New covers, website, and lessons learned #writerslife

First new cover!

Fearless finally has a cover it deserves! Though I'm already itching to make another. I'm telling myself to wait until next year. I need to get some writing done!

The book got a little boost in downloads when I changed the cover on Amazon, but it has settled back into its normal rank. It does all right. It always has downloads every month, but does it convince readers to buy my other books? I don't think so.

Writer Lesson #1: Times have changed. Free books do not lead to sales of your other books.

The TOTEM series!

I LOVE these new covers for the TOTEM series. I spent much more time on them than I anticipated, but it was worth it. The covers are much more urban fantasy than the previous ones.

There have been no bumps up in sales when I changed the covers and the keywords on Amazon. Yet I haven't done any promoting either.

Writer Lesson #2: A great cover and a fantastic story aren't going to sell books. Promotion is key. If you have the means, buy ads.

Feeling quirky!

For the Sasquatch Susies trilogy, I was inspired by my cozy mystery friends. I love their simple and fun covers. These were easy to make and I really love them. I'm going to do up new covers in this style for my other erotica titles. But next year. Need to write.

Writer Lesson #3: Write first. All the other author business can come later.

I've also been fussing around with my website. I left the hosting company and that was a mess. They'd been perfectly fine until I expressed my desire to leave and take my domain name with me. I finally managed to get my domain name from them and registered it with another host. It was half as cheap, and I was feeling good. Then I discovered that if I want to actually use my domain name with my new host, I'm going to have pay more for it. They didn't say this upfront. I had to go digging for it. And the price to use my domain name with them was much more than my former host.

I'm not paying that much money just to attach my domain name to a site. BUT my domain is registered with them, and I can't change that fact for 60 days. I can't even get a refund.

So I've currently moved to a free site on Wix. It will likely be my permanent site from here on out. I like the way it's designed, and it's easy to use. I'm also going to stay here on Blogger for a while. I need to get around to catching up with everyone!

Two lessons learned here.

Writer Lesson #4: Always read the fine print, even when you have to dig for it or ask. Ask for the details even if you don't think there is anything else to know.

Writer Lesson #5: I surveyed several author friends, and many feel that readers don't go to author websites anymore. It isn't essential to have your own site these days. (Don't waste money on your own domain name!) Usually only writers check out other writers' websites. Being present on social media is important, but an Amazon page or a Facebook page is enough as a home base.

It's been a while, but I'm writing again. It's a short Samhain story for my pen name, but at least it's something!

What lessons have you learned lately that you would like to share?

#IWSG for April 2017

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

This month's awesome co-hosts are: Chris @ Madness of a Modern Writer, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Fundy Blue, and Chrys Fey!

The IWSG question of the month: Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results?

I haven't, but I should. The A to Z Challenge is spectacular. It's a challenge to yourself as a blogger, great for meeting new friends and getting to know old ones better, and it's tons of fun.

April is a super busy month for me with my husband's and son's birthdays and family visiting for a week. So I have declined to participate the last few years.

I've done the challenge as part of a group and on my own. Being part of a group really helps when you're limited for time. Plus, it's so much fun seeing what other members come up for the theme you've chosen.

The first year I participated in the challenge, I wrote a little story called "Fearless." It was so popular, I self-published it. It's still available for free and has had over 100,000 downloads over the past four and a half years. Readers pick up this freebie and then they buy my other books. It has drawn so many readers to me.

The A to Z Challenge and "Fearless" helped start me on the road to being an indie author.

Good luck to everyone participating in the challenge this year!

#IWSG for April 2016

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

I'm happy to be co-hosting this month along with these awesome writers: Megan Morgan, Chris Votey, Viola Fury, Madeline Mora-Summonte, L.G. Keltner, and Patricia Lynne!

Many of you are participating in the A to Z Challenge this month. My time is very limited this month, so I had to sadly opt out of doing it. But I'm here cheering you on!

