As it’s the Xmas break I’m taking a few days off to catch up on my reading, writing, family and booze – not necessarily in that order. For any promotions in 2015 please contact me on lefitzpatrick@hotmail.co.uk and I will contact you ASAP.
For now have a lovely time however and whoever you’re spending it with and don’t forget to check back through the past few weeks for some great indie books.
Lynzie xxx
Unfortunately, Dale doesn’t know about The Nightingale Circus’s side job, but a forced encounter with the most dangerous woman in the city, the Golden Lady, sends him their way. On this roller coaster of crazy twists and flips, schemes and deceit, wishes and dreams, no one can foresee how the aerialist will land.
Anything is possible in a world of Broken People.
I featured Curtis Florence at the start of the month and Curtis contacted me this week to let me know you can download his two books for free today and tomorrow, so why not treat yourself to an early Christmas present.
A heart warming tale of two young sisters from a magical land who learn a valuable lesson in family love, togetherness, and coming of age. These two sisters learn to work together and realize just how valuable they are to each other. They also learn that individuality is not only okay but important in life.
Who Do You Think You Are Today?
A five star rated children’s story that tells the thought provoking dialogue between a young girl and her father. This book is an exploration in to a child’s mind. When life seems dull sometimes we have to be reminded to use our magnetic imagination to achieve things in life.
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR HEATHER MARIE SCHULDT
1. What does your writing process look like?
I write anytime of the day I can. I’m the type of fiction writer who loves to have a story map worked out, but I give myself the creative freedom to develop the story “in the moment,” which means I can make adjustments if the story or characters call for it. I do some editing as I go, reading what I wrote – out loud – and see if it sounds the way I want it to. Then I read it again and see if it’s really how I want to leave it. I do most of my writing in my office, but I have another desk that I go to from time to time. I find myself wearing earplugs once in a while, either to drown out the background noise or to listen to music.
2. Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?
To me, I don’t think that I have any strange writing habits. I just need a black pen and lined paper. Yes, it has to be a black pen; and yes, it has to be lined paper. I usually don’t think about what might be odd to other people because I’m focused on trying my best and making the best effort to write a good story.
3. What book do you wish you could have written?
I never desire to be another author. There are many writers that I admire, some are alive and some are not. I stay true to my own voice and hope there are readers who like my story.
4. Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?
Dan Brown’s novel, Angels and Demons, is written in a wonderful way. Some books stand out more than others to me such as Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. I have many favorite authors. The writers in my monthly short story contest, the Writers 750 Contest, are very inspiring every month. Bram Stoker’s style is beautiful. Suzanne Collins’ talent shows very well. The creative story in Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland never ceases to amaze me.
5. If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
There are casting directors who have an excellent knack for being able to find the right actor for the role. I directed a one-act play in college called Sundance, and I ended up very happy with the final results. The play has five males and takes place in a metaphysical wild-west saloon. The actors did a great job taking on the roles of Sundance, Hickock, Jesse, the Kid, and the Barkeep. If the director knows the role of the character well enough, auditions can reveal whether or not the actor is a good fit. Since I was familiar with the actors in the theater department, auditions weren’t necessary. I had a good idea who could play the role. On the other hand, at the auditions for Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and Bus Stop, I worked solely with auditions from strangers. A casting director’s approach can vary; the chemistry between the possible actors can also make a difference as well as an over all balance in the cast. In my books, there are plenty of Hollywood actors that could play the characters in my stories.
6. How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?
I am very selective with names in my stories. Someone once said that the two most common names for male and female protagonists are Jack and Kate, but this doesn’t keep me from using the names. More importantly, I like to make sure the name fits with the story, setting, genre, and audience. Sometimes simple names can be a benefit because the name is ‘easy on the eye’ for the reader. I like to consider the meaning of the name, but I don’t force the issue in the story. In my library at home, I have several name books that I like to flip through. Sometimes I use regular names like Jill. Other times I work with creative names like Ragnar and Lenna.
