Drive-by Shooting Special: Denver Motorcycle Lawyer

Written by James - 10 Comments

“I could never live here.” James squinted into the bright sun as he strapped on his helmet, sitting deep on the black rental motorbike between his legs. He’d be glad to get out of the airport parking lot. Denver International was a far cry from the woods of back home.
“Ready. And hey, thanks for arranging [...]

Drive-By Shooting Special: Melani Ward

Written by James - 6 Comments

James watched as Harry hitched a tattered leather bag to his bike and revved up the engine. For the last time, he headed off into the sunset. What a character. Man, they’d trashed and torched their share of sites, and done some hits they could be darned proud of.
Now James stood in the doorway, the [...]

Drive-By Shooting Sunday Special: Adventures of a Barefoot Geek

Written by James - 9 Comments

“Ow.” He picked his foot up and grimaced. “Ow-… Look, this is not good. Never again, man. Ow.”
“Quit complaining.” James lifted his feet and placed them carefully on the gravel, wincing a bit. “It’s job hazards. Gotta do what we gotta do.” The sun was blindingly bright, and James pulled his grey sweatshirt hood over [...]

Drive-By Shooting Special: Cheryl’s Casual Contemplations

Written by James - 13 Comments

James squinted at the figure on the tiny video screen. The man seemed confused, wandering at the side of the building for a minute before staring straight up into the closed-circuit camera that watched his every move. He put one hand to his ear as if to scratch it, deftly balancing two pizza boxes in [...]

Drive-By Shooting Special: Pick Nick’s Brains

Written by James - 20 Comments

“I am never doing this again,” James hissed, exaggerating his tip-toeing just in case a floorboard creaked and set off the noise again.
“You volunteered,” Harry said from the sofa where he’d been leafing through a magazine.
“SHHH!!!” The waving hand said it all. “You’ll wake her up! Goddamned little-…”
“James.” The disapproving look on Harry’s face said [...]

Drive-by-Shooting Special: Start Being Your Best

Written by James - 17 Comments

Harry pushed back the yellow construction helmet and tucked the clipboard under one arm. He squinted against the sun at the brand-new building. All around him, heavy machinery whirred.
Off in the distance, he could see James trying to wheedle his way into operating the crane that was lifting a large billboard into the sky. The [...]

Drive-By Shooting Special: Go Smalley

Written by James - 19 Comments

Harry pushed the button and the window of the Solstice slid down, the wind ruffling his hair. The night air felt great, and he was in an unusually good mood. He didn’t even complain at James’ continual radio-station switching. “If you see someplace to stop for food, I’m buying,” he offered.
“I could go for a [...]

Drive-By Shooting Special: Black Bus

Written by James - 16 Comments

“What are we waiting for?” Harry stood on the curb, hands in pockets, watching his friend curiously.
“A bus.” James looked casually nonplussed as he hitched the backpack higher on his shoulder.
“A school bus? A Greyhound?” So far, he and James had been standing on the curb for close to a half hour. “What kind of [...]

How to Stay Sane and Alive if You’re Creative

Written by James - 39 Comments

There are days when I’m consumed by my fears, anxieties and worry. The words don’t come. The pages are garbage. The brilliant idea slipped through my fingers, and it’s gone forever.
There are other days when I revel in the love of words like I’m rolling in lottery money, throwing it up to the air [...]

Drive-By Shooting Sunday: Wahm Biz Builder

Written by James - 15 Comments

The humming was soothing. He liked to hum. And sing. In private.
Of course, Harry’s presence didn’t count as an audience, so James hummed without fear as he poked around the room with his usual curiosity. He picked up little keepsakes, admired a bright painting, peeked into desk drawers and shuffled through the papers on the [...]

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