Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: Which Thought?

Here's another one of my older Reddsy.com stories. Which Thought? was written in response to the following prompt: Write a story containing the words “it’s the thought that counts.” Violet can hear thoughts. Not just of the people, but also of the animals, the bees, the

writing update

February 2024 Writing Update

I reckon that it's about time for my February update: 🏠Earthquake House V6 is almost done! 'Almost' being a relative term, lol. I have completely rewritten the first two chapters which I am working on separately to get them just right (and to attract agents), while

NYC Midnight 250-word Microfiction Challenge

Short Story Spotlight: [REDACTED]

I came first in my group in Round 1 of the NYC Midnight 250-word Microfiction Challenge for 2023-2024! I was nervous about the format I chose, but I guess it all worked out. Word limit: 250 Genre: Drama Action: Gluing something Word: meaning The action and the word MUST be

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: The Joy of Obedience

I'm always amazed by where my mind goes when I hear a writing prompt, and this was a VERY unusual one. The Joy of Obedience was inspired by the following: Write a story inspired by this quote from Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy: “In the middle of

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: DO NOT PRESS!

In a world where every move you make and everything you say could be recorded, the only privacy you have left might be inside your head. This is the idea that came to mind when I wrote DO NOT PRESS!, a story inspired by this writing prompt: Write a story

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: The Mystery of Floren Woods

I watch a LOT of British murder shows. They make me very happy. I have no idea why, but according to the internet I am not alone. The Mystery of Floren Woods is my first attempt at writing one myself, with, of course, the usual dash of weird thrown in.

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: Shay and Azure

For someone who considers fantasy to be THE genre, I don't really write much of it myself. Shay and Azure, however, falls unambiguously into this category. It was written in response to the following prompt: Start your story with two people planting a tree together. Strange things are

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: Just one more tweak...

One thing I've learned as I've grown older is that emotions are all or nothing--you can't stifle the ones you don't like without also stifling the ones you do. I always notice people who 'just don't want to feel

NYC Midnight 500-Word Fiction Challenge

Short Story Spotlight: The Go-Go Game

My final round submission to the NYC Midnight 500-Word Fiction Contest did not place (winners here), but I received some very good feedback form the judges (as well as some great guidance on how to improve the story in the future). For your enjoyment, I have reproduced the story here,

writing update

January 2024 Goal Update

Here is a quick update on where things stand with my 2024 writing goals: 🏠Earthquake House V6 is coming along nicely! I am forging ahead swiftly with the final updates I want to make, and I'm spending a bit of extra time on the two opening chapters to

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: It's Just a Coffeemaker!

Not, I feel, one of my stronger Reedsy attempts, but it's out there in the world, so I shall share it here. It's Just a Coffeemaker was written based on the following prompt: Write about a character going to great lengths to return an unwanted gift.

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: Eulasi v The Multiverse

Here's an older story from my Reedsy collection. Eulasi v The Multiverse is another science fiction story that was written in response to the following prompt: Write about a character who is trying to leave something or someone behind — only to realize they carry it with them. Eulasi

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: Saving Daylight (NEW)

Last week I found time to write my monthly Reedsy story for January 2024, so I would like to share it with you today. Saving Daylight is a science fiction story that was written in response to the following prompt: Write a story set in a world with a dying

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: The Color of the Sky

Time for another short story spotlight from my Reedsy.com collection! The Color of the Sky was written in response to the following prompt: Write a story about a character who tries to control their life down to the most minute detail — but has to learn to let go. Prairie

Writing Community

My Writing Group

It's Wednesday, so I thought I would tell you a bit about my writing group, since I have mentioned them so many times. I have been skeptical about joining a writing group for a long time. I'd heard so many mixed messages about whether I would

Reedsy Short Story

Short Story Spotlight: Terms and Conditions

It looks like folks have been enjoying my short stories, so I'm going to start drawing attention to the ones I have published on Reedsy.com. All of these stories have the potential to be edited and compiled into an anthology in the future, time allowing, so while

writing update

My 2024 Writing Goals

In my Pre-Holiday Writing Update I gave you all some idea of what I was hoping to achieve over my (too) brief winter break from that pesky ole day job of mine. Today I'd like to share how I did with those goals as well as fill you

NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge

Short Story Spotlight: The Teeth

The Teeth was one of the more challenging stories I wrote during 2023. I was very surprised to see that I had made it through to the next round (although I didn't proceed any further than that). This was my NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge 2023 Round 2

NYC Midnight 500-Word Fiction Challenge

Short Story Spotlight: Almost Over

Who am I kidding? Horror is totally my thing! This story, Almost Over, was written for Round 2 of the 2023 NYC Midnight 500-word Fiction Challenge in which I finished in 5th place for my group, making it through to the final. While I wait to hear how I did

NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge

Short Story Spotlight: FULL STORY This Time, I Did

I wrote a bit about This Time, I Did before, but I didn't provide the full story on my blog. I came first in my group in the NYC Midnight 2023 Short Story Challenge with this entry, and, while I think it needs a lot of work, I

NYC Midnight Writing Challenge

Short Story Spotlight: Juliet and Juliet

Today's spotlight is the first ever NYC Midnight entry I wrote. I had no idea what I was doing and was absolutely thrilled when I finished 7th in my group for Round 1, as I was not expecting much after wrestling with my entry for hours. It'

NYC Midnight 500-Word Fiction Challenge

Short Story Spotlight: Betty's Basement

Basements are spooky places, right? Despite horror not really being my thing (or so I claim, anyway), I wrote a story for the NYC Midnight 500-word Fiction Challenge 2023 that came 8th in my group in Round 1. My assignment was as follows: * Genre: Suspense and/or Thriller * Action: Turning

NYC Midnight Rhyming Story Challenge

Short Story Spotlight: No Longer Confused

A while ago I posted to my Facebook page that, while I hadn't proceeded to Round 2, I had received an Honorable Mention for my NYC Midnight Rhyming Story Challenge 2023 Round 1 entry. Image text Reads: "No Longer Confused" by Tamarin Butcher SYNOPSIS - Two

Short Story Collection

Short Story Spotlight: This Time, I Did

You can now read the full story here. In this short story spotlight, I will tell you a little bit about one of my best short stories yet, This Time, I Did. Where the story is now This Time, I Did is a YA short story inspired in equal parts

writing update

Writing Update: The Others (The Reality Warper Book 2)

For those of you waiting for Book 2 in Evelyn Acorn's adventures, I promise, I am working on it! The Reality Warper left us with a ton of unanswered questions, and I am well aware that I owe you Book 2 in the trilogy. Book 2, The Others,