by Sarah | Sep 8, 2011 | Challenge
This week my prompt came from femmefauxpas. My prompt was “Not everyone deserves a second chance.”
Several ideas came to light – but what the muse settled on is a teeny short that sort of sets up one of my novels.
*~*~*~*
“Clara.”
Her back stiffened, her fingers curling in until her nails dug into her palms. Why couldn’t he have stood by and let her lead this one? Her future depended on it. Well, more accurately her sons did.
Everything depended on the devil’s trust for her to handle this, but he never would. Somehow she had to succeed. To save her son. To make sure he survived when she was sure she wouldn’t.
She didn’t need to.
It was too late for her. Far too many sins had been made thanks to her stupidity. Now was the time to try to make it right.
“Don’t make any stupid mistakes.”
His breath brushed her ear, lifting a tendril of hair that fluttered down to tickle her ear lobe. The lump that had started to form in her throat was forced aside by her heavy swallow. “Don’t trust your own training?”
“No. It’s you I don’t trust.”
“Fitting. I don’t trust you. Since you taught me to be like this, I guess you shouldn’t trust me. But what can I do? Any move I make will end in my death.”
“Just do what you’re supposed to.” His body bumped into hers as a long off whistle sounded alerting the crowded platform of the approaching train. It would be a through train, theirs wasn’t due for ten minutes. “I have much revenge to reap.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Clara muttered under her breath.
“Here comes your husband. I’m watching. This is your only chance.”
The smile she plastered on was forced and as fake as the life she was wearing, but it would have to do. Knowing the devil was watching your every move made life so uneasy a genuine emotion like happiness was tough to come by.
“Here you go,Constance.” Jake handed her the ticket for her luggage, “For safe keeping my dear.”
Somehow he kissed her on the cheek without grimacing. She knew he was pretending she wasConstance. Denying the truth she’d spilled to him the day before. It wouldn’t last, but she could pretend for him. She had to with the glimmering set of chocolate brown eyes watching her every move. “Thank you.”
Once the ticket had been slipped into her purse his arm looped with hers and he led her closer to the edge of the platform. “Is he watching now, Clara?”
“Not now, Jake.” Clara used every bit of effort to keep her stance relaxed. If he moved even the slightest bit closer he’d hear everything. “There won’t be any safety until we are inGeorgia.”
“So then he is. Which one is he?” There was no way to stop him before he started to look. Jake was no good at pretending, and soon it would be all over.
Panic struck her before she could stop it and she gripped his arm, “Stop. Do not look for him or we are both dead.”
“I think you underestimate the power of money, Clara.”
“She never underestimates the power of money,” the devil’s cool voice interrupted any reply she might have mustered.
This was it. The end.
As his cool eyes fixed on hers, the evil light held a hint of giddy joy. His frown dipped low, “And here I thought you deserved a second chance, Clara. My mistake.”
And then her fractured world shattered into a million pieces. The scream of the through train’s whistle signaling the chaotic descent into a deeper hell than she’d already been through.
*~*~*~*~*
by Sarah | Sep 5, 2011 | Writing, writing tips
I forgot to read.
I know – the first tip you ever hear when you’re writing is to read. Read a lot.
I got so wrapped in my stories. In writing what was in my head. Trying to improve what I’d written.
For the past three or four years I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words.
I’d read maybe 6 books. All by the same 2 authors, in relatively the same genre. Written in the same form (first person POV). Not even a little bit close to my genre.
Then seven months ago I sent in a full manuscript to an agent.
And somehow stopped writing.
Not because I was biting my nails waiting on a reply (I’m not new to this game) – just because real life got in the way.
Plus, I was tired. Like I said, I’d written hundreds of thousands of words. I’d made progress and improvements but I needed a break. I was too wrapped up and attached to my own work, and I knew it.
I needed to separate. Not just because an agent had my MS, but because I was so wrapped up I couldn’t see the forest for the trees, and I knew it – plus I had other ideas but I couldn’t seem to get them on paper for any amount of effort.
Then I picked up a book. And another. I remembered a commitment I’d made to myself at the beginning of the year to read 50 books this year. I used to read tons of books every year, I could handle 50, surely.
Since then I’ve read books of all kinds.
Urban fantasy, Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, even a memoir, and stuff of very little substance. Books written from every POV under the sun. Books that are YA; books that make me uncomfortable; books that make me laugh out loud and my husband shake his head at me.
I’ve read 39 books this year (to be fair, there’s one or two in those numbers that I didn’t/couldn’t finish I disliked them so much).
Three weeks ago I came back to my writing.
I realized how, in some ways, I’d pigeonholed myself in what I’d written.
I’ve found new inspiration and drive to create new stories. I’ve found renewed vigor and the ability to look at my old stories in new light. My editing has gone so much smoother. My writing has been soming so much easier.
Don’t forget to read.
Sometimes it’s good to get out of your own head and into someone else’s for a while.
Apparently even my own characters needed a break (even if they never truly stopped rattling around in my head).
by Sarah | Sep 3, 2011 | 100 Words, Challenge, The Tribe
I haven’t done much writing this week after a sort of boom last week. Not for lack of inspiration, but instead a lack of energy. I’m trying to push through and write despite the lacking energy. So, back to the challenges…
The prompt word for the 100 Word challenge was Storm. I had several flashes of inspiration, from weathering the storm to a storm front to a total blank on further ideas. When I sat down to write this morning what finally hit was the main character in the story I’m world building for. This book is tentatively called “The Tribe” (I know for a fact it’s not a final title, it’s just to tide me over until I get a better one).
