Dishin' It Out

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow--Teaser by Connie Vines #CharmedWriters, #BWL, #CharmedConnection #Halloween

Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow

By Connie Vines

“You and Elvis have done a great job on this house," Meredith said as her older sister led the way downstairs toward the kitchen where the tour began. “Sorry I couldn't get over, until now, but I've been sort of… well, busy." Slipping her Juicy Couture tortoise-shell framed sunglasses into a bright pink case; Meredith crammed them into her black Coach handbag. She hoped her sister didn’t ask her to define busy. Becoming a zombie, and dealing with the entire raised from the dead issue over the past six months, was not a topic easily plunked into casual conversation.

Pippa waved the comment aside. “I'm glad you like it. We had such fun decorating. Of course, we couldn’t do it all at once, but it's more satisfying putting it together treasure by treasure."

Meredith glanced from Pippa’s impish features and short spiky black hair to the perimeter of the room. Taking in every detail and nuance of Pippa’s decorating talent, she let her gaze rest on a collection of figurines by fantasy artist Jasmine Beckett-Griffith crouching at the top of the ebony stained cabinets. A black arch-top fireplace mounted against the wall, flames flowing from a bed of clear river stones, and HOME SWEET HOME embroidered on a sampler with a tiny vine of blood-red roses tangling though out the letters completed the focal point of the room.

Even though Meredith was on the best relations with her sister, she couldn't help but feel a sharp nip of jealousy. It hadn’t been so long ago that she’d had her own happy home. Unfortunately, she’d filed for divorce from Viktor and then there’d been that bizarre little accident where she’d ended up dead, and then undead.

While Pippa’s two kids, Ethan and Emma, played in the living room, to the accompaniment of 1960s rock-and-roll musical on cable TV, Meredith sat in the kitchen with her sister, fiddling with the end of the tea bag that dangled from the rim of her China cup.

Since her sister was contemplating the contents of a tin filled with Danish cookies, Meredith found herself cataloging the events that led up her ‘accident’.

A charter member of the SoCal Arts Association, she’d been participating in the annual Zombie Walk Festival in Long Beach when it ‘happened’. Crowds always made her uncomfortable, but this particular event was to raise money, so she was obligated to attend. And, it only went to reason; this year’s participation broke all past records.

Twelve-thousand gleeful ghouls stormed Long Beach’s renovated Promenade. The crowd became so large that it spilled out over Pine Avenue for an all-out downtown invasion. Meredith didn’t recall much about the accident, nor who or what, reanimated her. She remembered over hearing a security officer informing a pungent-smelling zombie that he couldn’t purchase an alcoholic beverage (apparently, he didn’t match up with his photo ID). Within moments, a shoving match between the two men ensured, quickly escalating into zombie chaos: shouting, running and chomping.

Chomping?

At the time, Meredith thought it was all part of the festivities, perhaps a little odd and definitely crazy. Just like the cornstarch-based zombie-vomit and fake blood, everyone had globed and smeared on themselves; but hey, it was an Arts event. Even after finding herself wedged in the center of the zombie mob, lunging and bumping along until they were in sight of the pier, Meredith wasn’t overly concerned.

In hindsight, perhaps she should have been extremely concerned. Because the next thing Meredith knew, she was in a zipped body bag, feeling entirely not like herself.

No. She wasn’t going to dwell on the past. Again. She’d just keep muddling on with her life and try to focus on the bright spots.

Pippa and her family were a definite bright spot in her life.

“I wish you would let me help with dinner,” Meredith said, pulling herself back into the present. “I feel guilty just sitting here doing nothing while you do all the work.” Being a vegan, Meredith found her transition of zombie-hood, particularly exigent. Brains, human or otherwise, had never been on her menu—now, protein, in fowl or bovine form was a requirement of her reanimated state. Difficult though it was, she had to come to terms with the change. After discovering an underground support group who met monthly in a banquet room of a coffee shop near the I-10, she was thankful she didn’t require human protein like most of the other Zombies. However, consuming tofu with herbal tea (her lunch before reanimation), she discovered, had unfortunate, and unexpected, side effects.

Pippa, turning from the stove with the pecan pie captured between two oven mitts, shook her head. “Meri, don’t even think about helping me with the meal. When Elvis’s mom and dad decided to take a paddleboat cruise up the Mississippi, I thought I wouldn't have anybody but my own offspring to fuss over on Thanksgiving Day. You just sit there and relax."

"I really appreciate the invitation," Meredith said, glancing out the window to catch a Monarch butterfly pick its way along a lipstick red hibiscus blossom. "Cooking turkey for one just isn't my style."

