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.

Contest Deadline Met - Read Once Upon a Waking Dream

I did it! I did it! *does happy dance*
I got my short story entry "Once Upon a Waking Dream" for Target's #OnceUponNow writing contest in on the morning of the last day. Whew!!!

I had found out about this contest just a couple weeks before the deadline, but jumped right in!

It's a modern day, coming-of-age, fairy tale about a little girl who thinks she might be a secret princess from another realm. You'll have to wait until the very end to see if it's true. Please go read it and vote on each chapter and share it with your friends. Thank you!!!

If you are reading this after the contest has ended, please vote and share anyway. This story has become the prologue to an entire series I'm writing about high school misfits (like I was). I think it is appropriate for middle school age and up. My daughter is 15 and I'm 48 and we both enjoyed reading it!

https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/74307425-once-upon-a-waking-dream

#OnceUponNow

Part 1 of my contest entry for #OnceUponNow on Wattpad is ready to read.

https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/74307425-once-upon-a-waking-dream-onceuponnow

You are welcome to leave comments and critiques, anything to help make the story better. I have until June 12 to complete it. Six days! Eeek! (don't worry, I do have a rough draft that is almost complete).


If you're not a member of Wattpad, please join. You can use Facebook as you login if you like.

https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/74307425-once-upon-a-waking-dream-onceuponnow

Sleeping Beauty

Rosie had fallen asleep at her desk again. Philip watched her eyes flick back and forth beneath her lids. He envied her. It had been ten days since he'd been able to get a full night's sleep. Picking up his notebook, he began to sketch.

"Mr. Prinze, eyes forward if you please," Ms. Merryweather droned. He almost hadn't heard his teacher. Everything she said sort of mushed together like the voices in the Charlie Brown cartoons.

"Wah wah wah wah wah."

With a final glance at the lovely girl slumbering next to him he focused on the lesson at hand.