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This is a the start of a story I began last year, in response to a friends request for western short stories to be submitted for a western anthology of short stories he was thing about publishing. I am not out of the closet yet about my passion for a good western (oops, maybe I am now) but I have always wanted to have a go at writing one. Life diverted me from continuing the story until today, when I stumbled across it, and tuned it up for review. Please don't hold back anything you think about my writing. I would enjoy writing western short stories when I need a break from the long grind of my novel project. Thanks:) Chalice

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This is the first part of either a long short story or novella about a character I later wrote an unpublished novel about. Please feel free to comment--either good or bad. A former comanche captive on the southern plains faces his worst enemy while traveling with the cavalry after the Civil War.

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The time machine aspect of the "Droubble" contest intrigued me. But I can't write a Christmas card in only 200 words and never win anything. So, I embellished a little. More than 200 words can't be Droubble and Doubble Droubble sounds like a personal foul. I'll call this Mega-Droubble. Nice writing 2600 words about my imaginary friends just for fun. Happy holidays to all.

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This is a Historically correct western that takes place in 1876. A U.S. Marshal and a Army Major have disappeared when they travel to what is now Utah. They are investigating reports of Comancheros and Mormon Danites in the area around Kanab. Please read the manuscript all the way through, note places where the story raises questions in your mind. Are you surprised by something a character said or did? Is the plot not progressing as you expected? Does there seem to be an inconsistency? Does something need to be explained? Look for grammar problems, feel free to correct them. Please point out words that stand out-good or bad, the metaphors that fail or work, dialogue, descriptions, voice, tone, style, characterization, point of view, dialogue, setting, plot, structure, tension, conflict, pacing and theme. In the military we called this a murder board, please feel free to shread every word if you so desire... Thank You

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Orphaned by a savage attack on his family while out on a Sunday picnic, Aubrey Spence grew up fast and hard, working on his grandfather's spread in the high country near Leadville, Colorado. Treated like just another ranch hand, his only real family was the saloon madame Maggie, and his best friend, an Arapaho Indian named Jaspar Two Rivers. When a ghost from his grandfather's past comes for revenge, Aubrey is plunged into a dangerous adventure that will pit him against outlaws, government conspiracy, and his own kin.

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It's 1870 and Sarah McClanahan, along with her husband Effird and daughter Cassie, are headed to California to find their nugget of gold. Tragedy strikes along the way, and Sarah's life is not at all the way she planned it.

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Captain U.S. Army, circa 1870, falls in love with an Indian Maiden, leaves her for his career, later returning to find life there has taken a fateful turn. Feedback very welcome

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This short story is based on an event that happened on my family's ranch in Eastern Oregon about a century ago, in which 30 horses were killed in a barn fire. I've taken the liberty to imagine the event, weaving around the few details of which I have knowledge. J.W. was my grandfather. I write non-fiction, primarily personal essays and memoir. This is my first and possibly last work of fiction, and my first introduction to 'The Next Big Writer'. If you have the patience to read to the end, thank you. (Be kind.)

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Wyatt Dillon was born and reared in the Leinster Mountains near a little town called Bunclody in County Wexford Ireland. From an early age he fell in love with the American West. At the end of the 1960’s he immigrated to America to follow his dream of still finding the cowboy way of life. Despite the obstacles and the disillusionment of finding out that the cowboys days were long gone he fulfilled part of his dream by setting up and acting as guide on trails rides for outfitter camps across America. Because of his vast knowledge of the local Leinster mountains and forests in 1990 he was hired by an syndicate in Oklahoma to set up a western outfitters ranch in his home town up in the mountains which he had not seen since he immigrated. During his term working there he rekindled his friendship with his boyhood best friend Shane Conrad. He also met Maria Larimore, a beautiful young horse-loving model that stole his heart and her unpredictable friend Jack Travelion, a rich and very ambitious young man. After a burning relationship with Maria and despite his love for her he decided to return to America where he met the equally beautiful young ranchers daughter Mandy Newman. Within a year they were married and started up their own ranch in Riverton Wyoming breeding and training young reining horses. Fifteen years on Maria Travelion as she was now called, and her fourteen-year-old son were kidnapped and had been taken into the Leinster Mountains on horse back by four dreadful men who were also wanted in America for other crimes. On the request of Maria’s very rich parents who lived in New York, the FBI in coordination with the local Irish police called in Wyatt to help them track down the kidnappers. Leaving his home and lovely young wife Mandy in Riverton, Wyatt returned to Ireland where he rode into the forests after the kidnappers risking his life for his former sweetheart. Could he get to them in time before they died of the winter cold or at the hands of their kidnappers? Where was his old friend Shane? Was his love for Maria more than what he had for Mandy? Would he stay this time or not. Would she still want him to stay? Did she really love Travelion? In the cold dark treacherous mountains, and after the death of four innocent men, Wyatt using all his mountain experience and cunning on his old mountain horse Smokie, finally came face to face with the kidnappers to fight it out to a bitter and deadly end. When the echo of the guns stopped and the mist rose, who would finally ride down out of the mountains?.

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Back in the 70s, I lived in San Antonio, Texas for about five years. I played lead guitar in a country band while I was there. I would see all these guys in their Stetson hats and Tony Lama boots trying to impress the ladies. My guess...you put any one of them on a horse and they'd crap all over themselves. I got to thinking abnout it and wondered when the last TRUE cowboy would eventually disappear. This is what I came up with. Any and all comments welcomed.

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