Articles written by Jess Howe - Page 3

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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 > Memoirs Memoirs: Halloween memories: 2 of 13
I have the most fantastic Halloween memories of a Halloween-themed house in our neighborhood when I was a kid. The owners of the house took the time to make thousands - literally - of Jack-O-Lanterns to border their Victorian-style home, around the doors, up to the roof where white and red lights hung. There were Jack-O-Lant... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Breathing life into your fictional characters: 12 of 72
What book people want to read and continue reading depends largely on the characters within. You want memorable characters, ones that'll stick out to a reader so they start thinking "I want to read more by this person! He was the one who did that guy Shto, the really evil lunatic who set his teeth on fire to scare people, an... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Spiritual Life Can we be swayed by symbols?: 4 of 24
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 ... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise Tips Moves for strengthening your core: 1 of 6
You want that six-pack, don't you? You want to be the guy or girl at the bar or on the beach, or in the street even, who others stare at and drool over. You want this with as little fuss as possible. And believe me, I don't mean an exercise ball. Those are tricky; if you don't work with them just right, you won't get much fo... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Tales from the mall: 2 of 11
Charlie Sue staggered to work, dragging her shadow behind her. The gremlin guards frowned at her. "Bad to not keep eyes to your shade, isn't it?" one of them laughed. "Careful today... " She rubbed her eyes, entering the mall where she worked. She lost track of her shadow as the day went on, and as she got more tired. Easy e... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Summer camp: 3 of 15
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... More..
Creative Writing > Songs Songs: In the forest: 6 of 27
What's under the mask of the forest sprites Who call out me and my sisters eleven To dance with you all under the moon In the forest dark and strange? (chorus) What do you not want us to see Green men, in the forest wild When we whirl with you Twirl with you Under the moon In the forest tonight? (end chorus) I dance the danc... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Mythology & Folklore Women in Celtic lore and legends: 2 of 9
Rhiannon. Brigid. Boudica. Guenivere. These are probably the first names we think of when it comes to women of Celtic lore. They are goddesses and warrior queens, dangerous and beautiful. Guenivere is possibly the most famous due to the legends of King Arthur (Bray, F.C.: "Bray's University Dictionary of Mythology", Apollo E... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking Fruits & Vegetables How to steam fresh vegetables: 6 of 26
Steaming vegetables can be both tricky and satisfying, once you have the proper methods down. But once you know this, you can create some fantastic side dishes you'd never thought of before. There are two quick and very easy ways to steam veggies. BLANCHING 1)Fill a pot halfway with water and two tablespoons of salt. 2)Put i... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Mother's Day & Father's Day A brief history of Father's Day: 10 of 42
Does anyone truly remember Sonora Dodd? You might not, but she's the one responsible by all accounts for the Father's Day holiday you know. Sonora's father was a vet of the Civil War, and as she listened to a Mother's Day sermon, she thought it might be a good idea to honor the men of the family as well. The first Father's D... More..