Disclaimer: The events depicted in this blog took place sometime between the years 2004 and the present. At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Incidents may be embellished. I am, after all, a fiction writer. And since this is my blog, it is based on my opinion. But keep in mind, (at risk of cliché) opinions are like assholes—everybody has one. I have … [Read more...] about Critique: First, do no harm
bully
BS
In my thesaurus, BS is the first "word" listed under the verb, lie. I grew up in the Bible Belt where, at any and all gatherings, men cluster in remote areas of the yard trying to outdo each other with their "stories." However, telling the truth was an expected way of life for children. Telling a lie was the quickest route to a switchin'. So, for the most part, I was a good … [Read more...] about BS
Worn Shoes
I was young when I first understood what it meant to "put yourself" in someone else's shoes. Those words changed the way I thought. They taught me one of the most valuable lessons in life and set me on the road to being a writer. It's a simple concept, putting yourself in someone's shoes. It takes empathy to wear what they wear, walk where they walk, see what they see, live the … [Read more...] about Worn Shoes
The Bully
Every day, on my lunch break, I take Creo, my dachshund-corgi-terrier, for a walk at the same park. I swear she can tell time. She starts staring at me around noon. Last week, after almost two hours of dog sighing and groaning, I put her on her leash. When we got to the park, a giant dog was running loose while its owner sat inside his truck. Now, this is not a dog park. Signs … [Read more...] about The Bully
