TITLE: Shinigami Eyes
GENRE: YA
It's not like I killed him, so why are they treating me like this? As if I'm a frigging convict being shipped away. At least I'm going to Tokyo and not some small village devoid of civilisation.
My cousin, Haruka—someone I haven't seen in nearly ten years—walks down the aisle of the train. She's still dressed in her navy blue skirt and shirt with a navy neckerchief that makes her school uniform look like a sailor uniform. I follow, pulling my large suitcase along behind me.
A shudder runs up my spine as I hear the soft patter of anxious and excited feet that bounce along at my rear. I force myself to focus on where I'm going, and ignore the small Japanese girl with long black hair swishing behind her in time with her bouncy steps and pretend she doesn’t actually exist.
"Can you believe we're here?" The small girl, Misa gasps. For the last ten years the six year old hasn’t aged, and refuses to go away. "I've always wanted to come back to Tokyo."
Haruka lets me slide into my seat first, taking the window seat, and I force my bag into the gap between my legs and the seat in front of me. I rest my head on the black and grey chequered headrest and push the earphones into my ears, turning the music up to block out all of the unwanted noise —namely the loud talking from the girl who's not meant to exist.
Miss Snark's First Victim
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
May Secret Agent #1
TITLE: Enemies and Allies
GENRE: Contemporary YA
My idea of a perfect Saturday morning: a 2-mile run with my best friend, a steaming hot shower, and breakfast from a box. While I waited for the ding from the toaster, I alternated pointing and flexing each foot. My muscles passed the test—no soreness. The training schedule I had been following obviously worked.
The front door clicked shut and my mom muttered to herself as she put her coat away in the front closet. Just as I was about to call out ‘hello,’ a deep voice rumbled, headed toward the kitchen.
I looked down at my tank top and heart-stamped boxers and decided a quick getaway was probably a good idea. A conversation with an unknown guy while half-naked was not on my agenda for the day. But Reema was also upstairs in the shower, expecting food when she got out.
I glanced at the waffles that were still defrosting in the toaster and decided I would have to sacrifice them in the name of decency. Better to be hungry than forced to make small talk in my skivvies. I did swipe the bananas that I had set on the counter.
“Morgan, you’re here,” Mom called to my back.
My foot was on the bottom step, so close to a clean escape. I took a deep breath and swiveled back toward the kitchen, sporting my best impression of a welcoming smile.
“Sometimes, I don’t see her in the morning. She’s always off jogging.”
I gritted my teeth, deciding not correct her this time.
GENRE: Contemporary YA
My idea of a perfect Saturday morning: a 2-mile run with my best friend, a steaming hot shower, and breakfast from a box. While I waited for the ding from the toaster, I alternated pointing and flexing each foot. My muscles passed the test—no soreness. The training schedule I had been following obviously worked.
The front door clicked shut and my mom muttered to herself as she put her coat away in the front closet. Just as I was about to call out ‘hello,’ a deep voice rumbled, headed toward the kitchen.
I looked down at my tank top and heart-stamped boxers and decided a quick getaway was probably a good idea. A conversation with an unknown guy while half-naked was not on my agenda for the day. But Reema was also upstairs in the shower, expecting food when she got out.
I glanced at the waffles that were still defrosting in the toaster and decided I would have to sacrifice them in the name of decency. Better to be hungry than forced to make small talk in my skivvies. I did swipe the bananas that I had set on the counter.
“Morgan, you’re here,” Mom called to my back.
My foot was on the bottom step, so close to a clean escape. I took a deep breath and swiveled back toward the kitchen, sporting my best impression of a welcoming smile.
“Sometimes, I don’t see her in the morning. She’s always off jogging.”
I gritted my teeth, deciding not correct her this time.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Winners for May Secret Agent
Winning numbers have been drawn for May Secret Agent and the owners have all been emailed their entry numbers.
If you didn't get an email, I'm sorry; that means your ticket number wasn't selected.
Here is the complete list, so you may double check:
If you didn't get an email, I'm sorry; that means your ticket number wasn't selected.
