Beyond the Padlock

What defines Canyon Lake? The most obvious answer, of course, is the lake. However, there is something far more significant that every local has taken note of: storage units. Around each corner is a home for the stuff that no longer fits in your home, now a stark part of the landscape. But what if these units had a greater purpose? What if each unit could take you someplace else or show you what you most needed to see? What if they were your long-forgotten belongings’ chance at a second life? Well, that is what we now invite you to experience. From emotional to hilarious, from cozy to action packed, come learn the stories of these treasure troves and the people they belong to. We hope you enjoy the journey and maybe you too can then see the wonderful in the mundane.   KC Bean                     Blurb Kathleen Davis           Two Poems Melissa P. England     Writing on the Wall Faith Harrison             Seeing Red Wrenna Ivie                Maggie O’s Curiosity Closet Josiah Marceaux         Union City Express Peggy Marceaux         Portal to Space Gretchen Schleyer       Moon Struck Kathleen J. Shields     The Door That Opened Rodney L. Smith         Seven Boxes Jackie Yack                 Memory Keepers and Tattle Tales   Canyon Lake Area Writers (CLAW) was formed in 2011 to bring writers of all experience levels and genres together to share their work, exchange ideas, offer constructive critiques, and learn more about the craft and business of writing. Our goals are simple: improve our writing, inspire one another, share creative exercises, provide thoughtful feedback, explore paths to publication, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow writers, and, above all, have fun. Over the years, CLAW has helped many writers grow in their craft. More than 20 current and former members have gone on to publish books and short stories, with others currently making their way through the publishing process. But publication isn’t the only measure of success. At CLAW, we believe writing is worthwhile simply because we enjoy doing it. Whether we’re writing for publication, for ourselves, or just to see where an idea takes us, we celebrate the creativity and fun of telling a story. This anthology is a perfect example. Our writing prompt was deceptively simple: You own a storage facility. You rent a unit. Or you buy the contents of one sight unseen. You open the door and… What happens next is up to the writer. Each author took that single prompt in a different direction, opening the door to stories of mystery, humor, suspense, surprise, and perhaps a few things better left behind. So, take a peek through the door with us. You never know what you might find.