After a lengthy hiatus, it is time to re-enter the fray (metaphorically) and dig up some courage to do more than think about writing this blog. I submitted a 50-word story to fiftywordstories.com, and it was published online at https://fiftywordstories.com/2025/05/07/susan-hunt-what-remains/. My first online published piece. Here it is:

            Fila stared at the map, tracing the 800 miles that lay ahead. Mules hitched, wagon loaded, farm sold. Nothing of home, of him, remained, save the shotgun he’d carried to the barn that day. She’d keep the shotgun as a reminder when memories of love and life wanted back in.

Writing can be intimidating, but flash fiction and even shorter pieces are not so frightening. Not that I'm scared to write, it's just the thought of falling short that's scary. I wonder if we ever get over that? 

I hope this blog, and my commitment to it, will help create some discipline that has been lacking, the lack of which makes me feel like a fraud. 

Reading now for book club "Big Beautiful Life," for Narratively class "Skinfolk," and for myself "My Friends."