#wipwordsearch

[ladyofmind]

August is over? Recap time...

First things first... Between Patreon and other tasks, I dropped off towards the end of the month... I’m sure you saw the #CharactersHell board that took my time and, most importantly, brain stuffs.

We have, however, organized it so that future boards should not be as hard as the first one.

As long as it is as well received as it’s other game, by the same @M_arbanassi (on Twiter) #CharactersHell should have just as amazing a community as #CharactersTell. Tell focuses on the characters every week. Hell is a monthly board covering a little bit more, including us authors.

Basically, those two tags are my guaranteed game plays for the foreseeable future. The question will be what other ones will I be playing this coming September?

While I ponder that, here are the old answers...

#wipwordsearch  AKA  #RedLettersTeasers

1- Sly had a way of #schooling his features so that no one could read him. If Gus was happy about it, he could be happy for Gus. Still… "But why do some of the women have pointy weapons?"

2- He followed her lead carefully, since they were not in his place, & he made sure to lower only his top half. They could stare at his jean clad #back side for all he cared.

3- Rolling the blanket over herself like a sleeping bag, Tweet felt for her note #book in the dark, finding where she left the pen in the page, half heartedly scribbling notes she hoped she would understand in the margins.

4- That she would have to cover with make up, and that would have to work for the #bags under her eyes too.

5- At least two of the biggest #gossips of Soul were furiously, but covertly, trying to get her attention.

6- She still needed him around, and Malta would miss her #crush too much.

7- The kindnesses came back ten fold, as Nate catered Martin's musical event, with the chocolate man making a lifelike red guitar that shined as if it had a fresh coat of pearlescent #paint.

8- His long black hair fell to one side, and hardly covered any of the piercing or tattoos, which covered his arms and neck in a sea of darker #colors.

9- Nira wasn't the only one #catching on to the language from exposure.

10- "You don't have to read it, if you don't like it." Woods' movements slowed, as he scrunched #up the material of his shirt.

11- She wasn't by any means an #expert, but one knew quickly which ones felt like sucking lemons, due to the way they pulled her face of their will, and which ones she might want to drink again.

12- The point was made, she was #playing with house money, and she would win.

13- Seemed this new Soulful was #true to it's name, and proving more interesting with each visit.

14- NO WINGS

15- Remmy rolled the window down, and waved at Woods, a sigh escaping him. "#Hurry up slow poke. I think you should be offended, but that's my opinion that you don't always listen to talking.

16- NO ESSENCE

17- Remmy was getting #sick of repeating himself. "Just go talk to Tweet…."

18- By the simple look of a wedged arm and crumpled leg, she knew to #avert her gaze, that seeing the parts of limbs was close enough.

19- Spoiler if posted SLASH

20- Not that this was any type of pet, it was somewhere between a tiger and #house cat in size.

21- NO CASCADE

22- NO LITE

23- "Seems like you have a musical connection with everyone you meet." Her words had been a double-edged #sword to him.

24- One #building caught her eye, with its sheer size and stain glass details.

25- Plus if he loitered too long, he'd be late to #class.

26- Once #inside, she showered and found herself staring into her closet.

27- She needed to remember to encourage them all to have lives #outside the bar.

28- Staff loyalty and respect was next on the ever #growing list.

29- Even nearly #falling onto a guy and barely keeping her red rubies caged looked classy.

30- Angus and Scotty had the good sense to first agree with Woods, and then do their darnedest to get Brandon to #leave while he was still in one piece.

31- They were out in the public, it was #chilly, he was sure there was some law about it, and was she ready for what she was trying to do?

#CharactersTell

1/8- Woods back again! The band and I thought it was time to talk again, especially since this month is art themed, and we are artists *someone snickers* Don't start that again mate… We're glad to be here in… (The Red Letters series)

2/8- Woods- Of course! We're musicians, so that is our favorite.

Brandon- "Women too"

W- "A fine bird's form can be a masterpiece yes, with legs for miles and plump shapes."

3/8- Woods- "Yeah mate, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, couple of car places. It's my passion, so why not go see it in a museum too if you can?"

4/8- Woods- "We play rock music, but I have listened to all kinds in my life. Never know what will inspire that next song of your own."

5/8- Woods- *laughs while the boys chuckle* "I prefer relaxed movies, in the sense that thinking too hard kills the buzz. Ain't nothing too relaxed about the movies I watch, especially if we just finished filming it."

6/8- Woods caught elbowing the blokes on the couch with him. "Unless this is Play boy, the answer to that question has to be music." *preoccupied by trying to help cover Brandon's mouth.*

7/8- Woods- "Maybe you haven't heard of us, but we are already famous for being a band. Tour regularly, another album in the works, so on and so forth. That's my legacy. Rock and roll lifer."

8/8- "Thank god! Woods doesn't shut up. Brandon the lead singer and better showman ready to take control of this band interview…"

9/8- Brandon- "Depends what you're talking about. Realistic women, but their ink can be anything. Just better not be ugly where I have to stare at. Say no to cutesy tramp stamps."

10/8- Brandon- "Sure, action movies are my thing. Love a good Bond girl if you know what I mean…"

11/8- Brandon- "The only art I understand is music. Beyond that, I don't need to fake it, I just don't care."

12/8- Brandon- "Designer all the way. You don’t get on sexy lists wearing ill-fitting bargain basement bullsh*t. Plus the free clothes or marketing money isn't bad when you're famous."

13/8- Brandon- "Women. Enough said."

14/8- Brandon- "Certainly not gentle, in any way. Fair in music consideration, but mostly critical everywhere else."

