Author: R. Petty

Ghost Story #4: Stuffed Haunt

On By R. PettyIn Short Stories1 Comment

Demonic possession is an interesting concept. Especially when it’s an object being controlled by a demon or spirit. Is it possible for something to take over an inanimate object such as a doll or stuffed animal? Think Child’s Play.

This week’s story comes from a guest blogger, and I admit if this happened to me, the thing would have been burned.

The Polar Bear

As any first-year law student knows, time is the ever-present opponent that controls your quality of life, because a 20-minute nap can feel like salvation while hearing “five minutes remaining” can feel like the moments leading up to a gas chamber.

I was a first-year law student when the events of this story took place. I recently returned to my apartment for a second semester after enjoying a much needed Christmas holiday with family. One of the presents I received was a generic stuffed polar bear about the size of a golden retriever.

After returning to school, the workload gradually increased to the point where I hated everything about life except for the brief moments of reprieve from work. It was one of these moments that fostered my one and only experience with something seemingly unnatural.

I arrived at my apartment, trudged up the stairs, and deposited my bags by the kitchen sink. I ate a quick bowl of cereal and quickly skimmed the cases I had to read. That night’s workload was light, so I decided to take a nap first. In the apartment, my couch abutted a wall and faced the stairs about 15 feet away. Before falling asleep, I distinctly remember my polar bear sitting next to the stairwell facing the stairs.

After sleeping for about an hour, I awoke and immediately saw that I was staring into the flat, lifeless eyes of the polar bear, which was in the same spot but had inexplicably rotated about 100 to 120 degrees while I slept. I still have no explanation for this unusual event. I had no roommates and nobody else had access to the apartment. Both doors were still locked, and nobody else had a key except the property manager, but she never dropped in without advanced notice.

The polar bear up close

Being a rational person who prizes logic, I can only concoct three explanations. One, I misremembered the orientation of the polar bear after waking up (this is the most likely, but I am fairly certain the bear was facing the stairs). Two, I awoke during my nap and rotated the bear to face me while in a restful stupor (this seems unlikely because I have never been known to sleepwalk, nothing else was disturbed, and the bear was oriented precisely in my direction). Three, the polar bear somehow moved itself or was moved through some extraordinary force (this seems patently silly because I am a diehard skeptic).

Some people urged me to discard the bear to play it safe. After all, who wants a thing in their life that cannot be understood and therefore cannot be controlled? Being such a loyal skeptic, I opted to keep the polar bear. He remains in my closet to this day, after three years. In some ways, thebear has become my best friend, and we’ll be friends to the end.

The polar bear on the couch

Polar bear looks sweet on the couch

Want more? Be sure to read our other stories, and share your experiences in the comments sections!

Ghost Story # 2: In the Hall

On By R. PettyIn Short Stories1 Comment

I’ll keep this simple. I believe in ghosts. Thirty years of living in haunted houses will do that to you. I don’t think I had a choice not to believe. I grew up listening to ghost stories about various houses I lived in, and there were too many unexplained things that happened… and still do.

Submitted for the approval of the RevPub readers, I call this story:

A Stranger in the Hall

My son was four days old. We returned from the hospital the day before, and he was asleep. I desperately wanted a hot shower, so I took advantage of the nap. He hardly slept when he was little.

I was alone with him in the house, so I locked all the doors and left his and the bathroom doors cracked open. I got in the shower, and as I was washing my face I heard footsteps in the hall, which is adjacent to the bathroom. (map)

I poked my head out and heard squeak, squeak, squeak, down the hall again.

I knew better than to say, “hello, is anyone there?” That will get you killed. I left the water on, quietly stepped out, wrapped a towel around me, and poked my head out the door. I assumed I would see my husband, but there was nothing.

Cussing to myself, I checked the doors, and everything was still locked. My son was fine, too. I stepped back in the shower, and as I was washing my hair, I heard footsteps in the hall again. Squeak, squeak, squeak.

