Heroes

Today’s the 66th birthday of one of my musical idols, David Jones, aka David Bowie. A true visionary, Bowie changed music in the 1970s, then carved his own path into becoming one of the greatest artists on the 20th century, touching acting, videography, directing, fashion, painting, and writing. What you’re about to read is 100 words of a new episode of Soul To Body, my serialized short story about a grieving man who recently lost his wife to cancer, is raising a teenage daughter, and is trying to figure out his life, one mistake at a time. I implore you to go check out a David Bowie Greatest Hits CD or one of his landmark records – Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (my favorite), Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs or anything else the man put out. It might change your life. It will definitely enrich your mind, soul and body.

Here’s my 100 word song for Bobina’s Same Old Lang Syne http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/100-word-song-same-old-lang-syne/ , Velvet Verbosity’s “Dust” http://www.velvetverbosity.com/2013/01/08/100-words-dust-wind/ , and Trifecta Writing’s “Intention” http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/2013/01/trifecta-week-fifty-nine.html .

Jake stared at the tabletop as Mallory’s lips pressed his. He took his hand off her back to grasp its underside. With the intention of finding an uncluttered part to lay her down, he pushed the chair they were in past their plates of chinese food. He glanced at a layer of dust on his hand. Mallory purred through a laugh.

“It’s okay if you we get a little dirty.”

Paralyzed by the realization that months earlier, when she was still alive, Camille was the last person to clean the table, Jake whimpered.

“We can’t do this. We’re stealing time.”

This week, David Bowie gave an interview, where he revealed the real story behind his classic, Heroes,http://performingsongwriter.com/david-bowie-songs/  was about a forbidden relationship between one of his band members and a German girl. This makes Heroes a great song for today’s post.

Redhead Walking

Last time with Soul To Body: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/here-with-me/

Two blue plates displayed Mongolian chicken over white rice as Jake and Mallory exchanged flirtatious grins across his kitchen table. His unanswered text to his sister-in-law of “wait two hours before coming over” caused him anguish about whether he’d survive Augusta seeing him with someone only three months after her sister died.

“Jake, if you want me to leave, say so.”

Needing to blurt “yes, he gave into the alluring redhead. Her huge smile, deep green eyes, and pretty face centered his attention.

“No, Mallory…”

Before he could finish, she walked around the table, straddled his lap, and kissed him.

****blogger’s note****

Two prompts hold a new episode of my short story about a grieving father of a teenage daughter, called Soul To Body. Trifecta Writing’s “survive” http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/2012/12/trifecta-week-fifty-eight.html and Velvet Verbosity’s “redhead”  http://www.velvetverbosity.com/ are highlighted here. Please visit those places. Amazing writers and writing are located within.

Today’s song is an underrated one from R.E.M. from their Accelerate record, called Redhead Walking.

http://videa.hu/videok/zene/r.e.m.-red-head-walking-accelerate-bonus-buck-GagsezdKiRv3T6YF

Thief

News of a bloody nightmare gripped me. I slipped on my mask, tightened my jaw, hit the car radio’s off button, and took back my smile from my beaten soul.

My vehicle slowed to the elementary school curb. I imagined someone over a thousand miles away going through the same motion.

She wasn’t there. Her absence stole my breath. Seconds ticked. Horror crept inside my paralyzed lungs.

The long curly brown hair, the deep blue eyes, and wonderful smirk appeared.

“Sorry daddy, they called the wrong car number so I went to the bathroom.”

I exhaled then hugged her, hard.

****blogger’s note****

This is my 100 word response to not only velvetverbosity’s 100 word challenge  http://www.velvetverbosity.com/ of “breath” but also what happened in Connecticut. I picked up my fourth grader nine-year-old then went home and hugged my other two daughters, who are in the second grade and eleventh grade.

Today’s song was written about someone who’s life was stolen by disease. It’s lyrics fit my thought this morning. God Bless the grieving, up north. Here’s Thief by Our Lady peace.

100 Word Song – Criminal

After some weird weeks, including a Holiday, normalcy, or what passes for it on this blog, is returning to 100 word song. Last week was excellent for the meme as we had fourteen entries, each singing with creativity and style for a difficult but fun song from Jimi Hendrix on what would have been his 70th birthday. One of my favorites was from a young writer I’ve admired for months, Julia http://juliamaestaley.com/2012/11/28/experienced-100-word-song-challenge/  She has two blogs because that’s what cool kid writers do. Both are full of music, art, and wonderful words. She’s a musician too so Leeroy asked her to pick this week’s song, as we’re supposed to do, and she chose a tune I used for Millicent and Pauley a few months ago, Criminal, by Fiona Apple.

For my 100, we return to Soul To Body as Jake enters the bedroom and the questionable intentions of Mallory.

