Beauty, Brothels, and a Bullet
Recently, I was asked to join a group of phenomenal writers to collaborate on a wonderful piece of fiction, Bent Willows. So far, our troop consists of Editor and fellow contributor, Eric Griggs, Saoirse, and Kay Bolden; with chapters from James Finn and Fred Shirley in the works. My character’s journey isn’t at an end, so look for more of her, soon!
Bent Willows is western historical fiction, with a twist. The characters are lovingly brought to life with “own voices”, that’s to say, for the most part, each writer is using their life experiences to an extent to build exceptional characters and help weave this epic saga. It is set in 1863, without the social and technological issues we have today, yet still shows how people who identify as one or more of the colors of our LGBTQ rainbow would have lived so long ago.
Yes, we’ve been around for a long time.
Here is an excerpt from my chapter:
Unforgiving, dawn again rose red upon her camp. The evening shelter she’d found amongst the rocky outcroppings offered little protection from the heat.
Just moments after the sun’s blazing return, Eve already longed for a watery respite. Finding such liquid sanctuary here was a feat bordering on the miraculous. With faith in nothing more than a horse and her own instincts, however, miracles somehow found her out.
Her stallion nickered nearby as she stretched the stiffness away. Eve clicked her tongue, and the horse made his way through the rocks to stand by her side.
Together they broke camp and set off across the parched mesa, ready to find or work a miracle.
She had not a clue how long this quest might last, but instinct did not often leave her wanting.
The horse was the “damned finest” she’d ever ridden, “sure-as-shit better than any human” traveling companion, or so she’d written in infrequent letters to great Aunt Hattie.
She had little use for talk in general, even less for fancy words. The horse was most obliging in this regard, as happy to take in her intermittent ruminations as he was to bask in her stoic silence. He gave no lip, regardless of what she said or did, quite unlike those tongue-waggin’ townsfolk back home. Rather than settle for life amongst the nattering rabble, she struck her own path with the only male she could count on — the four-hooved one called Virgil…
If you would like to read more, here is the chapter in its entirety:
And a handy guide to all the episodes, so far.
Kay Bolden has also written a few sneak peeks into her character’s life before Bent Willows, which are trending in the top 10 of the fiction tag right now!
Come join us in Bent Willows, you won’t be disappointed.
