Friday Fictioneer Photo - The Long Weekend - It's not what you think.

I'm from the city and I love it. I'll admit that once in a while when I leave the city I get a little homesick for the noise. I don't miss the dirty air though. Or the rude people, or the street vendor food. I take that back I love street vendor food.

Copyright Douglas M Macllroy

The Long Weekend - 102 words

“What’s that smell?” Shayna gagged.

“It’s called, clean air.” Marissa inhaled deeply.  

“Well, I don’t like it.”

“Sucks for you. You need to get out of the city more often.” Maybe taking Shayna to the farm was a bad idea.

“For what? Hills? Grass? The grass looks dead and there’s no cell reception.”

“But look a horse!” She pointed to the field, which was pretty brown.

“Oh wow, a stupid horse.” Sarcasm, not necessary right now.

“You’re blowing this.”

“Blow me.” 

“What’s it doing?” Marissa ignored her.

 “Ha, Ha, maybe it’s watering the grass.” This was going to be a long weekend.

Check out the rest of the Blog Hop over on Rochelle's WordPress Blog. Of feel free to lurk on the Facebook Page. Happy Reading

Hope - Friday Fictioneers Photo Prompt

You ever just see a change coming and you feel it so much that you end up ignoring all the ones who don't believe? 

I've got "Hope" at exactly 100 words. Over on Facebook I took one look at this picture and immediately said something about fairies. Well that might happen. And then I might win the lottery too. You may never know I might come back and do a second one before Friday...

Please give some credit to Janet Webb for this picture. Trust me when I say this picture is Trashy Mass Produced Romance Novel worthy. There has to be a story behind it.

Copyright Janet Webb

Hope

“Sweet swirling onion rings, it’s disgusting.” Andrew said as the building came into view. The ramshackle roof was partially collapsed. There would be months of work to do here.

“But look at it! This place is magical!” Steph practically sang.

“A magical mess. What possesd you to buy this place?”

“He told me to.” Steph sounded infinitely sad, as she did every time “He” was mentioned.

“Steph, you need to let Tim go. Baby, he’s gone, he’s never coming back no matter how much he loved you.”

Steph waved the thought away. “We can be together here. He told me.”

Don't forget the rest of the Blog Hop. Start with Rochelle and then use the In-links thingie to read through the rest. Happy Reading.

Friday Fictioneer Photo Prompt

This week the Friday Fictioneers get Festive once again. I had to pass on it. It was just too normal.  Anyway here is the picture offered up by Scott L Vanatter

You folks can enjoy it while I get into a staring contest with the kitty on the table.

By Scott L Vanatter

Check out the other Fictioneers in the Blog Hop on this inlinks thingie.  You can also contribute your own 100 words using the same link. You can peep the Facebook page too, there's  some other information on it that might interest you.

The Alternate Reality and Getting things done.

One day I'm going to slip into a coma and wake up in a place where every person I've ever invented will actually exist.

Imagine actually bumping into Toddy and Errol, Boy and Grand Pa, Felicity Meyers, Steven Cuppard, Pete Johnson, Bestie, Barry the Shoe Whore and Jeanie, Celine Heydan, Petra, A-23, Ruddick, Malik, Davis, and Randall, Deena the deserter, Laine, Naomi, Riley and Jiro, and Geri?

Chaos would ensue. Some of these people aren't human. Some of these people aren't adults. One of them would be me. Heck all of them are me in one way or another. The scary part is that the stronger characters might actually kill me.

I'm not saying this because I'm slightly insane. I'm saying this because in my ming there is only one reason why there were so many people gathered together. The end of the world just happened and we were the survivors.

Maybe something less serious. I'm not sure but I know for sure that Heydan, Grand Pa, Jiro and possibly Errol will look at me and decide that I'm dead weight or the villain. Steven and Malik might want to control me. A-23 and Jeanie might just start spying on me. Deena might leave and take Geri and Laine with her and the rest will accept that I'm just a person stuck like them.

