Magazine contests

Well, I haven't been blogging lately, but I have been writing. I haven't been keeping track of the word count, but I am being productive.

So, I'm submitting some short stories to two magazine contests. One story is going into a Family Matters genre at one competition, and hopefully 3-4 others will be submitted into a Writers Digest competition.

Lord, thank You for this ability you've given me! Thank you for the words I ran across in Proverbs 16:3 today - "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Those are great words, and I thank You for that love Lord!

I'm about to submit the story for the Family Matters competition. Of course I've waited till the absolute last moment hehe. It's due tomorrow. :-) Below is the story I'm submitting to that one. Keep me in your prayers!

Annabel's Shoes
by: Jennifer Nelson

A little less than a month after we moved the final boxes of clothing and shoes into my sister, Annabel's, dorm room she still hadn't made any friends. I attributed this to the long phone conversations with her boyfriend back home, Nick. She constantly sat in her room moping about the loss of her social life. I was trying to be a good sister when I invited her to hang out with me one Saturday night.
“Come with us,” I said.
“You're leaving now?”
“That was the plan,” I said. “Everyone is hungry.”
“Oh, okay.”
“So, are you coming?”
“Sure. I'll be down in a minute.”
It seemed like an hour had passed before she actually made it downstairs. I assumed she had to do all her proper primping. Straighten her hair, put on her make-up, and find the right clothes. She always looked so perfect. I just had on a dorm t-shirt and a faded pair of jeans.
She walked out the door wearing her black pumps, her red tank top and a mini skirt that seemed to be missing material at the bottom.
“We were about to leave you,” I said.
“Sorry, Nick called,” she said. “And I had to straighten my hair. It looked pretty bad. You know how that goes.”
I rolled my eyes. “So how's Nick since you left?”
“He's fine,” she said. “He misses me.”
“He'll see you when we go home at Christmas,” I said.
They had been together two years, but she was always flirting with some other guy. I didn't blame her much. She planned on marrying Nick right out of high school, but that plan changed when he dropped out of college told her he had no intention of going back. It broke her heart. Since her dreams of being a housewife were ruined she decided to follow me to school in Mississippi, while the rest of her life stayed home in Texas.
“Are we going?” Annabel's roommate, Jessica, asked.
“Yeah, let's go,” I said.
“Good, I'm hungry,” Jessica said.
“Sorry,” Annabel said. “It's my fault.”
Jessica was the only friend Annabel really had at this point. Out of all the people I had introduced her to, Jessica seemed to be the only person who could tolerate the mood swings of my sister.
My recent crush, Johnny, said he'd meet us at Burger King. I saw him when we arrived and went over to say hello. When Annabel saw him she whispered something to Jessica. They laughed, ordered their food, and filled up their drinks.
Johnny was a pretty good friend of mine, but I couldn't really get closer than that. He was the first guy to make me so nervous I was actually speechless. I used to feel like a moron when I'd stumble over my feet and laugh incessantly at jokes that weren't funny.
“There's a seat right here,” Annabel said when he walked up. “So, how are you doing, Johnny?”
“Pretty good. Not sure I'm ready for classes to start though.”
“I understand that,” Annabel said.
“I'm going to have nineteen hours this semester. It's crap,” he said.
“Why so many?” Annabel asked.
“It's what my advisor suggested since I start co-oping in the spring.”
“What is co-oping?” Annabel asked.
“It's like an internship, but for engineers. I wish I could take this semester easy, though.”
“That sucks,” I said absentmindedly.
“What sucks?” he asked.
“Just that, well, you'll be so busy this semester. And then gone in the spring. You'll be busy and, well, I just want you to be able to relax.” He smiled at me.
“Number 547,” the burger king woman said.
“That's mine.” Johnny got up to retrieve his food.
“Must you flirt with ever guy?” I asked Annabel once he was out of ear shot.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
Johnny came back with food and eventually we all had our numbers called. Annabel kept talking with Johnny, and I inhaled my food. When I finished I went up to the counter to order a Hershey's chocolate pie to make myself feel better.
“Are we ready to go?” Jessica asked. “I think it's about that time.”
“Just let me re-fill my drink first,” Annabel said. “I'm really thirsty. One glass just didn't do it for me.”
I walked out front and waited for them. I didn't feel like being around people anymore, but I knew walking alone at night wasn't the best idea.
“We should go out tonight,” Annabel said when we all got outside.
“I don't know,” Johnny said. “It depends on what we do.”
“Michelle, wouldntitbefuntogodancing?” Annabel asked.
“What?” I really wasn't paying attention.
“Dancing, Michelle. Wouldn't it be fun? We should go tonight.”
“Um, okay. If you want,” I mumbled.
