A to Z Challenge 2013 - G is for Goose

The second week of the 2013 A to Z Challenge! Woot!

I've been posting snippets from a story. You can enjoy them on their own, or if you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

G IS FOR GOOSE

Ducking under the wing, Danielle spun and landed a solid kick on the snarling goose. It squawked as it stumbled back, crashing against the open doors of the closet.

The monster stood and shook itself as it fluffed out its feathers. It hissed and coiled its neck, ready to strike like a viper.

Danielle bounced from one foot to the other and twirled her blades in her hands. "Come on, ugly. I can do this all night."

But you're not. Fenn stated. You'll do your duty quickly as possible.

"I hate geese. The schoolyard is a minefield of goose poop. You have no idea what it's like to have to walk through it." Danielle danced to one side, and when the monster's head darted forth, she dodged the other way and landed another trio of kicks.

It doesn't matter. You need to do as I say. Fenn barked.

With a honk that sounded like a dying elephant, the goose charged with wings extended. There was no room to slip away on either side. Danielle jumped up on the dresser behind her. Trinkets crashed to the floor. She struck at the monster's head with one blade as it collided with the drawers and sliced through its neck with her second sword. The headless body shuddered and transformed into black goo. She dropped the head into the pile.

"You guide me. You don't control me." Danielle hopped down as her weapons retracted. The blue glow vanished and left her standing in the darkest corner of the room.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - F is for Fenn

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

You can enjoy them on their own, but if you'd like the whole tale, please start with A.

F IS FOR FENN

“She's eight. She not only can do these things, she needs these responsibilities.” Danielle let that sink in for a few seconds. “In fact, Libby was the one that suggested it herself. She knows how to work the dishwasher. Let her rinse the dishes and load it as you throw in some laundry. Then the two of you can watch something together or play a game. Talk, relax. I think she'll sleep better for it.”

“She really said that?” Erik leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. When she nodded, he let out a little laugh. It was more than a bit sexy. “Well, I think we can do that.”

“I also have another suggestion.” The corners of her mouth quirked up. “One just for you.”

Danielle, Fenn warned.

“Of course.” Erik shifted in his chair to face her fully.

Struck by his masculine beauty again, she almost forgot to speak. She wet her lips. “You need to get out and do something on your own. Something not related to work or Libby.”

A to Z Challenge 2013 - E is for Email

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

You can enjoy the bits on their own, but if you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

E IS FOR EMAIL

No. Absolutely not. Fenn protested. Your job is to help children. Not set up dates for yourself with their parents.

“Oh come on. I am helping Libby.” She tapped the return key and put her name at the bottom of the email. “I always put the children first and you know it. Look at me. I'm a school counselor making a crappy salary. Half the time, I'm just a glorified file clerk. I stay out at night killing monsters. I haven't had a date in over a year. That's whole loads of pathetic. Oh, and yeah, the majority of my time is spent talking with a tiny dog.”

I'm your guide. The vessel I'm in shouldn't matter. Fenn sniffed. Also, your job is ideal for one of the Fearless. We discussed your career when you were—

“Yeah, yeah. Perfect for me. So much better than being a stunt woman like I wanted.” Danielle sighed, glanced around her small office, and then hit send. “It's time I made my life a bit more exciting.”

A to Z Challenge 2013 - D is for Dreams

This year I'm posting snippets from a story for the Challenge.

You can enjoy them on their own, but if you'd like to read the entire tale, please start with A.

D IS FOR DREAMS

Ask her if there's anything new happening in her life. Something has to be going on that's frightening her. Fenn said.

Danielle ignored her guide. “Yeah, no problem. A mummy this time. Really retro. You getting into ancient Egyptian history or watching old movies?”

“No.” Libby shook her head and picked at her nails.

“Maybe you saw a cartoon about it?”

“No.” The girl gnawed on her lower lip.

“It was pretty scary, though, wasn't it? Just so you know, there was no zombie underneath the bandages.” Danielle nodded putting on her best I-know-these-things expression.

Back to the zombie thing. Fenn groaned.

“Really?” Libby glanced at Danielle again. “It was scary. My dad was having some really bad dreams too.”

“Your dad? I bet that was just as scary.” Danielle leaned forward with her elbows on her knees.

