I’m toast. The dang book rebelled this week. Imma gonna put on my sunglasses, blast some music and drink* until the plot behaves. Have a great weekend, all!
*coffee, though likely with a shot of espresso, lots of ice and a spoonful of mocha
My heart hurts when I watch the news. And I get angry when I see the BS being spouted on social media about whose “fault” the flood was and/or how those people deserved what happened because of where they lived or who they might have voted for. I can only hope that Karma is swift and harsh when it comes to those *insert a Sade rant here*. There must be a very special place in hell for that kind of *insert Hannah rant here*. Okay. Stepping away from the keyboard for a moment…
I’m back. And calmer. Amazing what a moment of silence and a cup of coffee can do. Anyway, today is Thursday. The Universe has thoughts. As usual, I’m translating those thoughts into how they can specifically help writers. The messages always hold relevance for everyone so take what you will from them.
While one’s capacity to dream great dreams is truly infinite, Silver, the capacity to do great things is mightily dependent upon one’s ability to do little, baby, trite, mortal, dull, and sometimes silly things.
Yeah, easy for you, huh?
Whooohoooo,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. I’m your BIGGEST fan, Silver.
So. We writers dream big–not only in creating our stories but in what we hope to achieve in our careers. I don’t know one writer who has ever said, “Nah. I don’t want to be a best-selling author.” If they did, I’d call BS. We all dream it. Some of us achieve it. Most of us don’t, but that doesn’t stop us from dreaming big when we create our worlds, give life to our characters, tell= their stories, and share it all with the wider world. That’s almost the easy part. Almost. The really hard stuff comes with the little, baby, trite, mortal, dull things. The finding the gumption to write against the odds. The process of editing and formatting. Marketing. Ugh. But all those things need to be added to the mix. I’m glad the Universe is a fan. I need all of y’all I can get.
Oh. Yeah. And sometimes we get the silly things that make us smile or laugh, that keep us BICHOK day after day, against all odds. Wishing you silly things today, my friend.
Happy Hump Day! I am pleased to anounce that I garnered another Honorable Mention in last week’s Thursday Threads flash fiction challenge. I’m not to proud to post what the judge had to say: Jacob says: “Ah, Silver. The way I read this so damned quickly. If this was a full book, I’d spend an entire Saturday or Sunday getting nothing else done til you got to a slower point in the book and I could take a break for air… or water. Just not the water coming down the tunnel. I like to grade these things on hook, style, flow, and my judge’s preference. And I think you nailed all four. I don’t remember from the previous entry if this is supposed to be a romance or not, but you’ve set this up to be either a romantasy or a straight up action fantasy, and either way I love it. Flow had me speeding through. The hook was subtle enough for it to keep me wanting to read, and the style was good but didn’t insist on itself. Well done.” See me doing a little happy dance. This scene is pretty much standalone. Sort of. And here’s the prompt: *”This had better work.”*
****
Sade wrinkled her nose waiting for her eyes to adjust. Even with the beams of their LED flashlights, the tunnel remained drenched in gloom despite their LED flashlights. Taking a step, her boot sank to the ankle in something she didn’t want to identify.
“Which way?”
Ariel pointed down a side tunnel. “There. I’ll lead.”
“Be my guest.” She glanced at the other man. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you.” It wasn’t a question.
Nikos flashed an enigmatic smile. “My lair is comfortable. And dry. Unlike this miserable place.”
As they trooped along, Sade refused to remain silent. “I had no idea all these tunnels existed under Rochester.”
“It’s part of the old canal system,” Nikos explained. Then he froze. So did Ariel.
Sade glanced between them. “What?”
“Do you hear it?”
Ariel nodded. “What is it?”
The dragon’s eyes widened. “Run!”
He sprinted past Sade, grabbing her hand as he went. Ariel ran hard on their heels.
“What the hell?” she panted.
“Water.” The two men said simultaneously.
“Water?”
“These are drainage tunnels,” Nikos said.
Ari added, “Someone opened the valves.” He suddenly grabbed Sade’s free hand, jerking her in the opposite direction.
Nikos held on, his feet sliding in the muck as he braced against the pull.
After a string of expletives, she shouted, “I’m not a wishbone!”
“Lay line,” Ari explained. “This way. Higher ground.”
Sade heard the roar. She jerked Nikos, tugging him along as a wall of water chased them. The dragon released her. He shifted and then the channel filled with dragon fire. The torrent churned, turned to steam.
