Writing Challenge: Day 23 - Off-line additions and back to school delays

Schools have begun up again this last week and I found myself, like many, wrapped up and distracted by the preparations and work involved in the drastic routine change (including both roles of student and teacher). I also spent the last weekend away, helping my family move my brother into his first college dorm. I am happy to say, however, that I did use the car trip to get a little bit of writing in and hope the same carries over for my trip next weekend.

Here is what has been added to the story over the last several days.

Just as I should assume on a day like this, the tea was bitter and my porridge showed little more promise. My moment of self-pity was interrupted by an abrupt knock at the door. I willingly abandoned by breakfast, intrigued by the surprise guest.

“Good Morning, Goody Martin! I have brought a gift to warm your new home. I am Goody Smith and I am the lady of the house just across the way, there.”

“Yes, thank you kindly. Please, do come in. I have just had a small bite for breakfast but would be glad to start a new kettle if you should like some tea.” This small woman at my door beamed a smile in response and followed my lead into the house. We only just sat down at the table when she quickly started up again.

“We are so pleased to meet you, the other ladies and myself of the township, that is. In such a small town it is quite exciting to have the opportunity to add to our quaint little group. That is, of course, if you wish to join us.” At this caveat, she leaked a quick smirk. Of course, I would wish to join them. Why shouldn’t I? Why wouldn’t I? What could I possibly have better to do alone that I shouldn’t do with the other woman?

“Oh, it’s great fun. We bring all our sewing and embroidery over to one house, it changes every so often mind you, to be fair. We work on our chores and have the most interesting discussions. The ladies would be most pleased to help you get started in your new life here and are happy to help with whatever you need. Should you have any concerns at all we have quite the range of experience set out amongst us. Why, Goody Rand has been midwife in this town for nearly forty years and seen many children, her own six included, grown into valuable members of the community. Oh we talk about most everything together and are just giddy with excitement at the chance to hear the perspective of someone outside our town.” She just seemed nearly to vibrate with excitement of my novelty. I kept my eyes down, a little bit intimidated by this sort of attention. I set a fresh cup of hot tea in front of her, along with the cream. I smoothed my skirt and sat down in the chair catty-cornered to hers.

“Discussions, you say? I’m glad to have such an enthusiastic support group here. It’s been quite a journey for me and I know there’s plenty for me to learn. I still don’t quite feel like a wife, but only a child in this new place and new life. What sort of things do you discuss together? I should very much like to discuss readings and such. As an only child in my home, and very far from the central town I really only had reading to keep occupied.”

“Oh yes, dear. Don’t you worry. We certainly discuss readings each week. In fact, why don’t you host this week’s meeting? We meet every Monday, so I could let the girls know to come by tomorrow morning. I would arrive a little bit early, of course, to help you set up, being your first time and all.” She grinned as sweetly as possible, as if preparing for something. “Although, if I may suggest... Perhaps I can bring over a little bit of beet juice. My goodness, you look as though you’ve seen a ghost. I hope you know I don’t mean anything by it, being your first day as a married woman I’m sure we all know now we may lose sleep now and then.” She let out a pitiful chuckle. “But for first impressions sake, perhaps a little color here and there might do you good.”

I blanched even more, if possible, at the comment. I knew that I noticed a change in myself this morning. However, I had quite hoped that the hot tea and porridge may have started my blood flowing again. My hands shot up to my face, and I was still quite chilled as well. It was almost as if there simply hadn’t been enough blood there to warm.

I started with a stutter, “Y-y-yes, of course. My goodness, I apologize. I am most grateful at your warm welcome and acceptance, Goody Smith. Thank you, I’d be glad to have you over in the morning. As well as the others.”

“No need to apologize, little one. I’m happy to help! I will leave you to become better acquainted here on your own terms for the day. I shall return in the morning, then.” We rose and I walked her toward the front door, my knuckles still grazing my cheeks, surprised at the lack of flush in embarrassment that usually occurs.

“Until then, my dear.” She passed through to the porch.

“Thank you, Ma’am for your kindness. Until the morning.” I watched her shuffle on down the steps, turn to smile, and continue around the bend. I was unusually tired for so early in the day. Without chores completed, it seems that my nightly transformation into this new world and a single interaction today had double the effect as a whole day helping on the farm. I could only guess at the effect a day spent with strange women in my home would have.

30 Day Writing Challenge: 12-13

I have too many ideas and pathways going through my mind now, and the writing is definitely coming in bursts between cooperative and not so much. Additionally I am realizing I need to switch to some dialogue at some point and just found my greatest fear - realistic and interesting conversation! I am accustomed to periodically writing short bits, cleverly worded to describe my day, people I meet, or things of the world around me. But to invent true interaction between characters that don't exist is going to be my biggest challenge. Luckily - that's a challenge for another day. (P.S. - paragraph below separated because I haven't decided where I want to put that yet...)

