DEFENDING THE PEN: 2018

Monday, December 31, 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May the 'truth' find a new resurgence!

2019

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

WEP - A New Genesis

RIBBONS & CANDLES

A New Genesis

Snow was falling at an angry rate, and Lilith was sure God was to blame. She expected her lover, Lucifer, the man deemed most evil by all of existence, to arrive at any moment.

Watching the dancing flakes from her secure but opulent prison, Lilith waited with zealous expectation, confident that Lucifer would defy both God and the tremendous odds against him to rescue her from exile.

Their union was forbidden, but Lilith couldn’t understand why. Bringing heaven and hell together could be the beginning of world peace. She was sure that together, their reign would benefit mankind. Her love was pure and honest, and she knew she could calm the rage that had grown in Lucifer over their years of separation, leading to an increase in war, disease, and chaos. She alone could help Lucifer see reason, but would he travel the distance? Would he fight the odds for their sacred love?

Ten thousand miles of nothing but fierce icy winds and torrential snow at temperatures that could freeze even the depths of hell. Could her love guide his path, or would the Ice Angels win the day?

She re-read the note he managed to smuggle to her.

Dearest Lilith, my Love:

The night will not defeat us. Our love will be consummated, and peace on earth will result. Prepare yourself, my love. I’ll arrive at the stroke of midnight, and at dawn, a new genesis begins.

Forever yours,

Lucifer

Lilith bathed in rose-scented water and dressed in a seductive, silky white gown. She tied the ribbon of the gown over her breasts and thought of the moment when Lucifer would pull tenderly at its silkiness, and the dress would fall away, revealing all that was his, and his alone. She longed to have him take her in his arms. As for the fires of hell, Lilith’s touch would neutralize the inferno, and together, their children would rule the world.

The clock sounded the first chime of the midnight hour, and the candles’ flames leapt and grew more substantial. Lilith ran to the window and peered out into the vastness, struggling to catch a glimpse of movement through the blanket of snow. A smile touched her lips. There, in the distance, was Lucifer’s chariot, glowing as brightly as the sun. As he drew ever closer, the thundering hooves of the hell beasts shook the ground, and the spears and arrows of the Ice Angels disintegrated on contact with his flame, leaving a black quagmire of death in his wake.

At the last stroke of midnight, Lucifer arrived, and Lilith threw open the door to receive her Prince. She ran into the night and stopped just inches away from him. Their eyes locked, and without speaking, he reached out and delicately untied the silky ribbon that was hiding her from him. The gown fell to her feet in ashes, and Lucifer embraced his Lilith within a maelstrom of blue flames.

The next morning the headlines read: TRUMP DEFEATS HILLARY

FCA / 500 words

Yolanda Renee © 2018
All photographs thanks to UpSplash
****

TO READ MORE ENTRIES FOLLOW THE LINK

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

IWSG -- NANO FINISH

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Question - What are five objects we'd find in your writing space?

As I write I’m surrounded by books. I have a comfortable chair, the view or at the least the sound of the waves, a bottle of water, my laptop of course, and my cell phone.

An Update

This year I took the challenge offered by the National Novel Writing Month with the hope of finishing the 5^th book in the Detective Quaid Series, MURDER, JUST BECAUSE. I did it, with time to spare, but when I reached 50,000, I was burned out. I had to walk away for a few days.

Thank goodness I finished right before Thanksgiving, so what better way to recoup than to concentrate on the holiday, family, and shopping. There's still, a long road ahead, but thanks to NANO I'm a lot closer than I was.

The next step is to begin editing. Chapter by Chapter until the 2nd draft is complete.

I've begun that process this month. At first, because of the burnout, I didn't think I would, but now I'm proceeding. Ready, willing, and able to turn all these words into a book.

Don't forget this month also brings a new

WEP Challenge - RIBBONS & CANDLES

Wishing you all a successful month and a truly lovely holiday!

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!

Tara Tyler has honored me today with a horror post!

https://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/2018/10/hot-genres-horror-mashups.html

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!

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!

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

***

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