Flash Fiction Friday #3

This is Flash Fiction Friday #3 over at my group blog Paper Hangover.

Here's the way it works: Each week you're given a writing prompt that is meant to get your creative juices flowing and help you stretch those typing muscles. It's meant to be fun, no pressure. If you participate,link your post in the comments section at Paper Hangover and then we'll pop over and give it a read.

This week's topic:

"In 300 words or less, write a story that begins with "It's not you, it's me..."

“It’s not you, it’s me, Max.” I say as I rub his back. “I knew this wasn’t going to work from the beginning, but Suzy couldn’t stop gushing about how cute you were, I just had to see for myself.” I start to back away. I can’t risk standing this close for too long. 

“Of course she was right, but our relationship has become unbearable, really. You have to know that, or at least sense something is wrong. I just can’t handle being around you anymore. When I see you my eyes start to water, my breaths become short and quick, my heart races. It’s just not healthy. And no matter how much medication I take, it just doesn’t help.” My hand is on the doorknob, poised to dash out the front door if necessary.  

“Please don’t look at me like that. You’ll find someone else, I promise. Someone who can appreciate you, and love you the way you deserve to be loved.”

“Meredith it’s time,” the woman from the agency says.  

“Please don’t cry,” I say to Max as the woman closes in on him. “You’ll be happy I promise.”

“You know if we can’t find a home for him, he’s going to be put down?” she says.

My eyes dart from the woman to Max, and then I rush back over to him. He jumps up on me, licking my face, wagging his tail, and I melt all over again.

“Okay Max you win. Medication for life it is,” I say just before the sneezing fit starts. 

The woman huffs. “We won’t need your services after all,” I say to her. “You can let yourself out.”  

Hope you liked it! Give it a try next week.

What’s Up?

           I had intentions of posting more regularly but you know what they say about good intentions. I have been staying busy working on my March Madness goals, though I haven’t checked-in once at the blog, where I first announced my goals. I’ve also written a couple of posts over at the blog I contribute to: Paper Hangover, if you don’t already follow that blog you should, it is a great source of information.

I’ve also attended another SCBWI class furthering my writer’s education and I’m also reading several new writer’s books in that same pursuit. I hope to purchase Cheryl Klein’s new book, I admire her so much and have read many of her speeches - she is very impressive. The next step in my education is to attend a conference, and I’ve been struggling to decide which conference is worth the money and effort it’ll take to go. I can’t think about it anymore! Please help. A couple of my choices are the NJ SCBWI annual conference in June and the LA SCBWI conference in August, if anyone has any insight or advice on either of these events please let me know. Another choice is a writer’s retreat facilitated by Cheryl Klein in Virginia in June, though this is less an option at this point because my novel isn’t finished yet and that is a prerequisite to the retreat.

On a final note, I looked into Vermont College’s MFA program, and remembered why I’m on my own in my writing endeavor. The TUITION! I’d have to sell at least three manuscripts before I repaid the debt I would undoubtedly accrue. But the program does sound totally cool. Maybe one day.

Thanks for reading!

March Madness

Growing up I always hated the month of March, it seemed to go on forever. Of course March is no longer than any other month with 31 days, but what makes March different is that it has no holidays, no days off, no fun. It’s still cold and the days are still short and nights still long. Why am I babbling on about the depressing month of March (I apologize if I’m offending anyone who happens to love March)? In order to avert any funkiness I may experience during March I plan on participating in March Madness hosted by blogger and author Denise Jaden.

My goal for March Madness is to revise 30 or so pages of my current WIP in addition to reading at least 6 books (I’m hoping to kill 2 birds with 1 stone and have one of those 6 books be a debut, for my other challenge). I hope to exceed my goal, but would be happy with completing what I set out to do.

March should turn out to be a good month, with lots of accomplishments. On that note I have writing, revising, and reading to do.

Until next time!