“This had better work,” Sade yelled. “Drowning is not on my bingo card!”
****
Okay. Technically, that’s not the 250-word original. I added back in some words I cut to make it fit the challenge. And I edited just a teensy bit. Anyway, there it is. FYI, there is all sorts of stuff in Rochester that I had no clue about. Fun research. Now to make sure I don’t info dump it in big globs along the way. 😉
Hope you enjoyed it, readers. Do you think dragon fire can boil away a gush of water in a drainage tunnel? Writers, this is a good, all-purpose prompt. Grab it and run!
I have a tasty treat for y’all today. But first, a caveat. I might have been an award-winning forensic fire photograher back in the day but I’ve never claimed to be a food stylist. That said, yes, I took this picture. Yes, it is a finished version of today’s recipe. But there’s another caveat. The first time I made this recipe, I grabbed a can of cresent DOUGH, not crescent ROLLS. There’s a difference. Trust me, you want to use the ROLLS! The edges in the pic are a little toasty because they browned before the center cooked thoroughly. I’ve made this dish twice since then, using ROLLS and it’s yummy! I was just too lazy to take another picture. So there. Anyway…here’s the recipe:
Recipe details
Yield: 6 people
Time spent:
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients
16 ounces crescent rolls unwrapped and rolled into crescent shapes
8 ounces ham steak chopped into small cubes
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk *can also use light cream or half and half
2 cups shredded cheddar or your favorite shredded cheese
salt & pepper to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh green onions diced
Instructions
1 – Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease an 11 x 13 pan with nonstick spray.
2 – Unroll crescents and wrap them in crescent shape according to the package instructions. You should have 16 rolls evenly place in your greased pan.
3 – In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cracked eggs, and spices. Once fluffy and combined, add half the scallions, chopped ham, and half the shredded cheese.
4 – Pour the mixture over the crescent rolls. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the casserole.
5 – Bake until crescents are fluffy, golden brown, and firm to the touch. The egg mixture should be fluffy and no longer soggy in the center. A tester inserted into the center of the casserole should come out clean.
6 – Sprinkle remaining scallions over the casserole before serving. Enjoy warm!
My Notes/Tips:
I made this for LG and me so I halved the ingredients, used 1 can of crescent rolls, and a 9×9 baking dish. It comes out to 4 servings, or 2 if people are really hungry.
No character or specific book today. My brain doesn’t want to brain because it keeps chasing down rabbit holes in Rochester. Not that one, the other one. Just ask Sade. Anyway, it’s the SMASHWORDS SUMMER/WINTER SALE. Why winter you ask? Because it’s winter down under. All my books that are on Smashwords are 50% off and you can get them so that they load on your Kindle or any other ereader. Just click on the link above, or the link embedded with the pic. It will take you directly to my page at Smashwords and you can find all my books. Well, except for THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC. There’s a SNAFU thing going on but if that’s the book you want, just search for it. It comes up! Hope you enjoy both the casserole and my books!
Anybody else feel this way? Since Friday was a holiday and not much happened–well, besides parades and fireworks– so Saturday felt like Sunday except the programming was all wrong and then there was Sunday, which felt like…not Sunday but not Monday either. So here it is, actually Monday and I have no real clue what day it actually is. I feel like the teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. “Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?”
On a more serious note, what should have been a weekend to celebrate Independence Day here in the US turned into a tragedy of epic perportions in central Texas. As much as I joke about Mother Nature, she is nothing to fool around with. A flash flood like the one that hit Kerrville and Guadalupe River is terrifying, especially coming in the middle of the night. I still remember the Big Thompson Canyon flood in 1976. My heart goes out to the heart of Texas.
In other news, I’m listening to an awesome book! I’ve been a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon since the 90s. I loved her Dark Hunters, Dream Hunters, and all the rest. At some point, I did drift away from her books though I’d pick one up from time to time for a reread/relisten. One of her books popped up in an Audible sale email. The book is a fairly recent release–November, 2024. I read the summary: “Take back your kingdom. Unicorns and dragons don’t mix…” That’s as far as I got before I hit [BUY]. It’s all kinds of awesome. Dash is a black unicorn and the high king. Tanis is a dragon princess. They both have dark pasts with lots of angst. Both are looking for revenge for wrongs done to their kin–Dash for his sister, Tanis for her brother. There’s palace intrigue. Magic. And hot chemistry. Good stuff!