Here is the complete list, so you may double check:
- V5PMKQNT as ENTRY #1
- CAD3048V as ENTRY #2
- LBDXJ8GU as ENTRY #3
- EV9VQ3CM as ENTRY #4
- FIN8DURT as ENTRY #5
- IE7G2ONN as ENTRY #6
- 37A937O1 as ENTRY #7
- 01II9PYL as ENTRY #8
- IV6QE0ZQ as ENTRY #9
- K85WFX7R as ENTRY #10
- OE72S72F as ENTRY #11
- HS4565CI as ENTRY #12
- DZ41RQSW as ENTRY #13
- NM5XLS1N as ENTRY #14
- MIWP93L3 as ENTRY #15
- 1LUK6OH8 as ENTRY #16
- VBYS9G4B as ENTRY #17
- NW51EFH0 as ENTRY #18
- X46EEVMT as ENTRY #19
- IJRYNS3O as ENTRY #20
- 6ZXTP278 as ENTRY #21
- DPGBRDQP as ENTRY #22
- KZ7AT52B as ENTRY #23
- 272O6IKB as ENTRY #24
- FMW4IBK4 as ENTRY #25
- FL8I9OCD as ENTRY #26
- 5OBCHQGA as ENTRY #27
- VNCDGYYE as ENTRY #28
- FUFB3PEZ as ENTRY #29
- F7SQFG8E as ENTRY #30
- PGXGAN0O as ENTRY #31
- ITMBOSZU as ENTRY #32
- 7T5XHGWA as ENTRY #33
- MJ6Y6LFT as ENTRY #34
- R4YP6W2Q as ENTRY #35
- MV1JAUNF as ENTRY #36
- JWPH61PD as ENTRY #37
- W4CA2TL2 as ENTRY #38
- 9FKTT0ZX as ENTRY #39
- 7RAF13RF as ENTRY #40
- EPN7UXPR as ENTRY #41
- 46XMDTY5 as ENTRY #42
- UGD51TAU as ENTRY #43
- RT4PBU5Y as ENTRY #44
- 8CVPWNV7 as ENTRY #45
- IRXBMJV6 as ENTRY #46
- NOL47YQC as ENTRY #47
- ZWWE107D as ENTRY #48
- TFU2FVDN as ENTRY #49
- T1XZYCLL as ENTRY #50
- UAV422Q7 as ENTRY #ALT-1
- JQ9MCYCP as ENTRY #ALT-2
Secret Agent Submissions Today
Submissions for this month's Secret Agent contest are today from noon to 6:00 pm EDT.
Guidelines are HERE.
Good luck, everyone!
Guidelines are HERE.
Good luck, everyone!
Friday, May 9, 2014
Friday Fricassee
It's funny how things morph over time.
I just read MY FIRST FRIDAY FRICASSEE and discovered that my original intent for the weekly installment was a focus on readers. To wit:
"Friday Fricassee" is all about my readers. Of course, this is a brand new blog, so pickin's may be a bit slim for a while. Basically, I'm opening up the comments box for a fricassee of ideas, input, amazing insight, etc., from those of you who feel so inclined to share.
Somehow along the way, Friday Fricassee has become more of a melting pot--stuff about me, stuff about you, stuff about writing, stuff about life. Which, I think, is more appropriate for a "fricassee". (You know, pieces of meat and vegetables all mixed up together and sautéd and smothered in white sauce.)
It's via Friday Fricassee that I've felt most connected to you. That I've had an opportunity to let some "real me" show.
Of course, I'm in a dry place now--a place of "I really don't have anything to say. I'm spent." So this is probably a good time to pass the baton to you.
Which is where it apparently started, yes?
(On another note--and one that amazes me: Some of you who were here 6 years ago ARE STILL HERE. Talk about connection!)
So let's talk about that! Let's talk about YOU. (Because, when I'm dry, I'm especially need your words and thoughts and bits of life. The same way you need the words of others when you're feeling a bit pruney.)
When did you discover MSFV? Why did you stay? And, most importantly, HOW HAS YOUR WRITERLY JOURNEY PROGRESSED since then? Have your goals changed? Do you feel stronger, or not so much?
Looking forward to all that you have to share!
I just read MY FIRST FRIDAY FRICASSEE and discovered that my original intent for the weekly installment was a focus on readers. To wit:
"Friday Fricassee" is all about my readers. Of course, this is a brand new blog, so pickin's may be a bit slim for a while. Basically, I'm opening up the comments box for a fricassee of ideas, input, amazing insight, etc., from those of you who feel so inclined to share.
Somehow along the way, Friday Fricassee has become more of a melting pot--stuff about me, stuff about you, stuff about writing, stuff about life. Which, I think, is more appropriate for a "fricassee". (You know, pieces of meat and vegetables all mixed up together and sautéd and smothered in white sauce.)
It's via Friday Fricassee that I've felt most connected to you. That I've had an opportunity to let some "real me" show.
Of course, I'm in a dry place now--a place of "I really don't have anything to say. I'm spent." So this is probably a good time to pass the baton to you.
Which is where it apparently started, yes?
(On another note--and one that amazes me: Some of you who were here 6 years ago ARE STILL HERE. Talk about connection!)
So let's talk about that! Let's talk about YOU. (Because, when I'm dry, I'm especially need your words and thoughts and bits of life. The same way you need the words of others when you're feeling a bit pruney.)
When did you discover MSFV? Why did you stay? And, most importantly, HOW HAS YOUR WRITERLY JOURNEY PROGRESSED since then? Have your goals changed? Do you feel stronger, or not so much?
Looking forward to all that you have to share!
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