Days 11-12

Listlessly, I cleared out the used linens and poured fresh water into the bowl. I glanced down on the glassy surface as the ripples calmed and caught the eye of a shocking creature. My mind flashed briefly back to the dream, the vision. Nearly like a memory, my mind flashed on gold-flecked, mossy green eyes, then returned to realize the pale face I saw with dull eyes was my own. I had been told of the often harrowing experience that awaits a young woman once the wedding ceremonies ended and thought I had endured as best as could be expected. Yet the pallor and weariness of the face that looked back at me from my vanity told a different story.

Quickly, I thrust my hands into the water, ineffectively banishing the zombie like image and washed. With smoothed hair and my best dress, I pinched my cheeks in vain to bring the color into my face. I laced my boots and made my way down to the kitchen.

The evening’s developments should not be misconstrued as cruel, by any means. Yet I feel as if they should. I was made full aware of what was in store for me. I should be no less than glad at the happy union as was arranged by my family. As is my purpose, my actions and life forthwith should be dedicated to protecting the honor and pride of our lineage. With this ceremony we have wed more than two hands. But I cannot but feel that my actions are not my own, and my success in securing continued promotions for those of my maiden name by means of my new station will leave no room for joy.

30 Day Writing Challenge: Days 10-11

Today's post includes edits and additions I made to my story yesterday and today.  It's increasingly difficult to continue the thread, especially with the few moments I have each day to re-center my mind and try to find that place. I can definitely see the role of a writer as a full time job, as I end up taking much longer to produce much less each day. But hopefully this is still reading cohesively! I welcome any feedback in the comments. The post includes the story from the beginning since some has been edited.

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I. The dream

The morning sun is just coming over the horizon and begins to spill over the windowsill, casting an amber sliver of warmth over my cheek. Consciousness is slowly returning as I open one eye and then the other. With heavy eyelids, I blink the fog away and try to focus my sights on the mundane objects scattered about the space. A blur of white slowly takes shape as a porcelain wash basin. My sight sharpens on this beautiful object, embellished with gold and green branches, and I can’t help but think on the clean, smooth surface glimmering with reflections of all it can see. The curved surface shines with what small portion of the room is visible in the early morning light. A large, rich mahogany armoire stands tall and looming on one edge. And then myself, mostly a mound of blankets and long hair spills over the other.

I’ve always loved my long, strawberry blonde hair. To think, my own bit of golden sunshine must now be hidden away each day, my maiden status officially gone. In this moment, I wish only to hug my pillow tighter, closer. I need the warmth and comfort, to feel like someone’s arms are around me on a morning like this. I can’t clearly recall the previous night and I’m realizing this morning haze is not entirely lifting. Visions begin to resurface, but I can scarcely tell what is real and what is not.

Aggression, fear, surprise, forcefulness. I feel myself completely enveloped by a darkness. I see a face. Wait, two faces. They morph from one to the other. But there is something more there. One face looks very familiar. As his receding hair line and round, plump nose come into clarity, the lines and wrinkles on his face and that sneering smile shift into focus and I know it. The face comes into view as a demon coming for my soul. I can nearly smell the sweat and whisky emanating from his overly porous skin. I want to turn away but I cannot. He is holding me here. I am half pinned by his weight and half by my own anxiety.

My breathing quickens and the room spins about me. The demon laughs, but doesn’t remain. As if being overtaken, his visage is dissipated by that of another. The amorphous blackness condenses and expands like a black cloud until I find myself staring back into dark eyes. Like staring into the mass of leaves atop a great oak in the middle of the night, shades of deep greens contrasted with golden specks of moonlit earth. I knew not this man, but found only relief in his presence.

I blink my way back into reality once more. The sun has long been risen in the sky, settling into it’s daily chores of igniting the lives of the town and I, too, must take my new post among the congregation as the magistrate’s wife. I peel myself up and walk over to the basin to rinse my face and seek a momentary reprieve from the cold water. The white bowl gleams like the white in the eyes belonging to my midnight visitor. But my day dream is clipped by the image in the bowl. Where I hoped to start my morning clean and refreshed to start my new life, I was instead struck with a harsh reminder of the previous night and loss of my maidenhood. Bits of garment and rags were lumped sadly, striking up over the surface of the shallow water. The water was now pink with swirls of crimson, remnants from that evening and who I was.

30DWC: Day 9

Back on track, as difficult as it is. I am posting for the second time today, but the first time truly as the 9th day. I have added some to my previous story, as I hope to continue going forward. It's almost more difficult to continue as my only instinct is to re-read what was done and attempt to improve it. However, I am trying (and struggling) to remember that generally, we are never entirely content with what has been done. There will always be an instinct to nurture and, as with a child, always hope for more and better. So hopefully I can learn to separate a need to reread for clarity and the like from a temptation to re-write entirely. The task here is to come up with a continuous thread for the remainder of my 30 days and I am determined to finish!



Continuing the dream:

My breathing quickens and the room spins about me. The demon laughs, but doesn’t remain. As if being overtaken, his visage is dissipated by that of another. The amorphous blackness condenses and expands like a black cloud until I find myself staring back into dark eyes. Like staring into the mass of leaves atop a great oak in the middle of the night, shades of deep greens contrasted with golden specks of moonlit earth. I knew not this man, but found only relief in his presence.

