to prevent it from happening.

Two weeks ago, a fellow NaNoWriMo participant invited me to a creative writing group near my house that meets once a week. When he asked I was elated – just the thing I’ve been looking for! But, then the reality of it set in. I would be sharing my writing, MY writing, to a group of other writers face to face. That is scary.

Well, I sucked it up and went to the meeting. I’m so glad I did. Red faced, with a shaky voice, I read out loud an excerpt of my NaNoWriMo novel to them. The responses rocked my socks! Also, the pieces everyone else read were amazing. I never realized how much I could learn by listening to discussions of writing, any writing. When I left I was giddy and proud of myself.

For me, it was truly a fear conquered. Can’t wait until next time!

Picture found here.

NaNoWriMo: Halfway There!

It’s thirteen days into my first NaNoWriMo attempt, and I’m feeling pretty good. Two hours ago I reached twenty-five thousand words. Half way there! The best part - I adore my characters.

This is a new style of writing for me. It’s been a great thing, because I often get stuck in an edit-as-I-go routine, which slows me down considerably. The need to reach a particular word count in a limited time frame has forced me to dig in, put my head down, and keep typing.

It’s also my first time writing a novel with the assistance of a detailed outline. Wow! I’m hooked. It was like nails on a chalkboard to get the outline done, but it was worth every second. I haven’t followed it exactly. I’ve left things out, added things, moved things around, but that’s the way it goes. I am a definite reformed ‘pantser.’

Another huge contributor to my word count are my amazing Twitter buddies. Writers are a supportive, motivational group. They truly want each other to succeed and write their very best.

So, go visit some of these amazing writers!

Angela Goff

Angie Richmond

Becca Campbell

Cara Michaels

Stant Litore

Tonya

Where are you in your NaNoWriMo progress? What has helped you so far?

Delectable

Smooth and creamy, a hint of shimmer, they are beautiful. His mouth waters thinking about the pink and plump perfection. It’s been two long days since he's had a taste, only able to daydream about how perfect they felt on his mouth. But, the hunger ends now, today. He smiles in anticipation as he leans forward to press his lips gently to hers, delectable!




Link up your own delectable story here.

Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Delectable

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s inspiration word is: DELECTABLE

prettyprowler.blogspot.com

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below. Also, be sure to check out the other link ups! Any feedback on Five Sentence Fiction is welcome!

Lillie

Write on Wednesday - We are learning to make fire

Write On Wednesdays Exercise 23 - Write the words of Margaret Atwood at the top of your page "We are learning to make fire". Set your timer to 5 minutes. Write the first words that come into your head after the prompt. Stop when the buzzer rings.

A leaping, licking, luscious thing.

Flickers fly from heated skin, fireflies dancing in the wind.

Easy now.

Don’t look away, sparks turn to flames with a glance, a caress, a murmur.

A voracious, vicious, vibrant thing.

Feed the blaze, don’t let it wither to ash carried far and distant by the wind.

Don’t drown it in a hurricane of tears.

Embrace it, be consumed by it, care for it.

Be bold.

Grab the frenzied warmth with both hands, let it catch your heart ablaze.

Be sure to check out the other WoW posts here.

A Writer's Treasure Hunt - Week Two

After NaNoWriMo wraps up, we’ll all be proud of ourselves for our hard work, but also ready for a break. So, I would like to give away two books to one lucky winner as an end of November treat!

The first book you can win is an autographed copy of The NaNoLand Chronicles  By: Chris Baty. The second is a surprise that you will have to uncover. Each week in November I will post clues so that you can hunt down one of the words in the title of the mystery book.

After all clues are posted, the first ten people to unscramble the words, and comment with the correct book title, will go into a drawing to win both books! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2011.

Clues for Week Two: The word you are looking for this week is five letters long.

1)    Head over to Abby Fower's amazing blog.

2)    The first letter can be found in Abby's post "Bits of Awesome" from 9-25-2011. Find the word ALSO in the post. The letter you're looking for comes right after this.

3)    Find the categories section of Abby's blog. Click on "Blogs to See". The letter you're looking for is the 1st letter of the 12th word in the very last sentence of the post.

4)    Next find Abby's 'eye candy'!!! You need the middle letter of the 9th word in the caption. Enjoy.

5)    Check out her contest tab. Why not put in your suggestion while you're there? The letter you want is the 2nd letter in the 3rd subheading.

6)    Last, find Abby's post from November 7, 2011. You need the 3rd letter in this post's title.

Once you’ve hunted down this week’s word hold on to it and link up below so other treasure hunters can check out your blog!

If you need to catch up, the first week's word can be found here.

Best of luck,

Lillie

Bewitched

“Sarah, stop looking at me like I'm a huge piece of ooey gooey chocolate cake.”

“You stop looking at me like I'm a mint condition Captain America comic book.”

His eyes sparkled with delight as he said, “Seriously, stop, you're creeping me out.”

“Can't, may never be able to,” she said, taking his hand.

“I love you too,” he replied, entwining their fingers.

Link up you're own bewitched story here.

Lillie

Five Sentence Fiction - Bewitched

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the inspiration word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just take your inspiration from that word.

This week’s inspiration word is: BEWITCHED

I look forward to reading everyone's five sentences. Post your sentences on your blog, and link up your post below. Once you've posted, be sure to check out the other posts. Any feedback on Five Sentence Fiction is welcome!

Lillie

A Writer's Treasure Hunt - Week One

After NaNoWriMo wraps up, we’ll all be proud of ourselves for our hard work, but also ready for a break. So, I would like to give away two books to one lucky winner as an end of November treat!

The first book you can win is The NaNoLand Chronicles  By: Chris Baty. The second is a surprise that you will have to uncover. Each week in November I will post clues so that you can hunt down one of the words in the title of the mystery book.

After all clues are posted, the first ten people to unscramble the words, and comment with the correct book title, will go into a drawing to win both books! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2011.

Clues for Week One: The word you are looking for this week is three letters long.

1)   Head over to Lora Rivera’s awesome blog.

2)  The first letter can be found in Lora’s March 2011 post "Turns out the Chicken was Bad." It is the first letter of the fifth word in the last sentence of the post.

3)   Find Lora’s post from Friday, January 21, 2011. The letter you want is the first letter in this post’s title.  

4)   The second letter can be found in Lora’s August 2011 post "A Little Calendar Fun." Find ‘How am I involved?’ The letter you’re looking for is the last letter in the word describing a four legged furry creature.

Once you’ve hunted down this week’s word hold on to it and link up below so other treasure hunters can check out your blog!

Best of luck,

Lillie