Author Archives: authorjmtopp

WRITING PROMPT: Write about someone who is given a bird for the holidays but does not know what to do with it. (Note: I do not own these images. I use them for illustration only) The sound of a hammer striking anvil with a loud clank pulled my gaze, and then, I saw him. HisContinue reading “A Friendly Feather”

Writing Prompt: Write about someone getting a job offer they never would have thought to apply for. (I do not own this image. It is used for illustration purposes only) The clopping sound of horse’s hooves upon the road alerted the farmer to an armored rider approaching. He was a knight errant from the center-lands, aContinue reading “The Whisper”

As it turns out, I don’t think the first chapter of Abberwall is as punching or gripping as it needs to be. I will send out three queries but I will hold off with anything else until the first chapter is re-written, which also means probably no writing contest next week either. BUT! Once itContinue reading “Uh-Oh Re-Write Incoming!!!”

I’m not writing a contest story this week because I want to perfect the query package in search of a literary agent. My goal for the month is to detail the content specifically for three lit agents and go from there. I will be querying for the novel “Abberwall”. Wish me luck!!!

Harsh light from a torch awoke me from my slumber. The gatekeeper had probably risen early this morning searching for a bite to eat from the larder as per usual. I yawned creaking my wax limbs and shaking the soot from wick atop my head. He would usually visit thirty minutes before the break ofContinue reading “The Man Hidden By Light”

West Texas – 1857 A soft breeze blew through the tops of the reeds on both sides of the small creek, whistling slowly as a summer sweet song across the prairie. She dipped her feet in the cool waters and wriggled her toes as she spotted a large black catfish roaming the bottom of the creekContinue reading “Road to Tumbleweed”

Ugh. Not too much a fan of this week’s prompt. “Write a post-apocalyptic story featuring zombies.” I think what I’ll do is go something like zombies in dark ages time. Like post-black plague stuff just to switch it up a bit.

A cacophony of laughter erupted from the center bar as a group of orbital mine workers lifted their beers in unison and slammed steel mugs together. Kimsy stared at them with glee in her eyes and smiled as their drunken joy filled the establishment with life. She wiped the counter with a red cloth asContinue reading “Cosmic Castaway”

Writing Prompt: Write a story about someone feeling powerless. ‘Shh…quiet…Shut the fuck up! Look, there it is,’ snapped Rob, peeking from behind a garbage collector in a foggy alleyway. Jonesy and Petra quieted down to stare at a sleek silver vehicle hovering down the busy boulevard.  ‘What’s it doing in these parts?’ asked Petra, adjustingContinue reading “S.I.B.A. Safe”