Author Archives: Val

Flash Fiction: Dino Express by Dorothy Colinco

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This week’s post comes to us from Dorothy Colinco. This month’s prompt: These objects should appear in your story: a train, a pink post-it note, and keys. One of your characters must be an animator. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Leaf and the Sky of Fire (Twig Stories Book 2) by Jo Marshall

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Val

Last June, I reviewed the first book in the Twig Stories series. In honor of Earth Day, I read the second. The Twig Stories series follows stick creatures that I think of as elves or sprites (but more wood-like), with … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: The Great Outdoors

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Val

Okay, so it isn’t Friday. The weather has been so amazing that I’ve been spending my time outside. But now that it’s raining—and 11:30 at night—I decided to sit down and write this post. Anyone who knows me knows that … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: Courage by Val Muller

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This week’s post comes to us from Val Muller. Check out her brand-new release: The Girl Who Flew Away is a coming of age tale of a freshman prone to keeping secrets. Follow this link … Continue reading →

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Writer Wednesday: The Girl Who Flew Away

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Val

I’m pleased to share my latest young adult novel with you. The Girl Who Flew Away continues my love of young adult literature. As a high school teacher, I have seen the power of literature to inspire young readers and empower … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Val

I’ve always loved imagining the fantastical within the realm of everyday life. As a child, I became intrigued by The Dark Crystal¸ a movie in which a main character harbors hidden wings. For several months—if not years—I checked my back … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: “The Trophy” by Cathy MacKenzie

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Val

Welcome to The Spot Writers. March’s prompt is to use these five words in a story: builder, chance, trophy, glory, unexpected. Today’s post comes from Cathy MacKenzie. Her one-woman publishing company, MacKenzie Publishing, has a submissions call for stories for … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Humanity at the Checkout Line

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Val

I had another post planned for this week, but I procrastinated on my research. Good thing because something fantastic happened to me today I thought I’d write about. My toddler, online known as the CLK (Cute Little Kiddo), had an … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: Toddler Glory by Val Muller

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Val

Welcome to March! This month’s Spot Writers’ prompt is to use the following words in a story: builder, chance, trophy, glory, unexpected. This month’s post comes to us from Val Muller, author of the YA novel The Man with the … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Chocolate Hummus!

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Val

Chocolate. Hummus. Stay with me, here. I didn’t know this was a thing. I really wanted to write about the 75-degree weather for this week’s Fantastic Friday post. In fact, the reason I’m late (posting this on Sunday instead of … Continue reading →

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