A Musical Influence

Does music influence your writing. 

Is it the music, the words, or the atmosphere it creates?

Josh Groban's album.

Closer

was the influence for the

love story in my first novel

MURDER, MADNESS & LOVE.

Two songs:

My Confession

&

When You Say You Love Me

The two songs that influenced my writing of the first book in the Detective Quaid Series.

There were other songs, and they're all mentioned in the novel, but these were the two that were specific to Steven Quaid and Sarah Davis.

Another song that follows the characters through all the novels is

You Are My Sunshine

It's a song that Sarah sings when she's troubled, and in future novels, it's a song that foreshadows bad news when ever it's mentioned in the novel.

So do you have a favorite singer, or song that helped make your novel come together?

ISWG - 2018 & Goals

IWSG

The INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP founded by

Alex J. Cavanaugh!

This month’s Question is - What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

My answer: I’m always working on a plan. Setting goals are and always has been an essential part of my life. The first thing I did this New Year’s Day was to write out a definite set of goals and a plan to achieve them.

Now it’s time to get to work!

&

Now that the news has been shared

I can shout it to the world!

My story

Cypress, Like the Tree

Placed in the IWSG Anthology!

I am THRILLED!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WRITERS WHO PLACED!

Such an exciting way to start the New Year!

Don’t forget the awesome co-hosts Tyrean Martinson, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Megan Morgan, Jennifer Lane, and Rachna Chhabria! Be sure to visit and comment.

This year was a wild one, but in the end, several goals were achieved. A book was published, and we are now living on the coast with a lovely view of the ocean. A dream come true. The journey here was a bit crazy, but not all paths run straight. Still, we are blessed!

          While I was absent most of the time from blogging and social media, I did manage a few posts, and I did my best to keep up with friends. I know I’ve missed some critical changes in many lives, but I hope to catch up and will try my best to be more active this year.

          I feel that it’s important to acknowledge several of the folks that never lost faith in me this last year. Most significant is Denise Covey, my partner in crime at the WEP. I may be speaking out of turn, but the relationship that we’ve developed over the years proved invaluable this year with all the emergencies, travel plans & moves, and all the chaos that filled 2017.

          Thank you, my friend! I love you dearly!

And I value the creativity and artistic input of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim. We are now an unbeatable team! Thank you, Denise, Nila, and Olga! I am so proud to be part of such a unique writing team!

To that end, I’m happy to announce that the

The Winners of the WEP December Challenge –

 The End is the Beginning were announced today!

Please stop by and congratulate the winners!

***

          I also need to thank Susan Swiderski, Michael Di Gesu, Chrys Fey. Without them, The Snowman would not have been released in 2017. But more important than just support for the writing these amazing individuals were there when the personal got to be too much! Thank you!

          Thank you all for always being there when I needed input, editing, and hand holding!

           A special Thank You for all those who've read and commented on my blog posts. Your support has inspired my faith and keeps me striving for the possible!

May the New Year help you reach the goals you've set!

***

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

&

HAPPY READING & WRITING

IN

2018

WEP - THE END IS THE BEGINNING OR IS THE BEGINNING THE END?

Dawn inserted the last invitation into the envelope and sighed. “Just weeks away, can you believe it? Charles will have a full month of leave before his next deployment. Our wedding and honeymoon will be heavenly.”

            “I’m sure it will be dear. You’ve been very patient, both of you. Your father, and I are very proud of you.”

            “It’s been difficult, but we’ve both wanted to fulfill our obligations. Working at the Pentagon has been a great honor, and Charles has spent three years in Afghanistan. Now he’ll join me in Washington, and we’ll complete our military careers together.”

            “I’m amazed that you’ve both stuck to your goals so stringently, but it’s why we’re so proud of you.”

            “Thanks, Mom. This wedding proves that.”

            “Your dad thought it was the least we could do. You’ll need your money to furnish that new house.”

            “Has Charles told you where you’ll be going on your honeymoon?”

            “No, he’s got it all arranged though. Charles said I won’t know until we land. A private jet and all first class. The one thing I’m sure of is that I’ll need a bikini.”

~~**~~**~~

The minister started the ceremony with Isaiah 32:

“Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a covert from the tempest, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness, and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Please be seated.”

“The bride and groom have written their own vows. Dawn, please share with us your words for Charles.”