15/8- "Hey, you want to talk to me too? I'm Remmy, just the friendly security to Woods and occasional band wrangler when the manager is busy." *tips fedora in greeting, stepping up to stand behind Woods on the couch*

16/8- Remmy- "I like visiting museums for my hobbies yes. Then again, it depends on how you define art, as this one puts away food like no ones business, and this one has the habit of being the bands lightweight. That’s weird place art no one asks for…" *taps BGC*

17/8- Remmy- "After listening to this bunch bang around all night and day, I like to listen to a smooth station, or at least some smoother oldies."

18/8- Remmy- "Is it any different than watching the headbangers? Always wonder if they wake up with whiplash the next morning…"

19/8- Remmy- "Besides these guys? Not exactly. Plan on going to see someone and some music will play its part soon enough…"

20/8- Remmy- "My only art is information. Its how I keep Woods safe, keep the band life smooth and easy… Maybe in that way, I have picked up the juggling skill?"

21/8- Remmy- "What are you talking about? That's definitely the sort of question that skips over my head." *tips his fedora and straightens his bigger old school mod style jacket.*

22/8- *Silence until Remmy prods a man* "What? Oh yo! Tour life's been rough man, gotta get your zzz's in when you can. Especially when Remmy rattles on." *straightens up* "I'm Josh aka Angus, and this is Scotty the drummer" *Drums on Scotty's gut to wake him up too*

23/8- Josh-"Got new bass art, and tattoos. My wifey doesn't like me looking at much, or it's an earful."

Scotty-"Man at least you get to look. My wife won't even let me play drums in my house because of the baby. I get kicked out when it screams like a metalhead."

24/8- Josh & Scotty- "The Terminator Mockingbird T800 comes to mind." "Did you ever see the Heineken drums? Or the plastic video game fakeness?" *nudged by other band members before they accidentally speak in unison* "My wife."

29/8- *Both laugh, then Woods speaks for himself and Remmy* "Neither of us draw, and if we did, it would mostly be bollacks and bristols in Sharpies when the other passes out."

R-"It took a week to get the last one off  my chin…"

30/8- *Brandon talks over his bandmates* "There is a rather poorly done, wrong sided sort of bio out about me, but yes, I want more books about me, done CORRECTLY."

[chatoyantbliss]

The Years End

93 As I stare out over the lovely lake Thoughts of resolutions & Dreams to make Hopes are greater for this upcoming year Realizations of having nothing to fear I have seen the worst from mankind The bitterness of love, yet to find Damaged heart left in the undertow Healing begins from the freezing cold Change occurs before our eyes Beauty blooms and presents unties Promises of the…

[blancheanguisette]

March 2020 Flash Fiction

March 2020 Flash Fiction

March 1

Maybe I’ll even ask her he thought as he gathered his backpack and left the class. The Humanities Building loomed before him, a brick & plaster monstrosity. As the school expanded so did the building.  Floors were added and new wings jutted from every side. #WIPWordSearch

***

Her communicator chirped at her. She started to disentangle herself from him, but he pressed her back…

[ultrashortstories]

“They’re not of the same material!”, you say in disbelief. Yet, I can make flowers appear from a rock. "But how?", you ask. I transcend the physical borders of existence. You call it a miracle. I call it alchemy.#1linewed #TalesNoir #BraveWrite #WedWriPro #wipwordsearch

— Ultra Short Stories (@locateguru) March 18, 2020

[naamtok]

“When they lied to her, she would tear out their tongue and add it to those on the chain around her neck. Soon she had so many, she stitched them all together, into a rather grisly full-length gown. Dressed in lies she always sees the truth. Don’t lie to her” #Vss #wipwordsearch

“When they lied to her, she would tear out their tongue and add it to those on the chain around her neck. Soon she had so many, she stitched them all together, into a rather grisly full-length gown. Dressed in lies she always sees the truth. Don’t lie to her” #Vss #wipwordsearch

— KJ Clarke (@NaamTok) June 13, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/NaamTok June 13, 2018 at 11:05AM via IFTTT

[ladyofmind]

July... Oh, July

Where did you go?

Seems like it was just the other day that I got home from that weekend trip and tried to find my routine again. Yes, I didn’t post much about my Nano camping or victory, but that editing work got done. The book itself isn’t finished, but I need a break!

Where else did July disappear to? Some good things came with my minor query attempt... I am waiting for more answers and managed to find myself an AMAZING editor to help me get this massive series into some shape. (Seriously, message me about her, I will be glad to share!) So yeah, that’s where I’ve been, plus or minus a sugar coma birthday weekend... 32 years old now, and that was way too much food. Well loved and over fed for sure.

As with any of my month end wrap-ups, I do like to keep those hashtag games in one place... For the above-mentioned reasons, I didn’t finish all my games this month so I will try my best next month...

More after the jump...

#wipwordsearch

1- Woods started tuning and testing his guitar before finally deciding on the one he wanted, a wicked little smile of his own forming. Two could play this game.

2- Pulling into the parking lot of Woods' building, Remmy stayed silent again, about what was ahead for Tweet.

3- Malta went in bounding search of Remmy, flying at the man for the second time that day.

4- Unfortunately, Malta took his compliment, despite his eyes traveling Tweet's form as discreetly as he could.

5- "He's certainly got my attention, cute little fishy he is." When both girls gave Tweety a look, she shrugged "You know like plenty of fish in the sea?

6- Tweety wanted to be Woods' muse, his sexy little siren, the thing he didn't take his eyes off of and drew inspiration from.

7- NO TURQUOISE

8- Rounding, she held the giggle at Brandon's confusion, even as the show went on. She felt a bit like those streakers that ran through sporting events, the way she was disrupting things. Though this time it wasn't her fault, but if you're already making a spectacle of yourself, might as well go full on.

9- Grabbing his music player and speakers, she continued on, shirt starting to climb up her back as she walked to the bathroom, tossing it just inside the doorway.

10- Woods wasn’t helping the cause, leaning against the door he held open, a mix of dented pride and cat with the canary.

11- NO BLOSSOM

12- She started to move again, softly swaying to the song.