The first time I participated in the Challenge I had no clue what to do. I was scared no one would like anything I did. So feeling that way, I wrote about a little girl who started off frightened and grew into a warrior. The story spanned over the entire month. Some of you might remember the tale of a brave woman who fought the monsters under children's beds with a snarky stuffed hippo as her guide.

Fearless received so much love. I went on to self-publish it and put it up for free. There has been over 70,000 downloads of the story since 2012, and that's a modest estimate as I don't know the number of downloads it has had on Kobo. I still am shocked when I think of that many people having read the book.

Many readers write me to say they read Fearless and it was so good, they bought my other books. It has been one of the best ways to market my work.

All of this because of the A to Z Challenge.

The Challenge might be scary, but you can do it. Slay your monsters and write.

P.S. Come stop over at the Untethered Realms blog. I miss doing the Challenge so much, I posted yesterday with my A to Z of funny paranormal things!

Wicked Wednesday - stuff that stocking!

What does Santa stuff your stocking with?

My mom still buys stockings and stuffs them for my brother and I. My husband is very appreciative of this because that means he doesn't have to do it! Mostly she fills it with toiletries, treats, socks, and notebooks.

If I could choose what Santa put into my stocking, it would be books. (And chocolate!) While I do love paper books, I could get more if I had an electronic stocking to stuff with ebooks. I've read over 100 books this year and the great majority of them were on my Kindle.

Here's your chance to stuff your digital stocking! Mary Pax is hosting the Stuff Your Stocking Event. There are 17 free ebooks from MG to YA to comics and fantasy and sci-fi and paranormal romance. Even a cookbook! Plus there's a giveaway for a $40 gift card. Click on the link and give yourself some gifts.

Included in the event is your chance to get either The 13th Floor Complete Collection or Of Blood and Sorrow. All you have to do is join my newsletter. See that handy dandy little widget on the right of my blog? Just type your email address in and jingle-jingle! You can pick either ebook in whatever format you need.

Tawa also wants me to remind you that Fearless is always free. So many readers have expressed their love for her (and the story!) over the years, I might be posting a new Fearless story on Wattpad next year. Either a prequel to this one or a tale about another Fearless warrior.

Friday Five for July 17, 2015

1. I've managed to catch up on my sleep and some online things. I think I have to realize that I'm not going to catch up on it all and just let it go. Sometimes that's difficult for me. I'm still learning to be easier on myself.

2. I wrote a flash horror piece for my local critique group tomorrow. A Christmas story with a monster in the closet. Perfect for July! And no, it's not a Fearless story. I wanted to write another Christmas tale because right now is the time of year to submit them to magazines and other venues. I still have six stories out there under consideration, and hopefully after this weekend, I can send out a seventh.

3. I've been sending out my Dice & Debauchery series to reviewers. It's hard to find people that review erotica. I sent out a batch of queries in December and didn't receive one reply. I've only received one reply from the dozen I sent out this week. One of my dream reviewers would be Felicia Day. She and three other geeky women have a book club called Vaginal Fantasy. It's absolutely hilarious and fun.

4. Only two weeks until Gen Con! Will any of you be attending this year? I'll be going on Sunday for Family Day. Their writer guest of honor this year is Terry Brooks.

5. A reminder for two fantastic giveaways: Win 5 awesome ebooks and an Amazon gift card from T.B. Markinson, and celebrate Tara Tyler's book birthday with an incredible giveaway that includes prizes of a signed print copy of her book, an ecopy of my book, Of Blood and Sorrow, and an Amazon gift card.

Don't forget about the Smashwords Summer Sale!

Friday Five for May 16, 2014

1. I've been working hard on more revisions for WIP #1. I might have it done in time to query before the end of the month. My goal day to send out queries is the 28th. It's my son's last day of school. If I don't make the deadline, I'm going to attempt not to be too hard on myself. It's important to send out the best story I can, so if it takes a little more time ... I'll likely scream a bit and pout. Maybe eat chocolate and pout some more. Then I'll get right back to work and finish it.

