New Years Eve is coming.
It can be likened to Twilight, often seen as an ending, the soft fade, the quiet close, just before the end. But take a closer look. Twilight is also the beginning. Embrace the Twilight of the New Year. It can be like a clean white slate.
Think about what that means for you.
Twilight… the in-between can be found using this link: amazon.com/author/lindalflynn_words
Remember, Life is the Journey
The in-between
Twilight …the in-between is now available on Amazon.
You can find the book using this link:
amazon.com/author/lindalflynn_words
Twilight …the in-between is a collection of poetry. The poems are about life in the in-between spaces. That is where we all live and grow. So, pick up your copy today, or one for a friend. Then sit back and ponder the in-between spaces.
Feel free to share your responses to the poems. Those exchanges are also part of the in-between. Part of our becoming.
A little personal history note:
The December 2 release date is in honor of my mother. Some of my earliest memories from my childhood revolve around the two of us sitting on the sofa in the living room, her reading stories to me. Eventually, I was reading stories to her, and then I was off. Often with a book in hand. The love of the written word carried me away and dropped seeds, planting a desire to write.
So, thank you, Mom, for planting such a love in my heart.
…for the abnormal email blog post notification
Humbly, I request that you might overlook the post I made on Wednesday evening, and then quickly deleted. I’m testing out some fresh approaches in marketing my next book. My efforts to load a video link into WordPress didn’t go as expected, yet the email went out. For those of you who received the email, you could view the video even though I deleted the post.
The video is accurate. Twilight …the in-between will be available on December 2, 2025. You will find it at amazon.com/author/lindalflynn_words
My efforts to expand my marketing will continue, yet I anticipate they will be painless to you. Learning new technologies always comes with surprises. The goal is to energize and interest you in my next work.
Thank you for your interest in my writings.
Enjoy your day.
Where are you?
Really, where are you when you are between “here” and “there” or between “now” and “then”?
Perhaps here?
Or maybe here?
The concept of in-between has been on my mind lately. It started after I did a word study of “twilight.”
I’ve been writing poetry and putting it together for a collection. In looking for a title, I liked the emotions TWILIGHT invoked, but didn’t think it matched the theme of my writing.
I, perhaps like you, thought twilight happened daily as the sun sets. Imagine my surprise when I learned twilight happens twice a day and is defined as the period when the sun is below the horizon by a range of degrees. It occurs before the sun rises, and after the sun sets. Twilight is the “in-between” time occurring twice a day.
So, where do you find yourself when you are between here and there? I like to think I’m in the twilight. The word suggests a mystique. What a fun way to think about life! And really, aren’t we perpetually somewhere between here and there?
Yes, TWILIGHT …the in-between hints at what this poetry is about. The book will be available soon. Keep watching for updates and ways you can help promote the book.
When someone says “Twilight,” what do you think?
What emotions are triggered within you?
Excitement
Anticipation
Foreboding
Boredom
Do your thoughts turn to romantic ideas?
Or do you search for other thoughts?
I’m curious about your reaction to the word.
Please use the comments to share your thoughts.
Later I will share mine.
June 10, 2025
It is not real life…
Awaking early, I couldn’t go back to sleep. An unease hung in the air, which I couldn’t explain. The steady drip, drip, drip of tension has been raining down on us for months. Some go about their days, seemingly oblivious to the erosion of values supposedly held dear by Americans. Others witness this degradation occurring, but cannot process it nor know how to act. Public conversation rarely occurs. People are cautious about their speech and who they are open with. I suspect other homes are as abuzz as ours when the doors are closed, though I do not know what their conversations are.
I feel the need to prepare myself for the days ahead. Yet I do not know what that means, or how to prepare. I expect things to get worse. Much worse.
My hubby asked me if I was anxious. I had no solid answers for his question. Instead, I told him of my feelings. You know the feeling you get when you are on a steep roller-coaster. The whole time the car is slowly edging to the top, you feel the anticipation or dread building within your whole being. Then, many times, the car stops at the top, leaving you suspended in space hanging above the steep drop. In an instant, you are hurtling down the steep drop at record speeds. You scream. Everyone does. Then the ride levels out and gradually slows to a stop. You get out, laughing, barely able to catch your breath or your balance, and finally recognize that you’ll be okay. Right now, I identify with the stage where the car is slowly edging to the top, to pause, suspended in space before dropping. Just not sure how safe the fall will be, not sure what life will look at the bottom, or if I’ll even stand.
It seems to me that the warning signs have been presented to us for months. With each passing event, the acts become more brazen. I listen to people bemoaning how we may be losing our democracy. This morning, I awoke to news that the National Guard and the Marines are in the streets of Los Angeles. Really? Losing our democracy? It is safer to say that the ship has already sailed. It is gone. People think we can return to something. How? Nothing goes backwards.
I have no vision of what is forthcoming, or knowledge of what it will be, or how it will materialize. Yet I believe once the burning is complete, something will arise from the ashes.
I consider we are in for some hard times. Again, I’m uncertain what that means, what it looks like, or how it will affect me and my family. My goal is to continue to focus on individuals, to bring peace and love to those around me. My hubby and I will continue to encourage and support one another. Both of us feel the tension of these days and recognize how important it is to be gentle with one another, to keep seeking things we enjoy, things that bring us peace and contentment.
This won’t happen, but how I would like to awake from this nightmare and declare, “This is not real life,” then sigh and enjoy a sun-filled day.
After three glorious weeks on the road and over 5,000 miles on the car, we returned home tired, yet oh, so refreshed. We connected with so many friends and family, saw beautiful sights, and enjoyed one of the best Midwestern autumns! We’re home and have caught up on laundry, mail, appointments, household tasks and jumped into necessary holiday preparations. Now, we’re savoring the memories and reflect on them often.
I’m including a few snapshots from this epic trip.
I, however, seemed to have kept the vacation mentality, dragging my feet about stepping back into routine activities. All forms of writing have slipped through most of the cracks. My writing grounds me. It is how I sort my thoughts and feelings, and where I let my imagination run wild. So today, I’m tip-toeing back into my playground.
Thanks for joining me here.
I hope you are expectant about the upcoming holiday season and traditions important to you and those you care about.
I wrote earlier about my creative “desert experience” and teased about sharing the flash fiction piece written from this phase. The counts are in and the “YES” votes win.
Do not be surprised, this piece may find a home in a future collection of short stories.
Peter sauntered into the seating area of the concert arena. The patrons were milling around, greeting friends who were at the same event. Many people already seated were chatting with those near them, or enjoying pizza with wine or other drinks. Servers walked the aisles, taking drink orders. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, he nonchalantly glanced from left to right. It was still early and there were many open seats. He was sure whoever purchased his ticket for him was already there, watching him. An usher looked at his ticket and directed him to his seat. It was an excellent location, center stage, just a couple of rows back from the dining tables, three seats in from the aisle. Realizing he would have a good seat for the show, and he himself would be in a prime location for others to monitor, he unbuttoned his jacket and sat down. As directed, he had on a black suit, with a bright orange shirt. He’d left the top two buttons undone, trying to look a little more casual. Clearly, he was overdressed compared to many of the others at the concert event. As he once was told, his movements were stiff, almost robotic. Though he made efforts to appear to fit in, he could not relax. The glasses he wore, which were dark-rimmed and oversized, allowed him to observe others around him easily. He had never figured out how to loosen up when around others. This evening was no exception. His seat was next to an energetic black woman. She was already swaying to the piped in pre-concert music. Occasionally she would speak to him, and he nodded or gave her a brief reply. Couldn’t she tell he didn’t want to converse with her?
The opening act appeared on stage and the crowd went wild. It was during that excitement another couple took the two seats on his other side. The lady sat next to him, but it was obvious she was enthralled with her date.
He remained in his seat, erect and focusing on the stage. The opening act had the crowd’s attention. They weren’t something he would have paid to see. He sat there pondering how this evening came to be.
Why am I here?
Who am I supposed to meet?
How many people are watching me?
Is this a set-up?
His thoughts raced as he focused his attention on the performers. The opening act wrapped up their performance. As they vacated the stage, many rose from their seats to get something to eat, or just to stretch their legs. He stood, as did the couple seated next to him. It was obvious they didn’t intend to allow him to leave. They started talking to him.
Were they the people he was supposed to meet here? The gentlemen introduced himself as KP. The woman never provided a name. As KP talked, Peter responded mostly by nodding his head or providing short affirming responses. The woman, wearing a tight-fitting sleeveless denim vest, tight black jeans and a perky straw hat, kept staring at her partner. Her brown hair curled out from under her hat, framing her face nicely. It was easy to wonder if she knew the man at all, or if this was a new relationship. She would tip her head and adoringly stare into his face as he spoke. He too wore tight fitting black jeans and a casual denim shirt. His beard and hair sported a dignified salt and pepper look. Probably in his mid-40s, KP appeared more casual than Peter and more relaxed. But why wouldn’t he be more relaxed? He shouldn’t know the group was being observed.
The threesome talked during the switch-up between the opening act and the featured performance. KP did most of the talking. The woman just smiled and fawned on KP. Peter stoically stood and listened. As the main act was setting up on the stage, the three returned to their seats. Before sitting down, KP reached into his pocket, extracting a small envelope which he discretely slid into Peter’s hand. Peter nodded, seated himself, and stared straight ahead at the stage. He thought, oh what one will do for money! It sure makes the world go round. If they only knew. He wanted to turn around to determine if anyone had noticed the transaction, but then he didn’t know who he should look for. He knew there would be a sedan waiting out front after the performance to whisk him away.
Some ask, how is a story born? Where do you get your ideas?
Read below to find a plausible answer to your questions.
The Desert
Stranded in a creative desert
Words escape me
Nothing to show on paper
Wisps of a scene dance through my mind,
then disappear before the words land in my story.
This journey is unsettling
Leaving me feeling ill at ease
Besides being dry and barren, deserts are often hot
To escape the dullness of these empty days
We went to a concert
The outdoor setting provided a great escape from the heat
Venue was filled with people enjoying themselves
An evening breeze blew in from the ocean
A lovely time was had
A threesome unlocked a creative muse within me
The characters were all – characters
I was certain there was a story beneath the surface
Back home, after a lovely evening of music by the shore,
a short story was born
Now, your part…
If you have a desire to read the flash fiction piece born of this evening, click the yes option. If not, click no. In a couple of weeks, I’ll tally the responses. Depending upon what I find, you may get the story. You will be updated.
Please select and press one of the options below.
(Disclaimer notice for you, my readers. I appreciate your patience as I worked through the details of the form. Thank you.)
Thanks for reading and following my blog.
Linda
Allow me to celebrate with you, my friends…
You will have to click on the link to be taken to the poetry on The Galway Review.
Thank you for taking the time to read, and to leave your comments.
Journey to the Heights 