Pippa did a double take at Meredith’s statement, but didn’t comment. Instead, she said, “You’re welcome to come for Christmas dinner too, you know."

"Thanks Pippa, but Christmas is out. I have to finish the new book by February so I'm driving up to Forest Falls tomorrow. I'll be staying there for a month or so."

"Christmas at the cabin," Pippa mused. "That sounds nice. Are you sure you want to be up there all by yourself?"

"I’m not hiding,” Meredith replied.

"I know. You’re healing. . .” She left the words: and licking your wounds, unspoken. “I just don't want you to be lonely."

"I won't be,” Meredith reassured her. “I'm taking Gertie with me."

Pippa laughed indulgently and shook her head. "A hamster doesn't count."

"Don't say that when Gertie’s within ear shot. She follows me all around the house in her exercise ball. We’re BFs."

“Well, I'm glad you could join us for Thanksgiving," Pippa said.

***

As Meredith surveyed the beautifully decorated dinner table, irony struck right her right between the eyes. A lot had happened in the six months or so (being reanimated unexpectedly), and then there were all the hidden expenses. Body moisturizers, specialty make-up loaded with anti-decay properties, hydrating beverages, bimonthly injections—to keep the virus semi-dormant so that she didn’t partake in some zombie flash-mob; or worst, (morph into a Hannibal Lector type wearing red stilettos, roaming the suburbs). While she still had a lot to be thankful for, it was difficult adjusting to the major changes in her life.

Her career, however, was something Meredith gave her stamp of approval. After seven years as a struggling advertising/blog writer, she’d finally gotten her big break! Not only was The Isis Factor published but also was a huge success!

There were book signings, press parties, interviews, and even an e-Book launching cruise. Not bad, for a girl who worked her way through college waiting tables and writing nonfiction articles on spec.

The Luxor Papers, published a few months later, had been an even greater success. Who would have ever thought that Meredith Misso, author of quirky short stories and nonfiction articles, would've found her niche in the Steampunk market (Steampunk: Victorian science fiction/fantasy—circa 1850 to pre-World War I, often set in London, England)?

“I really wish you'd reconsider and spend Christmas with us,” Pippa said later. As she and Meredith took turns rinsing the dishes and loading the dishwasher. “I like the thought of you all alone in that cabin during the holidays.”

Meredith smiled, touched by her sister’s concern. Same-old Pippa. It was reassuring that one part of her life hadn’t changed. “Don't worry about me,” Meredith told her, readjusting her thick plastic gloves. “I'll be just fine. Being alone is what every writer hopes for—a writer’s mantra, in fact. Without interruptions, I can finish the book and maybe even started the next one.”

“Glad to see you’ve lost none of your ambition,” Pippa remarked, fitting a casserole dish on the top rack of the dishwasher. I can't even imagine wanting to work right up until Christmas.”

Meredith shrugged, feigning indifference. "It's just a day like any other," she said.

"Have you thought about calling Viktor?"

Book Trailer to Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow!!

Watch a preview of Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow

Remember to Visit me on FB at author connie vines

and at the Charmed Connection for free giveaways

Have a Spooktacular Halloween Everyone!

Connie

Saturday, September 22, 2018

I Do I Encourage Reading? #Round Robin #CharmedWriters #GemsintheAttic

How do I encourage reading?

This month's topic is very timely in today's digital world. Paperback, hard bound, eBook, audio book? The choices, as well as the genres, seem endless.

My day job is in education. I began presenting stories to children during library story-time. Later, I was a guest presenter during an English or Social Studies class., I have also taught writing workshops for young authors.

I believe it is more challenging now because of all the distractions. Reading is not a passive activity, for me, this is one of the most difficult realities for children to accept. For an introvert, reading is an accepted norm; for the extrovert, it seems foreign. I believe the reader has helped because it resembles a game.

For my YA evaders, I add activities at the end if each of my stories, video trailers, and often contests and giveaways.

The same is true for my adult readers. Sampler chapters, flash fiction, and coming attractions on my website and social media to offer a teaser to encourage reading.

Being a a reader, I present what I enjoy to my readership. Sensory details, recipes, a detailed setting,s, multi-dementia characters, and unexpected twists and turns.. I hope I create characters and settings that are memorable and encourage readers to search for another good story after reading
THE END.

Please stop ad see what all of the authors have to say about this subject by clicking on the links listed below.

Happy Reading,

Connie Vines

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1ly

Anne de Gruchy https://annedegruchy.co.uk/category/blog/

A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com

Proposed Schedule