2. I have a busy weekend ahead. A local writer's group meeting, a 5 year old's birthday party, and a school board end of the year party that involves wine and salad. Neither of which I like. I will go and smile and try not to look too awkward.

3. I've gotten a few great reviews these past few weeks for The 13th Floor Complete Collection and FEARLESS. It's wonderful to hear from my readers, and reviews like those can make a crappy day into a good one. A big thank you to everyone who has left me a review and who reviews other books. You are awesome!

4. Still waiting to hear back on some short stories and my geeky novella submissions. Waiting never gets easier, no matter how many years you've been writing.

5. Finally, here are the winners from my giveaway from the My Book Boyfriend Blog Hop! Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who entered. Have a great weekend!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You vote for the creature with the most X Factor!

  Today is the X post of the 2014 A to Z Challenge!

Lots of people usually have trouble with X, but I've read so many clever ones over the past couple of years. I can't wait to see what your posts are about this year!

  Today at Untethered Realms, we're inviting you to vote for the creature with the most X Factor. We have some fearsome beasts and a certain snarky stuffed hippo. Come on over and have some fun with this UR group post!

The UR blog is also nearing 100 followers. Woo-hoo!

When we hit 100, we'll be having a massive giveaway. This is one you don't want to miss out on.

IWSG for April 2014

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

I know a lot of you are busy with the A to Z Challenge this month. Good luck! It's so much fun.

The first year I did the Challenge, I wrote a story called FEARLESS. I went on to self-publish it and offered it for free. As of this date, there has been over 30,000 downloads. Amazing things come from the Challenge!

I wanted to offer up a cheer, but then I found this awesome quote from Helen Colella. Here are some tips and encouragement to go along with the Challenge: "Appreciate all writers. Believe in yourself. Challenge creativity. Dream of success. Explore fact, fiction, and fantasy. Focus on your writing career. Go the distance. Hold tight to dreams. Invest in classes, workshops, and conferences. Join a critique group. Keep abreast of publishing needs. Live, love, and laugh. Make every word count. Nourish the body, mind and soul. Open your mind to knowledge. Prepare and be positive. Query first. Read, read and read. Set goals. Trust in yourself. Understand the impact of words. Venerate language. Write. Write. Write. X-out all negativity. Yodel and yell over every accomplishment. Zoom in—complete projects."

Finally, come visit Untethered Realms. We're participating in the Challenge as a group. Our theme: fantastical creatures. I have letter B today.

Another grand stop on The 13th Floor Collection blog tour

One of the 13th Floor series' biggest fans is the amazing Heather M. Gardner. Her enthusiasm has been phenomenal! I'm so very honored and thankful to have a fan like her.

I've given her one of the first looks at the new short story in the collection, "The Shadow."

Hop on over to her blog and read her review of it.

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway and possibly win a signed copy of the collection.

On a non-13th Floor related note,
I have a new cover for FEARLESS!

 I love it! I love it! I love it!

One of the complaints I got about FEARLESS was that the cover with Tawa the stuffed hippo made it look like it was for younger readers. It also did not get across it was paranormal romance. This one does a much better job.

Tawa isn't so pleased she was taken off the cover, but if the new cover attracts more readers to her story, I mean, Abby's story, then she can live with it.

FEARLESS is free to download!
Amazon Kindle
Smashwords
Kobo

Untethered Realms post & More Than Just A Kiss blogfest continues

Join me today at the Untethered Realms blog.
I discuss finding your audience and marketing with speculative fiction works. Share with us any strategies you have and learn something new.

 Sweet, sizzling, fiery, awkward, mind-blowing. We want to read your kissing scenes.

You can WIN PRIZES!

