Being a Tourist in Japan: Things to Know Before You Go

I recently went to Japan. Here are some of the things I learned, noticed, and recommend as a tourist!

Writing Exercise: Storytime

The little that I know about my father’s history as a sailor boils down to this: there are things I will never know, and for that I should be grateful. His words, not mine. He seems to think I’m not capable of fully comprehending the things he’s done. Well, perhaps that’s true, but I would …

Writing Exercise: The Sea of Antiquities

Mediterranian Sea - 1793 (approx.)   I often wonder if living humans realize the wealth they have amassed at the bottom of the ocean. None of which was intentional, certainly, or perhaps was made by some kind of madman, but I never cease to be amazed by the items long forgotten (thus dredged up by …

Chapter One Events Blog Tour: Writers & Mental Health

Hi all, I am pleased to be holding today’s stop for the Chapter One Events Blog Tour! As some of you may know, Chapter One Events is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, whose goal is to provide resources and a supportive community for young writers all around the world. We have two annual …

Writing Exercise: Bathroom Break

Location Unknown - 1825 (approx.)   It would've been so much easier to have been born a boy, but as I watch Curly take a piss over the port side, I am glad I am a woman in every way that counts. If only common courtesy and self-awareness were God-given gifts to every man and …

Writing Exercise: A Marriage Meeting

London, England - 1766 (approx.)   I tuck a loose curl behind my ear. Mariana, my lady’s maid, will want to pin it to my scalp the moment she sees it, but I like knowing that it’s there; a small piece of me that cannot be restrained. I tug on my kid gloves, hoping the …

I’m the Unreliable Narrator of My Own Life

Well hello, I hope it's been a swell eight months or whatever kind of crazy amount of time has passed since my last post. I'm not going to spend a ton of time apologizing because I do that every time I realize I have completely abandoned my readers (I really am sorry about it, though) …

Hello There!: Life Updates and What-Have-You’s

Knock, knock. (You say “who’s there?”)     Sorry, I originally made the picture smaller, but it was just adamant that it wanted to be this size.     No, I am not dead, so that’s nice! – a step in the right direction, if you will. How have you all been? I hope the …

Book Review: The Love Interest (2.5 Stars)

The Love Interest is author Cale Dietrich's 2017 debut novel. It follows two boys, Caden and Dylan, who are part of an underground spy organization known as SIC, where they are trained to be either Nice (think boy next door) or Bad (every YA’s favorite brooding bad boy) and sent out to attempt to woo …

Review: Carry On (4.75 Stars)

Simon Snow is a magician and the Chosen One. Baz is his roommate, and quite possibly a vampire. Who really knows? Simon's pretty sure he does. How is Simon supposed to defeat the Insidious Humdrum when he can't even seem to keep track of his evil roommate who he's pretty sure wants him dead. What is …