My Cardboard Balcony

Still no updated prompt on the OneWord website. Perhaps the webmaster is taking an early November vacation? If so, I'm jealous. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Hi, everyone. Today, as some of you know, is the first day of National Novel Writing Month. In 2012, I took the entire month of November to write [Insert Self-Discovery Here], forgoing Storyteller until December. I was able to "win" NaNoWriMo for the first time as a result, and this year, I am trying it again. I do not intend to have a specific outline, but let's just say it might use a lot of different ideas from my previous short stories as seen on this blog. There might be familiar names and places, though it will not be the same story. I begin writing tonight and will give you updates every Saturday until the end of November. We'll see how this goes. Wish me luck. Cheers, Belinda

No updated OneWord today. Boo. Oh, well. 'Til next time.

Halloween was awesome. The party last weekend at my inlaws' place was awesome. The Giants' World Series win was awesome. The fact that it's November is awesome. Midterms, not so awesome. ...Good night, guys.

Daughter's Plea by Belinda Roddie She tried to tell them she was dead. They laughed.

The plane was clear for takeoff until the shadows came. We thought it was too good of timing, given that it was Halloween, and we just wanted to go home after a very, very long week. Still, the sheer thickness of the darkness was almost heavy and sticky, and I actually found it difficult to breathe. I groped for my cellphone to try to call someone, anyone, but discovered that I couldn't move my arms from where they were rested on the seat. "A plane is just a metal coffin with wings, isn't it?" a voice grunted beside me. It was not a familiar voice. It came from the shadows.

She Loves Her by Belinda Roddie She loves her, no matter what her mom says or how her father scoffs. She will not yield to "biblical" demands. Still, what a mess her romance has left. She cannot quite wield persuasion at her parents and is told she cannot stay unless she will repent and "turn to God." Her heart heavy as gold, though not as lovely, she packs up a bent suitcase and goes to the only place she believes she can be safe - yes, it's the home of her dear girlfriend, loved by family and supported by friends. The seed is sown, and she is welcomed. She loves her, and she will not give up that truth for anything.