We had a great start to the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest yesterday. It's still early in the week. There's still time for you to join in on the fun. You can find the sign-up list HERE. You don't need to be a romance writer, and you can opt not to be included in the running for a critique. Yet we do have bonus prizes. Awesome ebooks from fabulous romance authors!

My kiss today comes from my FREE paranormal romance, FEALRESS.

“We won’t let any children die. We’ll go, but let me handle everything. I can carry you.” His fingers stretched over her hips, slipping under the hem of her shirt to touch bare skin. She sucked in a breath.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Abby snorted, immediately regretting how unattractive that was. She set down the knife and turned, intending to put a few inches more between them and tell him to quit treating her as a fragile doll. His mouth immediately mashed to hers and words were forgotten. His tongue parted her lips, demanding entrance. She didn’t deny him. A wanton whimper escaped her, and her heart hammered in her chest.

His hands eased upward, taking her shirt with them. When his thumbs skimmed the underside of her bra, she managed to find her voice. “We don’t have time for this. We need to leave as soon as possible.”

“We have time.” Demetrius insisted, kissing down to her neck and nibbling upon her sensitive flesh. She gripped his biceps and clenched her thighs.

“We need to go.” Abby’s voice wobbled. She should be pushing him away. Not just because she had a job to do, but because this could never be anything other than a fling. She was one of the Fearless. Her duty came first and it would claim her life sooner than later. He was one of the fae. His world wasn’t hers. He would leave after his blood debt was paid. And she didn’t do flings. Already she felt too much for him.

Friday Five for August 9, 2013

1. This week is the one year anniversary of the release of FEARLESS. I haven't had much time to do anything in the way of a celebration, but I'm happy to report that it still receives wonderful reviews and has had over 12,000 downloads. The biggest critique is it's too short. I'm taking that as the readers want more, and thus it's a compliment! You can get your FREE e-copy of the novella on Amazon and Smashwords.

2. I haven't had a chance to do as much writing this week as I wanted. I think I'm over-thinking my short story. I tend to do that with short pieces. Hopefully I'll have it done by the end of the weekend. Knock on wood.

3. I've decided to push back my release date for the 13th Floor collection. There's no way I can have it ready for September 13th. Plus, my critique partners are immensely busy this month. I don't want to add to their loads. I'm doing the cover reveal on September 13th and the official release on October 13th. Yet I want to make October a 13th Floor month. Lots of guest posts, excerpts, tidbits, and giveaways. I'll do an official announcement next week. It was difficult for me to push the date back, but I feel relieved now that I've finally decided to do it.

4. Next week will be a busy week for me. I have my son's preschool orientation, and my husband will be gone for Gen Con Indy. So I'll be a con widow for three days. My son and I will be going with my husband to the convention on Sunday for Family Day. If anyone out there is going and you want to say hi, please let me know! They have a great four day program for writers called the Writer's Symposium. Most of the seminars are free with the purchase of the badge. I highly recommend it. I've learned a lot from years of attending the Symposium.

5. I took my son for his first pony ride yesterday. He was very excited, but then didn't want to ride the pony. His reason: it wasn't "proper." I couldn't get any definite explanation out of him, but he refused to ride. He talked, pet, fed, hugged, and examined the horses. He wasn't afraid. He almost went under a male horse curious as to what was dangling there! I told him what it was, and he nodded, curiosity sated. I had to explain what it was in front of the lone stablehand. A quite handsome stablehand.

Have a great weekend!

A to Z Challenge Reflection Post

I survived the 2013 A to Z Challenge!
Congratulations to all the other survivors.
A big thank you to everyone who stopped by during April with your words of support and encouragement.

A special thank you to the A to Z team. You guys are awesome!

