A special thank you to Rochelle for announcing that my story, “The Perfect Death”, was published in Sweet Tree Review. It was incredibly exciting to get the email from the editors saying, “We are delighted to accept…” then see my work in print. And thanks to my fellow fictioneers for reading and commenting on my stories. What you say helps me refine my writing.
Giselle accepted anything in payment for her rituals. Coins, stringed balloons, moss.
She performed an elaborate ceremony for the man who presented the painted rock, truly her favorite gift.
In general, Giselle found the men greedy: “More money” “A new wife.”
And the women simple: “A needle” or “Just a pair of shoes.”
She doted on the children for they always asked for sweet things:
“Heal my puppy” or “A little brother. P-l-e-a-s-e.”
They came to her shack alone. Hands wringing. Boots scraping.
All of them feeling needy.
Giselle gave them what they wanted but always kept their souls.
The last line is terrifying! Nice twist at the end. Congratulations on your publication 🙂
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Thanks, Iain. I’m pretty excited about the publication. And thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
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Those Faustian pacts can be nasty . Congratulations upon your having been published
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Yes, indeed they can. Thanks for the congrats! Being published made my day, week – Oh, let’s just say it, it made my year!
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So you’re a James Joyce fan?
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I read James Joyce – long, long ago.
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I once got an insanely bad migraine from “Ulysses”
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And here I thought she was really a benevolent woman! Great story. Congratulations on your publication!
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No, Giselle is not so nice. Thanks, Emily!
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This reminded me of Stephen King’s Needful Things. A good story, and congratulations on your success. More than well deserved.
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Sandra, I just finished an audiobook of Stephen King short stories. They were creepily good. Thanks for reading and for the congrats. I appreciate your comments.
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I enjoyed The Perfect Death. And I enjoyed this story. You seem to have a way of sticking it at the end. (as they say in gymnastics)
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Thanks, Ted! I’m pleased that you liked them both.
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Oops… looks like I got the title wrong… but in a sense, maybe I didn’t. Interesting to read where the story came from in your comments… Nice work.
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Not really a Glenda the good witch type. Congratulations on your publication.
Tracey
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No Glendas in this house. Thanks Tracey.
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Just finished “A Private Death” on Sweet Tree Review. I liked the way see-sawed back and forth on the events of the day, the capri pants, and other details. What a peaceful way to go. Outstanding piece. Congrats on having it out for a whole new group of readers to enjoy.
On today’s piece. I really was liking Giselle until the last line. Now, reconsidering my original opinion of her.
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Thanks so much for taking the time to read “The Private Death.” It was about my neighbor, who my husband and I discovered dead in her bed. Just wondered what her last days were like and jotted down my ideas.
Giselle is kinda’ out there for herself. I’m glad you stopped by.
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I like to imagine what Giselle looks like…rag tag gypsy in faded mauve velvet…thanks for sending!
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
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You captured her perfectly! Thanks, Rea Ann. Much love to you.
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Great dark ending. And congratulations!
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Thanks on both counts. It wasn’t meant to go dark – it just did.
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Dear Alicia,
What people will take in return for their souls. Well constructed, if not disturbing, story. Congratulations again. Bask in the glow.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you very much, Rochelle!
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That last sentence is a killer! I also like the way you portrayed the different groups of people and what they wanted from her.
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Thanks for noticing that I tried to make each group different Clare.I appreciate your feedback..
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Even the kids?
That is some price to pay.
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It’s her lot in life. And theirs. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Ouch! She seemed so nice until the killer last line
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Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment. Giselle kind of turned on me, too. I hadn’t expected her to be so mean!
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Firstly, congrats on being published. I read the story and loved it (couldn’t leave a comment anywhere?)
As for this one… she sounded so sweet, until the last line!
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Giselle definitely did an about face. She surprised me, too! Thanks for reading the story. If you read it on Sweet Tree, there isn’t a place to leave comments, it’s an online magazine.
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That she did!
I saw that and it’s why I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it!
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A dark and sinister twist, indeed, in that final sentence.
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Surprise! Giselle isn’t so nice, I guess. Thanks for reading about her.
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Ooo, great twist at the end of a great story! I really like the one sentence per line format, I couldn’t tell you why, it just worked for me.
And congratulations again on being published! It is very well deserved!
-Rachel
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Thanks for letting me know that. I appreciate all feedback – positive or negative. It makes me a better writer.
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There are no free lunches are there… a bit of serial Faustus
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No. No free lunches. Thanks, Bjorn.
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You took me on a nice journey, until the jarring end, which I liked, I loved the description of the different groups of people. Congrats on getting your story published.
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Thanks. I’m glad you liked my choice of “wants.” And thanks for the congrats.
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if anything, giselle was fair. all got their wishes in exchange for their souls.
congrats on being published. hopefully, giselle had nothing to do with it. 🙂
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Ha! Giselle was out of the picture. As far as I know, I still have my soul. Thanks!
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To sell one’s soul for a pair of shoes… scary. And she keeps the children’s souls, too…
Congrats on the publication, I read the story, it’s great. The pov alone stuns me, so well done.
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I don’t think they know what they’re ultimately trading.
Thank you for the congrats. I like working with that P.O.V. And for the death of our neighbor it worked so well because no one knew when she died or what her last days entailed.
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Intriguing story as always. And congratulations on being published!
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Thanks, Perry. It’s pretty excited. May this not be the last. (P.S. glad you liked my story.)
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Oh my…that was a surprise!
Perfect for this time of year.
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It is! I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks, Dawn.
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A woven tale of creepy dimensions. I liked it very much. It goes so well with
Halloween right around the corner.
CONGRATULATIONS … on being published; a stellar accomplishment.
Isadora 😎
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Thanks, Isadora. I’d forgotten about Halloween being just around the corner. Thanks, too, for the congratulations. Much appreciated.
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😎
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Yes, there is always a price….But there are moments we are ready to sell our soul to the highest bidder and who’s to say what is wrong and what is right…I see all that and more in your story, masterfully done. Congrats again!
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Thanks very much.
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Haunting story with wonderful layers. Huge mazel tov on your publication, Alicia–– so well deserved!
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Thanks, Dawn. I’m still pretty excited about the publication. Long time no hear. Hope you’re having fun in all your travels.
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I’ve put out a few blog posts, but have really been in a rut for a while. Miss all of the RWB meetings, as I’m often away on the 1st wkend! Ugh. Anyway, I’ve really missed my wonderful FF peeps and it’s good to be back here!
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