The main characters name is Nirvelli. She’s been through a lot, and this short 100 words is inspired by her and the start of the trials of her life.
One of these days the 100 words will inspire something a little more light-hearted…maybe.
****
Around her everyone went about their business. To them nothing had changed, not even her.
They didn’t know the depth of evil roiling in her soul. The storming emotions threatening to erupt.
It would come out in bursts and fits, put off as teen rebellion.
They didn’t know the truth of her pain.
They would never know.
Because evil begets evil. She caused this, she had to have. It was her fault. The Spirits punished her for sins yet to be made. It was karma. She was marked for life.
Her soul already dead.
Opening her to a new Hell.
*******
Please, visit Velvet’s site to check out other more worthy entries…
by Sarah | Aug 31, 2011 | Challenge
This week my prompt came from Cedar. My prompt was “Hey y’all, watch this!”
I admit, I feel guilty…this isn’t so much a story as a little truth telling…
*~*~*~*
Tales are told every day.
From around campfires. Sitting on porches. Over games of cards. Over shared drinks. In restaurants and over water coolers.
Tales that bring laughter. Tales that brings groans of sympathy and regret. Tales of daring feats. And tales of excess stupidity.
There’s the story of the two girls that got toasted and started wandering around the sci-fi convention asking everyone “Hey, do you want a rod?” (To this day neither of them go drinking without pretzel rods on hand).
There’s the light hearted tale of the man that cheered on the next year of his life with a ceremonial dropping of his pants. (And of course his lingering embarrassment as he remembered it the next day.)
Who will ever forget the man that thought he would become a fire thrower with nothing but a lighter and a bottle of vodka. (And his ensuing tale of a hospital stay and lingering scars marring his flesh).
We probably all want to forget the night you-know-who got wasted and got exceptionally friendly with her boyfriend in front of the house full of party goers. (To this day have any of us ever seen another person look literally gray the next morning like she did?)
The stories go on and on…bringing laughter and tears (some of regret)…
And there isn’t a one of them that doesn’t start without a few drinks and someone eventually saying “Hey y’all, watch this!”
*~*~*~*~*
by Sarah | Aug 27, 2011 | 100 Words, Challenge, Writing
And after far too long a delay I’m back into the 100 Words challenge. It feels good to be using my writing blog again. Writing Challenges will be more frequent I hope. As well as actual blog posts as I begin the writing process again with some new novels – and continue the editing process on the old ones.
Now, onto the challenge for this week. The prompt word was Depth and the first thing it triggered was the phrase ‘depths of madness’…and so I ran with it to bring about this submission.
****
All that’s left is a thin strand.
All that ties me to the now.
You are not enough to keep me here, you never were.
You can’t turn off the chaos all around.
Tomorrow the sun won’t rise.
Tomorrow I may not either.
Yesterday is dead and gone.
Yesterday will never return.
Death couldn’t save me.
Death runs from me.
Meant for suffering.
Meant for damnation.
Don’t you hear them too?
Don’t you even care?
Down I sink into the dark.
Down into the depths of madness.
Never will I see the light again.
Never to be saved from me.
*******
Please, visit Velvet’s site to check out other more worthy entries…
by Sarah | Aug 25, 2011 | Challenge, Writing
Indie Ink is a great community based challenge that I found thanks to Tara. It’s not a competition, just a challenge and encouragement to get people writing. When you enter, you have to give a challenge prompt, and answer a challenge prompt.
This week my prompt came from Amanda. My prompt was “Stop it. It makes me sick when you do that.”
*~*~*~*
I have never been a person to make a scene.
I like order.
Everything belongs in its place.
Normally I am very tolerant of Chris. After all, I loved him. Love can overlook a good number of flaws.
But I swear I never noticed this before.
The moist slopping and smacking of his mouth. The way his teeth clicked with every bite. The sheen of grease on his lips from the oddly poetic baby back ribs. There was barbecue sauce on his fingers.
Logically I knew he couldn’t help it. Ribs weren’t best eaten with a fork and knife – not that it would have mattered.
Inwardly my body didn’t care. My mind kept screaming Stop it! Stop! You’re making me sick!
I wouldn’t get sick. We were in public for heaven’s sake.
My body would not listen to my sensible mind. A churning had settled low in my stomach as I wrinkled my nose at the smell of barbecue all around us. Stale beer and barbecue.
This restaurant was Chris’ favorite guilty pleasure. I’d always found it fun to watch him light up when we came in, even if I wasn’t much for ribs.
I’d thought it would be so perfect to break the news.
Turns out it was, but not in the way I’d hoped.
As he picked up another rib I felt the bile rising. I had to stop him, I had to stop what I felt was happening beyond my control.
“Stop.” The word caught in my throat, every churning wave starting to come stronger. Before I could stop or move to get to the bathroom it was already too late.
I swear I had an out of body experience, watching from above in horror as I threw up all over the sticky restaurant booth. I could see the way my hands trembled and the red hot flush of my own cheeks.
My horror grew when Chris laughed, asking me why I didn’t tell him I wasn’t feeling well.
I snapped back into my body, instantly wishing I hadn’t as my stomach roiled again. I wiped at my mouth, “I’m pregnant…you idiot…oh God, I’m going to be sick again.”
“You’re what?”
*~*~*~*~*
And that’s my selection, albeit a short one. It’s just how I wanted it 😀
In turn, I had to hand over my challenge. So go visit Angela to see how she answered my prompt “And I thought my family was messed up…”
