Bill Cusano

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2024

Stories (3)

3 Stories

47 karma pts

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“The Perfect Gift” by Bill Cusano

Submitted to Contest #261

"Can I help you?" I hear a woman's voice, but I don't look up. I noticed someone behind the counter when I walked in, but I didn't want to bother her. "I'm not ready for help yet," I say."OK," she says, "My name is Elsa. If you have a question, just ask for me.""And you will get the sale, right?" "I can handle the sale, but we work on salary, not commission, so anyone can help you. I was just being nice.""That's what I need, a way to be nice. I'm not good at that.""You're not good at being nice?" She asks, turning back and then standing in ...

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“Dream Twist” by Bill Cusano

Submitted to Contest #260

It's one thing when your main character stops listening to you. Every author experiences that moment when their creation transforms from a marionette to a real boy, and now you are stuck feeding him, teaching him how to wipe himself, and putting money aside for college. But no one ever told me the upstart would invade my dreams and visit other characters while I sleep. Tell me that has happened to you, and I will stop taking NyQuil PM and just try to enjoy it.I will admit I was grateful the first time he came up with a plot or...

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“The Job Interview” by Bill Cusano

Submitted to Contest #259

Late. I hate being late. That man should squeeze in more, or the subway doors won’t close. Why does this have to happen to me? Come on.The conductor shouts, “Make room.”I think that’s what he said. Suddenly, the car jolts and starts to move. I may make it in time. Be the first to arrive. Let them see how eager you are.Great advice. Not this time. Why didn’t I leave earlier? I paced back and forth in the apartment, practicing my stupid elevator speech for hours. “Sorry I’m late.&nbsp...

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Author bio

Each time I come to the end of a career, I return to a dear friend, writing. It's not that I don't write while pursuing a career in something else. I would just find myself doing other types of writing and storytelling related to the career, and then I would fill in the blank minutes or hours with more intentional fiction. Unintentional fiction is for grant writing and marketing. But now, I have retired from running a nonprofit, one of my later careers, and I am submerging myself totally in the dream career I never thought I could afford to do before.