So happy you stopped by the carnival this week. I’m really excited about our entries because we’re all sharing a little bit from our WIPs…cue Frankenstein music, a little thunder and mad scientist laugh *mwahhahahah* What’s up next for me? I’ve got lots of stories in the offing this year that I’m really excited about. 14 ON HALLOWEEN will release Sept. 1st. And I’m working on a memoir of my dad’s experience as a Japanese POW during WWII when he was captured at the age of eighteen. This is actually coming along after years and years of work. I’m going to do a post about the process because it’s been very different than the writing process I use with my fiction. It’s thrilling, actually. Today I’m going to share with you the first story from The Kindergarten Ghost & Other Spine-Tingling Short Ghost Stories, a collection of six short ghost stories, that will be available mid-July. The collection is for kids of all ages and I’d recommend it for ghouls 13 and over:) Eeeeep!
The Kindergarten Ghost
Mary was a quiet gal. She loved reading and sewing and teaching Kindergarten at Cypress Elementary School. An avid gardener, she was happy that the district in which she taught named all their elementary schools after trees. No one she met seemed surprised to hear that Mary was a kindergarten teacher. Her constant smiles, endless energy and devotion to children made that an obvious career choice.
But lately, Mary felt restless.
She had only moved to town six months ago and already she’d made many friends. Last week she’d been set up on a blind date that went so well her and Gus had plans to meet that night for dinner and a movie. They’d go to Lenny’s, a popular burger place. A place frozen in time, much like Mary herself with her signature sweater sets and Capri pants. At Lenny’s, girls rollerskated to the car, took the order and rolled back with food. Buddy Holly would blare through the speakers. Gus even drove a 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner, light blue. In fact the only difference between the Lenny’s of the 1950s and now were the tattoos and piercings the waitresses sported, and, of course, their roller blades.
As Mary got ready for Gus to pick her up the night of their second date, she felt like someone was watching her. So much so she kept turning around, checking behind her as she grabbed a quick drink at the sink. Shaking the feeling off as before-the-next-date nerves, she returned to her bedroom, sat at her vanity and brushed her hair. As the bristles grazed her scalp, she saw herself from behind. Brushing her hair. As if she was someone else, walking up behind her. Mary’s skin crawled. She called out.
“Gus? Is that you?”
If you want to read on visit Amazon.
On a side note, I’ve gotten one of the most unique reviews I’ve ever received for this story. I’ll reprint it for you here. It encouraged me when I got a little bit down, so I thought I’d share it and dedicate it to any writer out there that is struggling or is barely holding on right now and needs a little encouragement to keep on writing. Originally it was a 2-star review. Here it is:
Very, Very Short = I wanted MORE, November 25, 2008The story was good. I had hoped for more than just a few pages in total.
Length of a young childs book with adult content.
Editing my review…
Almost 3 years after reading this book, I still think about it…. it was that interesting to me.
I also needed to edit my review as this was my first review and I felt my rating was unfair.
True, I wanted to know more about how everyone managed, once I knew what the situation was…. that is not the fault of the author. That is the praise of the author for a good little book.
Squeeee!!! I think that was the most interesting because I’d written something that one of my readers kept with him for so long. That’s what writing is all about. And he was so kind to come back and say what he did, especially as we all lead such busy lives. So, if you love indies, and you’ve read a great indie book lately, leave them a review! It’s so encouraging:) Now click through the carni list below to check out my fabulous fellow carnis WIPs!
Click here to see what’s new at the carnival this week!
What a cool little review at the end. I can’t believe that person couldn’t stop thinking about it – after all that time. That is so awesome 🙂
🙂 Thanks Melissa. It was so gracious of him to leave that note. #gratitude for stopping by
That’s so cool Laura!
Thanks Heather:)
Fantastic, Laura! That’s what we want, right? To linger in reader’s thoughts and dreams. Bravo 🙂
You know, it was just so unexpected and sweet of him to take the time to post his thoughts. Thanks so much for stopping by Patti:)