Showing posts with label WEP Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WEP Challenge. Show all posts

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Almost, Well It Is Getting Close

 

Photo by ActionVance on Unsplash

ALMOST HALLOWEEN

It's nearly time

For those tricks

or  treats

a chocolate

or blood feast

it's yours to choose

on my blog

you'll never lose

when you celebrate

the evil within

remember, it's all in fun

a hilarious pun

a poem to scare

the effort is there

but truly, dear heart

my goal is to amuse

make you think

inspire your muse

Halloween is about fun

a great celebration

to ease the stress

as life itself

is sometimes

a pure horror fest!

***

Yolanda Renee © 2023

JOIN US ON OCTOBER 18 – 20

FOR ALL YOUR

HALLOWEEN FUN



SEE YOU THERE!

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

WEP - CLOSE ENCOUNTER


Photo by Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash

STRANGE BLUE LIGHTS

Sarah listened to the wind, but the howl she heard was more animal than weather related. She wanted to ask Chet but didn't want to wake him. Shivering despite the warmth of her down-filled parka and the extra blankets, Sarah felt the breeze on her face. She covered all but her eyes and finally succumbed to the call of dreamland.

Chet also listened to the winds whipping around the mountaintop and their tiny shelter. His worries grew with each gale as he recognized the distinct cry of the wolf. But exhaustion took hold despite his concern, and he also yielded to the sandman.

Sarah was awake three hours later. Her broken leg was causing severe discomfort. She wanted to shift position, but any movement of her body worsened the pain. Then she felt a deep vibration like a deep-ground earthquake. It lasted less than a minute, but an odd, eerie blue light immediately appeared outside the plane's ice-covered windows. It grew brighter as it moved closer. So bright she had to squint. She wanted badly to sit up, but that was when she noticed a tall man standing over her. She tried to scream but couldn't.

How could she warn Chet? She was mute and frozen in place. The alien's eyes locked on hers. Large and diamond-shaped with a cobalt blue pupil, the iris was that same brilliant azure color of the light surrounding him. Even the sclera was a pale blue, or was it just a reflection? While he held her gaze, she noted his height as seven feet or eight. It was hard to tell as she was so low to the floor. And his skin, a dark gray, almost black. Was he wearing a body suit? If so, it was skintight and showed well-defined muscles and washboard abs. But like a Ken doll, he had no genitalia, and his legs were just as muscular as his upper torso. No hair, no nose or mouth. Long fingers, ten digits, but not human, clearly not human, she thought.

But his eyes held her, large, probing, hypnotic. Is this a dream? I'm awake? Is he a rescuer? Why can't I move? Panic rose as Sarah watched the tall, perfectly formed creature walk away. No! Please don't leave!

Once the creature was gone, Chet stirred and immediately jumped to his feet, grabbed the shotgun, and shouted, "Wait," as he disappeared into the blue light.

Sarah could finally move, but immobile, she felt helpless and frightened beyond words. She placed her hand on her womb, "It's all right, little one. It's going to be all right. I promise."

Outside, Chet stood uncomprehending what was happening. He saw no one, not even tracks, in the fresh snowfall. But he did hear a loud whoosh as the air and snow around him flew straight up from the ground, covering the area in a white fog. Then it grew quiet. No sound, not even wind. Chet looked to the sky, and a flash of lights ascended into the clouds. Was it real?

He rushed back inside. Seeing the fear in Sarah's eyes told him it was, but it also calmed his nerves. He switched on the LED lamps and stirred the fire. "It's a good thing Steve had all the furniture crafted of burnable material and ordered fire logs as part of your safety equipment. Still, in these storms, we'll go through it fast. It's critical that we get below the tree line where we'll have ample firewood for these cold nights. "Sorry, I don't mean to ramble. What do you say, since we're both awake? A cup of cocoa?" he asked in a surprisingly cheerful voice.

"Yes, please," Sarah whispered. Watching him closely, she wondered why he didn't mention the strange man and the blue lights.

After melting snow in a pot over the fire, she watched him prepare the concoction, adding the powdery cocoa mixture and marshmallows to each cup.