The Madlab Post - Nicole Ayers

Tossing It Out - Arlee Bird

Amlokiblogs - Damyanti Biswas
Alex J. Cavanaugh - Alex J. Cavanaugh
Life is Good - Tina Downey
Cruising Altitude 2.0 - DL Hammons
Retro-Zombie - Jeremy Hawkins
The Warrior Muse - Shannon Lawrence
The QQQE - Matthew MacNish

Leave it to Livia - Livia Peterson

No Thought 2 Small - Konstanz Silverbow
Breakthrough Blogs - Stephen Tremp

Spunk on a Stick - L. Diane Wolfe

This is the 2013 A to Z Challenge Reflection post. It's another way to visit more participants and see what everyone thought of the Challenge. Sign up on the linky list and let everyone know what your experiences were last month.

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Heather M. Gardner's. Her theme was Stormy the Weather Gnome's bucket list. It was hilarious! She also recently signed a contract to have her book, MAGUIRE'S CORNER published! Congratulations, Heather. On the final day of the Challenge, Heather bestowed upon me the Zombie Rabbit Award. I get to pass on this magnificent award to my ten favorite blogs from the Challenge. Thank you, Heather, and thank you to the ten bloggers who entertained me during April with your awesome posts.

1) Nick Wilford - wrote an amazing story about an angel with words supplied each day by his readers.

2) M. Pepper Langlinais - had intriguing snippets of her characters Peter and Charles (from her book St. Peter in Chains) traveling the world and looking for a place to settle down.

3) Elise Fallson - an A to Z of "ology" words. People study and collect the strangest things.

4) Lily - follows Spawn's descent into madness with his plans for world domination. Hilarious!

5) Sandy - excellent traveling tips and sharing her adventures.

6) Julie Flanders - her theme was Alaska inspired by her book Polar. I've always wanted to go there!

7) Mark Means - a whole month of obscure comic book characters. Even my geekery was put to the test!

8) Al Diaz - a tour of his magnificent dragon's cave and dwarf cheerleaders.

9) Shannon Lawrence - an A to Z of history's mysteries. Absolutely fascinating. Just up my alley.

10) Mina Lobo - an enthralling A to Z of aphrodisiacs. I learned so much. Made notes!

A to Z Challenge 2013 - Z is for Ziti

The last post for the 2013 A to Z Challenge.

It was so much fun! Thank you, everyone, for your comments and support.

I've been posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.
(Well, this one is a little longer than a snippet. But hopefully it's well worth it!)

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

Z IS FOR ZITI

Erik pounced on the monster's head and dug his fingers into its eyes. Both roared - each with their own sort of pain. It thrashed its head back and forth, but Erik held fast with hands deep into its eye sockets.

The tail unraveled, and Danielle gasped for air. She stumbled, righted herself against the dresser, and calling forth her blades again, she sliced her way along the serpent's body. It bashed Erik against the wall above the bed before she could decapitate it.

The monster's head rolled toward the closet, and Erik fell onto the queen-sized bed. Libby hopped up with him, crying and clutching her father.

Danielle stood ready for the serpent to reform. Her chest heaved and still burned from lack of oxygen. She'd do this forever if she had to. For Libby. For Erik.

The pile of ooze looked like over-baked ziti. It didn't even twitch. Not after three seconds or ten. Not even after a full minute.

Her glowing hands dimmed, the blades retracted, and the soft blue light winked out.

It's dead. What happened differently this time? Fenn's voice made her startle.

On the bed, Erik embraced Libby even as he winced. The girl wept as he murmured to her. "I have you, baby. You're so brave. I love you so much."

"Maybe he realized something that he was too blind with his own fear to notice before." Danielle pressed a hand to her bite wound. She gritted her teeth with the pain, but a smile turned up her lips. "I think they're going to be okay."

Perhaps. Several years of therapy won't hurt either. Make sure you suggest that. Fenn sniffed.

"Danielle." Erik beckoned to her. She hedged nearer, not wanting to interrupt their moment, but he grabbed her uninjured arm and pulled her into their hug. "Thank you. We owe you everything." He kissed her head, her cheek, and then her mouth. "Thank you."