13- He could tell Bebe was the type to do as Tweety wrote, and now Sly wondered if that was the reason miss Tweety sponged down that particular table so.

14- In Frost's mind, this was what a successful operating business looked like; something he'd been trying to have happen in the years he'd been the manager.

15- He had to think a moment to make sure he hadn't said anything other than a comment on food. He couldn't help but smirk, she looked as if he just said the smartest thing ever, and he knew himself well enough to know that couldn't happen.

16- That left Malta and Tweety to finish attempting to send the men on their way. Of course they were not being forced out, but the party had wound down nicely, and those boys needed to be up early to ship out, so they were trying to be mindful of this.

17- It could be called pretty, even if it sorely needed some updating. She looked past him, down the row of empty spaces, her own history easily meshing here too.

18- NO CHISEL

19- She somehow had bags of stuff again but knew the last stop she needed to make before getting to work; ordering two boxes of assorted cupcakes from her bakery boys, who seemed a bit surprised (she) came back.

20- Tweet just felt it more, the enormous mistake this would be.

21- That didn't quite help because he gripped the edge, and sunk down a little. "Maybe you should take ten first? You don't look so good."

22- Returning her attention to the drinkers, who had abandoned all the empty bottles, moving instead to the couch, swigging from some dented flask.

23- NO ZOOM

24- She'd lost count of them all now, and that probably wasn't a good thing to admit to. Just because she chased after one man, didn't mean she wasn't being tailed by more than enough of her own.

25- "Maybe if I could get another drink? I guess I can't drink through my skin." Deej gave the stink eye to Roger, before shrugging and rubbing the back of his head with a chuckle. "Anyone got an extra shirt?"

26- Woods laughed with a nod to the rest of the group, stepping a little closer to the microphone "I do believe the naughty nurse Trouble just issued another challenge, one we intend to take on."

27- Malta started to sway to the music, causing Tweet to do the same, and then they covered an ear each when the club could hear the way Frost boomed "Lass!"

28- Making a face as he downed the drink, Collar figured partying too hard wasn’t as bad as alliteration. "Good luck sir." He saluted and then wandered off, finding a nice table of random people to bother.

29- She could write a book about how to divert attention from yourself.

30- NO HAPHAZARD

31- Her back ached as if she had jumped into a pool and met with the solid wall of water, stinging her all over.

#CharactersTell

1/7- "Ballentine Rajneesh Siyamak, but you can call me Sly for short." In an old school fashion, Sly bent at the waist. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, and welcome to Soulful. Are you here to see Tweety about the Red Letters series?"

2/7- Sly- "Back in the old country, I slept under the stars, or in a tent a time or two. Now? I suppose one might consider me a hotel camper, if one sees the club's bedrooms as a hotel, even if I hardly use it…"

3/7- Sly- "I know my way around a few things, been around a while. I once managed a spider infestation with a loo brush and pail."

4/7- Sly- "I love the outdoors, big fan of walking around at night, contemplating life in the darkest time of day."

5/7- Sly- "I don't get scared, so I must be telling them? I am not aware I am telling scary stories though, given that I am already often told how terrible I am at noticing flirtatious behavior aimed at me."

6/7- Sly- "Cooking? I am more of a concocter. I make a mean milkshake, and have been known to mix up some drinks and make something new."

7/7- Sly- "I like music, I do, but I don't sing. Not unless it will lighten the mood, and that is a last resort option."

8/7- "Oh? I've never been to camp! Hey fellow campers, I'm Raven, and I'm in a cabin all by my lonesome, stop by for a visit won't you?"

9/7- Raven- "Stargazing? I mean there was this one time, in an outdoor hot tub," *blushes* "We were under the stars but I didn't notice them much…"

10/7- Raven- "Why do we talk about me so much? I want to know about you. What's your favorite activity? I'll try anything once, twice if it's a good time…"

11/7- Raven- "Why ask me something like that? Do you want me to follow you? Because I totally would."

12/7- Raven- "Depends on if I'm taking that dip alone or not. Will you be joining me? I'd do it with you."

13/7- Raven- "Of course I am, anything you want, I'm willing to do, even change for you, so long as you love me."

14/7- Raven- "The bar that was home changed, so that sense of home is gone for a while now. But if you're offering to have me move in with you, of course I will!"

15/7- "Cop" Collar- "Hm, the Intel said that scumbag was here. Better let Nira know Tim's still out there." *texts back and forth* "What do you mean go camping for a while? I wasn't prepared to camp here…."

16/7- "Cop" Collar- *chuckles while unloading car* "Depends on the mountains… More of a poolside camper lately, but apparently I'm stuck in this forest for a few days."

17/7- "Cop" Collar- *finishing pop up tent* "I flirt all the time, ladies love the man thong, men too. Unless you mean a different kind of tent?" *pulls half deflated blowup doll from trunk into tent* "Leftover from a prank, but a good mattress you pervs."

18/7- "Cop" Collar- "I really shouldn't because alcohol starts the party… but I am off duty for a few days before the big bash…" *Chugs a large high proof bottle*

19/7- "Cop" Collar- *bleary eyed* "Always… Where's my thong? WHO TOOK MY THONG?" *spies a guy lost on the path* "You! You must have taken it!" *gives chase to poor guy* (this author spares some details for PG purposes)

20/7- "Cop" Collar- "Oh, great with knots, not so great with shelters."

*finishes hog tying guy with only man thong as rope*

"Collar, dude, it's Nathan Winners. Chef Nathan, you know, your buddy? I never stole your thong! You gotta stop that. Man, Deej owes me for this mess."

