Once again, it's time to join Jenny Matlock at Off On My Tangent for our weekly fix of Saturday Centus. Yes, I said fix. If you've participated, you know what I mean. If not, believe me, this fun little meme is addictive! This is week 39. I jumped into the pool late, having been intimidated by all the fantastic writers out there. Don't let that stop you. This is an incredibly supportive group of people. Unless you write about the South. Then Tom's muse is going to start cracking wise about 'possums and outhouses. But I digress. The discipline involved in writing these short little jewels is an amazing way to develop your writing chops. In case you don't know the drill, Jenny (or a guest) provides us with a writing prompt. Use this to write a story of 100 words or less, exclusive of the prompt. The link stays live all week, so if you wake up Saturday with no inspiration, you still have 7 days to come up with something. But be warned, once you start participating, it's hard to stop. Think of Saturday Centus as the "Lays" of blog events - you can't stop at just one!
This week's prompt was given to us by Judie at Rogue Artists Speak. If you haven't met Judie, stop by. You'll be glad you did. She is a gifted artist and writer, and I always look forward to her contributions to Saturday Centus.
Here is my story for this week. The prompt is in bold font.
The room looked just as she remembered. Except for the dust. Grandma never would have stood for that. The old four poster bed and dresser that her great grandmother had shipped from Ireland. Intricate lace curtains, now yellow with age. The beautifully carved chest at the foot of the bed, handed down to generations of first born daughters.
She had returned to the old home place to find some solitude. Peace and quiet. No cable or internet, cell phone service erratic at best. Nothing to distract her from her writing. Instead, she'd stirred up a hornet's nest of trouble. Trembling, She lifted the stack of letters from the ancient chest.
36 comments:
Oh, I definitely want more, Kat! I enjoyed this, and I can see it turning into a mystery novel or a romantic story, either one.
Stopping by on my way out to drive to a 60th birthday. Up for one week and completely worn out. LOL!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Oooohhhh this sounds like it could be the beginning of a great historical romance - Love the way you set the stage, I could picture it in my mind!
I was thinking the same thing as Cherie - I love how you set us up and then "stirring the hornet's nest" was the lead-in to a wonderful mystery or historical fiction (especially starting off with the info about being from Ireland - there are tons of directions to take this). You all have some wonderful beginnings - I'll follow but won't participate - lol - don't want to be addicted to stuff right now since I have a ton of books to write myself - E :)
------------------
Elysabeth Eldering
Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com
Oh, this is great! You must keep going!!!
Lovely and lyrical.
Left me longing for more...
=)
and then.....? You have got to finish this one!!! (I love a good mystery) :-)
More please!
Very good...and I enjoyed the details about the Irish bed!
I agree....I want MORE. The letters....?
Jane (Artfully graced)
I'm at the edge of my seat here. Encore, Kat, encore!
xoRobyn
Ok, where is the rest. You left me hanging. lol You are such a talented writer. I can't wait for you to write an entire story. Hugs, Marty
Kat,
It's always such a joy to read your work, so visual and real. I love this little piece.
..........cj
So I guess there will be a part 2, can't wait. This begs for more ;0)
Yours is great too Kat. Beautiful imagery. Somehow I think this will be full of romance, love and intrigue. Would love to see more!
just as it was getting good. dang
Will there be a part 2? What kind of trouble is she stirring up?? Gotta know.~Ames
Oooooh! I can't wait to read part two, Kat! Love the imagery! Hope you are having a great weekend...hugs...Debbie
Wonderful Kat!! I so loved your style with this fabulous piece...great imagery and emotion...Peace
This piece is made for continuations. Perhaps you'd like to join me in the extra challenge of making each piece stand alone, but still the continuation of what came before? I'm on #14 this week! You have so many ways to go with this post. I really liked this.
I want more too, Kat. Curious as to what the letters contain. You better believe it I was in Polish Pottery heaven. DH really knows where to take me to make me happy....Christine
okay I am seeing a beautiful romantic novel in the works here ... this was wonderful!
You work miracles with a hundred words, Kat! I'd like to see what you could do with a thousand words....and read more of this story!
intrigue! Love the hook you left us dangling from!
What Marty said!! *winks* These little snippets are small torture inducing devices! I'm dying to read the rest of the story!! Especially this one! You're really good at this my friend. Vanna
Oh, this is a good one Kat! HI, how are you? I have not read the book you mentioned but I'll google it and when I'm done with the Peabody series, or perhaps if I need a break, I'll look for it at the library. Re the shandy, you don't even taste the beer, it's amazing really!
Have a great week Kat,
Bonnie
How do you manage to fit so much detail into just 100 words?! I want to know what's in the stack of letters!
{IDS11 was insane - so much to see, and I know I missed a lot. Too busy talking and schmoozing! ;-) I'll be posting more about IDS11 on Thursday...}
Such a great little story. You are a very clever writer, this has my imagination running wild! If you are a fabric lover as I am, you would have been in heaven. I ran my hand over a hundred different types of material and loved every minute of it. The hummus was terrific and we had such a nice, restful day.
Oh Kat Sweetie...
A beautiful start. Tell me that you are going to finish this one. Please tell me. I didn't know about this wonderful writing experience that Ms Jenny had on her blog. I am going to have to check into this one. I love to write. Oh how fun.
I am clapping for you sweetie. Please take a bow. BUT promise to finish the story for us soon.
Have a gorgeous Thursday. Many hugs and much love, Sherry
so stunningly visual....want to know more...some murky family past perhaps?...
More Kat....you have us waiting on the edge of our chairs.. We finally got dug out yesterday, the sun is shining brightly, with a threat of snow Sunday or Monday.... hugs ~lynne~
i have from the first time i read your pennings told you that i feel your talent lies hidden beneath the shade of your own making. i plead with thee to come out dear Kat...
what you posses we hunger for...
bravo and well done seems so meager this time around my talented friend~
Kat, this definitely sounds like the beginning of a wonderful story! Your usual brilliant job as always! Nice work with the intro, but who is this Tom character you speak of?
I loved it. The little touch of Ireland in it made it special. I wonder what happened next?
Dear Kat,
What an intriguing beginning! Love all the Irish details that breathe life into this text. I want to hear more! What happens next?? Well done!
Thank you for your comment on my SC-text.
Best wishes,
Anna
For the benefit of other readers:
'Infrequent visitor' SC week 39
I loved Tom's comment.
What amazing visualization you gave us here in this tiny gem of a story.
I saw the house.
I saw the character.
I felt the emotion.
Seriously, Miss Kat.
Wow.
A powerful and very vivid description of the setting and feelings...very nice !
Post a Comment