Another one from StoryADay May. I was feeling whimsical and wanted something happier since most of what I've been writing has been depressing.
The breeze lifted wisps of red, curly hair and tickled her neck. The coffee tasted like a campfire in a good way, reminding her of all those summer nights in high school and bonfires. The sun setting at the end of the street, glinting off the building windows and shining in her eyes, was like a beacon leading her home. She was headed west. Sweat dripped down her back. She enjoyed sitting in that wicker chair surrounding by movement and life. The waiter took her change, and she got back in the car to continue on her road trip home.
Showing posts with label drabble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drabble. Show all posts
5.6.12
29.5.12
Drabble Dienstag - Goodbye
Here's another drabble that simply poured out during StoryADay May. It feels like it shows a lot, since I don't explicitly say what's going on. What do you think?
She sat in her rocking chair on the porch, sweet tea on the glass and iron table beside her and the sun setting before her. The last person had left, walking their way down the creaking stairs and across the gravel to their car. She watched the dust cloud follow the car out to the highway. Alone was better, not best, but better than having people in her home invading her space. Her knees popped with every push against the rocking chair. As the sun sank below the horizon, she whispered her last goodbye to the love of her life.
She sat in her rocking chair on the porch, sweet tea on the glass and iron table beside her and the sun setting before her. The last person had left, walking their way down the creaking stairs and across the gravel to their car. She watched the dust cloud follow the car out to the highway. Alone was better, not best, but better than having people in her home invading her space. Her knees popped with every push against the rocking chair. As the sun sank below the horizon, she whispered her last goodbye to the love of her life.
22.5.12
Drabble Dienstag - Choices
This is isn't pertaining to a specific something. It's mostly just a reflection and was a away for me to play with words.
That moment; when your heart, or maybe head, makes the choice. You are no longer confused. But now you tumble into yet another trap. Was it the right decision? Will you get a mulligan if you want one?
You spent all that time debating the answer itself that you almost wonder what the question was in the first place. Sunshine bursts through the clouds, dappling your face with shadows of leaves.
It doesn't matter now. It is done. The act of constantly flipping and flopping between the choices made the consequences instant. It is too late to go back now.
8.5.12
Drabble Dienstag - Lotus Exige
We took our Lotus Exige on the Nürburgring. The sensations of that ride aren't easily describable, and I don't think I did it justice here. I may have to try again, but it feels like it needs stream of consciousness or a poem. I also wrote this drabble to start myself off easy in StoryADay. Here's to a productive month of writing!
Dropping and dipping and floating and squealing, the car rocketed around corners, over bumps, through dips, and into the straight. My heart hadn't expected to last the trip. The adrenaline rush made my stomach plummet at first, especially on the first turn and when a Porsche passed our Lotus too close for comfort. My fingers tingled and when I stepped out of the car, my legs barely held me after ten minutes of constant flexing, pushing against the floorboard to keep my balance and sanity. But despite all of that I had a smile on my face. It was fun.
Dropping and dipping and floating and squealing, the car rocketed around corners, over bumps, through dips, and into the straight. My heart hadn't expected to last the trip. The adrenaline rush made my stomach plummet at first, especially on the first turn and when a Porsche passed our Lotus too close for comfort. My fingers tingled and when I stepped out of the car, my legs barely held me after ten minutes of constant flexing, pushing against the floorboard to keep my balance and sanity. But despite all of that I had a smile on my face. It was fun.
13.3.12
Drabble Dienstag - How I Felt
I had an experience last week that I have never had before. Let's see if you can feel what I felt. What do you think? This style is different from what I'm used to, please critique me in the comments.
The anticipation; the bouncing knees; the slimy palms; and the people sitting around me all participating. Should I? What could it really hurt? There’s no fear of addiction, that’s silly. There’s also no fear of passing out or being eaten or getting cancer. Well, maybe that last one. The most it could do is embarrass me, make me cough. They pressure me, but I wouldn’t if I didn’t want to. I take it in my hands. Breathe in. The taste fills my head; taste buds have nothing to do with it. Without coughing, I exhale the hookah smoke and giggle.