7. What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
Setting goals and sticking with it are important to me. I always put forth a lot of effort. In 2012, I set the goal to publish an anthology by selecting stories from my free monthly short story contest, the Writers 750 Contest. My first Giant Tales anthology was a success. I published 7 books in 2 years. Just to be clear, six of the books were big-group accomplishments where I was the complier, one of the editors, and one of the authors. Six of the books are successful Giant Tales anthologies written by over fifty authors, and one book is a successful short novel where I am one of the five co-authors. These 7 projects were a priceless experience that benefited many people. If I can inspire others to do good work and have a positive impact on the company I work for, then I’ve done my job.
8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
One of my long-range goals is to have a few novels published and marketed by a reputable publishing house. My experience in writing short stories, publishing, and attending book events as a guest author has prepared me to write more stories and continue to reach out to readers in the community. Another goal is to keep serving the community as I continue to work hard at studying the craft of fiction and writing stories.
9. Were you already a great writer? Have you always liked to write?
I have always enjoyed writing and telling stories. In first grade, I walked home with a friend so we could tell each other pretend stories. Later that day, I was in trouble because I never had permission to go home with her. In first grade, I did my first research project on rabbits by referring to the encyclopedia, and I loved it. I remember reading stories when I was younger, and I wanted to edit the words in the book. Recently, I heard someone say that there are many good writers but not many great writers. I try not to lump writers into categories like that. There are many great writers and there are many genres and styles of writing. Some writers are better at marketing their books. Others are better in person at live events. Some are more philosophical. Others enjoy intellectual conversations. In the end, it’s always about the story and the presentation of the story. Over the past three years, my library has increased substantially.
10. What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Set realistic goals and stick with it. Be flexible and be willing to adjust along the way. Stay motivated. Stay focused. Get out and sell your stories. Be sure to have your one-sentence summary on the tip of your tongue, and tell other people about your work. Be bold and ask other people to read your book.
11. If you didn’t like writing books, what would you do for a living?
I’m a researcher. I love to research almost anything from composting to outer space technology and winning the lottery. I never get tired of researching. In the past, I’ve been involved with a fundraiser for the fight against breast cancer. I like to find ways to help orphans and widows in my area. I’d also like to earn a respectable position at a publishing house.
12. Are you a plotter or a pantster?
Both. I covered this earlier, but I work best with a story map. I like to know where I am headed, but I also like to have the creative freedom to develop the story “in the moment,” which means being spontaneous.
13. Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?
Generally speaking, I never respond to a negative review. Once in a while, there might be a kernel of truth in a proper critique. If so, I quickly find it and get the most positive piece of advice I can out of it. It’s a good idea to think about bad reviews as junk mail. It’s best to keep a good focus on your goals and stay focused on the steps that will get you there. I’d much rather read the good reviews.
14. What is your best marketing tip?
Be creative to develop a name brand. Be disciplined to find out what works for you. Get to know the business and work hard. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Promote yourself, seek reviews, and have a good website.
15. What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?
Every writer faces challenges. I’ve addressed most of the challenges over the past three years. It’s important to learn how to deal with distractions. Be sure to get rid of time burglars. Most of the time, it’s best to say no to extra hobbies in order to write. Deadlines are your friend. Accept the fact that you won’t be able to please everyone. After all these challenges are dealt with, then it’s a matter of not going overboard. What I mean is that writers still need to be healthy, exercise, and make good contributions in the world. I’d write all day long if I could.
16. Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?
One day a long time ago I said, “I will never…” and then sometimes life doesn’t turn out that way. I’ve learned to take one day at a time, and I try to keep the audience in mind.
17. Do you have a favorite conference to attend? What is it?
In 2014, I went to five local events as a guest author. Four of the events were at the Kannapolis Cultural Arts Festival called Kaleidoscope and the last event was at the Cabarrus Art Council’s Art Walk. I love meeting new people and telling them about Giant Tales and Gryffon Master. Someday I hope to attend a big conference as a guest author.
18. Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?
