Hidden Within - WEP Challenge: 28 Days

Only 28 days to get my portfolio ready. So much to do!

One week in and I’m excited but a bit overwhelmed. I’m having so much fun I need to force myself to eat and sleep. They want dozens of options to choose from.

Ten days down and eighteen to go. Starting to feel some panic because there are so many ideas inside my head. The details need to be just right. Each drawing is better than the last. Each one shows more of what could be.

Halfway! The drawings have more depth than anything I’ve ever done. I’m anticipating problems that might happen in the real world and finding solutions. I’ve never been so consumed.

My skills are improving. The drawings are so real I can feel them surrounding me.

Shadows and sun. Dark and light. So many contrasts. So many metaphors.

It messes with my head sometimes.

Have to get them out. Have to bring them to life.

The shadows deepen.

The light ebbs.

Things are lurking in the shadows. Things I didn’t put there. Things I don’t understand.

My hand aches.

The images keep coming. Intruding into my dreams until I don’t know if I’m awake or asleep.

My blood seeps into the art, deepens the shadows, and enlivens those hidden within.

Fear pours from my hands along with the blood.

Is any of it real?

I can't stop.

The drawings cover the floor and the walls.

What have I done?

What will I do?

It’s too-- 

...I HAVE BROKEN THROUGH...

...IT BEGINS...

***

This story is part of the WEP challenge: 28 Days. I hope you check out the other entries - and add one of your own!  It's an excellent community and a fun way to try out new angles with your writing.


This is actually the 2nd piece I wrote for the challenge. The first had so many similarities/echoes with the piece Toi Thomas wrote, I decided to put that one aside and take a new angle.

How about you? Do you enjoy flash fiction?

The Emotion Thesaurus is HERE!

Hi guys! Today I'm helping authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi launch their new book, The Emotion Thesaurus (Second Edition)! You might know about The Emotion Thesaurus or even have it on your shelf. But chances are, you may not have known a second edition was in the works. Becca and Angela decided to keep it a surprise and only recently announced the book was releasing!

Your Favorite Book Is Now Bigger & Better

The Emotion Thesaurus is known for its powerful lists that help writers show (rather than tell) character emotion through body language, thoughts, visceral sensations, dialogue cues, and behavior. This second edition gives writers more of what they love: more emotions (55 more to be exact!) more teaching content, and more writing tips. Here are three of the new entries: Euphoria, Vindicated, and Schadenfreude. This book is almost twice the size of the original, so it's almost two books in one. Anyway, if you'd like to check into it, Goodreads has some reviews up, and you can find more information here.

One More Thing...Want to Attend a FREE Writing Conference?

Or a writing retreat? A workshop? Or even have your yearly membership to a professional writer's organization suddenly paid for? OF COURSE YOU DO!

Angela and Becca have a giveaway on right now to celebrate their release, and one lucky winner will get their choice of the above, up to a $500 US value. There are some conditions so check that out, but this is the giveaway of a lifetime, so hurry over to enter. And good luck! 

IWSG & Creativity

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

*****
OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: Besides writing, what other creative outlets do you have?

Music has always been a huge part of my life and I've recently returned to playing the piano (when we inherited a piano after the death of a family member). I hadn't played since I was a young teen and it took a while to get back into the groove. I'll never play without a few stumbles here and there, but it's bringing me lots of joy!

I also doodle around with cartoons. Never was very good with realistic sketching, but I do enjoy cartooning.

Baking and cooking can also be creative. Most of the time, things turn out very well, but the other times keep things interesting! 😀

How about you? Any musicians, artists, crafters, and other creative types out there?