The Social Porcupine

I once worked in customer service. You know, the job where you paste a smile on your face when all you want to do is let that other person have what ought to be coming to them. But of course, you keep the smile, keep the words, and keep on serving. For the small, silly reason that you want to keep your job (though, those of us that have quit, know that we’d never take such a job back. Even when our bosses have told us over and over, “Oh, but you were made for customer service!”).  Hah. Made for it.  But how the world has changed.  Now, or so I heard, rude customer service is encouraged. Of course, only for the correct political reasons. Maybe I would have stayed in the business, had it been so in my day . . .  But then maybe not. Back then I definitely had my moments of wishing to spit in people’s faces. But now . . . with that warning constantly being bombarded into my eardrums, I’m sure I’d not be able to curb the temptation.  Back then I’d merely have been fi...

Mrs. Henry was in the kitchen humming a song and kneading a lump of dough when she heard her children arguing. She wiped her floury hands on her apron and went to the edge of the room to spy on her children before scolding them. Both of her sons faced each other, their fists clenched and ready to fight. Jimmy's face flushed red with indignation as he yelled at his brother. "Mother said it's evil to lie!" Billy, the elder of the two whispered, "Sh. Mother doesn't have to know." Jimmy shook his head. "But God will know." Mrs. Henry's heart swelled with pride. Both of her boys were good boys, but Jimmy was already showing a sign of loving God that touched her just where it felt wonderful. Billy, on the other hand . . . he was a difficult child. The mother sighed making her presence known. Both boys jumped, Billy so much that he wasn't even close to his younger brother anymore. "What are you trying to make Jimmy do now...

So, it looks like I'm starting off my writing career as a fairy tale author? This last year I've had three stories accepted and published by two different anthologies. And,yes, all three of my stories are fairy tales. The first one was a retelling of Cinderella and you can find out more about that one here . The last two are in this  book, pictured above. It released yesterday! You can buy the print version here . While I love my fairy tales, I'm not sure what I think of being a fairy tale author. Because I really love contemporary, too ;D Overall, I'm purely excited ;D This book has twenty-eight stories in it. I haven't read the rest of them yet, so I can't recommend the book as clean. But I'm hoping! Because some of these stories look AMAZING! My stories are: PRINCE PERFECT: A prince goes on a quest to find the perfect bride, encountering all of the familiar fairytale princesses we know and love. But each one has some small fault he can'...

Guys, I have a short story published! And I'm so excited to share it with you all! It's included in an anthology collection of Christian Speculative fiction, most of which is science fiction, with some fantasy. My story is the only fairytale in the book. You can buy the book here:  Mythic Orbits Volume 2 LIVING HISTORY: (Sci-Fi) In which humans are at the bottom of the classes and Sam must find a job to survive. I always have a hard time wrapping my head around sci-fi and alien type stories, but I think many others will love this story. HER MAJESTY'S GUARDIAN: (Fantasy) The queen has turned everything yellow and her guardian is forced to do something about it. I really loved this one! DRAGON MOON: (Fantasy) Darla's little brother has cancer, but she is determined she can keep him alive with his dreams, and so she becomes the dragon he wants. Such a sad, beautiful story! I was surprised I liked it considering I don't like tattoos at all. ...

Cockroaches and Math It was early morning, but I felt today was perfect. My friend, Rose, was in the kitchen, her music playing gently as she started breakfast. I skipped into the kitchen, “The animals - can you help me find them?” Rose motioned toward the back porch, “I just let them out.” I sang loudly with Rose’s music (a song I’d never heard before) as I rushed to the pantry. I asked Rose, “Would you like me to cut sourdough?” She nodded, smiling. I knew she hated cutting through the hard crust. I cut the bread, still singing. I dropped several pieces into the toaster. “I have this great idea for a short story! About a good cockroach. It’s sad how people hate them, so I want to portray how they are mistreated.” Rose’s eyebrows arched sharply. The cat and dog scratched at the door. I threw the knife into the sink, ran to the door, and let the animals in, pouring food into their dishes. I came back into the kitchen, stuffed food into my mouth, and sang. “My, you...

