THE MYSTERY OF THE INCOMPLETE STORY

Yesterday I was looking through my folder of short stories when I came upon one entitled, 'Sarah'.

I stared at the title for several minutes trying to remember what on earth this one was about, but failed. So I opened the document and read it. There was just over a page and I really rather enjoyed it, except for one glaring ommission: there were no notes outlining the complete story! I do recollect the opening scene now and even some of the subtext, but where to from here - who knows?

Note to self: Make notes on the beginning, middle and end of every story.

Has this ever happened to you?

As a side note, winter appears to be packing its bags. In the garden, shrubs are flowering and bulbs are pushing up through the earth. The grass is growing and looking so lush that a couple of sheep broke through our back fence to mow it for us. Helpful creatures!

Well, it's back to the writing for me. Have a great day wherever you are.

A flowering shrub in our garden.

The silver birches still look wintery, but there are buds forming on the tips of the branches.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Having just got back into the swing of blogging again, I came down with shingles. (Check out my last post.) Now one week and one day later, I'm back again.

Yesterday I ventured out, feeling much better, but still not 100%. And what a surprise was in store for me!
Trees that were bare and wintry a week ago are covered with green buds, pink and white blossom abounds, and daffodils have raised their bright and sunny heads.

Daylight saving started in the weekend and I'm enjoying the extra light at the end of the day. When it was autumn I know I said it was my favourite season, but spring comes a close second. It's the promise of new things, new life. Lambs bleating in the farm land behind us and the birds acting 'twitterpated'. (That's a word stolen from Disney's Bambi movie.)I like the bluer skies and the sunnier days of spring, but appreciate the cool breeze.

Last night was the monthly meeting of Mad Scribblers, which is the critique group I belong to. Six like- minds getting together to discuss our latest scribblings. I took along another chapter of the rewritten Blackbird and was pleased with the mostly favourable feedback. It's not perfect (of course) but it seems I'm on the right track.

Now, for the next two weeks it's back to the short story I'm writing for a competition. All going well, you will be hearing from in the next day or two.

Wish me luck!

 

FIRST WEEK OF SPRING

Spring has arrived and snow is forecast for tomorrow night. I'm in two minds about whether I want it to snow or not. (Yep, I know, it's not actually up to me.)

 We've gone all winter with no more than a skiff on the surrounding hills and I feel a tad ripped off. I like the way snow makes the world fresh and new under its thick white blanket. The air is crisp. There is a strange silence, punctuated by children laughing as they build snowmen. I even like the puddles of greyish brown water the children deposit just inside the door. Outside it smells fresh with that particular 'snowy' smell. Inside it's woodsmoke, soup and the cheesy aroma of mousetraps.

We can get overly romantic about something we haven't experienced for awhile. We forget the cold numb fingers, the dirty sodden mess of lawn after the thaw, and the broken bones or crumpled fenders. There are plenty of people who are pleased about our mild winter.

I've had my own experiences of winter this year. I haven't physically experienced it, but I've written about it. The big snow of 1886/7, in Wyoming. It came to be called 'The Big Die Up'. Snow drifts so high it buried homesteads, freezing the occupants. Cattle blown into fences or blind canyons, piled high and dying. Freezing blizzards that lasted days. Four to five months of white out. A terrible natural disaster that affected many mid-western states.

So, whether it snows or not, I'll be thankful I've never experienced more than five inches of snow and grateful I live in a time of electricity, heat pumps, and telecommunications.

LIFE GETS IN THE WAY

Sometimes, despite our best intentions, life gets in the way of ... well, life!

I'm roaring towards the end of editing my manuscript then everything comes to a screeching halt. Why? you may ask.

There are several things really. First, the sun has been shining for three days and it has been warm. Warm for a Dunedin in August, anyway. The birds have come to life, it's lighter in the morning, and trees and bulbs are bursting into life. It makes me want to take in deep breaths, stare out the window, and cuddle up with a good book somewhere sunny.

Second, I have decided to home school my youngest. It's a journey we've been on before. I have home schooled all three at different times, and for one memorable year all at the same time. So I know what I'm getting in to.

I've been busy this week putting together a curriculum and completing an exemption form to release her from school. Quite a mammoth task of transactional writing!

With that behind me, I'm looking forward to getting back to my MS this afternoon. Last week I finally licked into shape a section that had refused to behave. Today I will begin a section that I haven't looked at for six months. I'm sure there will be some surprises.

Spring in Wyoming.  A common site for Maddy -  my main character.