Jeff Coleman's Blog: Jeff Coleman Writes, page 18

Branwin

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Regret

There is no greater puzzle, no greater struggle, than the beginning. The first note of a sonata, the first stanza of a poem, the first stroke of a painting. All that comes after builds on what came before, and if the scaffolding established at the start is weak, the whole piece comes tumbling down. It … Continue reading "Regret"

Wish

“See you later, Shitface,” said Steve, spitting on the ground. Lucas, crouched on the sidewalk where the bully had pushed him down, glanced up and tried very hard not to cry. Steve signaled to his lackeys that it was time to go, and a couple minutes later Lucas scrambled to his feet, wiped the dust … Continue reading "Wish"

Way Station

Come. Sit. Warm yourself by my fire. It’s not every day someone makes it out this far. You must have many questions. What’s that? You’ll have to come closer. My ears aren’t what they used to be. Yes, that’s what I thought you asked. You’re not going to make this easy on an old man, … Continue reading "Way Station"

The Stranger

I slam my fists against the wall, and you stare at me until I turn my eyes. Then you look away and give me a wide birth, backing off to a safe distance. Desperate for help, I cry out to you, and that’s when you scurry around a corner and disappear from sight. I gaze … Continue reading "The Stranger"

The World Fire

Dappled light danced across Vivian’s face, a hypnotic electric blue. She’d traveled long and far to get here, to the ends of the Earth and back. So much pain. So much loss. Time had passed her by as she wandered the darker passages of the world, until everyone and everything she’d ever known was dead. … Continue reading "The World Fire"

The Game

Life surrounds me. Thousands of spectators, crammed into seats stacked ten stories high, encircling a field of green where two teams engage in a sport the humans call baseball. A player swings a heavy wooden bat, which smacks into a tiny white ball, producing a loud crack. The ball sails somewhere into the third level. … Continue reading "The Game"

Anya Returns

She stares at me with eyes of purple fire, a blazing phantom in the dark. My breath catches in my throat, and when I finally speak, it comes out a hoarse whisper. “What happened, Anya?” The woman I had known so many years ago grins. “My eyes were opened.” I wait for her to say … Continue reading "Anya Returns"

Read My Next Novella For Free

On August 5, I’m going to release an entire novella to my mailing list for free, one chapter every two weeks. I’ve never done this before, and I haven’t decided if I’m going to do it again. If you want to read one of my longer works but don’t have an e-reader or aren’t able … Continue reading "Read My Next Novella For Free"

Leaves in the Wind

A special shout out to this month’s newest patrons, Susan, Amy, Caitlin, Anna and Christyne! If you want to read early drafts of every novel, novella and short story I write, as well as receive free copies of all my books in the digital format of your choice, become a patron by clicking here. A dry … Continue reading "Leaves in the Wind"