In the past, I haven’t written anything that was difficult to write. Love, action, and race are real issues in life. People can identify with all three. In my current novel, the main character experiences a teleportation and I describe what she feels and goes through when her body begins to disappear and reappear somewhere else. It’s written in first person narrative, and since I’ve never teleported anywhere, I used my imagination to describe what she went through. This is an example of the beauty of fiction, especially fantasy and high fantasy; I relate to real life situations, but I can also use my creative imagination.
19. Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior?
I have 7 books published. My short novel is called Gryffon Master: Curse of the Lich King where Ragnar the Viking warrior tries to escape from a dangerous jungle, but an evil Lich King is hunting him down. Then I have two books from the Giant Tales Apocalypse 10-Minute Stories series, which include: Lava Storm In the Neighborhood (Book 1) and Final Ships In the Neighborhood (Book 2). The last four books are in the Giant Tales 3-Minutes Stories series, which include: Giant Tales Beyond the Mystic Doors (Book 1), Giant Tales From the Misty Swamp (Book 2), Giant Tales: World of Pirates (Book 3), and Giant Tales: Dangerous Days (Book 4).
20. What are you working on now? What is your next project?
I am working on a fantasy novel and hope to see it published in 2015.
Crazy Questions – That No One Ever Asks Authors
1. What is your biggest failure?
Sometimes I am too helpful to the point of sacrificing myself. Time is money, as some people say. The past three years are not a failure though. The experience has been priceless at Writers 750. I’ve worked hard, learned a lot, and in many ways, I am better prepared to face numerous situations in the future. When my plate is full, I’m much more likely to say no. Even if my plate is half full, I still might say no. If it fits in with the goals, I will find a way to work it in. Quitters never win. And winners never quit.
2. How has all the time you invest in others helped or hindered you in your own writing journey.
I love my free monthly short story contest, the Writers 750 Contest. Hundreds of writers have gotten a lot out of it. I started it in April of 2012. I’ve met so many talented writers in the Writers 750 Contest. You can find the titles and authors of the short stories from 2014 at my website, www.writers750.com
3. Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?
I don’t look at challenges that way. In the past, I have been faced with life threatening situations. So many other things in life seem small compared to what I’ve been through. Each time I have been in a life or death situation, there isn’t much a person can do other than get down on your knees, pray, and walk away with more faith than the day before. I’ve had several life or death moments. Some things in life are just beyond a person’s control.
4. What is your biggest fear?
Tunnels. I don’t like tunnels, especially the one coming out of the Boston airport. It feels like it’s 10 miles long.
5. What do you want your tombstone to say?
Job Well Done
6. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Flying without any side effects or complications. I went to flight school my first year out of high school and flew airplanes. I’ve always loved flying.
7. If you were a super hero, what would your name be? What costume would you wear?
Bat-woman. Remember, I like flying. I’d be happy as an American billionaire, an industrialist, and a philanthropist who fights crime. My costume would be black and very flexible with wings.
8. What literary character is most like you?
Each person is an original. It might seem fun to compare, but I usually don’t. If I could spend one day as a literary character for the fun of it, it might be Sherlock Holmes.
9. What secret talents do you have?
If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore. I will say that in fifth grade, I was super fast with solving the Rubik’s Cube. I had all the solutions memorized.
10. Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before?
I’m a lover of the ocean and the beach. Some of my stories take place on a beach, on an island, or in the current novel I’m working on, out in the ocean. Escaping Captain Drake from Giant Tales World of Pirates takes place on the beach and also takes place on an island. Dragonship from Lava Storm In the Neighborhood takes place on an island near the shore.
11. If you were an animal in a zoo, what would you be?
I’ve always loved lions, but I also like flying. So being a gryffon makes good sense.
12. What is something you want to accomplish before you die?
First, I’d love to have a New York Times Best Seller novel. Second, I’d like to have a novel published by one of the big six publishers. Third, I’d like to see at least one of my stories on the big screen.
13. If you could have any accents from anywhere in the world, what would you choose?
Once in a while, I read fiction out loud with a British accent. I’m very happy as an American, though. I’ve read all of the Narnia books out loud to my daughter, and one of them I read out loud to her from cover to cover with a British accent.
