Category: Twenty-Five Hundred

Just Another Day

October 2, 2024 / / 2 Comments

Good Morning!

I have a couple of updates. First, I got a puppy. That’s important to mention and very relevant because I’m sitting in my office right now trying to work on my synopsis for Marigold and Nox, and having trouble concentrating because of this guy.

 

Look at that face!

Banjo is mischievous and lovable and 4 months old, adopted from a beagle rescue two week ago. He loves socks (?) is surprisingly polite and his adorable vocals crack me up. I’m a little obsessed with him at the moment.

The second update is that I wrote a new 500 word piece for the Longmont Writers Club (of which I am a virtual member, since moving to MI.) The piece is titled, “Just Another Day,” and is a more serious piece about infertility. Fiction, but poignant to me because of my personal experience with secondary infertility.

I shared this recently with a friend and realized this was something that needed to be shared here as well.

As I mentioned, this was a prompt piece. The prompt options were “Just Another Day” or “Test Results,” with a limit of 500 words. I’m a sucker for an extra challenge, so I combined the two and made my piece exactly 500 words. “Just Another Day” was also submitted to the Longmont Writer’s Club anthology at the recommendation of the group and I have plans to add it to my next collection of 500 word stories, Twenty-Five Hundred Volume II.

(what, you haven’t read Twenty-Five Hundred, Volume 1 yet? Remedy for that here)

And finally…

I’ve finally joined the Michigan SCBWI.  What’s SCBWI? The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a global non-profit organization that supports children’s writers and illustrators in so many ways. I was fortunate enough to be a member of Rocky Mountain SCBWI when living in Colorado and had so many positive experiences meeting other writers. Through SCBWI I had some amazing opportunities including attending meetings, writing retreats, and conferences. It’s a fantastic organization and if you are a children’s writer I absolutely encourage you to connect with your local chapter.

 

Immediately after joining the Michigan chapter of SCBWI I saw that there was an event coming up called the Critique Carousel, a Michigan specific event that is later opened up to other regions. I jumped on the virtual meeting for this–I believe it was the very next day after joining– in order to learn more about the event. Turns out, this event was perfect for my current project, Marigold and Nox.

With the Critique Carousel, writers (and illustrators) have the opportunity to submit their work to a SCBWI vetted agent or editor for a critique. I can’t stress how fantastic this opportunity is. I have done my fair share of submitting to agents and editors when I was querying Super Me, and let me tell you–they are so swamped that even getting a response to a query is a feat–even when it’s a pass. They have what is called a “slush pile” of submissions. Just way too many for all of them to be seen.

(What you haven’t read Super Me yet? Don’t panic. I’ve got you. Remedy HERE)

So to have a chance to connect with an agent–to have them take a good look at what I’ve written and even get feedback? That’s incredible. I registered as soon as registration opened up and was able to send my submission to an fabulous agent, who truly feels like a good fit, and seems to be looking for exactly what what Marigold and Nox is.

Marigold and Nox: The Wishing Well is my middle grade novel. It’s about the magical adventures of a 10-year-old girl and her cat. In the Wishing Well, the first book in my planned series, Marigold’s life is upended when her parents decide to suddenly move to the country where she meets Nox, the cat, and tells him her wish: that nothing had to change. The instant friends discover a doorway in her new bedroom that takes them to the wishing well in the rainbow forest where they begin their heartwarming adventure, facing their fears, and meeting all sorts of quirky, lovable, and even kind of scary characters along their way.

I can’t wait for you to read it.

So, Ideally, I wanted to send the entire first chapter. Easier said than done because the requirements for submission are VERY specific and with the font type, margins, and page limit etc, I wasn’t sure I would be able to send the whole first chapter. Maybe not a huge deal, except that you really need to read the whole first chapter of Marigold and Nox in order to get a good feel for what the book truly entails. Meaning, the end very end of the first chapter is when the magic begins!

And, magically, I was able to get the whole first chapter into those allowed-for pages. I got to dig in and play with the wording and edit until it all fit together like a beautiful puzzle. I wanted to get the whole chapter on those six pages, but I didn’t want to compromise the writing style, because the writing is pretty much the whole point.  Again, I love this kind of challenge! I love the editing and rephrasing and moving things around until it’s just right.  And it worked! Ta-da!

