Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘writing’

Beware of Bite

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 5, 2022| Leave a Comment »

A new drabble:

Beware of Bite

He waited until the end of the appointment to ask, fingers brushing as she handed over his new bite guard.

“Are you free later?”

“Sorry?”

“I have a thing for dental hygienists,” he said, winking.

She looked him over. He knew what she saw, though he hadn’t seen it himself in years. A tall drink of dark and handsome, only slightly marred by two remarkably sharp canines.

“Sure, why not?”

“It’s almost 7:00. When do you get off?”

“Eight o’clock.”

“Can’t wait.” 

Just enough time to prepare, he thought, dropping the bite guard into his bag with all the others.

* * *

Photo by Niranjan _ Photographs on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Cream of the Crop

Posted in Funny, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 28, 2022| Leave a Comment »

While chatting with my father about a sci-fi book he’s reading, I remembered this short bit of free fiction from John Scalzi. Now I share it with you, too.

When the Yogurt Took Over: A Short Story | Whatever

When the yogurt took over, we all made the same jokes – “Finally, our rulers will have culture,” “Our society has curdled,” “Our government is now the cream of the crop,” and so on. But when we weren’t laughing about the absurdity of it all, we looked into each others’ eyes with the same unasked question – how did we ever get to the point where we were, in fact, ruled by a dairy product?

Enjoy!

* * *

Photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Out to Lunch

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 24, 2022| Leave a Comment »

It’s a lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon and (full transparency here) I find myself sorely lacking in motivation. Since we’ve had a mini “aliens on Earth” theme this week, let’s round it out with a short story from Fireside. 

The Tourist by Em Liu

He goes to Earth alone.

* * *

Photo by Chris Ried on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Who Knew?

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »

What do you know, some people actually did read Playboy for the articles!

Read 10 of the Best Stories Ever Published in Playboy ‹ Literary Hub

…while Hefner was indeed a man who collected and commodified women and called it “feminism,” it doesn’t change the fact that the joke about reading Playboy for the articles isn’t really a joke. The magazine has published some fantastic interviews, essays, and—most importantly for our purposes here—fiction over the years, the latter thanks in part to expert fiction editor Alice K. Turner…

Since its inception, Playboy has published work by Vladimir Nabokov, James Baldwin, Shirley Jackson, Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, John Updike, John Cheever, P. G. Wodehouse, Arthur C. Clarke, John Irving, Roald Dahl, Frank Herbert, Stephen King, Norman Mailer, Joyce Carol Oates, Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Annie Proulx, and many other greats.

Almost all of the stories on this list are available to read online (via sites that will not get you in trouble at work, bonus). So enjoy the classic fiction, folks, while appreciating the venues we now have for sci-fi and other fiction.

* * *

Photo by Bernd Klutsch on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Tipping Point

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 20, 2022| 2 Comments »

A drabble inspired by my love for science fiction. Also, the news.

Tipping Point, or, Oil Lobbyists Celebrate Over Drinks (London, UK, Earth)

Four oil lobbyists drank martinis around a mahogany table in a richly-appointed bar, celebrating. Their efforts had finally succeeded.

The lobbyist at the South end of the table grinned. 

“Did you see the news? 40C! God, we’re good.”

West puffed on a Cuban cigar. “They say it’s the new normal. I’d say we’re ready.” 

North shivered in the frigid air. “Agreed. Make the call.”

East opened a communicator that looked like a prop from Star Trek.

“Base? Terraforming is complete. Send the first wave of settlers.”

South looked at his fleshy fingers. 

“Can’t wait to get out of these clothes.”

* * *

Photo by Jarosław Kwoczała on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

A Gem of a Book

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I am very happy to announce the publication of Parsec Ink’s latest anthology, Triangulation: Energy. 

The theme is sustainable energy: can we find a way to keep up with—or exceed—our present and future energy consumption levels while keeping our space livable? 

Is it science fiction? Yes. Does it showcase positive takes on our energy challenges? Yes. Was I fortunate enough to have a story in it, alongside a roster of terrific authors? Yes!

The anthology is available in Kindle and paperback formats. Curious about what’s inside? Check out the Kindle preview for a sample of the first three entries, including my own story, The Jewel of New Stoltz. I know I wrote it and all, but I’m happy to be able to share a story I love.

Hope you like it too.

* * *

Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

This Is Delightful

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »

In my quest to prove that the internet is good for more than trolling, discouraging news and ridiculous conspiracy theories, I give you Typatone.

The act of writing has always been an art. Now, it can also be an act of music. Each letter you type corresponds to a specific musical note putting a new spin on your composition. Make music while you write.

Hello world!

Type directly or use the clipboard icon to paste text. Toggle the music icon to change styles. Click the plus sign to start anew.

* * *

What is the sound of one drabble singing?

This.

And here’s the opening of Pride and Prejudice while we’re at it.

Delightful!

* * *

Photo by Luke Leung on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Five-Letter Poetry

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 13, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I may have committed a little Wordle poetry with lunch.

Photo by Chris Briggs on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

Finding the Path

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , on July 9, 2022| Leave a Comment »

“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have.” 

― Howard Thurman

* * *

Photo by Huper by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

A Walk in the Woods

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on July 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »

We had waffles, watched a race, went for a walk and generally enjoyed a beautiful, lazy summer’s day. Now somehow it’s time for dinner so I’ll leave you with a brief excerpt from a stroll in the woods, once upon a time in Thailand.

Chang Mai—Jungle Trek

A rutted dirt road led from the parking lot through a stand of tall trees. The road quickly narrowed to a track that led past a small facilities building, scattered picnic areas, and into denser woods. A huge centipede scurried past my sandals and exposed toes, making it clear that Thais eat such creatures for their size, not their beauty. After this apparition I had no trouble keeping my eyes open. An unexpected benefit of being alert was that I found an amulet someone had lost on the trail. The guidebook had mentioned that Thais always carry at least one amulet with them wherever they go, and I’d made a note to look for one in the market as a token of the visit. Presto, there it was. I hope it wasn’t the owner’s only protection.

Good luck charm in hand, we wound our way along the stream bed as the sound of crashing water grew louder. The little valley opened up, the sun broke through the tree tops, and a waterfall appeared. The impressive thing about it wasn’t so much its height, which was hard to gauge through the trees, but its power.

A pool carved out at the fall’s base and the mist all over my clothes and the trees attested to the water’s strength and the abundant runoff in this waterlogged part of the country. The trail around the pool had gone muddy from the mist and visitors’ feet, giving me what was to be the first of many intimate moments with Thai muck. I had no idea how familiar I was to become with that red earth over the next day and a half.

* * *

Photo by Norbert Braun on Unsplash

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »