I’m having one of those days when I look at all the “bad” shit happening all around me, and I ask, “what’s the point?” That’s not an actual literal translation of what I’m thinking. There’s another word in there that polite company won’t appreciate. It’s a word that make me glad my mother’s not alive […]
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This Will Pass (at some point)
Alma’s Grace: A Short Story
What’s scarier than living with ghosts? In a world where ghosts exist, only Ghost Walkers can walk among them unharmed. Prince Indulf called. Alma answered. Is on her way to Court. In his flying carriage. Taking her Ghost Walking abilities with her. But Royal Protocol is a whole other universe. A fantastical tale of castles, […]
August 2020 Progress Report
I about reached the end of my rope in August 2020. For the most part nothing much has changed for me since January. I stay home, I write, I develop my Photoshop skills, I get through the day. But even I am having difficulties. I’d probably still choose to stay home, but having the choice […]
The Bygone Boyfriend
A single day can change a lifetime After fifteen years, Jennifer Hughes is back in her home town on business. It seemed big and busy then. Now it seems very small. Only the golden Summer sun remains the same. The ghosts of past friends surround her, but the only one she wonders about is Jason […]
Morning Star, Evening Star, Superstar
Long Exposure Love Christy Zachary is down on her luck. Working as a photographer for a private investigator. Staking out Hunter Preston. Barracuda of the Business World. Drop-dead gorgeous. She’s up a tree. Losing her grip. And her dignity. She’s already lost her scruples. Lucky he’s about to offer her the deal of a lifetime. […]
Payton’s Run: A Security Directorate Short Story
Failure is not an option. Payton likes her elegant and intimidating tactical uniform. She respects the authority it gives her. And is determined to pass her physical final without damaging it. Her career is on the line. Her life too. Because there are no second chances in the Security Directorate. “Payton’s Run” by Alexandria Blaelock, […]
2020 Signature Wardrobe Winter Update
Let’s just say I’ve been cold, and skip to the rest of the 2020 Signature Wardrobe Winter Update. My 2020 Winter plan was based on costumes for two characters: The self-absorbed self-employed writer/editor/graphic artist. The long-suffering part-time housekeeper/gardener/handyman. I had a $1,000 budget, was looking for warmth, and focusing on morere or less the same […]
The Tiny Pretty Things
When you think about it, life is all about the tiny things. The tiny pretty things. Especially when there doesn’t seem to be much that’s positive going, say round about now. It seems everyone has an opinion about how dire the situation is, yet no one’s willing to put forward any suggestions about how to […]
The Guardian’s Vigil: A Short Story
Waiting, always waiting. The headland is cold and windy as Elspeth keeps watch. She chose this dangerous path. There’s no turning back. She’s cold. She’s tired. She’s alone. And the survival of the village is in her hands. “The Guardian’s Vigil” by Alexandria Blaelock, was free on this website for one week only. Also available […]
The Three Wise Monkeys
Have you heard of the three wise monkeys? Hear no evil See no evil Speak no evil In the modern west, it’s often used in the sense of ignoring something morally wrong. But in the original Japanese context, it’s about not doing or being morally wrong. The other day, I heard a dramatic political statement, […]
Fate in Your Hands: A Short Story
Fate leads those who follow In a dilapidated bookshop. In the red desert. 1,000 km from anywhere. Erik meets three mysterious women. Who might just change his life. If he’s willing to pay their price. A mythical tale of fate, fortune, and changing your destiny. “Fate in Your Hands” by Alexandria Blaelock, was free on […]
“My” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is out!
Just a quick note to let you know my story is in the September/October Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, available from August 21, 2020. As they describe it: The Perfume of Peaches by Alexandria Blaelock (from the Department of First Stories) will have you drifting into aromatic and flavorful territory. Plus, my guest post The Thin […]
The Life and Death of Carmelita Basingstoke: A Short Story
Find a secret. Let it go. Carmelita Basingstoke lost both her parents. She dealt with the bureaucracy. Now she needs a break. And the best place to get one is the Pioneer cemetery. Lunchtime. Midweek. She just wanted a bit of peace and quiet, but what she got was a mystery “The Life and Death […]
Beauty Excites Emotion
Okay, so we all know that the last few months have been hard, emotionally draining, and not very beautiful. Especially here in Australia, what with it being winter and all. Some days, I look out the window at the cold grey skies, and wonder where all the beauty went. Though beauty is as beauty does. […]
Simone Says Hands in the Air: A Short Story
There’s a killing to be made at the bank. They say you should live each day like your last. Follow your dreams. Take risks. Die empty. All that junk. Charlie’s about to lose everything. His job. The boss he hates. The girl he loves. And his life. But he wouldn’t change a thing. “Simone Says […]
July 2020 Progress Report
July 2020 was a mixed blessing. One the one hand, the planet, and Melbourne in particular is a disaster. The State Government literally declared a State of Disaster. It sounds bad (and it is), but the declaration allows and requires some sets of actions by government and the people. On the other, I published a […]
Melody for Marbles
In a recent blog post, Dean Wesley Smith mentioned driving from Lincoln City, Oregon to Las Vegas, Nevada with a car full of marbles. Carefully packed to not “bang together.” I looked it up. It’s a little over 1,000 miles (1,610 km). And according to Google Maps, the quickest drive is 16 hours. Not that […]
Needy Bitch: A Short Story
Better to have loved and lost… Just before dawn, the sun limped through the guest room curtains casting shadows of light across the room. Outside, a chorus of kookaburras and magpies greeted the day. Sam struggles to come to terms with losing her husband. His dog does too. Somehow, they have to find a way […]
We’re Busy Doing Nothing
Many of my friends are marooned at home, busy doing nothing. For them the world has ended, but for me nothing much has changed. I’m busy writing and publishing short stories. And submitting them to magazines (my Ellery Queen story will be out in a week or so). Researching and writing another non-fiction book. Planning […]
Product Price v Quality
Continuing the theme of choice, and gratitude, today I’m talking a bit more about choice. Only this time, more about things than people. Both in terms of price, v quality. And why it’s sometimes better to pay a bit more. I know times are tough for some people, and it’s going to get tougher. And […]
Life in the Security Directorate: A Short Story
She wants to blend in but she’s trained to stand out. A dark dingy office. With broken furniture. Genetic anomaly Eve needs black Earl Grey tea with a thin slice of lemon. In a vintage, rose-patterned bone china cup and saucer. And when she needs something, she always gets it. One way or another. “Life […]
Choosing to Make a Difference
This is a bit of a random post today, inspired by this cute photo. Which I unintentionally purchased in the middle of the night while I was packaging my short story Needy Bitch. Not using it, but don’t quite regret buying it. So, given everything else that’s going on, it seemed a good time to […]
Balancing the Book: A Short Story
Would you help a stranger? It’s a normal day. A hot Summer’s day. In a cold, airconditioned train. In an almost empty carriage. Ms Jones is irritable and exhausted. After a long day of hospital scans, she just wants a bit of peace and quiet. But the journal she finds, leaves her uneasy. Because what […]
My Trifecta of Thanks
There is a shed-load of things to be upset about at the moment, most of it we have no control over. But Toseland reminded me this morning there’s still a lot to be grateful for. So, it seemed more important to share my Trifecta of Thanks than what I had originally planned to write. This […]