KJ Aartila
Stories (297)
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In the Eyes of a Dragon
Unconditional love, as she’d been conditioned to believe all her life, never felt like this before. Her heart was exploding with a grief from which she just wanted to be free. Screaming her heartache into the sky, the dragon tried to make sense of it all: the loss of her whelp, the possibility of being disgraced in the eyes of her clan for her irresponsibility, and finding the tiny lost boy, whom she carried home tenderly before flying off again, trying to rid herself of the heart-wrenching pain of loss. She also felt compelled to discover the source of the billowing, dark clouds rising just beyond the forest, the spectacle that had nearly distracted her from seeing the needy child. The sight meeting her reddened eyes crushed her weary soul.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Fiction
Sharing is Caring ...
If we, as creators, work together, we are more likely to reach our goals. Through a solid foundation of determination, encouragement and learning, we can build; we each become better, more confident writers. What can we do besides reading, commenting, subscribing or even tipping? (I realize that regular tipping is not an option financially for many of us, although they are pretty thrilling to receive.)
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Motivation
The Benefits of Reciprocity for Writers
Each of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we cant strike them all by ourselves. - Laura Esquivel I must admit, I’ve been a little disappointed in the level of reciprocity given by fellow creators in general. I’ve been disappointed in the amount of engagement I receive sometimes, especially when I am seemingly forgotten about in only a day or two of lacking to promote myself to this small Vocal family. I already know and accept that I will never receive much support from my real-life friends, family and acquaintances. That’s just a fact of life. I hold Vocal peers to a higher standard, because I think we all want the same thing - recognition. But in order to remain recognized, we must give recognition on a regular basis. I am a firm believer in that, and I thought I was practicing that idea religiously, but I seem to be missing something.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Journal
Failure is Not to be Feared
As Theodore Roosevelt said; “It is not the critic who counts. ... The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly ... who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Motivation
Cats and Writers
Today, they do not. Callie This is Callie, a long-haired Calico with gorgeous green eyes. She was born a barn cat, but my daughter brought her home from our hay supplier. Now she’s a house cat. And a princess. She is afraid to go outside, hating it when my daughter tries to take her for walks with harness and leash. She is an excellent hunter, though, keeping the basement free of rodents. She also loves to eat cat food, cheese and chips. She has sharp claws and is not afraid to use them.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Petlife
Is It Link Bombing?
Link-bombing, as referred to in the writing community, is dropping a link on another author's post, thread or comments expecting work to be read with no indication on the "bomber's" part that they have read, or in any way, engaged with the poster's displayed work.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Journal