On Sunday I sent my first chapter to the agent via Critique Carousel.

And now we wait.

Nerve wracking? You betcha. I haven’t really shared this story at all yet. It hasn’t been OUT IN THE WORLD.

But it’s time. Marigold and Nox is so special to me. I love these characters. I love this story.  I think this opportunity is really what I needed to move this project forward. A little nudge. I’m ready to let Marigold and Nox be free. Take flight. You know, you birth a story idea, you nurture it and help it grow, then there comes a time when you have to let it go. Much like when your child has to leave the nest. Something I will actually have to face in a few years here as my oldest is getting older…. But let’s not talk about that today because I will freak right out.

For now, I need a synopsis. I want to have it ready to go for whenever it is needed.

A synopsis is kind of fun to write and kind of not. You have to be able to sum your story up quickly but not in a monotonous or boring way. You need to let your writing and your characters shine, while not overemphasizing the wrong things or glossing over slash excluding anything important. It needs to be interesting. It needs to be consistent in the tone of your story. You know, grasp it’s feel. And be compelling. And also it needs to be about one page.

Did I say I like a challenge? Yes, Yes, I surely did just say that. So bring on the challenge.

I’m going to go get back to work on that, now that Banjo is taking a puppy nap. Look how CUTE!

Oh, and here’s my new prompt piece, as promised. Just Another Day. Enjoy!

Jessica

Just Another Day

 

The light’s red and I step on the brakes at the last minute. I’m halfway home and can barely remember how I got there.

The doctor said not to lose hope. That I was young. Healthy. No reason I couldn’t get pregnant.

But he had no idea what it was like to have hope each month come crashing down. The harsh blow of failure. Again, again. No baby. To think, maybe this month. And pray. Analyze every symptom. To think it’s finally happened. Only to be wrong. Again. Again. A slap in the face as the blood comes back. And there’s nothing. Only pain. Emptiness. A torturous roller coaster.

Mark had been at the other appointments but he didn’t even show this time. Said he couldn’t be there. But maybe he just didn’t want to be. He’s giving up. I know it. It’s not that he doesn’t want kids. He does. He said he does. But he says it will either happen or it won’t.

How can he be so indifferent?

The light turns green. I start driving again. Auto pilot. My head spinning.

What was wrong with me? They were missing something, Or, they were refusing to tell me.

That was madness. But I was feeling a bit mad.

Nothing physically preventing me from getting pregnant. Sure. Then why hadn’t it happened yet? IUI hadn’t worked. Three times unsuccessful. The next step was IVF. Expensive. Invasive. Not even guaranteed to work.

Somehow, I was pulling into my driveway, the last three miles a complete blur.

I let myself into the house. Went immediately to the bathroom. No blood. I just tested last night. I wasn’t pregnant. Still, I can’t help from reaching under the sink for another test.

I set it on the counter. Leave. I won’t get my hopes up. It’s another day. Just another day. I’m climbing back onto that roller coaster again and I hate it. Hate myself for riding again. I can’t do this anymore. I want to not care. How can I force my heart not to care? I don’t want to ride this ride anymore. I want off.

But there isn’t any other option. Maybe Mark was willing to let this go, but I wasn’t. A baby. A family.

I wait as long as I can then I head back to the bathroom to look. I know it is negative. It’s just another day. I’ve been here a million times. I know this ride. I want off but there is no getting off. I’ll save up. Do whatever it takes. Adopt. We’ll—I’ll—figure it out. I’d ride as many times as I need to. I was not giving up.

The front door opens as I come out of the bathroom, test in my hand.

Mark is standing there and I hold it up. Frozen.

“You’re pregnant?” He drops his bags.

“Yes,” I manage.

He runs to me. “Thank God,” he said, wrapping me in his arms. “We get to have a family.”

Apples and Oranges Are Both Fruit

July 18, 2021 / / Comments Off on Apples and Oranges Are Both Fruit

Hey stranger! How are ya?

