WRITERLY WEDNESDAY FICTION PICTURE PROMPT - BY THE SEA

By The Sea

Kelly closed her computer, packed files into the box on her desk, and leaned back in her chair. She swivelled towards the left of her desk and stared at the full wall mural featured behind a sea green coloured couch. Fern trees flanked the sofa, centered on an oval rug with a cherry wood coffee table.

Her home office was her favourite place to sit and muse the seven months she lived and worked in the city.

The mural reminded her of New England—the sea, fish, waves, sea grasses, and snails.

Tomorrow, she was driving to Old Orchard Beach, Maine to her summer home. Five months of writing, visiting friends, sea food and walking miles along the sandy beach.

Kelly rose and stood in front of the mural. She smiled.

Thanks for keeping me sane until I return to my happy place by the sea.

***

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WRITERLY WEDNESDAY PICTURE PROMPT FICTION - GAME OVER

Good morning everyone. Wednesday again. The summer is just flying by. Soon it will be September 1st and my third book of The Georgia Series will be released. More on that next post. Meanwhile, hope you enjoy my story for today. It is really a true story not fiction, based on my memories of raising my son.

GAME OVER

I arrived to pick up my twelve-year-old from his first job; babysitting a boy after school until his mother arrived from work.

A difficult kid but my son handled him well. Whenever his mother showed, his charge acted out.

Cleaning up the playroom, my son stooped to pick up darts on the floor. In a tantrum, the boy threw a dart as he stood. It  wedged in my son’s back beside the spine. My son hit the floor, turning white. “Mom, I can’t feel anything in my back.”

The kid’s mother smiled at her son, telling him he shouldn’t do that. Furious, I took mine to emergency. The dart penetrated a muscle, causing a spasm that left him numb. Otherwise, all good.

Driving home, my son said: “I’m sorry, Mom but I’m quitting my job.”

I smiled. “Good call.”

I wonder whatever happened to that Social Worker’s kid?

***

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WRITERLY WEDNESDAY FICTION PICTURE PROMPT - THE FAMILY

THE FAMILY

I stared at the pictures, the younger twins, my brother and me (the older twins), and our mother. The pictures told our story in a way none of us wanted to.

It was all in the eyes. Look close and you’ll see ... the haunting, blank stares that hid our secrets and our pain.

But today was special. Today, our lives would start again.

“You ready?”

I turned towards my brother. He stood with his hands on the shoulders of the younger ones who were now ten years old.

Eight years is what our mother served for killing our abusive, alcoholic father. She’d paid the ultimate price to protect us from his rage. They released her for good behavior. My brother and I had raised our younger siblings, struggling through school and working two jobs, living for this day.

I smiled at him. “Let’s go bring Mom home.”

***

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The Raven

The raven flew above the humans, entertaining them with somersaults, diving downward, only to fly up to the sky and sour in the wind. She stealthily watched the human below open a bag and scatter morsels; recognizing the man as a regular. Ravens never forget a face, regardless of the fact that humans can't tell one raven from another.

Oh come on, moron! Don't you know we aren't vegetarians? We eat worms, nice, insects, We love crickets. Frogs and lizard are good. And how about a little fruit once in a while, huh?

The man's offerings sucked, but beggars can't be choosers. The raven landed and picked up a hard chunk. She flew to a puddle and dropped it in the water. The humans shook their heads and laughed like she was a dummy.

What? Just softening it up here. Stale bread and crackers? Tasteless ... yuk!

***

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WRITERLY WEDNESDAY PICTURE PROMPT - ELECTION BRIDGE

ELECTION BRIDGE

Callee grew up admiring her larger-than-life neighbour to the south. She loves sophisticated New York City, the easy lifestyle of San Francisco, Waikiki, the Eagles, Bob Dillon, and Joan Baez.  A prideful people who believed in the land of the free.

But now? She was glad she lived north of their border and not south, where one candidate refers to Mexicans as drug smugglers, rapists, bad people, but some, presumably, are good. Callee watched her grandchildren playing, feeling grateful she didn’t have to explain his words to them.

Her heart went out to her US neighbours who face a tough decision come November; vote to support their party or vote strategically to keep an egotist from power he will assuredly abuse.

The election is the best reality television game show on air. The American people are hostage to a national bridge tournament. 

I hope they won’t be Trumped.

***

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WRITERLY WEDNESDAY FLASH FICTION PICTURE PROMPT - A MOTHER'S LOVE

This week I'm going out on a limb with a controversial subject that may not be to the liking of some. It's a challenge to address something like this in 150 words. However, it is more about the unconditional love and support of a mother and the angst a mother can experience even with an adult child. Hope you like it.

A Mother's Love

I stared at the photo. She loved that park. I remember buying pretty dresses in the early years. She refused to wear them. Definitely a tomboy. I came to accept she wasn’t a girlie girl. But who knew?

The teen years aroused my suspicions. Was she a lesbian? She was popular with both boys and girls but never dated, studied hard, won a scholarship to university. I was proud. But this?

She told me a week ago and I’ve been crying for days. Initially, for me. But this is about her ... him. Transgendered. Hormones. Surgery.

I carried my child for nine months, nurtured her, raised her ... him as a single mom. Now the tears are for him and what he’ll face.

