Mara's Musings

My Debut Novel is now Available!!!

2012-03-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

After a lot of blood, sweat and tears ... my debut novel, "CLUB JUSTICE," is now available on Amazon! I hope you will check it out and let me know what you think!

CLUB JUSTICE ~ Kindle Version

CLUB JUSTICE ~ Paperback

Dominoes

2012-01-26T07:09:00.001-08:00

Conflict is paramount in a good story. As much as we love our characters we must put roadblocks in their way, creating hardship and drama, to write a compelling tale. In thinking about the plot for the second book in my Trinity Falls Series this week, I've been pondering crisis and climax, looking for "THE BIG ONE," and then real life reared its head and threatened to bring a friend to her knees. While my heart broke, it reminded me that sometimes it's the little things that pile up and tumble like dominoes.

I'm sure most of you have had those times in your life when you throw up your hands and ask yourself "What else could go wrong?" "Could things get any worse?" I know I always knock on wood after asking that last one. It always seems things can, and do, get worse before better. Your problems don't have to be big things. Maybe alone none of them would even be a blip on the radar, but combined, they bury you. The same is true for your characters. Stop and think about consequences. You make one mistake and everything snowball’s from there.

An everyday example could be making an accounting error in your checkbook. What starts out a simple mathematical error causes a check or more to bounce. Each bounced check results in a thirty to thirty-five dollar overdraft fee. When you're short of funds to begin with, this just adds insult to injury. The fees add up, cutting into the money you have for the next week’s bills and make you short. If this is your story, what happens then? Does your hero/heroine bounce more checks in an effort to catch up, piling on the fees? Maybe there's no money for groceries. Without gas money they can't get to work, which puts them further in the hole. How embarrassing is it when the school starts calling because there are no funds in your child's lunch account? Does your character's electric get turned off? Does the bank threaten to repo their car or foreclose on their house? It is the domino effect.

This is just one example, but I think you see where I’m going. One tiny error and you can lose everything. If you can see the reality, so can your readers. Create conflict that they relate to. Your readers will bond with the characters as they go through trials and tribulations that they themselves have been through or fear. Building this connection will draw your audience in and invoke their heart, and that is what makes for a great story.

Love & Creativity!

~ Mara

2012-01-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

Well .. it is the New Year. No more excuses of holidays to put off editing, promoting, and writing. So ... my first novel is now in the hands of a couple trusted people for a read over. I started a website last night. (It's a WIP and not public yet) And I have dusted off 2009's NaNo novel and started revisions. 2012 is looking good.

Love and creativity,

Novel decisions ...

2011-12-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

I've been busy this past week with preparations for both Christmas and Club Justice. My family will all be home this year! My youngest brother is a MP and just returned from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He will be stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri now, but will be bringing his wife and two sons home to Indiana for a visit. The second to the youngest will be coming in from a more tame local of Houston, but we will be happy to see him just the same! LOL The other three of us just stayed right here. *wink*

Between the phone calls, emails, and texts that surround this time of year I have found little time to write. Don't think I have been idle though! I commissioned a book cover made for Club Justice that I can use to publish it in ebook format and in part for print through CreateSpace. So part of those emails flying was looking at mockups, requesting changes, and trying to bring the vision/dream in my head to fruition. I also spent a lot of time looking into CreateSpace. If anyone has any experience with it I would LOVE to hear about it, bad or good.

Other than that ... I've sent the MS to a trusted friend for a read over for story line and have spoke with another who is very good at proofreading for both content and technical aspects. I don't expect anyone to have time until after the first of the year, but it feels good to be shuffling forward in my quest. So that is my update. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and are gifted with family, love, and creativity.

Love,

I Finished my Novel!!

2011-12-08T06:09:00.001-08:00

Yes I have been writing something, just not BLOG entries! LOL 87,608 words of blood, sweat, and tears! Finishing felt AMAZING! I was on top of the world. I read through it, start to finish tweaking and editing, and loved it! *Thank God I trusted my writing partner in those moments of doubt* Call it vanity, but it is a good feeling to read back over your work and enjoy it.

