Sheri Yutzy - Speculative Fiction Author

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THE KEY – #flashfictionmagic

November 16, 2021 by Sheri

I woke up this morning with my finger in the shape of a key. The kind with teeth and a notch at the end, except this one was still the same pale flesh as the rest of my hand.
I sat still in bed, my tea growing cold, a euphoric nausea swelling in me.
I’d been warned that I would feel this way. Ignore all feelings and follow your instructions, they’d said.
You see, I’ve always known the key was coming. You may be wondering what sort of person I am, and if you should be reading this story at all. Even if it’s not your sort of story, I ask that you see me to the end.
I live in the top story of a manor with a garden bigger than the sky. At least, I’ve never been to the end of it, and I’ve tried. The garden tumbles and twists around pools and fruit trees and bushes always laden with flowers. I follow a different path every day, but I never reach my goal: the gazebo.
But today, today, I thought I would find it. I wore my gloves (thank Heaven it’s chilly) and began to look at once. Miss Prism frowned in her gopher way—teeth out front—but she didn’t call me back.
I followed the path that first caught my eye, through a drooping orchard, past a tiny brook, and across a small meadow of blooming mums. Beyond them, shadowed by willows, I found it.
The windows were all blocked. I held my breath at the doorstep, too scared to look back in case Miss Prism was rushing my way. The keyhole held dark shadows, a familiar shape. I held up my finger, a sharp knife in the other hand. My final chance: obey my instructions and cut the key finger away (it would vanish, they said, and a stump would remain. A small sacrifice.), or slide the key into the hole and turn.
Unlock the door that had been sealed centuries ago.
I dropped the knife into my pocket with a sharp laugh. I’d always given the right answers, but from the beginning, I’d known what I would do.
My key slid into the shadowy hole, vibrating through my body. The lock clicked and the door burst open, tossing me aside. A cloud of gossamer wings burst forth, cries of joy flooding the air. My smile stretched wider.
I’d brought the fairies back.

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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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A little bit of coming spring in great-grandma’s A little bit of coming spring in great-grandma’s pitcher.
A little pink and green promise of golden age to come.
🪴🪴🪴

#twentywordtuesday 
#poetsofinstagram #flowerpoetry #sheriyutzy

#slowliving #quietlife #antiquecreamer #cottageflowers
I never seem to find enough time to do what I want I never seem to find enough time to do what I want to do.
Sound familiar?
This month I’ve learned a few things about pursuing quiet.
For me, quiet feels slow.
I think I can still pursue it even while having bursts of activity, but in between the bursts, I have to slow.
That slowness can breed frustration, which isn’t quiet at all.
It’s not really about making time for it, more about letting time go. Let it pass, without making it perform.
I love it even though it makes me uncomfortable to begin.
I had a little extra writing time last week and in this picture I’m attempting to find quiet in the midst of it. Journaling helps me focus my thoughts on quiet things.

How do you find quiet in your daily life?

#sheriyutzy #livingquietly #quietliving #sojourncafe #yafantasyauthor #intentionalliving #writinglifestyle #amwritingyafantasy #writingcommunity #journalingcommunity #slowliving #cottagelife
A misty rain has come and melted the snow away. We A misty rain has come and melted the snow away. We passed so many fallen snowmen on the way home from church. It was a little sad, but I’m going to enjoy the damp weather until it freezes again next week. Here in Ohio, we never fear, winter is always just around the corner again until April or so.😏
But it’s almost February, which means I want to start wearing pale pink and blue and poke around in the garden looking for hyacinth buds (they’re sprouting!).
Then I come in from the cold and read over a steaming cup of tea. I have lots of books to read before winter is done!
What’s your favorite indoor winter activity?

#booksandtea #cottageliving #cottagegardenflowers #slowliving #intentionalliving #lovingwinter #afacelikeglass #thescorpioraces #maggiestiefvater #yafantasy #franceshardinge #sundayreads #sheriyutzy #amreadingyafantasy
Hello, I hope you’re doing well this Saturday. H Hello, I hope you’re doing well this Saturday.
Here’s a peaceful pot of tea. ♥️

#potoftea #slowliving #quietliving #pouringtea #blacktea #cottagecore #cottageliving #intentionalliving
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