I heard the door open. I stood. “Mom?” He entered the room and into my outstretched arms.

“You’re still mine,” I said.

Together, we cried.  

***

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***CHASING GEORGIA EBOOK 50% OFF***

The continuing story of Georgia Charles. 

I'm so pleased to announce that the EBOOK for Chasing Georgia, the Georgia Series, Book 2 is available from now until release date at 50% off. You can order your copy for only $2.99. (When the book is released on October 23rd, your book will be available. Purchase your copy now to take advantage of this great price.) Need a little taste of what you're buying? Here's a copy of the back cover blurb:

… from the Author of Winter’s Captive, the Georgia Series, Book 1

It’s been five years since Georgia Charles survived a winter lost and alone in the wilderness. After a whirlwind life of celebrity, Georgia wishes to settle into a quiet lifestyle as her daughter begins school. But everyone wants a piece of her; a boyfriend, who tests her new found sense of confidence and trust; a surprise visit from her ex-husband’s widow that turns her world upside down; and a stalker determined to make her his own.

Can Georgia overcome her fears of commitment and accept love again? Should she say yes to Julie’s life-changing request that will affect so many lives? And what of the stalker?

REDEMPTION, FORGIVENESS AND THE KNOWLEDGE

THAT A FAMILY IS NOT BORN FROM BLOOD,

BUT FROM LOVE AND RESPECT

Click HERE to purchase your ebook now.

***************************************************
AND

Winter's Captive, the Georgia Series, Book 1 EBOOK

is also available at 50% off.

Click HERE to purchase your ebook now.

***COVER REVEAL***

Today, I am so excited to reveal the cover for Chasing Georgia, Book 2 of the Georgia Series.

After three months hiatus from my writing world, I finished the final galley edits for the manuscript and it is back with my editor. This Friday, August 21st, presales will begin for Chasing Georgia. The ebook will be available at 50% off until the release date of October 23rd, 2015.

Winter's Captive, Book 1 of the Georgia Series will also be available in ebook form at 50% off.

Stay tuned for more info when the presale begins.

Meanwhile, head over to my Facebook page and enter my contest there for a free ebook copy of Chasing Georgia. All you have to do is like the post, then post how many ravens you see in the comments. The contest is open til end of today and a winner will be chosen tomorrow. (The ebook copy won't be available until the release day October 23rd, but don't worry. we'll see you get your copy :).)

To enter the contest, click HERE.

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Good luck to all.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY TRIBUTE

To end my two week tribute to women in recognition of International Women's Day tomorrow, March 8th, Winter's Captive, The Georgia Series, Book 1 E-BOOK IS FREE today and tomorrow.

What better way to recognize women than to read a story about one woman's struggle to survive in a harsh, northern, winter wilderness and her journey to empowerment.

Click HERE to get your copy in Kindle, Nook, or PDF formats. Just follow the instructions once you get there.

Thank you for your support and recognition of women in our society.

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TAHLTAN NATION - PROGRESSIVE AND GREEN ENERGY MINDED

Hello everyone. Welcome to the new year. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Sending you all wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2015.

I just read an article about the Tahltan Nation. This indigenous band lives in north-western British Columbia in an area known as the last frontier. This land is rich for hydroelectric projects. On December 12th, 2014, he BC government released $500,000 in funding for the Tahltan Nation to invest in the AltaGas Volcano Creek renewable energy project.

It was a great day for the Tahltan people as it is the first time they've been able to take a large stake in a new development in their territory. This project is one of three in the Tahltan lands.

I have always felt a connection to native culture and spirituality. This area in BC is where I chose to write my first novel, Winter's Captive, The Georgia Series, Book 1. The native spirit in my story is Tahltan and I chose to weave some Tahltan lore and cultural beliefs into the novel. 

Quote from the article: 
As well as allowing for investment, the IBAs provide jobs and
training opportunities for our people while also making sure Tahltan people are involved in enviornmental protection and monitoring. 

I'm happy to see that the Tahltan people are progressive and business-minded in regards to their land development, but will not abandon their traditional beliefs of protecting mother earth, the creator. The Tahltan's have found a way to help their people, satisfy big business, and protect their lands. I, for one, would hate to see the balance of nature compromised for big money.

In my story, my reference to the Tahltan people is to the old ways of life which are no longer sustainable. I don't want to read future fiction stories like mine, that refer to mother nature as she once was, but no more. 

My belief is that the only way to close the gap between indigenous people and big business is to respect their culture, and even if one doesn't agree with their way of thinking, at least understand it from an organic perspective. The Tahltan Band is not the first band to work with business and as time passes, we are seeing more amalgamations between first nations and municipalities, provincial and federal governments, mining companies, hydro projects, and community forests. It's very encouraging for the future of all our youth.  

Perhaps all businesses wishing to develop the rich lands of British Columbia should have indigenous people on staff to keep them environmentally accountable, whether on first nations land or not. It has to be about more than just money. We can all take a lesson from indigenous people on that score.

We are all citizens of mother earth, and it is the responsibility of all of us, not just indigenous people, to protect her.

What's your opinion on this controversial issue?

Here's a link to the article if you wish to read it: Click HERE.

Winter's Captive is available in paperback and e-book formats. 

Click HERE for Amazon.com listing.

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For all you writer's out there, keep on keeping on writing.