I spent this gray, rainy day in search of my story.

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve picked up and put down several old concepts that I started but didn’t finish due to lack of time, waning interest, or a plot abyss. None of them sparks my wanderlust, giving me a reason to set out from home in the cold to see where they will lead me.

After long deliberation, I decided to begin with a map. And a map needs a compass. Therefore, today’s ugly little drawing is of an Art Nouveau inspired compass.

The map has a winding river with a bisecting road/rail that separates two neighboring cities. They are hemmed in on one side by mountains and fall away to forests on the other.

This is all I have found so far. I will let you know if I discover anything else of interest on my travels.

I used to be an artist. For real, I remember.
I was maybe 4 – 4 ½, and I was spectacular.

I was INVINCIBLE!!!
Then, somehow, I got VINCED.

Now I write instead. But I remember loving to draw. So, I’m going to start drawing again, just ugly little drawings and posting them here.

I feel like Taravangian from The Way of Kings.
Some days brilliant and unstoppable.
Others, I’m barely able to feed and dress myself.
Except I don’t need a test to tell the difference.
It’s pretty obvious.

In honor of the infamous drunken raccoon in the news, I give you a re-posting of this piece of micro-fiction. I hope you enjoy it.

SCRAPPY Loner

Did you just declare
“NO MORE RULES!”

Swear you’re going
Off road, Off script
Blazing your own trail.

Then immediately search for
a guidebook on how to do it?

No?

Yeah. Me neither.

''Feel like delving into the depth of the forest to see if the elves are looking for a human to adopt?

Yeah. Me too.''

Had a chat at the grocery today while shopping for Halloween candy.

For those who love scrappy witches & paranormal mysteries, Book 3: A CLEVER FOX is available now! Grab a copy and curl up with a snugly blanket and a warm beverage this weekend.

I hope you enjoy the misfit group of friends that have come together to solve the mystery of what's eating at the heart of the Faerie Market.

Larceny & Granny Smith! What a great title for a short story!!!

My past Fall Leaf patterned crust has devolved over the years to an Eldritch Horror.

CREATING A SHARED STORY

We gather a couple more wayward souls and convince them it would be fun. We decide on a well-known story, like a fairy tale, with a known structure and familiar parts. Then we divide the story into the number of parts that there are people. And we each write our own version.

Book Two of the Faerie Market Mysteries unboxing video.
The proof copy arrived this morning! Launch date to be announced soon!

A CHARMED MOON, Out Tomorrow! Join me in sultry New Orleans, crawling with creatures from the Beyond, Sabine, a clever sneak thief & witch of questionable talents, joins forces with Thibodeaux, a handsome yet skeptical detective to solve a murder involving the Fae.

My first unboxing video! The proof copy of A CHARMED MOON came in today.

Cover Reveal Tuesday for Book One of the Faerie Market Mysteries!

Join me in dreaming dreams & wishing wishes. ~Julia V. Ashley

I decided that today is the best day to start specifically because it is completely random.

Some crazy shit works and some fails. A diabolical plan, or a terrible accident? Who knows? But I’m heading into uncharted territory. So, best pack snacks.

“To light a candle is to cast a shadow” a provocative quote from A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA by Ursula K. Le Guin. My husband gave me a set of Le Guin’s EARTHSEA after dating for a little over two months. He knew his audience and was playing for keeps.

I love the dark because there lives silence and serenity.