So, with that finished, I have a couple people that have agreed to read over it and offer their thoughts and expertise. *hugs!* However, what no one warned me of ... now comes the hard part. What do I do with my baby now? Do I go for ease and instant gratification and put it up on Amazon through the KDP program, or do I shop it around to try and find a publisher interested? It doesn't fall easily into a genre category. The tale is of family and love. It involves drama, crime, & passion. Maybe the encompassing mainstream? Ughhh I'm in uncharted waters here people. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated!

Love,

Mara

BLOGGER procrastination of the worst kind!

2011-08-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been 6 months! *BLUSHES* Unbelievable! I wish I had some fabulously creative excuse that would inspire you all, something to tug at the heart strings and put you all firmly behind me ... but truth be known it was just pure laziness and life that kept me away.

For much of those six months I've indulged my creative side with little tales inspired by contest prompts on Writing.com or played at a round robin story with a dear friend. TONS of fun, but not the step towards further publication I had hoped for. I've recently picked up my novel WIP, Club Justice, and dusted it off in hopes of digging back in. I hope that I can stick to the task there, as well as here, and continue my journey towards publication of a longer piece. Funny how you have to finish it first. lol

Oh! And what would a BLOG visit be with out a bit of shameless self promotion? LOL I did have a couple more short stories hit the Amazon site while I was gone. These stories are of the naughty erotic variety, always a genre near and dear to my heart. *Wink* Give them a peek if you get at chance!

http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Flashes-Erotica-Quarterly-April/dp/1617060984/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3

http://www.amazon.com/Erotica-Quarterly-July-Shauni-Barencourte/dp/1617061158/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

It is good to be back and I look forward to catching up with everyone! <3

~ Mara McBain

Bernard Pivot BLOGFEST!

2011-02-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

What is your favorite word? ~ Minion ... I don't know why other than it makes me laugh and I want one!

What is your least favorite word? ~ Cunt ... enough said.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? ~ Reading, Incense, laughter

What turns you off? ~ Noise and confusion

What is your favorite curse word? ~ Fuck .. it can be used sooo many ways!

What sound or noise do you love? ~ Water

What sound or noise do you hate? ~ Fingernails on a chalkboard ... random noise and confusion.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? ~ Hmmm other than author ... serial killer has often intrigued me.

What profession would you not like to do? ~ Child Protective Services ... it would send me into the serial killer profession for sure.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? ~ "Ahhh there you are! Come on in."

Fear ...

2011-02-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it is a case of mid-manuscript blues or laziness. I've surpassed the 50k mark on my WIP and crept to a near halt. I have maintained my 5k a week goal for a month and a half now, but this week ... this week it is like I am afraid to write. I know that sounds crazy, but that is what it feels like. I don't know if it is fear of not meeting my weekly goals, I mean after all I am only answering to myself, or if it is fear what I am writing is just not going to be good enough as a whole.

My calender for February is brutal when it comes to things that will cut into my writing time. Hitting my 5k mark will be all but impossible with the mixture of no school days, dentist appointments (not to mention the haze I will be in after my wisdom tooth is cut out), working on normal days off, holidays, an anniversary, and two birthdays!

Spilling all that to my beloved writing partner, Adriana , yesterday she quietly suggested easing up on myself. Her thought was backing off on the word count goal would allow me to breathe and break through the icy fear, allowing me to move forward, even if at a slower pace. Soo we are going to try that. I've backed the magic goal off to 2k a week for this month, obviously more when/if I can manage it. I ended up with with a little over 900 words yesterday, which are the first words of the week. Not a bad start.

Wish me luck.

Love,

MM

Weekly Word Count and Another Publication!