Writing. I’ve done some. Not as much as I’d like but I am making progress. I keep writing snippets of things in the future and I waznt to get there but I can’t “carry on” until I lay the groundwork. Which is sort of boring but if it’s too boring no one will keep reading to get to the exciting parts. I’m working on it even if it’s not going as fast as I’d like. I’ll keep chugging. I really would like to publish at least two books this year. Gah. *flail*
Saturday was First Saturday which meant siren test and lunch with the Kids. I went for healthy and got a Cobb salad. It was tasty but huge. Leftovers meant dinner Saturday night because lack of sleep due to fireworks and poor Jake all freaked out. Bless Loki. He was right there with Jake through it all. LG and I took turns. After we got home, LG napped. I wrote a little but mostly vegged and did a little on-line research.
Sunday was laundry day. I did five loads. They’re all hung in the closet or folded and put up. I did NOT leave the foldes in the basket overnight. I have a tendancy to do that. Do not ask me why. I have no clue. I mean, I hang and fold as stuff comes out of the dryer. I’ll take the hanging stuff to the closet as I go to get the next load for the washer. I leave the folded stuff in the basket until the last load. And I’ll leave it there. Yes, I’m weird.
No big plans for the coming week. The usual Wallyworld run at some point. I fully intend on writing something, anything every day. With that in mind, time to grab coffee, open up Scrivener and stare at the monitor hoping that inspiration strikes. Did y’all have a good weekend? Any plans for the week?
I’m proud to be an American. And I love that song, which I usually share this time of year. Today, I’m doing something a little different because…drones! They fascinate me and this display back on July 4, 2023 was a Guinness World Record. So sit back, enjoy the show. And enjoy your day. Be safe out there! And be proud! Have an awesome holiday weekend.
It’s Thursday. Tomorrow is the 4th of July. I wish we could load up Jake and head out somewhere where there were no fireworks. Poor doggo doesn’t do well with the big bangs. Ah well. Anyway, it’s Thursday and the Big U and I have thoughts. When writing–and in life–no matter the genre, go with your heart.
Aim with your heart, Silver.
Steer with your baby steps.
And know that it always works.
Love you,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. Aiming without steering, Silver, is just idle wonder.
Pretty simple. Aim with your heart. Take those baby steps in the direction your steering. Whether it’s achieving your dreams or typing The End. Easy peasy, right? Those of you here in the States, have a good 4th of July. For those of you other places, carry on. 😉
Happy July. How can we be almost halfway through the year already? The older I get the faster time flies. I’ll get right to today’s prompt: *”No one tells you it never stops.”* I’m pleased to announced that I captured an honorable mention in last week’s Thursday Threads and I’m vain enough to quote what the judge had to say. “The short piece from Silver highlights her masterful skills in storytelling. She sets the stage instantly and provides the reader with the right amount of background. Strong use of description, action and dialogue. The syntax in this convo highlights all: “Aisling stared off into space before answering. ‘The wanting. The needing. It hurts, you know?’” On a total related, side note: I ordered a vanilla-cinnamon sunflower butter this week. It’s my favorite scent so she piqued my interest right away.” Being a puzzler, I’m not sure exactly where this scene occurs. It more or less stands on it’s own so I’ll leave it to your imaginations. 😉
****
Aisling stared morosely at the glass in her hand. She didn’t remember picking it up and had no real clue as to what the amber liquid inside it was. She lifted it to her nose and sniffed. She crinkled her nose while shifting through the various scents. Vanilla. Cinnamon. A hint of maple syrup maybe. Something darker. Licorice. And a touch of orange. She looked up at the woman sitting with her.
“What’s this?”
“Brandy. It’s good for what ails you.”
Her expression now dubious, she took a hesitant sip. She ended up smacking her lips and taking a full drink. “That’s kinda good.”
“Told you.”
She swigged a long draw, swallowed. “I’m sorry. Who are you again?”
“My name is Sade.”
“And you’re here because…” She sipped again, deciding she really liked this brandy stuff.
“I’m here because I think you’re in trouble.”
Releasing a huge sigh, Aisling finished off the brandy and held it out for seconds. Sade obliged.
“I’m not in trouble. I’m just…” Another deep sigh and a swallow before she continued. “To tell the truth, I’m in over my head. I mean, no one tells you it never stops.”
“What never stops?”
Aisling stared off into space before answering. “The wanting. The needing. It hurts, you know?”
“What is it you want and need, Aisling?”