21/7-"Cop" Collar-"Usually I'm great at weathering a storm, but in this case, I gotta head back, someone has to help with club security. The big bash is a big deal. If you can get free & bring my man thong, you can get home Wieners." *pats hog tied man & leaves.*

22/7- Chef Nathan Winners- *struggles to get free* "It was a cute joke or pet name the first time. Haha, Chef Wieners. I am never helping Deej by delivering a meal to the woods again. Never stole the stupid thing!"

23/7- Chef Nathan- "I like walking thru the parks and taking the scenic route on my 4am supply runs. It's calm and quiet, plus who doesn't love getting the freshest food to cook with?"

24/7- Chef Nathan- "Did… did you not see what happened this time? That's the worst it's ever been for me. I prefer going alone and wandering the farmer's markets. No danger there, just me and the ingredients."

25/7- Chef Nathan- "I am not adventurous beyond my food. Unless you count navigating the strange people that are my friends, like Collar and Deej."

26/7- Chef Nathan- "I wander and take the long way home on nice days, but never get lost. Probably why a certain cat man calls me whenever he's hungry or lost but not lost."

27/7- Chef Nathan- "Urban legends? Not that I know of. I know a lot of food legends, and there are myths about some of the wilder things that happen in the bar's front of house."

28/7- Chef Nathan- "Is anything weirder than getting hog tied with Collar's man thong? Like seriously… I better get it back to him before he comes back to torture me more."

29/7- Antag Raven- "OMG I SING!!"

MC Sly- "… I suppose that means I shall be forced to play music?"

30/7- Yes! NO!!

SC Collar- "What do you mean no?"

BG Nathan- "You are not someone I want to turn my back on, let alone close my eyes around…" *returns the rope thong*

31/7- Sly- "Tell stories?"

Raven- "Karaoke!!!"

Collar- "Can't we just drink instead…?"

Nathan- "Time to pack, definitely time to leave camp."

#WIPJoy

2- Quick pitch? A women's journey through a life that is 'Cheers' crossed with 'Animaniacs' and surviving mostly sane. That's the Red Letters series!

3- Tweety took a breath before a gorgeously wicked smile spread her face. "Wouldn’t you like to know deary?" Shoulder lifting in a halfhearted shrug, "Probably will have to stick around to find out."

Song- Trouble for me/Britney Spears https://youtu.be/DQNm-P_1VVY

4- Woods started tuning and testing his guitar before finally deciding on the one he wanted, a wicked little smile of his own forming. Two could play this game. #RedLettersTeasers

5- Side char love?

-Malta the Cockney with a bold streak.

-Bebe that crazy friend who makes you do things.

-Roger the lynx cat with an attitude and cupcake addiction.

6- #1randomques Tweet's sorta done this before. But she'd say "It's just a woman's life, full of love, friends, and some legendary stories. It's up to you to believe me or not."

7/8- Tweet's care package includes:

-purple and red pens

-fun notebooks

-new music for her player

-cupcakes

9- Tweet likes pancakes and bacon or chicken fingers with french fries.

10- Tweet's got some food issues, being a picky eater… But Woods, another MC is allergic to cherries.

11- …close enough lol…

"He's certainly got my attention, cute little fishy he is." When both girls gave Tweety a look, she shrugged "You know like plenty of fish in the sea?" #RedLettersTeasers

12- Cupcakes. Thank goodness there is a temperamental cook or two that can make real food too…

13- #1randommques I'm a Gordon Ramsey fan. So, one char would be in trouble for the "herbs" in his brownies. Another might have a distance contest about flinging food, while a third would just be trying to figure out how to frost the chef…

14/15- Tweet has a chef to cook, but left to her own devices, it's candy. Or basics learned as a kid- cereal, quick processed foods, the no cook, doesn't expire for 5 years types of things. So, might be going to the diner to eat.

16- Tweety- "Things were rough growing up, but I always enjoyed chances to be near the water. Pools, oceans, it always called to me.

17- Antag- Brandon- "That's simple. Get off the stage, drink until that night's groupie is ready to play, and pass out around dawn."

18- Collar stepped up to the sink, like he would wash out his shirt, careful to slur his speech as well. "Swell party, til your drink ends up on your gut, not in it." #RedLettersTeasers

19- Tweety- "I can't tell you that. I have a few regrets in my life, but I also try to be a private person, even in the middle of a crowded nightclub."

20- #1randomques - Let's see… My chars are glad that I have managed to overcome bouts of depression, and that I am progressively working on the crippling anxiety. But they are still concerned about what part of the brain "Tim" comes from, and the things he does…

21- Antag- Lady S- "I hired her."

22- Most tech savy- Nira, considering he runs and watching the security system

Least- Deej fries his fur on the jukebox regularly.

[ladyofmind]

September to Remember

Is anyone else losing time with no idea where it’s going?

That’s how September went for me. Made some changes to better be prepared for keeping my social media presence alive while trying to do that little writing thing I love so much. Still don’t know how to solve the problems my editor brought to my attention, but I'm working on it. In the meantime, I have been gearing up for NaNoWriMo and preparing ahead of losing more time then. (Dare I mention holiday stuff? Like the Christmas shopping started, or the semi prepping 2 months worth of game boards and daily arts? Should totally follow my Patreon link for more on that!)

So basically? Finally might be getting ahead of the dreaded 8-ball. At least #CharactersHell was a success! Got to count the little victories too.

The awesome thing is that it’s now October, so I have many things to look forward to. Kilt Fest again, Halloween cookies... Things that you guys might love seeing, beyond my writing updates. Which of course, this is... September rounds up below.

#WIPTruthOrDare

1- T- My WIP starts in fall, covers Halloween quite well, for a bar.

2- T- No… Maybe it's simply the way in which I've hurt MC that I don't like...

3- T- Tweety! No one else works that hard or makes it look that easy.

4-T- Tweety is a plantser… Couple ideas to start the ball rolling, but no clue what will happen after that.

5-T- Tweety has reputation to uphold, so she's always early… Providing others don't run late...

