Filed under Creative Writing & Poetry

Flash Fiction: She Broke Ever So Slowly

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

My Cancer Haiku

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

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

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

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

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

A Life Unfulfilled: The Assassination of JFK 50 Years Later

A Life Unfulfilled: The Assassination of JFK 50 Years Later

50 years ago today, our country was thrown into shocked chaos and stunned mourning by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I watched CBS Sunday Morning earlier in the week. They had several segments about this horrific event in American history. What has remained with me, though, was the opinion piece about how the … Continue reading

Thoughts from a Frazzled NaNoWriMo Writer

Thoughts from a Frazzled NaNoWriMo Writer

This year, I decided to embrace NaNoWriMo with gusto. I cut back on my blogging – personal and professional – and haven’t accepted new clients for website content, resumes, and LinkedIn set-ups. I have focused on creative writing and jumped into waters of self-discovery head first. I was inspired from a visit by author Jennifer Egan, … Continue reading

Writing Triggers That Inspire Content Creation

Writing Triggers That Inspire Content Creation

Writing can be tough. I have hit the writer’s block head-on, stunned by the impact. When I am literally at a loss for words, procrastination affects my time management. When I designate a block of time to work on my creative writing, something or someone creates an unforeseen distraction; a distraction I willingly accept. When … Continue reading

InfoGraphic: Tips for Completing a First Draft

InfoGraphic: Tips for Completing a First Draft

Overcoming the Blank Page Syndrome – Writers understand the struggle of completing a first draft. The blank page is intimidating, even for a seasoned writer. Time and again, I hear the sage advice to just sit down and write. Sounds easy, right? Well, it isn’t. I have to fight the urge to stay focused. I … Continue reading