“Johnny, you have to come with us.” Annabel patted his shoulder. “Have you ever been out dancing? We love it.”
We started walking back towards their dorm. Annabel was telling a high school story to Johnny and Jessica. I slowed down to avoid hearing their conversation. Plus, I didn't want to watch and create ideas in my head about the way he was looking at her. I knew if he liked her I was better off knowing then.
This wasn't the first time I believed that a guy had chosen her over me. I just didn't think it would happen again, especially up here at my school. She didn't know anything about this university until I described my crazy friends and all the fun we've had exploring campus and attending all the different campus events.
In high school Annabel was the cheerleader who went to all the parties and had all the friends. I played softball and had whatever person I was talking to that day. She dated head football players while I pined over my best friend, Michael. She ended up dating Michael too.
I didn't notice that Annabel had slowed down to catch a moment to talk with me.
“What's wrong with you?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
“You're a bad liar.” I didn't say anything. “So, you're not going to tell me what that comment was for?”
“What comment?”
“The one about me flirting.”
“Oh, that.”
“Yeah, oh that. What was that? And you said it in front of Jessica.”
“Jessica knows you're a flirt.”
“I wasn't flirting with Johnny.”
“Well he was flirting with you, and you didn't stop it.”
“You're just seeing things. Besides, you weren't talking. Someone had to fill the void. I've never seen you so quiet.”
“Don't do this again.”
“What?”
“You did this with Michael.”
“Don't bring him up. I didn't even know you liked him. You never told me.”
“I was always around him. Always trying to get his attention.”
“He asked me out and he was cute. I didn't know you liked him. I'm sorry. I've already told you I was sorry. Will that ever go away?”
“Not when you're doing it again. I'll tell you very clearly, I like him so don't take him.”
“Fine.” She picked up her pace toward the dorm and was able to get several feet ahead of me.
“Fine then, just run off,” I yelled.
“I'm not running off, I'm just walking,” she said, not looking back.
“Well, you're trying to get away from me.”
“I'm just walking fast. I can't help that I walk fast.” Her fast walking helped us reach Jessica and Johnny at the girls entrance of the dorm, where they had waited for us, a bit faster.
“I think I'll just leave then,” I said. “You're mad and running away from me anyway. So, I'll do the same.” I started walking towards my car. Johnny and Jessica slowly started inching towards the front door of the dorm.
“What do you want me to say?” she asked.
I turned around and saw her gripping the rail of the handicap entrance. “What can you say, Annabel?”
“I could ask why you're always such a jerk to me.”
“Because you take everything I want. Why do you do that?” Annabel's face was getting red from frustration.
“I don't try to take everything. Stop being so, so you.” She threw her drink and the cup busted as it hit the ground about three feet in front of me. Jessica opened the girl to the girls side and let Johnny in after her.
“Were you trying to hit me?” I asked.
“No, I wanted that drink,” she said. “It kind of slipped.”
“You threw it. Now you have no drink.”
“I wasn't thirsty anymore.”
“Good, you don't have a drink anymore.”
We stood in silence for a few moments. Sometimes we looked at each other, sometimes we looked out at the walking paths around the dorm. Annabel sighed and said, “Are we still going out tonight?”
“Sure,” I said. “We'll probably have to find Jessica and Johnny.”
“Maybe we shouldn't invite Johnny.”
“Why? I'd like to dance with him,” I said.
“Well you call him. I'll go talk to Jessica.”
She went up the ramp and through the door to her dorm. I went to my car so that I could head home to change.
I wanted to believe that Annabel didn't want to hurt me on purpose. When we were younger we'd yell and get over it. Back then we used to argue over dolls and candy. Now fights, like the one about Johnny, were getting slightly more serious.
Before Annabel had gotten to Mississippi we had a fight over the phone about her boyfriend, Nick. She asked me, “What if I go there and he doesn't want me anymore. What if no one after him wants me.”
“Guys will always ask you out, and they always have. Don't give me that,” I said.
“But he's the guy I love,” she said. “You don't know what it's like.”
“You're right. I can't understand this.” I laid down and moved the phone to the other hand.
“Michelle, don't be like that. I wasn't trying to get you mad at me. Why can't you just be my big sister for like five seconds.”
“Why do you even talk to me if you're just going to ignore everything I say. I'm trying to be a good sister and be honest with you.”
“I don't ignore what you say,” Annabel said. “I just don't think you know what you're talking about.”
“I've seen the way he's treated you the last year. He doesn't deserve you.”
“That's not fair. He's just had a rough time.”
“Not fair? He's done drugs, got caught, was sent to jail and then dropped out of college. He also doesn't seem to think he's done anything wrong and doesn't want a better life for the two of you.”