New Hair I know we should go, my daughter and I. But I can’t manage to make myself move. The scissors in my hand clang to the floor. What have I done? They’re expecting us, my family. But wait until they see me. Linnie knocks on my bedroom door, but she doesn’t wait for me to answer. She rushes in. “Mom, we’re late-“ her words change. “Your hair.” I laugh. “Yes, Linnie. My hair.” “It’s on the floor.” her words shatter me. I forget about being strong and not scaring her. I start sobbing, pulling at the hair that remains on my head. For so long I loved my hair... it was my pride. I kept it long, healthy, beautiful. Now it falls through my clothes, itching my skin. It clings to the carpet floor. It’s all gone. Linnie doesn’t freak. She’s too mature for a child. She gives me a quick hug. “We need to go.” Somehow she drags me to the car. She fastens my seatbelt. “It’s OK, Mom. Just drive. I’ll tell you when to turn.” I don’t pay attention to the speedometer or...

Love Warms  The child had discovered many things in her few short years. Tonight she thought of them as she spent her last night wrapped by cold. Confidence is choosing to not care. Not caring hardened one, made them as stone. Stones crumble, with none to keep them from washing away in the storm. There was no way to shelter oneself from the onslaught of betrayal and treachery one faced from every person that pretended to be friend. Yet she also knew she could not live much longer. Not without someone to trust, to help her. To show her love’s warmth. Love must be warm. She shivered. “I will if you give me a chance. I love you already.” The voice was distant, as if a memory. But she knew the sound. She looked about her, hoping to see a face. There were many faces passing by, but none had eyes to see her. Memories flashed before her eyes. A black book. A man that read words from that book, who spoke in the big, beautiful, warm church. That man did not understan...

The Rules: Give the person who tagged you a never-ending supply of cookies (or just thank them - either work)  THANK YOU  Tori  ... cookies are kinda hard to ship ;p Answer all the questions and use the blog graphic for this tag somewhere in your post  Pass along the tag to at least five other people Wear a sweater (okay, this is optional...but why wouldn't you want to??) These are my two favorite sweaters that I wear all the time! The first feels like soft bath towel, the second is wool!! Both are warm and comfy. Also the contrast of these two photos really show my photo interests well ;p Artsy fashion vs. selfie ;D Fuzzy sweater (a book that is the epitome of comfort) This has to be C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Those books just make me way too happy ;D Always ;D  not the movies though. Those make me unhappy. I like the BBC versions better Striped sweater (book which you devoured every line of) That's a lot of bo...

I'm doing a link up called Quote Quests from the blog Splendor Falls on Castle Walls. If you'd like to join, head over to Mel's blog!! And this is mostly my own story but I was thinking of Jonah in the Bible a little ;) Here I sit in the grey mist. It reminds me of how I was once more than a fading cold fog. The mist wraps its wet fingers around my cold body suffocating any remaining happiness I possibly had. One lonely tree spreads its drooping branches over me as if to hug my sorrows away. The leaves touch my cheeks as if saying, "I'm here." But it hides the sun's warmth. The tree does not -can not- comfort me. I look down from my mountain seat onto the city. The people go on as if nothing has happened. Yet my world has turned upside down. Once they shouted my name. Now the whisper it. Rylinn of Egan. Then, they adored me. I was praised. Now they think of me only with contempt or compassion. Both equally appalling. The King love...

One of my stories has been shared on The Movement of Hope blog. Check it out!!!!

Inspired by true events. Amish. A word that says a lot. A culture. A religion. A way of life. And even a cult according to some. This people holds more fascination over people than probably any other in the 21st century. Maybe it's because they look like they belong to the 1800's. The thing is most people know absolutely nothing about the Amish. That's right. Nothing. All those books and movies out there portray a false image of Amish. So much that some people that shouldn't, get mistaken for Amish. One such man is named Lawrence Miller. He knows a lot about the Amish. And even has the same mutual fascination for them as most people. Only difference is he actually knows them. That's why he isn't one of them. Still, being an Amish man can have its ups. And it is rather awesome. So, pretending to be Amish is what he does. And he fools just about everyone. He lives on a small farm with his wife and five small children all under eight...

If you'd like to do this also, visit here So, I've seen others doing this, and thought I'd give it a try! Though what villain to choose!? I have so many..some aren't really bad, but just are in the MC's path, hindering their way ;) I thought about using one from my Beauty and the Beast retelling. But I've decided to wait to share much about that one. :) So here goes, Zellah, the wicked but beautiful witch from my story A Story Concerning Unselfish Persons. 1. What is their motive? Revenge. Zellah's name means "One Who Resists". This story is allegorical, and all the names and characters have meaning, purpose. Because the King and Queen are good, no evil can remain. Zellah's rebellious ways contradict those of the unselfish. 2. What do they want, and what are they prepared to do to get it? She wants power again, and the kingdom. She is willing to kill everyone, including her granddaughter in order to satisfy herself. 3. How do ...