Category Archives: Authors of the Week

Excerpt from Manuscript – Snow

24 Thursday Mar 2016

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SNOW

Ms Mandi Photo 1

“Jack, why are you mad!”

“I’m not.”

The night was late, but January could slightly see the beginning of the sunrise peeking its way up and over the shoreline.

She loved this time of night, the beginning hours of a new day, but there was bad blood between she and Jack. She knew he was mad, but she didn’t care because she too was frustrated with him and his lack of character.

All she could think to do was to lay her head down on his shoulder, closing her eyes as they sped down the highway, at speeds over a hundred miles.

Sometimes, life felt as if it too were passing her by.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright: March 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript: Snow

28 Sunday Feb 2016

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SNOW

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I sit in a trance like state, remembering the flashbacks from my life. Remembering how I took life for granted. Remembering how I thought I had all the time in the world. Not knowing, that I did not.

Remembering that one day…it had such a significant hold on me and a tight hold on who I become later in life.

My mother…holding the shiny, silver shears in her hand. I remember thinking, “She does not appear sane.”

“Mommy, what’s the matter…” I asked.

“You have been a very bad girl, very bad indeed. Did you not know that I would find out.. did you not…I’m speaking to you, January…”

“Mommy, I do not know what you are talking about.” I whimpered.

“But you do. Yes you do, January.”

“But Mommy, I do not.”

A fast and sharp burn spread across my face. I had been hit.

Suddenly, I blacked out; not remembering what happened next…as I sat on the cold, expensive marble floor, gathering my golden curls into a pile on the floor.

Silently, I glanced up, seeing my reflection in the bathroom mirror… “I’m hideous!” I cried.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright: February 28, 2016

ALEXANDER

18 Thursday Feb 2016

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Alexander…

Ms Mandi Photo 1

His days were as low
as the bottom of the sea,
depressed that’s that.

His words were unconditional
not expressive, unhappy,
Not in his right mind.

His smile was weak
skin pale like snow,
Shaggy hair fallen in his face.

Couldn’t get out of bed
not even to shower,
Not even to eat.

That’s when I saw
it wasn’t just a bad day he had,
It was never-ending.

I guess his sad days caught up to him
cause now I’m reading the note he left me,
Saying goodbye.

Written By: Jewels
Copyright February 18, 2016

A VISIT TO FRANCE

17 Wednesday Feb 2016

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Planning your trip to France…

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Each time I have visited France, I have been struck by many things that seem to connect me to the core of my being.

I’m not sure if this is unique to me, due to my European roots, or whether all people are moved this way. There is something about standing in a cobblestone street, that was constructed hundreds of years before Columbus sailed to discover the new world, that brings a nostalgic feeling to me. It feels like home. It’s strange and wonderful.

It makes me long to be there, long after I have left. Reviewing photographs from these trips, ignites this feeling in me and for the first time, has inspired me to write about this experience.

One of the things that strikes me about France is the magnificent Cathedrals, with in a country that has an extremely strong Catholic influence, the architecture, the culture, and the laws. Many Americans aren’t aware of this, but the entire country of France closes down every Sunday, to a greater degree than the United States shuts down for Christmas Day. Don’t expect to do much shopping during a Sunday in France.

My last trip to France was spent mostly in the city of Le Mans. A city familiar to Americans, due to the famous 24-hour Automobile race that is held there every year. This is an ancient city, dating back before Christ, and as is true for almost every city and town in France, boasts a spectacular cathedral.

This picture, of a Le Mans Cathedral, dates back to the 6th century and took seven hundred years to complete. The beautifully detailed stained glass is dated back to around the year 1100.

Photograph & Written By: An Anonymous Writer
Copyright February 17, 2016

A Walk up Barrow Hill

10 Sunday Jan 2016

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A Walk up Barrow Hill…

Ms Mandi Photo 1

“Why did you say that?” She asked.

“Does it matter?” He said.

“It matters to me.”

“It shouldn’t matter. At least not to you.”

“But it does. It all matters to me. It’s not fair.” She said.

“Nothing is fair.” He said looking down at his hands.

“I know and that’s why I must leave…I’m leaving you…I don’t love you anymore.” She said, closing the door silently behind her.

She couldn’t look back, as she walked towards the sunset with a smile upon her lips.

