The Writer Shawn White's Place of Things

  It's December, and I'm going to put this post out on the solstice so I don't have to have it on the back of my mind over the holidays. I plan on spending time doing other things, thinking, and writing other things.  For writing this month, I tried something new and basically narrated a folk tale about the origin of milk and cookies at Christmas time. It was a little tough because it's not how I usually write, but fun overall. Jen worked on some illustrations and carved the block print for the cover. We added a page at the front and made this month's zine our Christmas Cards this year.  Jen also reached out to other folks on her friends list. For people looking for some weird Christmas cheer, we sent those who responded one of the zines/holiday cards as well.  So this monthly zine thing may likely be a consistent thing for a little bit becasue its fun to work on these with Jen. Currently, the only way to get one is to reach out to us or pick one up from Ellard ...

It's the last day of November, and I am wrapping up a long weekend following a wonderful Thanksgiving. The weather has decided to get a little colder, and I have added the space heater back to my office, strategically placed under my desk, so I am toasty all day. I debate adding a blanket after seeing a Japanese kotatsu. Basically, a table with a space heater and a blanket. I won’t, but it will be debated. We’ve also had the fire running consistently, trying to keep the rest of the house toasty. The basic theme of November is 'keep warm', and we are trying. As for writing this month (Note for folks who have read these posts in the past - I’m moving writing to the front of the things I’m doing.) Following the writing and printing of the short story zine 'The Summoning' in all of its hot pink colored cover glory, Jen and I started the next project. A zine with recipes that we have made for a Thanksgiving meal. Again, this was for Honora because who doesn’t want a reci...

It’s the end of July, and I started it on an island off the coast of Maine frequented by artists, the wealthy, fisher people, and lobster people. The ferry ride out to the island on my birthday was met with giant waves and my eventual sickness at the back of the boat. My only company, a seagull flying slowly behind us, watching me getting rid of my recently consumed tea and a vegan croissant we had picked up at Salt and Pepper Social in Newcastle. It was a good week, and the ferry ride back was much less eventful. On Sunday, the 20th, we went to the State and saw The Decemberists. It was a great performance and a sold-out crowd. Turns out it was the first time they had played in Maine.  Some movies I watched I watched the Pavement documentary/biopic/musical. Not horrific, but fun, and the soundtrack was great. Also watched The Substance. It was worth the hype, horrific, and there was so much fake blood during the chaotic finale. 36,000 gallons. Still half of the Evil Dead remake of...

 It's December, and this month, I have a new story to share. It's a short, easy read set during the holiday season. You can read it below or download the ebook or pdf to view on your reading device if you prefer.  It's called Oh Hole'y Night - A Christmas Story Ebook Link      PDF Link Jessie stood behind the counter at the donut shop she had worked in for the past two years. It was December, and the place was speckled with a few dollar-store holiday decorations. The radio station was playing the same 20 classic Christmas songs on rotation and would be for the next two weeks.  The night shift was her shift, and the night people were her people. It was late for some of the regulars but too early for the bar crowd—one of the few quiet times in the night. Just a little after midnight, she looked out the window as a car pulled into the parking lot, and she wiped the worn tan laminate countertop with a wet rag as she waited for them to figure out what they were ...