Last time: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/100-word-song-are-you-experienced/

Jake cringed as Mallory slid her right hand inside his left. Her skin was soft but cold. He thought about how  it was so different from Camille’s warm touch. 

“I know I’m not her, Jake. But I’ll be whatever you want, for now.”

She led him to the side of the queen sized bed. As they sat together, Jake couldn’t let go of the guilt from the line he’d crossed. This was Camille’s bed.

Mallory opened two of the pill bottles, poured a capsule of each into his hand and handed him the Diet soda can Jake had opened earlier.

As always, you have one week from NOW to write 100 words in any format inspired by Fiona Apple’s Criminal. Use Mr Linky to enter your piece. Tweet the world and tell me and Leeroy. Go be a bad, bad, writer…..

Oh and this is for velvet verbosity’s 100 word challenge using “whatever”…… http://www.velvetverbosity.com/

Also, if you have a chance, go check out my page at America’s Next Author, starting tomorrow, December 5th. Out of over 300 entries, my short story, Italian Radio, made the final eight. I’m honored to be there. Please vote, retweet, review, rate and book of face share. Thank you. http://www.ebookmall.com/americasnextauthor/nominees

100 Word Song – Landslide

I apologize for the one week hiatus in 100 word song. I had a death in the family. The funeral was last Tuesday. My wife and I teamed up for a great tandem writing prompt for Trifecta Writing. It was due last Wednesday morning. Sometimes even robots need to prioritize. Leeroy and I decided to chill for a week and come back strong, today. While writing with Bobina, she was singing Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide. Since that’s a terrific song and it fits the next installment of Soul To Body and that piece would connect well to Velvet Verbosity’s “The Remains Of The Day” prompt http://www.velvetverbosity.com/ , I had to use it. technically, Leeroy and I are choosing this week’s song. But, I think my wife programmed both of us to “think of it”. For my 100 we hang with Jake as he slides into the arms of Mallory.

Last time on Soul To Body:

http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/100-word-song-election-day/

Wasted by pain medication and a body demanding rest, Jake slept through the morning. He could feel her in his bedroom. He pulled the bandages from his broken torso, stripped off his pajama bottoms and entered into a hot shower. Tears mixed with soap and he spoke to her after seeing his pathetic reflection in the stainless steel fixture.

“Camille, I miss you but today I just need a break. Please don’t hate me.”

His sobs drowned the sound of someone entering the bathroom.

“Jake, are you okay?”

He took a huge breath, exhaled and smiled.

“I will be, Mallory.”

As always, you have seven days from right now to write 100 words based on today’s song, Landslide, by Fleetwood Mac. You can use any form. Make sure you post it to the Mr. Linky below and then tweet, book of face, and harass your friends with your 100 word piece of art. Tell a friend or 50.

6th Avenue Heartache

Charts and optimal dates and preferential temperatures. One line or two. As if
she could summon whatever it is that makes up the human soul as easily as she
could a cab on a busy New York avenue.

Lorna Meade pressed redial on her iPhone with her left hand and stepped onto the pavement, waving her right hand. A black and yellow sedan blew his horn and stopped within a foot of her scuffed red Anne Kleins. Tears welled in her blue eyes as her intended, answered.

“Naomi, baby, they said no. The honeymoon is booked but there’s no place that will marry us.

The cab driver offered no empathy to Lorna. He screamed from his driver’s side window.

“If you want a ride, lady, get in now!”

Lorna glared at him then walked to the cab’s door.

and now Deana’s contribution, the finale:

“Naomi, Calm down. I’ll be right there.” She hung up the phone and sputtered out directions.

The cab ride seemed to take longer than usual. It didn’t help matters that the looks she was getting from the driver ranged from “disgusting” to “I’d like to join in”.

Pulling up to the their loft she found Naomi waiting with a look of despair.

“Everyone’s right, maybe we should we just call this off.” Naomi’s words stunned her.

A skydiving flier gusted by Lorna’s foot.

“Naomi, you promised me the moon and stars. It’s only fitting we get married in the sky.”

*****blogger’s note****

In celebration of their 1-year anniversary, my friends at Trifecta Writing Challenge are teaming with Velvet Verbosity this week. Their mission is to team up writers in twos and have them use the first 38 words as the prompt and then I write 100, and my writing partner this week, my wife, The Bobina, aka @deana_bo will write the 100 word finale tomorrow. Our wedding anniversary is on the 21st. We’re offering a romantic 238 words. Stay tuned to her blog to see what happens to Lorna and Naomi.

Today’s song was written in and is about NYC but it’s more mood music and cool title than lyrical connection. Here’s the Wallflowers.

What’s My Age Again?

