Musical Pencil

Busy time of year in my line of work, but I have somehow managed to squeeze in a little writing and have two new poems at Metazen and a tiny flash at New Flesh. Hope you enjoy them. Thank you Suzie, William, and Jessica. Tethered Lashes Bloodshot Coffee and Sleepy Feet

I  have a new poem live at Deadpaper. This zine is based out of Jacksonville, Florida. I spent the happiest years of my childhood there. It is ironic this poem, inspired by a nightmare that my father passed away before he and I cleared the air about some issues involving other family members and my childhood, found its home and place to rest in Jacksonville. Some things we write cut to the bone more than others - I think this one sliced the marrow in half. Buttons in Jars

If you are in the mood for a crazy twisted tale - check out "Sanctuary with Strings Attached" - live at Flashes in the Dark. I'm not sure where the story came from in my mind, but I do remember having fun writing it - it played out like a Scooby Doo episode sort of thing in my head -if that gives you any clues :) Sanctuary with Strings Attached

New story up at Static Movement. In this story - the "stepmother" or "harpy" represents depression. I used some of the things I learned about Dante's harpies from his poems and combined it with the Greek mythology legends of harpies - then used it as a metaphor for depression. Anyway, it is complicated, but hopefully when you read the story - it will just read "easy". I really appreciate Chris Bartholomew publishing this story. She read it on zoetrope and responded favorably - I felt like she "got it" and so I sent it to her and there you have it. She accepted it and now my story has a home. This is a long one - almost 5,000 words- just so you know :) My Stepmother is a Harpy

3,500 words - on Day #2 of Nanowrimo - so far so good. I'm not reading over what I've written until I cross the finish line, otherwise I'll be slowed down by the edit urge and next thing you know - I will lose momentum and passion for the story. Side Note: I have 5 submissions pending response. FIVE! that's it? Five? I need to submit some stories and poems. If I've been rejected by a market three times, I rarely summon the courage to submit there again. Then I discover other writers are more persistent and don't bat an eye at mutliple rejections and eventually - they get an acceptance. Me, I wimp out - tell myself, "they don't like my writing - so why submit to them again?" WRONG - that particular story may not have been right for the issue they were reading for and I need to toughen up and be more persistent. Yeah, I'm saying it aloud - trying to convince myself. Listen, Paula - your work stands a chance of being accepted -if you subm...

Nanowrimo started TODAY and I managed to write just under 2,000 words. That's a good start, now to keep it up! I think I can - I think I can - I KNOW I can :)

You simply MUST check out the book cover Kristin did - she is an amazing artist/photographer. Check out some of her other stuff when you get to her page too. The cover I am truly digging is here Leaver her a comment - give her some applause - she's AWESOME!