It's be Survivor in my brain. Minus the prize at the end.

The reason I'm even thinking about this is because I've been looking over the stories I started this past year.   I don't know if I'll ever get back to some of these characters until the time is right. I'd like to think that a few of them will pop up in a Friday Fictioneer short. I'd absolutely love to be able to revisit Jiro and Naomi to see what the gifts are bestowed on them next year. The point is that some of them deserve a second chance, in some cases maybe a first.

But most of all I want to finish The New God.

This November I did something that I previously never did. That was complete a novel. While Never Getting Laid Again was just a throw away novel for the NaNoWriMo challenge I actually finished it.  I spent exactly one day away from it then I decided that I didn't like the ending. Technically that means that the novel is once again unfinished, but it was for at least a day. I'd like that same opportunity with The New God.

I want to reach a point in every novel I write where I can sit back sigh and say: Lets do some editing. I'd especially love it for TNG. That was the book I set my heart to finishing before I die. But I'm not going to stop everything because I seemed to have lost my place in TNG.  I proved I can immerse myself in something else. If that something else becomes a published work then Yay for me.

In the mean time, let's all hope I never ever slip into that coma.

Friday Fictioneer - The Kindness of Shiny Lights

This week Rochelle got a little festive and so did I. Strangely I didn't feed from my bottomless pit of anxiety and self doubt. Or my unrealistic fears of pretty much everything. Instead I looked down at Chewy and found some happy.

Enjoy- The Kindness of Shiny Lights.

Copyright- Rochelle Wisoff-fields

Whatever she was smelling was upwind. It was hot and promised to be filling. Food was hard to come by in the winter but as long as the shiny lights sparkled she could always depend on some human to give her scraps.

She nosed the ground and shuffled closer to the human standing on the curb. The scent came from him. If she whimpered nicely maybe he’d drop something? She wagged her tail hoping to convey her hunger. Then the human noticed her.

“Duchess is that you? Where you been?” She recognized the boy she’d lost years ago.

Also before I forget - Rochelle celebrated 41 years of marriage this past week. Congratulations Rochelle and I wish you many more.

Check out the other Fictioneers in the Blog Hop on this inlinks thingie.  You can also contribute your own 100 words using the same link. You can peep the Facebook page too, there's  some other information on it that might interest you.

Friday Fictioneers- The Right Way

Well that was quick. I just posted something like twenty minutes ago. I guess I'm on a roll. I was taking a peak at this weeks Fictioneer photo prompt and the story just came to me. Well in all honesty that picture was just great. 

If anyone has ever seen the Labyrinth, you'll immediately recognize the potential of this photo like I did and just let your imagination run away. Please enjoy -The Right Way

Copyright- Joyce Johnson a Fellow Fictioneer

Sara passed that same hideous face five times already. The only one in the Labyrinth that did not talk to her. It just cackled gleefully at her, the voice of it ringing in her ears. Its face permanently mocking her, taunting her while she tried to break free. It never actually moved, she just heard it, in her head. 

She ran left this time, back tracking and ignoring the finger that pointed to the right. She ran, only to arrive back at the same finger and that same horrible face. Sarah sank to her knees. The laughing continued.

Check out the other Fictioneers in the Blog Hop on this inlinks thingie.  You can also contribute your own 100 words using the same link. You can peep the Facebook page too, there's  some other information on it that might interest you.

Something's Coming: Friday Fictioneer

This week we get this unbelievably cool picture from Stacy Plowright and this time I'm not sure what to make of my story. You be the judge and don't forget to visit some others participating on this week's Friday Fictioneers.

Clouds in Toronto by Stacy Plowright

“Look outside for me. I can feel the air. Something is coming Martha.” 

“Oh don’t be silly Cheryl. If anything it’s just a storm.” Martha was tired, she’d been at work all day, she just wanted to relax. She did not want to be anyone’s eyes. Not even Cheryl’s.