“I'm going to hang up,” she said.
“Please do,” I said, but hung up on her first. I just didn't want my little sister to be hurt, but I didn't know how to explain how I felt to her without fighting.
I realized when I started driving home that I still needed to call Johnny to go out with us. I wanted him to go, but I don't know what I expected from the night.
“Johnny,” I said when I got him on the phone.
“Hey, Michelle. Are you and Annabel okay?” he asked.
“Oh yeah, we're fine. We were wondering if you still wanted to go out with us tonight.”
“You two aren't fighting anymore?” he asked.
“No, we're being big girls now,” I joked.
“Okay, then I'd like to go,” he said.
“Great. Meet us downstairs in about fifteen minutes. I'm running home to change.”
“Okay.”
I wanted to have fun that night, but I was afraid of putting Annabel and Johnny back in the same room together. I had to look good. Johnny had rarely seen me dressed up. I went into my closet at home and hoped that I owned something that would look good. I knew Annabel would look fantastic.
Out of all my clothing one top seemed appropriate. It happened to be one I had bought when Annabel and I went shopping. It was modest, yet it had the Annabel touch. Guys liked the Annabel touch. I also grabbed a pair of red heels that we bought that same weekend. I found a pair of clean jeans and finished getting ready so I could hurry back.
When I pulled back into the parking lot of the dorm I called Annabel. “Are you ready? I'm parked outside.”
“I'll be out in a few seconds,” she said. “Is Johnny going?”
“Yeah, he's downstairs.”
“Jessica and I will be there in a minute.” I was surprised when they actually came down in about a minute. That had to be Jessica.
“So, where are we going?” Annabel asked.
“You know this is more of a retirement community than a party town, right? The whole club scene may not be what you were thinking it would be,” I warned.
“I just want to go out in my heels,” she said. “There has to be some place to go.”
She was wearing the pink pumps that she fell in love with one shopping trip, and the outfit she bought weeks later just to go with the heels. I was happy that she was wearing jeans, because if she had been wearing a skirt, or worse some Daisy-Duke shorts, I would have felt terrible.
“I saw the sign at the tavern said the Burnt Herrings are playing,” I said.
“What kind of place is that?” Annabel asked.
“It's a hang out bar,” I said. “I'll just drive by and let you decide.”
I drove up and circled the parking lot. After a few moments Annabel said, “No.”
“Well, there's a bar down the street where I've listed to bands,” I said.
“Okay, let's try it,” she said. When Annabel saw the building she said no, so I kept driving past. “I say Johnny chooses.”
He grumbled, but picked the country bar next to the bowling alley which was famous for karaoke and underage drinking. It was really the only choice left.
We paid the cover and went into the back room. I had never been in there on a Saturday before, so I was excited to find that there was a dance floor and a DJ. Sadly no one was dancing because they were there to drink.
Johnny found a table while we rubbed off the happy birthday stamps that were barely pressed to our skin. Those were supposed to prove we were too young for alcohol.
“Why don't you go dance with Michelle, Johnny,” Annabel said, trying to prove she wasn't interested.
“Sure, I'll dance with her,” he said.
He led me out to the dance floor and started spinning me around. Our dancing didn't fit the music, but I was enjoying myself. I looked over at Annabel and smiled. She had Jessica out on the dance floor dancing with her.
“How's my dancing?” Johnny asked.
“You're doing fine.” I smiled. This was the first time I had ever danced with him.
“Are you sure? I don't look stupid?”
“You look good.” I couldn't stop smiling. “Just go with the music.”
“I thought I was going with the music.” He stopped dancing. “Let's go sit down, I know I look stupid.”
“Johnny, you're dancing so well,” Annabel said when she overheard him.
“Really?” he asked. “It doesn't look bad, Annabel?”
“Here, let me show you a little bit,” Annabel said. Johnny started dancing with her and I awkwardly stood mid-dance floor. I waited one song, dancing alone, before walking back to the table. I grabbed my keys and phone before going outside so I could cry without them seeing me. I didn't realize, but Annabel had followed me out.
“I'm sorry,” Annabel said. “Don't take that the wrong way.”
“Just take him if you really want him that bad,” I said.
“I wasn't trying to take him. I was showing him a little bit about dancing.”
“He was dancing with me. With me! And you just jumped in there like always. Always perfect. Always the one guys want.”
“Johnny doesn't want me. I was just helping him dance.”
“I was helping him dance.”
“I'm sorry,” she said again.
“I just don't understand. You have Nick, just leave my life alone. You say I don't understand, but you don't understand.”
She sat down next to me. “I know I have Nick, but you don't even like him.”
“So you want to take the one I like from me? You think I'll approve of Johnny more than Nick?”
“No, I'm not trying to take him. I want him to ask you out,” Annabel said. “I just like being around him. If you like him, I know he's a good guy. I fell in love with, well, a guy who's kind of a loser.”