I listened longer this time, and heard it again. Back and forth, back and forth. Squeak, squeak, squeak. I rushed out of the shower, grabbed the towel (again) and scissors this time, and slowly crept out of the bathroom.

Nothing. Not a sound, not a movement, and my son was sleeping in the exact spot I left him.

Irritated, I checked the doors and made my way back to the shower. I waited a couple of minutes and didn’t hear anything, so I got back in. As I finished and turned the water off, there were footsteps again. Squeak, squeak, squeak. I got out and dried off. Squeak, squeak, squeak. I got dressed this time, with scissors in hand, and was ready to kill someone.

With hair in towel, I stepped into the hall. Nothing. Every door locked, my son asleep, and not a sound or disruption. My only reaction was to get mad, and I simply said, “I don’t know what or who you are, but you can at least let me take a shower.”

———

Later when I told my husband and mother-in-law about it, they were calm and believed me. They explained my deceased father-in-law’s spirit was still in the house, and he was watching the baby while I took a shower. And to this day, I believe it.

Thankfully, it’s never happened again, or I don’t care enough to notice, but sometimes I still hear footsteps in the hall when no one is there. Sometimes while laying on the couch in the living room, there are footsteps in the same room. Squeak, squeak, squeak.

You can think I’m crazy, and I’m sure some of my friends do, but no one has been able to explain it. And I’m okay thinking it’s a good spirit keeping watch. I hope to do the same one day…

Have you ever heard anything and couldn’t explain it? Tell us about it in the comments section!

A Supernatural Love/Hate Relationship

On By R. PettyIn TV Shows1 Comment

Supernatural fans around the world (10 million-plus on Facebook) anxiously await season 8’s premiere on Wed., Oct. 3.

I became a fan of the show after borrowing seasons 1-3 from my awesome RevPub partner. After the third episode, I was hooked. Since then, I have recommended the show to friends, co-workers, and family.

However, my relationship with Supernatural is not all roses and rainbows. I recently finished season 5 in full, which left me with the question: should the show have ended then? So, what better way to hash out an argument, than to start a discussion?

Oh Supernatural, how I love (and hate) thee. Let me list the ways…
(contains spoilers)

Love: The Winchester boys. You’re either a Sam fan or a Dean fan, but you like both. They are attractive, funny guys who have a good time and love what they do. I had the pleasure of attending the convention last year, and I loved them even more. The guys have great chemistry, entertain their audience, and truly care about their fans. They are some of the nicest celebrities you will ever meet.

Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles
Jared Padalecki (Sam) and Jensen Ackles (Dean)
Photo from ign.com

Love: The creativity. The show covers lore from witches to windigos, to shape shifters to ghosts, and genies to the Four Horsemen. If it’s supernatural, it has been in the show (or will be). I am often surprised by the plot and dialogue, and most times it’s well written and fun. And the soundtrack is perfect.

Both: The weak minor characters. For example, Meg, Becky, most of the angels and demons, the Leviathan. These characters are either disposable, or the actors aren’t great. Most times, they are only there to move the plot or irritate you.

Hate: My favorite characters being killed off. Bobby, the Trickster, Ellen, Jo, and Cass has died more times than I can count. Bobby’s death was cheap to his character and legacy, and bringing him back as a ghost was unnecessary. If one character deserved instant peace, it was Bobby.

Bobby Singer from Supernatural
Jim Beaver (Bobby)
Photo from chrystaldreams.centerblog.net

Love: The variety. In each season, there are episodes that will make you laugh, creep you out, and always give you a conversation starter. Some scenes have been a little goofy – such as a unicorn impaling a man – but it adds to the charm. They even made a show based on the show. That is one of the funniest episodes ever.

Hate: The drama. You need a little drama, but sometimes it’s too much. They don’t need to talk about their feelings that often. They’ve been through a lot and will never be “normal”. We get it.

