Straighten Up and Fly Write

Flash Fiction: She Broke Ever So Slowly

She broke, ever so slowly, into a million pieces, shattering in silence. There were signs she had chosen to ignore; all was not well with her. Marital distress. A child suspended from school. An at-fault car accident. A parent dying. A pink slip, ending a long career. Dreams unfulfilled. Life stressors adding up into a … Continue reading →

Inherited Trauma

Yesterday, at the hospital in my neighborhood, a man left a package with the words, “Inherited trauma,” written on it. I had an appointment in one of the outer buildings on campus and was notified by phone to use an alternate route. The main hospital was on lock down and there was an substantial police … Continue reading →

My Cancer Haiku

I want to heal me Breaking free from this cancer Healthy, wiser, strong I want a long life Full of love, laughter, and hope More longevity Quantity adds time Yet quality adds value Both equals good life I want a good life I want time to enjoy it The full potential … Continue reading →

Today, I Stood in the Sun

Today, I stood in the sun. White, puffy clouds meandered by, unaware of my presence. They teased the sun, jostling to and fro, blocking its light. The sun remained in place; patient, steady, still. The clouds soon tired of their game. They floated away, eastward bound. Today, as I stood in the sun, I was … Continue reading →

Published short story: The Mermaid

My guilt for ignoring my blog has lessened. I have focused on my creative writing for the past year and my first short story was published in the 2015 edition of RAIN Magazine. I had to immerse myself into rewriting and editing this piece of work. This poor little blog, straightenupandflywrite.com, was neglected while I … Continue reading →

Poetry: She Couldn’t See The Light

She Couldn’t See The Light She couldn’t see the light Her vision of life was unclear A lack of confidence, of clarity Ensnared by senseless fear No momentum to move forward Thankfully, taking no steps back Just living a lateral life Running circles on the same old track It is a comfortable life, she concedes … Continue reading →

Another Perspective: Poetry by Janice Hope Horning

Poetry Is It’s the flavor gift of wood, of cedar planked and blanketed with a fish. It sends wind to fan forest fires, then brings rain to drown the smoke. It’s the fennel of my pasta’s sauce. It tells me I can indeed plant kisses on frogs though my sons puzzle and frown at me. … Continue reading →

Infographic: Investing in Less Swag and More Content

According to this infographic, companies that blog generate 67% more leads than those that don’t. This is promising news for freelance writers and business bloggers. There are many blogging companies. You won’t necessarily get rich blogging for a content company but it is a great way to pocket a little money and hone your skills … Continue reading →