Tag: Darla

  • Flash Fiction Friday

    Happy Holidays! In case you’re taking a much-deserved break from festivities, here’s a little light reading for your enjoyment.

    Darla M. Sands: “Christmas Balls”

  • Thursday Thirteen

    Happy Thursday! I’ll kick us off today and look forward to reading what our other contributors compile as the day progresses.

    Darla M. Sands

    Debbie Cairo

  • Flash Fiction Friday

    Friday is here, so kick back and enjoy these reads by our contributing authors. We love to share and appreciate your time reading. Please tell us what you think. And Happy Friday!

    A. Catherine Noon

    Darla M. Sands

  • Thursday 13!

    Wow. Is it Thursday again already? ~pants~

    Here are our lists from our group of contributors. If you see something you like, remember to leave a comment! The authors will thank you! 🙂

    A. Catherine Noon

    Darla M. Sands

    And a brand new entrant! (He’s my brother, so I’m really proud!!)
    FiremanPat

    Thursday 13 – December 17, 2009: Thirteen of the best Fairy Tales

    So, if you didn’t know, I have a thing for Fairy Tales. So, here are some of my favorites, in no particular order
 mostly from the Brother’s Grimm, though not necessarily only from them, especially since many of the folk tales are that, folk tales and don’t have a single author.

    And from Lucius Antony:
    1. Snow White and Rose Red

    2. Bearskin

    3. Iron Hans

    4. Red Riding Hood

    5. Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)

    6. The Youth Who Went Forth to Find What Fear Was

    7. Beauty and the Beast

    8. The Girl with Silver Hands

    9. The 12 Brothers

    10. Hansel and Gretel

    11. The Beauty and the Beast

    12. Hansel and Gretel

    13. The Little Mermaid

  • Ever Feel Like You’re Being Watched?

    I am debating getting a little bungalow somewhere so I can write uninterrupted. While not popular with my spouse, right now I’m looking at two valid reasons.

    First there is our cat Tilly, who has decided that the paper I was editing would make a lovely place to have a lie-down. Then the younger of our three beasts, Jezebel, has decided to join us in the bed I tried to claim for my evening workspace. It won’t be too bad if they don’t end up fighting. The playful bouts seem harmless to their health but they are most distracting.

    And the constant face-marking upon my computer screen is another disturbance. Last night I sat at my desk, turned on the light, and discovered a fine coating of short, gray hair. Thanks Jezebel. That was from another wrestling match upon my ski machine. And she’s the one neighbors said “didn’t shed” when they foisted her upon us. The truth is that you can’t tell that she is shedding until it builds up. And boy, does her fur build up fast.

    Luna, my oldest, is often the worst of all. Sunday evening I tried to type in bed, was quite comfortable doing so, and she suddenly appeared on the pillow beside me. “Okay,” I thought, “we can share the space.” But she wasn’t content to be close without touching. Before long I had her pointy little chin tucked into my elbow from behind. She was determined, gradually sticking her neck further out to lay greater claim to my arm until I finally had to pry her off. I felt bad when the old girl made a fuss. Before long I just gave in and settled down to sleep. Having turned off my laptop at a reasonable hour, I must admit to getting a fairly full nights’ sleep. At least I did when there weren’t paws tangled in my hair.

    As for tonight, at least Tilly has decided to go check the food bowl. Jezebel followed. Good. Now I’m alone with my wrinkled manuscript. Luckily I can still read it. Tilly is not a lightweight. We’ll just have to see what happens as the evening goes on. Perhaps it’s time to set up the seldom used spare bedroom as my office. I like having my desk by the bookcases but without a door the space is not terribly helpful. Then again, they’d probably just bang on a closed door.

    I’m told cats are the traditional pet of authors through the ages. Indeed, our page-a-day cat calendar is full of witty and truthful words from many novelists and poets. And the cartoonist of “Simon’s Cat” really has nailed the humorous aspects of their nature with fun drawings. But having the flesh nearly torn off your elbow by a bored feline tapping an arm for attention is far from lyrical. Maybe I should check into football padding.

  • Flash Fiction Friday

    To wind up the week, we have some short fiction for your reading enjoyment. Please click below to check out this week’s contributions:

    Darla M. Sands

    Nikkie Memmott Now

    Taurus and Taurus

  • Thursday 13

    It’s that day of the week again, when we corral lists by our contributing authors. Happy Thursday!

