Category Archives: Fiction

Once Upon a Place

Posted on February 17, 2016 by sputterpub

Once upon a time, in a cul-de-sac realm, not far from a freeway exchange and an outlet mall, there lived a monarch, his queen, and their three daughters. Theirs was a normal, functional family, for its time: the monarch was … Continue reading →

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Cronies

Posted on February 10, 2016 by sputterpub

Lately Jill hates her bff. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t love her, and it isn’t the first time, and maybe hate is too strong a word, but Jill is a writer, usually restrained, who occasionally indulges in gotcha words to … Continue reading →

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Gambling

Posted on February 3, 2016 by sputterpub

“So do you gamble?” she asked, contemplating their pass through the casino to the buffet dinner that awaited them when they left their room. “Not really. You?” “I guess I don’t gamble for money. Never have.” He proceeded to hold … Continue reading →

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Negatives

Posted on January 27, 2016 by sputterpub

I was raised by a negative woman. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like her. I fought her tendency all my life. But of course I imbibed some of it. I was her oldest child and only daughter. I see … Continue reading →

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Paint

Posted on January 20, 2016 by sputterpub

Edie and Frankie have been BFFs for 50 years. Since college. Among their other traits in common, both like white walls. Or any shade of off-white. They’re colorful characters, unafraid of tint or tone, but each opts for uncolored walls. … Continue reading →

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Lego Community

Posted on January 13, 2016 by sputterpub

When Molly was young, she used Legos with her brothers. They constructed tidy villages or irrational towers out of the colored plastic bricks. This was in the olden days, before all the kits and specialized pieces. Before mini-figures. Now she … Continue reading →

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Writers’ Conference

Posted on January 6, 2016 by sputterpub

We were an odd assortment of semi-competent writers, and we performed variously at the conference. But we all agreed that it was a terrific experience: to be consumed with narrative for three straight days, with no distractions or interruptions. Our … Continue reading →

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One New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 31, 2015 by sputterpub

I browsed through a Writer’s Idea book and saw its suggestion about describing my most memorable New Year’s Eve. I scanned my memory and couldn’t come up with a better one than the train trip to Disneyland. That was probably … Continue reading →

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Forestory

Posted on December 23, 2015 by sputterpub

Things have risen or sunk to a crazy level in the neighborhood. We’re beset by cops and counselors. Carol is beside herself with psychological concern about her teenage pyromaniac son, and her husband John isn’t much calmer. My friend Anne … Continue reading →

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Another Bertilda Sighting

Posted on December 16, 2015 by sputterpub

I haven’t mentioned the neighbors on the other side of Anne. That’s probably because Ken and Jill are quiet, and normal, and not noteworthy. They live in a medium-sized house on the north side of the three-unit condo arrangement that … Continue reading →

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