14. What were you like as a child? Your favorite toy?
My teachers would usually say I was creative. I was really good in art and sports. I loved to do skits and tell stories. I still have one stuffed animal from fifth grade: Snoopy. Back in 1980, a whole line of Snoopy clothes came out (that fit on Snoopy), and I still have many of the outfits to this day including Sherlock Holmes. I used to be in love with the Six Million Dollar Man. I had a Six Million Dollar Man Barbie doll (with a bionic eye, a bionic right arm, and two bionic legs). I had a Stretch Armstrong, but he seemed rather useless. I also performed ventriloquism with a puppeteer dummy. My favorite stuffed animal was Snoopy. My favorite toy was the Rubik’s Cube. My favorite board game was Clue. Today, my favorite card game is Hearts.
15. Do you dream? Do you have any recurring dreams/nightmares?
Yes. Lots. I have a dream book that tells me about the possible meanings. One time, I dreamed that there were two elephants in my backyard. My book said that it could mean ‘luck and prosperity’ or ‘wisdom and patience’. Another time I had a dream about a tree flying through the air; and then I woke up and wrote it out in a short story. I love to read my dream dictionary and see what my dreams could mean.
Links to all your social media sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gianttales
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hmschuldt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmschuldt
Links to your website (s) and blogs
Blog: http://heathermarieschuldt.blogspot.com
Website: http://writers750.com
Links to your Goodreads and other sites you are part of.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/hmschuldt
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/H.M.-Schuldt/e/B00EKK7Y64
YouTube Book Trailer Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/gianttalesbooks
Books Vs E-Readers – I have to confess I am a lover of both. Here’s Nicole Delacroix to tell you what she thinks. Don’t forget you can share your views in the comments below.
Books Vs. E-readers – will the next generation of children even experience the feel of a good book?
For me, I started my long love affair with the written word when I was still quite young. One of my most vivid memories is of my mother sitting at the edge of my bed reading me a bedtime story. I was 3, but her loving voice and the compelling story completely captivated me, and I was officially hooked. My mother started to teach me to read for myself about this same time and I couldn’t get enough of it. I remember spending my days in libraries and reading outside. Sure I had other hobbies, but nothing was better than the weekly trip to the local library to check out a new book. I remember the day I got my very own library card – I was 9. It was like a beloved toy or a secret treasure to be awed and relished.
I learned early on that even though a good story could take me on an adventure, finding that perfect book in the library could equal the excitement. There was nothing like finding a dusty tome hiding away from the world that held a secret world of wonder. By the time I entered middle school, most of my good memories were tied to books. By the time I was twelve I had already read most of the literary classics and had settled on Wuthering Heights as my all-time favorite book. My favorite past time (and most money spent) is browsing book stores. While the big chains (Barnes & Nobles, Booksamillion) are fine for books en masse, I prefer the little niche stores or even the used book stores (Thank you 2nd and Charles!). I find myself spending three figures every time I visit and I usually leave with another bag of books that I literally have no place to put them. (I currently have multiple boxes of books in closets all over my house)
Then the E-reader came along, and being the book snob and elitist I am, I snubbed my nose at it and said “not me, no, never”. Then a friend and I were planning a life-long trip to London, and suddenly space was an issue (what? I can’t bring 20 books on the plane?), and I succumbed to the Kindle. E-readers were still in their infancy, so I have probably the Commodore 64 version, but I digress, I ate my words and bought one. Suddenly I could take hundreds of books all without having to leave any of my shoes behind, who was the genius that came up with this! Now I could take as many books as I wanted without limiting my shoe space, but I had to forsake the things I loved most about books, the feel and the smell.
So I recently heard on NPR a discussion about how the next generation will never experience a real book; that technology has taken us past the need for paper and the written word. I truly believe that there are more people like me; that love that feel of a book and the smell of a dusty library. That search and scour through bookstore shelves to find just that right book. It’s our history and that’s worth our respect and preservation. So if you are part of the newest generation, take my suggestion. Go find a great bookstore and lose yourself, you may just end up finding yourself. Enjoy the convenience of your E-reader, but remember a book is meant to be experienced and you can only do that turning the pages of an old dusty tome.