6- D- Sly slips in for this, toting a mixed bag of books, including the last book he needed, Historical Society handbook/guide. “This usually fixes everything.”

7- D- Well, the last time SOMEONE didn't do what was expected, a good guy ended up with a black eye and handcuffed to a bed frame...

8- T- Tweety has those friends that pick on you for fun. But the Antags are the worst.

9- T- Deej has a “pet” Lynx or two.

   D- Antag would like to know if humans count as pets?

10- T- the accents! The Scotney needs a proper balance, or else it's too harsh!

11- T- For no spoilers, we go to Woods, who's waiting to see if the band gets signed.

12- D- Already did it, got to read the book…

     T- From that same, yes… Plus exhausted legs all the time.

13- T- Some are, some aren't. It's a diverse community, so all sorts of beliefs.

14- T- Tweety writes, reads, sleeps… mostly soaks and falls asleep journaling.

15- D- Costumes! Write a specific or nonspecific creature into WIP and share! Vs Halloween costumes

16- T- so close they call the bunch of them Trouble girls. At least 3-5 of them.

17- T- Soak, pick out an outfit, write and sleep, only to change her mind in the morning.

18- T- Truth be told, someone had to be… Or at least a clear “villain” in that scene.

19- T- Both. One cannot truly live without both. One you just see more of...

20- T- Tweety is a soda only sort of woman. She can mix a mean punch though.

21- T- Yes. Sophia avoids the ex that's with her employee. Love triangles suck, and people suffer.

22- T- Tweet wakes up, dresses, works, sleeps and repeats with small breaks of craziness.

23- T- Yes as it's a semi current Earth.

24- T- Sophia takes a drink since Tweet is too “nice” while Brandon and Tim just take a shot at her.

25- T- Tweety. She's the kind one taking care of others. No one likes the things that happen...

26- T- Tweety and Sly. Tweet’s prepared for crazy and come ons, while Sly is a wealth of knowledge.

27- T- Honestly? This Diner/Beach Travel thing. So real and intimate...

28- T- The same one who regularly fries the Jukebox trying to “fix” it. - Deej

29- T- I think Remmy, or Sly have a great grasp and can do justice as narrator.

30- T- Tweety does even to her own detriment… #spoilers

#wipwordsearch

1- Bebe shot through the room, if one could #run and skip, she seemed to be doing it.

2- Even nearly #falling onto a guy and barely keeping her red rubies caged looked classy.

3- Angus and Scotty had the good sense to first agree with Woods, and then do their darnedest to get Brandon to #leave while he was still in one piece.

4- Frost #groaned, something in her face gave him the funny feeling in his gut again.

5- When Tweet, Runta, and Ally came out from their fix up, it started with one #whistle, which turned into more and soon had the girls blushing at the reaction.

6- The #gravelly tone wasn’t lost on either of them, "Tonight's lesson- don’t start anything you can't control."

7- He seemed to lose himself in that thought; mindlessly working the bottle around, as if #twisting it would #twist him free of whatever plagued his mind.

8- He didn't stop until she looked much more alive, and likely to melt and #drip right out of the car.

9- Not that Bebe on her side of the bar would be outdone. She would make her own group #gasp at her antics and outbursts, Nira at her hip, egging her on.

10- She could still see and remember all the ugly things she believed of herself, but now she couldn’t touch it, couldn't revel in it like a pig in #mud.

11- Woods smiled again, already figuring out how to #rock out as a version of Wolverine.

12- "If it's a pole you want luv, I'm ready and willing to be of assistance anytime." He chuckled, her eyes #rolled in exasperation, yet her face said she loved it; even her lips twitched warring not to smile.

13- Woods' gaze #drifted to the stage, and a smile stirred his face for the first time in what felt like a long time. "Do you mind…?"

14- A #chill went down Tweet's spine, she could have done without music now, and certainly never wanted to hear that song ever again.

15- NO DUSK

16- NO GUTTERAL

17- "Ok, ok I'm sorry I snore, but you kick. If either of us should #cry over bad sleeping habits, it could be me."

18- She first needed to wash away the sweat and #grime that came from his violent sleep.

19- "It's just that he's a big ladies man, #spent most of the day getting all kinds of attention from the ladies, probably thought he could get you to do it too. Roger's not a bad kiddo, just not smart about his manners."

20-  It had been so long ago, but now he clearly remembered #Grandma Jeanie.

21- They even coaxed a guy into trying out as a chef. He'd been #sweet talked into whipping up some lunch, even if it was sandwiches, and somehow he was grateful for the opportunity.

22- She hated the battle, but knew in her #heart, it was right to worry about the complications of leaving and untangling things.

23- Her father sounded similar when he was drunk, and her mother usually #bore the bruises to prove it.

24- "I spoke the truth doll face; it does look like your #closet exploded." She stuck her tongue out at him, and he made the pinching motion at her.

25- Most of the surrounding clubs were #seedy and their names tried to sound respectable, but you could see it from the street how they operated.

26- Smiling to himself, his randomness started to sound like Bill #Withers to his own ears. Use Me came to mind and he went with it, making sure to pay more attention on Tweety.

27- The band started playing on the stage; the cymbal #crash and reverberation out of the guitar were perfect attention getters.

28- the one time she would enjoy having a silent sort of boyfriend was also the time he decided to talk..."I swear to god, if you open your mouth, it better be to #sing or to simply use your lips. Anything else and I will walk out right now."

29- She moved to strapping on the mask, a pretty purple piece, with lines of glitter around the eyes and the mask edges. It had slight points at the top edges of the mask, and on them were a line of gems; in amethyst, ruby, and #sapphire blue.

30- He had too many hopes and dreams for one night. If she was as good as he hoped she was, a #month wouldn't even be enough to scratch the surface.

