Author Archives: jrizzotto0808

About jrizzotto0808

My day job as an elementary school teacher in Southern California supports my writing and Harley riding habits. My YA fantasy novel The College of the Crones, recently won an Honorable Mention Award at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Southern California 2017 Spring Retreat. My Harley stories have been published in Cold Noon Travel Diaries, Courtship of Winds, Blacktop Passages, Fresh Ink, and The Handlebar Star. When I'm not hitting the keys on my computer, you can find me camping at the beach with my husband, Frank, or holding onto him as we roar down the road on our Harley touring motorcycle.

Ride Without Hugs

Posted on July 14, 2020

The only thing missing from our first official HOG day ride since the pandemic was hugs. Some riders gave “air hugs” and fist bumps. Most riders stood apart and greeted each other with a nod, grateful to see friends in … Continue reading →

Posted in beach, clubs, friendship, Harley, Harley-Davidson, motorcycle, travel, writer | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Locked Room

Posted on April 10, 2020

Who knows how long I’ve sat here in this room. The door beckons me, but I know it’s locked. My current situation can’t be easily explained. But for the sake of my sanity, I will attempt to retrace my steps. … Continue reading →

Posted in magical realism, short story, writer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Walking with Cuddles

Posted on March 26, 2020

  “Come on, Cuddles, let’s go for a walk!” I brace myself as he runs into me full force, almost knocking me through the door. Got to read that obedience book again. Not controlling him always leads to disaster. “Cuddles, … Continue reading →

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When Magic Fails

Posted on March 19, 2020

    All I wanted was to ride as fast as I could to the edge of the world and drop off. Earlier this same day, I had not suspected anything would go wrong. I got up, drank my elixir, … Continue reading →

Posted in fantasy, stories, writer | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Long Comeback

Posted on February 21, 2020

Tugging on my cold weather gear after a few months’ break was awkward. The last time Frank and I rode with the HOGs in the dog days of summer, we barely wore jackets. Then my husband’s autoimmune disease kicked into … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, clubs, Harley, Harley-Davidson, motorcycle, mountains, travel, writer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Blustery Day

Posted on February 4, 2020

  Contrary to popular thought that California has perfect winters, we have wind. Not gentle ocean breezes. Rip your table umbrellas out and deposit them in your neighbor’s yard wind. Destructive and bone chilling, these winds blow into town and … Continue reading →

Posted in desert, education, weather, winter, writer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

After the Fight is Over

Posted on December 4, 2019

  It’s done. I wrote 50,000 words for #NaNoWriMo2019. Funny thing though. I still want to get up at 5:00 a.m. and write. Instead of creating a new book, I’m working on the HOG newsletter and typing this blog. After … Continue reading →

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Almost there

Posted on November 29, 2019

I had been doing so well. Cranking out 1,500 words a day for #NaNoWriMo2019 like I knew what I was doing, when suddenly I ran out of story. Just like a car, a writer can run out of fuel, in … Continue reading →

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Are we there yet?(a NaNoWriMo tale)

Posted on November 26, 2019

Only five more days remain for #NaNoWriMo2019. Not exactly sure where November went but I know a good chunk of it was spent writing. Up at 5 a.m., sitting at my computer with a big cup of coffee. My dogs … Continue reading →

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Midway Thoughts-NaNoWriMo 2019

Posted on November 17, 2019

  On the fifteenth of November, I had 25,000 words. Half way through the month, halfway to my NaNoWriMo goal of 50,000. Yeah! (small victory dance) How do I feel? Exhausted. At the beginning of November, I reread a favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in book, books, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, novel, publishing, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment