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Month: March 2020

Escapist Literature

Nope, not talking about it. I hope you’re safe, I hope you’re well, and I have faith you are doing all you can to protect yourself, your loved ones, and total strangers. That said–I’m gonna talk about escape books. A reader once told me that mine is the book she reaches for when she needs a break, when she needs to get out of reality for a while. (This one, specifically–Knight Errant.) It made my day, and continues to make me happy. I never wanted to write a world-altering novel–I just wanted to make people as happy as many a book has done for me. So. In no particular order–my escape books. I’m not linking them all, but here’s Indiebound if you’d care to go look for any. None of these are exactly new, but hey. Spoiler warning. If you don’t want spoiled for a title (probably just a little,) don’t look at the paragraph that starts with that title! The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien I first read The Hobbit in 8th grade (so, 12-13 years old.) It was a very bad time for me, but The Hobbit took me away so magnificently, I reread it about eight times in a row. Even after that, I still carried it for months, rereading bits, and especially the chapter Flies and Spiders. Poor Bilbo, lost and alone in Mirkwood, but then he found his courage, and rescued his friends! It was a time I needed courage, and Bilbo finding his, gave some to…

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Too Serious, Let’s Have Fun

So, things have gotten Real. Everything’s shut down, people are worried about not having toilet paper, no one’s going anywhere…it’s the apocalypse! (Whelp, I spelled that wrong, booo.) I’m sure someday we’ll all have a chuckle about this, but right now, being in the thick of things…not so much. I’ve been anxious every day. I imagine you all are too, or in some form of emotional distress. So I’ve decided to quit with the seriousness and go for the fun. Today is St. Patrick’s Day. If I drank, I’d definitely pour myself a glass of Bailey’s Irish Cream and sing an Irish Drinking song or two. In case you hate Who Line is it Anyway, here are some pretty and cute pictures I got off Pixabay to hopefully calm your distress. Also, some friends and I got together and put together a little book fair thing for solidarity during this trying time — all books are FREE. This is going on till 3/20, so grab those books while you can! BIG HONKING LINK HERE BECAUSE I CAN’T DOWNLOAD THE IMAGE FILE LOL So how does that make you feel? Hopefully better! Now prepare some comfort foods, grab some wine (or soda if you don’t drink), and enjoy the company of your favorite humans. And non-humans. Cats, dogs, hamsters…you get the idea. 😉 And when you’re done eating and drinking and making merry, cuddle your beloveds close. We’re going to get through this.

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Continuing to Create When Life is Trying to Eat You

It has been a time period, friends. My husband has a major, ongoing medical issue that is potentially fatal. My father was chased by a crazy guy with a machete. My cousin died of a drug overdose. The coronavirus might cancel a much needed and much anticipated vacation. That’s on top of the normal, day-to-day issues (I am forgetting to do something for the small, mobile ones, I can almost guarantee it). As one might imagine, my mental state varies widely at the moment, and sometimes it’s a struggle to get out of the house, let alone sit down and write a couple thousand words. (Daylight savings is helping nothing, but it does give me a convenient excuse.) But I am still writing, and I am still drawing, and I think it all comes down to being gentle with myself. Should I have written yesterday, or the day before? Oh, yes, absolutely. Have I? No. Should I feel bad because there was a writing challenge in one of my writing groups that I completely failed at? No. It’s fine. (And also, if I do end up completing it today, I will count it as a win.) If it gets done, fantastic. If it doesn’t, there is always tomorrow. In the great scheme of things, a few missed days isn’t the end of the world. And, like I said, things are still getting done. Not as many, not as quickly, but it’s happening. So giving myself a break isn’t the end…

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An Ode to Imperfect Friendships

Media depictions of friendship are a funny thing. Everyone in the movies or on TV seems to have one best friend, or maybe a tight-knit group of three or four (carefully chosen to be complementary, of course), who will be there to help out when you’re moving, mourning, celebrating, or anything in between. If you’re anything like me, not having a circle that looks like that can lead to feelings of inferiority. It certainly did when I was getting married in 2012 (and didn’t have a nice tidy squad of bridesmaids), when I’ve asked for in-person practical help and nobody volunteered, when I’ve been fighting depression and everything feels worse. But… I have a tight-knit community of online friends (including my fellow Turtleduckers) who cheerlead for my writing, listen patiently to my daily worries and complaints, and much, much more. I have a tight-knit community of contra dance friends who give the best hugs, belly laughs, moments of “flow” and play, and much, much more. (I got to dance four weekends in a row in February, including one entire weekend away that involved a hilarious carpool of 40something women, a hotel suite full of geeks, and lots of folks I only get to see once or twice a year. Those weekends got me through the month.) I have friends who come when I throw a party, even though I still feel like an awkward host. I have friends who invite me over to their messy house so we can order…

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The Spell and the Burn

a free sci-fi short story by Erin Zarro This was the place.                 The school had stood here once, many years ago. The imprint of my trauma still lingered; I felt it in the wind.                 The Book had said to find a place with resonance. A place where the path of my life had completely changed.                 I took a breath, let it out. I didn’t want to remember, but for this to work, I had to face the memories.                 Afterward, my life hadn’t been horrible. I’d gone to college and had become a nurse. I had had a job at a prestigious medical center.                 I’d retired from there. My co-workers had thrown a huge retirement party for me. I’d gone home. I’d felt amazing. I’d done good in this world. I’d never married, but that had never bothered me.                 Until I’d found the Book.                 If I hadn’t been traumatized, hospitalized, and shunned by my peers …maybe someone would have loved me. I’d always felt wrong in my skin, completely unlovable.                 And then…                 I’d found the Book, and my life was about to change once again.                 Yes, this is the place where I’d do the ritual.                 I set the bag I’d bought on the grass and rummaged through it for my supplies. Salt for the magical circle. A pentagram necklace. A ceremonial blade.  Candles.                 The sun was setting, and the sky became alive with multicolored hues and golden light. I…

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