Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring John Wiswell

July 16, 2013July 16, 2013 / WriterlySam / 24 Comments

Welcome to the TREE OF LIFE: Branching Out collaborative writing challenge, where creative minds meet epic movie music. To read the collective story in its entirety as it unfolds and for more details on this groundbreaking collaboration with Audiomachine click HERE.

Today’s featured guest writer is the remarkably facetious John Wiswell. To delve further into his unparalleled imagination, visit The Bathroom Monologues for something you don’t see everyday–updated daily.

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Rebirth – Tree of Life

Wind jostled the canopy until all boughs fanned west, then east, west, then east. They could have been waving to the land’s first visitor in too long, and every eastward wave causing their limbs to green further.

She couldn’t stop herself from smiling, and eventually looked to the oncoming visitor, wondering how to explain what was happening to someone from abroad. He was obscured behind his horse, which was perilously tall, with an ashen mane that stood out against the increasingly verdant surroundings. Every time one of its hooves touched the ground, weeds sprouted and unfurled. Everywhere its eyes ticked, there dry bushes budded, as though eager to catch its attention.

The miracles of its hooves were so entrancing that she missed the man peering around the horse’s side to smile at her. He had brown hair, brown eyes, a brown shirt, and so many freckles that there was scarcely room for flesh. The horse whinnied at him, and she saw a sunflower spring out from behind his left earlobe. The man chuckled, plucked it free and twiddled it at her.

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ATTENTION FANS: You can WIN an autographed TREE OF LIFE Audiomachine album by LEAVING COMMENTS! On August 17th, two lucky readers will be chosen at random from the comments section of the story excerpts. The more you comment–the better your chances are of winning a piece of cinematic history! We want to hear from YOU!

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Amy Willoughby-Burle

July 15, 2013August 8, 2013 / WriterlySam / 33 Comments

Welcome to the first installment of the TREE OF LIFE: Branching Out collaborative writing challenge, where creative minds meet epic movie music. To read the collective story in its entirety as it unfolds and for more details on this groundbreaking collaboration with Audiomachine click HERE.

Today’s featured guest writer is the brilliant Amy Willoughby-Burle. Amy is especially amazing considering she started us off on this incredible journey just days before her fourth child is expected to make his debut:) Let’s give Amy a round of virtual applause and shower her with adoring comments for what promises to be an unforgettable story! You can visit Amy at Three Moons Rising and her official website.

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – The Great Unknown – Tree of Life

She crossed the dew dampened yard on bare feet as the sun tried to break itself against the gray sky. At the cliff’s edge, she ran her hand around the trunk of a lone scrub-brush tree—barren as the dead fields in the way off. She felt the scratch of tree bark across her back—the thick morning wind bringing the bare tree branches down around her like a mother’s arms.

In the distance, someone approached, walking a horse at his side. She was accustomed to watching people walk away, but it had been a long time since someone had entered this land.

Something lit into her hair and she reached up to pull a green leaf from just above her brow. The wind yanked the leaf from her fingers. When she looked up to follow it, there at the tops of the dead tree grew bright green leaves, unfolding and reaching toward the sun even as she watched them.

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The Reservoir Dog

July 5, 2013July 6, 2013 / WriterlySam / 6 Comments

A new twist on Tarantino for the FridayFlash crew and my first flash for the Mid-Week Blues-Buster song-based prompt.

Inspiring Prompt: Depeche Mode – Home

Word Count: 411

A formidable predator, dad specializes in damage control for the Tarantino family. An occupation I detest. A secret better left buried in the tangled bits of sheets that drag behind his feet.

Dad’s weary grin opens an ugly crimson gash near his jaw. Flecks of dried blood cake the edges of his raven hair. A sickeningly-sweet haze surrounds him.

“Why are you playing ball with the neighbor’s pet?” he growls, intimidating the poodle, who instinctually scampers off. “No more hanging out with that babbo from across the street. You’re supposed to be in training.”

“I prefer chasing after balls, not people,” I say, leveling my eyes with his. The metallic bite in the air stings my nose. “You should try it sometime, it would be less hazardous to your health.”