I couldn't stop my tears. “I just don't understand, Annabel. Why does he want you instead of me?” I kept thinking about the freedom I felt in moving away to school. I felt like I had a new life. When Annabel followed me to college it was like I was back in high school again.
“They all want you, Annabel. I'll just have to marry one before you meet him.”
“Michelle, that's not true.”
“Just leave me alone.” I stood up and headed toward my car. Annabel followed behind me. I turned and said, “Why do you like to ruin my life.” I wanted to be angry. To scream at her. But my voice just got lower and more difficult to understand.
“I'm not trying to ruin anything, I swear.” She reached out to grab my hand and I pulled farther away from her.
“Why don't you just move home and marry Nick. It would solve both our problems.”
I kept walking to my car and fumbled for my keys. I turned around and saw Annabel slowly walking back to the bar. I unlocked the car and opened the door. I sat down and put the key in the ignition. Annabel was still outside the bar when I looked back at her.
“Annabel, wait,” I yelled. She stopped walking, but didn't turn around. “I'm sorry.” She started walking again, this time at her faster pace. I jumped out, slamming the door, and ran back toward the bar. I wobbled in the heels as I ran. A pothole grabbed the back of the left shoe and pulled me down. “Crap!” I yelled.
Annabel turned back and looked at me as she got to the door. “What did you do?” she asked across the parking lot. A door closed near me and I saw two girls laughing as they passed by. Annabel put her hand out when she reached me. “You really shouldn't wear those if you're just going to break them.”
I took her hand and let her pull me up. I tried to stand but my left heel collapsed and I pulled Annabel to the ground with me as I fell again.
“Michelle, I was trying to help you up, jerk.” She got up and dusted her clothes off.
“It was an accident. Sorry.” I took my shoe off and threw it at her. “See, the heel broke.”
“Don't throw your stupid, broken shoe at me.” She started walking toward to the building again. I caught a glimpse of Johnny and Jessica past Annabel as they headed back into the bar.
“Are you running away from me again?” I asked.
“You threw a shoe at me. I think we're done.” She turned back to face me.
“Come talk with me, please. I don't want to fight anymore.”
“We're always going to fight. Always have.”
“Annabel, were you crying?” I asked when I noticed her mascara running.
“I just found out my sister hates my existence and wants me to make the worst mistake of my life, just to get me to leave her alone.”
“That's what I'm apologizing for,” I said. “I shouldn't have been so mean about Nick. It's your life.”
“He's cheating on me.” She came back and sat near my pothole. “His new girlfriend, or whatever she is, has been calling me from his phone.” She put her hands on her face so I couldn't see the tears.
“Has he talked to you?” I asked.
“We've talked. He said she's just a girl from work.” She wiped the black from her cheeks. “I don't want to be alone, Michelle. I don't know what I'll do without him.”
I moved over and put my arm around her. “You'll live. You'll go to school. You'll meet another guy, just not Johnny.”
She laughed which caused her to hiccup between the sobs. “I don't like Johnny.”
“With all the guys that have liked you, how can you believe you'll be alone very long?”
“What if I'm meant to be with guys like Nick?” she asked. “I mean, we're both attractive, but not very smart.”
I nudged her shoulder and said, “Don't talk about my sister like that. Only I can call her stupid.” She laughed. “You are intelligent. You moved two states away. You got yourself away from a bad situation.”
“Just to hurt you. I should have just stayed home.” She put her head down in her hands again. A car pulled past us and parked a few spots away. They whispered something I assumed to be about us as they walked to the bar. “We should go back in,” she said as she stood up. I pulled my other shoe off so I could too.
“I love you,” I said. “You know that right?”
“I love you, too,” she said.
“I'm glad you're here. I can't lie though, I'm not always going to like it. I'll try to be nicer.”
“And I'll try not to steal anymore guys from you so you can get married one day.”
“Ha, ha, aren't you funny.”
“Let's go back in,” Annabel said.
“I have no shoes.”
She looked down at my feet. “Do you have any extras in the car? Flip-flops or something?”
“I don't know. Wait, where are my keys?” We looked around the pothole but they weren't on the ground. Annabel reached her hand in to see if they dropped in the pothole. They weren't there either. “Not tonight,” I said.
“Check the car,” she said, already walking to it. She opened the door and leaned in to look for them. She pulled herself back out and dangled the keys in front of me. “They were in the ignition. Maybe it is a good thing I'm here.”
We laughed and fumbled through my car for my flip-flops. I found them in the trunk and tossed my broken red heels in their place before slamming the back shut. I put the flip-flops on and headed back into the club with Annabel to enjoy the rest of the night.

