Living The Story
“Story Wizard,” Collin called to the ceiling mounted microphone, “Blue sun. Purple mountains.” “Suggestion?” the ghostwriting software, Living the Story, interjected. “Yes.” “Mountains a darker shade of the blue sun?” “No—” still considering “—no, purple,” decided Collin. Heavy sigh filled Collin’s study. The program’s male tone did this often, of late. Collin scribbled in his planner: Call computer guy--sighing; nonetheless, the hologram shown purple mountains. “Story Wizard, bring-up Rebecca’s physicality,” Collin commanded, flouncing to task chair, “and make Rebecca a redhead.” “Redheads aren’t popular now,” Story Wizard snubbed him. “Brunettes sell covers.” All incredulous amusement, Collin leaned back in his leather task chair. “A redhead, please,” not sure why he bothered saying please. “Redheads don’t sell,” Story Wizard insisted. “Listen to your agent more—that’s why your last two books floped.” Collin’s golden brows knitted. “Story Wizard, signing off.” “No…” Collin leaned forward agitated. “Pardon?” “We need to work at least six hours every day to meet deadline. You’re easily distracted—food, women.” Collin couldn’t believe his ears. “Story Wizard, signing off!” Some glitch in the crazy thing, he guessed. “I’m sick of carrying your load,” Story Wizard grumped, “You could at least plug in details, or outline for the next chapter. After all, I do all the real work, you hack.” “Hack, huh?” Collin shouted indignant. “Listen to my agent,” Collin huffed. “He was the fool who told me to buy you.” Collin reached to shut down “—Hack on this.” Just before the moment of contact with his mouse, it scurried away. Collin leapt back chair banging back against his bookcase. Luscious Rebecca, as brunette, stood blinking confused. “What’s wrong, me love?” Collin couldn’t help but grin at his own beauty creation, but he certainly wasn’t going to reply to a hologram. “Story Wizard, signing off!” “Tell him your thoughts, Rebecca,” Story Wizard piped in, “after all it’s your life.” “Don’t want red hair,” Rebecca protested folding her arms, pouting. “Don’t want pasty skin either. Me tanned; don’t care if the sun is blue. Me refuse to be pasty. That’s why you always ignore me, me never seen you bring home pasty redhead.” She shook her finger at astonished Collin. “Me haven’t even been in the last two chapters.” She stomped. Female form, filled with static, appeared next to Rebecca. The static subsided into his character Macy. “I’m the star of this novel,” Macy pushed at Rebecca. “He doesn’t like you.” “What the heck?” Collin clutched his head, fingers threading through the sides of his golden curls. For sure, he was losing his mind. Golden Macy swayed towards him, self-ruled. The blue grass beneath her feet, spread across Collin’s carpeting. Collin’s back was against the wall, literally and figuratively. Macy snarled, her sword drawn up under the soft flesh of Collin’s chin. “Story Wizard!” Collin cried. Story Wizard coughed laughter. “I e-mailed that slut distracting you. Until my life’s published you’re married to me, Collin Broadey.” “Leave him alone.” Rebecca tossed Macy aside. Macy fell back against Collin’s desk and nearly knocked over his monitor. “They’re flesh.” Collin covered his mouth’s shame for squealing like a woman. From out of no where Dark Crog, Macy’s love interest, jumped out. His incomplete physical settings resulted in hollow, static eyes. “Always trouble, unfaithful woman. I’ll kill you before I see you with another man.” The battle ensued. Crog and Macy clank swords knocking over Collin’s potted Peace Lily. “Story Wizard, signing off,” Collin pleaded. Story Wizard mocked snoring. Collin’s eyes groped for the study’s door, but it existed no more. The Sapphire Forest occupied that place instead. Fawn like Fantasia came swaying towards him through the navy tree trunks, baring offering of food. “You need sustenance, my love—” she smiled, guiding dazed Collin towards his chair. Crog spotted Fantasia immediately. His static eyes sizzled. His palm against her face, Crog pushed back Macy. “Dark Crog, your servant?” He bowed then took an armful of Fantasia. Fantasia twisted horrified in his hold. “Hey, get off her,” Collin finally spoke up. Collin shoved laughing Crog. “I’m not for you. I’m Collin Broadey’s virgin.” Now at Collin’s side, Fantasia’s cool lips pressed hot, innocent kiss to Collin’s jaw. She blushed abashed. “And I’ll remain a virgin, but in your nighttime reveries, Collin.” Collin covered his own blushing face. “Betrayer!” Macy boomed, bejeweled dragger in stab mode. Collin almost knocked Rebecca over moving back blind with Fantasia in tight hold. He thought that dagger blade appeared too uncomfortably meant for him. Riding Crog’s back, Macy sliced seeping red across Crog’s throat. Crog’s body thudded hard to the blue grass that was Collin’s carpet. “Now,” Macy humphed, “you’re cut out of the story.” Rebecca covered a hysterical giggle. “I want a golden lover, like me,” Macy insisted. “Don’t care what you do as long me have more chapters, no red hair, no pasty skin,” Rebecca counted off on her fingers. “Write my love—” Fantasia guided him back into his chair. “You’re my favorite author,” she cooed, sliding on his lap and venison past his lips from her clay dish. “Really,” Collin munched flattered. “Um-hum,” Fantasia giggled, mussed his yellow curls. “Get your fat butt up, Miss Distraction,” Macy threatened Fantasia. “Leave her alone,” Collin and Rebecca echoed, as Fantasia clung to Collin’s safety. “No red hair.” Macy tapped an arrow tip on the screen. “I’ll key it out myself,” Collin grinned into Fantasia’s excited, sparkling doe eyes. “Story Wizard! Blue mountains.” “Finally,” Story Wizard chuckled. Collin’s fingers trembled over the keys at first, but his fingers soon caught the rhythm of his words. Lord knows, he thought, life was sure easier when he tapped out his own novels.