“But I can feel it, Martha, something is coming.” Cheryl pleaded.

Martha huffed. She cracked and popped as she left the couch, achey bones dragging themselves to the window. 

“Oh my God, the clouds...” she gasped. They rolled in waves toward their home, heavy and dark.

“Martha? Mar-tha? MARTHA....”

For more of the Blog Hop of the Friday Fictioneers you can head over the Facebook and check out the page. On Twitter #FridayFictioners. Or you can go to Madison Woods for the rules and see a list of Fictioneer contributors and click on them at random. Happy Reading

Friday Fictioneers: Childhood Memories

Madison has another guest Photo Prompt this week. And boy does it bring back some good times. But I'm not looking towards the past I'm moving forward. So are these folks sort of. 

Excuse me if I gag a little. How I pulled this off with out vomiting in my mouth at it's sugary sweetness is a freaking miracle. Sadly it was my best offering. 

Photo by Lura Helms

Childhood Memories

The child inside her stretched and shifted. She framed her belly and smiled up. When she younger, this tree was the tallest peak. It was surrounded by volcanoes, and ice floats. It was a tower above a thick forest.

“I remember our first kiss.” She said. Jarred peered down the tree at his best friend. He fell in love with her, in this tree.

“Yeah, me too. I was a pirate and you were my wench.” She yawned, he climbed down.

“Well, I’m still your wench and she needs a nap.” Great another chance to hold her.

"Yaargh" 

For more of the Blog Hop of the Friday Fictioneers you can head over the Facebook and check out the page. On Twitter #FridayFictioners. Or you can go to Madison Woods for the rules and see a list of Fictioneer contributors and click on them at random. Happy Reading

Friday Fictioneers: Sand and Sea Shells

Friday Fictioneers is back this week. Last week I didn't do it I'm afraid to say. It was because the picture was too challenging. I should post the picture though just so you all could look at it. It took me places I didn't want to go in 100 words and frankly with the week I had last week I didn't need to take that trip.

I like this picture and it takes me to happy places. You can't really beat that. The only thing about this week's shortie is the fact that I've used 101 words. Darn I was on a 100 streak for a bit. Oh well you can't win them all.

This week though is a guest photo prompt from Susan Wenzel, a fellow Fictioneer.

Sand And Shells

The sun and sand are melting together. God it’s hot. I think my feet are melting, or is it my shoes?  I used to love sand. I used to love walking in wet sand and picking sea shells. That’s how I’ll get out of this. Sand and sea shells, sand and sea shells.

Let me take off my boots. Who wears boots to the beach. God I’m thirsty. I hate sand. I hate the sun. Sand and sea and sea shells, not this dry itch desert. I just need to cross half of it right? How much is half way?

For more of the Blog Hop of the Friday Fictioneers you can head over the Facebook and check out the page. On Twitter #FridayFictioners. Or you can go to Madison Woods for the rules and see a list of Fictioneer contributors and click on them at random. Happy Reading

What Am I Reading Wednesday- The Gunfighter &The Gear Head by Cassandra Duffy

Right, so hhmmm. What do I say about this book? First off I liked most of it. As rich as this story was, in certain spots there were some serious holes. But let me set up the story first.

This is some time I’m assuming in the future, set in the mid south west in of all places Tombstone. Tombstone being the place where all good and bad gunslingers of the old wild west go to drink themselves stupid or get shot to death. 

We have Fiona a red head with no remorse, a former Victoria’s Secret Model cum hand cannon bad ass. Scratching a living hunting remnants of an alien invasion called the Slark. The currency in Tombstone is strangely enough thier heads.

Then we have Gieo, who is a dirigible pilot that crash lands outside Tombstone, right at the beginning of some kind of political (for lack of a better word) uprising. 

