Author Archives: Val

Flash Poetry: Across the Fence by Cathy MacKenzie

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Val

Welcome to The Spot Writers. September’s prompt, a hard one: Write about a character whose one ability is to amplify the best traits in others. Who would they hang around? Who would they choose to avoid? This week’s post is … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: (poetry) Ice Cream Night

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Val

This week, I was honored to have one of my poems, “Mother and Toddler on Ice Cream Night,” featured in the Purcellville Gazette. It’s a poem I wrote for one of my writing groups in answer to a prompt: write … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: The Herald by Val Muller

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is: Write about a character whose one ability is to amplify the best traits in others. Who would they hang around? Who would they choose to avoid? Today’s post comes to your … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Praise the Vulture

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Val

I had my daughter in January 2016. So it’s no surprise that I didn’t get to that month’s issue of National Geographic. Cleaning the house, I found it tucked away with a few other unread magazines. The article on page … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: The Day the Doctor Melted by CaraMarie Christy

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers! The prompt for August: Where have you always wanted to vacation? Pick a country and set your story there – only in this story, the dream location sadly is a setting for disaster. Today’s post … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Don’t Judge a Book

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Val

We’ve all heard the cliché: don’t judge a book by its cover. I love when perception and stereotypes are contradicted. Earlier this summer, as I was walking through a shopping center, my husband and I were approached by an old … Continue reading →

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Book Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Val

This title is part of a book club I’m in, in which teachers evaluate young adult (YA) books for use in the classroom. The goal is for teachers to have resources available to help students choose books they would enjoy. … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Human Chain Saves Lives

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Val

August is prime beach time, and anyone caught in a rip tide or current knows how frightening it can be. Last month, I came upon this news story about a group of 80 people who formed a human chain from … Continue reading →

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(Late) Flash Fiction: Hugger-Mugger Eyes by Cathy MacKenzie

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Val

Welcome to The Spot Writers. August’s prompt is: Where have you always wanted to vacation? Pick a country and set your story there—only in this story, the dream location, sadly, is a setting for disaster. Please excuse the lateness of … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Val

I chose this book as part of my interest in exploring the steampunk genre. It’s a young adult version of Cinderella, only it involves elements of steampunk and a super-empowered protagonist. Mechanica, or Nicolette, is a girl whose mother passed … Continue reading →

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