Heat spread through her that had nothing to do with her wounds. Her lips tingled and her heart sped up again. Before she could say anything though, Fenn cleared his throat and Libby spoke.

"Daddy, did you just kiss her?" Libby gasped and then giggled. "You like Miss Sawyer!"

"Yup, I sure do." Erik tugged them both to him, and Libby reached out to place a hand over Danielle's.

I'm sure this is a deeply emotional moment for you, but shouldn't you be getting everyone to a hospital now?

A to Z Challenge 2013 - Y is for Yawned

It's the penultimate post for the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

I can't believe it's almost at an end already. What a month!

I'm posting snippets from a story this year.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

Y IS FOR YAWNED

"No." Danielle's chin trembled. "No! I will kill this monster a million times before I ever hurt Erik!"

She charged the serpent.

You're not thinking with your head, Danielle. Fenn bellowed. The child's safety must come first!

The monster reared back, taking its head out of Danielle's reach. It whipped its tail around and smacked her, sending her flying against a set of drawers.

"I'll never let it harm Libby! But killing Erik isn't the answer!"

You don't know this!

"And neither do you!" Danielle's screech was cut off as the tail slammed into her. It wound around her body and squeezed. She couldn't get a breath. Hacking at the monster's body was doing nothing to deter it.

"No!" Libby ran at the serpent. "Leave her alone! Go away!"

"Libby!" Erik managed to roll to his hands and knees. His cry hoarse and wobbly.

"Go away! Go away!" Libby's tiny fists struck the monster. It hissed, almost like a chuckle.

Danielle wanted to scream for the girl to get away, but not even a squeak escaped her throat. Black dots decorated her vision.

The monster's mouth yawned, fangs glistened, and it descended upon the child.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - X is for Xanax

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

 X IS FOR XANAX

How fascinating. A monster born from an adult's fears. Fenn mused.

"What? It's not possible!" Danielle yelled, ignoring the blood streaming down her arm as she stood and readied herself for the next attack.

The monster was more wary this time. It curled up and watched her, clearly weighing its options. All the while, it shook that infernal rattle.

"It is! It is!" Libby sobbed and hugged her father's arm. "I like snakes. I'm not scared of them!"

I believe her. Fenn stated. Erik's fear for his daughter is powerful.

Danielle shook her head. She didn't want to believe Erik had created these nightmares. The man might need some Xanax sometimes, but no adult could be that terrified.

Images of Erik flashed through her mind. Him smiling, slow and sexy. His easy laugh. The glassy-eyed look he got when watching the news. Always with the news.

The bonnet and rattle. The baby store that had gotten robbed. Then the squirrel with the shotgun for the school shooting in Kentucky. The gangster mummy for the murder at the museum.

Damn.

I think the only answer to saving the child may be to kill Erik.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - W is for Wails

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

W IS FOR WAILS

The monster's fangs plunged into Danielle's upper arm. It flung her up against the ceiling, smashing her into the stucco. It fluttered around them like stage snow.

She screamed. Or at least she thought she did, but all she could hear were Libby's wails.

Danielle summoned her blades back to her, and they emerged from her palms. The serpent threw her against the far wall beside the open closet. The world swam before her eyes, but she'd been hit in the head enough times sparring to know how to push through the pain.

Kill it properly this time. Fenn ordered.

An eerie rattling filled the room.

"I did!" Danielle growled. When the monster struck again, she was ready. Kicking its lower jaw up, she raked her swords along the soft flesh under its head. It didn't deal with pain as well as she did. As it flailed, she loped off its head, and it lost form becoming goo. "Definitely dead."

For three seconds.

"Dammit!" Danielle jumped out of the way and crouched down in front of Libby and Erik. "Libby, you don't have to be afraid any more. I'm here. Your fear is giving the monster power."

"But it's not my monster!" Libby cried. "It's Daddy's!"

A to Z Challenge 2013 - V is for Vow

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

V IS FOR VOW

Quickly, Danielle! Fenn shouted.

