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| J.L.Rodriguez |
Author has written 26 stories for Romance, Life, Biography, Supernatural, Family, Historical, Haiku, General, General, and Religion. "Give me a pen, I'll give you something to criticize." -J.L.Rodriguez “Authors are like movie crews. Like the director, they decide on how things are arranged, how the movie is presented and how everyone should work within the group. Like the screenwriters, they create plots and focus on what conversations the actors will have, what interactions, and attempt to make this movie worth their worth in tickets for the public. Like the costume designer, they decide what the theme represents in clothes and what the actors will wear throughout the display. Like backstage hands, they create the scenery where all of this movie will take place. And like actors, authors give characters life.” -J.L. Rodriguez "Who shall measure the heat and violence of a poet's heart when caught and tangled in the body of a woman." -Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own "I was born in the rain and I will die in the rain. Know me as river, as harbor." - Kate Braverman, The Incantation of Frida K. Just in: Ofelia poem News: Seeking Grapes is one of my newer projects. Centered around World War II, it is a novel told in the voice of Nathaniel Vincent Currie, a professor of Classical Literature in Poland- my second story thus far written in a man's point-of-view. The story will have many different aspects such as history, romance, drama and adventure all twisted into one plot. I have alot of interesting ideas on how to proceed with this story, I hope you enjoy it. Any questions or suggestions are welcome. Any criticism is also welcome. Warning: If my work offends you, it is not my intention. I don't write for such a purpose. I have the highest respect for other religions and cultures, I just interpret my characters feelings a bit too strongly at times. I suggest- if this were the case- for you to just not read what I write. Changes: Besides the usual updates on chapters and poems, I am considering editing some of my older works (ex. A Broken Love and Blue Butterfly). I have wanted to do this for a long time now, but never had the time to. The changes might not be dramatic, mostly it's just minor wording and phrasing updates. I have grown as a writer and would like to present my stories to the best of my abilities. Story title changes are a maybe. Falcon's Song is currently in editing (and it seems to be a lot of editing). I hope to post it as soon as possible. My penname has been changed from NotThePicklez to J.L. Rodriguez. Completed Stories: A Broken Love My first historical romance, and one of my favorite love stories. It is an old story, one that I hope to one day edit to perfection- or at least my sense of perfection anyway. Samantha Clearwater is a solemn young woman who has recently lost her father and is now subjected to the cruelty of her mother and sister. As much as it may sound like a bad, two-dimensional copy of the classic Cinderella, I assure you, it is anything but a cliche. The kind-hearted heroine of this story learns a very important lesson in her life. To be strong, even if love itself was torn from you. Remember The Lilies The anticipated sequel to A Broken Love. I believe that this part of Samantha's story is my personal favorite. In A Broken Love, I was still testing my boundaries as a writer and I find that I managed to make this sequel worth my efforts. It is longer, more detailed, and unmistakably beautiful, something I had not expected when I first began it. I honestly loathed Eric Rosewood with every fiber of my being when I finished A Broken Love, but in this sequel, he is everything I had hoped he'd be, and more. Samantha has become a head-strong woman, but has lost that innocent, benevolent part of her- or so she believes. I recommend this story to anyone who likes a good read, and to all romantics. Cello My lovely Cello. A story I never believed I could ever write. It is powerful, every word, every metaphor, every syllable is powerful. From beginning to end. I wanted to impact the reader, I wanted to show them the weaker side of people, the evil side, the hidden envy and hatred we know we can never show. I wanted to express profound love, in every way possible. I wanted to convey human emotion, human weakness, and the power of culture and music. Cello is the short narrative story of a gypsy man who has been nothing more but human in every aspect of his life. It is an adult novella, not something that everyone would enjoy. Personally, I think it is one of my more accomplished pieces. Short Stories I have four in total. Memories, Old Mrs.Calloway, Oh How the Past Repeats, and Music to My Headphones. Believe it or not, Cello was once a short story until I decided to broaden it. Memories is told in the perspective of a young woman who has lost her grandfather to Leukemia and is retelling his life story. Old Mrs. Calloway is about a terrifying old woman who sat in front of her porch for all of her life, rocking in her rocking chair and eating her strawberry candies. Oh How the Past Repeats, a boy in 1960's Cuba is forced to show his mother his father's mistress. Music to My Headphones is about a young girl who finds a reason to live after watching this seemingly invisivble boy pass by her house every morning. Hopefully, many more short stories to come! Poems I have written over two hundred poems in my life. I only have a few posted onto this site and every single one of those