If you’ve read any of my posts before you might have heard about a little Christmas story I wrote. Well when I say Christmas story this isn’t exactly a merry jaunt through festivity, but it does have snow – and gun fire. Safe Haven is part of my Reacher series and I’m battling through book 3 at the moment, but it’s set in the summer and this cold wintery weather isn’t helping much with the setting. So Safe Haven is my go to read to beckon in Christmas as I wait for snow.
The book has had lots of downloads this month, it’s free and surging through the rankings. I’m really hoping to hit a top ten somewhere so if you can download the story I’d really appreciate it. And hey these people liked it:
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A page turner, September 13, 2014
By
Amazon Customer (Miami) – See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Safe Haven (Kindle Edition)
This is definitely a page turner with a riveting storyline, and it will keep you guessing about the purpose of it all. I had a lot of fun reading this one. I thought the writing style was easy to read but not simple or written with clichés like other books. Basically I really enjoyed this book. The purpose of fiction is to tell a story that causes the reader to enter another world and Safe Haven did that for me.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great little short story, December 29, 2013
By
Scott A. Martin (Lawrenceville, Georgia USA) – See all my reviews
This review is from: Safe Haven (Kindle Edition)
This great little short story sets the stage for the rest of the Reacher stories. It clues us in to how and why The Running Game came to be. I thoroughly enjoyed this as well as The Running Game and highly recommend anything in this series from this author;
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelent follow up!, January 22, 2014
By
Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Safe Haven (Kindle Edition)
I cannot wait for the second book, but this was a brilliant teaser/back story I am absolutely taken with these characters and cannot wait to find out more!
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Another festive book on special offer today. Check out Vardin Village by Maggie Spence and let us know what you think.
Sixteen-year-old, George Vardin, lives in a crappy, ramshackle cottage with no electricity and a roof that’s about to implode. The creaky front porch overlooks the magnificent ancestral mansion that his father lost because of his drug abuse. George is not sure which is more breathtaking; the view or the irony.
George’s life is about to suck even more because school starts next week and he can’t scrape up enough money to pay his cell phone bill let alone the fee to play varsity football. Uncle Morris shows up and offers a creative solution to keep George and his sister together under one roof. It’s a much larger, less leaky roof, with a breathtaking view of the crappy, ramshackle cottage. Crafty Morris reveals a secret tunnel that leads to the mansion and consequently some Vardin family secrets that will make junior year unforgettable.
Download from Amazon on special offer today.
Still waiting for a white Christmas? Me too. Oh well, while we wait here’s a new release – Seeing White by Charlotte E Hart.
Alexander White, the wealthy business man with looks to die for. Just like the other colours you’d think…….but no.
He came from a very different place and made some of his money a very different way.
And he keeps it well hidden because the truth would destroy everything he has. All that he’s worked for would be gone in an instant if they ever found out what he’s capable of, or what he really did and who he did it for. So he keeps people far away with metaphorical games and walls to deceive and confuse.
He doesn’t do relationships, he doesn’t do emotions and he certainly doesn’t do love….. whatever the hell that might be.
He does money. Making it, manipulating it and spending it whist he plays with women who know what they’re signing up for when they walk in the room.
Three people shaped who he is today. One damaged him beyond repair, another taught him to control the rage, and a decent one helps him to consider his options more appropriately than his own head might allow.
But be under no illusions ladies, Mr White has not been a nice man, and he will probably never be a decent man but as long as he keeps up his image, and nothing gets through his barriers, no one will ever see the truth.
Life’s good for Elizabeth Scott, successful business, happy kitchen and a great sister who deals with all the expensive people so she doesn’t have to. She just cooks, bakes and smiles her way through each day……well most of the time anyway, that is when her great sister isn’t pushing her to, “get out there a bit more,” or “sort her shit out.”
Then the biggest contract of their lives comes up….. And the ever useless London tube, with her sister in it, catastrophically breaks down. Unfortunately that means only one thing, she’ll have to deal with some of that wealth herself and that means the devastating Mr Alexander White in all his glory.
