I find that the seed idea of a story allows the words to flow free and fast, but it is the multitude of revisions as I craft the writing that permit the characters to come to life. I spend time with characters, their worlds and their words. After a time I  take a vacation from them while I visit other characters and stories. Later, I come back and view the characters, the worlds they inhabit and their words with fresh and sharpened eyes.

— A. L. Wells

Excerpt from The First Born:

SUNDAY: Day 14

The van that carries your MO Unit enters the pedestrian zone driven by your commander. You scan the area from the passenger seat. The Second Born shoppers are leaving. There is a First Born sanitation crew. One member is standing. He turns and faces the vans. Words are coming from his mouth. You hear them but you do not listen. You step out of your van and stand, pistol in hand, with deadly aim, and a single bullet, you silence the disruption. With pistol drawn and ready you scan the remaining First Born lying motionless on the ground. They all face the ground. Not one looks up at you, or your team. Not one looks at the disruption lying still and silent on the ground. You motion to two members of your unit and they collect the fresh carcass and load it into your van to be transported to the Reclamation Center. Click here to read more.

Excerpt from The Cat, The Clownfish, and The Dragon:

The boy was holding his sister’s hand as the red and white bird began its descent. Analupe’s ears had begun to hurt as they came down out of the clouds. Mateo’s ears were hurting also, but still he held his sister’s hand to comfort her.

“El dolor va a pasar rápido,” Mateo said. “Mira hacia afuera.”

He loved watching the earth rise up to meet them. He especially loved the way his body kept going forward even as the bird slowed down. He was going faster than the bird!    Click here to read more.