“That’s just it. I don’t know.” Her voice turned plaintiff. “There’s something out there but I can’t see it. Can’t touch it.”
Sade knew that feeling. “You’ll figure it out.”
****
I don’t have much else to add other than writing this sparked several other things and there is a “prescene” that I wrote after writing this one. And no, I’m not sharing it. These snippets are meant to entince and excite. I don’t want to give too much away. Writers, write if you feel it. Readers, am I on a good track?
This isn’t a long story. Except I’m telling it so it might turn out that way. Any of you ever a Girl Scout? Well, actually a Brownie, because that’s where I first learned the song. You might of learned it somewhere else–or not of all. Doesn’t matter. The song was sung as a round. You know, where one group starts the song, then after a line or two, a second group starts the song, and then a third. All the words are kind of jumbled along together but it sounds really cool and then eases out at the ending. Well, the song I’m thinking of is about friends and it’s called “Silver and Gold.” It goes like this: Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold. It’s a simple song but it is deep in it’s meaning.
And, where is she going with this, you’re asking.
Most of my current “active” friends–the one’s I communicate with almost daily and consider old friends–are on line. I’ve met some of them in person. Some I haven’t and I may never. That doesn’t matter. We’re friends. If they needed me, I’d be there.
Still not sure where she’s going, y’all are thinking.
Well, I’m back on X and I’ve made some new acquaintances a few new friends. A question from someone I didn’t know and don’t follow popped up in my feed because someone I do follow had commented. The unknown was trolling someone who claimed to be friends someone famous. I started to jump in but didn’t. I don’t feed the trolls. As a rule. I’ve been known to get into a flame war or three. I had no clue if the claimant actually knew that person or not.
The thing is, *I* know a lot of famous people–mostly authors but more than a handful of entertainment types. Some of them are on X and I communicate with them. They communicate back. I have phone numbers for more than a few of them. Here’s the kicker. I’ve met some of them in person. Some of them I only know on-line. Doesn’t matter. I still know them, ya know?
The bottom line here, and to sum up my story, I may not have ever met you face-to-face, but you are still my friends. I’ve heard about your families, your health. What you are reading and writing. What you are cooking or ate for dinner. These are things friends know. And yes, I’ve met some of you person. And some only on-line. Some of you send me coffee because that’s what friends do. And some of you would help me bury the body and never ask why there is a body. Y’all are my gold. Just sayin’…
I have coffee. I shall survive. Now if I can just remember all the stuff I’m supposed to remember…
So. Writing. I was churning along last week and then on Saturday–still churning–I stopped. I needed to go back to make sure something I thought had happened had actually happened. I mean, I think things. Then I think I write them. But…sometimes I don’t. I just think I have written about the things I thought of.
Confused yet? Yeah, me too. Anyway. I went back. I had indeed included said thing. All was good. Until I realized that the chapter I’d started and was about 1/3 the way through was NOT the chapter in the story. 🤦🏼♀️ Nope, it should have been the NEXT chapter. Which meant I had to go back and figure WHY it was the next chapter and what should happen in the chapter that it was not.
Still confused? Yeah, me too. So, I quit writing but it was almost dinner time Saturday evening anyway and I decided to mostly take off Sunday to think about what should happen in that mystery chapter. I think I have it figured out so it’s all good.
My Cards are mostly on a win streak. Yay. No soccer until like August or something.
If you notice something about the site–like no more ads–that’s because I went paid. I had to in order to post the media files for Zoe’s songs last week. It was probably something I needed to do anyway.
Reference a comment about cops at the door. If you have the SOS button on your cell phone? It works. Trust me. LG’s cell was stuck in zoom. While I was trying to fix it, I inadvertantly hit that button. When the phone rang, I couldn’t answer it because STUCK IN ZOOM! Anyway, a few minutes later, the doorbell rang and we had two very polite officers on the front porch. I confessed to being old and clumsy. And why we didn’t answer the call back to confirm if there was a situation. They were very nice and didn’t laugh at me. I wouldn’t have minded. 🤦🏼♀️
The other “big” thing that happened was having the plumbers out to ream the discharge line for the sewer. It took two different crews and two trips and the second crew managed to get off the roof just before the lightning storm moved in. They were filling up the big hole in the back yard in a light rain and actually appreciated the cool down. Fun times, not! 🙄
Didn’t do much else. It’s hot. I’m ready to write today. I need more coffee. That just about sums it up. How’re things in your world?
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