Sometimes stories lurk behind things. I went to a festival the other night, and we cut through a side street of old storefronts with dusty windows. There was raw red brick and arched doorways with iron gates. There were lights from the parade just a block over, but the side street was almost too dark to photograph. The street was inviting, stopping me … Continue reading Ghost Stories Lurking in Doorways
THERE ARE GHOSTS IN THE GROVES (I) Victoria Nations There are ghosts in the groves, and some call me to come, and others warn me away, and they whisper when they think I notice them, and most of the time I ignore them, but sometimes their voices spark memories that are too clouded to call … Continue reading There Are Ghosts In The Groves (I)
I go to the bookshelf and take off no clothing and take down a book and strip myself bare I go to the bookshelf and surrender on my knees, raise arms in supplication and roll my eyes up I go to the bookshelf and lean bodily against it and rub my face on it, purring … Continue reading I Go To The Bookshelf
We have a small farmer's market in our area, and a large one in the next town over. The large one is amazing, with a huge variety of fresh produce, boutique cheeses and breads, kettle corn, plants, and this place that makes these bagel sandwiches that are delicious. I love the large farmer's market, but … Continue reading Story Editing on a Sunday Afternoon
When you walk on a path and it curves in front of you, bending out of sight, do you feel a little thrill or are you worried what's to come? There could be anything on the path, just out of sight. A bear? A maniac? The path may just fall away into nothing. What if … Continue reading Paths Into The Woods
I'm editing a story I wrote last year, with the plan to submit it to a short story contest that's looking for fantasy/paranormal/speculative fiction. I'm happy with it, but I know it needs more in places...and also less. The main character has been talking to me today, and it feels like we are catching up … Continue reading Pushing
When I studied biology in college, then graduate school, I took "hard" science classes in zoology, human biology, ecology and evolution. I took electives in the "soft" sciences and the arts, my favorites being psychology and (one glorious semester) Elements of Horror Fiction. The courses were very different. The arts and sciences were separate. But … Continue reading Arts and Sciences
Catbriar lies there, seemingly innocuous, but suddenly wraps itself around your ankles and digs its thorns in as you lift your foot. I grew up calling it cypress vine, for how it snakes across the forest floor and climbs up the tree trunks. Bright green tendrils with tiny thorns become woody ropes as it gets older. I smile … Continue reading Cypress Vine and Muck
I love writing when an image forms in my head and the story starts running. Catching it and putting it on the page feels amazing. And I love writing when I make it a priority, when I spend dedicated time on it, and it's as important on my schedule as any business meeting. Completing my first NaNoWriMo … Continue reading Writing as a passion, and as a pursuit
Victoria Nations 