Grand Prize Winner at Not From Here, Are You?

My story, The Careful Seal of Her Song was selected as the Spring has Sprung grand prize winner over at Michael Solender’s happening spot, Not From Here, Are You?

Not From Here, Are You? The Careful Seal of Her Song

Besides the privilege of publication, I was also given the opportunity to sit down with his neighbor’s dog, MacDuff for a most delightfully irreverent interview.

Many thanks to Michael and MacDuff.

Writing Habits—Dawn of the Gummy Bear

I probably talk more about my sex life, than I do about my own writing. Okay, not really. But do I have your attention?

Just as there’s this remarkably intimate connection during sex, the bond between the writer and his or her Muse transcends all other personal relationships. For me, when I sit down and face that glowing screen, I know I’m not alone. The fear of writer’s block or a lack of inspiration dissipates into the sweet sound of her voice. I don’t let inspiration become the driving force of my creativity. That's like sitting in a car without gas and expecting to arrive at my destination on time. I write and I write some more, until the words fuse into perfect beads of pearl. When I run out of words, I walk away and find some more.

Now, on to gummy bears. God help me; please don’t start calling me one. I like to eat them while I write. The orange one is my favorite flavor. During my creative process, I don’t drink coffee, consume alcohol, use recreational drugs (prescription drugs is another story). I don’t listen to music. I don’t need absolute silence, and in fact, I enjoy the vibrant echoes of ambient noise. I take notes on napkins, clothing, candy wrappers, the back of my hand; you name it. I use a dictionary, a thesaurus, printed encyclopedias, newspapers, comic books, Playboy, Google; pretty much anything I can reference. I churn out brief story outlines that constantly morph into thirty-five different directions. I don’t slip into mantras, but I do pray to perform at my best. I don’t have a particular time of day or night. I write whenever I can for as long as possible.

I’ll stop now. This is sounding way too much like a personals ad.

In truth, I have no writer friends in the real world. In cyberspace, I have all of you talented and highly regarded writers at my fingertips. We encourage one another, provide feedback, and voice concern when a member of our community seemingly disappears from the virtual world.

You matter to me.

Everyone has their own habits, their own special way of communicating with their Muse.

What’s yours?

Flashes in the Dark: Food Drive

Editors Lori Titus and Bob Eccles have been gracious enough to publish my latest horror tale.

Flashes in the Dark: Food Drive

I know I've been missing from the blogosphere community lately. It’s because I’ve been hiding in a very dark basement. Yes, the night critters here can be frightening, but that's how I like it sometimes. Don’t you?