Wednesday - My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror - Dreamworld of the Djinn

This cover was published in 2002.  It is Issue 8 of Glyph:  The Journal of Fantasy and Legend.

It was done in pen and ink.

Just for fun - Happy Halloween - Embracing the Dead

It is after midnight and officially October 31st here!  Happy Happy Halloween.

Welcome to my ink drawing - Embracing the Dead

Wednesday - My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror - Skull

First Published in FMAM:  Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Spring 2004, for the story, "Missing Ada" by Dee Stuart.

Happy Halloween!  I am a big fan of that holiday. I am also very fond of drawing skeletons.  Bwahahaha!

Keep a light on, lock your doors, and keep those blankets handy to pull up over your head if you hear that click and clank of bone on bone!

Wednesday - My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror - Happy Halloween

Cover published Summer 2007, Issue 15, Whispers of Wickedness

Wednesday - My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror

First Published in Derek Clendening's chapbook,
Blood Verse: The Vampire as Poet - for the poem, In Broad Daylight.

September, 2007 by Sam's Dot Publishing.

Wednesday - My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror - Burning

Burning - First published as the March 2005 cover for Aoife's Kiss.

Have you ever had a burning desire?  Something that consumes you?  Something that filters into all of your thoughts and dreams?  How do you tame it?  How do you feed it?  How do you turn it off?  What is your burning desire. . .fame, fortune, love, beauty, power, healing, revenge, the list goes on and on.  Do you covet the gem, release it onto the world, destroy it, or try to turn and twist it into something for the highest good for all.  Not an easy task.

Saturday - Stories and illustrations for children - sorcerers - OOPS

First published by Spellbound - A Fantasy Magazine for Children, Summer, 2002, Sorcerers

You have on your magic hat and magic cape.  You have just gotten a brand new magic wand.  You stand in front of the full length mirror, wave your wand, and chant those super magic words and . . . 

POOF!!!

You have turned yourself into a frog!

Now what do you do?

Wednesday - My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror - Wizard Old Yew

First published in Glyph: The Journal of Fantasy and Legend

Issue 8, 2002

It was the illustration for the story:

Old Yew and the Consequences of Conduct

by Genevieve Williams

Saturday stories and illustrations for kids - Going in or coming out...

Closets!!!!!  Do you ever leave your closet door open a crack?  Does it seem to open or close just a little bit if you stare at it??? 

It is time to write your own story or poem. Or Draw your own version of where those odd critters like to hide... and are they going in or coming out???

Bwahahahaha!!!!! 

 :-)

My illustrations for children - Catfish

Today - Feel free to write a story or a poem to go with my illustration. Or draw the pictures that would come before this one or after it. Feel free to paint it, add things to it, or change it in any way you wish.

Wednesday - My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror - Dragon Rose

Love Scent
By Marcia A. Borell

roses surround love
slips away on fragrant breeze
heartbeats embrace wings

Fantasy illustration and haiku were published in Behold e-magazine Issue 2, 2002.

The illustration Dragon Rose was first published in Fantasy, Folklore, and Fairytales e-magazine February 2000 Issue.

My Saturday Stories, Poems, and Illustrations for Kids - The glass slipper

First Published in Spellbound - A Fantasy Magazine for Children

The elf sat at his cobbler's bench every night. He had made shoes with laces, buckles, and bows. He made and repaired shoes for gardening, dancing, and running with friends. This was the first time that he had only one thing on his workbench. He had heard the legends about it. He hadn't believed that it really existed.

It was an open box. In the box surround by silver packing grass was the glass slipper and a note. The note said to take out the tiny tubes and jars. Very carefully he dug around in the box and picked out a small tube of gold paste, another tube of silver paste and six tiny jars of sparkling stardust. There was also a purple silk cloth, a blue fuzzy brush, and a spray bottle that just fit in his hand.

The elf went back to the note and read the directions through twice. He needed to do this perfectly so that it would maintain its magic. He picked it up and studied it. It was dusty, had cobwebs, scratches, and a small chips in the heel. He sighed and began to carefully dust it off. Once clean the magic could begin.