The anticipation; the bouncing knees; the slimy palms; and the people sitting around me all participating. Should I? What could it really hurt? There’s no fear of addiction, that’s silly. There’s also no fear of passing out or being eaten or getting cancer. Well, maybe that last one. The most it could do is embarrass me, make me cough. They pressure me, but I wouldn’t if I didn’t want to. I take it in my hands. Breathe in. The taste fills my head; taste buds have nothing to do with it. Without coughing, I exhale the hookah smoke and giggle.
28.2.12
Drabble Dienstag - Proving Herself
We did a lot of snowboarding in Colorado. I love it there.
She feels the wind biting her cheeks; her knees are shaking. Why would she ever agree to do this? She wanted to show him that she was tough, but she’s terrified. She’s never been snowboarding before. He puts his arm around her, sheltering her face from the onslaught. She makes it off the lift and buckles in. He’s already gone because he thinks she’s good at this and can keep up. She watches someone else carving the powder. Attempting to copy them, she pushes herself up and gains some speed without knowing how to stop. She falls on her ass.
She feels the wind biting her cheeks; her knees are shaking. Why would she ever agree to do this? She wanted to show him that she was tough, but she’s terrified. She’s never been snowboarding before. He puts his arm around her, sheltering her face from the onslaught. She makes it off the lift and buckles in. He’s already gone because he thinks she’s good at this and can keep up. She watches someone else carving the powder. Attempting to copy them, she pushes herself up and gains some speed without knowing how to stop. She falls on her ass.
10.1.12
Drabble Dienstag - Falling Rain
There’s nothing quite like a rainy day. I wake to pattering raindrops and smile, stretching in my bed. The light coming through the window is glossy, filtered, hazy. I make coffee and call in sick; it’s a mental health day, a stay-at-home day. I tie my hair back and pick a book off the shelf. Coffee in hand, I cuddle on the couch and don’t move. Every once in a while I pop in the kitchen and grab an apple. When the rain stops and the sun sets, I make dinner and crawl back in bed to finish the book.
27.12.11
Drabble Dienstag - Hidden Among Us
Ever wondered what really lives among us? Getting coffee in line in front of you is a wizard disguised as a homeless man. The woman behind you on the sidewalk is a fairy masquerading as a stay-at-home mom.
A grown woman, I flit among the leaves, relishing the feel of sunshine dappling my skin. My heels stick in the mud, and I swing my briefcase as I twirl.
A twig snaps.
I stop, crouching to stay hidden. Once I’m sure there is no one there I begin dancing again. I take off my suit coat to move easier and lay it across a bush. I spin, and it’s gone. A child is holding it, eyes wide. I make sure to tuck my hair around my pointed ears and yank the garment away, striding out of the woods, dignified.
A grown woman, I flit among the leaves, relishing the feel of sunshine dappling my skin. My heels stick in the mud, and I swing my briefcase as I twirl.
A twig snaps.
I stop, crouching to stay hidden. Once I’m sure there is no one there I begin dancing again. I take off my suit coat to move easier and lay it across a bush. I spin, and it’s gone. A child is holding it, eyes wide. I make sure to tuck my hair around my pointed ears and yank the garment away, striding out of the woods, dignified.
20.12.11
Drabble Dienstag - The Future of Medicine
This time present tense came a lot easier. What do you think? Am I horribly morbid?
She puts her coin in the vending machine, and the door swishes open to allow entry. Inside the metal box she finds a robe lying on a metal table, undresses, and lies down. Her eyes follow the blinking lights and buzzing noises around the silver closet. When it dings, she dresses again and goes outside to await her printout. People walk by her on the street, not noticing her nervous eye twitch or the sweat gathering in her palms. Finally, the machine prints out a ticket for her and says cheerily, “Thanks for visiting the Quick Doc. You’ve got cancer!”
She puts her coin in the vending machine, and the door swishes open to allow entry. Inside the metal box she finds a robe lying on a metal table, undresses, and lies down. Her eyes follow the blinking lights and buzzing noises around the silver closet. When it dings, she dresses again and goes outside to await her printout. People walk by her on the street, not noticing her nervous eye twitch or the sweat gathering in her palms. Finally, the machine prints out a ticket for her and says cheerily, “Thanks for visiting the Quick Doc. You’ve got cancer!”
29.11.11
Drabble Dienstag - What She Wants
I want to use my drabbles as a way to stretch myself when it comes to writing; try things I don't normally do. This time I'm attempting present tense. I found it rather hard because I just wanted to keep repeating the same verb. I was thinking too hard and should do more present tense just to force it to become habit, the way past is for me. Let me know what you think, or give me a prompt in the comments. Thanks!
