'S' is for...? (Crusader Challenge Entry!)

My son missed the bus today, so I had to drive him to school. #@%$&* congestion around the school!  Starting my day behind schedule.

Yesterday's 'R' word was Rage.  Thanks for the visits and guesses :))

Today, I'm combining my A-Z blogfest challenge with Jessica Bell and the third and final writing challenge for the Writer's Platform Building Crusade.  So, my prompt today is:

In 300 words or less, write a passage that shows (rather than tells) a character exhibiting an emotion/feeling/state of mind that begins with the letter 'S', and that incorporates the following additional prompts:

·                     you're scared and hungry

·                     it's dusk

·                     you think someone is following you

·                     and just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: shimmer, saccadic, substance, and salt.

Here's my offering:

Carmen’s stomach rumbling cut through the stillness of the darkening park.  She’d left raw steaks out when she’d stormed off.  A scolding voice whispered it was messed up to be more concerned about that than about hurting Ted’s feelings.  She shushed that voice. 

Scowling up at the last shimmer of pink in the sky, Carmen pictured Ted at home, lounging in his comfortable Lay-Z-Boy, that stupid textbook in his hand.  In her diva voice, the one she normally reserved for the stage, she sang out, “His eyes dancing a seductive saccade across the pages.”  How many seductive dances did she have to perform to get him to notice her again?  Since he started back at school, she’d become invisible, just a person to cook and clean for him.  Well, to hell with him and his dreams of being a scholar, a man of substance.  Please. 

She kicked a rock on the path as she walked, listening to it tumble along the cobblestone.  A twig snapped.

The hairs on the back of her neck bristled.  She spun around, but no one was there.

Carmen breathed deep.  Get a grip.  She fancied she smelled the briny mist of the seashore, but that was impossible this far inland.  She probably just craved salt.  She could almost taste those steaks – damn you Ted -- and another peal of thunder rolled through her stomach.

Snap

Carmen turned, eyes wide.  “Who’s there?” she demanded.  Her cotton t-shirt felt damp under the arms. 

Movement, in the shadows.

An explosion of panic burst in Carmen’s gut and she bolted for the park entrance. As she ran, her thoughts cut to Ted.  Won’t he be sorry if something tragic happened to her?  Misery would eat at him each time he’d speak her name, or tell people how important she'd been to him, all the while knowing in his heart how he’d ignored her, treated her like a common possession.  He’d realize he’d lost the precious thing she was.

Carmen slowed, and then stopped.  Turning, she peered back into the shadows.

******** 

Any guesses what 'S' emotion/feeling/state of mind Carmen has exhibited?  Won't you leave your guesses in the comment section?  I love hearing from you! *waves to Crusaders and A-Z'ers*

And please visit Jessica Bell's blog to read her 'S' entry, inspired by the same prompt word as mine.  See you over there!

More Crusader Challenge entries can be found linked from HERE!  

  

                                    

My Second Crusader Challenge Entry

The Challenge:

Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, “The goldfish bowl teetered” These four words will be included in the word count.

Inside a Fishbowl

The goldfish bowl teetered on the table’s edge.  Marilyn jerked back her finger, leaving another greasy fingerprint.  Inside, tiny swells crashed, sloshed backward.  Marilyn glared at the fish.  It hovered, serene, unaffected by the waves she caused or by her unwavering vigilance.  She scowled and jabbed the bowl again.  Too hard. 

The bowl plunged from its perch.  Shards of wet glass splattered across white, sterile tile.  The goldfish floundered, gills gaping and yawning, sucking useless air.  Marilyn’s mouth twitched.  Balancing, she stomped, ground her heel. Lab coat-clad men scribbled on clipboards on the other side of the plate glass windows.


(100 words)

Check out other challenge entries by Crusaders HERE!

Thanks for reading!              

                   

Pants on Fire

Well, the first 'get-to-know-you'challenge put before us by Rachael Harrie proved one thing: Crusaders are a bunch of talented liars!

Our challenge was to write a short entry that shared with readers our answers to a series of guided questions (what's your favorite thing in the world, interesting quirk, etc.)  There were four prompt words we had to incorporate in the post, which was not easy!  And, one thing we said had to be a lie.

You can read my entry HERE, should you have any desire.  My lie will be revealed at the bottom of this post.

I'm ecstatic and completely overwhelmed by all the new followers I've gained in the past week and a half!  Between the Bernard Pivot Blogfest and the Platform-Building Crusade, I've fallen behind in following you all  back.  I'll certainly get caught up this week, indulging in the pleasures of visiting your blogs and meeting you. Looking forward to getting to know you better!

And so, without further ado, here is my lie:  Although it's true they're usually shut in pictures, the eyes in my profile picture have not been Photoshopped.

Have a wonderful, creative, crusading day!

                                    

Crusaders First Challenge Entry!

One of my favorite things in the world is being a sister. Those who know me well recognize how defined I am by my family, so it seems fitting to introducing myself to new, Crusading friends by sharing a glimpse into my life with four sisters.

Our parents, more rabbit-like than fuliguline, had us one after the other, naming us Nicole, Natalie, Noelle, Nadine, and Natasha.  They stuttered through our childhood, resorting to pointing a trembling finger and growling, “You!  Get over here.”  Even our children have trouble sorting out our names.  I have a nephew who calls me Aunt Nic-Nack-No, our running joke which makes me smile.

Not surprisingly, there’s plenty of drama in our lives.  At any given moment, someone’s life is on the blade-edge of crisis.  And try as we might, we can’t keep each other’s secrets.  When one says, “Well, she-- Oops, never mind…” the other will pry the rest out, promising never to pass the info on.  Until she later slips to another: “No, I heard she– Oops! Never mind…”

 

I didn’t start social networking until recently, out of fear of sister drama playing out on Facebook.  It’d happened in the past, and I wanted no part of it.  (Plus, my sisters are beautiful and incredibly photogenic.  But me?  Systematically, as a picture is snapped, I feel the urge to talk.  I’m always captured with jaw swung to the side, nostrils flared, and eyes closed.  Those open eyes are actually Photoshopped in on my profile picture!)

Drama aside, I love my sisters to death.  They’re funny, stylish, quirky, and all-around awesome ladies.  Though in heated moments I'm accused of bloviating, I’m a very philosophical, even-keeled soul – a true Libra, through and through – and am able to offer perspective when the drama gets overwhelming.  Through it all, my sisters fill my heart with love, and they bring more joy to my life than words can express.

Thanks to Rachael Harrie for providing the prompts for this Crusader challenge!  Read all the participating entries here.  

And, within the paragraphs above, I have revealed something about me that isn’t strictly true, can you guess what it is?  The truth will be revealed Monday!  See you then J

Happy Weekend!