    Darla M. Sands

    Nikki Memmott Now

    Tess Miller

    And from Lucius Antony:

    Thursday 13 – December 10, 2009: Thirteen of the best Star Wars Quotes

    For this Thursday Thirteen, I’ve decided to take a look at one of my favorite movie series of all time: Star Wars. So, here are some of my favorite quotes from the Original Trilogy (back when the writing was actually pretty good):

    1. “I want to come with you to Alderaan. There’s nothing for me here now. I wan to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father.” Luke Skywalker, Episode IV: A New Hope

    2. “I find your lack of faith disturbing.” Darth Vader, Episode IV: A New Hope

    3. “Greetings Exalted One, allow me to introduce myself: I am Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and friend of Captain Solo. I know you are powerful, mighty Jabba, and that your anger with Solo must be equally powerful. I seek an audience with your Greatness to bargain for Solo’s life. As a token of my good will, I offer you a gift: these two droids.”
    “What did he say?”
    “Both are hard working, and will serve you well.”
    “Artoo, you’re playing the wrong message!” Luke Skywalker/C3P0 Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

    4. “You have your moments, not many of them, but you have them.” Leia, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

    5. “You’ll find that many of the truths we believe in are all dependant on our point of view.” Obi-Wan Kenobi, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

    6. “Young fool! Only now, at the end, do you understand.” Emperor Palpatine, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

    7. “Obi-Wan once thought as you do. You don’t know the power of the Dark Side, I must obey my Master.” Darth Vader, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

    8. “No, try not! Do, or do not. There is no try.” Yoda, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

    9. “Luke, don’t give in to hate, that leads to the Dark Side.” Obi-Wan Kenobi, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

    10. “The Force is with you, young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet.” Darth Vader, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

    11. “Will someone get this walking carpet outta my way?” Leia, Episode IV: A New Hope

    12. “Would you prefer another target, a military target? Then name the system! I grow tired of asking this, so it will be last time. Where is the rebel base?” Grand Moff Tarkin, Episode IV: A New Hope

    13. The Wilhelm Scream, used throughout the saga.

  • Happy Tuesday

    Last night I took an interesting little journey through the world of blogs. I was looking for inspiration and found it in abundance…

    It’s a Jungle Out There

  • Flash Fiction Fridays!

    Each Friday, the writers of the Writer’s Retreat reflect on their favorite flash fiction ficlets created over the course of the week, or sometimes even farther back, or maybe even something brand-spanking new. While we never know quite what we’ll share, we can guarantee that it will entertain! Join us!

    A. Catherine Noon: “Succession”

    Darla M. Sands: “More Than Meets the Eye”

    Lucius Antony: “The First Assignment”

    From the Journal of Shawn Talric concerning the Dar’ny’uil Insurrection

    I wanted action, how foolish.

    After a year of training, they gave me my first assignment. After learning to use my new powers, they told me to ride a train to the destination. Not only was I to ride a train, but I was also only suppose to apprehend a rogue who was not expected to put up much resistance.

    I played with lightning in my hands as I sat in the almost empty cargo car of the train. I thought about the day this all started and that woman, Jamie, who tried to keep me away from Ibarra and failed.

    As I thought of the possibilities of what would’ve happened if she had succeeded, I felt a familiar pull, and mental sensation.

    He was outside.

    There was a flash of light from my body as I transported outside, in front of the rogue who had felt me coming, and waited for me.

    He had dark hair and blue eyes that twinkled like the sea at sunset. His loose clothing was a better choice for the hot, arid climate than my leather coat, but I didn’t choose the setting.

    “You’re new. What’s your name?” he asked. His voice was coarse, probably from years of heavy smoking.

    “Ibarra sent me. I’m supposed to take you back to New York.”

    “Tell Ibarra to go fuck himself.”

    He turned away from me. In another small flash of green light I appeared in front of him, the ground beneath my feet black and sizzling. I lifted my hand and conducted some lightning with it, threatening him.

    “Tell him yourself,” I replied.

    He changed his form: his skin melting off of his body to reveal a pure white form with a blue aura surrounding him. His pupils and irises disappeared and his hair became unruly and changed to same shade of blue as his aura.

    He attacked first, throwing a fireball. I extended my hand, forming a shield of nearly pure energy to protect myself. The fire dissipated against my shield, and retaliated with striking at him with lightning from my left hand.

    I noticed his disappearance in the same instant that his foot connected with the back of my neck. I fell to the ground as a sharp, searing pain racked my body. I cut off the sensation of pain, a handy trick I had learned during my training, and caught his fist in my palm.

    I saw the skin on my hand begin to crack and break off, revealing the same pure white, luminescent skin and green aura. I began to encase his arm in ice while he struggled to free himself from my grip. He forcible cut his own arm off at the elbow, and flew into the air.