poems are personal. I write poetry in a moment of greatest realization, inspiration, or weakness. I write my poems with all of my heart put into them, all of my sorrow and hopeful wishing. Some poems are light-hearted and bring a smile to one's face and some are so dark that I don't even know what part of myself it came from. Others are thoughtful and were written when I needed to get my ideas out of my head. I hope you enjoy them. Incomplete Stories: Falcon's Song I am a lover of different cultures. This story is based during that period in time when North America was still called "The New World" or the colonies. It revolves around the severe Puritanical religion, a make-believe tribe of Native Americans, and the special gift of a young woman named Emily Carmichael. Magic is imbedded in this fantasy adventure, as well as hatred, tradition, and strangely enough, love. I haven't updated for a while, which I profusely apologize for. It seems as inspiration has taken a back seat for a while. Blue Butterfly The spiritual butterfly that hovers like a guardian angel over the soul of the anger-driven teen, Milagros Aguilera. Blind, sixteen, and bitter, the young Cuban-American girl living in Miami, Florida can see only one thing, the blue butterfly. Though Millie believes that she has turned to stone, others have faith that she will once again regain her love of life. Especially, an idle friend who seems to find a love for Milagros he never knew he had. A bit of religous undertone here and there, romance, fantasy, and young adult relevance. Seeking Grapes A brand new kind of historical romance. I toyed with this idea alot in my head before deciding to pursue it. The story is told in the narrative voice of Nathaniel Vincent Currie, a Jewish professor of classical literature in Poland during the beginning stages of World War II. When rumors spread of war, Nathaniel and his family decide to escape to the rural village of Tuscany, Italy where an ancient family holds the secret to their freedom and the downfall of the Nazi party. Political, adventurous, suspenseful and a hint of romance to put it all together. | |||||
1. OfeliaIn Catholism, when someone passes away a candle is lit on their behalf with a glass of water for their spirit to gain light and ascend into heaven. This poem is in dedication to Ofelia.Complete - Religion - Fiction Rated: T - English - Poetry/Spiritual - Chapters: 1 - Words: 234 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 4-1-09 - Published: 4-1-092. Music to My HeadphonesThe short story of a young girl who watches this strange boy every morning pass by her house. And how a person's life could change in only a passing.Complete - General - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Fantasy/Spiritual - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,264 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 10-12-08 - Published: 10-12-083. Three PiecesHave you ever felt split right down the middle? Imagine being cut into Three Pieces. A poem written during such a time.Complete - General - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - General/Poetry - Chapters: 1 - Words: 201 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 9-14-08 - Published: 9-14-084. From Red to Violet » reviewsFrom Red to Violet, a rainbow of poetry all different in nature. My personal growing collection of short poems that are all three lines. Not haikus. From the cynical to the light-hearted. From the comical to the thought provoking. This and much more!General - Fiction Rated: T - English - General/Poetry - Chapters: 13 - Words: 249 - Reviews: 7 - Updated: 9-7-08 - Published: 8-11-085. The BoyA poem about a young boy who experiences a fantasy after being murdered and tossed into a raging river.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: T - English - Spiritual/Tragedy - Chapters: 1 - Words: 180 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 9-5-08 - Published: 9-5-086. Rebirth reviewsA haiku. When one is reborn, when one never dies. A hopeful poem.Complete - Haiku - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Poetry/Spiritual - Chapters: 1 - Words: 10 - Reviews: 4 - Updated: 8-9-08 - Published: 8-9-087. Caught in a Storm reviewsA haiku. Relates to our own weaknesses and fear of being caught in a storm.Complete - Haiku - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Poetry/Tragedy - Chapters: 1 - Words: 17 - Reviews: 1 - Updated: 8-9-08 - Published: 8-9-088. Seeking Grapes »Rumors spread of war throughout Poland. A Jewish professor embarks on a quest with his family, escaping their threatened country in search of Tuscany's famed Mezzogiorno winery, where a woman holds a deliciously dark secret that's just ripe enough to biteHistorical - Fiction Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Chapters: 2 - Words: 3,683 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 8-9-08 - Published: 8-1-089. Three Minutes reviewsA poem I had written for my grandfather before he passed away. I wrote it as if I were having a private conversation with him before he left this world. This poem I never had the chance to share it as I had wished to.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: T - English - Poetry/Family - Chapters: 1 - Words: 539 - Reviews: 2 - Updated: 8-2-08 - Published: 8-2-0810. Color of a Dying SunA dream I had once that made no sense at the time. The speaker is neither man or woman, but an entity that is being judge for their past life.