There’s nothing to be done about it. She wants it now. What she wants, she usually doesn’t get. But this time it will happen. She stands in front of a shop window, gazing at pretty shoes. It’s not the shoes she wants, but something more substantial, something that really means something. It’s all her constant need for attention. This need to be the fulcrum of the see-saw, the pivot point of the wheel. She walks away from the shop. Out in the world are the things she needs, and she is going to get them, no matter what it takes.
There’s nothing to be done about it. She wants it now. What she wants, she usually doesn’t get. But this time it will happen. She stands in front of a shop window, gazing at pretty shoes. It’s not the shoes she wants, but something more substantial, something that really means something. It’s all her constant need for attention. This need to be the fulcrum of the see-saw, the pivot point of the wheel. She walks away from the shop. Out in the world are the things she needs, and she is going to get them, no matter what it takes.
25.10.11
Drabble Dienstag - A Blush
My husband threw a surprise birthday party for me on Sunday. I knew something was going on but not when it would happen. I was so surprised that I simply blushed. I'm horribly shy and having people get together just for me was almost too much.
He's so sweet and is taking me to the UK this weekend to see Jane Austen's house, Stonehenge, Bath, and go horseback riding! He planned it all and I am soooooo excited.
So here's my drabble this week to attempt to explain the feeling of a blush.
There was nothing that would sway her, nothing he could say. Her nerves were steel, and she wouldn’t let him do it to her again. But as the conversation went on, and the alcohol flowed, she started to relax and enjoy herself. Then he said that one perfect thing. She felt the blood go straight from her heart and into her face, the heat was overwhelming. Her fingers tingled, and her palms sweat. She looked down at the floor when his hand came up to brush her bright red cheek.
“You’re blushing,” he said.
And she was in love again.
He's so sweet and is taking me to the UK this weekend to see Jane Austen's house, Stonehenge, Bath, and go horseback riding! He planned it all and I am soooooo excited.
So here's my drabble this week to attempt to explain the feeling of a blush.
There was nothing that would sway her, nothing he could say. Her nerves were steel, and she wouldn’t let him do it to her again. But as the conversation went on, and the alcohol flowed, she started to relax and enjoy herself. Then he said that one perfect thing. She felt the blood go straight from her heart and into her face, the heat was overwhelming. Her fingers tingled, and her palms sweat. She looked down at the floor when his hand came up to brush her bright red cheek.
“You’re blushing,” he said.
And she was in love again.
18.10.11
Drabble Dienstag - Red Tea
Last installment of my tea drabbles. This is red tea, last week was black tea and the week before was green tea. Tell me what you think of them as singles, or what you think of them as a set. Do the characters come through in only 100 words?
They kept calling my name, and mother kept sending me out with plates of food, I sipped between running through the beaded curtain. When they were finally sated I settled next to the counter, enjoying my red tea with fervor and listening for another call. Hasty, beautiful moments savoring the rich sweet flavor between moments of mayhem providing food for the men. Mother tucked a stray piece of my hair behind my ear and moved my sari higher up my shoulder when she kissed my cheek. They called for another round of food and I rolled my eyes at her.
They kept calling my name, and mother kept sending me out with plates of food, I sipped between running through the beaded curtain. When they were finally sated I settled next to the counter, enjoying my red tea with fervor and listening for another call. Hasty, beautiful moments savoring the rich sweet flavor between moments of mayhem providing food for the men. Mother tucked a stray piece of my hair behind my ear and moved my sari higher up my shoulder when she kissed my cheek. They called for another round of food and I rolled my eyes at her.
11.10.11
Drabble Dienstag - Black Tea
Another week of tea drabbles. This time it's black tea and England instead of green tea and Japan. Don't you just love a cup of tea in the autumn, chilly weather? Let me know what you think in the comments, I love a good critique.
The two lumps I took from the sugar bowl plopped into the milk like stones in a pond. Greedily, I took another lump and tossed it in too. I watched the water boil, impatient to get my mug and go to the garden. I poured the not-quite-boiling water into the pot and let it brew. Placing the strainer on the thin porcelain, I filled my cup to the brim. With book and cup in hand I went to the garden to sit on the bench among the roses and listen to the birds chirp while I enjoyed my black tea.
