I am a strong boy. Mama tells me I’m strong because I don’t have the same head as the other boys, but I has the strength more than them. I go to school at Windsor Elementary. The teachers are nice. The principal is nice. The kids are not nice all the time. I don’t like to always sit by myself, but since Steven said so, none of the other kids sit with me. Some of my friends still...
Marvin the Protector
The sun bakes my black hair and stirs up powerful smells.
Prompt: Write a scene with an unwanted guest. — It starts with metal sliding on metal, Grre-che-che! the mechanical hook latches to the belly of the car. Thed-th-thd-thth-thththd-thththth, as it ascends the track. Then a thin squeal and gasp, the car is released … Wawp-wawp-wawpawpawp—the car is loose! sliding down a perpetual curve. The passenger’s torsos jerk and snap in a stiff...
He is masterful.
Hello you. Here is a new timed prompt. I haven’t done one in a while. I put two minutes on the clock for this one. Enjoy! — Prompt: Creative man. — He is masterful. There is no other word. Perfection perhaps, but Mother taught me to beware of perfection. No, there is nothing sinister or mischievous about him. There is no pit beneath his tender resignation to the canvas. But it...
The Oracle of Orange
Her lacquered lips spat raspberry-lime in his face.
Hello, it’s nice to see you again. Here is a scene sketch I wrote for you this evening. Enjoy! Like always, if you have questions about what this is about, you can read more here. — “I’m special because I know I’m special, and I’m tired of you telling me I not.” “Get away from that door Marlene! Give me that wallet—” Jeremiah lunged at Marlene...
À la Pushkin
Here is a quick sketch inspired by an Alexander Pushkin story. Enjoy! — I finished marking the score on the chalkboard when it happened. Robinson shifted in his chair, popped the cigarette from his mouth, and ground it into a metal dish. I was close enough to smell the tar pour up from the butt’s wreckage; a camel logo on its butt shimmered through its milky billow...
On Clichés and Kennings
Writers are often told to avoid clichés or risk the work being criticized as banal. There is a lot of truth to that sentiment. But we must remember that clichés are more than just rehashed creativity. Clichés carry with them entire universes of associated knowledge. Old Norse had a word for this called kennings. Kennings, like clichés, originate from a figure of speech. For example, terms like...
Farmstead II
I had some down time from my major projects this afternoon so I wrote the next installment of Farmstead; I hope you enjoy it! If you have questions about what it is I do here, check out this page, or contact me here. Click here to see all Farmstead related posts. — Act I Scene II They were entangled, tucked in the corner of the hay loft, like folded hands; this knee grinding into the...
Farmstead
Here is the start of a new periodical. I hope you enjoy! If you have questions about what it is I do here, check out this page, or contact me here. — Act I Scene I I wake up early on Fridays because Fridays are when we milk the cows and the colostrum is fragrant and bubbles in my nose. I drink half a glass, then Mr. Tiller drinks a half. “Labor to labor,” he says and squeezes another glass...
River valley river—a stream of consciousness exercise.
Hello you. I’m about to wind down for the night and as a cool-down lap I decided to let myself do a stream of consciousness session for about two minutes. Enjoy! — River Valley River Low sod mosses tomb stones; bay bridges hedged with communion hay. Hey! Don’t step on the yellow petaled flowers that grow along the river. Do not throw the works of skill into this vein. Watch it meander...