I have disappeared off the face of the internet for quite some time, focused on my family and getting through the darkness of the pandemic, if I’m being honest. It’s been busy. And difficult.

But I haven’t ever stopped writing.

I’m currently chugging away–ever so slowly, but chugging nonetheless– on the rewrite of Super Us.

YES! I’m still working on it. And YES it will–at some point– be published. I owe it to the characters that have a story to tell and who have yet to make an appearance–HELLO Destiny, Faye’s spunky daughter. I’m still in love with the story and can’t wait to get it finished so that I can share it with you.

As a little side note, I’ve recently written something that I’d like to share today, called “Apples and Oranges Are Both Fruit,”  a very serious piece about comparing the two. I’m planning on including this in the second volume of “Twenty Five Hundred” my collection of 500 word pieces.

I hope very much that you enjoy this today. And I hope that you — whoever you are, where ever you are, if you are here reading this– I hope are doing well.

<3 Jessica

Apples and Oranges Are Both Fruit

 

You know that expression, “It’s like apples and oranges?” Meaning they’re great in their own ways, but you can’t compare the two because they are way too different.

You can’t compare apples to oranges because one is fruit and the other is… also fruit.

That’s my problem with the expression. Why wouldn’t you compare apples and oranges? They’re actually very similar. They’re types of food. Both from fruit trees. Each are round. And are sweet. A delicious fruit either way.

So why is the expression about comparing apples and oranges? Why not opposite things? Like apples and… sardines? “It’s like apples and sardines” That’s better. They are nothing alike but both are good, in their own right.

Although, that’s a matter of opinion, isn’t it? I happen to like sardines even though I know most do not. The majority would surely say apples are much better than sardines and that there is no comparison between the two. And I might agree, depending on my mood. But maybe I want a little protein. Then I would say sardines are better than apples because apples don’t have any protein. Neither do oranges for that matter. Oranges do have vitamin C though, and apples don’t. But apples do supply other vitamins. Let’s just say there are health benefits to all of these options.

I’ve lost track of my point. Where was I? Apples and oranges and sardines. All types of food and each healthy and also relative to one’s taste. But they’re not exactly opposites, are they?

You’d need to compare things that weren’t types of food. Like apples and… rocks? “It’s like apples and rocks.” Does that work? Well, isn’t the point that they are different but also good– or valuable– in their own way? What’s good about a rock? Not much. Depending on the rock, of course. What kind of rock are we talking about here? Gold? Diamond? “It’s like apples and diamonds.” Well, anyone would choose the diamond–even if you were hungry because the diamond could be sold for many, many apples or sardines or whatever you wanted to eat. No one could say that apples and diamonds are equal but different and that’s the key to fixing the expression.

So what has exactly the same value as an apple but is also the opposite of an apple? An apple represents sustenance. What else is vital to survival? Breathing. Okay. What about, “It’s like apples and air.” Ooh, I like that. Both are essential. Eating and breathing. Apples and air.

Good. Now that I’ve fixed the expression I need to go find something to eat. All this talking about food has worked me up an appetite. Now I need to decide what I should eat for lunch. I’ve got a tin of sardines and some fruit. Wouldn’t you know? Apples and oranges.

Hmmm. Apples or oranges. Apples or oranges? Do I want tangy or crunchy? How do I choose? Looks like I need to make myself a fruit salad.

“Resolutions” a 500 word story

January 1, 2021 / / Comments Off on “Resolutions” a 500 word story

 

Happy New Year!

Today I’m sharing a story that will be published in this month’s issue of Prairie Times. It can also be found in my short story collection, “Twenty-Five Hundred.”

Resolutions

The sun woke me. A stream of light that hit me right in the eyeball. Rude. I yanked the covers over my head, burrowing, but flashes from the night before made it impossible to return to sleep. There’d been a lot of loudness—music . . . laughing . . . clinking of glasses . . . many glasses. Celebrating . . . what were we celebrating? Oh, right. The New Year and crap.

