Sheri Yutzy - Speculative Fiction Author

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A SWIFT CURRENT – #flashfictionmagic

March 3, 2021 by Sheri

“You don’t believe all those stories about me, do you?”
Autumn swept her hand across the ground before she sat, sending acorns scattering. Something still jabbed when she settled in gingerly, facing the fire. “The ones about your dying of disease, or the ones where you murder all your lovers?”
His laugh sounded like liquid gold. You’d think she had asked about his charity toward crippled children.
The creek’s burble had turned sharper in the darkness, and its swift current tossed shards of moonlight like knives.
“Can you swim?”
She started as he sat next to her, his hands braced around his knees. She narrowed her eyes. “Planning to drown me?”
Shock flashed across his face, half hidden by a quick smile. “You’re far too pretty to drown. Has anyone ever told you your eyes are like stars at night?”
She edged away, ignoring a flutter in her belly. “A girl like me must endure compliments.” She smiled despite her nerves. “So my Grandmere taught me.”
He nodded sagely. “It is the burden of pretty people like us.”
She scowled. “I would wager you don’t have anyone eyeing your bosom while they compliment your eyes.”
“You’d be surprised.” His grin dropped, and he kept his gaze on hers. “I meant what I said.”
He looked so sincere she had to smile. “I’m too pretty to drown?”
“Before, at the palace. Whatever people say I’ve done, I’m not planning to hurt you, Autumn.”
She wished he would wipe that concerned furrow off his forehead. “You couldn’t drown me anyway.”
He snorted. “Why not?”
“Not only am I an excellent swimmer, I’m not your lover, and none of the stories mention you drowning girls you’re simply running away with.”
His grin fought free. “But what if—“
“I’m not your lover, Lux, and I never will be.”

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About Sheri

Here Goes Something New!

Hi, I'm Sheri Yutzy. I love forests under the night sky, trying new foods, and drinking Irish tea.
I'm married to a musician who looks good in black, mama to two toddlers who love to eat, and happy resident of a Cape Cod cottage in Ohio.
I write YA fantasy and am acquisitions editor at sparkflashfiction.com.
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One thing I love about Ohio yards: no matter where One thing I love about Ohio yards: no matter where I go, I can always find a little patch of whimsical greenery somewhere that whispers spring is here. My yard right now is strewn with little branches and dried plants from the flowerbeds and old, brown leaves. But soon the grass will grow tall and we’ll gather the branches and everything will be lush and green again.
Fairy tales always seem like a spring thing. The curses end in spring, the eggs hatch in spring, the weddings happen in spring. But I love to see the magic woven into each season, each so different, preparing the earth for the next phase.

What whimsically green corners have you found this week?

#whimsicalwednesday #sheriyutzy #whimsicalgreen #whimsicalcottage #whimsicalspring #whimsicalgarden #yafantasyauthor #hanschristianandersen #bestlovedfairytales #fairytales #springfairytale #magicalspring #magicalcottage #booksoutside #slowliving #changingseasons #marchgreens
🌿✨🌿 Enough words in the world Enough bulbs 🌿✨🌿
Enough words in the world
Enough bulbs budding 
And stretching their hearty arms
Like solid poems, fragrant poems
The world outside is living poetry.
🌿✨🌿

#twentywordtuesday #poetsofinstagram #springpoetry #ednastvincentmillay #springinthegarden #poetryoutside #moodycottage #sheriyutzy #shortpoems
Mondays do odd things for me as an introvert. (By Mondays do odd things for me as an introvert. (By introvert I mean I need solitude to recharge.) 
🌿🌿🌿
Here’s what I mean. By the end of every week I’m ready to see my people, engage in my church community. And by the end of Sunday? I’m ready to be alone again. My kids usually are too, so they spend Monday playing pretend together and I lurk around catching up on housework, reading a book, and gazing out the window, enjoying my own inner silence. (It’s not super silent outside of me, but that’s okay.)
Monday is just lovely, because I’m filled up and rich with community, and I have a whole day to be home and ponder that fullness.
Yes, sometimes I want to be with adults after hearing children chatter all day, but most of the time their conversation is refreshing.

How do you find Mondays? Do you like to get started on the week, or would you like to stay in the weekend?
The wisteria is budding, and will soon be spreadin The wisteria is budding, and will soon be spreading its sunshine across the yard. Our bush was here when we moved and I’ve been so grateful for it. It blooms so early, the brightest thing around.
This weekend was a bit crazy. I did some new things, like make meatballs for a crowd, and juggle three Airbnb guests’ requests at once, and change a car key battery while away from home (thank God for the extra battery in the glove box) but here I am at Sunday afternoon, my time to take a look at the week before, and everything worked out.
I know it doesn’t always, but for today, I am grateful.

What made you grateful this weekend?

#wisteria #buddingwisteria #sheriyutzy #gratefulsunday #kingdomofashandbriars #hannahwest #yafantasyauthor #booksoutside #slowliving #gratefulliving #moodycottage #cottagegarden #intentionalliving #gratefulthoughts #springtimeblooms #timeforspring
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