Life suddenly couldn’t get worse, regardless of his unfairly gorgeous backside.
She has no idea what the hell she’s doing.
Download the book now:
Http://www.Amazon.com/dp/B00PPZZGCW
Http://www.Amazon.co.UK/dp/B00PPZZGCW
Another new release today, take a look at Stone Guardian by Paulina Woods and let us know what you think.
BLURB:
Element – Fire (Healer/Destroyer)
Royal House – Purple
Milcah was born to rule along side an evil mother. Milcah’s father was taken against his will and forced to give up his seed to produce a child with unimaginable powers. At a young age she was taken away from the only home she knows and forced to forget, again and again.
Raised by a detached stepmother, Milcah learned to depend on herself and her best friend, Mary for support. When Mary suggest a vacation, with a scenic route, to the Grand Canyon Milcah believes she is finally getting the chance to see outside her small town. Packing a few things and climbing into her old beat up car, she never imagined she would find a new side of herself.
Lost on a back road, Milcah meets her destiny in a small town named Beacon. When her mind is unlocked, she finds she has a past that will lead to the salvation or damnation of the world.
This is book one in The Witches Amulet series.
BUY LINKS:
Barns & Noble: http://goo.gl/xrMBRq Amazon: http://goo.gl/hMSCnQ
EXCERT:
“Damn it. How can I get lost with MapQuest? Stupid directions.” Milcah bangs her fist against the steering wheel. Two weeks ago driving across the country alone seemed like a great plan but now that she is actually doing it, not so much. “If I had known driving was going to be more stressful than work I would have flown.” After leaving Tucson, Arizona she had gotten lost on all the small highways and now she is on a godforsaken two lane highway where she hasn’t seen another car for ages, her phone refuses to get reception, and to top it
off there are storm clouds in the distance.
“Fuck me. I should have stayed home.” Something had told her to fill up at the last gas station so she is going to be ok there, but she needs to find somewhere to hole up until this storm passes. Getting stuck in the middle of the desert during a thunderstorm in an older Honda is not a good idea.
After driving another twenty minutes, Milcah spots a sign announcing a small mining town. Even small towns have hot food, hot water, and a nice warm bed. Glancing back at the clouds, she ignores her misgivings and turns right onto a small, barely paved road.
“Ouch!” Her left tire hits a pothole and she hears the bottom of the car scrape. Milcah hopes the older car she is driving is made out of tough material, she can’t afford expensive repairs.
Like a horror movie, the road starts to look overgrown and all but disappearing in some places. Milcah is sure the last time this road was paved was when pavement was first introduced. But with storm clouds riding her ass, there is no way Milcah is turning around. Reaching across to the passenger seat, Milcah picks up her phone, hoping the closer she drives to the town the better her reception will get. No such luck. Throwing her useless phone on the passenger seat, she passes under a sign that reads “Welcome to Beacon”.
“Beacon of what?” Looking around at the empty streets, Milcah feels a chill run down her spine. “This town should be named Forsaken.”
There is no other way to describe the sad, abandoned town. It has overgrown grass on the sides of the road, buildings with blank empty windows and the only sound is the shutters blowing in the wind. The town looks like it had been built in the early gold rush years and then abandoned soon after. Turning onto what she assumes is the main street, Milcah feels an oily sensation pass over her. It reminds her of her dreams.
“What have I gotten myself into? I don’t think phones were invented when this place was a booming town. There’s no way I am sticking around. I can make it to the next town.”
Making a U-turn, Milcah slams on her brakes to avoid hitting…what the hell was that? She knows it wasn’t in the road a few seconds ago. Scared but curious, Milcah studies the object. Standing at over seven feet tall, it can’t be mistaken for human. A ghost? But a ghost of what? A little transparent, it has wings, which reach from the middle of its knees and come to a point a little above its head. Wanting to get out the car and investigate but knowing that’s when people are killed in horror movies, Milcah presses the gas pedal, swerves around the creature, and heads for the road out of town. Gripping the steering wheel Milcah tries to stop her hands from shaking. What the hell was that? As she reaches for her phone, again hoping it will work, Milcah feels her hand pass through something warm. Glancing over, Milcah screams as she stares into the eyes of the creature, now calmly sitting in her car. Hitting her brakes to avoid running into anything and putting her car in park, Milcah turns in her seat to stare at it.
