America's Dark Moment

As I have been delving deeper into the science of writing recently, something very important occurred to me. This country is entering into what is called "the dark moment".

This is the climactic event that happens in every story that forces the hero to change. It is what is needed to kick him in the pants and get him to be the savior he was meant to be (like when "only hope" Obi-Wan was killed in Star Wars and Luke was forced to save himself and his friends and the entire universe).

 This country needed a kick in the pants, a wake-up call, so we would stop being so complacent waiting for "them" to fix things. It is time for ALL of us to become the heroes we were meant to be. 

Don't go back to sleep!

Drabble 4 - New Friends

My new neighborhood is bright and colorful, a haven in the heart of our crazy city. It's the perfect place to take photos.

As I walk along the street eating my sandwich and capturing bugs, flowers, bird nests and clouds (the clouds don't come out so well), I notice two kids sitting on a stoop. They appear to be my age. I want to make friends but I stay quiet and let them make the first move.

“Whatcha doin’?” they call out. Maybe they like photography too. I approach them with a smile and proudly hold out my birthday camera.

Drabble 3 - Neighbor's Yard

There he is again, just like every day, scrambling through the yard next door, pushing some loose soil back and forth. Is he searching for something? I watch him for a while as he digs.

Suddenly he lifts his head and looks around, sniffing the air. I don't see or smell whatever he does. It has to be bad because he takes off running.

He streaks past like the hounds of hell are following. I look back at his previous spot. Another squirrel is there. He picks up a nut I hadn't noticed and runs off in the other direction.

Intolerance and Cruelty

This year's election campaign had made me so angry I had a hard time writing much of anything on this blog. I just couldn't wrap my head around what was happening. How could there be so many people who approved of Trump's intolerance and cruelty? And don't get me started on the misogyny. I would constantly start writing something angry and dark.

Then I would stop myself and think about what I wanted to put out there into the world. People will read it...maybe. Do I want to bring them down or make them feel hopeful?

Many believe that what you put out into the universe is what will come back to you.
That includes your thoughts. Uh-oh.

It's time for us to all focus on the positives. Most of the people of our country voted AGAINST racism and intolerance. And over 80 million people did not vote at all. If they were racists they would've voted for Trump too. Guess what that means. There are way more of us then there are of them. We have the power to changed things for the better.

Right now we need to help our friends and family members who are most vulnerable to the backward thinking of the new President. Call for right action in the government from your local politicians. Make them understand that we won't allow racism and intolerance to lead our country.

Be vocal. Campaign for human rights. Support groups that help rather than hurt.

Be peaceful. Always.

Drabble 2 - First Love

I don't know how long I'll keep numbering my drabbles. Maybe up to 100 to celebrate the 100 words? Who knows?
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I always watch her when she isn't looking. I don't know what it is that has me so mesmerized.

Then the light catches her dark hair, revealing a hint of auburn. That's unusual for someone so dark. Maybe they're color highlights. She is surrounded by the popular girls. They probably do each other's hair at slumber parties every weekend. I sigh, knowing I don't fit in with any of them.

As they approach, I pretend not to notice.

"Hey, Fiona!" she greets me with a smile.
"Hey, Ruby," I mumble as they pass by.

Her friends glare back at me.

Drabbles Are A Great Exercise

Writing drabbles, I've decided, will be a very good exercise to help me get to know my characters. For example, my very first drabble had to do with photography and my character Fiona (from Once Upon a Waking Dream and my upcoming series) is a photographer. It's sort of like thinking out loud.

Drabble 1: Soul Capturer

In case you didn't know, I love to write flash fiction (not to be confused with fan fiction, although I used to write that too). I just discovered a site called 100 Word Story and another one called drablr. Here is my first "drabble". It's exactly 100 words.

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Looking into its eye I could see the future: long days filled with many different faces. People would flock to me, seeking me out, their chosen one. Each of them would look into this same eye, and for a brief moment in time they would be free from all worry or decision. I would make it for them. I would hold up my hand and command them, before I captured their soul for all eternity.

"What do you think, miss?"

I turned and pointed the camera at the salesman. I held up my hand and ordered, "Say cheese!" He did.