Victims (Tales from the Mountain)

The blood was everywhere. Covering the ground and the exposed roots. Blanketing the bushes. Painted on the trees. There was blood on the young woman lying on the ground. A stand-alone story from Tales from the Mountain. (See excerpt after the description.) Serena and her friends have gone on a hiking and camping trip that …

We Can See You (Tales of Magick)

“Nice,” he replied as they drove by the cemetery into which his daughter was pointing. “Do you still visit Charlie’s father’s grave often?” “Once a week,” she said quietly. “Okay. Have you ever seen anything... unusual while there?” A Tales of Magick story. A community rises up to get rid of people they don't think …

Bang! (Tales from the Mountain)

Bang is a stand-alone story from the Tales from the Mountain series. It is a mini story, meaning it can be read during a coffee break or other times when you only have a few minutes to relax. (See excerpt below the description.) “What’s going on, Sean?” She was frightened. He couldn't blame her, he …

Serenita

"Through word of mouth we were able to learn about the government’s plan. They had spacecrafts that would take them to a new planet when they needed to leave here. They would leave us all behind to deal with the wars that were going on. The wars that they had caused. They would have saved …

Hidden Camp: Part 4 of The Camp Series (Tales from the Mountain)

Elijah, age thirteen. “I was up late last night. Some woman was screaming outside, and I couldn’t sleep. Mammy and Pappy weren’t home yet, and it was getting late. Everyone else was asleep, but I was scared.” There are secrets on the mountain. Things adults know but don't tell their children. The young hear bits …

Auntie’s Boyfriend: Part 3 of The Camp Series (Tales from the Mountain)

Aunties boyfriend is gone. No one knows where he is. Sometimes strange things happen on the mountain, like pets disappearing. Or toys. Or even people. No one knows where they go, just that they are gone. Or, at least, that is what the grownups tell the children. What if the grownups know more than what …

A Trip to the Outhouse: Part 2 of The Camp Series (Tales from the Mountain)

"What are you doing up?" Dad asks when he notices me. "I have to go pee," I say nervously, knowing what was coming next. "Well, hurry up and then get back into bed." He took his turn at poker. On the mountain, children are not any more safe than adults. Sometimes, a fabled monster turns …

I’m Behind in My Writing, but It’s Okay

I got off track last December, when I was working extra shifts at The Inn and tiring myself out. During the month of December, every year, I have certain things that I work on and get ready in order to enable myself to start out the new year on track. I set myself up pretty …

Rascal: Part 1 of The Camp Series (Tales from the Mountain)

“Have you heard about the Boogie Man?” “No,” we all said at once. “Tell us about him.” The Mountain itself is truly a majestic place. The beauty of the fields and the woods is astounding. The sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking, especially when viewed from the top of the mountain. And winter, though leaving people …

Alone (Tales from the Woods)

Alone is a stand-alone story from Tales from the Woods. It is a mini story that can be read when you have a short break. Read the excerpt below the description to learn more. “I can call someone for you, if you’d like,” offers the kind nurse, but I turn my head without answering. She …

The Old Shack in The Woods (Tales from the Mountain)

The next morning Shaw and Claire woke up shivering. “I'll get up and build a fire in the stove,” he mumbled, climbing out of bed. He opened his eyes and was shocked. “Oh, my God. Get up Claire. Hurry! Get out of that bed.”

Writing Related Goals for 2024

I recently shared my 2023 accomplishments with you, so I thought I'd also share what I hope to do throughout 2024. Goals are difficult for me right now, as I do not want to put too much on my plate. I figured I would keep it simple for myself. * I am going to continue …

Currently Reading: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Have you ever seen the movie Practical Magic? I watch it once or twice every year. I first read Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman when my daughters were young. I loved it then. I am loving it more now as I read the book for a second time. A Couple of years ago I found …

My Mother (Tales from the Woods)

"She kills people. It's what she does." Another story from Tales from the Mountain, My Mother brings to light some of the bad things that happen in Bear Wood. (See an excerpt for the story below.)   Is he lying or telling the truth? It's difficult to decide what the truth is sometimes, especially when …

2023 Writing Accomplishments

When I decided on my 2023 writing related goals, I had lofty dreams. I hadn't successfully finished a writing project since the pandemic first hit, and I wanted to jump back into it all. Was I successful? Sort of. I did write the first draft of the first two books in a series, and some …

Not Writing, But…

If you've seen my posts on Instagram or the Facebook Page recently, you know I haven't been writing as of late. At first I thought maybe it was because I'm totally thrown off by this virus and, while that may be part of it, I'm now wondering of it might also have to do with …

Writing & Blogging While Home

Honestly, while I have been blogging and working on other projects during my time at home I have not been working on my manuscript. Not at all. I've tried. I sat down at my desk to write a number of times over the past month, but nothing has come of it. I recently organized my …

No Aroma Joe’s

That's not 100% accurate. AJ's is still open, but only for drive-thru orders. I have walked up to the drive-thru window twice since I've been staying home from work, after running other essential errands. I need disinfectant every so often. But the dining area isn't open. I cannot go in and sit, enjoy brunch, and …

The Facebook Page

My daughter Zowie has helped me to set up a Facebook page. She has a job where she runs a Facebook page for a business, and offered to help me get a page up and running for my fiction site. We've discussed social media and other aspects. I'd been considering a Facebook page for my …

What is My Dream Job?

Can you Guess? You can probably at least come close, right? Obviously, I want to be a famous author. I'd love to be paid to write every day, and publish at least a couple of books a year. I could afford editors, and someone to do graphics for me. And all the other professionals that …

“Do You Know Stephen King?”

I've been asked this a number of times at while at work at The Inn. Or, "Have you met Stephen King?" It's because: We live in the same state. I work in the city where he lives. And, possibly because, I push the Stephen King tour on guests when they indicate they are a fan …

Staying Motivated…

... is not always easy. Except where writing is concerned. I get sidetracked pretty easily in general. This used to be the case even with my writing. I've lost count of the number of books I've started over the years, that still need to be finished because I had such a hard time staying focused. …

Notes on Creating Characters

Today I am sitting at Aroma Joe's, enjoying iced mint tea as I do my writing. I've already finished a chapter in my manuscript, and have come to a point where I need to think about what is going to happen next. How are these teenagers going to get the adults in their life to …

My A-Z List of Books I’ve Read

I've read a lot of books, so I thought I'd follow along with others who are listing their A to Z lists of books read. There was only one letter spot I was unable to fill. Read on to find out which one, and see if you can make any suggestions. Many of these are …

More Page Likes. Yay!

I've spent some time on ads over the last few weeks, and I'm pleased to report they have paid off. I may do a couple more ad runs in another month or two, if I can fit them into my budget. I had thirty new page likes in January, and a few more already this …