I pulled the blanket off my face. Squinted at the clock. It was way too early to be getting up on a day off. But whatever. I slid my legs off the edge of the bed. Rubbed my eyes. Buster’s collar jingled as he got up, stretched, and plopped his big ol’ head in my lap. I yawned. Scratched him behind the ears. A bright pink sticky notepad on my nightstand caught my eye. ‘BE BETTER,’ it said in my sloppy handwriting. Be better?

As I brushed my teeth to relieve my breath of the ick, I remembered some more from the night before—the later and much less fun part. The part where I’d released my liquid dinner in bursts of heaving and vowed to make changes—to ‘be better.’

Okay, I could do that. I went back and snatched up the notepad. First, breakfast. A healthy one. I scribbled ‘EAT HEALTHY’ and stuck it to my box of pop tarts. Not a bad start. I grabbed myself an energy drink, downed it, then attached a ‘DRINK MORE WATER’ to the can. Then added a ‘RECYCLE’ note as a positive afterthought. So far, so good.

Then it was time to take Buster out. I snapped on his leash. We went downstairs and into the apartment courtyard. After doggie did his business, I went to grab a bag. There were none, as usual. Talk about needing to ‘be better,’ but I knew how to handle this. I stuck a ‘REFILL THESE BAGS’ note on the canister as an expansion of my positivity. You are welcome, apartment management staff. As Buster and I walked on through the neighborhood, I noticed many instances where others could ‘be better’ and was kind enough to leave notes such as ‘WASH YOUR CAR’ and ‘RAKE THESE LEAVES.’ I also left some helpful ‘MOW YOUR LAWN’ and ‘REPAINT YOUR HOUSE’ stickies.

After such a productive walk, I rested at home for the remainder of the day. Later, I ordered pizza. The delivery guy seemed surprised by my ‘CUT YOUR HAIR’ which I attached to his ugly jacket. I then generously handed him a ‘BUY A NEW JACKET’ and wished him a Happy New Year as I closed the door.

That night, I reflected on all the bettering I had done. It was a lot of work but it was worth it. Before I switched out the light I had one last note to write. On my last sticky I wrote, ‘BUY MORE STICKY NOTES.’

It was going to be a great year.

“Changes” a 500 word story

June 18, 2020 / / Comments Off on “Changes” a 500 word story

A short story I wrote a couple of years ago called “Changes” was published this month in the Colorado magazine, “Prairie Times.”

I thought it would be fun to share it here as well.

Changes

Flying down the path, sneakers skimming over the pavement as my favorite running playlist blasted in my ears. I was high on adrenaline. Riding the rush of endorphins. It was always the best part of my day. I’d run that trail a thousand times. Wasn’t paying attention. Wasn’t watching where my feet landed as I took the free-feeling for granted. That’s when I tripped.

One second, I was speeding along the trail, wind rushing past me, and the next I was skidding to a halt. Slamming into the pavement, knee first. It burned immediately and I cried out, yanking my headphones from my ears and rolling to a stop on the grass on the side of the trail. The ground was wet from the recent rain. Cold seeped through the seat of my shorts. And my ankle—oh my ankle hurt bad. It must have twisted on my way down. Maybe it was sprained. Or broken.

Blood was beading up fast from the gash on my knee. I covered it with my hand, pressing, as I looked wildly around me. I was in the middle of nowhere. Hadn’t seen anyone on the way up. Was miles from my car. The sun was low in the sky and sinking fast. I’d skipped lunch and my post-run power bar was in my car along with my water bottle, which I’d left at the last minute.

No food. No water. And no one knew I was even here. I didn’t even tell my cat—though a lot of good that would have done anyway. Silly. Cats can’t call 911. Even clever ones like my Chloe. It could be hours before anyone found me. Days even.

All I could do was sit there. Think about my life. All the crappy parts of it. The way I always joked about that awkward girl at the office, what’s-her-name. The way I was rude to the girls that did my nails the other day.

But I could be a better person. Volunteer or something. Go to church.

Eat fewer doughnuts.

I could do that. I would, if I were only to be rescued. All I needed right then was a tall, dark, and handsome someone to come running up the trail. Someone to swoop me into his arms and carry me down the hill to safety. If only my hero would show up. Well, I would change my life. I would.