2011-01-15T09:58:00.000-08:00

It has been a strange week for writing. I have Wednesday and Friday off and I have to thank God for previously unheard of production this Wednesday. I ended up with 3026 words. That's A new high for me. In comparison, Friday's word count was a paltry 973. This wouldn't be such an issue, I have my 5000 weekly goal broke into 833 words a day 6 days a week with a day off, BUT I didn't write a word Mon., Tue., or Thurs. *winces* I'm not sure what the problem has been this week. I'm confident I will meet my goal with today and tomorrow yet to churn out a mere 1000 words, but it bothers me that really slacked off this week. I could have had 7-8 k this week if I had followed my normal schedule the other days.

Onto good news, two of my short stories, On the Chance and Promise of Tomorrow, were accepted to the Static Movement Anthology, Something from the Attic 2! The editor, the fabulous Chris Bartholomew had such kind words to say about my writing. It is amazing how a couple words of praise can inspire a writer's confidence.

Lotsa Love and Creativity
~MM

A bit of Exposure and Progress

2011-01-08T06:30:00.001-08:00

I had a bit of wonderful news the other day...the anthology Literary Foray is now available on Amazon for purchase and they used an excerpt from one of my stories in the description! It really was unexpected and an honor not to mention a great little bit of exposure for me.

Literary Foray

Those that know me well know I am an incredibly slow writer. Those that don't know me ... now you know too. LOL So with the success of my short stories the last two months of 2010 I wanted to build on that in 2011 with my WIP novel. I have a horrible track record of setting novels aside and never picking them back up. I did not want that to happen to Club Justice. I knew I needed goals to keep me moving, but really struggled with what type of goals to set for it. I finally settled on 5000 words a week. Many of you can blow that out in a day, I know, but not me and I figured it was another step in the right direction and a way to keep the words flowing. I started December 27th with 18589 words and when I closed up Word last night I was at 30965. It is humbling to mark the progress and it gives me great hope. I've added a word count widget to my BLOG to publicly track my progress. Maybe it will help keep me on track.

Another thing that I did for the first time is I created an outline for my WIP. How professional of an outline I can't say, however it is something for me to jot down ideas and high points for the story and refer back to when I hit those blank moments at the beginning of a new chapter. Is there anything as terrifying as a blank page? UGH!

I know it has only been two weeks, but as I am getting fond of saying ... it is another step in the right direction. Wish me luck and the same to you my friends.

~ Love
~ MM

Wishing all a Happy, Creative 2011!

2011-01-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

I wish all my BLOGGER friends a Happy and CREATIVE 2011! Welcome the year of the Novel!

Love,

MM

Another Short Story Accepted!

2010-12-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

I submitted my newest short story, The Library Lady , this morning and it was accepted to the Literary Foray anthology where it will be joining my two previously accepted stories!

Thank you Nicole for your amazing feedback!

~ MM

Looking Back ~ November 2010

2010-12-07T06:59:00.000-08:00

Who is good at keeping New Year's resolutions? Anybody? Anyone? I didn't think so. The old proverb says, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." When it comes to New Year's resolutions I think most of those intentions are forgotten before the hangover subsides. Perhaps knowing this a writing site I belong to, Writing Dot Com, encourages us write them down and post them up for the world to see in the form of a Dear Me letter. This could be either to humiliate us later when we fail miserably, or because we are writers, take your pick. Whatever the reason, this provides us the opportunity towards the end of the year to dust the list off and see how we've done. When I was asked to do just that, I cringed.

Maybe a little background will shed some light on why I found this request so painful. At this time last year I was immersed in the craziness known as NaNowrimo or National Novel Writing Month. I wrote over fifty thousand words in just a month. I let loose, ignoring my inner editor and wrote more on one project than I had ever written before. I was stoked! My confidence was soaring through the roof! But, I was burnt out. Holding down a fulltime job and cranking out 1667 words a night during the holiday season had taken their toll. I thought I just needed a little break.