#CharactersTell

1/9- *Looks around before stepping up* “I believe I am to volunteer for this round of questions, as education is my strong suit. While you may have heard me called a Thesaurus, I prefer Sly, your night time bartender.” (in the Red Letters series)

2/9- Sly- “Currently, I am a college student, but I have an education from books. Well read is an understatement for me...”

3/9- Sly- "I'm a transplant. An Aussie originally, these classes abroad are amazing, but the hours are rough on me. So what if they joke I'm a vampire? At least I have all sorts of foreign educations…"

4/9- Sly- "Up until recently, I preferred to be a lone wolf if you will. Maybe I had a friend outside of school that shared my hours and moods, but usually only one at a time."

5/9- Sly- "The subjects that were not my best, they had a tendency to bore me or be harder. In my favorite classes, I did get much further ahead. Certain classes were practically finished in months."

6/9- Sly- "I do prefer my solitude yes. Only now am I learning to embrace the education from interesting people."

7/9- Sly- *The verbose bartender pauses* "I do not like talking about that with anyone."

#CharactersTell

8/9- A strange woman walks on stage, dressed in mismatching items with a pink wig on. "Oh honey, if you don't know who I am, you're in the wrong bar. You may have the privilege of calling me Lady Sophia."

9/9- Lady Sophia- "What education do you think you deserve? I have many teaching styles…" (So, not your Ivy League grad here…)

10/9- Lady S- "This is a toss up. I personally loved music classes, as I AM a singer. But I did attend nearly every gym class… Between the health classes and all that physical movement? Best thing to study and then put into practice, usually behind bleachers."

11/9- Lady S- "Of course. History already happened, so who cares? Only reason I kinda went to math and economics class was because of a guy. Really if there wasn't something to stare at, I picked and chose."

12/9- Lady S- "Define popular? Like rah rah shove a pom pom up my (bleep) popular? (bleep) no darling, but I did develop my own following and acclaim, for my talents…"

13/9- Lady S- "Bothering is such a simple word. I had my share of "stalkers" and "can't get enoughers" but there were people who considered me a "bother". Inappropriate is really in the eye of the beholder, you know?"

14/9- Lady S- "As much as that does not matter now, I actually had great grades in economics and decent ones in business related electives. No wonder where my business owner skills came from."

#CharactersHell

1- Just your average bar for crazy people. Little history, little future building, lots of music and dreams...

2- It's a woman's fiction genre because it's more than just a romance or slice-of-life story.

3- The challenges are the characters mostly! Some go off the rails and it's hard to get them back… Others think I am writing SFF, or something more X rated. Mostly it's just "how to host/run a bar while antisocial."

4- This WIP is something I've been working on for a long time, and I can never get it out of my head. This story wants out and it's pursuing me to no end, challenges and all.

5- I wouldn't say my world is very harsh, but there are some bad elements that make it less than pretty...

6- There are multiple levels of evil, some you can see, others are working in secret together.

7- Besides the fact that it's a bar, therefore full of alcohol? Well, there is a sort of brothel thing going on in the background that Tweety doesn't care for...

8- This one's a toss-up. Remmy is in a broken relationship from the start. Tweety is in a relationship, and yet not….

9- Remmy is aware, though that doesn't make it hurt any less. Tweety wasn't to start, but does realize, and it makes it harder to work.

10- Remmy is at a 9, while Tweety is at about 4. One is more likely to leave than the other, and Tweet has far more than a budding relationship to worry about.

11- For Remmy's hellmaker, she's aware she just doesn't care. For Tweety, Woods doesn't realize her inner workings. Woods can be kind of clueless...

12- Remmy does, in Long Island Iced Teas made by Tweety. Tweety can over flirt when her feelings are hurt or she's trying to pretend...

13- Oh definitely. The third parties are endless, including the bar owner Sophia, bandmates like Brandon, and just general other patrons in the bar. Can't forget Tim too...

14- In a relationship likely to cheat? Has to be Raven. The rest of the group have sort of fluctuating relationships where you can't tell if they're together or not so you really can't call it cheating.

15- Tweety is to blame for some of what she's gotten herself into, but not all of its her fault, some of its circumstance from the job she's in...

16- Oh all the time. Tweety isn't known as a Trouble girl for no reason, and you don't hear them calling Double or Triple Trouble without her friends.

17- They are in both kinds of hell. It's a lot of psychological stuff, until it becomes physical. Breaking things both mentally, and the furniture too.

18- It's likely a lot of characters won't come out the same. But they will survive, just changed, and scarred...

19- Oh yeah the lusty people are the original bar workers, with the exception of Frost.

20- As it says in the book, nobody would be hanging out in a bar if they didn't have personal stuff too. At least our bar workers, patrons are different story.

21- Generally it's not very gory, except for the scenes that are meant to be. Try to keep them to at least one really graphic thing a book...

22- I hate editing, it's harder for me to fix things when I'm still not seeing the problem.

23- Now I do, some software, an actual editor (mine's @scribecat check out her awesomeness!)… makes this process a little easier.

24- A lot of the time it's binge-watching something and getting away from writing.

25- if it's a long weekend, and I know I don't have to work the real job, sometimes there's alcohol...

26- My problem characters are always the smart ones. Like Sly, who's nicknamed the human thesaurus; or Nira, who's like a crazy genius… Sometimes they are smarter than I am.

27- I hold on to a lot of stuff, so worst memories are critiques- school writing stuff long before I knew I was to be a writer.. stuff I should be over but still haunts me. Or the times I tore out notebook pages with "failed" first chapters. Never get those back..

28- #FF

29- Tim hits almost all of them, like Pride, Lust, Greed, Envy and Wrath. They pair up, like pride and greed, but especially lust, Envy, wrath working all together...

30- Tim? Oh he's depraved enough to revel in it, and I doubt he'll be redeemable… Can't make the leopard change his spots.