Nervously Dawn cleared her throat, smiled at Charles, and their eyes locked. “Charles, you are my life, my love, my hero. I promise to cherish, honor and always be ready for a new adventure.  I pledge to hold your hand through life, to never interrupt your football games, and to always seek your guidance for the important decisions. I am blessed with your love, your friendship, and vow my devotion, forever and always.”

She smiled through her tears when she saw his eyes fill with moisture and delicately wiped the escaping drops as they rolled down his cheek.

“Now it’s your turn, Charles,” The minister said.

“You are the most blessed thing that has ever happened to me. I cherish you, your honesty, your strength and especially your smile. I promise that laughter will always outweigh the tears. I vow a shared future, of fulfilled dreams, diminishing obstacles, and a balanced life of love, family, and personal satisfaction. You are my hero, and I will love you until the end of time.”

They exchanged rings, and the priest pronounced them husband and wife. At the reception, their first dance as man and wife held so much meaning as it was their first real moment together since his arrival was last minute and just hours before the start of the wedding. Dawn finally relaxed in his arms, and they clung together in silence. Swaying to the music, appreciating each other, and looking forward to their future together.

~~**~~**~~

Spending Christmas and their honeymoon on the beach in Hawaii was everything Dawn had ever dreamed of, and as they soaked up the sun, she noticed their glasses were empty. Rock, Paper, Scissors decided who would refresh their drinks. Charles won again, but after declaring himself the winner, he kissed his wife and told her. “Relax, Mrs. Collins. It will always be my pleasure to serve you.”

Charles had only been gone minutes when the air raid sirens went off. Thinking it was just another drill Dawn remained in her seat but searched the sky. Hearing shouts of "it's not a drill! I can see it. Look!" She jumped to her feet and sprinted toward the bar and her husband. 

During those same moments, Charles dropped the drinks he'd just purchased. He witnessed the missile hurtling toward them and raced back to Dawn. They met in an embrace just seconds before their world ended.

~~**~~**~~

*****

What-would-a-person-feel-see-before-dying-by-a-nuclear-bomb-blast

750 words

Yolanda Renée © 2017

*****

My apologies to those looking for a happy ending, I honestly meant for my story to be light and uplifting when I first started. I began writing it while at the dealership waiting for the oil change on my car. The television station on in the waiting room was set to CNN, and a story about Hawaii reinstating regular Nuclear Attack Warning Siren tests caught my eye and sadly changed my story.

IWSG - RE-DO's

THE INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

Question:

As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?

Everything. But life doesn’t give us that option so dealing with what will be is the current goal.

Wishing for you and yours a 2018 that is the most prosperous, most love filled year ever!

The awesome co-hosts are

Julie Flanders, Shannon Lawrence, Fundy Blue, and Heather Gardner!

Be sure to stop by and wish them well!

***~~***~~***

A NEW CHALLENGE

WEP - December - tHE eND IS THE bEGINNING

SIGN UP NOW!

IWSG - NANO

THE INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

 Question: Win or not, do you usually finish your NaNo project? Have any of them gone on to be published?

Yes, and no. I’ve finished several times and almost finished others but the works have all gone on to be published in one way or another. I’ve always considered the work successful, but I’ve yet to go direct from NaNo to publication. My first, second, and usually even the third drafts are extremely ROUGH. 😊

The awesome co-hosts are Tonja Drecker, Diane Burton, MJ Fifield, and Rebecca Douglass! Be sure to stop by and wish them well!

tHE WINNER'S OF THE

WEP HALLOWEEN DARK PLACES CHALLENGE

HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!

VISIT THE WINNERS

AND READ

SOME AMAZING STORIES

here!

A GREAT STORY / A HALLOWEEN STORY

H A P P Y  H A L L O W E E N !

tHE WINNER'S OF THE 

WEP HALLOWEEN DARK PLACES CHALLENGE

HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!

VISIT THE WINNERS

AND READ

SOME AMAZING STORIES

here!

WEP - DARK PLACES = GARGOYLES

THE SUPERMARKET TABLOID

FACT OR FICTION

“I knew it! Halloween night is when they fly. The man-eating gargoyles that prey on unsuspecting girls.” My ten-year-old brother Tommy said in earnest.

I laughed. “Don’t be stupid, gargoyles don’t exist.”

