MTO Stacey Weschke

Elvis jumped onto Stacey's lap and nuzzled into her clasped hands, trying to pry them apart with his peachlike nose, to interrupt her prayers with his purring. With eyes closed, Stacey gave him a few pets and resumed her silent prayer. Elvis wasn't having it. He gave another, more urgent poke into her hands and …

MTO Laura Kennelly

Small Step She was born before the war. Not long before, but long enough that she remembered ice cream and lawnmowers and the smell of fresh-brewed coffee. She remembered laughter and the way the playground slide took her tummy almost into her throat. She knew what it was like to think of Earth as safe …

MTO Kelly Griffiths

You may remember Shaun McKinley, last week's "character," whose trip to the dentist went very south for his hygienist. Shaun is a gifted writer, and when he asked me if I'd like an MTO of my own...well, I was overjoyed. You can read his AMAZING story HERE, then come back and scroll down for what's …

MTO Shaun McKinley

Dental Dread Mom beamed. And Mom wasn't an easy-beamer. Homeschooling four kids into academic brilliance and civic acumen meant every moment mattered. Even about-to-lose-my-five-year-old-mind-I'm-so-terrified moments. Especially those. Having served in the Army, Mom did not buy into the notion that scared little brains could not process new information. Nonsense. If you waited for the perfect …

MTO Jenna

Road Rage The plan: Leave work early, pick up Charlie from the groomer, and make it to the Dojang in time for taekwondo class. Simple, right? Wrong. First, the groomer wasn't finished with Charlie. Would Jenna like to wait while they dried Charlie a little better? "Hate to send you off with a wet dog." …

MTO Heather Stahley

Appalachian Apprehension Heather's feet were killing her. Sixteen miles yesterday, tracking to do twenty today. When she and her fiance decided to thru-hike the Appalachian trail, it was all so romantic. She envisioned them holding hands on an exciting and energetic ramble through the wild and untouched woodlands, refreshed by the aroma of azaleas and …

MTO Diane Decaprio

Dream On 2 AM. Mom hustled five-year-old Diane awake for her roller skating competition. Normally, Diane was a bear on those mornings, but today she was relieved. Waking released her from the nightmare. Sort of. On the long car ride, Diane tried to review her routine, but each time she imagined roller skating, the clearer …

Announcing Made-to-Order Horror Stories

I'd like to bring YOU into my writing journey. And I enjoy a challenge. Here's the deal: you send me a fact about your life. Any fact-- good, bad, or indifferent. I'll take that piece of information and turn it into a horror vignette. Each Wednesday, I'll publish one MTO Horror. If you send a …

My Latest Horror: A Repurposed Church Sermon

I had heard the sermon on at least two occassions. My pastor came from a large (and I mean large, < Brady Bunch) family. So many I can't recall the number. Enough that, were they chickens, you'd not know who was who when you ate one. This is my daughter's formula, by the way, for …

How to Make a Muscle

When I was little my dad would say, "Hey Kelly, make a muscle." Proud of my gymnastics guns, I'd cock my arm. "Make a muscle," he'd say again. I'd squeeze harder, tremble with effort, get red in the face from holding my breath. "Make a muscle." "I...(gasp)...am!" "C'mon, Kelly. Make a muscle. I want to …