Originally written on 2/12/2011; rewritten and reposted 9/10/2017 Joel hadn’t had a good idea in some time. His blood-seeking wasps were rejected by the military. His cabbage-fueled car got excellent mileage but the odor of farts inside the car was overwhelming. His proposal for a three-legged horse, which he pointed out, would offer improved stability, … Read moreHide and Seek
Written on 3/17/2011 “Dad, can I have a gun?” asked Thad. “Why do you need a gun?” Thad’s dad didn’t look away from his computer screen. “I need to kill somebody at school.” This got his dad’s attention. He turned around in his chair to face his eight-year-old son. “Why would you want to kill … Read moreGun Play
Written on 1/23/2011 Bernie removed his ill-fitting headphones and disconnected himself from the auto-dial computer. He lumbered out of his cubicle, relieved to be free from another day of customer service. He had once again been chastised by his supervisor for growling at the customers when they became rude. Outside, the cool evening air bit … Read moreBarely There
Written on 2/9/2011 Sarah woke and noticed make-up on the pillow. It was dented where a head had been, the sheets wrinkled and damp. She slowly realized that she was back in her hotel room, when a wave of nausea hit her, and she ran to the toilet. She felt better after being sick, although … Read moreHACK
Had some fun working on stories for the annual Boise Weekly Fiction 101 contest. Working with Rachell and Mark, we tossed drafts of stories back and forth, refining them to their core elements. Writing something so short is a nice exercise in discipline and really clarifies what the story is about; there’s no room for … Read moreBoise Weekly Fiction 101 2016 Entries