April Update

So far I've done pretty well, but I have missed writing about 4 days. I just have to keep pushing on though. This has been going pretty well, so I think I'm going to extend it through May. The story just keeps growing. I think I'm at 35 or so pages. :-) Hope to have more as the week progresses!

Cutting it close today...

So I just finished my writing today. About 550 words. I was really cutting it close today, being that it's already 11:40ish at night. Tomorrow I will be too. Grabbing a sister from the airport 2 hours away, right after I get out of work. Then getting back home at about 11. I might let my day end when I sleep, at least for this particular situation. I'm starting to write journal excerpts from a man that will leave clues for them on their search. The man didn't mean for the journals to be clues...or did he?

3 days past, still going strong

Day 5 - about 750 words
Day 6 - about 400 words
Day 7 - about 650 words (and that's today)

I'm doing pretty well. For the past three days I've worked on a nice section. I almost have an entire chapter done. Splitting chapters up can some times be difficult, but I think I'll focus on that in the editing stages. I'm going to post this pretty big scene. Hope people like it!

(This takes place at probably about the 4th or 5th maybe 6th chapter would be my guess. Somewhere in there. It's early, but it's not the very beginning so if you're missing some details that's probably why.)

“Why did you choose seven on Friday night?” Sarah asked.
“Bad choice, I admit.” Thomas glanced around the room. “Well there's our boyfriend from the other night. He has extra chairs.”
“That's sad,” Leann said.
“What is?” Patrick asked.
“He's sitting alone on Friday night.” Leann walked toward his table. Sarah grabbed for her arm and missed. “Hey, Gil,” they heard Leann say.
“He just looked over at you,” Thomas teased. “Oh, he's waving us over. This should be fun.” Sarah rolled her eyes.
Gil got up and pulled out the seat next to him. “Here, Sarah.”
Thomas sat down in the only remaining chair, so Sarah was forced to sit in the one Gil was holding. When he pushed the chair in, her body ended up squished between the table and the chair. Once Gil sat down she pushed her chair back a couple inches. Thomas turned and laughed into his arm with a slight cough.
“What are you doing here?” Sarah asked Gil while glaring at Thomas.
“I knew this was the place to be on Friday night. I got here early to get a table.” Gil took a sip of his drink and quickly put it back down. “Do you need something, Sarah? I'll get it.”
“Oh, Gil, will you grab one for me as well. A coke, please,” Thomas said, still smiling.
“Um, sure, man. Sarah?”
“I'll wait until the waitress gets here.” She pulled out her cell phone and typed into it for a few seconds before putting it away. Leann's phone beeped while she was talking with Patrick. After she read the message she looked up and shrugged at Sarah.
“This should be lot's of fun,” Thomas whispered.
“I really can't stand you right now.” She looked through the pub menu to ignore Thomas smirking and the looks from Gil across the room.
As Gil walked back to the table with a coke for Thomas, the waitress walked up and asked, “Can I get you guys anything to drink?” Gil sat down and slid the coke over to Thomas, who picked it up, tilted it to Gil, and then took a sip.
“Can I have a straw, please?” Thomas asked.
“Sure, she said, pulling a straw from her apron. “What would the rest of you like?”
“I just want a water,” Sarah said. She kept noticing the looks from Gil and the stifled laughter from Thomas. The waitress left with the promise of drinks and menu's for those who didn't have one.
The small band area had three guys setting up for their eight o'clock performance while popular radio songs softly played to provide atmosphere for the loud crowd.
“Do you think they'll be any good?” Thomas asked, leaning over to Sarah.
“I just want them t be really loud,” she said.
“Gil, did you do all the homework for Cal yet?” Patrick asked. “She assigned a lot more than I was expecting.”
“I've got about half done,” he said. He shifted his chair a bit toward Sarah. “You want to do some homework together this weekend?”
“I've gotten all done that I needed to. Thanks, though.” Sarah went back to reading the one menu on the table.