I took the month of December and most of January off citing the holiday distractions and burnout as excuses. In the last two weeks of January I managed a short eight hundred and sixty five word tale to win that weeks round of The Weekly Quickie and, of course, my aforementioned Dear Me letter. By now you are probably thinking 'that's not too bad, a month and a half off, and it was over the holidays.' Uh huh ... except I didn't write again until July 21st.

Now maybe the cringe makes sense to you. So, I went back and re-read my Dear Me letter, peeked at my Portfolio, and low and behold, the sun crept from behind the clouds. Maybe my dear friend Giselle saved me by taking over The Weekly Quickie contest, or maybe it was just time. Either way I entered round one of her reign on July 21st and it was like the dam broke. I've wrote fifteen short stories since then. Most have been for The Weekly Quickie, short and sexy, but there have been a few longer pieces mixed in there including a 2nd place entry in The Paradise Cove and an entry to the October Short Shots Contest.

Taking a good look at the goals outlined in "Dear Slacker...err...Me," this is what I found.

1) I will clear the mental hurdle of the novel and complete one, even if it is only for my satisfaction.

I completed revision on my novelette His Pet, posting up the final thirteen chapters of the tale and making at least one reader, who had been waiting patiently for two and a half years, very happy. I also worked sporadically on my WIP Club Justice that sits at just under twenty thousand words to date.

2) I will enter at least eight contests on the WDC site.

To date I've entered eighteen. Of those eighteen I've placed or rated an honorable mention in twelve, with two others still open for judging.

3) I will submit at least eight items for publication off site.

I've submitted six so far. Three have been accepted for publication in anthologies and three are pending. UPDATE: The other three were accepted to Daily Flashes of Erotica Quarterly Anthology!

4) By the end of the year I will be able to show at least one of my works off in print, or a sheaf of rejection letters telling me what I must improve.

Today I held the anthology, Something from the Attic, in my hands for the first time. Inside its beautiful covers is my short story, "Muse." I can honestly say I am a published author.

When I cringed this morning I thought 2010 was a bit of a disappointment on the writing front, with the exception of my three short stories, none of which were wrote this year, being accepted for print. Doing research for this contest has really opened my eyes and I am amazed at what I have accomplished in what amounts to less than four months. This challenge has encouraged and inspired me. Once again it highlights the finer things about our community.

Thank you.

The Hating Game ~ BLOGSPLASH!!!!

2010-12-01T05:57:00.000-08:00

Help Talli Roland's debut novel THE HATING GAME hit the Kindle bestseller list at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk by spreading the word today. Even a few sales in a short period of time on Amazon helps push the book up the rankings, making it more visible to other readers.

Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/hNBkJk

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/hX2ieD

No Kindle? Download a free app at Amazon for Mac, iPhone, PC, Android and more. Coming soon in paperback. Keep up with the latest at http://www.talliroland.com/.

About THE HATING GAME:

When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy. After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £200,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes. Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?

[If you'd like to help promote Talli's book, please copy this post and paste it onto your blog or FaceBook wall. Christmas and Hanukkah are right around the corner -- and this would make a great addition to your gift-giving list!]

~MM

Another Foot in the Door!

2010-11-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Great news tonight ... I just found out that I've had 3 short stories accepted to an Erotica quarterly anthology called Daily Flashes of Erotica. These 4 books offer an erotic tale for each day of the year. Talk about starting your day with a tingle. LOL Just to increase my bookshelf, or decrease my cash *wink*, ... "Voyeur" is slated to be in the Apr-Jun, "Kiss of Leather" in Jul-Sep, and "Solace" in Oct-Dec! Here is a link to the first in the series that while it doesn't have any Mara smut, is currently available from Pill Hill Press / DFE.

Daily Flashes of Erotica

~ MM

Fifteen Books ...

2010-11-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

A little bit of fun borrowed from the world of Facebook. Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes.

Okay ... in no particular order ...