It happens every morning and sometimes at night. In the contemptible mirror, I look at what’s become of me. Evidence suggest something tragic. There’s hair in the drains. What’s left on me shows more salt than pepper. Lines form around my eyes, mouth and neck. An oddness creeps.

I’m unsure why I look, even more clueless why I care. My youth vanished a long time ago. I walk away from my brutal reflection and turn on music. I crank it louder than ever, dancing and singing with reckless abandon, to fight the reality I was born in the year 1970.

*****blogger’s note****

This is my personal 100 word response to two prompts, “YEAR” from Trifecta http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/ and “VANISHED” from Velvet Verbosity http://www.velvetverbosity.com/ 

Today’s song is a guilty pleasure that fits my mood and the story told here. Here’s Blink 182 ode to arrested adolescent and fighting maturity with humor, What’s My Name Again?…No one likes you when you’re 23 or 42.

 

Anyone Can Play Guitar

I wake and slumber to the same anxiety.

“Anyone can write a book, except for me.”

I write till the pencils are nubs and my calluses kindle. Closing the deal on my novel shows my neuroses.

“Anyone can write a book, but few create literature. ”

Then, listening to a song by a band I love, I realize where I get my narrow opinion.

A musician sat with me on the hood of a blue Pontiac Firebird sharing Southern Comfort, warm. He strummed a six-string and muttered drunken truth.

“Anyone can play guitar, but it takes a hero to make music.”

***blogger’s note****

I’m up late working on The Ballad of Helene Troy and llistening to Radiohead’s first album, Pablo Honey. I clicked on my friend Velvet’s 100 word challenge http://www.velvetverbosity.com/ for “KINDLE” and shared some of my crazy with you.

Here’s a great, underrated, brilliant rock song called Anyone Can Play Guitar from my second favorite band, Radiohead. The lyrics are perfect.

100 Word Song – Falling To Pieces

If someone tells you that internet isn’t a real community then I direct you to America’s Next Author – http://www.ebookmall.com/americasnextauthor There you will find amazing writers who are being supported by other ones in a good-natured competition where first prize is a million dollar book contract….Wait…What? Oh, it’s not? Maybe I should’ve read more.

Please go buy and see, read, vote, tweet, review, book of face share http://www.ebookmall.com/author/andra-watkins , http://www.ebookmall.com/author/cameron-d-garriepy , http://www.ebookmall.com/author/my-write-side-sam , and yours truly, robot boy, http://www.ebookmall.com/author/lance-burson . My story is called Italian Radio. You can vote for each author, once a day. Please and thank you. Did I mention you can vote for ME?

The third one mention is steph, @writesidemama, aka “mama”. She is the co-creator of Leeroy’s logo/marketing campaign. So, they talk a lot. She’s chosen this week’s song, Falling To Pieces from Faith No More. Thanks to Sean aka @bluenotebacker for last week’s great pick.

For my 100, we go back to Jake, as he breaks down emotionally, amid several types of pain in another Soul To Body episode. It also contains @velvetverbosity’s word this week, “Tremble”.

Last time on Soul To Body: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/100-word-song-faded/

Yelling at his daughter always left him sad, but directing his ire his mother-in-law and sister-in-law caused Jake to tremble with angst. His legs weakened. Jake grasped the car’s passenger window and swallowed. The pain pills and the anxiety of the moment caused a dry throat. He wanted something to drink. Violet walked past Lucinda and reached inside Augusta’s handbag to retrieve a bottled water. Jake closed his eyes to regain his senses and opened them to see an Aquafina nestled inside Violet’s teenaged left hand.

“I’m sorry, Dad. With Mom gone, we just want to take care of you.”

Rules are simple, 100 word singers. You have seven days to write exactly 100 words inspired by the song. Link up to Leeroy’s drinking buddy, Mr. Linky, below. Tweet, facebooks, and tell a friend or 50.

Here’s Falling to Pieces by the great Faith No More

Love Spreads

All I want is a hug.

I confront them with a smiling face and thumping heart wanting their warmth spread over me like rain.

There’s three of them. That strength in numbers is evident as they address me with uneasy body language.

One has hair like a vanilla candle.

Another has messy, long, fierce curls that fall like autumn leaves.

The oldest one has tresses that recall a sunflowered meadow.

Eyes roll, sighs echo, and heads shake. I never stop trying.

Our moments are sudden, like a thunderclap or hammerflash.

All I want is a hug and maybe a kiss.

****blogger’s note****

This is my personal response to two prompts – Trifecta’s “UNEASY” http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/ and Velvet Verbosity “every character must want something” http://www.velvetverbosity.com/2012/10/02/finding-writing-voice/#comment-3521 I have three daughters – aged 16, 9, and 8.

Today’s song is a great one from The Stone Roses. The line “hammerflash in the lightning” inspired this piece. Here’s Love Spreads. Enjoy the riff,