These were the “rules” I used for writing in 2021…
The requirements for my short story every month:
- A. Using the prompt, write a story of at least 1000 words and post by the end of the month
- B. All 12 stories for the year will be related. They will be in the same “world.” (If you read last year, I wrote about a magical family of sisters and their extended family).
Magical Lineage
January 2021’s short story of the month (sorry it’s late) I sat down next to her on the couch. It was time to start telling the truth. But I couldn’t just dive into the heart of the matter, so I started with the little things. I told her that her father and I had loved…
Numerology
(February 2021’s short story of the month) He wasn’t sure how he was able to do the math problems in his head like that. He just closed his eyes, and the numbers found their places, like trained dancers, or like magic. It didn’t matter what type of problem or how challenging. He could solve them…
Magic Doesn’t Fix Everything
March 2021’s short story of the month (super-duper late) “Maybe the doctor was wrong,” Annie said, though her voice cracked revealing her disappointment. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to calm myself. “He wasn’t wrong.” I didn’t want to have this argument again. I tried to steady my nerves, but it wasn’t working.…
Creature in the Woods
April 2021’s short story of the month (late but finally done) He had hunted and hiked and led backpacking trips through these woods for twenty years, and he had never seen an animal track like that. At first glance, it resembled a bird. But it was too big. Way too big. He estimated its length…
Just a Game
May 2021’s Short Story (better late than never)… It was just a game, or course. But it was more than that, and everyone knew it. They were from the upscale part of town, and we were from the wrong side of the tracks. Literally. North of the rail line, where nothing ever went right. The…
Lost Memories
June 2021’s short story of the month (sorry it’s late) It was like an echo from the past, or a dream that he was only just now remembering. He recognized everything about the room, even though he was sure he’d never been there before. He knew the paintings on the walls, could name the artists…
What’s in a Name?
July 2021’s short story of the month (better late than never). “Clarice,” said her teacher. “Clarissa,” she said, correcting her teacher. Names were important. For years, she’d been embarrassed about her name and wished it were something ordinary. But then something happened that changed her mind. That day was always at the forefront of her…
Earth Magic
August 2021 short story of the month When he tried to express himself with words, he could never get it right. But with his hands, he could shape things, mold things, and make things. He had discovered that gift as a young boy when he fell in love the first time. He was only six,…
Men Are Allowed to Cry
September 2021’s Short Story of the Month After my father’s stroke, he started crying all the time. He cried about everything; sentimental commercials, pop songs on the radio, or saccharine movie endings. It was like he couldn’t stop crying. It was such a contrast to the man he’d been before that I didn’t know what…
Under the Full Moon
October 2021’s short story of the month NIGHT OF THE FULL MOON The moon broke through the clouds, and the four of them stood there, frozen, waiting for something to happen. They were in the middle of an open field, and it was as if a spotlight had been trained on them. Suddenly, without warning…
Mage Games 2021
November 2021’s short story of the month(Super late) The day was scorching hot and bone dry, the air smelled like burnt toast,and everyone’s nerves were on edge. Only Zeke was calm. He patrolled theperimeter, making jokes about women and how stupid they were. “Hey, knock it off,” said Charles. He placed his hand over his…
Adventure of a Lifetime
(December 2021 short story of the month) I told Eddie it didn’t hurt too badly. “Give it a couple of minutes,” he said, smiling that smile of his. Like he knows it’s going to hurt, and like he’s secretly going to enjoy it. Eddie has this habit of being by my side when times are…
Still Working on My Novel 