In one brutally swift motion, Dad has me pinned by the neck, my face shoved into the rough concrete. “Watch it son! You’ll treat me with respect or I’ll…”

“Or you’ll what, Dad? Tear me to shreds like the last guy?” I snarl, firing my accusation into the cold cage of his heart.

“It’s a dirty business, son. I”m not gonna lie,” Dad relents, backing away as I jerk free from his loosening grip, “But it’s the only life I know. You won’t be so quick to judge once you start making rounds with the boss.”

“That’s no kind of life,” I snap, shaking the dirt from my coat. “You’re nothing but a pawn tied to a short leash — one they’ll use to hang you with before all is said and done. I want a better life. I want a home.”

He hangs his head, “When I was your age, I was trained to inflict pain. It was my job, my duty, my purpose. I don’t wish this life for you…I never have.”

“Then why can’t you stop?” I plead. “I know where we can go. A real home where people will actually care about us. You have a duty to me — to your son!”

“I wish it were that easy, son,” he sighs.

“It can be. We don’t belong here. Just, trust me.” I say, backing down the driveway into the road, eager to put some distance between us and the clutches of violence.

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” he jeers, reluctantly following my lead.

“Good thing you’re not old,” I tease, the tags on his collar clinking as I lick his face.

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I appreciate feedback, so comment, critique or just banter to your heart’s content! Should you leave a really awesome comment, I may share my fair-trade, shade-grown, bird-sanctuary, organic coffee with you:) Or, if you leave a link to your site, I can just pop in and say something witty after polishing off a cup or two!

Tree of Life: Imagination Collaboration

July 3, 2013July 7, 2013 / WriterlySam / 25 Comments

IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month. A community of brilliant writers led by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – The Great Unknown – TREE OF LIFE

Today, I want to talk about inspiration. As writers, we find inspiration in many things. Whether it’s music or art, photography or nature, family or friends, love or loss…we are surrounded by endless opportunities to unlock our creative potential. Wherever your key inspiration lies, its what drives us to be better each and every time we create.

Never underestimate your ability to achieve your dreams! As a writer, the seeds of greatness have already been planted, let it take root and grow with each nurturing word. No matter what happens in your life, don’t lose sight of your passion for storytelling — it’s woven into the fabric of your being. If you set it aside, you’ll lose a crucial part of yourself. Use the harsh lessons of life to fuel your words — you never know when those words will influence others to do the same…

I’m taking this opportunity to extend an invitation to my fellow writerly friends and treasured readers to join me on an exciting journey through the imagination, driven by what inspires us!

I am collaborating with the major motion picture production house, Audiomachine, on a unique promotion for their next album release, Tree of Life. Audiomachine will be promoting the event on all social media platforms to help spread the word to a wide audience!

Beginning July 15th, I’ll be revealing daily excerpts of a brand new serial solely inspired by the Tree of Life album. There will be approximately 26 posts, each highlighting an album track. When the story is complete, readers will be able to vote for their favorite posts. Three lucky commenters from the top three posts, who’ve previously “liked” Audiomachine’s FB page (and, should they feel moved to “like” My FB page, I won’t stop ‘em) will be eligible for “fan prizes”, such as autographed Audiomachine albums and exciting new releases from your favorite authors!

In addition to this endeavor, I’ll be hosting a “Tree of Life: Branching Out” writing challenge for guest writers, each contributing their own 150 word excerpt to a continuing story collectively written over the course of 25 days. These clever masters of the craft will spin the story in whatever direction they choose, picking up where the previous writer left off, resulting in the ultimate collaborative tale. They, too, will discover what magic the music unlocks! Custom badges will be created for this event for all participating writers!

When the collective story is complete, fans will have a chance to vote for their favorite guest excerpt — the top three writers will be awarded prizes, which will include autographed copies of Audiomachine’s new album, original signed tree-inspired artwork and Biltmore Coffee Traders coffee! The first guest writer will post on July 15th, the second on the 16th and so on until August 9th.

