Stephanie Hoogstad
Bio
With a BA in English and MSc in Creative Writing, writing is my life. I have edited and ghost written for years with some published stories and poems of my own.
Learn more about me: thewritersscrapbin.com
Support my writing: Patreon
Stories (322)
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Sledding, Hot Coco, and Mint Melt-Aways
My relationship with my dad has always been…complicated. On the one hand, he has done so much for our family. For years, he has worked at a job that he despises to provide for us. He’s always there for all my achievements, and he, along with my mom, comforts me when I’m sad. I’ll never forget how he held me while I held my six-year-old dog, a dog I had raised from four weeks old who was dying of lymphoma, as we waited to take him to the vet to put him out of his misery. On the other hand, my dad has had more than his fair share of issues. His temper is volatile. My childhood is wrought with memories of him punching walls, slamming doors, and throwing things. So much broke when I was younger that I now can’t bear to let go of anything or even let anyone else handle my stuff. And the swearing. I’m surprised I didn’t grow a sailor’s mouth sooner than I did. He’s never physically hurt anyone, but the emotional toll on my mom and me has been horrific and life-altering. My older brothers either didn’t witness the worst of it (they’re six and seven years older than I), have so warped a memory that they don’t remember it, or somehow justify it.
By Stephanie Hoogstad4 years ago in Families
The Soul Dragon
There weren’t always dragons in the valley. When the Great Hunt nearly decimated the world’s dragon population, Signoid Valley became one of many nature reserves across the nine continents set aside for the preservation and restoration of the few species that remained. The humanoids—witches, wizards, dwarves, elves, fae, and, of course, humans—thought themselves the great saviors of dragonkind for this generosity.
By Stephanie Hoogstad4 years ago in Fiction
My White Whale
My mom likes to say that she and I have the gift of BS. Give us the worst, most barren topic, and we’ll still be able to eke out a surprisingly substantial and meaningful response. It comes in handy when you’re stuck making idle chit-chat on a customer service line or forced talking with the great aunt you’ve avoided the entire family dinner. Of course, since I was an English major, this skill has been a lifesaver with essays. It even won me a place in my university’s annual anthology with an essay about a book I dislike. I even wrote it while suffering from a migraine attack (and if you don’t know just how much of a miracle that is, I envy you).
By Stephanie Hoogstad4 years ago in Confessions
Academic/Essay Writing: A Creative Act
It's May, the time of year when at least American students at all levels have their eyes set on summer with their last weeks of school still to be conquered. For many, that means taking on the oft-dreaded final essay. The research, the organizing, writing enough to reach that minimum page or word requirement (or, if you're a windbag like I am, cutting it down when there's a maximum), school-required academic/essay writing can be overwhelming. It can also be invigorating if you enjoy the subject. You might not even want to leave your academic/essay writing behind in the classroom.
By Stephanie Hoogstad4 years ago in Education
Disney's Frozen Through the Eyes of GAD. Top Story - April 2022.
This analysis is based solely on the film Frozen (2013) with no influence from its sequel, Frozen II (2019). The Walt Disney Corporation has been at the heart of a lot controversy and criticism lately. As a diehard Disney fan, even I have been furious with the company for multiple reasons. However, that does not negate the power of its franchises or the influence that its characters have on both children and adults alike. Children dress as their favorite Disney characters for Halloween. Adults share their favorite Disney movies and TV shows with their children. In America, if not most first-world countries, the ultimate family vacation involves some form of Disney attraction such as one of the theme parks or a cruise. On a cultural and psychology level, though, the company’s greatest influence stems from the complex socio-psycho-cultural themes that can be eked out of Disney films.
By Stephanie Hoogstad4 years ago in Geeks
Writers on Writing: Anne Rice. Top Story - April 2022.
On December 11, 2021, the world lost a truly great author and human being: Anne Rice. For those who don’t know, Anne Rice is a popular author best known for The Vampire Chronicles and the iconic Lestat, known lovingly by fans as the “Brat Prince.” She also wrote The Witching Hour and other books about the Mayfair Witches, The Wolf Gift Chronicles, the Sleeping Beauty erotica series, and Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, on which the 2016 film The Young Messiah is based. She is also the mother of another author, Christopher Rice.
By Stephanie Hoogstad4 years ago in Futurism
