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Wednesday, June 19, 2019

We've Moved!


This blog will no longer be updated here. 


Please jump over to my new website and blog.

This is where I will be posting future stories and updates.

I hope you like the new look 
and will continue to follow me over there!

There are multiple ways to follow the new blog, the easiest is via WordPress and the blog post comment block (on the new site, not the old one). You can use your Google - Twitter - Facebook - WordPress account. If you don't have any of these, you can create a WordPress account right there. Be sure to  check the box to be notified of new posts.


Sunday, June 16, 2019

Change Ahead!

If you haven't already heard, there are some changes coming. I have started a WordPress.com blog where I am currently duplicating my flash fiction stories as of Thursday. Starting in July, I will be posting my flash fiction on the new blog only. This blog will be reserved for author and book updates, book sales, etc.

What does that mean for this blog? By the end of June, I will make a decision whether to completely move all my postings to the new blog or continue to split the posts. My current feeling is I will slowly move to the new one and maybe update the look and feel of my current website to match the new blog. Of course, that may also entail a move to a new hosting company.

Decisions, decisions.....

CLICK FOR NEW BLOG
So, I hope you will take a look at the new blog and let me know what you think. Let me know anything you like or don't like as well as any comparisons to this blog would be appreciated.

Friday, June 14, 2019

#fotoflash Jun 14 2019: Afterlife

Here is my contribution to this week's Friday Foto Flash prompt in 500 words or less
Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/pier-jetty-persons-child-kid-801812/
Jenna sighed with relief as they walked down the wooden pier. Everyone had finally left. It was just her and her two year old, Alanna. She hadn't wanted to do it this way but her in-laws had demanded. Full funeral with reception after. They called it a wake but she felt anything but awake.

Friday Foto Flash Fiction: Jun 14 2019

https://dbmcnicol.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
Welcome to Friday Foto Flash Fiction! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your storyEntries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time.

Once your post is live, add your link to the list below. I hope you will visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories). Remember to leave them a comment in appreciation.
Thank you and enjoy! Here's your photo prompt.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

100 Word Wednesday: Privacy #100WW

Image by Bikurgurl
My contribution to this week's photo prompt from Bikurgurl...

It was the only place she would never think to look for him. She knew he hated anything outdoors unless it involved sports. Gardening? Never! Flowers? Heaven forbid! Bird watching? You have to be kidding me!

FridayFictioneers: The Fortuneteller

PHOTO PROMPT © Valerie J. Barrett
My contribution to Rochelle's Friday Fictioneers...
(NOTE: this is an abbreviated version of my story for the letter T for the 2019 A to Z Challenge)


She thrust the tea cup into my hands. "Don't drink all. Leave some."

Monday, June 10, 2019

#FFFC - Paradise

Photo Credit Roberto Nickson@unsplash.com
From Fandango's Flash Fiction Challenge...

Anyone looking in from the outside would call her life paradise, but she knew better. She was a slave. Not in the traditional sense, but a slave nonetheless.

The Four Agreements [by Don Miguel Ruiz]


I have seen this several times in the last couple of years. It's well worth reminding ourselves of how we should be living our lives.

Sunday Photo Fiction: Off Grid

My contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction in 200 words or less:
Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding
"Where is it?" she asked as she plowed through our gear.

"Where's what?" I asked, obviously clueless

She paused, glared at me, then continued pulling out each and every item in the bags. "You said you'd pack for me. I knew I shouldn't have trusted you."

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Sunday Snippets: Jun 9 2019

Wow, my third Sunday snippet. Think I can keep it up? I am trying but having added in an every Friday photo prompt writing challenge plus writing my own story for that, things are busy here!


It's been hot here in middle Tennessee. Yes, I know it's been hot in a lot of locations but temps in the 90s aren't the norm for where we live. We are up on the Cumberland Plateau and throughout the entire summer we normally experience no more than 7-10 scattered days in the 90s.

Friday, June 7, 2019

#fotoflash Jun 7 2019: Rituals

My contribution to Friday Foto Flash Fiction...

Photo courtesy of Sheri Waddell
It was time and Nofoto was ready. She'd been ready for months. No, years. She'd been groomed for this moment since birth. The ladies around her bowed and backed away. She'd been pampered, perfumed and dressed. Flowers adorned her hair, her body was encased in a ceremonial robe and multiple scarves.