1) Clan of the Cave Bear ~ Jean M. Auel

2) Kushiel's Dart ~ Jacqueline Carey

3) Lord of the Rings ~ JRR Tolkien

4) The Bears of Blue River ~ Charles Major

5) Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH ~ Robert C. O'Brian

6) Blue Adept ~ Piers Anthony

7) The Minds of Billy Milligan ~ Daniel Keyes

8) Dragon Riders of Pern ~ Anne McCafferey

9) The Wolf and the Dove ~ Kathleen Woodiwiss

10)Passions of the Realm ~ Joan Balser

11)The Black Lion ~ Jude Deveraux

12) Palomino ~ Danielle Steel

13) Anne of Green Gables ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery

14) The Sleeping Beauty series ~ Anne Rice writing as A. N. Roquelaure

15) All the awesome HORSE books of my youth ... Pounding Hooves ~Dorothy Grunbrock Johnston, Fury ~ Albert G Miller, Man O' War ~ Walter Farley, Misty of Chincoteague ~ Marguerite Henry, The Black Stallion ~ Walter Farley, My Friend Flicka ~ Mary O Hara, and Black Beauty ~ Anna Sewell

LOL An eclectic list to be sure, ranging from childhood on up these are some of the tales that stuck with me. <3

On a more serious note, doing this made me think of what I've read lately, and if it wasn't on-line, I haven't. I miss curling up with a good book. When did I get too busy to enjoy the simple things???

~ MM

When Blessings Hurt

2010-11-15T06:08:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law, Connie, passed away Saturday morning. She was only 40. Her life has been full of medical maladies ... Juvenile diabetes, a car accident that left her in a coma for a month ... she was never the same, Dialysis, kidney and pancreas transplants, then the kidney being unknowingly nicked in a "routine" biopsy ... she nearly died from the internal bleeding before they figured out they had screwed up, and then this past July she had a stroke.

She has spent the last 5 1/2 months bouncing back and forth between the hospital and a physical therapy center. For every step forward there were three steps back. She continued to have strokes. Finally the doctors told us that the anti-rejection medicine she has been on for years because of her transplants, had weakened the walls of her blood vessels. This meant the strokes would continue. There was nothing we could do, but wait for "the big one." I felt like we were at Talladega. *small smile* Those of you who aren't NASCAR fans might not get that, but it would have amused Connie.

Her passing was without question a blessing. She is in a better place. She is no longer suffering. So why then are we? Perhaps we are selfish wishing her here with us. Regardless, she will be missed. I pray she is happy and the pain is gone. I know that one day I will think of her and smile again. It has been a lot of years since I could say that.

Rest in peace little sister.

~ MM

It arrived today!!!

2010-11-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

My copy of Something from the Attic arrived today! It was an amazing feeling to hold a book in my hands and read one of my stories. I can't even imagine the thrill of those blessed with a book deal. I can't stop grinning over a short story!

Celebrate!

2010-11-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

If you are not a follower already I highly recommend you check out The Alliterative Allomorph ! Not only is Jessica an incredible author, but her BLOG is fabulous AND ... as if that wasn't enough for us writers ... now she is giving away three Amazon Gift Cards!!!! All you have to do is be a follower to enter! As our amazing host has already pointed out ... Easy-Peasy!!! So check it out and tell her Mara sent you .... so she can say WHO? lol Just kidding!

Love,

MM

My First Time in Print!

2010-11-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

I am proud, down right giddy actually, to announce that my first short story to make it to print is now available! My tale, MUSE, is included in an anthology, Something from the Attic, from Static Movement Press and is available through the Pill Hill Press store. Below is the cover art and a link if you are interested!

Love,

MM

Something from the Attic

My Writing Space

2010-11-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

Summer @ ...and this time, concentrate! is hosting a BLOG fest to show off our writing work space. I've seen some enviable desks, dens, and creative havens today and I've seen cramped corners of love like mine. LOL Here is a couple shots of my corner in the living room taken tonight. Ignore the date stamp. LOL I need to figure out how to reset that!

