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6-minute Stories

Everybody loves a good story
Listen to these 6-minute stories
from both new voices and experienced writers
from the Personal Story Publishing Project anthologies:
Bearing Up , Exploring , That Southern Thing , Luck & Opportunity,
Trouble , Curious Stuff , Twists and Turns , Sooner or Later , and Now or Never.
Copies of all 10 books in the series available here.
“6-minute Stories” episodes announced on Facebook @6minutestories

"Finding the Perfect Pumpkin" by Rebecca S. Holder

 – She was a hugger.

Prissy had a baby; the kitten had a mother.

 

Rebecca S. Holder lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and is a member of Winston-Salem Writers. With the advice and guidance of the Westenders critique group, she is working on a short story collection centered on the fictional town of Braidy Creek. When not immersed in fiction, Rebecca indulges in personal essays and poetry. Her story “A Tap at My Door” appeared in the PSPP anthology, Twists and Turns. Most recently, she was a finalist for the 2022 James Hurst Prize for Fiction with her story “Virgil Thompson's Salvation”.

Author’s Talk

Rebecca S. Holder

I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was one of those people. You know the ones. The people, who at the drop of a hat, will launch into a ceaseless recitation of how their child or grandchild or pet is the most wonderful, talented, attractive, intelligent, amazing, unique, and exceptional being to ever walk the earth. However, in my defense, it was true—Rexx, Prissy and Pumpkin were the best.

It’s easy to write about animals because we ascribe to them the very best of human characteristics—love and loyalty—and none of the worst. Or perhaps it’s easy because the writing reflects how we feel about our furry companions. As any pet owner can tell you, there is no greater desperation or sadness than losing a pet, and no greater relief or joy than finding one.

Currently, I am without pets, unless you want to count the hundreds of earthworms I vermicompost for fishing. Even though I’m not greeted with huge puppy dog eyes and little wet noses when I open my worm buckets, I do feel a happy flush as I inspect hairlike newborns and their plump, fish-ready parents. They’re nice, but I don’t see my worms being my muses or the inspiration for anything of a literary nature. I’ll have to be content sharing the tales of the most wonderful, talented, attractive, intelligent, amazing, unique, and exceptional beings to ever walk the earth—Rexx, Prissy and Pumpkin. –Rebecca S. Holder

Randell Jones