Vote for the Community Story

I finally finished my novel revision on Saturday, only three days past my end-of-year deadline. At least it’s finished. Next up, finish editing a friend’s novel, do our taxes (ugg) and then back to my novel for a good polish.

Even though I’ve just finished the revision, I actually can’t wait to start from the beginning again. The characters are still alive in my mind, and I’ve been writing down notes of ideas to consider in the next revision. But I’m holding myself back for two reasons: first, I really need to get these other things done, and second, time away from your work helps you see it in a new perspective, see the flaws, the mistakes, the typos spell check won’t find. So, I’m sticking to my guns, but hopefully, it won’t be long until I’m back in that world.

And, it’s the new year (HAPPY NEW YEAR!), and so, time to start the Community Story. I meant to write this on Sunday, then yesterday, but time ran away with me (he’s funny like that).

As a reminder, the Community Story is something that I’ll moderate on this blog but we will all be able to contribute to. Kind of like regular writer prompts, but with a running theme. We’ll start by voting for the story start from the ones submitted by readers (listed below), then, in the comments, you can add your suggestions for what should come next in the story. Each week, I’ll post the next sentence or paragraph for the running story and we can continue to add to it and see where it goes. How fun!

The Community Story is not for future publication outside of this blog. It’s just for fun, something to keep our creative juices flowing. When you’re stuck or need a quick break, you can check here for the latest in the Community Story and add your own next piece.

So, here are our Community Story beginnings. Please vote in the comments.

Thanks to Mand for this entry: It wasn’t the first time Derek had been swimming, but it was the loudest.

Gratitude to Shane for: Bonnie’s eyes flickered open as she laid on her back looking up at the sky. She caught a brief glimpse of a person moving away from a ledge 30 feet above her. Slightly dazed, she was not sure if she had fallen or been pushed, but what she did know was that her back was hurt and her head was throbbing from her fall.

Kudos to Jamie for: Rain spat down the window as he watched his mother’s ‘67 Impala drive away.

Gracias to Jennie Wong for: Sherry fought the urge to drink away her troubles, but it was especially hard given her job as a wine critic.

Merci to Layne for: Erika pulled her hood over her head as she boarded the red line to Bethesda. She drew the note from her pocket, re-reading the instructions for the thousandth time. Who was this man, and what did he want with her? “I should have brought a weapon,” she thought.

Thanks to KC for: Abraham followed the acrid stench to the door at the end of the hall.

And lastely, from me: Sarah knew all about ice. She knew it happened when the air got really cold and your breath turned into smoke. She knew it was hardened water and would melt in the spring. She knew it could make icicles that were as sharp as needles. What she didn’t know, until now, was that a face could be buried in it.

Vote On!

 

4 Responses

  1. serendipitykate says:

    I am intrigued by Shane’s entry and would like to see the story continued.

    “Bonnie’s eyes flickered open as she laid on her back looking up at the sky. She caught a brief glimpse of a person moving away from a ledge 30 feet above her. Slightly dazed, she was not sure if she had fallen or been pushed, but what she did know was that her back was hurt and her head was throbbing from her fall.”

  2. Shane says:

    I don’t know if it’s in bad taste to choose your own, but I sorta like mine.

  3. Rebecca Nolen says:

    This sounds like fun.

    Here’s mine

    Sherry’s stomach was the largest of all the islands in the tub. She leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Her mother’s latest retort rang a death knoll inside her head. “Diet! Diet! Diet!”

  4. mand says:

    I do like mine but i’ll be gentlemanly! Decided against analysing them all in my comment… i’m just voting for KCs. Looking forward to the continuation – any of them is promising.

What do you think?