Milcah is able to make out more features, a heavy brow covering deep-seated eyes, a semi-flat nose resting over plump lips. Though not a classic beauty in any sense of the word, the thing still doesn’t look like a monster. Curiosity over shadows fear and Milcah reaches out and runs her hand through the creature again feeling the warmth and a slight tingle. Reaching for her amulet in a nervous gesture, Milcah tries to remember what she has read about ghosts and the proper thing to do. She doesn’t have any holy water but it doesn’t look like the thing is trying to suck out her soul or kill her.
“I think I have read way too many supernatural novels and need to get my head checked.” Milcah looks out the window, making sure she isn’t hanging upside down after crashing her car. A car crash would go a long way to
explaining what is happening. She turns her attention back to what’s sitting in her passenger’s seat. It seems to be studying her just as much as she is studying it.
It seems fascinated by the amulet Milcah is playing with and reaches out as if to touch it. Moving the amulet out of reach, Milcah tries to figure out what she is going to do. She is not a very brave woman and has trouble stepping outside of her box but somehow, she feels like she is supposed to be right here, at this moment. Looking at her amulet again, Milcah longs to be able to ask her mother to explain what is happening. Milcah glances at her phone again, hoping to see it has reception. Growling to herself, she looks back at the creature to see he is following the movement of her thumb as she rubs the amulet.
“What would Mary do?” Milcah envies Mary’s ability to believe in the supernatural outside of books. Milcah believes in the goddess and to honor her, humans need to take care of the world they have been given. She lights candles during the full moon and reads her own tarot cards. She even went to see a few mystics with her mother. Yet nothing has prepared her for what she is facing in this small deserted town. She always believed people move on to the next cycle and supernatural beings like vampires, werewolves, and gargoyles were fantasies made up by humans to explain evils in the world.
Last year she had decided to see why she was having nightmares and a psychologist told her she was suppressing memories from childhood. He believed Milcah had been abused as a child and the dreams were her mind’s way of dealing with the trauma. Milcah never told anyone about the visit and never went back. Now she makes a mental note to call the doctor when she returns home.
Help us. The sound of a deep male voice overlaid with many others causes Milcah to jump. Shaking her head, Milcah tries to ignore the voice echoing
around her. Help us.
“I’m going insane,” Milcah grimaces. “I need to get to the next town.”
As soon as the words leave Milcah’s mouth, thunder rolls across the sky, quickly followed by a flash of lightening. “Dang it. I cannot drive in a desert rainstorm. What if there’s a flash flood? I have to think of something. I can’t stay here.” The GPS is useless but Mary had been thoughtful and placed a paper map in the middle console. After looking at the confusing lines on the map for a few minutes, Milcah gives up and tosses it into the backseat. Crossing her arms, she sits back and tries to think of another plan.
Help us. There it is again. Glancing over at the creature in her passenger seat Milcah wonders if he’s pushing his voice into her head. Before she can ask him the voice echoes again. Help us. With that last plea, something unlocks in Milcah’s mind. Something akin to a memory surfaces and Milcah loses focus, in the real world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Paulina is a small town girl with big dreams. She is the second oldest of three talented siblings.
As early as three she was directing her family around acting out whatever current story was in her head. At four between her older brother and her, a whole universe was created which the younger siblings were introduced into as they were born.
Her natural ability to tell a story took her down many paths. She wrote plays, poems, small children books and short stories all before she entered high school.
When picking a career her councilor told her writing was a dying art and so she went to school for veterinarian science. Three years later she dropped out of university and enrolled in the local community college with a major in journalism
In 2008 she graduated with her BA in Communication/Journalism from Cal State Fullerton.
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Limelight Literature 