Sometimes, what a story needs most is hidden from your view
Join the newsletter to learn things like ‘How to Find Your Writing Voice Without a Single Keystroke’ and ’The Plot Structure in Best-selling Novels’.
A Portrait of Pain
This story is about the boy known as the Red Koi. He briefly self-assigned this name, but his narrative will now transition from third to first. In a first person: I stand in agony. Then I sit. My fist meets the ground to maintain stability. Wife texts me photos of...
Memorized Mess
"I've memorized my mess." My daughter speaks these words as I step between the safe spaces on her floor. Inside her bedroom lies many things which create the mess she’s memorized. “I want to forget my mess.” I think these words as I step over the unsafe places across...
The United States of Consciousness
Are we tense or intense? What's the difference when both result in a grimace? Nothing makes sense since losing presence. If it’s gone for good, we can't be convinced. All seemed picture perfect at first glimpse, But after overdosing on emptiness, And realizing our...
Killed Darling Résumé
Download the KILLED DARLING RÉSUMÉ
5 Steps to Kill a Darling
I killed a darling, and I liked it. And these are my To Do’s so you can perform this deadly muse: STEP 1: Identify the Darling * Determine the Darling to die. Has a Darling lost its purpose? Does a Darling no longer stimulate the storyteller? Can a Darling...
I Killed a Darling, and I Liked It
The darling revisited our past pages: “You said such nice things in the beginning.” “You weaved sweet and savory.” “You wrote like each word was our first.” Being a determined storyteller, I played the part between the page: "It’s not me, it’s you.” “You...
Wishing the World Away
"I wish to wash away her wishy washy ways." I made this wish known in a poem. It wasn’t my best writing at the time. Wishy washy were her ways though, Until one day, my wish came true. Can one create whatever one wishes? What does one wish to create? What is created...
The Art of Aging Out
Another birthday not remembered. It’s not that I forgot the 411 about my birthday. It’s that I don’t remember the day I exited her womb. Yet I was raised to celebrate this unremembered event. After all, this is the day when my life really began. At least that’s what...
Knock. Knock.
Knock. Knock. I open the door. A man shares that he’s arrived to bush hog my grounds. I tell him he must have the wrong address. But he tells me my property is the one just beyond the cemetery. I do not tell him my previous property 2,000 miles away was also the one...
Date Night with Me, Myself & I
I walk into The Land & Water. A bartender tells me to sit anywhere I like. I ask the waitress her name. “Kayla,” she says. “Look, I’m going to make this really easy. Water with no ice and 10-piece sashimi,” I say. She verifies my lack of allergies and departs. I...
Unpopular Thought Parade
I sneak food into movie theaters. Hard candy. Gummy. Donuts not excluded. One quarter dozen thus far. Real deal smuggling operations on the rise. Bottles of water in backpockets. Nuts. Some of you may unsubscribe to my blog because of this new storyline. Because I’ve...
It’s Pretty Funny, I’m Scared
I'm scared to do this. But I’m still doing it. With this in mind, I am changing my blog name. Again. It’s pretty funny. Because I debated not changing due to what people would think and say. “David is so indecisive.” “Can’t DV stick with anything?” “Mr. Villalva will...
Mission: Hold Willing Captives
"I hate it when you find a book you love," I said. Wife didn't even look up. DOWN & DONE When wife’s hooked on a book, it’s not down ’til it's done. She's compelled to discover what happens to the characters living on the page. She must learn how the story ends....
4 Practical Yet Unorthodox Methods to Navigate Depressive Episodes
I recently shared a blog post stating, "I am depressed." Many people offered words of encouragement and support. Many people were kind enough to share their personal stories. I responded to each person, and I remain thankful for their wisdom and well wishes. 🙂 Yet...
The Guilt Is Enough
I have so much. Enough love. Enough money. Enough time. Enough. So I wonder, “Why me?” Because others need enough. So I support others. I give love. I give money. I give time. I give. But is it enough? So I experience guilt. Guilt for blessings. Guilt for...
As Seen On:
