Something I’ve noticed about hauntings is that while in the midst of one it can be difficult to acknowledge what you’re experiencing. They have a fogging effect that often doesn’t clear until after gaining a degree of distance. A forgetful daze sets in. If you’ve ever wondered why people living in haunted houses tend to stay put instead of pack up and run, this may be why.
Category: short story
“Are You My Agent?”
A satire of the querying process, inspired by the children's classic Are You My Mother?
Ghost of a Kung Pao Chicken – Part 2
I’m a server at an Americanized Chinese restaurant. This is based on real experiences: Caroline ate fried rice at one of the nineteen empty patio tables collecting dust that Thursday morning. When she started working at Lee’s Family Kitchen four years before, mornings included a gracious and considerate assortment of noodles and protein cooked fresh … Continue reading Ghost of a Kung Pao Chicken – Part 2
Ghost of a Kung Pao Chicken – Part 1
I'm a server at an Americanized Chinese restaurant. This is based on real experiences: The news confirmed the first local cases on a Tuesday evening, but Nel and Caroline read the news on Wednesday. Nel’s fingers throbbed from the wrong weight of bowling ball as his phone buzzed relentlessly with message after panicked message until … Continue reading Ghost of a Kung Pao Chicken – Part 1
Daniel Up At Night
Daniel expected to be murdered someday. It happened to half of the characters in the movies And at least one person per episode on TV. As Daniel explored more chapter books during his class’s “silent reading time,” He found that some character always died at some point. After school, those books rarely made it out … Continue reading Daniel Up At Night
Daniel Walking Alone
Daniel took a walk everyday because playing in his room became lonely. He wove from the east end of town to the south, From the north end of town to the west, Wearing blue jeans in the summer Because his only shorts were too large and had no pockets, And in shorts, the socks he … Continue reading Daniel Walking Alone
Daniel of Corsica
Daniel was a quiet boy, because talking got him hurt. He knew how much the teachers hated to hear him speak. He spoke at the wrong times. He spoke at the wrong volume. He spoke to the wrong people. He spoke of the wrong things. Daniel scribbled and scratched and filled his notebooks. “Look at … Continue reading Daniel of Corsica
New Hill Lane – Beginning a Story with a Place
I wrote this recently as the possible opening for an untitled orphanage project that I've otherwise shelved, but it's a perfect example of one of my favorite ways to commence and build a story: beginning with a setting. Please enjoy! New Hill Lane never grew used to the attention. Jutting from the apex of a … Continue reading New Hill Lane – Beginning a Story with a Place
Jane is Basic – A Perfectly Innocent Children’s Story
This is Jane. Jane has a gun. Jane bought her gun at Walmart. Can you buy your gun at Walmart? Jane bought her gun without a citizenship. Isn’t it nice that our constitution works without citizenship? Jane’s gun is an automatic assault rifle with alternating safety, night-vision laser scope, and leather grip. Is your … Continue reading Jane is Basic – A Perfectly Innocent Children’s Story
The Favoring Wind 