March 2012 – catsignal

Fiction: Ruffled Feathers

Posted on March 29, 2012March 24, 2012 by bryon

The werecat tried to nap, but a buzzing sound and a whisper of breeze plagued him.

Orin held back a sigh as he lifted his head from his front paws and stared straight ahead. Every few seconds, Toshi the werehummingbird zipped into and out of view. Orin had strict orders from Mistress not to hurt Toshi; she was harmless, after all, doing nothing but enjoying a little flying.

Mistress knew well that the werehummingbird was teasing the werecat, yet she just smirked slightly and gave Orin no relief.

But Toshi was, in fact, a mild nuisance and not the werecat’s true nemesis.

Continue reading “Fiction: Ruffled Feathers” →

Quotable 94

Posted on March 28, 2012March 24, 2012 by bryon

I’ll give you the sole secret of short-story writing, and here it is: Rule 1. Write stories that please yourself. There is no rule 2. … If you can’t write a story that pleases yourself, you will never please the public.
– O. Henry

haiku 206

Posted on March 27, 2012March 24, 2012 by bryon

waterlogged ground
squishes underfoot –
trash-burning day

Catsignal’s 4th birthday

Posted on March 23, 2012March 22, 2012 by bryon

Catsignal is four years old today. Things have been a little lean this calendar year, but this is still very much a going concern. Thanks to those of you who stop by to read and enjoy and comment and critique. Invite a friend or two to join you; there’s plenty of room.

Fiction: Personal Ad

Posted on March 22, 2012March 25, 2012 by bryon

I have never made a habit of reading the personal ads, so I missed the original publication. I learned of it quickly enough, of course, what with the entire city buzzing about it within hours of the Herald’s hitting the streets.“WANTED: Partner for suicide pact. Serious inquiries only. Respond to Box H3419.”

My husband, Murray, was the Herald’s editor then, and he was obliged to assign a reporter to tell the outraged world why the Herald accepted the advertisement.

Continue reading “Fiction: Personal Ad” →

Quotable 93

Posted on March 21, 2012March 16, 2012 by bryon

I think I can honestly say that I wrote these yarns for fun. It happens that I like to fool around with ideas like some people do with drill-presses or vegetable gardens or blondes. It’s a hobby.
– Will F. Jenkins

haiku 205

Posted on March 20, 2012March 16, 2012 by bryon

family portraits
with young dog, old dog
new dog

Fiction: Play the Game

Posted on March 15, 2012March 14, 2012 by bryon

As they walked from the car toward the restaurant, David hummed a few notes and fondly patted Laura’s right back pocket a few times.

“Got a song in your head?” she asked.

“One of Queen’s.” Before he could tell her which song, Laura spoke.

“If it’s Fat Bottomed Girls, you are a dead man.”

They stopped and he looked at her. The silence continued seven seconds longer than it should have before he replied, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

“That’s nice.”

They walked on to the restaurant. David opened the door for Laura and switched his mental soundtrack to We Are the Champions.

Quotable 92

Posted on March 14, 2012March 11, 2012 by bryon

The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think.
– Edwin Schlossberg

haiku 204

Posted on March 13, 2012March 11, 2012 by bryon

clear March night –
coyote’s call
startles visitor