The Library Lady

2010-10-31T20:23:00.000-07:00

I've had an idea chasing around in my head all month for a contest picture prompt on Writing.com. Wouldn't you know that it would wait for today to even allow me a start? LOL This would be no problem for most of you as the contest has a WC limit of 2000, but I am a notoriously SLOW writer. *blush* Sooo 1700 words = 7 or 8 hours and I am actually feeling damn good about it!

Writing it in a short amount of time and with my normal beta reader without internet at the moment. I would love any comments or thoughts! Please take a look if you have the time and inclination. It would be much appreciated! Sorry, I had a little issue with the link so below is the photo prompt and the story!

Laughter and the gleeful squeals of children filled the library community center. The spice of apple cider and warm cinnamon donuts mixed with the crisp bite of fall in the air. Tricia McPherson leaned on her gnarled staff, dancing emerald eyes scanning the sea of painted faces and scary masks. Her brow knitted in worry under the brim of the floppy witch's hat. It wasn't like Kasey to be late. There had been many a summer morning the precocious nine year old had been waiting on the library steps when she had arrived to open up.

Worry gnawed at the librarian's gut. The girl's home life was rough. Kasey's mother had deserted her when the child was barely toddling, dumping her off with her sickly grandmother. Fighting health issues complicated by depression, the old woman struggled to raise her granddaughter with only a paltry disability check to put a roof over their heads. The library was Kasey's refuge. Reading allowed her to escape.

Tricia understood not only the allure of the library, but the loneliness of childhood and had taken to the girl right away. They had become fast friends in the long hours lost among the towering shelves and storied tomes, Kasey often locking the doors with the staff in the evening. She reminded Tricia so much of herself at that same age. Tricia had been lucky to be adopted by the McPhersons, the town's physician and librarian, when she was just six years old. The elderly couple had never been blessed with children of their own and after dozens of foster children, Tricia was the one that stayed for good.

Her name drawing Tricia from childhood memories, she hurried over to help her harried assistant with the piñata. Palming the top of a little one's head, she laughed and gently extracted the bat from his chubby fingers.

"Hang on there, tough guy, there's no candy in Miss. Megan," she chided, winking at the grinning boy.

Dividing the kids into age groups for their whack at donated piñatas and supervising their scramble for treats kept Tricia and Megan busy for the next hour and still no Kasey. Glancing at her watch, Tricia absently plucked a clowns bulbous nose out of the punch bowl.

"Great party, little sister."

Tricia turned to smile at her handsome foster brother; his crisp Deputy's uniform no costume. She couldn't contain a giggle at the smear of chocolate frosting at the corner of his mouth courtesy of the festive cupcake in his hand.

"Thank you," she replied, wiping at the frosting with her thumb.

Shoving the rest of the treat in his mouth he grabbed a napkin, a light blush coloring his cheeks.

"If this year is anything to go by, this might become a town tradition," he said looking around at the packed room.

"I had phenomenal response from both businesses and individuals. With the number of trick-or-treaters it is much more economical for people to donate a bag or two of candy here and shut off their porch lights. A couple different groups helped out with the baked goods and games here. McDonalds donated coupons and treat bags that we have filled for each child when they leave. Dr. Bowen's office donated tooth brushes. I had enough cash donations that each kid will get an age appropriate book and the bags are practically bursting at the seams with candy," Tricia beamed.

"It is a lot safer for the kids here too. The treats can be inspected and less little ghosts and goblins running the streets."

"Speaking of, I need a favor," Tricia frowned. "Kasey Callen didn't show up. I helped her with her costume this week so I know she was planning on being here. Do you think you could stop by her grandmother's place and check on them?"

"She's the little carrot top book worm, right?" he teased.

"Don't forget we carrot tops come with a fiery temper."

"I haven't forgotten," he chuckled, ducking away from her playful jab. "I'll drop in and check on them for you."

"Thank you, Jeff. Let me get you a bag to take to her," Tricia said, a tinge of relief in her voice.

Pausing at the door, bag in hand, he looked back and waved at the festivities.

"Mom would be really proud."

