The random ramblings of Shawn Van Tol.
With my new work schedule and newly discovered weekends, writing has hit an unintended (though slightly expected) snag. Mostly, my hopes of writing in the evening after work haven't come through. I've had zero interest in doing anything really, and most nights I'm in bed and reading before 9. Not gonna lie, it's been pretty … Continue reading Tiny Update
Anna and Hemmett stand together beside a narrow road. Burly pine trees, fully clothed in ice and snow, surround them as though they’re unwelcomed intruders. Above, gray clouds swell with ill intent. Buried in silence, they listen for the sound of coming travelers. “What does it mean?” Anna asks. “The line being cute.” Hemmett scowls … Continue reading Far to the North (Chapter 13)
I start a new job next week, and with it comes a completely different schedule. No more working nights, weekends, holidays, etc. I'm coming back to the land of the living and doing the unthinkable of working during the day and sleeping at night. While I'm very happy about that change, it's going to disrupt … Continue reading A Quick Note
“Hey,” Hemmett says. “You ready?” Anna looks over her shoulder at him, not turning her body away from the view in front of her. Seeing a distant longing in her eye, Hemmett pauses. “They’re leaving now. We should get going too. Our walk will be harder without the luxury of the road.” Anna nods. “Okay. … Continue reading Far to the North (Chapter 12)
“ArrrrroooOOO!” Anna bolts up from her bedroll with a gasp. Eyes wide and heart pounding, she stares at the inside of her canvas tent with a certainty that all is coming to an end. Wilder is trampling through the campsite in a frothing rage, stampeding in her direction with head down and horns ready. His … Continue reading Far to the North (Chp 11)
Now that I'm posting full chapters, I want to change the website layout so people don't have to scroll a sweet quarter-mile to get down to another post. I don't know a damned thing about layouts and all that, but expect a change to come along soon to help make things a bit more readable. … Continue reading Layout Changes
Falling from a starless sky, heavy snowflakes flutter down, swallowing sound and muting the world. They blanket the forest, bury fledgling pines, and cling to rocky shelves in growing piles before spilling over. In the silence of it all, alone and afraid, Clarence stands. His fragile body trembles with cold under the growing storm. Small … Continue reading Chapter 10 (Far to the North)
The poles of the telegraph junction huddle together like a lost patrol regrouping in the forest. At their center, looping lines form a webbing of cables before splitting from the station, each connection ducking its way through the trees to rush toward distant towns. Hemmett climbs down from the final pole, ninth in all, while … Continue reading Far to the North (Chapter 9)
After a pretty wild weekend in Tahoe (blizzard conditions, road closures, chains breaking, and fantastic skiing conditions), I've been laid out pretty hard with the flu. Other than going to the clinic and picking up my prescription, this is the first thing I've "done" over the last 48 hours. Until now, it's only been slipping … Continue reading Flu
With Wilder satiated and Anna forgiven, the Walkers continue north. From the day’s onset, Anna struggles. Her legs move as if filled with fresh concrete, thick and heavy and threatening to dry to permanent stone. Stiff muscles pang with soreness in spots she never knew existed. It’s these damn snowshoes, she thinks. Stupid things. They’re … Continue reading Far to the North (Chapter 8)
gotcha!
how rich is anyone who cares for the soul
A space for enjoying writing
"Memories captured through a Camera lens"
Blogging about all those little moments that make life beautiful...
Stories and Musings from a girl named Harvey
literary fictions, flashes, fiascos
A continuing mission to produce flash fiction stories in 300 words (or less)
EDGAR NOMINATED CRIME WRITER
The random ramblings of Shawn Van Tol.
