Metamorphosis

As seasons change, so do people
A product of peers and society
Entangled in a web designed to stifle advancement
Until you are nothing but a shell of who you once were
Unable to find yourself in the darkness
The ties that bind you, tear into your flesh
Creating wounds that will last years
But yet you persist
And fight against the restraints
Like a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis
You will soar

c
© Kristen Ricketts 2018
Photo from Pixabay

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Book Review: The Hunger by Alma Katsu

I hadn’t heard of The Hunger by Alma Katsu prior to checking Twitter at the end of March. At the top of my feed was a tweet from Stephen King giving praise to it, but what really caught my attention though was that he cautioned reading it after dark.
So, off to the bookstore I went. I’m the type of person who likes to physically hold a book instead of spending hours reading it on a screen after working on a computer all day. At checkout, the girl behind the counter asked about the book. My reply to her was, “Stephen King recommended it, so it has to be good. Right?” We left the store, and I couldn’t wait to start reading at least the synopsis and reviews on the way home. What stood out right away was a positive review from R.L. Stine on the back cover. Growing up, R.L. Stine was my go to author. I didn’t read many of his Goosebumps books, but I probably have most of his other books sitting on my shelf. My conclusion… If they both like this book, it’s definitely worth a shot.
The Hunger is a historical fiction horror novel based on the Donner Party. The book is an easy read and immediately held my attention; I’m all for a good book about wagon trains and settling west. What I was most disappointed about though, was that I didn’t find the book frightening or creepy at all (which was the main reason why I wanted to buy the book). I think maybe I’ve just watched too many horror movies, so I might be immune to what others consider frightening.
Taking the horror aspect out of the equation, I really enjoyed reading The Hunger. In my opinion, the author does a good job keeping the reader interested when the subject matter easily could’ve become blasé. I had a hard time putting the book down, and found that the ending was not what I expected at all.
If you’re looking for a good historical fiction novel, I do recommend reading The Hunger by Alma Katsu.
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1 Year On WordPress

Wow! I can’t believe that a year ago I created this page. When I began It Happened While Writing, I didn’t have much of a plan. For being a relatively private person, the thought of putting my writing out into the world to read was frightening. In fact, I had more than a few panic attacks hitting the publish button.
You all have helped me along my writing journey in so many ways, and for that I will be eternally grateful. I never thought that a year down the road I would’ve hit 700 followers, and I want to thank all of you for your support.
Over the next year I will continue to post original pieces, but much of my time will be dedicated to completing my first novel before beginning the process of finding an agent and subsequently a publisher. I hope you all continue with me on my journey.

~Kristen

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Invisible Presence

It’s been days since I’ve felt welcome in my own home. Why did you have to do a séance? I thought, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Since that night, a presence has plagued my every waking minute; even my dreams have all turned to nightmares.
From the dark circles under my eyes, there is no doubt that the lack of sleep is hindering my daily routines. I feel like I’m slowly losing my mind. I’m not alone.
The thread that binds me to reality is fraying, reality is no longer in my grasp. The house feels alive. Footsteps echo through the hallway when no one else is home, and I swear that figures are moving through the rooms.
This place is no longer safe. My sanctuary is in complete disarray. I need to get out while I still can…while I still can…

 

© Kristen Ricketts
Photo from Pixabay

Invisible

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From Above

From above the clouds
Golden rays of sunshine find their way to Earth
Their warmth on my skin
I fantasize that this is your way of telling me that you’re still here
Watching over me like an unseen protector
This assurance blanketing me with hope
That one day we will reunite

© Kristen Ricketts 2018

Daily Prompt: Above

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Premonition

I woke with a start.
The feeling of dread was overwhelming, like an icy hand gripping my heart. Outside, the sun had not yet risen; the pale bluish, white glow from the moon penetrated through the drapes. The quiet was almost deafening as I sat up, and put my bare feet on the freezing hardwood. Quickly scanning the room, I wondered why I was so overcome with fear.
Out in the corridor, the clang from the grandfather clock struck two; The Witching Hour, I thought as the chimes faded into the darkness. Immediately, as if having a premonition, I turned toward the door, and waited.
As if on cue, footsteps began on the far end of the hall. The sound increasing, I suddenly recalled being roused from my sleep every night since moving into this cabin. Tonight, however, felt different.
I listened breathlessly as the footsteps stopped right outside the room. With only the faint light from the window, I watched as a white mist began to materialize. The translucent particles began to take the form of a figure dressed in a vintage gown. From the bed, I could distinctly make out the long sleeves, and high lace collar; the fabric from the skirt billowing behind her. She continued forward, her gait struggled as if she were fighting against invisible ties.
Long, dark hair obscured her features from my view. Unable to move, I watched as she came closer. The temperature around me dropped with each step she took, and little puffs of my breath formed in front of my eyes with every exhale. Soon, she was standing right in front of me, her bony, pale hand reaching up to move the hair from in front of her face. I was mesmerized as she pulled the tendrils away; I was staring directly at myself…
I woke with a start.

 

© Kristen Ricketts 2018
photo from Pixabay

premonition

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Past Reflection

Light streams through the window
Dust particles drift around the room
Unveiling a world unseen for many years
Belongings strewn throughout the building

On the window sill, a tea cup sits
Abandoned in a hastened escape
Paint faded, porcelain chipped

A memento of a family
A ghost covered in cobwebs
A hint of the forgotten
A lonely reflection of the past

Soon, the space will be reclaimed
As the wild slowly creeps in
To purge the transgressions of it’s former inhabitants

 

© Kristen Ricketts 2018
Photo from Pixabay

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