Friday Foto Flash Fiction: Jun 7 2019

https://dbmcnicol.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
Welcome to Friday Foto Flash Fiction! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Once it's live, add your link to the list below. Be sure to visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories) and leave them a comment in appreciation. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time. Thank you and enjoy!

Be sure to visit all the entries from last week's #fotoflash prompt.
1.Shelley at Quaint Revival 3.Tessa 5.Cay D Hilliard 
2.DC Stultz 4.DB McNicol6.Larry Trasciatti

Photo courtesy of Sheri Waddell

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Friday Fictioneers: Fourteen

My contribution to Rochelle Wisoff-Field's Friday Fictioneers...
PHOTO PROMPT © Ceayr
"...twelve, thirteen, fourteen!" he announced proudly. "I'm fourteen and our new home has fourteen steps. Isn't that the best?"

Monday, June 3, 2019

#FOWC: Ludicrous Nonsense

For Fandango's One Word Challenge (FOWC)... Today's word is LUDICROUS and it immediately brought to mind this photo and the little story I wrote to go with it.
{source}
Silly nonsense, that's all it was. Making faces, taunting each other to see who would laugh first. They never paid attention to their mom in the background, admonishing them, “Your face is gonna freeze like that one day.” No, they knew everything. I mean after all, they were four years old now.

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Sunday Photo Fiction: Perceptions

My contribution to Sunday Photo Fiction...
Photo Credit: Reena Saxena
He skidded a stop in front of the bench, stopping just in time to avoid the others already in line. His feet were soaked, his umbrella turned inside out and now useless. Not one for small talk, he studied his new companions.

Friday, May 31, 2019

#fotoflash May 31 2019: The Edge

My contribution to Friday Foto Flash Fiction...

Photo Credit
It didn't look so far down when he was looking up at the ledge. But he wasn't one to back down from a dare. Definitely not from a double dare! It had taken all his will power to climb up this high. His hands were clenched as he dropped his legs over the edge. His friends jumped up and down, shouting his name and cheering.

Friday Foto Flash Fiction: May 31 2019

https://dbmcnicol.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
Welcome to Friday Foto Flash Fiction! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Once it's live, add your link to the list below. Be sure to visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories) and leave them a comment in appreciation. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time. Thank you and enjoy!

Be sure to visit all the entries from last week's #fotoflash prompt.
1.Keith's Ramblings 4.Di@ pensitivity101 7.Cay D Hilliard 
2.Shelley at Quaint Revival 5.DC Stultz 
3.Donna McNicol, author 6.Tessa 
Credit: https://morguefile.com/p/1111763

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Friday Fictioneers: Resourceful

PHOTO PROMPT © Susan Eames
My contribution to Friday Fictioneers....

"Come down from there, right now!" She stomped her feet in the sand, accomplishing nothing.

"Not yet. I've almost got him."

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

100 Word Wednesday: Stranded #100WW

Image by Bikurgurl
Day 20: Bus still won't move. At least there is water nearby. No cell reception but battery already dead.

Day 99: Still no way to move this thing. I did catch a squirrel this morning so there will be dinner tonight.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

#FFFC - The Last Stop

Bruno Aquirre@unsplash.com
From Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge...

"I told you we should have stopped earlier."

"But the sign says it's open."

Sunday Photo Fiction: The Climb

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding
for Sunday Photo Fiction in 200 words or less

His calloused hands didn't feel the pain inflicted by the rough stones as he climbed upward. Seeking the best hand and foot holds, he took his time. Scaling a wall like this wasn't for the inexperienced or the faint-hearted. He'd been doing it for years. This was his favorite climb due to the fact no one else ever ventured there.

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Sunday Snippets: May 26, 2019

Well, we made it to the second edition of Sunday Snippets. It's been a busy couple of weeks but I think the majority of our medical appointments are finally over with. I've actually gotten in a little writing - okay, so it's all been blog writing, but that's a start. I'm having to take a deeper look into my characters for the new "Ask a Character" posts. So, if you've read any of my books, feel free to leave a comment with a question for your favorite (or least favorite) character and I'll do my best to answer it in a future post.

Remember the reason for today, Memorial Day. Honoring those who gave their life for our freedoms.

Friday, May 24, 2019

Back of my hand...

I was reading blogs this morning and ran across a rather random challenge - share a photo of the back of your hand. Why not? So I grabbed a picture of my hand on my mouse for my laptop.

#fotoflash May 24 2019: The Alley

My contribution to Friday Foto Flash Fiction...