“So, maybe that movie tomorrow?” he asked. Leann let out an awkward laugh. “There are a couple of good ones out.”
Sarah looked confused. She stared at Gil as the waitress came and sat drinks out in front of her, Leann and Patrick, followed by menus.
“I'll give you a few minutes,” she said, walking to a nearby table.
“They have several great burgers,” Thomas said. “Look at this one.” He pointed to a description on Sarah's menu.
“That's pretty good, but I prefer the Nicholas burger.”
“Only as of this summer,” Leann said. “You almost stole your brother's meal.”
“I don't see that on here,” Gil said.
'It's not on the menu. It used to be when my grandfather was in school here. They know how to make it, though. They keep a binder of specialty meals that have come off the menu.”
“The Stienwick burger sounds good,” Patrick said. “He knew what to eat. Two patties, bacon, cheese, mayo and onions. Plus some barbecue sauce. Perfect.”
“Sounds like it would clog my arteries,” Leann said.
“You're grandfather has a burger named after him here?” Thomas asked.
“Yeah. He was great friends with the previous owner. Plus, he ate here more than he should have, much like Charlie. My grandfather didn't know how to cook. My grandma was the best thing that ever happened to him.”
“She cooks for him?” Thomas asked.
“Yes. She won't even let him near the stove. He had a close call in the dorm kitchen that could have burned down the entire building. Thankfully the guys got the fire out.”
“I wouldn't let him in my kitchen either,” Leann said. “That's a sacred place.”
“I can cook,” Patrick said.
“Really?” Leann looked skeptical. “What exactly can you cook?”
“Mostly breakfast stuff. And grilled cheese. I love grilled cheese.”
“That sounds about right,” Sarah said.
“I think your grandfather did it right. Almost burn something down so the woman will always cook,” Thomas said. “I might have to try this out.”
“You have to find that woman first. Someone that doesn't mind being around you constantly,” Sarah said.
“I never had to cook,” Gil said. “My mom is a great cook. She wanted me to focus on other things.”
“Oh, like what?” Thomas asked.
“School, mostly. It gave me time for collecting to.”
“What do you collect?” Leann asked.
“Bugs, not alive though. They are all dead and preserved. And stamps. My dad traveled a lot before he died, and he always collected stamps for me.”
The waitress came back to take their orders and then disappeared again. The table of five sat quietly until Leann said, “I'm sorry about your dad.”
“It's okay,” he said. “It was about five years ago. It was tough in high school, but my step dad helped.”
“Wow, you have a step dad already?” Patrick said. Leann hit his shoulder. “I mean, wow, your mom moved on already?” Leann elbowed his ribs. “You know what I mean.”
“She met him two years after my dad passed. He's a nice guy. They've been married a little over two years now.” Gil took a sip of his drink then said, “I'm glad she found him. He helped me make it through high school.”
They all looked from Gil to each other, then shifted back to looking at Gil. He just smiled and leaned back in his chair. “When do you think our first algebra test will be?” Sarah asked Leann, trying to shift the topic. “I'm afraid he's going to make it next Friday.”
“We haven't covered enough material to take a test next Friday. Maybe the Friday after that.”
“You are just in algebra?” Gil asked. “Patrick and I are already in cal two.”
“Well I don't have to take that. I just have to take algebra and trig and I'll be done with math, thank goodness,” Sarah said.
“And I don't know what I want to do, so for now I'm just going to take algebra and trig to have them out of the way,” Leann said.
“Do you like math?” Patrick asked her.
“It's okay,” Leann said. “It's not my favorite, but I don't hate doing it.”
“You get better and better,” Patrick mumbled as the bands bassist checked a couple of cords.
“What?” she asked
“It wasn't important.” He leaned over to Thomas and whispered something. Both of them laughed.
The waitress arrived to the table with three plates, and a guy following behind had two more. She placed them in front of everyone and asked, “Do you need anything else?”
“Some more coke,” Gil said.