He began by mixing the red stardust with the silver paste and rubbed it into all of the scratches and small cracks. He read the chant over and over again as he worked. He was amazed at how fast the rough spots became smooth. Next he picked up the yellow stardust and added it to the gold paste and pushed it into the hollow chips in the heel.  He could feel it sealing the chips, smoothing them out using the pressure of his fingers wrapped in the silky purple cloth.

Time flew by. He suddenly felt tired. The glass slipper was repaired but still looked dull. There was no sparkle. He opened up the remaining jars of stardust and added them to equal amounts of silver and gold paste. Carefully he brushed them on to the shoe. He reread the directions and let it sit for ten minutes as he repeated another set of magical words.

Finally he grabbed the spray bottle and sprayed it all over the slipper inside and out. A stream of watery rainbows circled the slipper as it began to sparkle. He let it sit for another five minutes. Finally he began to carefully polish the glass slipper uttering the last set of magical words.

He carefully put the glass slipper in the box just as the sun was beginning to rise and warm the windows. He was surprised that the darkest corner of the room was also beginning to glitter. The shimmering sphere got brighter and brighter. Eyes wide he saw a set of luminous wings attached to the shoulders of a beautiful lady. Her voice was musical and filled him with joy.

She inspected the slipper turning it over in her hands. Happily his work was done and her magical work had just begun.

Wednesday - My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror - The collection

The Collection

By Marcia A. Borell

With trembling hands she picked up the ornate antique magnifying glass. She was surprised to see her reflection in the glass and how much younger she looked. It took her back to the first time she wore it. Long black bias cut velvet dress, a gardenia in her hair, and the silver magnifying glass dangling between her breasts from its long heavy silver chain. In her prime she would have been referred to as a looker, that memory made her smile.

She picked up the goldfish pendant, delicate yellow, orange with a bit of red blown glass. It was a gift from her Aunt and would need much care. She remembered how carefully she would hook the clasp making sure that the glass fish would be secure. As she put it back in the box on the table she caught yet another look of a much younger self in the glass. Yes, nineteen, she wore it on her first date with the young man that would become her husband.

She caught another glimpse of herself in the glass. She was a very serious nine year old. She had just opened up a small box containing a silver elephant. A gift from her much traveled Grandmama. It was something that she had always treasured and had worn as she traveled the world.

Yes, the snake pin, it had always stood for resolving and healing issues. Today transformation was the gift of this pin. She carefully put it in its box and attached the last name tag. All of her collection was now boxed and labeled. She watched as the shadow of a cat moved along the wall. It was time.

She rested her head back on the chair and could feel the warm breath of the cat she had lost when she was ten. He began to purr and rub his cheek on her chin. She could hear the thump of a tail as her Brittany spaniel returned as a young pup and jumped up on her lap. More purrs, more wagging tales, the sound of wings surrounded her, on her shoulder, on her lap, and under her feet wrapping her in love.

The nurse put down her chart and took her pulse surprised by the small green feather in her hand and an odd assortment of what looked like cat or dog hair on her gown. The nurse saw the small box with her name on it. She bent down and kissed the top of her head. Tears she never shed were running down her cheeks. She patted the dear old woman's hand. She would miss her stories and her love of life. She paused at the door taking in for one last time the sense of peace, joy, and laughter that lingered in the room.

My Sunday Funnies - Horror Cartoon - Pick your poison.

First published in FMAM:  Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Summer, 2003

Wednesday My Art - Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror - Cosmic Queen

Cosmic Queen

BY Marcia A. Borell

Alone awash in fiery drapes she wades,

Through meteoric seas of living dream.

Celestial comets twine her flaming braids,

As Pisces soars above the stellar stream.

Along the bank she seeks with silver spade,

The clay to dig and mold enchanted orbs.

With mud a sphere upon her hand is made,

To dry awaiting brightly colored robes.

She plucks appealing globes of cosmic dust,

To spin a wooly skein of pastel cloud.

Her needles stitch bright hues on earthy crust,

The rivers run so blue it makes her proud.

Around and around she turns the infant world,

To pick and carve the oceans, lakes, and sea.

Then pinches folds for mountains knit and purled,

Her breath upon the planet sets it free.