    At a safe distance, he held out his good arm and shot three sharp crags of ice in my direction. I played into scheme and created a shield to protect myself. His attacks shattered and I retaliated with a wave of white fire. He emerged from the attack unscathed; I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t know how.

    He landed, and I started to feel sick. It had started with a slight headache as I was freezing his arm, and had escalated to a migraine and a terrible contortion within my stomach. He started laughing and walking towards me as my vision started to blur.

    I fell to my knees and retched. My skin and hair slowly dimmed and faded to their normal complexion, and my aura had disappeared completely. My breath came in heaves and my sweat dripped onto the ground below.

    “Young fool!” he laughed as he powered down. “You used too much energy, and now you’re completely helpless. Killing you would leave a bad taste in my mouth, just leave me alone. And tell Ibarra to do the same.”

    He turned his back and I shot him. They could fix him when I get back to headquarters.

  • Thursday 13

    Every Thursday, the writers of the Writer’s Retreat participate in the Thursday 13 meme and this Thursday is no exception.

    A. Catherine Noon

    Darla M. Sands

    And from a brand-new entrant:
    Debbie Cairo

    Tess Miller

    And from another brand-new entrant, Lucius Antony!

    Thursday 13 – December 3, 2009: Thirteen Reasons Conan of Cimmeria is a Badass

    Ok, if you didn’t know, my favorite author is Robert E. Howard. I like his writing style and I like his characters. The first character of his I was introduced to (that made me fall in love with the author) was Conan. So, here are thirteen reasons why everyone should agree that he is probably the ultimate badass.

    1. He has his priorities straight. In the first Conan story (Phoenix on the Sword), Conan is already a king, and has to face a revolt of maybe around a dozen men, give or take. So, what does he do? He kills them, is then assaulted by a supernatural creature (which he kills) before anyone loyal to him arrives. At this point, he very injured and probably near death, so what does he want after all this? Wine. Why? Because “Slaying is cursed dry work.”

    2. The man won’t give up when he finds something that he wants. In The Frost Giant’s Daughter, Conan is the last surviving man on the battlefield, on either side, and even takes a pretty bad hit to the head. Instead of waiting around or going to find the reinforcements that were suppose to arrive before the battle, he decides to wander off (this is winter in a very snowy land, under the easily seeable conditions he could get lost and freeze to death). Why does he risk death yet again? For sex. He chases after a woman, not stopping when she calls on her ice giant brothers to stop him
 nor does he stop when she says “no” but his morals aren’t exactly what I’m looking at the moment.

    3. He kills a man by throwing a chair at him. Need I say more?

    4. In another story, he’s crucified. After the cross is cut to the ground, and the nails from his hands removed by tongs used for shoeing horses, he grabs the instrument from the man and pulls the nail out of his feet himself. He then proceeds to ride for at least the rest of the day before seeking medical attention.

    5. Conan is not afraid to incite a rage from you by calling into question your parentage
 even you’re a DRAGON.

    6. As mentioned earlier, this barbarian from Cimmeria becomes king of a different country called Aquilonia. How? He chokes the previous king with his bare hands and takes the crown. ‘Nuff said.

    7. The man is chivalrous. He always, always, saves the girl
 even if “saving” the girl is more along the lines of “saving the girl the torture of walking through a desert with no water by quickly and painlessly killing her.” Just a note, he never actually DOES it, the thought just crossed his mind before they found a city that stands in the middle of the desert inhabited by people who are always sleeping. If it’s any consolation, he DID give her the last of the water first.

    8. He’s so badass that the women love him enough to find a way to come back from the grave to save him.

    9. He always pays back his debts. I’m fairly certain he married the woman that rescued him from prison, once
 It’s never actually mentioned in Howard’s stories, but I believe it brought up in one of the pastiches. Either way, he doesn’t forget his debt to her at the end of the novel, which is probably several months after his rescue.

    10. Loyalty. When a friend of his killed a guard for making a rude comment to his woman and fled the town, Conan didn’t rat him out to the judge, even under penalty of staying in a dungeon for the rest of his life. In fact, he did the town a favor by killing said judge because the judge was clearly mad.

    11. The man is also a poet. Can you imagine how much more badass people would be if they could make poetry about your death after they kill you? Just imagine how much better The Iliad would be if Achilles had written it himself. If you doubt me, try finding a copy of The Road of Kings on the internet that was clearly meant to be written by Conan.

    12. One of the things he does as king is correct the maps in the royal
 map keeping place. .. because he knows from experience that they are wrong. Ok, I can’t really tell if this is really badass or not. My list topped out at 11 and there wasn’t anything I could do short of going straight to the tomes to find more.

    13. Conan laughs at you for using the internet when there are battles to fight! Seriously, I procrastinated too long.