D.K. Shepard
Bio
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
Achievements (22)
Stories (175)
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What's the Hurry?
Cassie stood motionless, staring at the shelf displaying disposable plates and flatware. Hurry. She sighed. So many options. Why did there always have to be so many options? Too many things to consider: price, durability, biodegradability, aesthetic. Why had she volunteered to bring the plates and cutlery? She shook her head. She knew why. She’d always thought by the time she’d reached the ripe age of half a century that she’d activate some latent cooking or baking skill. She hadn’t.
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Futurism
Soundtrack to an Ordinary Day . Runner-Up in The Soundtrack of Your Year Challenge.
I hesitated outside the door of the dimly lit shop. There was a man behind the counter, sifting through a box. I wondered if he'd noticed me, but he seemed too engrossed with his task. If I walked away now, I could forget about this scheme and there'd be no harm done. But I'd be empty handed and I had to return home with something!
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Beat
Sore Loser. Runner-Up in Echoes of the Year’s Lessons Challenge. Top Story - December 2024.
Last year at the start of 2024 Vocal hosted the #200 Challenge that asked entries to explore the aspirations we Vocalites had for our upcoming year on Vocal. I had already determined a goal for myself of entering every Vocal+ challenge with an entry I was proud of. I almost reconsidered that goal immediately when the #200 challenge was announced. I write fiction and poetry, not personal essays! But I completed an entry and have for every Vocal+ challenge since. And I have been proud of most of my entries, not all, but most. I suppose it is fitting that the final challenge of 2024 (based on deadline) would require me once again to drag myself out of my comfort zone to write one more personal essay. So here we go.
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Motivation
The Inconvenient Truth
“Well, thank you so much for calling, Ms. Flanners, I will certainly talk with Melody about the incident and we’ll make sure this won’t happen again.” Janice hung up the phone and sighed. She looked across the kitchen island at her five year old daughter who was sipping apple juice while reading an American Girl book.
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Families
Keep It 100 Challenge Winners
Almost exactly one year after my "return" (arrival) to Vocal I've been able to celebrate publishing one hundred stories with the hosting of the Keep It 100 Unofficial Challenge! And what a wonderful experience it has been! I'm so grateful to everyone who submitted an entry, to Vocal for making this event possible, to my friends who volunteered to serve as the judging panel, and my husband who organized the excel data!
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Writers
Frigolabile. Top Story - December 2024.
Frigolabile: susceptible to the cold My Connection: Even though this word is typically applied in the medical field, it resonated with me in two ways. First (and most obvious), I get really cold in the winter and have a strong inclination toward hibernation mode. Second, in terms of emotional regulation, I'm more of a thermometer than a thermostat. The mood of others can affect me quite strongly, especially if it's one of sadness or anger.
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Poets
Dear Students
Dear Students, Yes, you all. I just wanted to say thank you. I know what you're thinking (or should be thinking): that it is all of you who ought to be thanking me. And that is true. But this is a two-way street and I have some gratitude to express. "For what?" you might ask. Well, there's a whole list of things.
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Humans
Tales of Ardia: A Key of Destiny
The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. But Tholien was not yet aware the elven Queen had disappeared. He was swimming in the Pool of Mayein at the base of the Great Falls. For nearly an hour he had been floating in the cool water, clearing his mind and soothing his senses. It wasn’t an unusual thing for an elf to do, but Tholien did it more frequently than others on account of his condition. For the waters in the Pool of Mayein had a restorative effect on those who immersed themselves regularly.
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in Fiction