Both: Seasons 5 and 7 plots. The angel/demon war dragged, and Leviathan were not nearly as bad ass as the writers wanted them to be. However, there are some really great episodes and new characters introduced in these seasons, so they’re must sees. Garth is one of my new favorites, and I hope he returns in season 8.

As you can see, Supernatural and I have a complicated relationship. It may seem crazy, but in every relationship, you must decide if it’s worth it. I remain a devoted fan, even though I don’t always agree with the writers and producers. They must be doing something right though, as the show is set to be the longest-running show in CW history.

As you tune in to watch season 8, be sure to check in next week as we kick off supernatural stories of our own. In celebration of Halloween and all things spooky, we will tell our stories – all true – of unexplained ghostly goodness.

In the meantime, enjoy one of our favorite videos from the show. Meet Death.

Full House — 20 Years Later

On By R. PettyIn TV ShowsLeave a comment

When I told a couple of friends I was going to review Full House, their jaws dropped. For those who don’t know me, I don’t look (or act) like I would enjoy the sitcom. I have a reputation for being no BS, sarcastic, and tough. Full House is none of those things, so why in the world would someone like me review this show?

Twenty years ago, little Raven laid on her bed and watched back-to-back episodes every afternoon. This week, 30-year-old Raven laid on her couch with her son to watch back-to-back episodes. Not much has changed…

I was thrilled to see Full House come back, and I knew while watching an episode this week, the show was post worthy. So, here’s what’s changed and what hasn’t in 20 years.

Changes

I appreciate the show. I never thought I would want a clean, feel good, very cheesy show to chill to after a day at the office. It’s now cool and funny to be sarcastic and mean, so it’s nice to step into an alternate universe of feel-good family goodness – where people are not glued to their portable devices.

It’s outdated in many ways. It was 20 years ago before technology ruled the world, Harleys and car knowledge was a guy thing, and women wore shoulder pads in everything.

The cast. Other than John Stamos, has anyone seen the rest of the cast? For the most part, the cast is long gone with families (and problems) of their own.

I get it. As an adult, I understand all the jokes and appreciate the non-traditional household that was healthy and supportive. A dad, brother-in-law, and best friend raise three girls. Not only did they raise them, but you knew everything would be okay. And for the most part, it always is. Hope is a powerful thing.

What Remains the Same

John Stamos is still hot. He was the heart-throb of Full House and has aged well. You may remember him from ER and Glee.

Stephanie is still annoying. Her character was nosy and whiny – everything a little sibling is – but she still irritates me, and my son agrees.

There’s always a lesson. D.J. got a job to pay for her own phone line. Stephanie owned up to driving a car through the kitchen. Michelle replaced the classroom bird she accidentally let fly out a window. The show taught kids to own their mistakes and fix them, and honesty is always the best policy.

It’s still cheesy. It was the early 90s, so being raised during the grunge music era and loving movies like Reservoir Dogs and Clueless, it was not cool to like Full House. The jokes are predictable, there are catch phrases, the mushy moments are overly dramatic, and it’s a little unrealistic. But who needs realism? Life has more than enough of it.

It’s still fun. I watched fours hours of Full House this week and enjoyed every minute. It’s not complicated, well written, and great for all ages. I heard Bobby Brown’s My Prerogative on an episode and was nostalgic for 90s dance music and R&B. I knew every word, too.

Full House, like The Cosby Show and Fresh Prince, will live on for a long, long time. I feel like a “real” adult when I say they just don’t make shows like they used to. I look forward to watching more and hearing from you. What old show you would like to see again? Share in the comments below!

Writing for Web: 8 Tips on Criticism

On By R. PettyIn Writing for Web and Tips4 Comments

Let’s be honest, no one likes criticism. No one enjoys pouring their heart and energy into something to hear that it isn’t perfect. But criticism is important.

