Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy 2013 and A New Format for a New Year

Happy New Year! I wish for you and yours only the best of things for 2013. May your successes be many and your fears be few.

There's a new format to my weekly addiction. The Write On Edge community is retiring the Tuesday-Friday link-up of Red Writing Hood in favor for a new Sun-Thurs writing prompt. We're at Week 1 of Write at the Merge. The standard word-limit is set at 500 and the prompt will reflect a "merging" of two ideas. This week, there is a song Past and Pending by the Shins (which you'll have to forgive me, but I found the lyrics disjointed. Something about love or pistols or a road...or an ancient torch?) and the word Wish.

Wish. I understood Wish.

The most wonderful thing about wishes is making them for others. Love is wanting the best for another.

I offer the following in response: A Future Waiting



“What think you of that one?” Colette abandoned her sweeping to point towards a well-dressed gentleman leaning against a stall in the marketplace.

The morning was still early, but there were crowds enough to obscure him at first glance. Francesca dismissed the suggestion as she beat dust from a hanging carpet. “His is a dangerous occupation and one of extreme importance. If we were wed, who would support the fishmonger’s stall as well as he?”

Colette clicked her teeth with disapproval, “Will you not take your marriage prospects seriously? If I am forced to wait for you, the eldest, I’ll die an old maid. I am near ten and seven and all my friends have already entered engagements.”

“You are not so near ten and seven as you are near ten and six, and only your ill-advised friends are so entangled. I think there is time yet before we are forced to spirit you away to the garret.”

“You sound like Father,” her sister pouted.

“Worry not,” Francesca delivered another series of well-measured strikes against the carpet, delivering another cloud of dust into the air. “I daresay Father has his own mind as to whom I shall wed. A cleric, I should think, or mayhap a soldier. He is fond of those who can prattle on with superiority about dignity and duty.”

Her frown did not vanish. “And if the lanky monger-leaner is the one Father has given his approval for?”

“Then I suppose you shall die an old maid,” she teased. “I’ll not marry a man who slouches so. It is unseemly.”

“Well, I shan’t be as prejudiced as you, Fran. A rich man can love as well as a poor one. I shall marry a wealthy man.”

“Yes, I suppose you shall. You are fair of face and your blonde curls entice where my red offends.” Francesca agreed in a softer tone. Red-hair was not a desired trait among the respected classes. A shop-girl, she long abandoned the notion that a man of means would ask for her hand, but she still wished the world for her sister. “You shall have a wealthy man indeed for your husband. For your sake I hope he is also very foolish, for you deserve to be showered with pretty presents daily.”

“That is a silly fancy to hope for, but I shall endeavor to be gracious and accepting of such a lad.” Colette smiled and spun about her broom, dancing like fiber on a drop-spindle. “You, my sweet sister, I shall pity greatly, for you shall have a dull existence with a humdrum husband. You are far too practical.”

“And you are much too delightful to be a spinster. I shall endeavor to marry a nomad if I must in order to secure your happiness. Come, we’ve much left to do before Father can open shop.” Francesca collected the carpet, casting a furtive glance to the stall-leaner. For a moment, she wondered of him, but turned before the thought took root.

18 comments:

  1. You make the period-speak seem so simple when it utterly is not. You write the sisters in a way that makes me hope that they both find something that makes them happy, though Francesca doesn't even worry about that for herself.

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    1. Thanks! Years and years of historical reenactment have paid off I guess. I'm fascinated by the way our language has evolved, in some cases devolved, from the time of the Norman-Saxon conflicts. I hope I didn't make it sound too archaic. That's the risk with any "period" piece.

      I hope you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  2. I really enjoyed this piece. You did a great job with it. would love to read more.

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  3. I love the way you created the patter between the sisters, capturing the nuances of an earlier era without going too far into dialect. And I hope for big sis, too. Wish for her.

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad the language flowed and wasn't too archaic. And Fran appreciates the wish. Truly, as does her author!

      I'm glad you loved your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  4. It is obvious that you know your history very well. I liked the banter between the sisters. It was clear that they love each other very much. This seems like a great beginning to an epic tale!

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    1. Thanks! I'm an avid history nerd. There are so many treasures to be found in antique stores, and every piece has a story begging to be told. Adding the human element and making that story personal is exciting for me.

      I'm happy you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  5. Oh, this is the same discussion I'd have with my younger sister about everything. I didn't care to wear make-up, but she wanted to, so I had to ask to do it first. Everything was like that growing up. I'm even a red-head...

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    1. Thanks! I like hearing when my reader can see herself in the characters I write. Even if it's only a glimpse. I hope it wasn't too eerie for you though!

      I hope you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  6. The banter between the sisters was perfect. But my favorite part was the glance at the end.

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    1. Thanks! The slouching gentleman is important...I'm not sure how other than Fran felt the need to give him a second glance. We may see later.

      I hope you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  7. You have such a light touch with period dialogue, Shel. I envy it. I tend to suggest it, but I can't commit. Your sisters are lovely, and I imagine a long and complicated way to the altar for both of them :)

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    1. Thanks! It's quite the feather in my cap, that I might have enviable writing skills! :)

      I hope you've enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  8. Nice job! I always love to see what you do with these prompts. You often take such a different direction from me and do a wonderful job!

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    1. Thanks! I'm always excited to know you've stopped by, and I'm especially happy when you let me know you enjoyed your stay.

      Thanks for the love, for stopping by, and for sharing your thoughts!

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