"It's hard to believe we're stranded on a mountaintop, but we have marshmallows for hot chocolate," he said as he handed her a mug.

"Amazing that we have cocoa," she said, still shocked by his response to what had just happened. She watched the white mellows melt, blew on the concoction, and took a small sip. "Perfect. Thank you," she said, her eyes full of questions.

He sat down on the floor beside her. "I'm sorry I woke you. I just wanted to check the storm."

"You saw him, right?" She barely whispered as she clutched her hot chocolate in both hands—"the blue lights. I thought we were rescued, but I couldn't move. Not until he quit looking at me?"

Chet forced a smile. "A dream. A shame too. Rescue would be wonderful. But now I'm doubly sorry you woke up that way." He lied because he knew better. He saw the man, the blue lights, and those haunting eyes, and he, too, couldn't move until the gaze was broken. But denying it as a nightmare was the only way for the unexplainable to remain unspoken. He preferred it to be a shared nightmare rather than reality because they already had too many worries.

"You're shivering. I might be able to find another parka," Chet said.

"No, I'm fine. The chocolate will warm me up from the inside," Sarah said and tried to give him her best smile, but on the inside, she was screaming. Who was that? It wasn't human. Oh, God, it wasn't human.

They drank their cocoa in silence and despite the necessity of conserving battery life. Chet left the LED lanterns on all night.

~~*~~

936 Words

Yolanda Renée © 2023

Tagline: Even witnessed phenomenon is not proof.

This is an excerpt from the 7th book of my Alaskan Series, Murder on Mount Fairweather, coming out December 2023. The first night after their plane crashes, this encounter occurs. At this point, I've not decided whether it makes the book, but it was fun to write.

XXX


Friday, June 2, 2023

Close Encounters - A WEP Challenge

 

Are you ready for the next 

WEP Challenge?

Wondering how to go about

preparing

writing

submitting?

Photo by Dare Artworks on Unsplash


Then Go HERE!

For all the details!

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/p/challenges-2023.html 


Photo by Matej Pribanic on Unsplash


Close Encounters

Our next challenge prompt

are you ready to share

give us a scare

a connection made

don't be afraid

whether love or hate

you have an open slate

friendship or enemy

emotion or entity

with or without a sci-fi slant

don't dare say you can't

it's all up to you

as imagination's your brew

so until the 21st

I bid you adieu

now get to work

prizes are the perk!

***

YRS © 2023



XXX XXX



Wednesday, October 19, 2022

WEP - "Thriller"

  The WEP Thriller Challenge

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

&

The 11th song for your

Halloween Party Playlist


Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

One Foggy Halloween

Halloween was a dark and dreary night filled with misting rain and fog that moved like ghostly images around the yellow light of the lampposts. It matched my mood, and I went for a walk despite the weather or the late hour. The world was quiet because all the vamps, witches, and goblins, with bellies full of chocolate, were astral projecting through candy-crush dreams.

As the fog closed in and the shadows moved surreptitiously around me, I relished the feel of solitude and silence. I'd just lost a coveted part in the new GT Dragon series. Smarting from the rejection, I was angry for believing my agent when he used words like star and soon-to-be rich and famous.

Sure, I'd appeared in several videos and commercials, even a slasher film, with a scream that won out over fifteen others. But the truth is I'm just an extra. A girl with good legs, a pretty smile, and an award-winning scream. The problem was that I had no desire to be average.

Visibility was low, but I was too caught up in a blue funk to care. With no destination in mind, I walked around and around, block after block. I wasn't lost, just wandering, trying to figure out how to change the future.

"Excuse me, Miss," a deep voice crashed my pity party. Startled, my hand went to my heart, and my breath caught in my throat. Foolishly, I'd assumed I had the world to myself.

The mist seemed to part, and I spotted an incredibly handsome man under the streetlamp. Deep dark eyes, long dark wavy hair. Black jeans and a leather jacket. The clichéd bad boy.

"Don't tell me, you need directions?" I gave him my best "make my day" attitude.

He moved closer. His eyes were hypnotic, his advance slow and easy, and that smile contagious. "I thought you were lost. You've passed by here twice."

"Not directionally lost, just deep in thought," I said as I tried to recall if I had passed by before.

