I am happy to announce that I have completed all the rough drafts for When Hope Burned White, Volume 2. As the direct sequel to last year’s short story collection and since it has now been over a year since that one was published, I am excited for you to meet the next set of stories.

With 12 flash fictions written, I will be working between now and the end of May to polish up my top 10. In theory, they will be complete shortly before my baby arrives, so I will be able to post stories over the summer without having to panic about what to update my blog with while I am taking care of a newborn.

Volume 2 strays some from the original themes. The original claimed to be about: When life burns you down to coals, this is what’s left.

Volume 1 was full of stories that reflected the loneliness and despair that often accompanies realistic fiction; this one is a bit different. There are more fantastical and whimsical stories, though they still deal with hope and the near extinction of it. But the tone is incrementally more hopeful.

When life has burwned you down, you can still choose to fan the flames.