“Yeah,” Libby replied.

“Did he tell you what he was dreaming about?”

“No. He just says work stuff. He gets them sometimes. He calls them bundles of stress trying to unwind at night.” Libby shrugged again.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - C is for Chill - and IWSG for April 2013

This year I'm posting snippets from a story for the challenge.

You can enjoy them on their own or get the full tale by starting with A.

 C IS FOR CHILL

“Thanks for the lesson, Professor.” Danielle lifted her right arm and gave the charm bracelet on her wrist a little shake. The single charm – a pewter Scotty dog from the board game Monopoly – jiggled, and she grinned. “In case you've forgotten, I know all that.”

Stop that. You should feel lucky I don't have a stomach to empty on you. Fenn huffed. I think you need to talk with Libby again. Find out what's going on. This is too much like what happened last year with the massive increase in monsters.

“I'll have Libby come to my office tomorrow.” Danielle sat on the window sill and swung her legs out. It was only April, but the chill was absent from the night air. Yet she shivered before easing outside, and then sliding shut the window and screen.

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.

 

Inspirational quotes are always welcome. Here are a few that have struck me recently.

 

“Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young." - W. Somerset Maugham

 

"All writers are crazy. So never mind what the editors and your family and your critique group tells you. Submit your manuscripts and keep submitting until you get an offer. Then you can be crazy, with a paycheck." - MaryJanice Davidson

 

"Believe in yourself and in your own voice, because there will be times in this business when you will be the only one who does. Take heart from the knowledge that an author with a strong voice will often have trouble at the start of his or her career because strong, distinctive voices sometimes make editors nervous. But in the end, only the strong survive." - Jayne Ann Krentz

A to Z Challenge 2013 - B is for Books

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

You can enjoy them on their own, or you can read the complete abbreviated tale starting with A.

  B IS FOR BOOKS

Danielle bent to retrieve some books she'd knocked off the desk during the fight. “No, Libby ran into her father's room.” She paused after setting the books on the desktop and smiled. “That's another longing I'd love to explore too. That man is smoking hot.”

Really, Danielle. You need to keep your mind on the job. Fenn's words were clipped by his Nordic accent. You do realize this is the third time we've killed a monster in Libby's room. It's highly unusual.

“I know.” Danielle's lips thinned. She picked up a stuffed monkey and set it gently on the bed. “She's having a rough time of it. Her mom died a few years ago, and there's only her and her dad. He's a good guy, a really good guy, but he has to work. She's lonely and scared. I'm surprised we don't see more kids with multiple monsters.”

That's because when the monster is slain, the edge of fear that created it is gone. They're past it and they move on. Fenn lectured. It doesn't mean the fear is gone, but the power in it is. Children grow up and their fears no longer have the magic to create monsters.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - A is for Apples

It's the first day of the 2013 A to Z Challenge! Yay!

I'm so excited. I can't wait to read your blogs and see what you've come up with this year.

Thank you so much to the A to Z Team. You guys are amazing.

If you haven't joined the challenge yet, there's still time. Click here!

This year I'll be sharing snippets from a story we'll call Fearless 2.

It's not a sequel, but it takes place in the same world as the story I wrote last year for the challenge.

You won't need to read Fearless to enjoy this story, but you can pick up your copy for free!

A IS FOR APPLES

 

The gangster mummy burst like a pinata. There were no candies were razor sharp teeth, but those were almost preferable to the black sludge. It was thick like tar and smelled like rotten apples.

Danielle Sawyer stood with her legs apart in a ready stance. The blue glow radiating from her wickedly curved blades faded before the weapons retracted into her hands. Body relaxing, she prodded the pile of goo with the toe of her boot. “Where's the withered zombie body?”

You were hoping for a zombie? Please don't tell me you were hoping for a zombie. Fenn sighed.

“Well, I've never fought a zombie before. You'd think they'd be more common these days.” Danielle wiped her hands on her jeans. “Though I guess I can count the mummy as a zombie. That's all they are, right? Zombies done up in fancy packaging.”

Yes, whatever you say. Fancy packaging, indeed. Fenn sniffed. Where's the child, by the way? You didn't forget her in your longing for a zombie, did you?