Skeletons of us haunt my book of dreams

curling pages to hold chaos like a bouquet of dead flowers

In the far reaches of unquiet minds, nothing is as it seems

Metaphors and daydreams seek solace in the small hours

before bones rattle and rake across pristine paper

curling pages to hold chaos like a bouquet of dead flowers

Wishes dissipate just then like spine-chilling vapor

Fairytale villains always smile

before bones rattle and rake across pristine paper

Let’s call Chapter Two “Games and Guile”

I’m rewriting the ending

Fairytale villains always smile

Some devils are worth apprehending

Standing together, this reverie wavers

I’m rewriting the ending

New pages — my heart savors

Skeletons of us haunt my book of dreams

Standing together, this reverie wavers

In the far reaches of unquiet minds, nothing is as it seems

Image by DarkmoonArt_de from Pixabay

Prompts: Lyric Ideas, #becomingfragile, #PenPixels

Once a writer’s work is published it is out there—and at the mercy of the critics. Reviews are what help spread the word about their writing, but the simple fact is that not everyone is going to like it—or at least be glowing with praise. Of course, one would hope they would, but people have different likes and tastes, and so they will find certain things they like—and don’t like—about a particular work. A writer puts hours—years—of passion and hard work into it, and to have it criticized—yes, it can make a writer feel low.

I know. People have posted reviews of Mystical Greenwood over the past three years. Most, I’m happy to say, have enjoyed it. But there have been aspects about it that weren’t to their taste. For example, some thought the language was still too flowery, or didn’t like the alternating points of view, or had trouble…

There are some weeks when I sit in front of the keyboard and simply stare at the monitor. That little vertical blinking line tauntingly blips in and out, hypnotizing me, erasing all inspiration I have to write.

Side note, did you know that the vertical blinking line is called an Insertion Point? I would have thought that it had a more exotic name. But sometimes simple is best.

The point of this intro is that I can’t figure out what to rant about for this column. During these times of desperation, I turn to Pinterest and look up writing quotes. For some reason, I think they’ll give me inspiration for a topic. It took some scrolling, but I actually did find something to write about. The lies people tell about writing.

Lie #1: “Someday, you’re going to be someone’s favorite author.”

Let’s face facts, okay? Just because you write, it…