Displeased with an unjust aristocracy, my Ill-at-ease, combat-boot, pistol packing protagonist Saddles her bag and crosses a moonlit bridge leading Away from her dystopian Society ravaged with politicians Touting equality and proposing Remedies riddled with ambiguities, my Outraged protagonist flees iniquity for Utopia where the populace matters not just a Shameful wealthy few Copyright…
I Forgot Crimson Soil
I forgot miles of crimson soil burning red in Alabama sun I forgot the feel of earth velvety rich between my toes I forgot the smell of dirt after a thunderstorm steaming bread freshly baked I forgot childish play in Alabama clay fingers glazed with mud pie batter I forgot tranquil car rides on hidden…
Magical Realism
It’s important for writers not only to write consistently, but also to read, and read a lot, especially in their genre of choice. I grew up reading many different genres, but none have fascinated me as much as Magical Realism which has inspired my writing greatly. Magical Realism (Magic Realism, Fabulism) is a genre encompassed not…
Five O’clock
A steady ritual starts at five when the sun barely shines A somnolent rise despising time’s constant ticking prompt Make haste, don’t be late, chop-chop, get up I lay aestheticized In a numbing malaise, moxie escapes traverse my mind Til pungent aromas inspire my rise toward a closer destination I linger, sipping dark-roast indulgence Til time tick-tocks…
Building Your Writer’s Brand
Indie authors are jack-of-all-trades. Not only are they writers, but also promoters and marketers of their finished product. This for most writers is difficult and for some an afterthought. Before you finish your book, you should have a well-defined marketing plan established and the first step is to create a mission statement. In simple terms, a…
Author Interview with Lyrical Pens — e. michael helms
LYRICAL PENS Spotlights author E. Michael Helms Today! cj Sez: Lyrical Pens’ guest today is Mystery Thriller Week author E. Michael Helms, who writes the popular Mac McClellan mystery series. The latest in the series from Coffeetown/Camel Press is the brand-new deadly spirits, which launched on Jan 15, 2017. (Congratulations, Michael.) This busy author graciously […]…
Carefree
Tethered to desk and steel quill, toes rapping, fingers tapping an ever so slight facial mapping explodes epiphany quelling deep deliberation, impelling ink on paper a discordance of metal savages tranquility eliciting colorful ephemeral memories of bangles jangling on a breeze, swatting bees plucking leaves, climbing trees carefree days with not a worry running,…
Gossamer Hands
I’m a passenger on a predestined journey Guided by hands I cannot see When I stumble she pulls positioning me forward When I fall she lifts with inspiring energy When I fumble and flop she swerves not deterred In a range of angles, I cannot see No constraints can defeat my invisible Marionette Who…
Mindless Snacking
Okay, I couldn’t help but be a little ridiculous with today’s word prompts, snack and magnet. The first thought that came to mind was mindless snacking sticking to my gluteus maximus. 🙂 A snack is a magnet to my back not my spine, literally my behind molded in svelte lines my derriere must not…
Arrival
I long to escape local scenery Mountainous high-rises, condo beehives Cringe-worthy lives squarely compartmentalized Glassy illusions of life I long for nature’s bucolic beauty rolling hills, sky-high trees, misty breezes along sunny speckled creeks I long to escape behind the wheel and watch nature rush past in verdant rows I close my eyes escaping towering…
Rebound: A Supernatural Short Story
An excerpt from Rebound – A Supernatural Short Story by E. Denise Billups Carole answered the door on Saturday night and immediately recognized Michael. But he couldn’t possibly recognize her new form. She can’t stand being in the same room. Flashes of their past encounter trigger an unusual effect. She feels her conscious battling…
Born All Soul’s Day
I love a good fright Is it because I was born two days after Halloween on All Soul’s Day In a Southern home one charcoal night as Spanish moss sung lullabies to my infant cry Or is something more nefarious my soul longs to feel as I commit pen to paper Crafting supernatural chills…
