Val Dumond

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Articles on Writing, Grammar, and Publishing
by Val Dumond

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Val writes articles on grammar, the art and science of writing, and publishing, for budding writers and seasoned authors alike. These articles are not only informative and educational, they're entertaining - written as only Val can. Enjoy this latest of her articles:

Dead Space
by Val Dumond
© Copyright 2009

Have I died? Is this what death is like?

That's what went through her mind as Emily woke up. She'd been having these thought for the past few days. What on earth was happening? Of course she wasn't dead. Not with all that electricity, albeit a bit weaker, still flashing inside her.

"I ain't down yet," she squeaked in her morning voice as she sat up and carefully swung her legs over the side of her bed. She pinched herself to be sure, and yowled, just to hear her voice again. "Nope. Still here!"

Yet, the next morning was the same. She lay unmoving, letting her eyes roam about the room as her brain tried to figure it out. "I wonder just what death feels like. Since nobody knows - for sure - this could be it. Dying might feel just like this, a kind of limbo. Nobody talking to you, no one waiting with your breakfast, no one phoning you to join them for lunch. No sounds...

Wait! there are sounds. A couple of birds. Are there birds in the after-life? And there's a car starting up. Did the neighbors come along with me... wherever I am? How can anyone ever know what to expect? Who knows? All those prophets may have been onto something; the next life may be even better than this.

Emily watched a small spider work its way from one corner of the ceiling to another as her brain worked on. You know all that jazz they give you about "every minute being precious, don't waste it"? Baloney! Every minute is not precious. There are a lot of them I could do without - the aching ones, the lying awake at night ones, the treatment ones (hours, not minutes). Yes, I could do without those minutes. So where are the precious ones?

Let's see if I can remember the last one. Oh yes, the discovering of that new Rendell mystery novel. And... wait for it... there must be another. Okay, how about the new cheese sauce I put together last night for my salmon loaf? Yep. That was good. And the shrimp cocktail you made from scratch. A real winner. I wonder whatever happened to my recipe for holiday fruitcake. Haven't made that in ages. I'll dig it out and...

Like a light turned on in her brain, Emily's eyes opened wide and she smiled at the spider. You're right, little one. This lying about isn't getting me anywhere. Maybe the minutes aren't all precious, but the other ones could be better if I give it a shot. Why not? Why not indeed! The idea had jelled and was turning all the lights inside her frail body back on.

She reached for her robe and slippers and shuffled out to the kitchen. I'll get breakfast later. Right now I have to get to the computer and begin my new book. Emily's Best Cookbook. All the recipes I've made up and those I've "adjusted". They'll all be in it. Something I can leave the family anyway - just in case I'm not dead yet!

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