"I'll buy you a drink if you share your thoughts."

"Sure, why not," I agreed, knowing a crowd was safer.

We crossed the street to the Jumpy Jitters. I knew Jess, the owner. As we walked to the corner booth, I introduced myself.

"I'm Drake. Nice to meet you, Clara," he said, then took my hand in his and kissed the back of my hand. His eyes were mesmerizing, and his touch sent warm tingles through my body. I swallowed air. My whole body flushed.

He chuckled. "I've never seen anyone blush so easily."

I slid into my seat and removed my jacket. "It's too warm in here." Embarrassed and questioning my reaction, I fanned my face. Sure, the guy was handsome, but I've seen plenty of attractive, and no, I've never felt that electric spark with anyone else. It had to be a fluke. Too much static in the air. I changed the subject. "So, what has you hanging out in the fog in a small town like Carlisle on Halloween night?"

Before he could answer, the waitress asked for our order. I ordered a drink I could sip all night, a Black Russian. Mr. Suave ordered a bottle of Jack and a draft. I grinned. "Don't tell me, you're nursing a broken heart?"

"No. The bottle is for my grandmother. She's a spry old lady that likes a nip once in a while. Halloween's her favorite holiday. You should have seen her with the kiddos. They loved her costume and that cackle of hers. Scares them every time."

"That's sweet. You're visiting from where?"

"Chicago. I'm a pilot."

For two hours, we conversed like old friends. When Jess turned the lights up and said, "last call," I felt cheated. Drake was an intriguing man."

Drake offered to walk me home, but I said "no" too quickly. It seemed the safest option. "I'll catch a ride with Jess. He lives near me. It was nice meeting you. I hope we run into one another next time you're in town."

"If it's in my power, we will," he said with a sly smile. "May I kiss you goodnight?"

I blushed again, and he took it as a yes. But damn, that man can kiss. I'd never, ever been kissed so well. An immediate addiction, I wanted more. My heart pounded, and I could barely catch my breath.

Drake wished me sweet dreams, then, too quickly, he was gone. After the last patron left, I asked Jess for a ride home, but he had to do the floors, and I didn't feel like waiting.

Walking out in the night air was a rude awakening. The fog had thickened, but I pulled up my collar and started a quick pace home.

Half an hour later, I realized home was blocks away and in the opposite direction. I was standing on a street where the only visible house still had lit Halloween decorations. The fog gave the scene a macabre look.

"Did you follow me?" Drake's voice broke through the fog of my confusion."

"No, honest. I… oh God, I'm not drunk. I know what street I live on. How did I get here?"

Drake, laughingly, said, "I told you Grandma was a witch?"

"Yes, but…a…real…witch?"

"Is there any other kind?"

I still hadn't spotted him in the fog. "Where are you?"

He put his arms around me from behind and whispered. "Right here, beautiful."

I turned. One look into those alluring eyes, and we were locked in a kiss. The passion was all-consuming, as though we'd been lovers for years. I surrendered completely when he began whisper-soft kisses behind my ear and down my neck. Adrift in the passion of his touch and lost in desires I'd never experienced before, I could have sworn we were floating high above the city.

***

A year later, Drake and I married. He flies jets, I'm still an extra, and Granny's is our favorite Halloween hideout.

999 Words

Tagline: The power of a kiss

Yolanda Renée © 2022

Photo by Ben Rosett on Unsplash

Has a kiss ever curled your toes?

XXX


X

Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash


Monday, October 1, 2018

ALL HALLOWS' EVE


I rise with the mists.
I wander among the dead and dying.
Leaves don’t crunch under my feet but scatter in fear.
The moon though looks upon me lovingly.
Kindred spirits ravaged by time.
Doomed souls forever cursed to the darkest hours.
Once I loved a man, and he loved me.
Then he loved Sheila.
They buried me deep in the woods.
But I’ve no rest.
Until justice is mine, I wail and moan.
But on All Hallows' Eve my wish will be granted.
Jeremy will once again lie with me.
Sheila now loves another.