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” — Winston Churchill

This week’s discussion is about workshops and critiques (Chapter 13), and although you may wince at the idea of someone ripping your work to shreds, it’s for the greater good.

As a proofreader, I am paid to point out mistakes. I spend 80 percent of my day telling people to change things, and I can be pretty tough. Proofreaders and editors have a special skill set for finding problems and fixing them. We don’t like our work criticized either, but it’s just part of the process. Have you ever seen a proofreader find out they missed something? It’s not pretty.

How do you not let it drag out down? Here are my top 8 tips for receiving feedback – negative or positive – and how it makes you a better writer.

1. Don’t take it personally. I cannot stress how important, and often difficult, it is to do this. Your critiques and comments do not reflect you as a person, nor do they mean your readers don’t like you. It’s not about you; it’s about your story and how you present it. It stings and can make you upset, but deal with it at the right time.

2. Encourage yourself and others. Give yourself a pep talk now and then. This will help you focus on the good aspects of your writing and reignite excitement. Give others the same treatment. For every bad comment, try to find a good one.

3. Choose wisely. Keep in mind what you get depends on who you give it to. Your mom may be more forgiving and kind than your best friend. Your best friend may not be as honest as a coworker or colleague. If you know someone is tough, be prepared.

4. Ask for specifics. When you want someone else to read your work, give them a list of things to look for while reading. You can also give them a rating scale or anonymous survey that only you see. Doing so will keep you organized and help the reviewer stay focused.

5. Own it. Admit your problems and mistakes, and fix them (see number 1). Also, if you tell your reviewer/editor to “rip it apart”, you better mean it. I have butchered dozens of papers and manuscripts and will always do so. A little secret: I do the same to my own.

6. Discuss, don’t argue. No one likes to fight, so discuss problems and questions calmly and rationally. Don’t get defensive (again see number 1), and hear the person out. Once you have time to take it all in, then make your decision about the changes.

7. Take a break. Once you receive changes and feedback, take a break for a few days. Don’t immediately jump in and start changing everything. You may not always agree with the changes, and the final decision is always yours.

8. Walk away. Once you have gone through the process, made your changes, and read the project in its entirety, it’s done. Now is the time to post it or submit it, and don’t look back. You’ll know when it’s time, and you will finally have closure.

Feedback and criticism are tough, but you are not alone. Everyone receives it all the time. The most important thing to remember is it is in your best interest to at least listen and seriously consider the reviewers’ points. They want to help you, and you picked them for a reason.

Cartoon Raven with red pen and paper

We’d like to hear from you! Have you ever received feedback that upset you? What did you do?

Story of the Month Debut: Wrong Number

On By R. PettyIn Story of the MonthLeave a comment

Everyone has a great story – some have dozens, some have hundreds. This month we would like to debut our Story of the Month to highlight those stories that we will always remember. We hope you enjoy our quirky, weird, and often funny true stories.

Story of the month header with quill and ink

Wrong Number

A few weeks ago, I pulled into the driveway and checked my phone for texts. I had one (big surprise), but this was from a number I didn’t recognize. It read:

Hey Steve this is Sarah. Rob gave me your number. There is nothing left for my dad he’s gone. I can’t take this.

Gasp! This poor girl just lost her dad and texted the wrong person. Really?

The dilemma kicked in because I didn’t know what to do. Am I really going to text this person with, “Wrong number” or do I ignore it? She already seemed a little unstable, understandably, so if I ignored it, she may think the intended recipient doesn’t care. Who knows what will happen after that…

After a few minutes of sitting there with an over-active imagination, I responded. I replied the only way I could:

I am so sorry for your loss, but you have the wrong number. I hope you’re ok…

I knew at that moment, that story was a keeper. I felt kind of awful about the wrong number part but felt it was necessary. The girl never responded, but I’d like to think she checked her number, found the right person, and got the shoulder she needed.

So there’s my craziest text to date. Do you have a crazy wrong number story? Feel free to share below!