41 Comments
User's avatar
Alex J. Cavanaugh's avatar

Market yourself as variety, the spice of life!

J.H. Moncrieff's avatar

I really love your story, Lee! I found the character of Mara to be enchanting. She made me smile several times. What a neat idea!

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Hi and thanks, J.H. So great to find your comment here today. Lovely.

A.C. Cargill, All-Human Author's avatar

Geeeeeeeez! What a scary story! And there's no such thing as talking too much. I should know. It's not that I talk too much, it's that I talk and a stream of what is stuffed in my brain comes flowing out like when you turn on the bathtub faucet and the water keeps flowing on and on and it runs over the edge and across the floor and out the door and down the stairs and out the front door and sweeps away... Oops. There I go again.

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Ha! Good one, A.C. Loved this.

Tyrean Martinson's avatar

I love the story Chatterbox! Nicely done. And I get what you are saying. Each stage of our writing life teaches us what we need for the next step and the next.

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Hi Tyrean. I think learning new stuff is half of what keeps me writing. Thanks for stopping by today!

Gabi Coatsworth's avatar

Good story - perfect for chatterboxes of any age. I'll shut up now...🙂

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

A silent Gabi is not a Gabi at all.

Jennifer Lane's avatar

That story captured me! Mara started out as annoying but then grew on me in a short time. That's wonderful you've tried so many genres--I bet that stretches you as an author. Best wishes for your new release!

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Thank you, Jennifer. So great to find your comment on my post today.

Sandra Cox's avatar

We do share some writing experiences, don't we, Lee?

Great writing....as always.

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Yes, we do. And that is one of the best parts of sticking with this writing business. We can connect with so many great people who share our passion.

Energy of Serenity Healing's avatar

What a fun story! Had me smiling and giggling throughout!

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

It was fun to write. Mara needs some of your @Energy of Serenity Healing with a bit of silence.

Shannondkl's avatar

I hear you on not sticking to one genre. I also enjoy writing in different genres and have a YA I haven't done anything with yet. I do understand that conventional wisdom is to stick to one genre, but that simply wouldn't be me.

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Thankfully, we don’t have to!

K.C. Knouse's avatar

I like the concept of the chatterbox, Lee. It enforced a scarcity on conversation making it a valuable commodity not to be wasted. Mara quickly caught on and began to ration her words. What an inventive ending. It's job done, the box disappeared. Cool!

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Thank you. It was fun to write this one.

Yvonne Ventresca's avatar

Fun story, Lee! (From Yvonne)

cathrina constantine's avatar

I like to write in many genres also. I get bored of the same thing. Love Chatterbox. And, Congrats on your new book. Love the cover!

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Thanks, Cathrina. Glad you’re an experimenter, too!

diedre Knight's avatar

What an interesting story! I always enjoy your posts.

Congratulations on That Moonwater Witch! I bought a copy while visiting Shannon's post;-)

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

That was so nice of you, Diedre. Hope you enjoy the story.

Jacqui's avatar

What a clever story. "For once, silence seemed enough." So true so often.

C. Lee McKenzie's avatar

Sometimes it speaks volumes, and who knows, you might learn something new if you’re listening. Thanks for the visit!

L. Diane Wolfe's avatar

I'm a bit all over the map with genres myself so I know how you feel.

Olga Godim's avatar

A lovely story. I was afraid Mara would lose her words forever, and I'm glad it didn't happen. I'm glad the box gave the words back to her. A lesson for all the chatterboxes everywhere.