I wrote this for a dear friend when she called in need of inspiration. She believed her father’s wolfish lies— So outrageous I didn’t think to counter them. Truth—I was a rabbit, afraid. The wolf bit me anyway, And blazed me with his burning breath. Except— His lies kicked up the soil, Uncovered a new […]

If you haven’t yet checked them out. . .you might enjoy “Real-life Writing’s” free monthly newsletters.      March’s newsletter, https://bit.ly/3PP68e3, offers the original first chapter to Lies, replaced when I started Lies in a less blood-thirsty manner: “It would almost be worth going to prison. Just for a moment, I let myself picture the look of […]

            I slammed the phone down. Mom called me lonely, but she’d never liked any of my guys.             When I moved toward him, Bob shot me an understanding look. Good thing he hadn’t heard her part of the conversation. If Mom had ever taken the time to get to know Bob, she’d know he […]

Where did I put my spirit? It was here the other day. Must be somewhere close. Unless it wilted when I caved. Ran when I cratered. Spirit, I need you— Why should I come back? Well, without you— You took me for granted. No. I never. Yeah, right. Well…. Maybe. Here’s the deal. I’m not […]

Her heart hitches when she sees the fortress of three fallen spruce trees and thick alder branches half-buried by windblown snow. Wintry air turns the tears on her cheeks into ice drops. She breathes in the frozen shards of January air. Words come, ones she’s repeated for two years. “I haven’t stopped loving you.” In […]