Dear Readers

I wish you a Happy Easter.

I hope you are all well and are coping with this tragedy of global proportions.  No one could have imagined that every country on earth would be affected one way or another.

I constantly hear about great displays of compassion and personal sacrifice.  And I do see us pulling through this and becoming stronger and more resilient as a result.

Perhaps you have always wanted to take up writing.  Well your solitude may present the perfect opportunity to be inspired.   Write about your feelings. Describe how being sequestered is affecting you both mentally and physically.  Don’t hold back.

In the meantime stay well. Stay home. I will be thinking about you.

Marjan

Hope

I long for the day I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face and listen to the birds sing.  I long for the day when I can spend time with family and friends and hold them close.  I long for the day when I receive permission to get on with my life. I long for a world that is slowly healing and this tragedy is all but a distant memory.

It is all I can hope.

Hello everyone

I apologize for starting my blog off in this way, but if you can, please stay home; if you must go out take extra precautions.

I continue to write my flash fictions.  If you have a chance to read them, I hope they make you smile.  They certainly bring me great joy and offer an escape.

I am posted on various sites.  Here is a list:

a. www.fridayflashfiction.com

b. www.fiftywordstories.com

c. www.101words.com

d. www.pageandspine.com

e. www.reflexfiction.com

f. www.polarexpressions.com

I hope to publish a book of short stories this year.  I will keep you informed.

Bye for now.  I hope you and your family stay well.  Remember that the adversities we face  in life tend to make us stronger. We will all survive this!

kind regards,

Marjan

Hello everyone:

I have neglected all of you, and I apologize.  It has been awhile since my last post.  But I have been busy writing my flash fictions.  I will provide you with a list of sites where I continue to be published:

www.fridayflashfiction.com– I post regularly on this site.  My stories are predominately 100 words or less;  www.page&spine.com:  I have had several stories published on this site in the last several months: they are under the section titled: “crumbs.” www.polarexpressions.ca;  www.101words.com. A few stories published on this site over the last year.  One of my short stories will also be published in Voices 2020 Anthology collection.

I plan to publish a collection of my short stories in 2020 which will vary in length from 100 words to 2500 words. I will try and include illustrations with some of my stories.  I will keep you posted of my progress.

I can’t believe that it has been four years since my book was published: Pardon Me While I Close The Door. It continues to be available in a few public libraries.

You can follow me on twitter: @sierhuismarjan   I love visiting libraries, museums, art galleries,  zoos, etc. so I will usually share some of my pictures with my followers.

Twitter is my only social media site.

Well, I shall say goodbye for now.   Keep well.  Talk soon.

Marjan

I hope everyone is doing well.  It has been a little while since I last posted.  All is fine.  My work continues to be published on www.fridayflashfiction.com; www.101words.com and now www.page&spine is also publishing my short stories.

I plan to publish a book of short stories this year.  I will let you know as I get closer to the final draft.

Have a wonderful day.  And keep well.

Marjan

Hello everyone:

I hope you have all been well.  I decided it was time to once again visit my website.  And I apologize to all of you for not posting sooner.  As you may or may not know,  I worked as an Intensive Care Nurse for 30 years.   A few years ago I decided to take a break from  nursing.  40 years is a long time in one profession and since I was a prolific reader I said to myself:  why not try and write?

So what am I up to now?   Well I have been busy writing flash fictions.  These are stories that vary in length.  A few hundred words to a few thousand.  I find they offer me a writing challenge.   One of my favorite sites is www.fridayflashfiction.com  This site has published a number of my stories over the last year.  And in December, 2018 I was shortlisted for  “Southbound.”

My flash fictions have also been published on www.101words.com   May 4, 2018: George; May l4, 2018: Scott; June 21, 2018: The Counsellor; August 2, 2018: The Dog Stays. October l5, 2018: Shattered.

I try to cover different genres.  Of course my work may not appeal to every taste but hopefully you can find something that gives you a chuckle.

If you have a minute, please check www.100wordstory.org  The site gives the reader a photo prompt.  And one creates a l00 word story.  My story for the month of January 2019 is titled:  “No More Excuses.”

I have a suggestion.  Why don’t you all try your hand at writing a little drabble.   After all if you don’t at least give it a try, you will never know what gems are brewing in your subconscious.

Well folks that is all for now.  I will try and post more frequently.

Please follow me on twitter   @SierhuisMarjan

sincerely,

Marjan

Hello Everyone:

I shall be offering my electronic book free on www.amazonkindle.com  from Monday,  April 2, 2018 until Friday, April 6, 2018 for those who are interested in reading it.     One of my flash fiction stories will be  published in www.reflexfiction.com. Anthology collection.  Release date is April 2018.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Marjan

My aunt Renske passed away on Saturday March 24, 2018.   Today I attended her funeral.  Although it was a solemn occasion I had the honor and privilege of spending the day with eight of her children (my cousins)  and their families.   This wonderful and kind woman had 21 grandchildren and l8 great grandchildren.   And she will surely be missed by all.

Dear Aunt Renske:  May you rest in peace.

Hello everyone:

I have a story for you to read on www.adhocflashfiction.com   It is called:  The buckle.  And it is story #60.

Please enjoy.

Marjan

Hello Everyone:

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged.  And please except my apologies.  A lot has happened since then and I will share some of my news with you.   Exciting news!  One of my flash fiction stories made the Autumn 2017 Longlist at www.reflexfiction.com.  I also made the third quarter 2017 Longlist of #flash500.  And I made the longlist final quarter 2017 of #flash500.

I am now also a contributing author on www.fridayflashfiction.com.  And you can read my short and long stories on this site.

I have also been published weekly on ad hoc fiction.   Submitted stories are anonymous and put to a vote.  Once off we submit a new one for the following week.

My Autumn 2017,  longlisted story,  “Another minute, another hour, another day” will be published in reflex fiction’s anthology collection in April of 2018.

I must admit I have neglected my second novel.  It still remains a work in progress.  But I love writing my flash fictions.

I will keep you informed regarding my second novel.  No not a memoir this time.  But a medical thriller.

Hope you are all doing well.  I promise not to neglect you this time for such a long period.

sincerely

Marjan

Hi

I hope you’ve all been well since my last blog.  I thought you might enjoy some pictures.  So I have attached a few for your viewing enjoyment.

Bloor-Yorkville had it’s l2th annual ice-fest in February.  And I have included a few of the sculptures that were carved by some very talented artists.

This year was a special event.  The theme celebrated Canada’s l50th anniversary.  20,000 lbs. of crystal clear ice was sculpted inspired by the celebration of Canada’s Confederation.  A truly magnificent display.

Of course I also had to pay a visit to Toronto’s Zoo.  What can I say.  It’s one of my favorite places. As you can see from my photos, the pandas are an absolute delight to look at and watch.   If you have an opportunity, please drop by.  I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.  It’s a great place to visit.

Great news.  For all of you who haven’t had an opportunity to read my book, I have made it free on amazon-kindle this week.  You may enjoy reading it.   It is also available in the Toronto Public Library.  Where a hold may be placed on the library site.  The memoir is also available in Ottawa Public Library, Mississauga Public Library, and Regina Public Library.  As well as on the Indigo website, and in several indigo stores.

I will now say goodbye.  It is cold outside.  So please bundle up.

Talk soon.

Marjan