• Skip to main content

Jim the Writer

a literary blog

  • About me
  • Publications
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • El Morro
  • 100 Words

Main Content

Welcome to Jim’s

www.jimthewriter.net
Click to enter

No Kind of Wing Shot

By Jim Anderson

Sam found the shotgun under the stairs. His 12-gauge Remington pump, a classic with its clean lines and walnut stock. His father had preferred semi-automatics. His father was no kind of wing shot, but he could work a duck call. He trained Black Labs, too, and was a good man to have with you on a hunt. Sam opened a box of shells, and eased one out, pinching …

[Read More...] about No Kind of Wing Shot

Ranson’s Beard

Ranson's beard was older than his daughter, the corporate attorney who'd moved to Oregon to get as far from him as North America allowed. He wasn't shaving without due consideration. He'd grown it the summer of Lillian's pregnancy. He was teaching philosophy in Ohio, and working on his book. One …

[Read More...] about Ranson’s Beard

The Day After Thanksgiving, 1977

On the day after Thanksgiving in 1977, I was alone in my apartment, writing. Nobody called it “Black Friday” then. It was just the day after Thanksgiving. I don’t know when it became the high holy day of American consumerism. …

[Read More...] about The Day After Thanksgiving, 1977

Details

The professor wore the required shirt and shoes. He expected service. Yes, his pants were missing. So were his underpants, his socks and his wife of 38 years, if anyone cared for details. The girl behind the counter gaped at him, her mouth a perfect O. The professor set down a bottle. "It's all in …

[Read More...] about Details

Yes, Today

It was my day to drive. Nature provided a misty rain for our 50-mile commute. I didn’t focus on Neilsen until I had backed the car to the bottom of his driveway. I slammed the brake. “What the hell is that?” Neilsen turned toward me. He was wearing a hard-shell, full-face mask. Black, with big …

[Read More...] about Yes, Today

On the Burma Road

Mr. Jenkins disliked me on sight. That was surprising. I'm as pleasant as the next guy, and he couldn't see well. "I can smell a Jap a mile away," he said. "How I survived." I ignored the slur. "Ready for your walk, sir?" …

[Read More...] about On the Burma Road

Fragment of a memoir

"The thing is," Papa said, "everybody gets that story wrong. They always think the baby died." "Well, sure," I said. "What else?" Papa shook his head. "The baby didn't die. The mother doesn't want the shoes." He finished his gin martini and motioned to the barkeep for another. The fan turned …

[Read More...] about Fragment of a memoir

About me

As you have probably figured out, my name is Jim and I am a writer. For many years, I was a college writing teacher, too -- among many other life roles. I have another, more popular blog called Life After Carbs. It's about losing weight on a reduced carbohydrate diet. And it's about me -- my favorite …

[Read More ...] about About me

El Morro

The Desire to Leave a Mark ... El Morro (the headland) stands in western New Mexico, and is also known as Inscription Rock. At the base of El Morro is a pool of water that for centuries attracted parched travelers to the spot, many of whom carved dates, names, and messages (including petroglyphs) into the …

[Read More ...] about El Morro

Tags

100 words action aging beach death definition demon dialogue domestic Ernest Hemingway family fantasy father football historical fiction Janis Joplin king lake loss love love triangle Mark Twain marriage memoir micro-fiction military fiction music nanowrimo novel draft paranormal parenthood personal essay philosophy publication relationship rock-and-roll science fiction short story shotgun sports suspense theory war Woodstock writing process
© 2013–2026 James E. Anderson. All rights reserved.
A production of Anderfam Enterprises LLC.
  • Fiction
  • Non-Fiction