A young writer is easily tempted by the allusive and ethereal and ironic and reflective, but the declarative is at the bottom of most good writing.
– Garrison Keillor
haiku 208
full moon –
only the brightest stars
visible
Quotable 95
Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures.
– Jessamyn West
haiku 207
pesky moth
finds fridge light –
I close the door
Fiction: Ruffled Feathers
The werecat tried to nap, but a buzzing sound and a whisper of breeze plagued him.
Orin held back a sigh as he lifted his head from his front paws and stared straight ahead. Every few seconds, Toshi the werehummingbird zipped into and out of view. Orin had strict orders from Mistress not to hurt Toshi; she was harmless, after all, doing nothing but enjoying a little flying.
Mistress knew well that the werehummingbird was teasing the werecat, yet she just smirked slightly and gave Orin no relief.
But Toshi was, in fact, a mild nuisance and not the werecat’s true nemesis.
Quotable 94
I’ll give you the sole secret of short-story writing, and here it is: Rule 1. Write stories that please yourself. There is no rule 2. … If you can’t write a story that pleases yourself, you will never please the public.
– O. Henry
haiku 206
waterlogged ground
squishes underfoot –
trash-burning day
Catsignal’s 4th birthday
Catsignal is four years old today. Things have been a little lean this calendar year, but this is still very much a going concern. Thanks to those of you who stop by to read and enjoy and comment and critique. Invite a friend or two to join you; there’s plenty of room.
Fiction: Personal Ad
I have never made a habit of reading the personal ads, so I missed the original publication. I learned of it quickly enough, of course, what with the entire city buzzing about it within hours of the Herald’s hitting the streets.“WANTED: Partner for suicide pact. Serious inquiries only. Respond to Box H3419.”
My husband, Murray, was the Herald’s editor then, and he was obliged to assign a reporter to tell the outraged world why the Herald accepted the advertisement.
Quotable 93
I think I can honestly say that I wrote these yarns for fun. It happens that I like to fool around with ideas like some people do with drill-presses or vegetable gardens or blondes. It’s a hobby.
– Will F. Jenkins