Poem and illustration first published in A Calendar in Poetry and Art 2005, published by Sam's Dot Publishing.

My Sunday Funnies - Monk the Detective

First published in FMAM: Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Autumn 2004

These are for my cousin, a huge Monk the Detective fan!

Wednesday - My Art: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Horror - Destiny's Tears

Destiny's Tears

A Drabble by Marcia Borell

Destiny looked out over her realm. Humanity was divided by age, emotions, and suspicion. Shadows had skewed their perspective darkening their reality. Sadly she reached into her bag of consequences.

In the bag were many smooth spheres which contained glittering particles of stardust. Most released an even mixture of hope and sorrow, health and illness, love and hate. An icy one stuck to her hand. Pulling it out she stared into its ugly swirling darkness.

Destiny's tears fell as she cast it upon the world. In the murky blackness there were specks of silvery dust. Hope, there was always hope.

First Published in the poetry chapbook - Passion Fruit and Other Loops by L. A. Story Houry, June 2003

Saturday Stories and Illustrations for Children - Where's my Bear????

First Published In Spellbound: A Magazine for Children, Fall Issue 2002

Where's My Bear?

A new Flash Fiction by Marcia Borell

It must have all started when I got a new bear for my birthday.  I added it to my collection and it got the outside edge of the bed. Big Bear was the guardian of the wall, then me, then my Snoopy Dog, then Huggy Bear, and now New Blue Bear. He still had lots of room but he always seemed to end up under my bed every morning. That was not the worst thing... my favorite blankie also was under the bed.

I didn't think much about it until the night I heard the odd sound. I couldn't fall asleep that night. I heard a creaking then sort of a rattling scraping sound. I know I should have been brave and looked under the bed, but I wasn't that brave. Instead I squeezed my eyes shut as tight as I could and covered my head with the sheet, my blankie, and quilt. Nothing can get you if you have your eyes shut and your favorite blankie over your head.

Then came the night that I had blankie folded up under my head, I heard the same sounds but something else, sort of a sad sigh, or whimper. Then New Blue Bear fell or was pulled off the bed. All the hair on my head felt like it was standing up stick straight. Not an easy thing for curly hair. I didn't know what to do so I relied on my old standby, the eyes shut and blankie routine.

Sure enough when I bounced out of bed I could see just the edge of my blanket and New Blue Bear's foot. The rest of them were all the way under my bed and my blanket was stuck. I pulled and tugged and finally saw that part of it was stuck under the floor boards. I gave it another hard tug and the boards lifted up and I fell on my bottom. I got out my flashlight and checked out the boards. They were easy to lift and they creaked. There was something living under my bed.

That night I was prepared. I had on my favorite PJs, my flashlight, and my bike helmet. Mom always said that would keep me safe. I didn't move and kept pinching myself to stay awake. Finally, I heard the creak and the odd crunching sounds. New Blue Bear disappeared over the side of the bed. I jumped up and caught it in action.

It was white and all bones and seemed really afraid of me. All of its bones were shaking and rattling, making enough noise to wake up my Mom and Dad. I put my fingers to my lips and whispered, "Shhhhhhhhh."

I got out my extra blanket and wrapped it around him. I told him that he could have New Blue Bear for his very own. He seemed less afraid. I tucked him in under my bed and wished him pleasant dreams. Even a skeleton can need a friend. Goodnight everyone.

Wednesday - My Fantasy, Sci-fi and Horror Art - Dusty Dreams

First Published in Dark Animus, Issue 3, May 2003, for the Poem, Cure All, by Mark McLaughlin.

Dusty Dreams

A Drabble by Marcia Borell

Sleep! It would be so lovely to close my eyes and sleep. To stretch and relax into fresh sheets and feel the heaviness of my eyelids as they slowly close. I long to feel my breath become deep and easy filling my lungs with lilac scented air.

Dreams! To fly, run, fall, dance, to dream instead of counting the seconds, minutes, and hours as the hands on my clock continue to move.

The dream maker was my only hope. He sprinkled his magic dust in my forever open eyes as I sadly stared past him into my empty non-existent dreams.