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A collection of snippets of the books I write and, occasionally, my life and the things that inspire my writing...

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors: November 23, 2014







I Hope all the Nano participants are getting it done. :-) And since it's the week we're reminded to take a little time to think about our blessings, I want to add that one of the many things I am grateful for is the group of  incredible, generous writers and readers who stop here week after week to give me encouragement, crits, and food for thought. A big Thanksgiving hug to each and every one of you. <3

We are getting to ready to make a new (Amazon) promotion widget for wewriwa.com.  If you've particpated 4 out of the last five weeks (80%), and would like to be included, drop us a line at wewriwa@yahoo.com  There is no charge. This is a thank you from wewriwa for regular participation. As we've said before, it's all the wonderful particpants (you!) that make wewriwa the great site that it is.

Now, down to business. :-) Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly bloghop. Each week, participants sign up HERE at wewriwa.com, then post 8 sentences of their work, published or unpublished, to go live between noon, Saturday and 9:00 AM Sunday EST. Then we visit each other and read, comment, critique, encourage--all those things that do a solitary writer's heart good. 

          Snippet Sunday group from facebook--not us, but many of our participants do both, can be found HERE     
          Set up: The MC was vanished without a trace for two years, then returned "without a trace" too. She'd been found in the desert alone after having just given birth. She was investigated for foul play in the disappearance of her newborn.
    In today's snippet, Marissa is meeting with her counselor, Rayanne. Last week, the reader was looking at prints hanging on the walls of  Rayanne's office--through Marissa's eyes. The last sentence was: 
" Tiny shirts and blankets were blowing in a breeze, and clouds dotted a pale blue sky just below the gilded frames."

A perfect scene in a perfect life; all was right. A wind was blowing without a care, and there was a child somewhere in that world, in the life of the lucky person who'd pinched the clothespins over child size clothing. Sadness tugged at Marissa as she gazed at it.  Could she ever have such a perfect life? 
"Penny for your thoughts, Marissa?" 
When she answered, her voice sounded flat to her own ears. "I don't think they're worth even a penny today."  Her wonderful mood, the skip in her step, all left behind with the shadows hiding from the sun in an art print.





That's it. What works. What doesn't?
My wish for you all this Thursday, that you don't have to work, that the food is good, that you're surrounded by people you love and who love you in return.

 Wild turkeys in the field above our house at the end of day. Time to roost. :-)

34 comments:

  1. Melancholy, emotional and poetic. Your writing never fails to stir, Teresa -- great job!

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  2. Her despair is so obvious in this snippet. Great job touching the reader's emotional core.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  3. That last line is perfect, Teresa. A heartbreaking description of everyone's darker thoughts.

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  4. I felt Marissa's sadness, especially when she replies to the counselor. Great emotional punch in this snippet!

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  5. This whole scene, I think, is going to really move readers. I don't see anything worth changing. Each word is carefully chosen and together, make a big impact. Kudos!

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  6. Great writing! Loved how the character viewed the clothespin.

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    1. Thanks, Patricia. I'm so glad you noticed a small detail. It helps me decide what stays, what goes... :-)

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  7. Great job of pulling us into the seemingly idyllic world of the print and using it to expose Marissa's darker emotions. Excellent snippet!

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    1. Thanks, Alexis. Your comments always mean so much. :-)

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  8. Her anguish is so palpable. I hope she finds some peace eventually.

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  9. Very compelling snippet today. Nice job!

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  10. Oh ouch! So poignant in light of her lost baby. This was really beautifully done!

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  11. Beautifully written - just beautiful.

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  12. I'm blown away by this snippet, your writing simple yet powerful enough to touch the readers heart. A painting brings this woman to her knees for what she's lost.

    Thank you, dear Teresa.
    Best wishes to you and your loved ones for all the wonders in your lives.

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    1. Thanks, Charmaine! I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful, too. :-)

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  13. Powerful snippet indeed and very believable that the picture would evoke such emotions in your heroine. I can't wait to find out what actually happened to her. Another excellent excerpt!

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  14. Love that "penny for your thoughts" reply. Gosh, such an emotional eight! I really, really love this story Teresa! Great work, x that. Phenomenal work! xo

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  15. Oh, the poor girl. She's in such pain. Well done. You made me care about her.

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    1. Thanks, Elaine :-) I'm so glad you're a bit invested in her character. :-)

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  16. Sad snippet. Her pain is very real. Well done!

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  17. I felt her fall low, made me a little sad too. You tugged on my heartstrings. A flock of wild turkeys was hanging out behind my backyard today too. Hubby said, " dumb guys, don't they know how close it is to Thanksgiving?"

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    1. :-) Thanks, Millie. Haha! Re: Turkeys. Your hubby is right! They must not know how close it is.

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