What would the title of your autobiography be?
Write your response in the comments below. Your entry may get a shout out next week!
Write with Heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
Prompt of the Week: The Story of Us
Month: February 2023
For Better, For Worse (100 Word Horror Story)
The front door slams shut. He kisses his wife, breathless.
The sound of groaning fills the space. Skin slick with sweat.
“Promise, babe, next Valentine’s Day will be much more romantic.” He panted.
She smirks, her wedding band caked in blood. “I’m holding you to it.”
Outside, shuffling in the woods. The smell of rotten flesh.
“After this is all over.” He grabs an axe.
Thump-thump on the door as soulless eyes peer inside.
“For better, for worse.” She aims a cross bow.
A decomposing arm smashes through the window, shattering the glass.
The undead hoard surrounds the desolate cabin.
Wanted to write a romance for Valentine’s day but was also in the mood to write about a zombie apocalypse. Had fun writing around with both genres in this story.
Write with heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
Prompt of the Week: Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Describe Winter in one sentence.
Write your response in the comments below. Your entry may get a shout out next week!
Write with Heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
3 Tips on Writing the Love Interest
Happy Valentine’s Day, Writer Bees!
Love is in the air, even in fiction. No matter the genre, a love interest can add complexity to both the overall plotline and to other characters.
If your main character is feeling the love, then check out these helpful tips on creating a character’s sweetheart.
Experiment with Chemistry
Love at first sight doesn’t make for an interesting story. Maybe attraction at first sight, sure. For the most part, feelings must develop gradually, not instantly. No matter what stage in the relationship, take the time to build up and explore the couple’s chemistry. A great lover could become an even greater foil for another character. Also, keep in mind the kind of relationships your characters would pursue. What’s their sexual preference? Are they interested in one night stands and flings, or are they looking for a committed relationship? OR are they even looking for love in the first place? These factors will dictate how their romantic relationship lives and breathes over the course of the story.
Writing Flawed Characters
Look, how many hot billionaires with six packs are there in the world? Don’t create a character that is the ideal partner. Give them flaws. Real flaws. Consider physical and personality quirks. Are they short and stubborn? Are they pessimistic with a crooked nose? Be creative but be careful making a completely unlikeable character. Find that balance. A romantic interest shouldn’t just be a cookie cutter person. They must be able to stand on their own, as a complete character. Their entire world cannot revolve around another person. Whether the love interest is a main character or a side character, at the end of the day, readers want complex and relatable characters.
The Big Bad Conflict
No romance is perfect. Every couple has their struggles and challenges. With an internal or external battle, conflict is needed so things aren’t so lovey-dovey. Are there outside forces, such as society, race, war, that are straining their bond? Maybe one is afraid of commitment? Give the couple obstacles that they may or may not overcome together. Set the stakes high to ensure the problem is meaningful enough to the characters. Make this conflict an integral piece of the plot line. That way, the relationship won’t seem forced or out of place.
Bottom line, love isn’t always rainbows and butterflies, and that’s a good thing. Embrace the whirlwind and write a real romance.
What’s your advice on writing love interests? Lemme know in the comments! And Happy Valentine’s day everybody!
Write with Heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
Prompt of the Week: Ready to Be Loved
What does love feel like?
Write your response in the comments below. Your entry may get a shout out next week!
Write with Heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
Celebrating My 30th Birthday With My First Tattoo
Hello Writer Bees,
On Sunday, February 5th, I turned 30 years old. My twenties are in the rear-view mirror. Such a special milestone.
For a few years now, getting a tattoo has been on my bucket list. But I wasn’t sure about what I’d get or when it would happen. Couple months back, my mom and I were looking through some old cards and letters written by my Puerto Rican grandmother. In that plastic bin of miscellaneous papers, I found the inspiration for my first tattoo.
My grandmother – I called her Abuelita – was an important part of my life. She was kind and patient and cared for everyone and everything. I adored her. When I was about seven years old, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She passed away almost ten years. Today, whenever anything good happens to me, I believe it’s her doing. What better idea for a tattoo than a tribute to her, my little guardian angel.
All day Sunday, my nerves were a wreck. I was beyond anxious. Not about the pain of getting inked, just the pulling the trigger aspect of this decision. The taking a big-scary-leap type of decision. The dauting question of “Am I really going to do this?”. Thank goodness for my partner’s boundless patience and support. Of course, I spent the afternoon procrastinating. We went to a hardware store and then a pet store, where I nervously paced through the aisles. Walking helps my anxiety sometimes. A stomach full of tacos helped too.
Finally, sitting outside the tattoo shop, I told myself that If I don’t get this tattoo today – on my birthday – I would regret it. Chickening out was not an option. So, I gathered up my courage and got a tattoo. Honestly, it’s more discomfort than pain. It’s more like a vibrating scratch than a bee sting or burning sensation. Hard to explain in words, but what a cool, worthwhile moment.
Writing this post, I’m looking down at my Abuelita’s handwriting permanently scrawled onto my forearm. Copied exactly from a Valentine’s Day note she wrote me when I was only a newborn. It’s the word ‘Corazón’, which means heart in Spanish. I can say I’m wearing her heart on my sleeve. It’s the most beautiful thing.
Here’s what I learned from my first tattoo experience. I almost talked myself out of something because I was scared, waiting for the right time. Now, I’m overjoyed with this tiny scribble of ink. Yes, big scary leaps are big and scary. Just remember, the jump might be worth it in the end. Don’t let fear stop you from going after what you want.
Do any of you have tattoos? What’s the story behind your ink? Lemme know in the comments.
Write with heart.
Love,
Lady Jabberwocky
Prompt of the Week: Happy Happy Birthday
Write a story or poem with a birthday party as its setting.
(Fun Fact: My birthday was yesterday, February 5th. I’m officially 30!)
Write your response in the comments below. Your entry may get a shout out next week!
Write with Heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
The Artist Who Paints Sunflowers (Short Story)
My therapist told me – for once – write a happy story.
What a writing prompt for a gloom and doom writer such as myself. A difficult task, I’ll admit, what with all the death and tragedy and misfortune in the world. I sat at my writing desk, pouring a glass of whisky and pushing notes of cynicism aside. Like some Peter Pan, I instead grasped for blissful thoughts.
Then, I thought of Gertrude. A friend, you could say.
A twinkling lost soul in a lost generation. Worries never seem to stain her coat. I can’t recall where she lives, but wherever it is, summer is eternal. Her life is simple. Perched on her sunny balcony like an exotic parrot, she paints flowers at her wooden easel. Daisies, roses, poppies. Sunflowers are her favorite.
When Gertrude laughs, her head tilts back and expels champagne bubbles from her lungs. With Sinatra crooning through the radio, she slow dances with lovers in the living room. She relishes even the most boring of dinner conversation. A nymph perfectly content with simply existing.
Every morning, she returns to that easel, a servant to the art. She makes love to colors on a blank canvas. Gold drips from her paintbrush. Satisfaction curves her lips into a smile. Leaning back with a mugful of coffee, she appreciates her painting. A sunflower smiles back at her.
My darling Gertrude is fictional.
A mere wisp of delight on a page. Although I would not be surprised if some form of Gertrude walks the Earth today, an artist who paints sunflowers on a light soaked balcony. Still, there is a joy that comes with flights of fiction, isn’t there?
Perhaps my therapist was right about these so-called happy stories.
Wrote this story back in 2020. Needed a dose of delight this week. Hope you enjoy!
What’s one fictional character that makes you smile? Lemme know in the comments.
Write with heart.
– Lady Jabberwocky
Lady Jabberwocky 