Whoa! I, for one, will be consuming a fairly substantial amount of coffee in the next few weeks:) I hope you all will join us during this exciting collaboration – where music unlocks the imagination!

Attention Writers: If you have a new release coming up and would like to promote it during this collaboration by offering a copy as one of the prizes, give me a shout:) All prize contributors will be promoted, daily, during the event. This is an incredible opportunity to expose your work!

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Shopping Cart DareDevils

June 28, 2013 / WriterlySam / 4 Comments

For my FridayFlash crew and all the parents out there who’ve had days like these:)

Inspiring Soundtrack: The Parent Rap – Bluefish TV

Such a calm and docile Mom was Jennifer Jay
Such a model parent in almost every way

She had twin boys, mischievous and spry
Testing her limits daily, they were sneaky and sly
Taunting with their antics for every passerby

Sanity was a balancing act she won from sheer will
The scales never tipped
Until
An especially trying grocery trip had given her fill
And the calm and docile Mom wanted to kill

The tether finally snapped around aisle three
If animals could eat their offspring, then so could she

Her blood pressure soared, her vision blurred
The rushing of rage was all that she heard
With expletives vying for first seething word

The dam had broken, time to mop up the floor
With the pair of little stinkers bolting for the door
Jennifer Jay was angry now, burning to the core
After that
They didn’t shop with Mommy anymore

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Unlocking Imaginations: Speculative Fiction Writer by Ellie Garratt

June 26, 2013June 26, 2013 / WriterlySam / 2 Comments

I’m over at Ellie Garratt’s site today, sharing a bottle of virtual wine and discussing the next EPIC collaboration with Audiomachine that will take over my site this July!

Doggone It!

June 21, 2013July 19, 2013 / WriterlySam / 10 Comments

Feeling a bit silly today, thought I’d share an “Office Space” moment for my FridayFlash crew and cohorts from my pharmaceutical research days!

Inspiring Soundtrack: Canibus With Biz Markie – Shove This Jay Oh Bee – Office Space Soundtrack

“You’re looking more tense than usual,” my snacking sidekick, Teresa, declares between bites of cheese crackers she found peeking out of my desk drawer.

“Our boss is in league with the devil,” I sigh, looking around for eavesdroppers. “He’s stretching my thin tether to sanity with all this futile busywork. If we didn’t have so many pointless meetings, I might actually be productive.”

“Preaching to the choir sista! I’ve had three meetings already today, it’s not even noon,” she complains, sneaking a sip of coffee, “one of ‘em was just about planning next week’s meetings. I swear, between our boss and the half dozen more above him, we’re looking at a miserable life of servitude.”

One of management’s minions pins us with a suspicious glare. “Don’t get caught eating in the lab again, last time they confiscated my entire week’s supply of Cheez-Its – you still owe me a box,” I warn.

“You should hide your stash behind the chemical counter, like newbie over there,” Teresa quips, gesturing towards the newest white coat currently breaking protocol by weighing capsaicin out in the open. A fit of coughing erupts near the scales. “The toxic fumes add a distinctive flavor, don’t ya think?” she grins.

“This place is a regulation nightmare,” I reply, shaking my head. “If the stress doesn’t kill us, the chemical cocktail will do the job.”

“Hey, that reminds me – I’ve signed up for a new stress management course. Last night, we fashioned our very own voodoo dolls,” Teresa announces proudly. “It’s supposed to channel our frustrations. Mine resembled a sad little suit in dire need of a dress code intervention and breath mints.”

“I find that very disturbing,” I reply, snatching the now empty snack bag from her hand.

“Really? I found it very therapeutic,” she retorts. “Unfortunately, my dog used it as a chew toy this morning – it’s toast.”

“Hey, you guys hear the news?” asks Jason, our resident red-head, sporting an unusually wide grin. “Mr. Snod got attacked by a dog or something this morning. He’s down for the count until next week. All meetings have been cancelled until further notice. Crazy, huh?”

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Space Cadet

June 15, 2013June 21, 2013 / WriterlySam / 11 Comments

A dedication to my Dad, Dr. Joseph Geary, a loving husband and father, comical character, brilliant mind and true “Space Cadet” – Happy Father’s Day!

