I’ve been working on my new collection of essays titled Broken Pieces. I’ve kept a bit quiet about it since I’m going in a new direction. Still nonfiction of course (this IS me after all) but if you’ve read my first book or blog awhile, you’ll know I’m not always the funny girl. I’m not even always snarky. But I am always honest.
However, it’s not that much of a departure really, since the themes that always run through my work are men, women, relationships, love, loss, fear, heartbreak — ya know, the usual (oh, come on! I’ve got to get the snark in somewhere). I write about my own experiences, those of people I know, story ideas, even magazine articles inspire.
I do write poetry in addition to essays and fiction. People seem surprised by that. Maybe cause I live in the OC. 🙂
Here’s a small sample:
CAGED
CAGED
The right answer
Turn and walk away
But…his arms so strong
His words caress her soul
She abandons her resolve in his heat.
Unsure how it starts
Found to lost
One day she watches birds fly
On apathetic wings
The next he stands behind her
His hands inside her heart
Damage–her new home
Where she lays her head
Where guilt and lust meet
Still, she cannot leave
His eyes hold her still
You are mine, he tells her
I own you now
She doesn’t disagree
Her breath awake
Her skin burns
Real or imagined
His hold on her
His voice, his promises
Of life together
Pieces of her
All he needs.
I appreciate all comments, suggestions, emails, retweets, thoughts, brownies, whatev.
A bit of housekeeping: The MANCODE: EXPOSED will be completely FREE one day only TOMORROW, Tuesday, February 28! Amazon eBook exclusive, click here to download but remember, wait until TOMORROW. (Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can download it — they have free apps for smartphone, computer, tablet, even cloud.) Be sure to also check out the Kindle Nation Facebook page on Tuesday where I’ll be featured!
Also, I’m doing a virtual meet and greet book event — also tomorrow! 3pm PST/6pm EST via Shindig Events. It’s SO cool. You can sign in with your name and email or simply via Facebook. If you download my eBook free, I can Kindlegraph it for you. Let’s meet, talk about men and women and chocolate and stuff.
Gotta love technology, man.
Related articles
- Review: A Soul Less Broken by Helen Laibach (bookdout.wordpress.com)
- After the Storm (amyjosprague.wordpress.com)
@JoyceDeBacco says
February 27, 2012 at 7:43 amRT @RachelintheOC: Just posted: #MentionMonday CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’ my new collection: http://t.co/fd7EHdZL Plz RT
Jack D. Albrecht Jr. (@jackdalbrechtjr) says
February 27, 2012 at 8:10 amRT @RachelintheOC: Just posted: #MentionMonday CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’ my new collection: http://t.co/fd7EHdZL Plz RT
Mohana Rajakumar (@moha_doha) says
February 27, 2012 at 9:53 amRT @RachelintheOC: #MentionMonday New collection about love, loss, grief. Here, a small excerpt: CAGED http://t.co/DOdY1Txe Plz read, RT
Erica Lucke Dean says
February 27, 2012 at 10:29 amGlad to see you sharing the heartfelt as well as the side-splitting. Very powerful prose, Rachel. Nicely done.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 11:08 amThank you, Erica. Appreciate your kind comments, babe. xo
Justin Bogdanovitch says
February 27, 2012 at 10:55 amCan’t help feeling the loss in this poem . . . perhaps the loss of self, identity . . . and the apathy the character comes to call her own. Thanks for sharing your poetry with us.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 11:25 amThank you, Justin. I’m reading an amazing book right now my (other #ahem) terrific editor, Jessica Swift recommended by Milan Kundera and it’s so incredibly inspiring. You nailed it — about not losing oneself in another.
I think I’ve lost myself in the book.
@BadRedheadMedia says
February 27, 2012 at 10:55 amRT @RachelintheOC: #MentionMonday New collection about love, loss, grief. Here, a small excerpt: CAGED http://t.co/fd7EHdZL Plz read, RT
Dee says
February 27, 2012 at 10:59 amWonderfully put, the conflict…to take what we want, knowing it’s not quite right, but helpless in our soul’s thrall to do otherwise.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 12:00 pmWonderfully put yourself, Dee. Thank you so much for your feedback. I’m so glad what I wanted to portray is what you perceived it to be. Yay.
Lorca Damon says
February 27, 2012 at 11:01 amWow. I only know you as the super-funny life of the party. It’s a real testament to the power of laughter that you can be such a genuine and hilarious person with this poem alive inside you. Whatever events may have set fire to this spark, you certainly own them now.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 12:22 pmLorca, don’t make me cry girl. You’ll ruin my rep. Shhh… xxoo
Charity Parkerson says
February 27, 2012 at 11:14 amOh, I’m so in love with this poem.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 12:41 pmThank you, Charity. You’re amazing.