[ladyofmind]

May Month’s End

Wow, this month went by so fast! In the end, I only really stuck to 2 hashtag games.

First up I LOVED playing WIPWordSearch. Little snippets from all that I have written in the Red Letters Series, called my Red Letter Teasers...

1- "You know just how much I like animals, may want to stick around all day if you can, who knows what I might do before the day's done."

2- "I'll show ye music." Setting his mug aside, Frost got up, rooting around until he found the extra speakers from under the bar, and plugged his player in.

3- The waves melted into the sky, the darkness washing onto the lightness in the sand, meeting it in white curling foamy waves.

4- As Remmy started to move, he gestured for Nira. "Thank you for your time Gus, Nira here should have the answers you want on the business end."

5- "Mom and I used to go once a week and the waitress got to the point that she almost didn’t ask anymore."

6- Tweet mentally stretched her muscles, trying to discreetly work out the dull aches in her body, while jumping back into the sea of conversations as if she hadn't stopped at all.

7- The sound of the air rushing from his lungs, on a cuss cut short, was covered by the nearly shrill squeals of Bebe. #amediting #alliterationhabit

8- Troublemaking women with weapons; and a sweetly adorable, yet commanding, woman controlling things, reminding him of home.

9- The salty sea air started to reach her nose, and she squeezed his hand. "We're getting close!"

10- Tweety already dressed, and finishing notes she'd again fallen asleep on, when she heard it. That familiar scratching sound that announced she had company.

11- Ally and Mys came over, and ordered a set of drinks for all of them, a sheepish look on both faces. Tweety felt the wave of nervousness from them, and strived to ease it, thinking it was related to their relationship.

12- Arrogance, since no Arrogant. Woods wasn’t a hardcore musician in that way of life; he didn’t sleep around every night, nor did he have an inflated ego or sense of arrogance.

13- That was a risk he took now, but that rewarding kiss made it worthwhile. Woods would be more than willing to kiss the steam out of her ears, and more if needed, being such a magnanimous gentleman.

14- Another done up lady settled on the stools, and Tweet went through the standard welcome and order spiel. "I'll have something… sweet but sour too."

15- Tweety hesitated, but Roger nudged the door wider and strolled inside. Of course it was Deej's room, and she winced when she saw the shadowy flight of a rather large mass jump for about where the beds were in each room.

16- High fives and cheers shared until Martin reminded them that the band had a short time and spring would be here in an instant.

17- About to launch into another speech, Woods wanted to fill the silence and babble on if need be, his mouth opened to do just that when Tweet stood and tossed the cat ears and tail near her bag.

18- It could very well have been the ghost in her, playing just the right notes to haunt her memories. Yet, they still had this open wound, his distrust of her had turned a pet name and sign of his admiration into a piercing pain in her chest.

19- He hadn't expected that when he came to check out what the buzz was here. More often than not, as he wandered the towns at night, they were weary places full of silence and darkness.

20- Tweety woke with a cold start, living the nightmare she dreamt. Except in her dream she managed to scream, not in reality.

21- Tweet's hushed hiss gave Roger pause, a look passing between them, almost a stand off to test limits. Roger stopped wiggling, and looked to Tweet, pawing the air behind Deej.

22- She was still breathing, shallowly, with a pulse that he took to be returning from the weaker state, established on first examination.

23- The least he could do was return the favor by making her a quivering puddle of a person. He didn't stop until she looked much more alive, and likely to melt and drip right out of the car.

24- She didn't want to start by admitting to be one of those girls that didn't know which hand a regular ring went on, and which was for engagements only. She wouldn’t get the chance to speak, at least not in the store

25- That= 520 times in a 55K+ #WIP

Freddy started laughing at the upset Vinny, who repeated that he wanted Queen, not Bob Seeger.

26- Just= 175 times in a 55K+ #WIP

"Just you Frost, just you." Laughing, Woods patted Frost on the back.

27- So= 278 times in a 55K+ #WIP

He was so much taller, even in her boots she wasn’t close enough.

28- About= 169 times in a 55K+ #WIP

They didn’t get much time to talk about this friend, because Tweet heard her name in the microphone.

29- Very= 32 times in a 55K+ #WIP

Tweet started to thump on his back in earnest, getting very dizzy.

30- Really= 31 times in a 55K+ #WIP

"If you really must know that secret that isn't a total secret, it was your arse."

31- As= 409 times in a 55K+ #WIP

A particularly excellent beat had her shimmying her hips as she cleared the floor, which she turned into more of a sway again as she neared Martin's expanded table.

As always, I love playing CharactersTell! Not only do I have a surprise coming, but this was my first interview too!

1/5- "Happy Worker's Day! First round on me, since it is my lovely nightclub. Just ask for Tweety! From future Red Letters fame, of course, that journey starts today, with an awesome interview on the #GCnetwork as the MC featured this week! Thank you so much."

2/5- "When I started out, I was just a waitress. Now I work 24/7 in Soulful, usually the hostess with the most-est. It's not for the money any longer, this place is more than a home for me, it's my life I choose to live."

3/5- "Love this job, so much fun! I didn't exactly have a dream job growing up, but this is darn close to one. Maybe I wish I could find a little time to read books and take up better hobbies, like the writing one Sly suggests."

4/5- "Occupational hazards have names here. Collar's man thong, and Bebe come to mind. Poor # 14 is still recovering from being a giant red duck shaped pool float for a night. No one but Bebe knew there was a person inside and played a bit rough with the evil duck"

5/5- "We get along well here, occasionally I might participate in the shenanigans, if they aren't that harmful. I mean what's a party without shots? Just not body shots off me. I leave that to Bebe. After all, the bouncers have to have fun too."

6/5- "I don't get many free days, and there were plenty of times I wasn't allowed out of the bar anyway. But now? I like to catch up on my rest, do some shopping, love being fashionable."