The two lumps I took from the sugar bowl plopped into the milk like stones in a pond. Greedily, I took another lump and tossed it in too. I watched the water boil, impatient to get my mug and go to the garden. I poured the not-quite-boiling water into the pot and let it brew. Placing the strainer on the thin porcelain, I filled my cup to the brim. With book and cup in hand I went to the garden to sit on the bench among the roses and listen to the birds chirp while I enjoyed my black tea.
4.10.11
Drabble Dienstag - Green Tea
In honor of autumn (and a writing prompt from my friend) I'm doing a series of drabbles on tea. This week is green tea. I'm trying it out in first person since that point of view is a little more difficult for me. Let me know what you think! And if you have a writing prompt idea, a sentence or even a word, tell me in the comments.
I sipped my green tea, slender hands lifting the cup, holding it on flattened fingers. The wood floor felt comforting and solid beneath my folded legs. The silk kimono wrapped itself about me and rubbed on my sensitive skin with every small movement. The aromatic tea filled the room, reminding me of my grandmother who drank this very tea in this very way. My face felt hot from the steam when I tipped the cup. The hot liquid dripped down my throat; I did not slurp or make a sound as I drank my tea with no sugar or cream.
I sipped my green tea, slender hands lifting the cup, holding it on flattened fingers. The wood floor felt comforting and solid beneath my folded legs. The silk kimono wrapped itself about me and rubbed on my sensitive skin with every small movement. The aromatic tea filled the room, reminding me of my grandmother who drank this very tea in this very way. My face felt hot from the steam when I tipped the cup. The hot liquid dripped down my throat; I did not slurp or make a sound as I drank my tea with no sugar or cream.
27.9.11
Drabble Dienstag - Don't Leave Me Alone
I need some prompts for my drabbles. Leave me an idea in the comments. Either a whole sentence or just a word. And I always love a critique, tell me what you think! I can only get better with feedback.
He woke with a major headache, his head pillowed on a rock. The devastation of the bomb had left the landscape worse than a desert. The ground was crackled like someone had balled up tinfoil and then laid it back flat. He sat up. The devastation made him suck in a sharp breath. The love of his life had been thrown yards away but he could see her head was bent behind her body, flesh dripping off her bones in a grotesque, melted way. He lay back down to let the bleeding and headache take him to be with her.
He woke with a major headache, his head pillowed on a rock. The devastation of the bomb had left the landscape worse than a desert. The ground was crackled like someone had balled up tinfoil and then laid it back flat. He sat up. The devastation made him suck in a sharp breath. The love of his life had been thrown yards away but he could see her head was bent behind her body, flesh dripping off her bones in a grotesque, melted way. He lay back down to let the bleeding and headache take him to be with her.
20.9.11
Drabble Dienstag - The Jump
I've been watching a TV show called Heartland. It's based off of a series of books I read as a teenager that are about a girl and her gift to heal battered horses. The show is pretty good, but it's really making me want to ride my horse and he's 5,000 miles away.
The clock was counting down, but I didn’t focus on it. There
was too much else to hold my gaze. Pegasus was sailing over the jumps with
ease. But then we came to the jump. There were flower pots, and Pegasus started
to snort like he was going to bail on me. I softened my hold on the reins,
tightened my grip with my knees, and pushed him through. We flew over the poles
and landed with a certain grace that our other jumps didn’t have. The clock
stopped, and I wrapped my arms around his neck with a smile.
13.9.11
Drabble Dienstag
I had a horrible situation this last week. Well, I suppose it started a few weeks ago. My husband has been gone during the week every week for a few months now. On night a while back I found a ginormous spider in our bedroom just before I feel asleep. I tried to smash him but he ran fast. Then I called a friend to come catch him, but he disappeared. I didn't sleep.
This past week I found him again. I went to go to the bathroom before bed and he was in there. I tried to put a bowl over him but he crawled away and freaked me out. So I just shut the door. Again, I didn't sleep.
The next night Albert came home. I told him to immediately go in the bathroom and find it. This spider was so big he couldn't even fit under the door, he was still there. So now I can sleep.
