Zen Grabs (they/them)

"Step right up, folks! Don't miss the chance of a lifetime!"

The crowd gathered around, curious to see what The Wizard of Whispering Gulch had up his sleeve this time.

"Right here, right now, you can get a random bead of magic for the low, low price of two bits." The Wizard held up a gunny sack.

My overcritical ass doesn't like anything I do and overcomplicates everything.

I'm an editor. A good one if I say so myself (which is odd for me). My work speaks for itself and my sample edits are free.

But...

If my website sucks, then my services suck. That's the way business works. Sigh.

I learned long, long ago that most people aren't going to necessarily like me...so...why try to be what they aren't going to like anyway? I am who I am no matter where I go (even online). In short, yeah, what you see on social media is what you find in me all the time.

Remembering that you're writing FOR the younger audience not ABOUT the younger audience. It's so easy to create idealized versions of mini-adults who get to go on grand adventures that we forget they're kids...just kids.

Alec plopped on the hay bale and wiped his sleeve across his damp eyes. "You are not worthless. You're not like me."

Midnight nibbled on Alec's hair and snorted.

"Being a #thoroughbred is nothing!" Alec began rubbing Midnight's cheek. "We'll show them." He grabbed his crutch and stood. #vss365

Fiddler's Grove was in a right fit that morning. Preacher Bill had arrived as usual, set his Bible on the pulpit, and went to quench his thirst.

"The well of wisdom has run dry!" He notified the elders.

Meanwhile, Henry was laughing his ass off. "That been where I puttin' my moonshine for ages."

The house rumbled as a dozen feet raced toward John's attic room. High-pitched giggles and loudly whispered dares floated from behind Emilie's door.

Edith glared at me. "In my house--"

"Everything is quiet and proper." I sipped my tea. "I'd rather be a #safe_haven than a museum."

#vss365

Biking through farm country is the best morning exercise. The smell of fresh hay and manure always makes my heart sing.

Coffee clashes with stale booze, honking fills my ears, the world is off. I turn my bike toward the barn and slam into the ground. "Oh, yeah, I moved to the city." Sigh.

#hbp110

Working for two years at a hybrid publisher burned me out in a way. I long to work with writers who care about and want to improve their craft.

If I could silence the "this website looks like crap!" voice in my head, I could reopen my private editing biz. But it's a loud voice :(

Book spines for The Con Artist, The Business of Being a Writer, and Tomes of Terror.

This week's reading plan...

Screams raced by in the dark, marking my non-aloneness. Even in this moment, I couldn't be left alone. The powers that be wouldn't allow it. But I refused to accept it. Falling in darkness to a certain doom is calming, peaceful. Why fight the inevitable? Though, I do wonder why the air is still.

Pick the dice and let life #roll

#7syllablesentence

American Murder Song
Aurelio Voltaire
Steam Powered Giraffes
Weird Al

"Don't be so #modest," Zach said. "Be proud of what you've accomplished."

Jo sighed. "Fine. I have a PhD, two Masters, two Bachelors, and I have..."

Muttering filled the room.
"Show off..."
"Thinks they're better than everyone..."
"Why are they working here then..."

Silently, Jo sat.

#vss365

My neighbor is watching the game. Which means I am listening to the game whether I want to or not. I'm thankful to be able to afford an apartment, but lordy, they should not allow wall mounted giant tvs in apartments with thin walls.

Thank you :)

Master chucked the burning contents of his desk out the window, flaming stack after flaming stack. Screams and sounds of agony filled the hallway outside his office. "I thought you #disarmed him!"

"We did, sir." Vincent paused dousing the room. "But..."

"I know. Death can't be stopped."

#vss365

Rebranded website still under development but ..

Immediate editing slots available!

Any length accepted.

About me: 20 years experience. Fiction, nonfiction, scripts, TTRPG, and more. Msg for portfolio titles.

*Special pre-website launch rates*

#WritingCommunity

beaten, forgotten
a #cyclone of memories
threatening to rise

#vss365

Austin ran, crushing the pristine white daisies under his bare feet. The once short field of wildflowers grew, elongating into a never-ending nightmare slowly being consumed by the maniacal laughter. Keep running. He had to keep running. He promised. The clown's face appeared in the sky. He stopped.

Fresh from the courthouse, the Grayson trio stood outside their family home. Memories flooded their minds, memories as distressed as that home.

William drew a long breath. "Brick by brick, we're gonna tear it all down." He glanced at the others and smiled. "Then rebuild together.' #hbp104

I understand that fiction is fiction, but I absolutely hate historical inaccuracies. It's lazy writing. It also ignores the depth of human and social history.

Life plus books
Optimum smart

#7syllablesentence

I climbed the stairs one at a time. Why did it have to be this way? It's not right to make me choose between them. No matter up or down, one was gloating, the other angry. I paused in the middle and sat, tears streaming.

"Join me, then." a voice said.

I smiled and faded into the shadows. #hbp102

Pip pointed to the presentation slide. "The rise in violence toward some CEOs and the decrease in consumer prices makes my suggestion the best route."

Lincoln shook his head. "I fail to see the #nexus between these two events."

Pip drew a blade from his briefcase. "You will."

#vss365

The little boy traveled the perilous trail with his grandfather daily. Up the mountain, sit by the mailbox, and eat lunch. They would speak of life, nature, and everything. Except the mailbox.

Years pass and the old man takes his grandson up the mountain, hoping to not see the raised flag.

Eyes closed, Baxter and Jules gripped the #bathtub with all their might as the tornado raged over their house. Finally, after what felt like forever, the wind died and the bathtub jolted.

"What happened?"
"Where are we?"

"We ain't in Oz," they said together.

#vss365

The ground quaked as the disembodied voice screamed, "You failed to protect me."

Hope's heart pounded in her chest. She swallowed her words, knowing they were as hollow as ever. "You're right," she whispered. "I didn't protect you when I should have. But this... this is wrong. Please."

"No."

My skin burns. Not the good kind of burn but the kind of burn that never subsides, never easily soothed. But I push on. No other choice. I've been here before, Father's stains are barely visible now, barely sting. But Mother's...well, that's another story. Three long months now. Murder burns deep.

Four blank white walls, ceiling, and floor. If I hadn't been walking with outstretched arms, I would have smacked my nose. Kidnapped? Maybe. Aliens? Maybe. Horror movie? I didn't see the door until it opened. Yeah, I think horror movie is more likely. Fingers crossed I'm the villain.

#hbp100