“Yes, they do!” He insisted.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Witch. I’m telling mom you called me stupid!  They do exist, and this proves it. He threw the paper at me and stormed off.

“Tattletale!” Younger brothers can be so silly. I picked up the supermarket tabloid that he’d left behind and read.

“Footprints in the snow are all that remain of thirteen-year-old Martha Belkin. On Halloween night her parents claim they heard her scream and swear they saw a large bird carry off their one-hundred-pound daughter. Police are investigating…”

I stopped reading. Chilled as though a winter breeze were blowing. I stared at the photograph. Footprints in the snow ended several feet from the barn. I could only imagine Martha’s terror. Was there a flying creature capable of carrying off children? I stared at the deepening darkness above the trees outside. I was sixteen when my brother warned me to beware of the monsters, that haunt the night sky....”

“I’m sorry, Jenna,” my boyfriend Rafe interrupted. Although a great story. My question had to do with how you decided to find a cure for hemophilia.”

“I was getting there.” I playfully punched Rafe, on the shoulder. It’s Halloween, and that is where it all began.” I studied the faces of our dinner guests.

“Please go on, Jenna. I’m curious as hell now. How did a story in the National Enquirer influence your goals?” Greg, my chief lab technician, said.

“Yes, please tell us. I’ve got goosebumps. Did they find little Martha?” Jane, my assistant, asked.

“No. Never. Nor have they found the other children that disappeared under similar circumstances.”

Whispers of shock circled the table. “You actually investigated?” Greg asked. I could hear the doubt in his voice.

“I researched every story, as well as the mystery and mythology of the gargoyle. I found an old text that claimed the gargoyle kidnapped and farmed adolescent children for their blood. And an inordinately high number of these abductions were of children afflicted with hemophilia. The ancient theory is that gargoyles needed the hemophiliac’s blood for infusions to keep their blood from crystalizing and turning them into stone.”

“Awesome. I love it. So due to your childhood phobia and this ancient mythology you wanted to cure hemophilia to save children from being carried off by gargoyles.”

“Odd isn’t it, almost laughable but I’m proud to say, we’re getting close to a real breakthrough.”

*~~*****~~*

Powerful winds blew us down the mountain. “Thank you for driving me into the city. I’m sorry, but Jane said they’d found the solution. I have to be there for the final test. If she’s right, we’ve cured hemophilia.”

“With this storm, I couldn’t let you go alone,” Rafe insisted. Besides, I’m funding this research, and if you’ve found the cure, I’ve got work to do too. Just imagine the future, the most extravagant wedding and honeymoon in the world.”

“Mr. Romantic,” I said and cuddled close. Thrilled with his trust, admiration, and love, I watched my fiancé skillfully maneuver through the blizzard to my lab.

When we arrived, I jumped out, excited to see the achievement of a lifetime to fruition, but an eerie silence greeted me. Something was wrong. I’d barely closed the truck door when I saw blood in the snow and then Greg’s dismembered body. His torso lay across the picture window sill, stuck on a large shard of glass, but his head and legs lay on the ground below him. Inside the lab, an orgy of blood and body parts adorned the clinical white of the once sterile environment. The only thing I recognized of Jane was her long blond hair. Now streaked with blood her scalp hung from the overhead light. I heard Raphe screaming my name, right before his head sailed past spraying me with blood. His body dropped at my feet as the sound of growling, and the rustle of wings grew intense.

Before I could articulate a scream, bloody talons grasped me by the shoulders. I was lifted from the ground, into the snowfall, above the clouds, and into darkness.

*~~*****~~*

The castle they’re holding me in sits high in the Andes’ but has a state of the art laboratory. Still, I’ve not made much progress. Without my team, I’m struggling to find the right formula. The gargoyles want me to keep their blood from crystallizing. I might have cured hemophilia, but the world isn’t aware because these monsters destroyed the records.

The worst part is that they continue to abduct adolescent children and farm them for their blood.

I’m hoping to kill the entire brood, but the gargoyles working beside me watch too closely. My only chance is to cure the children they’ve captured. My clotting agent should turn these child killers to stone, permanently …

~~ The End ~~

Yolanda Renee © 2017

832 words

H A P P Y  H A L L O W E E N !

THERE ARE MORE TALES TO READ

JUST FOLLOW THE LINKS!