Urp. Uh, well, hmm, that was interesting. I was thinking she was something from his mind, prodding him to write better--a personification of a Muse. Certainly true of my brain.
Thank you, Peter. Unexpected Delivery is one of my favorite stories. I didn't know how it was going to end until I arrived at the ending. (I like sinister tales.)
Yowza! The legend of the Cave People and Shiwiár was super creepy all on its own, but by setting it up with the preamble of poor captive Jack and bringing it into the present, it was elevated a hundred - fold! Marvelous story, beautifully written, Bill. One of your best. The scariest part was the idea of worms floating inside one's eyeballs - like the actual Loa Loa worms of Africa. Ick!
Thank you, Sharron. I enjoyed playing around with the several layers in Unexpected Delivery. I wondered what would become of Jack and Shiwiár and whether they would be together after, and who knows, they might.
What a strange and mesmerizing story! While Shiwiar was quite violent, I felt for her. She was seeking so desperately, and who but a writer could help her? The question now is, what becomes of him? Loved it, want more!
Thank you, Martine. I think this story took me longer to write than any other story, as I--pardon the pun--wormed my way through multiple drafts. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Wow what a turn of events. Up until the gorgeous and strangely(?!) attractive muse turned into a worm I was quietly wishing a stone cold killer would burst into my own apartment and get me to write. If only the drive to create was as strong as the will to live. Fun story, enjoyed this.
You keep coming up with surprises, Bill. So that's how a person gets the worms. No more pizza deliveries for me. I should know by now that wherever I think the narrative of your stories is taking me, that is not it. Keeps me reading. What a coincidence you included supernatural worms in your story. I just finished reading a story by @Larry Carter Jr. (DemocraDO) that also featured supernatural worms.
It almost seemed for the most part you were mashing up "Kill Bill" and "Misery"- and then you went and did that O. Henry twist at the end...
I love O. Henry!
The twist was fun to write.
I do, too. That's how I can tell.
Urp. Uh, well, hmm, that was interesting. I was thinking she was something from his mind, prodding him to write better--a personification of a Muse. Certainly true of my brain.
I do need a muse, too, though not one who holds a knife. Or maybe I do. ;)
Yeah, I sure don’t need one that turns into a worm.
This is funny, AC. I was guessing she was personifying his agent...
ROFL! Good point!
Weird and upsetting, but I couldn't stop reading.
This was a difficult story to write, but I'm glad I could complete it, too.
Genius and imaginatively sinister. I don’t know where this stuff comes from but I hope it never dries up! 🤩👍
Thank you, Peter. Unexpected Delivery is one of my favorite stories. I didn't know how it was going to end until I arrived at the ending. (I like sinister tales.)
Yowza! The legend of the Cave People and Shiwiár was super creepy all on its own, but by setting it up with the preamble of poor captive Jack and bringing it into the present, it was elevated a hundred - fold! Marvelous story, beautifully written, Bill. One of your best. The scariest part was the idea of worms floating inside one's eyeballs - like the actual Loa Loa worms of Africa. Ick!
Thank you, Sharron. I enjoyed playing around with the several layers in Unexpected Delivery. I wondered what would become of Jack and Shiwiár and whether they would be together after, and who knows, they might.
Yeeeps. I don't even want to think about that....
What a strange and mesmerizing story! While Shiwiar was quite violent, I felt for her. She was seeking so desperately, and who but a writer could help her? The question now is, what becomes of him? Loved it, want more!
Thanks, Liz. I'm delighted you enjoyed Unexpected Delivery. I felt for Shiwiár, too.
If I were Jack, I'd pursue Shiwiár. He may not have a choice about that, either. There's more to come.
Just out of this world. What an imagination 💝💝
Thank you, Deirdre. I'm very happy to hear that.
this is such a romp and I never, ever predicted what was coming next!
Thank you. I enjoyed writing Unexpected Delivery and I'm glad you liked reading it.
The Muse can take different forms, I did not imagine her as a Mayan worm deity! I enjoyed this Bill, thank you!
Thank you, Martine. I think this story took me longer to write than any other story, as I--pardon the pun--wormed my way through multiple drafts. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Are those words derivative of a language?
That's an interesting question. I started this story a long time ago and wrote that part then. I don't remember how I created those foreign words.
Creepy! I wonder how Shiwiár knew to find Jack. Maybe the worms told her!
Thank you V.C.! I'm glad you enjoyed Unexpected Delivery.
There are mysteries beneath mysteries. We may never know about Shiwiár.
Wow what a turn of events. Up until the gorgeous and strangely(?!) attractive muse turned into a worm I was quietly wishing a stone cold killer would burst into my own apartment and get me to write. If only the drive to create was as strong as the will to live. Fun story, enjoyed this.
Thanks, Ilan. I'm glad you liked Unexpected Delivery.
It took a long time to write this story, but I had fun. A writer's life is quiet and uneventful -- until it's not.
You keep coming up with surprises, Bill. So that's how a person gets the worms. No more pizza deliveries for me. I should know by now that wherever I think the narrative of your stories is taking me, that is not it. Keeps me reading. What a coincidence you included supernatural worms in your story. I just finished reading a story by @Larry Carter Jr. (DemocraDO) that also featured supernatural worms.
Thanks so much. I like surprises, especially when I can surprise myself.
I didn't know about @larrycarterjr but will take a look at his stories.