These two, depite the crazy odds, happen to be very attracted to each other and managed some semblance of a relationship. Gieo plays the submissive, even goes as far as donning a collar in public to for bother her’s and Fiona’s benefit. Okay so we have two factions already right? Right. The Slark who   had superior technology and now just have too many extremities. Then there are the folks that run Tombstone which is headed up by this Slark hating man named Zeke.

I would have been okay with Zeke and the Slark ducking it out till the end of the book I think that would have been enough here. But there’s blind Methanol drinkers who have some kind of cult that’s waiting for The Rapture. There’s also this three headed syndicate called the Raven Ladies. They are kind of the leading authority since there really is no dominating government anymore. It’s run by three queens on a chess board two of which had a very bad relationship with Fiona.

I wasn’t feeling that Cult at all. What I was feeling was the Slark. They aren’t that bright. They attack constantly even thought they clearly have the sucky hand in this card game. Every time they attack they end up retreating. Freaking weird. I wish there was more on this though. It would have totally made up for the blind cultist. What I wanted to know was why the came in the first place.

Man there is so much packed into this book that I had to back track several times just to make sure I had some things straight. I’d still recommend this book though just for the fact that it was highly entertaining for most of it.

I like that Gieo actually has to kill someone close to the end and it changes her a little but with guidance was able to bounce back from it. These tender points actually make the book.

I give this 1 3/4 thumbs up too much cultist and not enough Slark. Would I read the second Raven Ladies book? Most likely. Cheers Ms. Duffy great read.

Want to see my vlog about this?

I had to look up some stuff before I read this so I might as well share.
http://www.airships.net/dirigible

Also if you like Cassandra Duffy here is her blog. It's called Erotic Answers, she does advice


Steam Punk-in it out 


Next Week: More Trashy Mass Produced Romance With Vampires. I love me some Vampires.  Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

What Am I Reading Wednesday: Under A Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands

 
Welcome back to the Trashy Mass Produced Romance Novel. Yeah I just said that in a book review. Remember kids I love shit like this. It's junk food for your brain. One of my favorite books of last year was The Deed by the same author. It cracked me up, so this one should be good. Right?


Then I found myself confused. The title says Vampire, but some where near the end our hero Christian say's he's an Immortal. Then he likens himself to a creature from Atlantis. Put your breaks on guys. What's going on? Why give it a vampire title if they are not vampires?


Here's a little more information about this book Under A Vampire Moon I have to say Lynsay Sands' web page is pretty nicely done up. Very user friendly, who ever put that together was great about it.


Beside that, we have a wonderfully detailed picture of what kind of woman out main character is. Carolyn is one of those sad women starved for affection that we all try not to be. She, of course, fell for the first man who gave her the time of day and sadly he was the wrong type of man. Finally she decided to leave him and they are going through a lengthy divorce because she's of course filthy stinking rich.


Put that injured heart on a tropical honeymoon paradise, pretty much by herself. Depressing no? Of course it is. Lucky for her she meets some nice people who are determined to hook her up with one of their own. Through good story telling Lynsay brings in Christian.


Christian is a hottie that plays of all things a rock violin? Just roll with it- this works, I think.... Anyway Carolyn spends a good portion of the book fighting the attraction because she believes she's older than him. HA! He's like 500. Funny part is when he tells her how old he really is and she damn near passes out. I giggled- What? It was funny.


There's even a random guy who is like really interested in Carolyn, but he can't hold a candle to Christian. I'll take the other guy, he was like perfect. What a lucky girl. *Sigh I wish my life was like that. Who's jealous? That's me, I'll admit it.


So I give this book One Thumb. Because the title really irks me. It does and I say so in the Vlog. But over all I still recommend this book just because it serves it purpose as a quick read over a beach fun filled weekend. That and Lynsay made a violin sexy.


You wanna see the video?

Goodness my face looks so confused...