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: T - English - Poetry/Spiritual - Chapters: 1 - Words: 160 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 8-2-08 - Published: 8-2-0811. Pigeon Bird reviewsOnce, my father and I had found a pigeon with a broken wing in our driveway. This poem is about that childhood memory and how I learned to let go of the first thing I ever loved as my own.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Friendship/Poetry - Chapters: 1 - Words: 217 - Reviews: 1 - Updated: 8-2-08 - Published: 8-2-0812. Falcon's Song » reviewsSet in Puritanical New England, a young woman with the knowledge of healing is found guilty of witch craft and is to be hanged. But something lurks behind the still forest, twisting her fate to one of anger, friendship, tragedy, and love.Romance - Fiction Rated: T - English - Romance/Fantasy - Chapters: 12 - Words: 26,069 - Reviews: 6 - Updated: 2-10-08 - Published: 1-23-0813. Cello » reviewsThe vengeful power of music leaves a haunting taste. A gyspy travels with his band to a village in Turkey, where he meets the child with the delicate hands. A sudden romance sparks, an instrument is discovered, and a story is told.Complete - Romance - Fiction Rated: M - English - Romance/Tragedy - Chapters: 3 - Words: 15,467 - Reviews: 3 - Updated: 2-2-08 - Published: 1-11-0814. A Broken Love » reviewsWith the resent death of her father, Samantha Clearwater is constantly tortured by her Mother and sister. Engaged to be married, Samantha at last finds love, but it is tragically broken away by her sister's selfishness and the secret of her hidden birth.Complete - Romance - Fiction Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Chapters: 14 - Words: 20,982 - Reviews: 7 - Updated: 2-2-08 - Published: 1-13-0815. Remember The Lilies » reviewsThe story of Samantha continues. Sequel to A Broken Love, Samantha moves to America, hoping to forget her life in England, until unforeseen circumstances force her to return. For how long can her passions remain dormant?Complete - Romance - Fiction Rated: T - English - Romance/Drama - Chapters: 25 - Words: 63,549 - Reviews: 11 - Updated: 1-27-08 - Published: 1-13-0816. Dandelion In The WindA poem. Wanting to find a freedom unknown, though you are constantly held down. Wishing to be free, like a Dandelion In The Wind.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: T - English - General/Poetry - Chapters: 1 - Words: 199 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 1-23-08 - Published: 1-23-0817. Hiding Behind Thunderstorms reviewsA poem. Written for a night when skies were crying and an old man smoked his tobacco. Based on true events between me and my recently departed grandfather.Complete - Family - Fiction Rated: T - English - General/Poetry - Chapters: 1 - Words: 248 - Reviews: 1 - Updated: 1-23-08 - Published: 1-23-0818. Till Morning ComeA poem of waiting for the dawn on a tiled roof.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: T - English - Poetry/General - Chapters: 1 - Words: 162 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 1-14-08 - Published: 1-14-0819. I Had Laid Amongst The StarsOne person could mean the world, or as close to it as laying amongst stars. A poem.Complete - Family - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Poetry/General - Chapters: 1 - Words: 272 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 1-14-08 - Published: 1-14-0820. Blue Butterfly » reviewsMilagros Aguilera doesn't believe in miracles. Angry and blind, the sixteen year old lives by sheer determination. Her life, however, changes once she is visited by a Blue Butterfly that shows her a light she has been missing since her tragic accident.Supernatural - Fiction Rated: T - English - Spiritual/Romance - Chapters: 15 - Words: 26,094 - Reviews: 2 - Updated: 1-12-08 - Published: 1-12-0821. Old Mrs CallowayA oneshot I once wrote. The subject was strawberry candies and I wrote a short, narrative story on a lonesome, yet terrifying woman named Mrs. Calloway.Complete - Biography - Fiction Rated: T - English - Mystery/Supernatural - Chapters: 1 - Words: 806 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 1-12-08 - Published: 1-12-0822. Oh How The Past RepeatsA oneshot I wrote based on true events. A boy in '60's Cuba is torn between his mother's violence and his father's sins.Complete - Biography - Fiction Rated: M - English - Drama/Tragedy - Chapters: 1 - Words: 778 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 1-12-08 - Published: 1-12-0823. MemoriesA oneshot I once wrote for a contest. The subject was gardening and I came up with this short account of a girl who has recently lost her grandfather.Complete - Biography - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - General/Tragedy - Chapters: 1 - Words: 825 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 1-12-08 - Published: 1-12-0824. A Walk At Seven AM reviewsFinding yourself is not always easy, and sometimes all you need is a good walk at seven a.m.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: K - English - Poetry/Spiritual - Chapters: 1 - Words: 288 - Reviews: 2 - Updated: 1-11-08 - Published: 1-11-0825. No Time Left To Dry reviewsPoem written for Autumn, and what it brings in its wake.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: K+ - English - Poetry/General - Chapters: 1 - Words: 228 - Reviews: 1 - Updated: 1-11-08 - Published: 1-11-0826. I Wear The Mask That Death Gave MeIn Loving Memory Of The Man I Will Never Forget.Complete - Life - Fiction Rated: T - English - Poetry/Tragedy - Chapters: 1 - Words: 103 - Reviews: 0 - Updated: 1-11-08 - Published: 1-11-08
