Alyssa Bushell

in my riverbed after half a lifetime of breaking my own heart, I find peace among the pieces cast away

after half a lifetime of breaking my own heart, I find
peace among the pieces cast away

New poetry "in my riverbed" over at AlyWrites

alywrites.ca/2025/06/10/i...

...of his apartment and neighborhood. The story’s distinctive voice immediately pulls readers in with its blend of morbid humour and poignant observations about a life that will go unmourned."
I mean come on! Never have I ever had such lovely things said about my writing!

"This winning entry captivated our judges with its darkly whimsical tone and masterful atmospheric storytelling. The author creates an unforgettable character study that begins after the protagonist’s death, weaving a rich tapestry of details about Lionel’s life through observations...

“Lionel Wexelbaum Will Not Wake Up” by Alyssa Bushell—Our March 2025 Gold Medal Winner — Blank Spaces Magazine Congratulations to Alyssa Bushell, our first place winner from the contest posted in our March, 2025 issue!

I've only gone and had a little story take first place in a Blank Spaces Magazine prompt contest!
www.blankspaces.ca/winners/alys...

My Top 5 Dream Publications Every writer has a few: those legendary lit mags we dream about when hitting “submit” on Submittable. The ones we read and reread when imposter syndrome sets in. The ones that feel just out of reac…

What are your dream publications? I'll start.
@smokelong.bsky.social
Typishly.com
@reckonreview.bsky.social
@fracturedlit.bsky.social
@flashfrog.bsky.social

Check out why over at AlyWrites today.
alywrites.ca/2025/05/13/m...

The sunshine outside, a lengthy to-do list, and my neglected manuscript are playing tug of war for my attentions. Sigh. Maybe I'll just go sit by the river and daydream.

Thank you so much! 🙏🏼

Meet me where the storm clouds GATHER
Bring along your broken heart
Lose all your tears between the raindrops
Raise loud your voice with rolling thunder
Shatter the whole sky

#30Words30Days

I always enjoy this challenge. Thank you for all the prompts!

On a good day, it might look like I've got myself together, but with one inadvertent snag of a stray STRING, this jumble of a patchwork life will certainly unravel.

#30Words30Days

It was just a casual WAVE, but the stranger's face transformed like clouds parting for sudden sun. No need to let him know that my friend was right behind him.

#30Words30Days

You have such a knack for painting a picture with these tiny stories!

Let's SKIP the awkward phase and jump straight to you and me, hand in hand, comfortable silences, and shared dreams. Let's start forever yesterday and hoard all of our tomorrows.

#30Words30Days

😆 Fantastic 👏🏼

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

😆 love it!

A conversation with her always felt a little like having someone RUMMAGE through your nightstand; a violation thinly veiled in empathy, and you just know she'd gossip what she found.

#30Words30Days

Chad puffed and strutted like a Tom turkey, but no one took any note of his CHALLENGE. It may have been a little intimidating if he was more than five-foot-five.

#30Words30Days

The only thing that could tie Luella to the crime was dropped off a cruise ship somewhere between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau, just a plop, a RIPPLE, and overwhelming relief.

#30Words30Days

So many unspent kisses glint with promise in her eyes, so many whispers yet unbreathed resting ready on her lips. Stung by love before, she'll be slow to POUNCE again.

#30Words30Days

Like a jungle cat, he WEAVEs through the crowd, unnoticed, looking for his next victim. He's sharpened his claws and bared his fangs and you won't even see him pounce.

#30Words30Days

Unexpected Inspiration Trying to write in the aftermath of grief is harder than I ever imagined it would be. Good stories demand emotional resonance. Writing something worth reading requires tapping into the same well of…

They’re poetry in living colour, waiting to be transcribed. These moments—strange, sweet, stunning, sometimes silly—are a reminder that inspiration doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it just nudges.

alywrites.ca/2025/04/22/u...

Though the WINDs of change blow years so quickly by, here I am, the same person in the same place, looking at my shadow as if it should've walked away.

#30Words30Days

Thank you so much! ☺️

In adoration most unrequited and unwise, she once again falls victim to her own incautious heart. This imaginary FEAST is set for two, but she, the fool, will dine alone.

#30Words30Days

I see the feathered outline, angelic in the snow, and know that with a silent SWOOP, one life has ended while another's carries on. Are not we all so fleeting?

#30Words30Days

No one warned Gwyneth that after 40 it was a long, steady SLIDE into irrelevant spinsterhood, not that she minded. Freedom comes in many forms, and power in being overlooked.

#30Words30Days

Is there anything quite so delicious as STRETCHing out in a hammock strung between whispering birch with a good book, a view of the lake, and an afternoon nap imminent?

#30Words30Days

Agreed, 100 percent!

😆 wonderful!