A Few Things:


-Happy Independence Day!!!!
-If you have a suggestion for a book you'd like me to read email me at atiya.townes@gmail.com or you can leave a comment here or on YouTube.
-Next week we do Lesbian Steam Punk! Though I'm really not sure if this falls under Steam Punk because there's other kinds of technology in use here, and aliens and a former Victoria's Secret model. What ever. Check out Cassandra Duffy's The Gunslinger & The Gear Head.


Happy Reading

Friday Fictioneer: The Dragon Fly and the Princess

This Friday brings the return of the Fictioneers to this blog and boy does Ms. Woods want to test me. This week we have a little girl and her father. I hope everyone thinks back to when little kids make too much sense and get a chuckle out what this little Pumpkin has to say.

The Dragon Fly and the Princess:

"Daddy I want it."

"Why do you want it cupcake?" The Dragon Fly perched on a rock waiting for the answer. 

"Because it's pretty. And, and, you said princesses should have pretty things."

"Yes Pumpkin, but what if it already belongs to another princess? Won't that make her sad?" 

The Dragon Fly released a breathe. What the father said made sense even if there were no other princesses.

The little girl thought. 

"There are no other princesses Daddy, if there is, she's invading." The King realized his error. 

"Yes Pumpkin, there aren't any princesses."

"If there is Daddy, you have to kill her." The Princess smiled brightly. "I want it Daddy."

You can check out Madison Woods new web page for more Friday Fictioneers, or on Facebook or follow us on Twitter #FridayFictioneers. Enjoy the Blog Hop.  

Catch Me Up Yo...

I've been a very busy girl.


The place is finally RFKAO free so I've been doing a bunch of things here and there to make this place completely inhabitable. For yours truly of course. I entertained the idea of getting another roommate, but then I like living by myself way too much.


I've also been getting ahead of myself with the book reviews. I'm two weeks ahead thanks to the last three wonderfully awesome books. So since I've pretty much gotten a week off I figured I'd tackle some rather important things.


My GI Bill where do I start? It always seems way easier when you're in the service to get things done because there are people who's sole job is to run paperwork for every one else. God I miss those people. When I was on board the ships I never appreciated them. I could totally use one now.


But alas I went up to school to hand them some random form and they sent me on a wild goose chase across Down Town San Diego. Good thing I had my comfy sandals on. I think I would have given up if I hadn't. I feel positive though that I'll get everything squared away with plenty of time to spare before school starts.


Mother is coming to town at the end of July and frankly the idea scares me. I love her to death, however when we seem to be in the same room for long periods of time, I just want to bite her face off. My good friend thinks I need a hobby. He may be right. Mom has given me a tentative itinerary for her time with me and it involves a lot of road tripping. I think I'm going to have to pass on some of that. I don't know how well my Chewy travels and I can't afford a kennel for him. May be I should take up some meditation or something.


The job hunt has continued, the approach to it has changed though. Since I stopped working for the agency last Monday there's been a need to find a summer job and quickly. What I realized today is that I'm not the only one looking for a summer job AND that just sucks. But my rent is paid all the way to September so I guess I'm not in that much of a hurry. 




I wish I could say that I've been busy working on the book. That isn't the case. All the notes on the massively clever chapter seven are still in note and voice recording phase. I'm actually glad I took the time to record it because I think I'd be stuck otherwise.  But I'd rather have notes than nothing at all. I wonder how much should I devote to it? Am I cheating myself if I just throw something there and play catch up? What a crook!!! Never skimp on the book. If there is time, WRITE. If there isn't time, take notes. Never just throw something together. Who'd buy something just thrown together? Not after the books I've been reading lately.


I wonder about the discipline these writers have. Clearly I lack it and I need to find it quick. Especially as I form the rest of the story. Especially as I plan more and more of what I want to show as the NEXT Great American Novel. (That sounded so romantically cheesy I even gagged a little) I'll ask them. Since I've started telling the authors that I've checking out their book some of them have been really good about opening a dialogue with me. Pretty Fucking cool right?


