I Always Knew He Was A Goon

So yesterday was the conclusion of my Find-A-Goon contest.  I had twelve delightful names, and Random.org chose comment number 11.  Who is comment 11, you wonder?  So did I! Comment 11 was merely signed “-j”.  I clicked his link, and imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered that my new goon is none other than Jesse David Young, who … Read More

My First Teddy

When I went home for Christmas, my mother pulled him out for the Itty Bits to play with.  I’d almost forgotten him.  He never had a name and when you hug him, he squeaks. This picture?  Made my day absolutely lovely. Do you have a favorite childhood friend?

The Quiet Places Where Your Body Grows

I wrote a short story and a stranger emailed me to say it made her cry.  I can think of few things better.  Would you like to read it?  It’s part of the Fraternity of Flash series at Misty Dahl’s site.  Stop by to read “The Quiet Places Where Your Body Grows”,  and then hug your children a little tighter.

Hey, Wanna Be A Goon? A Contest!

So I’m in a quandary.  I’ve been naming goons for a sweet noir, and I’m all out of ideas.  There is one goon left, bodyguard to the organization’s leader, and he/she is currently nameless. It’s a small part, but important. Because, hey, who doesn’t want a bodyguard with an awesome, goonish, name? Darlings, would one of you care to be my goon … Read More

This Is Why I Don’t Go To Write-Ins

My writer’s group and I had a wonderful write-in yesterday. We wrote in the park. We moved to the library.  We ate delicious Chinese food and ended up in the backyard of the Wombat Lair.  I felt like I accomplished a lot in terms of organization and brainstorming, if not actually words on paper.  But when I came home, this … Read More

In Which My Old Boss Teaches Me To Maim

When I was in the second grade, my teacher taught me how to use my nails and scratch boys who weren’t leaving me alone.  In retrospect, that wasn’t a good thing to be taught. And I was horrifyingly good at it.  (Sorry, Nathan O! Still friends?) When I hit college, I worked five jobs (FIVE!) in order to make ends … Read More

In Which I Suggest That You Don’t Check Your Ego At The Door

I was on a panel at Killercon last year, and I came out with an unpopular opinion concerning writer’s groups.  Don’t always check your ego at the door, I said.  Sometimes it isn’t worth it.  You can see the expressions that R.J. Cavender, Sam W. Anderson, and Brad C. Hodson are wearing. (Actually, I’m just lucky that they’re looking so serious in … Read More

Music for the Zombie Apocalypse

Put your music on Shuffle. The first song is the theme for the Apocalypse. The second song plays during your first zombie kill. The third song plays while you’re chased by a Horde. The fourth song plays while you’re forced to kill your loved one. The fifth song plays when you find your new love interest. The sixth song plays … Read More