Kicking at the fall leaves, Tricia stared up at the harvest moon. This was her favorite time of year. She smiled, crossing through the hedge that separated her yard from the library grounds. Her father had groused that their habit of cutting through the back yard instead of taking the sidewalk like civilized people had stunted his hedge. Her mother had never taken his grumbling to heart and in the end he had legitimized their entry point with a decorative archway.

Tricia had inherited the grand colonial after her parents passing seven years ago and very little had changed. Giving the old tire swing an affectionate push she couldn't help remembering the hours spent there. She remembered swinging for all she was worth as a little girl, her long legs stretched to the sky, and days of twisting the thick rope as tight as it would go until she let go and spun in crazy circles, her copper hair fanning out around her. She had laughed and cried on this swing. It was like an old friend.

A carved heart in the mammoth oak's bark shone in the moonlight. Her fingers traced the simple letters before rising to her lips for a kiss and a prayer sent heavens way for the brave boy who had died on foreign soil while learning to be a man. The modest twist of black hills gold he had gifted her the day he left still graced her pinky in remembrance of their teenage love.

Unlocking the back door, she let herself in through the dark kitchen. She didn't need lights to make her way through to the den. Her father had used the large room as an office and with its gleaming hardwood, heavy leather furniture, and floor to ceiling book shelves, it was one of Tricia's favorite rooms. Here, perhaps more than anywhere in the house, showed her personal tastes over that of her departed parents.

The weighty curtains were gone, the classic wood blinds tilted open to allow light into the room. The shelves in front of the back windows had been cleared of dusty medical journals and now housed a jungle of lush house plants. The large desk no longer housed an ancient adding machine and cigar ashes, but rather a trim laptop and a crystal bowl of Dove chocolates. A half dozen unread books littered the coffee table, a beaded bookmark indentifying her current project. Rich chenille pillows and a couple comfy lap throws added a woman's touch to the leather furniture. The room was her sanctuary.

Curling into the end of the couch, she grabbed a throw and her book. The doorbell startled her. Patting her chest with a rueful grin, she hurried for the front door, turning on lights. A glimpse of a deputy's uniform on the front porch eased the tension and she swung the door open with a welcoming smile. That smile died on her lips. Her brother wasn't alone. Her gaze skittered across the Child Protective Services representative to land on the huddled child behind her. Tricia's heart broke.

The large shamrock emblazoned with "LUCKY" gracing the child's encompassing sweatshirt seemed strangely out of place at the moment. Even in the shadow of the voluminous hood Kasey's freckles stood out starkly on her pale tear stained face. Tricia didn't know what to say. Having stood on these steps on both sides of this moment didn't make it any easier. Locking eyes with the young girl she just opened her arms.

A sob broke from Kasey's throat and she threw herself into her mentor's embrace. Tricia hugged her tight, stroking the back of the girl's head and rocking her gently. Feeling the tremble of cold and exhaustion threatening, Tricia urged the child inside, stumbling in a tangle of arms and legs back to the den. Settling Kasey on the couch, she wrapped a throw around, continuing to comfort her best she could.

Tricia only half listened to what the CPS lady had to say. She had been through this before with emergency or short term placements, but at the moment her thoughts were on Kasey. Her grandmother had suffered a fatal stroke and now she was alone in the world. Jeff came in with steaming mugs of hot chocolate from the kitchen. Accepting a mug thankfully, Tricia met his eyes, seeing the same pain and recollection there.

Kasey's hands shook so violently, she struggled to sip the warming liquid. Shaking her head, Tricia silently beseeched the case worker.

"It is getting late. Ms. McPherson, you have my number if you need anything. Get some sleep, Kasey, and we will get this all worked out tomorrow."

"Call me if you need me," Jeff said sincerely and showed the woman out leaving Tricia and Kasey alone.

Her eyelids were drooping by the time Kasey finished her hot chocolate. She didn't protest as Tricia eased the cup from her fingers.

