The 4th issue of Wishful Inkers went live on Monday (15 April 2019). This one is special to me because it’s my issue. I chose the featured charity (Cluny Animal Trust). I compiled the stories. And I am so incredibly proud of, and grateful for, all the writers who contributed to it.
But there is something that I’m not proud of.
I missed the deadline for submitting my own story. By almost 2 full weeks.
Yes, I managed to get something in, eventually – after scrapping the story I’d been working on for many more weeks. (I’m quite happy with what I wrote, but I’m still disappointed in myself for missing the deadline.)
And yes, there were mitigating factors, but something that I’ve come to realise in the time that I’ve been keeping this site is that there are always mitigating factors. A professional does what needs to be done.
My takeaway here is that I really, really, really need to work on my time management and I need to be, not harder on myself, but more disciplined.
Anyway, I thought I’d share the first 200-or-so words of my piece for Man’s Best Friend with you.
The besom falls in front of me.
I jerk out of my daydream, the pink-petaled forest fading into the ether.
I follow the line of the besom to a hand, to a shoulder, to the disdainful face of my teacher.
“Yes, Aunt Delphine?” I say.
“Recite,” she demands.
“I’m sorry?”
“Your sisters,” she says, gesturing to the rest of the class, “are eagerly awaiting your recitation, Lucette. It would not be wise for you to keep them from their education.”
“No, of course not,” I say, standing. I open my mouth to begin but find it hard to place my words.
The girls around me titter. They sense my nervousness, like a shark senses a drop of blood in a vast ocean. I blush and twine the strands of my belt around my fingers. “I… Uh… I’m sorry, Aunt Delphine…”
“Oh, for the love of Aradia, girl. A Witch’s Familiar. Stop fidgeting and get on with it!”
I breathe deeply. Let go of my belt and drop my hands to my sides. I know this. I can do this. I open my mouth again, and recite:
A witch’s familiar
Is her animal friend
Companion in magic
On the path without end
I hope you enjoyed that sneak peek. If you did, please consider purchasing a copy of the anthology. It’s only $2.99, and it’s for one of the best causes I can think of.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a lovely day, wherever you are.
