Articles written by Jess Howe

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About me - Jess Howe

I write sf, fantasy and (a little bit) horror. Want to go to space and solve murder mysteries, or live in a world where dwarves make each other from stone? Yes, that's me. I also love poetry - of various kinds! ...and, I draw.

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Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Suicide: 1 of 134

"Why did you do it?" I asked the ghost. He was just standing there in my new apartment. I did not need this. My husband committed suicide five years before, and I was still getting over that. He'd died because he couldn't live with himself after that kid died. It's a bitch being empathic, having ESP, being psychic, whatever ...
Religion & Spirituality > Spiritual Life Can we be swayed by symbols?: 1 of 26

It is very hard not to be swayed by symbols, actually. We as a human race have used symbols for things for centuries: they were originally for the heraldry of rulers and for religion, as well as a way to distinguish fighters on a field from one another. Today those symbols survive in the flags of countries, and sometimes in ...
Celebrations & Holidays > Christmas Is Christmas becoming too commercialized?: 3 of 71

It starts as soon as fall appears, the holiday songs in stores and on the radio! The advertisements began this year before Halloween - a little subtly at first and then they became more and more intense as time progressed, subliminal messages from Target ads and the Food Network about "coming holidays" and "share your season...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Sorrow: 10 of 195

In the brilliant sorrow of the night I am blinded by the neon A thousand lights blaze in the square Just none for me. I feel the rush of the crowd I hear the sound of ebullience But the jumping, throbbing masses Do not touch me. I lit my own little candle for you In the chapel four nights ago And the lights of tonight's New ...
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Getting over yourself: Making the transition from thinking to writing: 3 of 53

You need to work at stories to get them better, and in order to do that you need to stop thinking so much about things and just write. Maybe for the next few years all you'll be able to write is garbage. It even happens to well-known writers from time to time. You can't get past this phase, however, if you don't just simply ...
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Summer camp: 1 of 16

The magical, the mystical, fried egg wonder of it all, was Piranha's Special Summer Camp for Special Children. There, among the frozen statues of another age before lace and fine silks, you could be anything you wanted - the trick was just to be it. That was where I learned to make slivers in time with a bit of fried egg and...
Religion & Spirituality > Religion & Spirituality (Other) Should one's faith influence a citizen's vote?: 6 of 75

No, but dammit it does! How many times have we seen the classic "family values" platform? People going to the "Bible Belt", using their "down home, good Christian values" to try and get a win? I'm personally tired of it. I am not alone, either: Evangelical Christians are now questioning what they've been hearing, as opposed ...
Creative Writing > Songs Songs: Friday night: 3 of 37

Some Friday night We'll meet 'neath the city stars In the park where we first kissed - I miss that. I hold that memory dear As I walk the laughing streets Listening to kids coming out of bars - Where'd it go? Every Friday night I go to that bench in the park The spot where we first made out - I wait for you. Some Friday nigh...
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Housework: 4 of 42

Let me tell you the story of the Raving Dustball. No one should have to face it, not ever again. It was such a sad case. It started with a young man who wouldn't clean his room. For years he sat and sat, playing on his computer and going out with his boys as the dust encroached on on everything. His laundry was everywhere, p...
Creative Writing > Songs Songs: A snowy day: 4 of 41

It's a cold, cold snowy day In this hell that you've given me This world where you've imprisoned me - Wrapped your ivy branches 'round me tight! You wanna see what's in my soul, baby You wanna take all my control, baby And you won't leave nothin' left for me - Won't leave nothin' left tonight! Oh, I can't take it anymore Gon...