Writing
Bloody Mary Research Addendum
After “concluding” my Bloody Mary research at a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar with a group of friends a few months ago, rumors had it that I’d missed a good spot on 6th Street. I wanted to pick a time to invite friends to hit this dive burger bar when all of our schedules coincided. Turns … Continue reading
Bad Saturday Night
When opportunity lands on my doorstep, I have to seize the moment. In this case, I went out onto my balcony to retrieve something from the storage closet and saw this intriguing scene in the parking lot. How could the fiction writer in me resist? Everyone has a history, comprised of many “remember when moments.” The key … Continue reading
Adult Fairy Tales
I’ve been struggling with my second novel, The Adventures of Infinity and Negativa, for the past five years. Along the way, I’ve experienced some powerful insights. The first came when I concluded that I didn’t have the means to pay a graphic artist. My solution? Paint the beginning of each chapter, which always began with the title … Continue reading
Fools’ Paradise
Welcome to the Land of Milk and Honey. Home of the Brave. Land of the Free. Where the streets are paved in gold. The sun’s always shining unless we’re dancing in the rain. So turn that frown upside down. This is no place for any Ned Negatives or Debbie Downers. This is Par-a-dise, baby! Unlike … Continue reading
Dollars & Sense
Strutting my way to Bikram yoga one day, I noticed a quarter lying on the sidewalk. Barely breaking my stride, I swooped down to pick it up. To my dismay, it was a nickel. Now, was this just a case of objects appearing bigger from a distance? Or the sign of the financial times that … Continue reading
Flame Retardant
The energy shifted Her expression contorted Pointed finger wagged in my face Words shot out of her mouth As I sat confused Then the magic word RETARDED Slowly Fresh oxygen circulated I took a deep breath Explained I’d said the R-word In reference to An assbackwards TX educational policy Not a person Never would I … Continue reading
Pubic Hair Cornrows
The pursuit of seeking logic behind anything the women’s fashion industry does is foolhardy since its sole purpose is to convince as many women as possible that she’s not wonderful the way she is, but can come closer to achieving the ideal beauty if she buys into their nonsense through buying their overpriced, sweatshop-produced clothing … Continue reading
The Hullabaloo
Her scream startled me awake. I listened. More noise meant I had to get up. Silence, I could linger in bed. Regardless, I closed my eyes again. I held the irrational belief my mosquito net protected me from all danger and hullabaloo. Hullabaloo defined by my Merriam-Webster word-a-day calendar as “a very noisy and confused … Continue reading
Couponing Rediscovered
By the time I resigned from teaching full time at the end of March 2014, I still had stars in my eyes. I’d dutifully paid off all debt, saved up six months’ worth of money and had big dreams of launching my freelance writing/editing career. Although I’d landed a couple of lucrative writing/editing contracts, there … Continue reading
Redemption Coupons
“Redemption” means “being saved from sin, error or evil” and it also means “getting the possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt.” So thanks to the craziness of the English language, Jesus redeemed all Christian souls through his sacrificial blood in a related manner that customers redeem coupons. Granted, one deal … Continue reading