Yolanda Renée © 2018

I hope my short piece inspires you this month of Halloween
If so, consider joining the WEP’s Halloween Challenge.
And sign up below!
***




Friday, April 6, 2018

The WEP Team & Our A to Z Contribution



I’m not participating in the A to Z this year there’s just too much going on right now, but as a participant of the WEP I, along with the rest of the team was honored to be asked for a contribution.

J Lenni Dorner offered the team of the  WEP (Write…Edit…Publish) the April 7, or “G” day on the official A to Z site. We choose the term Genre.





The WEP team currently consists of four writers – Denise Covey, Olga Godim, Nilanjana Bose  and me! I hope you’ll check out our post and help us spread the word about the A to Z and the WEP!






The inspiration for today’s collaborative post, is an amazing picture taken by  Celia Reaves  Thanks, Celia, for permission to use the image.


If you'd like to participate in the
WEP Challenges
Check us out!



Wednesday, April 5, 2017

IWSG - Marketing with the A to Z




It's that time again, a day to express insecurities, and boy do I have a few. Just last week I asked my publisher for the rights to my trilogy. Now, I'm dealing with cover designs, but thanks to a picture taken just last month in the snow, I had my start. I then sent that on to Michael Di Gesu, and he worked his magic. You can see the results in the sidebar -->
Murder, Madness & Love is now up as a Kindle, and I'm going to use Amazon to publish in paperback too.

Memories of Murder should be up as a Kindle in a few days. Murder & Obsession will come next. All while I’m working to get the Prequel to the Series online too!

Amazing but that when it rains, it pours! Up to my elbows in edits, and designs, and more edits, plus getting ready for the book tour for the Snowman, and this month, all month the A to Z!

That’s only the half of it, but, well, no more crying over spilled milk. Pulling up my big girl pants and getting to work! Wish me luck, because I’m damn sure as Hell going to need it!

The tour for the Snowman begins in May, there are still a few spots open, please consider hosting me that day for a review, guest post, or interview! Thank you! Just click HERE!


Happy April, everyone!

Question:

Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results?

Yes, as a matter of fact last year after the release of Murder & Obsession I used the A to Z to introduce the story and discuss Alaska. I sold 40 books that month. Not a bad start. And for this A to Z I'm going something similar for the Snowman!

Thank you, everyone, who stayed with the posts and bought the book! I enjoyed that A to Z almost as much as the one I did on Margaret Mitchell.


Be sure to say hello to the awesome co-hosts:



**

Be sure to check out the WEP Challenge for April

The post happens on the day for the letter 'P'

Sign up today!








Monday, October 17, 2016

Harvest Moon


Home again!
We arrived last night to the harvest moon.

 But awoke to the damage left behind by 
Hurricane Matthew.



The dunes and protective vegetation is gone.


The pier was destroyed.
(sorry for the washed out photo's due to the direct sun)

This is what it looked like before.


The resort is still cleaning up the water and wind damage. 
I'm feeling blessed - my condo was untouched. 

Time to concentrate on Motive for Murder.
My goal is to have it ready for the publisher by the years end.

Hope all your writing goals are falling into place too.
And I especially hope that your home was left as untouched as mine by
Hurricane Matthew!

*****

Don't forget the WEP Challenge is this week!



Did you choose or combine the two?


Wednesday, August 3, 2016

IWSG - WRITING





Be sure to thank them!



August’s IWSG question is - What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published? 

I wrote the third place-winning essay for the American Legion Young Citizens Contest when I was in the 10th grade, but my first published piece was a poem for rape victims.

Although I do have a file cabinet that collects dust, and it does have several hand written projects sitting in a file, so yes, a few are collecting dust. So many ideas, so little time! J

I hope you all have a great writing month!



Don't forget to sign up for the latest WEP Flash Fiction Challenge – it's all about Gardens!

Here are a few words about gardens, to inspire you!


In my garden I spend my days; in my library I spend my nights. My interests are divided between my geraniums and my books. With the flower I am in the present; with the book I am in the past.

~Alexander Smith, "Books and Gardens," Dreamthorp: A Book of Essays Written in the Country, 1863


If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.


~Cicero


A garden was the primitive prison, till man with Promethean felicity and boldness, luckily sinned himself out of it.


~Charles Lamb, 1830