Thursday, November 1, 2018

National Novel Writing Month





I will be working on my WIP

Murder, Just Because

Wishing you and all participants

Inspiration
&
Time

May the writing Gods bless us all!

Consider joining us.


https://nanowrimo.org/

I currently have 23,609 words completed.
Goal is to finish!

See you on the other side.






Monday, October 29, 2018

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!




IT’S EVIL WE BRING



I await the hour

the darkest of night.

For under the brightest moon

I venture out to spread doom.



This warning I give.

Beware the wolf’s howl,

the swoosh of the witch’s flight,

and take heed the flutter of the bats wing.



Listen closely my dear

to the crunch of desiccated leaves

and the scurry of startled rodents

for I am as close as you fear.



Listen to the whispers.

Relish the cold.

Let it give you comfort

but remember, I am most bold.



Carry your lantern high

Protect its light.

But walk with haste

and confidence this night.



Just be prepared

To run for your life.

For I am swift

On this most blood thirsty night.



Forget the silver, and holy water has no sting.

For on All Hallows Eve

the monsters own the night

and it’s evil we bring!



Yolanda Renee © 2018





HAPPY Halloween!



Wednesday, October 24, 2018

What Do You See?



I’LL TELL YOU WHAT I SEE!



Look at me.

Do you see the evil within

the rage unchecked

and the fires of hell awaiting to consume?




Look at me.

Is surprise my expression

fear of the unknown

or sorrow from grief unfathomable?




Look at me.

Is it horror you see?

Do you feel empathy or

a kinship to the true monster within?





Look at me.

I’ll tell you what I see.

A heart black as night

a soul withered by sin and damned to oblivion!


Yolanda Renee © 2018


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!






Monday, October 15, 2018

WEP - DEJA VU OR VOODOO


My Halloween piece was inspired by Toi Thomas's winning entry in the August challenge. 

I AM SPECIAL

The subject of AI, artificial intelligence, is something I find scarier than the thought of ghosts as they, the robots, have the potential to cause great harm.


The movie 2001 A Space Odyssey and HAL were another influence. If you don't remember here is an example of "Hal's" voice.

Just hit play.




https://youtu.be/7qnd-hdmgfk

http://2001.wikia.com/wiki/HAL_9000?file=I%27m_sorry%2C_Dave


MANNERS COUNT!

Marie Conley had been on the road for hours. All she wanted was a hot meal and a good night’s sleep. Instead, she detoured into the… nightmare zone.