7/5- "Same way I greet every day. The big ol' kitty scratches my door to pieces, until I get up and give him the coffee flavored milk Deej thought to send me round his neck. Too bad its not really coffee and Roger drinks it all anyway."

8/5- "Hi, I'm Greg, and I'm not sure I'm in the right place. I don't think I'm all that bad and Grandpa Gus loved me enough to leave me a third of his business. At best it's all just miscommunication…" Always are until feelings come into play, aren't they?

9/5- "I've practically finished my business degree, because I've known about my inheritance since high school. So, I don't. Not yet… Dad paid for everything, and there is an account in my name from my future share of the club. Not sure how much is there…"

10/5- "Dad doesn't like me working, as he wasted a life doing that and made more than enough money to last us. Grandpa Gus thought I had a good head on my shoulders and encouraged me to work, and I've managed a few places before. Nothing solid or permanent tho."

11/5- "I've sneaked a peek at Soulful's books. It's not a bakery business, but there are these cake supplies… Enough to make an 8 tier wedding cake a week, on top of what they make/sell, or at least that's what I've been advised it's for, based on the quantities."

12/5- "I never did, until I went to college. Now I do, and I am not great at it, but I can shop and feed myself something a step up from college diets."

13/5- "In other jobs, I am a workaholic. But in my new role? I'm slacking off terribly, partly because I do not see a role here for me, and because, of course, there's a woman involved. Might be easier to just sell it to this guy that found me first…"

14/5- "Worst part about my job? Hearing an important woman complain about this absentee owner while needing comfort. If I comfort her, I can see something happening there; but I think she'll be ticked off to find out who I really am, and what I might decide to do…"

15/5- "Hello, I'm Woods' sister. I have a few name options, but my author will decide when I'm written about in book 3? Or is it 4 now? What's in a name anyway, when you know who you are? You all love Woods aka big bro Woodson and don't care what you call him."

16/5- "My parents and I get along fine. Mr. Rockstar still thinks I'm too young, even though we're only like 5 years apart. He's been too busy to know the adult me, but we're still family, still friendly."

17/5- "I was shy, and they worried more about Woods and his aimlessness. Then when he became famous and in the tabloids, well, they didn't notice as much if I was troublesome or not…"

18/5- "Oh, sometimes I was too blunt. Or used words I read in books. Really young me didn't understand why people felt the way they did about certain words or the concept of walking on eggshells."

19/5- "I'm not even 25! And I'm not seeing anyone. As is, I'm trying to help my idiot brother find someone, while dealing with Remmy, his bodyguard friend. If I can watch them, I think I can survive being a mom, someday when I'm older and more settled."

20/5- "Of course! There was a group of us that were really into Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. Group grew and changed from there. Who knew being mysterious could get you so much attention?"

21/5- "I loved English, History classes had fascinating facts. After all, history does repeat itself if you learn nothing, and reading makes you smarter than someone who learned nothing. yes, I *may* be referring to my genius brother and his annoying friend again."

22/5-A Lynx cat, frosting on his fur crosses the stage, licking himself.

A man in cat ears follows, "Roger, tell me you didn't raid the cupcakes without me? You know what happens when you make a mess I don't know…"

"Deej!! My kitchen!"

Roger smirks, licking more.

23/5- As a chef comes to yell at Deej, Roger shakes all his fur and heads off for a couch, hoping up on it and nudging his cub with his nose. The cub cutely reaches out a paw and stretches it's sleepy form.

24/5- "Aww aren't yew bloke's cute." Malta passed by, stopping to pet both lynx cats. "Are yew hungry? I'll ge' yew some meat."

25/5- The cats ate, while people talk. They were rare wild cards, & handfuls when in trouble. Yet Deej raised them well, these lynx were domesticated, like overgrown cats, who sometimes act like dogs, but always have attitude & a way of finding suckers to purr at.

26/5- Roger nudged the cub, and they jumped off the couch. The cub moves to the bar's end, while Roger stretched on a stool to see over the bartop. Tweety noticed him as she moved "Hey Roger, are you boys looking for a big dish of milk? Coming right up!"

27/5- Roger backed off the stool and stepped to the side, waiting near the cub, as Tweety set down a bowl of milk. "How about a snack for my favorite furry friends?" Cupcakes were set in front of the pair, causing Roger to purr and lick Tweet's leg in thanks.

28/5- Deej huffed, hopping on a stool "Tweets don't support them! The big lug alrea… aahh!"

Deej landed on his back, Roger shaking his paw.

"Roger, haven't we talked about you knocking Deej over?" Tweet tried not to laugh, or else it would encourage Roger further.

29/5- Tweet bent down to pet Roger, who returned the attention by trying to knock her over and cover her in his furry scent. "Our paths cross all the time, at least once a day when this lug brings me coffee and guards my door."

30/5- Side sis- "First off we don't know each other, but no one yet knows what I do with my smarts. Are you looking at a pool shark?" 😇

Antag Greg- "Confession, I don't play pool. But I have made out on a pool table before…"

31/5- Woods' sister- "I think so, I have read the book on Tweet's bar life, and I see so many similarities. I'm annoyed that my brother didn't introduce us sooner. I would have skipped a little high school to meet this woman before now."

[naamtok]

The swirling #sand quickened as she wove her spell, blackening it with darkest of curse. A seething mass of raven-feather mist chasing storm clouds across boiling ink. Soon it would be strong enough. Soon it would be at the city gates. Where her body yet hung. #WIPWordSearch

The swirling #sand quickened as she wove her spell, blackening it with darkest of curse. A seething mass of raven-feather mist chasing storm clouds across boiling ink. Soon it would be strong enough. Soon it would be at the city gates. Where her body yet hung. #WIPWordSearch

— KJ Clarke (@NaamTok) May 3, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/NaamTok May 03, 2018 at 11:11AM via IFTTT