Nocturnal Musings: Collected Ponderings, Essays, and Stories

Nocturnal Musings is a compilation of ponderings, essays, and stories written by the author over the years. The range of subjects is vast, but are an accurate representation of the kinds of topics many of us may think and wonder about on a daily basis.

Filled with bits of memoir, slices of biography, unapologetic opinion, personal meditations, historical exploration, and short stories, Walton-Porter invites readers to come along on a unique journey.

Sometimes the language is tame, other times the language is harsh. If you are easily offended, be prepared. Walton-Porter delivers an unvarnished look at the oft-terrible things that hide behind the curtains of life, especially death, betrayal, and loss.

Her short stories, "Mattie's Secret" and "Unearthly Seduction," represent two vastly different genres—horror and mainstream fiction.

The author says, "Some of these writings may upset you or anger you. On the other hand, some of them may entertain you. It’s possible you’ll find a way to connect with everything I’ve written here. There’s also a chance some of you won’t be able to connect with these writings at all. In the end, I have no way to tell. And sadly, you cannot please everybody all the time—or even most of the time.

As a writer, all I can do is write and share what I’ve written in hopes that, somehow, I’m able to connect or communicate with readers in a small way (or even a big way, if I’m fortunate)."

Walton-Porter admits, "It’s my desire to rouse you from your mundane slumber—even for a little while—and make you think, ponder, reconsider, or explore one or more of the topics I have written about in this book. In the end, you’ll love me, loathe me, or ignore me. I prefer the former to the latter."

Table of Contents
Part I: Ponderings & Essays

His Love of Words Lives On (Dear Dad: I Miss You)

Contemplations on Life and the Living of It

Meditations on the Form and Meaning of Death

Requiem

The Deserving Sort

Revealing Our True Selves

In Praise of Bitches: In Defense of the Anna Wintours of the World)

Shaking My Mirado Black Warrior Pencil in Anger

It’s Past Time To Stop Sports-Sanctioned Racism

Ruminations on the Living and Non-living

An Exploration of Ancient Pagan Attitudes Toward Death, Dying, and Rituals for the
Deceased

Tonight, La Muerte Comes

Releasing the Shackles

The Past Does Not Equal the Future

When It Comes To Mental Health, Do What Works For You

The Day I Nearly Drowned

Dreams That Terrify, Haunt, and Warn

Get Over It: Belle Knox is a Porn Star and She Doesn’t Need Your Permission or Approval

Part II: Stories

Unearthly Seduction

Mattie’s Secret