Last week, I wrote a story to a prompt on my favorite writing site. The challenge was to write a story in which a couple meets for an “accidental“ first date, and are still going strong after forty years. ~~~Dani pedaled up to the address Katie had given her, dismounted, and propped her bike against … Continue reading Blind Date
Short Stories
Into the Unknown
Once more, I've delved into my Story Engine cards for a prompt. An impulsive wizard wants to create a portal, but must leave the familiar behind and face the unknown. Ashten had always trusted motion more than thought. When doubt gathered like fog in his skull, he moved—hands busy, feet restless, magic already flaring before … Continue reading Into the Unknown
Mo’Betta Gumbo
This story is based on a real-life experience I had back in the day. Geri grabbed my hand as the flight from Houston to New Orleans lost power. The silence of the engines brought shivers of gooseflesh, raising the hair on my arms. The airplane stopped climbing. I squeezed her hand back, trying to reassure … Continue reading Mo’Betta Gumbo
Using Life Experiences In Your Writing
(C) 2020, JJ Shaun Many of the stories I write contain events or feelings from real-life experiences I’ve had throughout my life. For example, some of what my character, Aeryn Mateyus, feels on the slave ship comes directly from my experiences as a sailor while serving in the U.S. Navy. The rolling deck, the wind, … Continue reading Using Life Experiences In Your Writing
Where Am I?
(C) 2019, JJ Shaun The series of stories I have in mind will take place in a variety of settings. I even started one of the stories a couple of years ago when the group I play online games with were thinking of writing in a different realm. When the group moved on to something … Continue reading Where Am I?
Interview with an Antagonist
The last few days I’ve been prying information out of my characters. After the initial round of talkativeness, they left while I got my notes caught up (and some of my reading). The twins came back to talk to me again last night. They let me know that they are modern kids, so I dove … Continue reading Interview with an Antagonist
Idea Mash-Up
(C) 2020, JJ Shaun I decided to go back and take a look at some of my old fan fiction to see how I can use those ideas as springboards into something new and improved. So, I spent the better part of the week writing the background for that concept. I had a sense of … Continue reading Idea Mash-Up
Writing Short Fiction
Short fiction is an art form. As with any story, it must have a beginning, a middle, and an end. It must make sense and be complete. Most short stories fall in the 1,000- to 4,000-word range, although Writer’s Digest defines short stories as 1,500 to 30,000 words. Stories written using fewer than 1,000 words … Continue reading Writing Short Fiction
