Mark Gagnon
Bio
My life has been spent traveling here and abroad. Now it's time to write.
I have three published books: Mitigating Circumstances, Short Stories for Open Minds, and Short Stories from an Untethered Mind. Unmitigated Greed is do out soon.
Achievements (1)
Stories (457)
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Transition
On the day I was born my parents named me William, but no one ever calls me that. When I was a toddler, it was Little Billy. As I grew older everyone, except my mother and grandmother, dropped little and I was just Billy. It was during high school that Billy was shortened to Bill and that’s where it’s stayed. William is strictly used for document signing.
By Mark Gagnon11 months ago in Families
That Pesky Bus Driver
Mike Gulf didn’t have much time to make his new condo feel like home. Bill, his old army buddy and new boss, was familiar with Mike’s many talents as a detective from the days they had worked together as Army CID investigators. Back then Mike was his boss. Mike’s new living quarters were in such disarray because Bill had assigned him to an undercover job as soon as he got back from London.
By Mark Gagnon12 months ago in Chapters
If You Could See What I See
Jonathan fell into his bedroom chair feeling awestruck and nauseous by what the orb had revealed to him. Both conditions a direct result of his virtual travel through time and space. His first reaction was to run to the bridge and tell the captain what he saw, but fortunately, the queasiness gave him time to rethink that move. More thought about what the best course of action should be was needed.
By Mark Gagnon12 months ago in Fiction
A Different Perspective
Johnathan viewed space differently than everyone else living on the starship Phoebus because he was missing one eye. The unfortunate accident, which destroyed his left eye when he was six, happened too far from Earth for him to be sent back home for a bionic replacement. Until the ship reached Terminus, a journey of twenty-seven years, Johnathan’s only option was a patch.
By Mark Gagnonabout a year ago in Fiction
Just a Few Suggestions for Vocal
When I found this platform in December of 2021, I had no idea what to expect. Writing was a new venture for me, and I never thought it would become such a big a part of my life, but it has. Is it the challenges, no it can’t be that because I’ve never even been acknowledged as an also ran. Maybe it’s the occasional five dollars and the accolades I get from receiving a Top Story award, or the pittance I receive from reads. It’s actually none of these things. What’s kept me participating for the last four years is the welcoming group of writers that have made this platform the great community it is. Now it’s time to return the favor, assuming this letter reaches anyone in Vocal management.
By Mark Gagnonabout a year ago in Motivation
Deliberate Confusion
Have you ever attended a lecture and when it was over you thought, I didn’t understand any of what the speaker was talking about. Maybe if he or she had used normal words I would have understood the point they were trying to make. That person must really know their stuff. What makes things worse is when you look at all the other attendees. They are applauding and commenting on how intelligent the speaker is. Now you may be thinking, boy, am I dumb? I wish the person had spoken a little plainer, so I knew what they were talking about. Was all that technical jargon necessary or was it meant to impress the audience with how smart they are?
By Mark Gagnonabout a year ago in FYI
A Personal Milestone
If I am lucky enough to wake up fifteen days from now it means that I have existed on this planet for three quarters of a century. Some of you may be thinking, so what, I’m older than that, while many more of you will say, damn he’s old. No matter which side of that number you’re on, you must admit it is an accomplishment.
By Mark Gagnonabout a year ago in Longevity
I Heard That
This is the time of year everyone acts all friendly and happy to see each other. People I haven’t seen for a year show up at my door bearing food and presents. They are all smiles and hugs. It’s all for show. Why are they never around the rest of the year? If they cared that much, I would think they would come around more often instead of waiting until the official, it’s time to be nice to each other, time of year.
By Mark Gagnonabout a year ago in Fiction
A Wilted Dream
This is my childhood dream. Before I understood what I was staring up at I wanted to be part of it. Twinkling lights created pictures in the blackness of space. They called to my young mind enticing me to explore their universe. Like all of us, what was important to me then has diminished as I’ve aged. The luster of the stars has dulled. What draws me now is one speck of light where a new year is being celebrated. It’s where I long to be, celebrating with those I’ve left behind knowing it’s impossible.
By Mark Gagnonabout a year ago in Fiction