And then—footsteps! The thud of shoes hitting pavement. Coming my way! I fixed my pony tail and scooted, turning, to see a group of girls running up the path.

“You okay?” the tall one asked, judge-y eyes looking me up and down.

I stood. “Fine,” I answered to her back. The herd of them had already bounced past.

I looked down at my unbroken ankle that didn’t even hurt anymore. At my knee that was no longer bleeding. I plodded down the hill to my car.

Oh well, looked like a doughnuts-for-dinner kind of night.

“Changes” is one of 20 short stories in my book Twenty-Five Hundred (available here!)

Twenty-Five Hundred on Amazon, Super Me Sale, and More…

February 4, 2020 / / Comments Off on Twenty-Five Hundred on Amazon, Super Me Sale, and More…

Twenty-Five Hundred is available now!

I’m past due announcing that Twenty-Five Hundred is now available on Amazon! 

Paperback $4.99 and Kindle/Ebook  1.99

Also available on Kindle Unlimited.

20 short stories, 500 words each. A fun mix of humor, contemporary, fantasy, and magic.

These stories have been a work in progress for the last few years. I have loved the challenge of making them exactly 500 words and am so thrilled to have them available. If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, head on over and snag one!

Baby #3 coming in a few weeks

In other news,  I’ve reached the final month with baby #3 and am just so excited over here, it’s pretty much all I can think about.

Last week, I went to my 36 week appointment and confirmed that baby is head down. They had a little handheld ultrasound unit to check and we got to see his little profile (both my girls got to go with me!) I’m just so anxious to meet our little guy and can’t believe it’s going to be so very soon! Time to pack the hospital bag…

 

Marigold and Nox

In the meantime, I’ve been working on getting to the end of the first draft in my middle grade adventure book, Marigold and Nox. I’d hoped to get this draft finished before baby gets here and I’m still hanging onto that–fitting in time here and there and when I can to try to make that happen. The story is progressing nicely, and I’m simply loving getting to know the characters, Marigold and kitty Nox as they go on their adventure together. The friendship that they create is really special to me, as is the fun characters they meet along the way. It’s been such a blast to write and I can’t wait to see it through to the end.

“Faith is nice and all,” I said, “but I want to know HOW it’s all going to work out, you know?” -Marigold and Nox

Super Me Sale

One last bit of news . . .

Sale coming up for Super Me! The majority of the story happens leading up to, and on, Valentine’s Day. So what better time to hold a book sale?

If you haven’t yet read Super Me, now’s your chance! Just .99 for the kindle version, starting Feb 14th and running for one week only.

Twenty-Five Hundred Release Date!

January 5, 2020 / / Comments Off on Twenty-Five Hundred Release Date!

New Year, New Book

Starting off the new year with some BIG NEWS.

The wait is nearly over. My short story collection, Twenty-Five Hundred, now has a release date! This book of stories will be available on January 17th.  AND pre-orders for the kindle/e-book version are available now for 1.99!

I’ve been collecting these short stories for the last several years and I can’t even tell you how excited I am to finally be able to share them!

Description:

“A delightful mix of humorous, lighthearted, and more serious contemporary stories and those woven with fantasy and magic. Each piece is exactly 500 words.

Inside these pages . . . A woman resolves to begin a new year on the right foot, with the help of sticky notes … A poem in which a woman in red rushes through an airport to try to catch a plane . . . An excerpt from the novel “Super Me”: an unfortunate interaction with a crush at a coffee shop . . . Two workers of magic meet to perform a secret ritual . . . At a desert marketplace, a child is yanked aside by a mysterious man with an important message . . . While running solo on a trail in the mountains, a woman injures her ankle and thus reflects upon her life’s choices . . . While being held captive by frog-like creatures, a girl makes a high-staked impossible decision . . . A sneak peek at the novel “Run”: a teenage girl is trapped inside a neighbor’s house while zombies take over the world around her . . . and much more.”

Happy New Year! It’s going to be a great year.

 

© 2024 Jessica Dazzo

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