Photo: https://morguefile.com/p/1109948
Lettie dug the hand drawn map out of her purse, turned it left and right, trying to make sense out of the instructions. Looking ahead, all she saw was an alleyway that seemed to get narrower. She had tried to ask directions at the cafe earlier but the language barrier was too steep. Dead phone battery meant no Google translate.

Friday Foto Flash Fiction: May 24 2019

https://dbmcnicol.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
Welcome to Friday Foto Flash Fiction! Each Friday I will post a new picture to be used as inspiration for your flash fiction written in 500 words or less. Be sure to include the photo, the source credit, and a link to this post with your story. Once it's live, add your link to the list below. Be sure to visit the other entries (and check back often for new stories) and leave them a comment in appreciation. Entries will close on Thursday at midnight Eastern Time. Thank you and enjoy!

Photo Credit

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Ten Word Photo Prompt: Mood

Image: Jose Guadalupe Posada

TEN WORD PHOTO PROMPT

Books for Mystery Writers


Since I started writing in 2012, I have amassed quite a collection of books to help me both improve my craft and keep my stories accurate. We all use Google, of course, but not all the information available online is accurate (imagine that!). These books have been written by experts from all fields including law enforcement and law as well as, of course, writers.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Coming this week! Stay tuned for #fotoflash


Calling all writers - experienced, new, wannabe.
All you need is a blog!
Check out the details HERE
and come back Friday for the featured foto!

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Sunday Photo Fiction: The Storm

Photo Credit: Terri Smeigh
for Sunday Photo Fiction in 200 words or less

"Pull over there, the brick restaurant!"

Friday, May 17, 2019

Friday Fiction: Angst...

source
"NO - I - WILL - NOT - DO - THAT - AGAIN!" Ellie pounded her best friend, a three foot tall teddy bear named Archie.

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Sunday Snippets: May 12, 2019

Welcome to the first edition of Sunday Snippets, a compilation of sundry thoughts I wanted to share with you.

Needless to say, my first thought today is sending out a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY wish. I do realize not everyone is a mother, not everyone had a good mother, not everyone celebrates.

Monday, May 6, 2019

Where to go from here?

It seems like I hit this point every year...where to go and what to do after the A to Z Challenge is complete. Last year I had a call for more flash fiction. While I do enjoy writing flash, it does take a significant amount of time away from working on my novels. And I KNOW many of you are eagerly waiting for book four, Paradise Dream, in my C'Mon Inn Mystery series.

Sunday, May 5, 2019

A to Z Reflections


First of all, a HUGE thank you to all those who took time to stop by to read and comment. It was much appreciated. I personally know how difficult it was to write and keep up with all the blog posts.

This is my fifth year and fourth time writing flash fiction. Last year I not only wrote flash but did a personal theme of the A to Z of Goldendoodles, so guess that makes six times writing for A-Z. Each time I've used a different method to chose words for my flash fiction stories but the key was always the photos I found to help my creativity. The visual image always helps me with finding a story line I like.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Z - Zebra #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)



"Isn't she striking?" Charlotte pointed out the ancient statue of a warrior women standing beside a zebra to her BFF, Analise, who shrugged. It hadn't been Analise's idea of a good way to spend an afternoon but it had been Charlotte's turn to choose an activity.

Museums made Analise queasy. The strange items, the unusual smells combined to make her dizzy. "I need to go sit for a minute. Can I meet you in the next exhibit room?"

Charlotte couldn't tear her eyes off the figurine but responded, "Sure, go ahead." I wonder what life was like for her? Maybe she was a princess, or a queen. I mean, she had her own zebra. How cool is that?

Someone behind her cleared their throat and she turned to face a wizened old man, skin as dark as the night, with a smile as charming as any she'd ever seen. She smiled in return.

"You like Queen Amina?" he asked.

She turned back to the display case and sighed. "Oh yes. I want to learn more about her. She is magnificent."

"You are interested in African history?"

She nodded. "I recently did my DNA and discovered I have roots there. I need to learn more about my ancestry."

"The good or the bad?"

She thought for a moment. "I guess I'd have to say both. After all, you can't live life with just one of those."

"Agreed." He muttered a few words she didn't understand, swirled twice and then stamped his right foot. "It is done. Walk through that door."

She looked in the direction he pointed and when she looked back, he was gone. With a shrug she walked over, grasped the doorknob and inhaled. Closing her eyes she opened it and stepped through.

She looked down at her strange garments, then up to a new past.