The spider didn’t mean any harm, at least initially. He skittered across the floor and hid in the corner of the room. The shadow covered him, and he thought no one would see him. But the little girl came into the room and flicked on the light, illuminating every crevice. She put her teddy down and saw the spider. She screamed. He ran. Her parents calmed her and put her to bed. She sat shivering, thinking that big spider would eat her. When she finally dropped off, the spider crawled up and chomped a good chunk out of her cheek.
This past week I found him again. I went to go to the bathroom before bed and he was in there. I tried to put a bowl over him but he crawled away and freaked me out. So I just shut the door. Again, I didn't sleep.
The next night Albert came home. I told him to immediately go in the bathroom and find it. This spider was so big he couldn't even fit under the door, he was still there. So now I can sleep.
The spider didn’t mean any harm, at least initially. He skittered across the floor and hid in the corner of the room. The shadow covered him, and he thought no one would see him. But the little girl came into the room and flicked on the light, illuminating every crevice. She put her teddy down and saw the spider. She screamed. He ran. Her parents calmed her and put her to bed. She sat shivering, thinking that big spider would eat her. When she finally dropped off, the spider crawled up and chomped a good chunk out of her cheek.
30.8.11
Absense of Light - Drabble Dienstag
Here is my drabble (100 word story) for this week. I'm kind of thinking this one is a cheat. It's not really a story, just a character sketch. No ending, just a description. What do you think?
My greatest fear seems to be the only essential thing in my existence. If I am to exist at all the light must play a part. Though I shy from it, and hide behind everything I can find, it is a necessity. Otherwise the contrast would not be there. My ability to attach to people and cling to inanimate objects has nothing to do with the one thing that allows me to thrive. In absence of light I disappear into darkness like the shadow that I am. I don’t want to touch the light, but I cannot survive without it.
My greatest fear seems to be the only essential thing in my existence. If I am to exist at all the light must play a part. Though I shy from it, and hide behind everything I can find, it is a necessity. Otherwise the contrast would not be there. My ability to attach to people and cling to inanimate objects has nothing to do with the one thing that allows me to thrive. In absence of light I disappear into darkness like the shadow that I am. I don’t want to touch the light, but I cannot survive without it.
23.8.11
Drabble Dienstag - The Skeleton Key
Here's the drabble (100 word story) for today. I love to hear feedback so I can improve.
That old skeleton key. It sat in a drawer, gathering dust and little strings of cobwebs. The metal had rusted a tiny bit so that it was more brown with red spots than black anymore. Its destiny had never been fulfilled, and now no one even knew what it opened. In fact, no one knew it existed. It sat in a drawer that was part of a desk that had been in the back of an antique store for years. Until a curious little girl came and dug around, she took the key in her fist and took it home.
That old skeleton key. It sat in a drawer, gathering dust and little strings of cobwebs. The metal had rusted a tiny bit so that it was more brown with red spots than black anymore. Its destiny had never been fulfilled, and now no one even knew what it opened. In fact, no one knew it existed. It sat in a drawer that was part of a desk that had been in the back of an antique store for years. Until a curious little girl came and dug around, she took the key in her fist and took it home.
16.8.11
Drabble Dienstag
I found this new thing to brighten up my writing. It's called drabbles. Stories written in exactly 100 words. So I thought I would do them every Tuesday and have 'Drabble Dienstag.' (Dienstag is Tuesday in German.)
If you want to join in leave a comment with a link.
Here's my first attempt. Feedback would be wonderful so I can get better!
There was nothing more important than acceptance. She had dealt with it in highschool. College had been a nightmare. But now she lived in a city she didn’t know, speaking a language at which she was only passable. It was fine in the post office when she could smile and nod.
Twirling her bracelet on her wrist, she couldn’t look up. It wasn’t the strobe lights; it was the cute guy asking her questions. She couldn’t smile and nod at him. What if that meant something she didn’t mean and it turned out horrible? She walked away.
If you want to join in leave a comment with a link.
Here's my first attempt. Feedback would be wonderful so I can get better!
There was nothing more important than acceptance. She had dealt with it in highschool. College had been a nightmare. But now she lived in a city she didn’t know, speaking a language at which she was only passable. It was fine in the post office when she could smile and nod.
Twirling her bracelet on her wrist, she couldn’t look up. It wasn’t the strobe lights; it was the cute guy asking her questions. She couldn’t smile and nod at him. What if that meant something she didn’t mean and it turned out horrible? She walked away.
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