Inspiring Soundtrack: Tom Corbett Space Academy Song -From the Golden Records 78, released in 1952.

I look around Dad’s extensive sci fi collection, silently calculating ebay potential, when Mom walks in toting another packing box and a bottle of amber liquid.

“Whoa, it’s a little early to be bringing out the big guns, Mom.”

“It’s not for me, it’s for you,” she declares, pouring a generous amount of pungent tequila in Dad’s Star Trek mug. “It’s time…I need to tell you something about your father –”

“I know. He already told me he was one of the MIB, even showed me his badge. That was a pretty neat replica,” I call out behind me, rummaging through his stash of jordan almonds.

“No!” Mom replied, exasperated. “It’s about your father’s past…he’s not exactly from here.”

“Ya think?” I quip while attempting a vulcan gesture, “It’s no secret he was a space cadet, I mean, look around.”

“Is a space cadet. He’s not gone, honey, he was called back to his home planet.”

“Nice touch, Mom. We’ll say Dad was beamed back to the mothership, formally known as heaven – he’d like that.”

Agitated, Mom grabs a ray gun off the dusty shelf and points it towards me.

“Hey, I remember that one, isn’t that a prop from Battlestar Galactica–”

A blinding light floods the room and my body goes completely numb.

Mom steps over me, shaking her head. “Teenagers…think they know everything.”

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Vengeance (Part Three of Revenant)

June 9, 2013June 9, 2013 / WriterlySam / 32 Comments

ev01 by JungShan

My excerpt for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Click on over to these talented writers to preview some amazing stories!

A dark twist on the origins of the tooth fairy. To read part one: Revenant part two: Thodia

Featured Artist:JungShan

Inspiring Soundtrack: James Newton Howard – The Bad Color – The Village Soundtrack

Thodia

The king, in his desperate attempt to save his daughter’s life, condemned her spirit to an eternity of darkness. His mind, poisoned with rage, devised a sinister plan to exact his revenge against the Gods by striking down their mortal children.

The nefarious intentions of the king were carried out by the reluctant revenant, her will bound to the talisman held fast within his relentless grip.

With each tooth she stole from under the slumbering forms of the kingdom’s youth, his power over their mortal souls grew. The king’s thirst for vengeance drained the land of hope, his plague ripping the essence from their innocents.

This is how I became a ghost of the girl I once was, the shell of my humanity slowly crumbling under my growing hatred.

I despise the monster my father has become – the monster he’s made of me.

It is time for his reign of terror to end…

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The Voices in My Head

June 5, 2013June 6, 2013 / WriterlySam / 16 Comments

IWSG meets the first Wednesday of every month. A community of brilliant writers led by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Inspiring Soundtrack: Jonsi – Gathering Stories – We Bought a Zoo

This is my first post dedicated to IWSG, a talented group of storytellers, many of whom I consider dear friends. It is the caliber of people populating this writerly crew that drew me in. They are amazingly supportive, gifted, witty, comical and empathetic of the trials and tribulations each writer endures.

Though I dearly loved the craft, I hadn’t written a word since college that didn’t revolve around technical biochemistry jargon. It wasn’t until August of 2012 that I picked up the proverbial pen and listened to the Voices in my head. They whispered tales of magic and mystery, adventure and adversity, triumph and tragedy, love and loss…once the floodgates opened, there was no stopping their constant chatter.

Once I started posting my fiction online, in March of this year, I opened myself up to an entirely new set of voices – those of my readers. These voices whispered words of encouragement. From them, I garnered valuable advice, critiques, knowledge, comradeship and approval. This gave me motivation to keep writing, keep imagining, keep believing that my stories have a place in the literary world.

And finally, there are the voices of inspiration, through which my stories have found a heart in each brilliant work of art, and a soul born of magical music, the key to my imagination.

I want to thank these voices for spending precious time in my world and giving the Voices in my head a chance to be heard – these stories are for you:)

Cheers!
Sam