Danielle didn't need to be told. In one smooth motion, she launched herself at the monster. Her arms crossed, and with a scissoring motion, she cut off its head.

Falling to her knees beside Erik and Libby, Danielle dropped her weapons. Her heart was hammering so hard, she thought it might punch its way out of her chest. "Libby! Erik! Are you okay?"

Erik only replied with a groan. She helped to turn him and sit him against the wall. Danielle couldn't tell without a light, but he didn't look any more than bruised. No blood stained him anywhere. Placing a hand on his bare chest, she could feel he was still alive.

"Miss Sawyer." Libby whispered.

"Your dad will be okay. You don't have to worry." Danielle let out a long breath. She'd made it just in time. Libby's monsters were getting stronger. So strong they could show up in front of an adult. How she was going to remedy this, she didn't know, but she made a silent vow that she would do anything to help Libby.

"No. Behind you." Libby whimpered.

And the serpent struck.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - U is for Ululation

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

U IS FOR ULULATION

Danielle ran through the neighborhood's backyards and sent dogs to howling. Her hair whipped against her face and tangled as she leapt over fences.

Please let Libby be okay.

She heard a child's scream as she raced across Erik's back lawn and barreled through the glass door. Glass rained over the kitchen floor, and the alarm went off sounding like a dying siren's last ululation. Skating along with the shards, she darted down the hall and took the stairs two at a time to the second floor.

There was another scream and an ominous hiss. Not from Libby's room, but farther down the hall.

When Danielle kicked open the door, she found herself in the master bedroom. A gigantic serpent with a pink bonnet and a baby's rattle clutched in its tail loomed over its victim.

No. Victims.

Erik used his body to cover Libby's. Perhaps as his last act, because he didn't appear to be moving.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - T is for T-Rex

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's Challenge.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

T IS FOR T-REX

Hooking the T-Rex's lower jaw with one blade, Danielle yanked it down and sliced through its neck with her other sword. The monster tried to roar, but black ooze gushed forth instead. Danielle darted to the side as it lost its form and fell to the floor in a jiggling pile.

That was a dangerous move. You couldn't guess how strong its jaws were. Fenn chided.

"I was well in control of its head. And those tiny little baby arms would never have reached me. Whoever said that was the T-Rex was one of the most ferocious of carnivores needs to spend a night with me." Danielle snorted and then paused to take in her own words. She corrected herself. "Not like that. I meant slaying monsters."

I didn't think anything else, Fenn said dryly.

"Yes, that's right. You're no fun." She then quickly added, "Not that I want you thinking anything like that." She shook her head at herself. The boy whose room it was had fled to his brother's bedroom, so there was no need to stick around. She headed to the window when she stopped and stared at her hands.

They were still glowing.

"My hands." Danielle surveyed the room. There were no monsters left. None in the house that she could feel. "What's going on?"

After a few seconds, Fenn spoke. How close did you say Libby lived to this boy?

"The next block." Danielle leapt out the window and ran.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - S is for Soothing

We're on the last full week. I love the posts I've been reading this year.

We can do it! We will survive the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

I'm posting snippets from a story this year.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

S IS FOR SOOTHING

Danielle dropped her iPhone on the couch beside her. She kicked at the air with both feet before flopping back. "Erik ditched me tonight. I can't believe he cancelled."

Did he give a reason? Fenn inquired.

"Just that he was tired." Danielle scoffed and leaned sideways letting gravity take her over onto the pillow so she could bury her face in it. The noise from the television was muffled and the faint scent of Lavender Febreze tickled her nose. It wasn't the least bit soothing.

At least he didn't say he had a headache.

Startling a bit, Danielle raised her head and stared at the little dog. "Did you just make a joke?"

No. Clearly I did not. Fenn said in a monotone. You're not laughing.

"I know that I'm truly pathetic when you make a joke to try to cheer me up." She groaned and smashed her face against the pillow again.