paigegardnerwrites

A Long and Windy Road

“It is very rewarding to feel, time and time again, that you are pursuing what you love and exactly where you are meant to be.” This was the last line for one of my assignments this past semester. I had to write an analysis about my experience of shadowing an ESL classroom. I had reachedContinue reading “A Long and Windy Road”

Reflections From A Bride

I’m married!!! Wife. Husband. Marriage. After two months, these words still feel so foreign to me. Like, when did I become an adult capable of making these big life decisions?!?! Luckily, my husband (!!) is my best friend. I know couples say that all the time (and I know everyone smiles and nods and triesContinue reading “Reflections From A Bride”

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

For years and years, I believed I was destined to live in chaos. Clothes piled on chairs, mail sitting in stacks on the kitchen table, lost items making a new home in the corner of my bedroom floor. I wasn’t dirty, but I was messy. I was a messy person. That’s the way I wasContinue reading “The Stories We Tell Ourselves”

Writer’s Block, My Old Friend

Do you know what I’m supposed to be doing right now? Sitting in the basement of a church participating in a free write during my community writing group—spinning a short piece of fiction using tonight’s prompt. Do you know what I’m actually doing right now?Well, I was flip flopping between computer tabs & half-finished stories.Continue reading “Writer’s Block, My Old Friend”

Broken-Hearted Girl

I’m proud to announce that I got a flash fiction piece “Broken-Hearted Girl” published in Issue #1 of Pastel Pastoral Literary Magazine! I was inspired to write this piece at my writer’s group after listening to Dizzy’s song Joshua on the ride over. I hope you’ll enjoy it! “My mother was the one who foundContinue reading “Broken-Hearted Girl”

Fast Fiction: The Waitress

“What? You sad?” I quickly turned away from Brant’s patronizing tone, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand. “Well this will make you feel better.” I spun around to see him holding out two dirty, crinkled, sad dollar bills. “What the –” “Your tip,” he said, his lips curling up into anContinue reading “Fast Fiction: The Waitress”

Blink. Breathe.

Blink. Remember when I created this blog with every intention of posting a flash fiction piece every Friday, and sprinkling my followers with little insightful blog posts throughout the month? … Let’s all laugh together at how quickly I failed at this. I don’t feel guilty. My older sister, for years now, has always talkedContinue reading “Blink. Breathe.”

Like Mother, Like Daughter

One of my favorite things about growing older is discovering how much of myself is made up of my parents. As much as I’d like to think I alone have molded myself into the person I am today, it’s simply false. My mother and father have been there the whole time, their hands on topContinue reading “Like Mother, Like Daughter”

Fast Fiction: The End

“It’s happening,” cried Charlie. “It’s really happening.” “It’s not happening,” Emmalene said calmly. “You’re fine. We’re all fine.” But Charlie couldn’t hear her. He was too busy running over to the window. Too busy pressing his face to the glass. It was pitch black outside, but the window was cracked at the bottom, and theContinue reading “Fast Fiction: The End”

Fast Fiction: Call From the Past

I lay on the carpeted floor of my living room, my feet up onto the couch cushion where a normal person would sit, and lazily fan myself with the Lamaze pamphlet. The window is wide open, bringing nothing but July humidity into the apartment, and the ceiling fan is spinning so fast it shakes. ItContinue reading “Fast Fiction: Call From the Past”