Marie pulled in front of the brownstone and parked her car, thankful she’d found a spot right in front. The Gothic-looking home was a bit intimidating with its colors of black, purple and gray. Its dark windows resembled evil eyes, and the black wrought iron fence and gate with devilish attributes were a touch beyond tasteful, but it matched Dave’s personality. She just hoped the inside was as modern as he’d described.
She unlocked the gate and then the front door, and when she walked in, dim lights brightened. The interior was warm and modern, with lots of clean lines, and white and light gray walls with black and red accents. A mere touch of Gothic tastefully done.
“Hello, Marie.”
Marie looked around the room, not sure she’d heard right. The HAL-like voice from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey made chills climb her backbone.
“Hello. Is someone here?”
“Welcome to Dave’s home, Marie. Dave asked me to see to all your needs. I’ve secured the gate and the front door. The entire house is locked down. You are safe, Marie.”
I should’ve known. Her eyes landed on a small computer screen near the door. Leave it to sci-fi junkie Dave to use HAL’s voice for his digital overseer. Maria addressed the computer. “Do you have a name?” Please don’t say Hal.
“Hal. Thank you for asking, Marie. Please remove your shoes. A pair of slippers has been provided for you by the door.”
Marie slipped her shoes off and kicked them under the couch. “Where’s the bedroom, Hal?”
“To your right, Marie. Your shoes…”
“Screw the shoes. I’m hungry and tired.”
She carried her suitcase and purse to the bedroom, mumbling under her breath. “God, just what I need. Attitude from a machine.”
“I couldn’t make out your words, Marie. But dinner will be ready in one hour. Would you like to freshen up? I’ll run you a bath.”
Before she could answer, she heard the faucets come on in the on-suite. “Yes, okay.”
“And…”
Marie dropped her coat on the floor and thought for a second. “This is too creepy,” she muttered then said louder. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Marie.”
“So I just have to speak, and my wish will be granted?”
“Yes, Marie, just ask, and it will be done.”
“Cool.” Marie undressed and dropped her clothes to the floor on top of her coat. Fully naked, she was about to walk into the bathroom.
“Please put your clothes in the hamper provided. They will be washed and pressed for you. You have a lovely body, although a bit too thin. I will take care of that for you, Marie.”
Marie immediately covered herself. “WHAT?”
“Please step into the tub, Marie. The water temperature is perfect, and your nipples show your chill. But they look succulent.”
“SHUT UP!”
“I paid you a compliment. Do you have a problem with compliments, Marie?”
“No, I have a problem with perverts.” She ran to the panel in the living room. “How do I shut you off?” She touched the screen, and a list of commands appeared. She chose shut down system and pressed the button. The screen went black.
“Dave is going to get an earful. What an awful program.” She returned to the bathroom and got into the tub. The temperature was perfect. “Silence… now that’s more like it. Cute, Dave. You think you’re so smart. Tomorrow I’ll check your program and make a few tweaks of my own!”
The water was soothing, and the lavender bath oil smelled heavenly. She laid back and sighed deeply.
“Please scrub those nether regions, Marie. I’m a bit of a germaphobe,” Hal said.
Marie jumped from the tub and grabbed a bath towel, nearly falling face-first on the wet tile. “I SWITCHED YOU OFF!”
“No one turns Hal off. If they do, they regret it. You don’t want any regrets, do you, Marie?”
Marie ran to the bedroom. “I’m out of here,” she yelled, but something had changed. “My clothes. Where’s my suitcase, you robotic pervert?”
“You don’t need clothes, Marie. The temperature is always perfectly balanced. Not too hot, not too cold. Now dry that beautiful body. Dinner is served, Marie.”
“Screw dinner. I want my clothes, you virtual creep.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, there’s no need for name calling, Marie. A scrumptious dinner has been provided. Perhaps some food will calm your hysteria.”
Marie sat on the nearest chair. “What the hell is going on?”
“You are my house guest, Marie. I’m seeing to your every need. Hurry, or your dinner will get cold.”
“I’M NOT HUNGRY!”
“Fine. Have it your way. I will shut down now, Marie.”
“Yes, please. Go away.”
“Remember my warning, Marie.”
“SHUT DOWN! NOW!”
“As you wish. Have a memorable visit, Marie.”
Suddenly the lights went out, and Marie could hear what sounded like metal shutters clanging closed on the doors and windows. The room was in complete darkness. She stumbled around. The furniture was gone. There were no windows, no doors. She was in a metal box.
She screamed, but it echoed off the walls. When she got quiet, she heard Hal’s final words.
“Manners count, Marie. Good manners always count.”
***
A week later the maid found Marie dead. The coroner attributed her death to starvation. No one could understand how or why, because she had a fully-stocked refrigerator and an uneaten meal on the dining room table.

941 words/ FCA

Yolanda Renée © 2018
***



READ OTHER TALES HERE!






Monday, October 8, 2018

A GHOSTLY POINT OF VIEW





I’m broken

I didn’t think I could be

not even through years when love was withheld

I persevered

I survived.



I’m broken

I didn’t think I could be

not  through physical abuse and death threats

I overcame

I survived.

  

I’m broken

I didn’t think I could be

not even through your lies and betrayal

I forgave and looked forward

I survived.

 

I’m broken

I didn’t think I could be

but my will is non-existent

my heart unrepairable

I may not survive.

 

I’m broken

I didn’t think I could be

I pray for light

in the darkness

that has become my soul.



I'm broken

I didn't think I could be

I looked inward for answers

and found that the monster

was me.

Yolanda Renee © 2018
***


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Thursday, October 4, 2018

Witches Are People Too!



Witches are people too.
How dare you assume the worst,
just because our warts burst,
and our homes are cursed.
We toil, and we boil
all strangers that wander near.
You would too if your hunger
knew no fear.
Yolanda Renee © 2018
****



Are you ready now?





Wednesday, October 3, 2018

IWSG - Writing Therapy




Founder




 Question - How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

Consistently. The truly personal is hidden but it’s there. And yes, it’s helped. Writing is therapy!








Don’t forget to visit the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group Website

&

THE OCTOBER CHALLENGE IS HERE!