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 →
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 →
*Spoilers* I recently finished reading Crime and Punishment written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky in 1866. While I enjoyed the book overall, I found certain aspects of it challenging. The Russian names are tough to pronounce, the dialogue can be stilted, and the references to Russian life can be confusing. However, the book brought up philosophical questions... Continue Reading →
By R.J. Byrd I was snuggled under a blanket decorated with pumpkins and bats. I loved using it when October rolled around. I had also put on my Halloween pajamas and fluffy socks. I leaned my head against my boyfriend’s shoulder as we watched the last of The Addams Family. We were going to watch... Continue Reading →
*Spoilers* I recently finished reading The Yellow Wallpaper, a short story by Charlotte Perkins Stetson written in 1892. It starts off with a young couple and their baby going to a remote estate for the summer. The main character, an unnamed woman, is suspicious of the house since it was so cheap to rent. She... Continue Reading →
*Spoilers* I recently finished reading The Body Snatcher, a short story by Robert Louis Stevenson written in 1884. The story is based on the real-life story of the Burke and Hare murders. In 1828 in Scotland, William Burke and William Hare committed 16 murders in the span of about 10 months. They sold the corpses... Continue Reading →
*Spoilers* I recently read The Monkey's Paw, a short story written by W.W. Jacobs in 1902. The story is about a man who receives a monkey paw from a friend who claims it can grant wishes, but the wishes come at a terrible cost. I enjoyed the story even though I already knew the gist... Continue Reading →
By R.J. Byrd The burst of fresh air that wafted over me when I stepped outside was invigorating. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I took in the autumn scene. Trees were now bright orange, yellow, and red, and the blue sky featured a gentle sun. I started my walk... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
CozyWrites 