By R.J. Byrd She was the most beautiful woman Simon had ever seen. Her dark, wavy hair shone under the July sun, the coastal wind fanning it around her tan shoulders and face. Her eyes were an extremely pale shade of green that seemed to track movement like a tiger. Her body was sleek and... Continue Reading →
My Book Writing Journey
Now that the days are shorter and we're all slowing down, I would like to share a personal story. It has been my dream to publish a book since I was 12. It has always been in the back of my mind, and finally, years ago, I wrote one. A cozy mystery that I felt... Continue Reading →
Joy Ride
By R.J. Byrd The second I settled into Dean's '22 Ford Mustang, I shed my jean jacket and yanked off my hair tie. "Damn," said Dean. His eyes were on all my exposed skin. I had on my bikini top and a pair of shorts. I rolled my eyes. I had no real interest in... Continue Reading →
Hunted
by R.J. Byrd I hid behind a tree to catch my breath. My lungs were burning, my whole body felt like it was on fire. My legs gave out, and I hit the cold ground. I knew I couldn't stay here long. He wasn't far behind. I'd rather die than let that bastard catch me... Continue Reading →
Girls’ Night
By R.J. Byrd “So, maybe we could get out of here...” I bit my lip and smiled shyly at the man sitting next to me. He gave me a lusty grin, but before he could say anything, my best friend threw an arm around him and totally stole his attention away. We had both been... Continue Reading →
Summer Mountain
By R.J. Byrd *15 minute writing challenge* Imagine you're hiking on a mountain trail on a hot summer day. While it's cooler on the mountain than anywhere else, you're still dripping with sweat. The sun is particularly relentless. You're glad you wore your wide-brim hat and brought along your extra large water bottle. You take... Continue Reading →
Spring Morning
By R.J. Byrd *15 minute writing challenge* A spring morning can be crisp, like a fall morning, but with spring, there are warm undertones. The sun plays peek-a-boo with the clouds. The gentle light warms your shoulders and face, contrasting the cool breezes that keep us in sweaters. Each season has a distinct feel and... Continue Reading →
Black Sequin
By R.J. Byrd *15 Minute Writing Challenge* I found a little black sequin on my bed. I'm not altogether sure where it came from, and I'm not sure why I'm taking such good care of it. I guess because it appeared as if by magic. So out of place on my bed. A single black... Continue Reading →
Starry Night
By R.J. Byrd *15 minute writing challenge* When I was younger, I used to look up at the stars with a friend. It was her idea and I thought it was cool, so that's what we did. It became something of a tradition. In the summer, sometimes we would just lay out on my driveway... Continue Reading →
Clouds
By R.J. Byrd *15 minute writing challenge* When I was a kid, I was fascinated with clouds. I would gaze up at them for a long time, letting my imagination run wild. I would wonder what they felt like, tasted like, smelled like. In my mind, they were tantalizingly close pieces of fantasy. I would... Continue Reading →