Cherrypicked stories

We met in black and white. Four eyes peircing dirt and spiders‘ webs To escape their world behind the wood pile In the darkest corner of an ancient...

This is the opening chapter/prologue for a longer story/novel that I'm working on. It's about a woman who looks back on a domestically violent relationship with a man who would eventually commit murder-suicide with their children, leaving her behind. I want to make sure the opening 1000 words is enough of a hook for the larger story, without giving too much away or being too expository of the later plot. Does this chapter do that well? Do I hit that balance well? Thanks!

Don’t say good night Don’t leave my side If you must just remember I will turn into a butterfly. Don’t be sad Try not to cry This is not good bye It...

Act 3 – 1603. Elizabeth is dead. She is succeeded on the throne by James VI of Scotland. Lady Herbert and Ben Jonson are upstairs at the inn. Lady...

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Previous Chapter Epilogue The recovery room was just as white and pristine as Nick had imagined it. Profound thirst gripped at his dry throat...

Act 2 – Five years have passed – it is now 1598 Scene 1 Richard Burbage storms into his office, slamming the door behind him . Burbage R – Bastards!...

The gaunt old man in the pinstripe suit hovers over the microphone and starts speaking in a strange accent before they are ready. ‘It’s a ridiculous...

Previous Chapter 5. Sewer Sirens Nick had been shot enough times to know that if he still felt the pain, it wasn’t as bad as it could be. Judging by...