I was bitten by a big dog when I was 24 when I visited a friend who wanted to show me his great dane’s pups. Mama Dane apparently had been mistreated at sometime in her life by someone who looked like me and the minute she saw me, she flew over a coffee table and…
Author: lenleatherwood
I am a native Texan who has lived for the past 30 years in Southern California. I am a published author of both short memoir and fiction, a two-time Pushcart nominee, a nationally award-winning writing coach, an editor, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition, I am the mother of three grown daughters of whom I am extremely proud, a grandmother of four darling children and the wife of a man I still love after 44 years.
Prompt: My Afternoon with Students
Today was unique One student was discouraged High school is no fun One came determined Ready to work on his tasks Not one distraction Another came late His bar mitzvah party soon He needed speech help The last student came Eager to learn some grammar His test tomorrow Independent clause Adverb and adjective, too What,…
Prompt: Today in the news:
Sarkozy ousted Wall Street fears new French leader ‘Jitters’ from Europe Bodies hang from bridge Foul play feared at Churchill Downs Gas drops seven cents Shaq becomes a doc Eleven minute school lunch Pepsi to honor Jackson ‘Goober Pyle’ has died Sixers push Bulls to the brink Guard dog hops on bike NATO members killed…
Saturday Traffic on the Sunset Strip, LA
Off to a birthday party for our dear friend David Bode, fellow Texan who has made LA his home. Unfortunately, we did not factor traffic on a Saturday! We may be substantially late. This is par for the course when you live here. Still, this is much more bogged than I would have thought. Alas…we…
Poetry Prompt: Fight Today
Today I got mad My husband was rude to me So I was rude back Then he tried to joke But I swelled up like a toad Our poor friend stood by It’s no fun to watch Long-term married people fight It’s undignified I can be thin-skinned It is not a pretty sight I go…
Flash Fiction Prompt: The Word “Stain”
“I’m not certain what to say,” Marion Fitzgerald stammered, looking down at the bloodstain on the cushion of her white designer couch. I truly don’t know how that got there.” Joe Francis, a LA homicide detective stared at the middle-aged blonde and said in a tired voice, “Mrs. Fitzgerald, where were you last night at…
Prompt: The Word “Transparency”
Transparency is defined as “the condition of being transparent,” which means being able to see through something or someone. Many spiritual leaders say that transparency is part of being enlightened. What you see is what is there, no more, no less. The government speaks of transparency in governing, meaning no secrets, and yet knowing that…
Flash poetry: Right Now
A long day of work Students from morning ’til night Green against gray skies I love my students They are smart and fresh and strong White flashes of light My life is enriched Through this “enrichment” I give The mourning dove coos How did this happen? This unplanned, but happy life? Sweet like gardenias Gratitude…
Writing Prompt: Mundane Occurrences.
Every morning I wake up and open the back door for my dog, Cordelia. Then I go into the kitchen, fill her bowl up with food and get her fresh water. Then I check to see if my cat William has fresh food and water, and if not, then I fill those up, too. After…
Heading Back On the Road
Getting the creative juices flowing again… I re-began work on my novel today; rewrote a section and by doing, re-introduced myself to characters who have been waiting for me to return. I am reminded that writing novels is fun and satisfying and surprising. I write to see what happens. As long as I just enjoy…
