James Pyles's Blog, page 152

The Adventure Begins!

“Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers.” –Lewis Mumford Fifteen-year-old Keisha Davis sat on the concrete steps of the dilapidated warehouse with tears streaking her face. Her Grandpa’s journal was resting in her lap as she read the same paragraph over and over. “I’ll never forget the first time I […]

Rejection Newbie

Hi, James, [Story Title] was well received here, but we have decided it’s not quite what we’re looking for in the [name of publication/anthology]. Thanks for submitting it to us, and best of luck with finding a good market for it. [Name of Editor] Dear James, Thank you for sending us [Story Title]. We appreciate […]

A Face or a Mask?

Actors are so good at changing their faces, their voices, even their bodies as they leap from one role to the other, but you can never tell what’s really going on behind their eyes. What is a portrait? A photo? A drawing? It certainly isn’t an image of the soul. They say the eyes are […]

Keisha Takes Off

Minutes ago, fifteen-year-old Keisha Davis had entered her Grandpa’s workshop, which was actually an old, dilapidated warehouse on the edge of town. The only thing Grandpa built that looked like it would work was the strange airship he christened “Graceful Delight.” Following the directions in the journal she had received by messenger days after he’d […]

Gerald, Chelsea, and Me

Gerald was a “thirtysomething” hipster who tended toward being impulsive, and spoke in murmurous sentences heavily lasted with words victimized by elision. Passing him on the street, I would have considered him one of those nameless citizens of gentrified neighborhoods, but since he was dating my stepdaughter Chelsea, I was forced to give him more […]

Mindgasm

Disclaimer: Given the writing prompt for today, I created a story that is PG-13, and bordering on R. The tale includes themes of sexual assault and violence, so please be advised. “No, please no. Not now.” Tiffany wasn’t sure he could hear her thoughts yet, but Ingmar was definitely in her head again. It was […]

Saving Max

Owen Craig snapped the magazine into place, held his Glock 19 at his side, and then stepped through the dark mirror. Last night, it had been an ordinary mirror on his closet door, but this morning, it had changed. When he looked at it, somehow he knew what it was, and why it was here. […]

The Dragon’s Head

Their campaign against Peking was succeeding, but General Hiroki Sato had to land his troops at Shanhai Pass, then march to the city to relieve the siege. “Is this bombardment necessary? There are likely few Chinese troops present.” Admiral Ako Yamamoto could barely hear above the cannon fire. “Better this than an ambush.” He returned […]

The Difference Between a Goal and a Dream is a Deadline

Earlier today, I wrote and published the short story A Black Matter for the King just for myself, but later, I adapted it slightly so it could be a response to the First Line Friday writing challenge hosted at Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie. Although it’s gotten several “likes,” no one has ventured to comment. That happens sometimes, and […]

A Black Matter for the King

His smile was like some kind of magic, but that’s not why she chose to talk with him. Natalie Sanders Pena sat next to the shy young Marine near Gate B14 at Denver International Airport. He was heading back to Pendleton after his leave, and was due to be deployed to Vietnam within the next […]