Author Archive: Dorlana Vann
Vampires + The Emperor’s New Clothes =
The Vampire’s New Suit by Dorlana Vann His apartment was on the top floor of a tall building. Everyone knew he was a vampire, so no one would have bothered him even if he had been on the first floor. That was why he found it strange when he heard the knock. After opening the …
Forbidden Beach – a fairy tale inspired short story
Forbidden Beach by Dorlana Vann I knew what lurked beyond the trees even before I opened the car door: the forbidden, barricaded beach. Even though I lived only a few miles away, I had never stood so close. Leaning against the car, the wind ruffled my hair as nerves tangled my insides. “Aren’t you coming, …
Rapunzel Inspired Paranormal Short Story
Poppi by Dorlana Vann The hillside mansion was huge, old, and cold and spotless. As soon as Riley stepped inside his childhood home, he felt uneasy. Even though he’d visited many times since he had lived there, it seemed different now, even more eerie than when Mother Gothel was alive. Lola, his ex-wife, walked in …
The Kingdom of Pillars: a Fairy Tale
The Kingdom of Pillars A fairy tale by Dorlana Vann “I didn’t do anything!” “Do you want father’s wings to be taken off? Is that what you want? You march yourself right back there.” I stared at my sister, all blue and getting bluer by the minute. If we would’ve had this conversation a …
Hansel and Gretel Inspired Sestina
For #fairytaleTuesday I’m posting my Hansel and Gretel inspired sestina I wrote when I was experimenting with combining poems and fairy tales. A sestina has six stanzas of six lines and a final triplet. Each stanzas has the same six words at the end of each line that follow a fixed pattern. My words are: …
Muse: Paranormal Thriller (flash fiction) Inspired by the Fairy Tale, Prince Ariel
Muse by Dorlana Vann Since Jackson couldn’t channel his frustration onto the blank page, he used his fist to pound it into the desk. “Ahhh,” he cried, swooshing his fountain pen and several loose pieces of writing-paper to the floor. His caged birds squawked with excitement from the sudden movement. Jackson stood up, his …
Don’t Get Mad, Get Editing (Look at every critique in a positive way.)
I have observed some really upset writers after they’ve received written or verbal suggestions about their stories. And I think most writers at least wince (I know I do) when they receive tons of edits on one copy. But you can actually learn to see these as gifts, huge favors, and even unexpected muses instead …
Dorlana Vann - Author 