Hey there! I had a big writing month in November. My freelance opportunities are starting to shift. While I have enjoyed writing for my hometown newspaper, the ability to freelance for other organizations is presenting itself as a viable option. I am excited to share that I have stories in the works for Michigan First Credit Union!
Recent Published Stories
Deadshot Welding and Repair (Midland Daily News)
Novel Updates
National Novel Writing Month gave me a big goal to aim for in November, and while I did not hit the 50K word count, I still wrote a lot: 25,151 total words. The more I think about “I’ll Stand Up For You” and the more I write towards it, the closer I feel to finishing the first draft. I still think to myself, “this is a really good idea,” and I have the desire to finish writing Victoria Moore’s story.
At the very end of NaNoWriMo, I entered a regional excerpt contest and was awarded a certificate for “Best Realism.” I’m exclusively sharing the 500 words I submitted with my newsletter readers. This is from Chapter 1 and if you’d like to read it, please scroll down. Thank you—so much—for reading my words.
I felt a strong, steady hand on my lower back. I quickly turned around to be face-to-face with Nick. He smelled clean and I instantly wanted to feel his skin that was recently shaved. I put my fingers up to gently touch the chin strap that perfectly underlined his square jaw. “You look good,” I meant it.
“You look good,” he echoed back at me and brought himself closer. He placed his hands on my shoulders and leaned forward so we were now resting forehead to forehead. I knew he was just as scared as me, so I allowed my body to relax into his unusual calmness.
Tonight, was a debut performance for both of us.
His deep voice didn’t break, “you’ve got this, just like we practiced,” his dark brown eyes were looking right at me. I shivered to think there was no one else in his vision but me.
“Thanks, Coach,” I winked. His upper lip showed slight amusement to my sarcasm. I think he likes it when I call him that.
He hushed me, so I took a deep breath. We swayed and synchronized breathing for the next few beats and stayed connected until the very end of the song. I methodically turned away from him and he slapped my tight jeans’ ass as I walked out to the microphone in the spotlight. I could envision him shaking his hand after that slap, because my butt burned all the way to center stage. That’s when the audience noise and lights went down.
I’m sure there was some noise, but I heard silence.
I had to give myself a brief pep talk, just like we practiced.
I was nervous but hiding an eye twitch and showing all smiles. “I hope everyone is here to laugh tonight,” I said as I pulled the microphone off the stand. There was a small applause.
“If you don’t laugh at me, that’s okay, just make sure you laugh at the man following me tonight,” I give a small chuckle. “Yeah, he’s funny, but if you don’t laugh out loud he will come after you.” I point out into the audience.
This was me, trying to warm the audience up for the hilarious, Nick Smith. Tonight was his stand-up comedy show, and me being all in and out here on stage was to get the audience warmed up for him.
“This guy and I go way back,” I begin our story. “He was the popular football player in my grade.” I stop and gaze out, pretending to daydream, I put my hand up to my chest, “that one class we had together in tenth grade, I will never forget.”
A small laughter erupts from the back of the audience.
I start to strut on stage. “That’s right, I met him back when he was at his peak.” The laughter grows louder and I look side stage to see him standing there. His eyes are all on me, but he was biting his nails, dang-it he’s nervous.