(@JustinBog) (@JustinBog) says
February 27, 2012 at 11:29 amRT @RachelintheOC: Just posted: #MentionMonday CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’ my new collection: http://t.co/fd7EHdZL Plz RT
Mohadoha says
February 27, 2012 at 12:23 pmIt’s a cosmic irony that love, something so good and true, gets so twisted into what hurts us. Thanks for sharing this and taking on a very important issue for women and men. Look forward to reading more.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 1:41 pmIt IS ironic. That sense of irony is present through much of what I write, whether it’s humor or not. Thank you, Mohana for your always pinpoint analysis. xo
Raine Thomas, Author of the Estilorian Novels says
February 27, 2012 at 12:25 pmI’m a terrible poet myself, but I like to think I can recognize talent when I read it. This is beautiful (in a heartbreaking way), Rachel. If this is an indication of what we can expect in your new project, I’m very impressed!
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 2:11 pmOh my, thanks Raine. It’s not all poetry, just bits here and there. But I’ve always written it and it’s wonderful to have developed (some?) confidence to share it now.
@GailMBaugniet says
February 27, 2012 at 12:41 pm#MentionMonday CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’ http://t.co/AzQNUHn1
D.C. says
February 27, 2012 at 12:46 pmThank you for revealing yet another facet of yourself, Rachel. Very nice.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 2:17 pmIt’s fun to let the mind wander and allow the words to speak. Even better if others can enjoy. Thank you, D.C.
Kelly Groovy Gamble (@KellySGamble) says
February 27, 2012 at 12:56 pmThis was beautiful, Rachel. I love your versatility in writing. Can’t wait to read this one.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 2:15 pmAppreciate the love, groovy girl, wise one, fellow Red. Means soooo much. xo
Jane Isaac says
February 27, 2012 at 1:11 pmVery powerful, Honey. Made me hold my breath (and I like doing that!). Fantastic:-)
Toby neal says
February 27, 2012 at 1:49 pmLovely string of words
a duet of sharpening knives
with a heart in the middle.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 2:18 pmA beautiful response, Toby. Thank you for your words, luv.
Ciara Ballintyne says
February 27, 2012 at 3:54 pmA different side of you for sure. There is a powerful sense of helplessness in this poem, like a leaf caught in a waterfall almost. Or maybe a whirpool, and being pulled under.
RachelintheOC says
February 27, 2012 at 4:08 pmI agree. I think she’s so pulled in, she can’t find her way out. Like she’s drowning. Very good analogy, Ciara. Thank you.
Gail Baugniet (@GailMBaugniet) says
February 27, 2012 at 4:39 pmRT @RachelintheOC: #MentionMonday New collection about love, loss, grief. Here, a small excerpt: CAGED http://t.co/SgVXoCqG Plz read, RT
@MacImagery says
February 27, 2012 at 7:56 pmRT @RachelintheOC: #MentionMonday People surprised I write poetry. Here’s a sample & oh yea, MANCODE FREE 2moro: http://t.co/8XfEU6bJ Plz RT
Simon Hay (@SimonHayHealer) says
February 27, 2012 at 8:19 pmCAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’ http://t.co/sXxSSgYS via @rachelintheoc #poetry from the #badredhead not so bad 😉
@BrandyMychals says
February 27, 2012 at 9:47 pmRT @RachelintheOC: #MentionMonday MANCODE free 2moro (ONE DAY ONLY) #yeababy & I’m doing a virtual meet & greet http://t.co/fqV4aVjg Join me
@magdaolchawska says
February 29, 2012 at 1:51 amRT @stauroylla88: “But…his arms so strong…His words caress her soul”
CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’: http://t.co/b5SBLudg via @RachelintheOC
(@RachelintheOC) (@RachelintheOC) says
February 29, 2012 at 12:34 pmRT @edenbaylee: CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’ http://t.co/63cyH86e via @rachelintheoc // thx luv. You’re amazing
@ChrisPetersenTX says
February 29, 2012 at 1:12 pmRT @edenbaylee: CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’ http://t.co/t5Ub5VPQ via @rachelintheoc
Razi says
March 2, 2012 at 11:04 amHow did you know?
RachelintheOC says
March 2, 2012 at 4:21 pmIt’s what I imagined, based on the story of desperate longing….
heather manley (@drheathernd) says
March 2, 2012 at 2:39 pmCAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’ http://t.co/tLXA1jg6 via @rachelintheoc
@AlexisKonnaris says
March 3, 2012 at 12:46 amRT @stauroylla88: “But…his arms so strong…His words caress her soul”
CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’: http://t.co/b5SBLudg via @RachelintheOC
@AlexisKonnaris says
March 3, 2012 at 12:46 amRT @stauroylla88: “But…his arms so strong…His words caress her soul”
CAGED: AN EXCERPT FROM ‘BROKEN PIECES’: http://t.co/b5SBLudg via @RachelintheOC