Welcome to My Blog!
I inhale words and exhale stories. Sometimes, those stories are short and carry a life lesson. Welcome to their world.
Three Reasons to Hire a Writing Coach
As an indie author, I’ve been guilty of thinking I couldn’t afford a writing coach. I learned if I didn’t hire a writing coach, my writing career might end. I’m a cheapskate conscientious spender. I learned the hard way that eating ramen noodles every day doesn’t satisfy. Do you want to be a published author? …
A short story beginning
It’s fiction Friday here on Sharon Hughson’s blog. Here’s the start of a short story I wrote several years ago. I recently reread it, and I liked the character voice. Panther and Eagle I know what a juicy steak feels like. Need a bit of context for that statement? I don’t want you to think …
What every writer needs to know about author newsletters
Why do we hate writing emails? We can craft compelling stories. Writing 200 words on a project that inspires us takes a few minutes and energizes us. The thought of writing 200 words in an email to our subscribed readers sends us into a tailspin. So, we’ll do it tomorrow. Except, tomorrow doesn’t come until …
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Third Wife
Today is fiction Friday. I’m sharing the beginning of a story that isn’t complete. My question: is it interesting? Should I complete it? I would be Scion d’Marc’s third wife. My stomach balled in a knot while my brother discussed the arrangements like the business contract they were. I had escaped the chains of marriage …
Find the Right Professional for Your Project
One question I’m often asked by writers I work with is “how do I find a good editor/cover designer/formatter?” The best way I’ve discovered to locate these professionals is through networking with other indie authors. Any author further down the path from you can be an excellent resource on all things publishing. One caveat, check …
Fiction Friday: Jack and the Magic Coffee Beans
Recently, I wrote a couple of fairy tale retellings to submit to a fiction magazine. What follows is an expanded edition of the story that didn’t get submitted. Magic Coffee Beans The mahogany beans, whose fragrance had filled the kitchen as Jack ran the grinder arced through the air and out the back door, landing …
Just Another Night at Work
Night shift yawned with boredom. Until it didn’t. In the economy parking lot at Portland’s airport, Jen caught motion out of the corner of her eye from shatterproof glass windows offering a 180-degree view. Lighted poles illuminated the covered lanes at the exit. Everything beyond them became a blank, black slate. But movement often jarred …
Meet the Family: Flash Fiction
Her family would ruin her chance with the perfect guy. At least, that’s the story Karina Meeks told herself as she walked up to her family home trailed by that guy. His arm brushed hers, their denim jackets announcing rare compatibility. Maybe her brother wouldn’t tease her. Perhaps her dad would be so engrossed in …
Flash Fiction Friday – Paying to Be Robbed
Hello, readers. It’s our favorite day of the month – FICTION FRIDAY. Read on for today’s story which was inspired when I wondered “What if one of those pretend robbery events became a REAL robbery?” They paid to have someone rob them. It sounds crazy, right? But their friends had spent their anniversary at a …
For Her Kids is an exclusive short story written just for those who join my email list!