She left with his cup just seconds before the bands lead singer tapped on the microphone which caused a loud static noise to invade the cheery atmosphere. “Welcome. We are just a small local band, but we hope you enjoy what you hear.” The drummer started pounding a few drums and then began.
A tall, blond approached the table after they had eaten about half of their meal. She smiled and said, “I was hoping it was you and not your brother.”
“Kitty!” Sarah jumped up from her seat and edged past Thomas to hug her. “Why was I being confused with my brother?”
“I overheard one of my kitchen guys saying it's the second time today he's had to make a Nicholas burger. Since I saw Charlie earlier, I was hoping it was you.”
“Well, it is me,” Sarah said. “How are you?”
“I'm doing well. Sad that you had yet to come and see me.”
“I'm a freshman, which means goodbye freedom of where you eat and hello meal plan.”
“You'll miss that when you don't have it anymore. Because then you won't be able to walk in there when you're randomly on campus and grab a to go cup.”
“I've never thought to do that.”
“You should. So, who are all these people?”
“This is Leann my roommate,” Sarah said. “And next to her is Patrick. This is Thomas. They are roommates. And this is Gil.”
“Well it's nice to meet all of you, I'm Kitty O'Nally.”
“So you own the pub?” Gil said.
“I do. I've had it since my parents passed, rest their souls. My brother and his wife didn't want to run it, so I moved home. It basically runs itself, but I hang around and pretend to be cool still.”
“I'm sure you are still cool,” Sarah said. “Kitty is good friends with my mom. They were in business school together here.”
“You are a mini version of your mother,” Kitty said. “How are your parents?”
“Good. They call me too often, but I think that's the empty nest thing,” Sarah said.
“Well, eventually they'll enjoy having their house to themselves. They won't know what o to when you go home for the summer.”
“I won't know what to do if I go home for the summer.”
Kitty laughed and patted her shoulder. “Maybe you can get a summer internship or something. Would they send you abroad?”
“Maybe if an adult agreed to go. Want to take me to Europe?” Sarah teased. “My other option would be if they came with me, and I don't want to go with them.”
“Maybe I'll see about us going off to Europe. I'm due for a trip, and I know this place can run without me. Especially for the summer.”
Sarah stared at her while everyone else at the table sat quietly through the conversation. “Seriously? I was just joking. Would you really do that?”
“Why not? It'd be great. Here, write your cell number down on this for me, she said handing her a reciept from her pocket. “I'll see what I can come up with for a teenagers first European trip.”
“Wow, that would be great.” Sarah jotted her number down. “I can write down mom and dad's too, just in case you lost them. You will have to talk to them about this.”
“I still have those, unless they've changed in the last few months. And I'll just tell them this is your belated graduation present. They'll let you go with crazy Kitty.” She looked around at the silent faces around the table. “Well, I should let you get back to dinner with your friends.”
“Wait, I was wondering if I could ask you something, alone.” Thomas elbowed her side. Sarah simply brushed him away.
“He looks like he wants to know whatever this is too,” Kitty said. “Why don't you come to my office for a second, when you're done eating.”
“I'm done,” Sarah said, grabbing her purse. “Stay and finish your food, Thomas. I'll tell you what I find out.”
“I want to hear it too,” he said.
“What are you going to find out?” Gil asked.
“Don't worry about it,” Sarah said. Leann, we'll be back in a few minutes.” Leann nodded and went back to her conversation with Patrick.
Sarah followed Kitty through the kitchen door, with Thomas following behind sipping his coke. The kitchen staff made no movement signaling that they noticed people walking in. They were on the grill line working to complete the dozen or more tickets they had backed up.
Kitty's office was in the back of the kitchen, to the left. When Sarah and Thomas walked in they saw a large desk with a small white laptop and a couple of picture frames and several papers littering the top. Hanging behind her chair was a diploma from Stienwick in business and a picture of Kitty in graduation robes with a man and a woman.
