@100WCGU – Page 2 – Jean's Writing

Smelled Like Death and Cheap Perfume

Published on March 10, 2015April 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

The scent was overpowering, smelled like death and cheap perfume. I stepped over books and clothes, careful not to fall. Candy wrappers and trash littered corners. A pizza box teetered on top of the dresser.

I set down the Pinesol, snapped open the large plastic garbage bag, slipped on a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves, and wished I’d brought a gas mask. Piece by piece I dropped everything into the trash bag.

Exhausted, but relieved glad I’d found nothing dead or squeaking.

“Mom, what’ve you done?”

“Cleaned your room.”

“But my stuff… .”

“Gone,” I said and left my daughter, stunned, standing in her empty bedroom.

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#170

the prompt this week and it is :

…the scent was overpowering…

Publish or Perish, so the saying goes.

Published on January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

A writer must write.

Give away, post on Facebook, Tweet, blog and yes sell. It’s possible to get your words out there.

Looking for a place to sell your work?

Check out the markets listed at Brainstorms & Bylines and NewPages. I bet they have a place for just about every writer.

Connect with other writers. Find writing prompts.

Go to 100 Word Challenge for Grownups or Five Sentence Fiction or Describi. There you’ll find prompts and story games to stir your creative juices.

Did you find a place to submit?

Do you have a special place you prefer to submit?

Share, leave a comment and give us the scoop.

Good Luck!

This Mom is Charlie

Published on January 12, 2015January 14, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell11 Comments

After the dreadful events in France last week, the prompt for your 100 Words is:

Freedom

I swallow my fear and paste on a smile. Unafraid she marches among millions, her face aglow with joy and determination. My babe now woman, wife, mother and defender. Pride swells as I read the text and stare at her determined face. Arms linked with her family, at five feet even, she stands tall in the crowd. Thousands of miles from home, but this moment she feels snuggled against my heart. This woman who sprang my loins raises her voice, and I hear mine, demanding freedom for all. Je suis Charlie. We are all Charlie and we are unafraid.

Do you believe in Magic?

Published on December 8, 2014April 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Through My Eyes

The trees are older, gnarled and bent, but then so am I. The years had not been kind to the forest where I once played. I walked deeper into the shadows, my eyes searching for signs of life. The dark red stood out like drops of blood among the dark green leaves.

I stood, my hand extended with a handful of those special berries, and hoped my childhood friends would return. In minutes, the air shimmered and my cheeks warmed as I felt the first flutter of wings. The years melted away, the faeries hadn’t forgotten me.