She was finally free.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright January 10, 2016

Excerpt from A Walk to Barrow Hill

16 Wednesday Dec 2015

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A Walk to Barrow Hill:

The house appeared to be dark. Every shade in the house had been drawn. An uncomfortable chill crept up her leg, causing her to shutter.

She felt an eerie feeling encircling her as she called out.

“Mama, it’s Anna. Are you home?”

Silence filled the voided spaces of the empty rooms.

“Mama are you okay? Rose asked me to come over and check on you.”

Anna entered room after room, quietly shutting the doors behind her as she left.

The bathroom was the only room she hadn’t come to yet. Cautiously she peeked around the corner, slowly opening the door.

“Mama!” Anna didn’t recognize her own voice, as a ghostly scream escaped her before collapsing to the stone-cold tile floor.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright: December 2015

Excerpt from A Walk up Barrow Hill

29 Sunday Nov 2015

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A Walk up Barrow Hill…

Ms Mandi Photo 1

Reluctantly, Rose slowly opened her eyes…fluttering a couple times. Looking around the room, she felt confused and disoriented. She didn’t know where she was. The stark whitish green walls screamed out to her, making her head pound uncontrollably.

“Hello? Is someone there?” The silence was deafening.
“Hello?”

Footsteps echoed through out the corridor outside her door, until they stopped completely.

Rose sat up in bed, intently watching, as the door reluctantly opened.

“Hello, Miss Rose. How are you feeling today?”

She felt sick as the bile rose up into her throat. She knew where she was, as she screamed out hysterically before collapsing to the floor.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright 2015

A Walk up Barrow Hill

18 Wednesday Nov 2015

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A Walk up Barrow Hill…

Ms Mandi Photo 1

Anna sat frozen on the couch, staring aimlessly at the corner of the wall. Her stomach roared with hunger pangs, but she no longer felt the discomfort.

It felt numb to her now. She felt numb.

Wishing she felt nothing for the endless craving, that ate at her very soul each and every day. She longed to forget.

Anna closed her eyes; taking in a deep breath to control her desires. It was no use. She was at its mercy.

Feeling defeated, she quickly, but cautiously entered the kitchen. She knew she would regret this. She made a mental note to take a trip into town to purchase another package, before her mother got home and noticed them missing.

Slowly and then eagerly, she ripped open the package of cookies, shoving them effortlessly into her mouth. Within minutes, she had consumed the entire package.

Feeling defeated, she slumped to the floor, as tears spilled down her checks. She knew she had failed once again.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright: November 2015

Excerpt from A Walk to Barrow Hill

24 Thursday Sep 2015

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A Walk to Barrow Hill…

Ms Mandi Photo 1s

Silently, I let out a silent gasp or was it silent, by the way my daddy intently turned around, facing me and staring me down. All the while, Rose had not loosened up on her grip…not since we entered the hospital.

But now, as we stood in Mommy’s doorway, listening to the her machines peeping…I lost all my nerve. Tears, simultaneously sprang to my eyes, as I watched my mother’s lifeless body lying so quiet and still in the sterile bed.

Prying Rose’s had from mine, I ran. I ran down the hall, until I could run no more, falling down against the wall, out of breath and sobbing.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright 2015

Dear Daddy…

25 Tuesday Aug 2015

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Ms Mandi Photo 1

Dear Daddy…it’s me. I haven’t seen you in a while. I miss you…why don’t you ever call me? Why don’t you write to me? It’s okay, I understand. I know you have other things to think about…more important things.

I was thinking…do you remember when I was a little girl and I couldn’t wait for you to get home from work? It felt like I waited all day for you to return home. I was so proud of you. I knew you loved me because you went to work to give me things. You told me this.

You bought me a bike, clothes, and you even built me a swing to play on. This was my favorite present because you made it out of love and it hung from my favorite tree in the backyard.

That was special. I felt so loved and knew you loved me. But then I grew up and things started to change. You and mommy started to argue all the time and you would storm out of the house mad, staying away for days.

Then one day, you didn’t come home anymore. Mommy said you wouldn’t be living with us anymore, but that you still loved me and always would. She explained that adult problems were not my problem and that you loved me even if you weren’t going to live with us anymore.

I believed her and I believed you, but you lied. You say we gave up on you, but in reality, you gave up on us…on me. You lied to me…but like I said, I understand. Do you know why? I understand because love is forgiving and you are my daddy and always will be…I just wished you knew this and tried to love me…just a little.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright August 2015