The Quick and the Dead

Short stories. Creative experiments. Ideas that might not pan out.

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  • The Climb

    Part of the legacy you leave Is the astounding fact That you walked me up a mountain And then pushed me from the cliff. You struck just when I thought I was finally safe with you Past the worst of the climb And on my way downhill. I didn’t know you had a faster route…

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  • The Burning Bush: Part 3

    There I was, in a wilderness of someone else’s making, wondering how I had gotten there and if I’d ever find my way out. Unlike Moses, I hadn’t committed a crime; and also unlike Moses I wasn’t in the wilderness with a purpose, like herding sheep. Nope. I was just wandering, looking for a sign.…

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  • An Author Interview: Stephen Bent

    The interview posted below was conducted by yours truly, for the creative collaboration A Writer’s Shindig. Authors from the collaboration were all interviewed about their work as part of the initial project. This interview is about Stephen’s short story Trees Grow Around Wire. An author interview was posted after the conclusion of each story in…

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  • Trees Grow Around Wire: Part Three

    Written by guest author Stephen Bent This story is part of the project A Writer’s Shindig. Stephen Bent’s story is the last of 6 short stories written for the project. You can read more about our collaboration and read all the stories posted thus far at A Writer’s Shindig. The air outside was bright and…

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  • Trees Grow Around Wire: Part Two

    Written by guest author Stephen Bent This story is part of the project A Writer’s Shindig. Stephen Bent’s story is the last of 6 short stories written for the project. You can read more about our collaboration and read all the stories posted thus far at A Writer’s Shindig. It was not a stumble; I…

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  • Trees Grow Around Wire: Part One

    Written by guest author Stephen Bent This story is part of the project A Writer’s Shindig. Stephen Bent’s story is the last of 6 short stories written for the project. You can read more about our collaboration and read all the stories posted thus far at A Writer’s Shindig. I was 11 in 1985. We…

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  • The Burning Bush: Part 2

    Let me get back to that burning bush- the one that’s way up in the mountain, after you’ve run away from your troubles. Somewhere you think you might be safe from having to confront what’s eating you. You find a burning bush when you have nowhere else to go, and when you have nothing better…

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  • An Author Interview: Ted Wallenius

    The interview posted below was conducted by Stephen Bent, a writer, blogger, and contributor to A Writer’s Shindig. Authors from the collaboration were all interviewed about their work as part of the initial project. This interview is about Ted’s short story Strapped for Love. An author interview will be posted after the conclusion of each…

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  • Strapped for Love: Part Three

    Written by guest author Ted Wallenius This story is part of the project A Writer’s Shindig. Ted Wallenius’s story is the fifth of 6 short stories written for the project. You can read more about our collaboration and read all the stories posted thus far at A Writer’s Shindig. Everyone left the Corner Bar. Janey…

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  • Strapped for Love: Part Two

    Written by guest author Ted Wallenius This story is part of the project A Writer’s Shindig. Ted Wallenius’s story is the fifth of 6 short stories written for the project. You can read more about our collaboration and read all the stories posted thus far at A Writer’s Shindig. While she gathered her things together…

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