Author Archives: Val

Fantastic Friday: Nature’s Gifts

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Val

Maybe it’s just this time of year, on the cusp of summer, but I sure feel like a transcendentalist lately. It seems no matter what is happening, it feels better out in nature. Battling a stressful literary magazine seemed impossible … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantastic Friday | Leave a comment

Flash Fiction: Painted Red by Eric Egger

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Val

Welcome to The Spot Writers. May’s prompt is to write a story about a character playing a prank on another. This week’s story comes from a guest writer to the group. Eric Egger is founder and publisher at Freedom Forge … Continue reading →

Posted in flash fiction | Leave a comment

Book Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Val

This was my last YA book club read for the school year. I was intrigued by the plot. Dimple is a recent high school graduate raised by a traditional Indian family in America. Her parents have expectations that she meet … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews | Leave a comment

Fantastic Friday: Rebirth

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Val

How’s the weather where you live? Here, we’ve had unprecedented rain. Our sump pump was running almost nonstop, dumping water onto an already-saturated ground. We had to build our own version of a Roman aqueduct to direct water away from … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantastic Friday | Leave a comment

Flash Fiction: What is Yellow and Stiff? by Cathy MacKenzie

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Val

Welcome to The Spot Writers. May’s prompt is to write a story about a character playing a prank on another. This week’s story comes from Cathy MacKenzie. Watch for Cathy’s upcoming novel WOLVES DON’T KNOCK.  We also welcome two new … Continue reading →

Posted in Catherine A MacKenzie, flash fiction | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Val

I chose this book as one of my picks for a young adult book club I’m in. The description intrigued me since it’s about a “strong female character” growing up in a time when females were discouraged from being scientists. … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews | Leave a comment

Flash Fiction: Mrs. Spindle’s Retirement Gift by Val Muller

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is to write a story in which one character plays a prank on another. Today’s tale comes to us from Val Muller, author of The Scarred Letter, the young adult reboot of … Continue reading →

Posted in flash fiction | Leave a comment

Fantastic Friday: Placebo Effect

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Val

I’ve been guilty lately of neglecting my Fantastic Friday posts. My daughter, now a two-year-old, did not sleep through the night until 15 months old. The lack of sleep forced me to cut back on some of my activities, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantastic Friday | Leave a comment

Flash Fiction: Heirloom

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. The prompt for this week is based on a Stephen Hawking quote: “The universe does not allow perfection.” Write a story based on that. This week’s story comes to you from Val Muller, author of … Continue reading →

Posted in flash fiction | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Val

I chose this novel as part of my young adult book club, during which we evaluate books for possible use in the classroom. It’s a national book award winner and about an underrepresented group, Native Americans. Taking place in the … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews | Leave a comment