Writing Challenge: Day 8

Preface: Yes, I know it is the 9th. But I usually write at night and thus am currently at my computer in the morning due to the fact I did not write yesterday. I had various end of the week commitments yesterday ending with a great night with a friend who is soon to leave the country and embark on a new life as an ex-pat.

But, alas, in the words of fellow writing challengers, this is not a failure. In fact, my friend and I spoke about this very challenge last night. As also stated by fellow writers: We do not 'fail' in not writing one day or another, because we are always writing - just in our heads. By her suggestion I have shifted my goals in this journey toward attempting to write ideas that I could potentially use as a novel. In an ideal situation, I could slowly begin to write this novel over the course of each day.  So after this development, here is my commitment to text of what I "wrote" in my head last night.

Day 8: (written on day 9) in reflection of Day 8: Novel beginnings

The morning sun is just coming over the horizon and into my window, casting a glowing sliver of warmth over my cheek. My consciousness is slowly returning as I feel one eye open and then the other. I just want to hug my pillow tighter, closer. I need the warmth and comfort, to feel like someone’s arms are around me on a morning like this. I can’t clearly recall the previous night and I’m realizing this morning haze is not lifting. Visions begin to resurface, but I can scarcely tell what is real and what is not.

The dream

Aggression, fear, surprise, forcefulness. I feel myself completely enveloped by a darkness. I see a face. Wait, two faces. They morph from one to the other. But there is something more there. One face looks very familiar. As his receding hair line and round, plump nose come into clarity, the lines and wrinkles on his face and that sneering smile shift into focus and I know it. The face comes into view as a demon coming for my soul. I can nearly smell the sweat and whisky emanating from his overly porous skin. I want to turn away but I cannot. He is holding me here. I am half pinned by his weight and half by my own anxiety.

30 Day Writing Challenge: Days 1-7

A friend of mine shared with me the Rebelle Society's 30 Day Writing Challenge last month as something I may be interested in. As our business relationship thus far as included my writing a blog article for her, this was quite fitting and a welcome task.  I have talked with her and others about my interest in writing, and my husband has only all too often heard my rants about wanting to disappear and live in a wooded glen, cozy in my stone cottage with books, paper, and pen. If only there wasn't that pertinent need for food, health care, and other various things that imprison us with the mossy green colored paper balls and chains, which we pretend to be happy to have.

I realized I had a rocky start, and attempt to blame my hectic schedule for the lapses. Granted August will be particularly heavy for me, I took heart in the FAQ's provided by the challenge - a reminder that we never have time.  "Does anyone really? Time is a funny and evasive bastard. It’s an illusion, it’s not something you’re supposed to have (or get), but something you ought to MAKE."

So I decided to up the ante. I will attempt to post each day my writings on this blog for the month of August.

First: To catch us up...

Day 1
I walked the streets, shimmering increasingly so from the growing damp. All was dark and silent aside from the steady pace of my own boots on the pavement, striding between areas of light and dark as I passed under the amber glow of street lamps.

Day 2-3: FAILED. (But not really, because I have not given up...)

Day 4
Drifting through life. I have no idea what I am doing. Then again, does anyone? Life is a journey. But I'm strapped in the plane and there's no turning back. Infancy, childhood, and those horribly awkward and stressful adolescent years all worked together, slowly guiding me to my seat. Then I put on my graduation robes, strapped on my seatbelt. I was ushered across a stage and directed to the exit. Assist yourself before helping those around you.In case of emergency, the minor under your seat can be used as a flotation device.
The take off is always the most thrilling. A plan is in motion. The plane is in motion. This may have been years in the making - course plans and itineraries drafted and redrafted. A dream continuously imagined and developing in ways never before anticipated. The kind of dream that sets the scene for an unpredictable and world shattering conclusion.
It started with excitement, as the turbines rumbled and the cabin shook and I was pressed into my seat with the weight of the future. But now I sit, strapped. Trapt. And I realize I am confined to the flight I booked to a destination that I only now come to understand was sorely misunderstood. What if it's not as I researched, planned, and imagined? Well, of course, how could it be?
Ding. The light is on. Where is the attendant? Where is the advisor? I think I need a drink...

Day 5 (Ugh, fail again).

Day 6
Time management is my biggest challenge within the challenge.
Mornings filled with anxiety and pressure of the day to come. Accidentally got a late start (today and everyday) and then feel the need to scurry about, tossing to-do lists, grocery bags, appointments, logging in hours of freelance work, walking the dogs, lesson planning, and running off to teach my evening class. What happened to looking forward, starting new projects and dreams, exploring and adventures? What happened to the hope of school - wondering where you will be next? What happens to curiosity, novelty and excitement?
Days are scattered and nights end too quickly. All to start again. If ignorance is bliss, what happens to the bliss when ignorance is gone?

(And yes, I currently count writing that intro and compiling all of this as my Day 7 :P )