"Thanks for letting me stay here," she mumbled uncomfortably.

Tricia's heart bled.

"You are always welcome here, Kasey, for as long as you like."

Hope and fear warred in the child's eyes.

"Come on. I will show you to your room."

Memory pressed in on Tricia as they climbed the stairs. She remembered following "The Library Lady" up the stairs, her battered suitcase in hand. Opening the door she stepped aside to allow Kasey to precede her. Leaning against the door jamb her heart leapt at the familiar room. Kasey trailed her fingers over the spines of the Trixie Belden and Black Stallion series that lined the bookcase. Dropping her duffle bag, she plopped down on the recessed day bed surrounded by windows, staring out into the back yard. Tricia knew she could see the tire swing and the archway to the library from there and hoped that Kasey found the room and view as magical as she had once. Life had come full circle.

~ WC ~ 1705

© Mara Mc Bain 10/2010

Seriously? 869 words?

2010-10-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

How can I possibly be nervous over a measly 869 words? I know, right? It is barely a couple paragraphs? I write longer emails to my friends! *sighs* Okay ...here's the deal. Guilt ... guilt is the deal. A dear friend wanted me to do NaNo this year and I said no. *GASP* I know ... I know ... NO. You see, I did NaNo last year for the first time and LOVED it!! I made the word count and came away with confidence and excitement!!

So what's the problem you ask??? Then I didn't write for about 9 months. I swear I was incapable of anything more creative than a grocery list. Can I say for 100% certain that my dirge of creativity stems from NaNo burnout? No ... I admit there were other things going on in my life those nine months ... bill collectors, bankruptcy, foreclosure, moving ... BUT the NaNo is the only part of it I have any control over now. The rest is done and over and I am moving on with my life. Maybe without credit, but a hell of a lot smarter.

Ummm back to the guilt and the 869 words. You see because I felt guilty I decided to join an erotica writing course on writing.com that this same friend has been shamed into teaching. I want to support him. Easy enough to understand. So the class started this week and he hands out the first assignment. Turns out he teamed up with a WDC contest called The Weekly Quickie, which I have been regularly entering if you will see the right hand column. So it should have been no problem. 869 words, piece of cake. The first assignment ... write about a couples first time together. Easy peasy! Pick a couple you are going to enjoy because you are going to use this same couple in each of your assignments over the next 5 weeks creating a sort of short story out of your 5 869 word entries.

For some reason this was where my paranoia kicked in. I already struggle with the tight word count because I have an overwhelming NEED to create back story and plot along with my smut. Try fitting all that in 869 words. And now ... now I am going to be telling a longer story ... a seamless story so the reader needs to understand the characters ... feel with them ... along with squirm in their seat in heat.

There are 10 or 11 of us in the class. At last count 8 of them had turned their story in and I finally started mine yesterday. Ughhhh. I have until Saturday @ 11:59 PM. Someone tell me why this is so difficult all of the sudden??

*pulls my hair out* ... I just checked the word count here ... 464 ... more than half way to my wc in a BLOG. What is wrong with me?

~ MM

Patience pays off

2010-10-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a bit of patience is actually noted and rewarded. No, nothing new to report in my writing world today, but the landlord did acknowledge our week and a half without hot water with a hundred dollar check and a MARS snackfood gift package with over twenty various candy bars. The money will come in real handy with the bill load we have over the next two weeks, including rent, and welllll …. how can a box full of chocolate not make a girl happy?

~ MM

To start with a bang????

2010-10-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

I've always loved to start my dark tales with a bang, but recently I read that violence to start a story can instead turn a reader off because they have not yet developed feelings for your character, making it difficult for them to care. You know that makes a strange amount of sense to me. So taking it a step further ... what if it is your main character perpetrating the violence? More problematic yet ... what if your protagonist is a bit of an anti-hero? An everyday man who does what is necessary for what he believes in ... right or wrong?

This is making me rethink the opening of my WIP. I would love to hear your thoughts.

MM