Maybe now is a good time to cut out the Internet dating and take care of me. I thought I was, but I wasn't. Besides if I really wanted to date I'd pick better guys, not the losers I've been encountering. I don't want to divide myself anymore that I need to and trolling dating sites, believe it or not ,takes up a lot of time. 


Until next time - Your Fly is open.

Friday Flash Fiction: Start The Day

Today's Flash Fiction comes to us as some really calm peaceful quiet thing. If I could see this every day, I think I'd be a very happy person.

Start The Day

"Hey want to make some coffee while I admire the view?" Will yawned. The hills called in a way that demanded Willy's attention this morning.

"I'd rather watch your face." Greg opened the small velvet box. "Wilhelmina, would you marry me?"

"You must be joking."

"I'm not." Greg hoped she wouldn't stall. She loved him, he knew this. Everyone they knew, knew this, except her.

"Greg, no."

"Why?"

"Because… I can't okay." Willy turned from the beautiful hills. They'd be forever ruined now. She placed her hands over her thickening belly. "This wouldn't be right, Greg."

"Because it's not my baby?"

She froze.

"I know it's not mine, Will. I love you anyway."

Can you freaking say no to that?


Join the Blog Hop on Twitter: #FridayFictioneers of the FB Page headed up by Madison Woods.

Photo Prompt for Flash Fiction

Once again Ms. Woods has found a deliciously grand picture sure to inspire all kind of great short stories. I supposed I should get cracking on mine:

Over on the Facebook page, the thread discusses where this lovely picture came from. The story is that there is a very lucky writer who passes this everyday on his way to and from work. That man is blessed, whether he wants to admit it or not. Cheers to you, Lucky Bastard. I get to stare at a base.


Join in the fun on Friday with the Friday Fictioneers or if you just want to blog hop follow us on Twitter #FridayFictioneers.

Friday Flash Fiction: Best Hubby Ever

My blog has been neglected, if not for this Flash Fiction I think I'd have given up a while ago, having caved in to the amount of stress I make for myself. That being said I figured I'd try something mundane this week for my short. I have to say though the Fictioneers who got the jump early had some pretty great stories. 

The Best Hubby Ever

"Hurry I'm starving." Was the last thing Tracey said right before she passed out. Tracey always said that right before the booze in her system shut her down. Most nights Dave could gauge it and decide whether she'd actually eat. Judging by her snores he, climbed in bed beside her.

An hour into his bed time she woke up looking for her McFlurry.  After years of being married to Tracey he was never wrong. He put on his clothes and drove to the nearest drive through.

It's closed. Moths had settled on the window. No grease was cooking, no ice cream, no french fries, no sleep. He guessed he'd go home and cook.

When he returned home he found his wife curled up on the couch, asleep, again.

Check out the link on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter, #FridayFictioneers.

Friday Flash Fiction: A Country Walk

This week Flash Fiction brings us something straight out of a fairy tale. So of course I'm not going to write a fairy tale. Let's start with two boys walking in the woods. This should be a treat, I think, seeing as for two weeks in a row my MC's have been men. Good Luck getting through this.

Tha'ss Puurrdy

A Country Walk

Toddy was sweating. He hated sweating, and Errol refused to slow down.

"How long until we get there Errol?"  Toddy grunted, he wasn't used to long walks through the country side. "You said we were going on an adventure. This looks like a walk in the muck." 

"Muck is wet you fat wanker. Shut up you're scaring the animals with you're breathing"

"Well I can't stop my breathing can I"

"You can if you try… Whots this?" Errol stopped short. Toddy bumped into him. He stepped back and looked ahead.

"Looks like a rainbow Errol, wanna see the end of it?" Toddy found himself rather funny sometimes.

"No, you twat, what's that noise? Sounds like its right up there."

Follow the Blog Hop on Facebook, on Twitter #FridayFictioneers, or for the rules go to Madison Woods