Work in Progress

Lisa's Blog Uncategorized 31 Comments

Hi everyone –

Hope you had a great week! Sorry I didn’t get my blog posted last week. I wasn’t attacked by Audrey II, just swamped with projects. I got some exciting interest in Moonlight, so that was encouraging, but what’s really been keeping me busy is my new book, Blood Moon! J

 Starting work on a new book is always a thrill for me. I love getting to know my new main characters and being surprised by the twists and turns the book takes that I never saw coming. So although I’ve still got about 75,000 more words to go, I don’t dread that I’m about to moil away many hours. I’m actually excited to take off on this new adventure without leaving my house… LOL

I’ve also started sorting through my short stories for the new eBook Anthology I’m putting together. I’ll probably set it up for print-on-demand too if you’d rather have a paperback copy. I haven’t quite finished the cover yet, but here’s a sneak peek so far…
 

 

I hope to have a table of contents to share soon! If you have any favorites, be sure to let me know and I’ll see if I can get them in! (Since I’m in charge of this one, I’m pretty sure I could clear a passageway for a story or two… LOL)

 

In the meantime, I stumbled across this story and thought I’d share it this week. Hope you enjoy it! J

 

Lisa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Prison – By Lisa Kessler

 

Raindrops pelted the aluminum siding, echoing through the emptiness inside. Thick black clouds blocked the sun, and wind rifled through the trees. Branches reached out with gnarled fingers to scrape on the windows, sending shrieks through the dark forgotten rooms. The loose front door creaked open on rusted worn hinges, singing a silent song of sorrow.

This was my house.

Cobwebs wallpapered every corner, painting the walls a dingy brown with the collecting dust. Occasionally animals wandered inside for shelter. Rabbits, snakes, lizards, rats, mice, even a pair of raccoons who used their busy hands to unscrew the remaining knobs from the cabinets in the kitchen. The open cupboards were bare except for the cracked remains of faded shelf lining. Warped linoleum covered the floor, the seams no longer joining together.

This was my house.

Wind poured through the broken glass at the end of the hall, blasting the worn window seat that used to overlook the flowers. How many days had I sat in that spot dreaming up fantastic tales? One day I might be a princess, and I would look out and see my Prince slaying a dragon for true love. Or if I were a singer, I would see an audience outside cheering and applauding me. If I was feeling lonely, I might picture myself as a wanderer from another planet. My imagination ran wild from my seat at the window. Shards of shattered glass were all that remained of the window now.

This was my house.

Stale air hung thick in my bedroom. Moth holes decorated the bedspread my mother made for me years ago. I lost count of how many. The embroidered outline of a little girl still remains, her button eyes stolen by animal visitors. The sunlight faded the rose color from her cheeks and lips, aging her timeless features, leaving behind a pale dusty ghost of who she once was.

I am that girl, and this was my room.

Trapped here in this web of memories, I’m lost in the present, and a prisoner of the past. I can see my home, but I cannot repair it. I can sing songs, but there is no music. I reach out, but I cannot touch. My spirit aches, but I feel no pain.

I don’t know how long I’ve been here. I don’t know how long I’ve been gone.

What will happen to me when the rain and wind finally reclaim these walls? When my house no longer stands, where will I go? Will I wander the wilderness? Will I be free or will I be lost? I don’t know what to wish for anymore. Despair has become my prince and loneliness my guardian.

As the rain turns to drizzle, the sun peers through the dark clouds. I can see the sunlight sparkling, dancing on the pond outside my shattered bedroom window. I fell in that pond once.

The light dazzled me on the smooth glass of the water. I reached out to touch it. The shock of the cold water still stings me when I remember falling in. The chill embraced me and pulled me under. I am not sure how long my body lay in the water before my parents found me.

I watched their sorrow, but I could not wipe their tears.

They moved away after the accident. No one has been here since. The bushes have grown over the narrow dirt road that once led to this house. I wonder if anyone remembers it ever existed. I wonder if anyone cares. I cannot leave this place, and even death cannot save me now.

Death put me here.

This is my home.

This is my prison.

~The End~



(For Marvin we had “Clear a passageway”, moil & Audrey II was my talking plant… 🙂 )

31 Comments

  1. crazypjs January 16, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    You are a busy one. I totally understand the joy of starting a new story, and I love when the feeling last to the end and some how fuels the seeds of a new one to follow. Love the story, sad yet wonderful. Hope you have a great week too Lisa.

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 12:30 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed the story Peggy! 🙂 Ghost stories are some of my favorites to write…

      I’ve been insanely busy, but most of it is doing things I love so no complaining from me… Thanks for reading and commenting! Have a wonderful week…

      Lisa 🙂

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    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 10:51 am

      Hi John –

      I’ve never heard of that software. I usually write my blogs in Word and then post it on WordPress…

      Thanks for the link!

      Lisa 🙂

  4. Marvin January 17, 2011 at 6:15 am

    8 points

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 10:51 am

      YAY!!! Thanks Marvin!!! 🙂

      Lisa

  5. Another Government Employe January 17, 2011 at 7:14 am

    Wow.

    Superb.

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 10:52 am

      Thanks AGE!!! I’m glad you enjoyed the story…

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! Hope you have a great week!

      Lisa 🙂

  6. sassyspeaks January 17, 2011 at 7:45 am

    Great cover
    How do I order a copy ?

    The first paragraph – wow – brilliant – a wonderful tale

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 10:53 am

      I’m glad you like the cover!!! Panda took that picture and I loved it so much I wanted to use it for the cover… 🙂

      I’ll let you know how to get a copy soon! I’m still compiling the table of contents…

      Thanks for reading and commenting Sue! I’m glad you enjoyed the story!

      Lisa 🙂

  7. Ken Kessler January 17, 2011 at 9:11 am

    Terrific story, Lisa! And I love the cover for your anthology! I’ll need to get a paperback, though, so I can have you sign it!

    Ken

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 10:56 am

      I’m glad you liked the story Ken! We’ll defintiely get a paperback copy or two of the book when it’s ready… 🙂

      Lisa

  8. Elen January 17, 2011 at 11:18 am

    You’re making progress, Lisa! Like the cover for the short story anthol. Cheers!

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 11:31 am

      Thanks Elen!!! 🙂 Very baby steps in this publishing world… Yeesh!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! Hope you have a wonderful week…

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  9. joaniethewriter January 17, 2011 at 11:27 am

    Oh I loved this wonderful story!

    I think I would prefer a paperback copy too! With an autograph would be even better! Then I can brag about you! lol

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 11:32 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed the story Joanie!!! 🙂

      Hee! I’d be happy to sign a book for you!!! LOL Once I get the details worked out on how to get copies I’ll definitely let everyone know…

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!!

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  10. JoAnne Kenrick January 17, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    I’ve got to get me that anthology when it’s out — love your short stories and it’ll be fab to have a collection of them on my ereader. Good luck with the search, am sure you’ll have great news to share with us soon xx

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 2:36 pm

      Great to hear from you JoAnne! 🙂 I’ll keep you posted onteh anthology progress… Hopefully it’ll be avilable soon… 🙂

      Thanks for all your support and encouragement!!! You Rock!!!

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  11. Cori January 17, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    I’m so excited to hear Blood Moon is under way! You are a wonderful writer and I’m happy you are continuing to work on new projects as you promote your other books! 2011 is going to be your year!

  12. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Thanks Cori!!! I’m ready for 2011 to be my year! LOL I hope! 🙂

    The only part we have control over is the writing so it does calm me to keep at the keyboard… *typetypetype*

    Thanks for reading and commenting Cori!!! Have a great week!

    Lisa

  13. Linda Graves January 17, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    As always Lisa, YOU ROCK! Can’t wait for the Anthology, as well as Blood Moon and all the others. I have “RESERVED FOR THE MARVELOUS LISA KESSLER” ready and waiting on my kindle… Hurry up! 🙂

    I love the story. I did it’s job, I felt her pain…

    THIS IS YOUR YEAR! DO IT TO IT!!!

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 8:21 pm

      Hee!!! Wow!!! Thanks for the pep talk Linda!!! *HUGS*

      I’m ready for it to be my year! LOL And I’ll keep you posted on the eBook Anthology! 🙂 Thanks for saving space for me in your Kindle!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! I’m glad you enjoyed the story….

      Have a wonderful week!

      Lisa 🙂

  14. Linda Graves January 17, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Wow! As always excellent work. My kindle has a section reserved for the “INCREDIBLE WORKS OF THE GREAT LISA KESSLER”.
    I love the story and it did it’s job. I felt the pain. Can’t wait for the Anthology, Blood Moon, and so on, and so on… Hurry up 🙂
    Love the cover! Panda did good…

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 8:22 pm

      Whoops! Sorry it made you post twice… 🙂

      But I agree with you about Panda! She took such a great picture. I thought it was perfect!

      Thanks for being the coolest!!!

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  15. Joleene Naylor January 17, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    Loved this, Lisa! So dark and sad, but still creepy! Gorgeous melancholy! 😀

    1. Lisa Kessler January 17, 2011 at 8:22 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the story Joleene!!! 🙂 I’m a sucker for a good ghost tale… This one wrote itself!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!!! Hope you have a wonderful week…

      Lisa 🙂

  16. Ciara Knight January 18, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Great story, Lisa. Oh, I LOVE the cover. Good luck with the new WIP. 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler January 18, 2011 at 10:43 pm

      Thank you!!! I’m glad you enjoyed the story!!! 🙂 I’m a sucker for ghost stories…

      I’m excited you liked the cover too! My teen daughter took the picture for a photography class and I thought it would be perfect for a short story anthology! 🙂

      Thanks for reading and commenting Ciara!!! Have a great week…

      Lisa

  17. judisunshine January 27, 2011 at 8:41 am

    Very evocative! Congratulations on all the good news with your writing — you deserve it!!!

    1. Lisa Kessler January 27, 2011 at 9:17 am

      Thanks Judi!!! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the story!!!

      Hopefully I’ll have some good publishing news to share soon… *fingers crossed*

      Have a wonderful weekend…

      Lisa 🙂