Kitty sat in the black computer chair and put her hands down on the table. “So, what question do you have for me?”
Sarah sat in the chair in front of the desk and Thomas sat on the couch to the left. “Well, we're sort of on a mission.”
“A mission, really?” Kitty laughed. “Your brother gave you the book, didn't he?”
Sarah pulled a book out of her purse and set it on the desk. Kitty picked it up and laughed again. “What?” Sarah asked.
“I haven't seen this in almost twenty or so years now. Your brother didn't bring it with him when he quizzed me his freshman year. He's not very organized,” Kitty said as she saw Sarah pull a notebook out of her purse. “Do you have questions prepared for me?”
“A few, if that's okay?”
“We worked on them this afternoon,” Thomas said.
“And who are you again?” Kitty asked. “Are you two dating?”
“Not yet,” he said.
“No,” Sarah interrupted. “He pestered me until I agreed to be his friend.”
“Watch out. He may wear you down enough that you'll agree to go out with him.” Kitty leaned back in her chair. “I'm ready for the questions.”
“Okay, in the book it says the statue has been on campus since the semester the school started, but it doesn't say which month. Do you know which month?”
Kitty got up and went to a filing cabinet on the opposite wall. She pulled the bottom drawer out and searched through some of the file folders until she pulled out a couple of leather bound books. “I think this might tell us,” she said.
“What are these?” Thomas asked.
“They are journals. My great, great grandfathers journals. Well, it might be one more great. Anyway, they belonged to the man who opened O'Nally's.”
“So he would have been here when the fight between Steinwick and the student happened,” Sarah said. “These cold tell us all we need to know. Have you read through them all?”
“Not full, and not since college when your parents and I tried to figure this out. Here we go, it was on October 25, 1897 that Lucas Steinwick argued with a student. My grandfather didn't write the students name down.”
“Kitty, could we borrow those and bring them back to you?”
“Sure, as long as I get them back,” she said. “Do you have any more use of me?”
“I will, but I think I want to see what I can get from these first.” Sarah took the three journals, her book and her notebook, and placed them in her purse. “I should go back out there so Leann doesn't have to sit with those two guys alone anymore.”
“She looked cozy enough to me,” Kitty said. “Enjoy your mission. And let me know what you find.” Kitty stood up, so Thomas and Sarah followed her lead. “Watch this one,” she said, pointing to Thomas.
“Don't worry, I'm nice,” he said.
“Not what my warning is for,” Kitty laughed. “Have a good night.”
Sarah and Thomas left her office and walked past the cooks again to get out to the pub floor. Gil was sitting at the table alone, so Sarah looked around to try and find Leann. “Where did they go?” Sarah asked when she got back to the table.
“She and Patrick walked back to the dorm. They had some work they needed to do. A group project or something. She said you knew about it.” He smiled at her. “So, what are we doing next?”
“I have to go help Leann with that project. Sorry, Gil.” Sarah turned and headed for the door. She heard Thomas say, “I'm her escort, so we'll see you later.” Gil shrugged and turned to face the band that had just started their third song.

306 words today

Well, day 4 and I'm still on track for the goal. It wasn't as much as the few days before, but that's why I set the 250 minimum. I knew some days would be tougher than others. But, I've gotten a new scene started. It's late, I'm tired, so I'm going to stop now and go to sleep. :-)

Happy Easter!

Day 3 - already over 1,500 words

Yay for Saturdays and dogs waking you up early in the morning. At least being up early got me working on the book. I've worked on a couple of scenes and I've gotten over 1,500 words written so far. I'm at 25 single spaced pages in the word document. The book I've actually finished was 160 or so single spaced pages, so I've got a bit more to go, but I've got the complete outline. It's now just sitting down and writing it. I'm not done with writing for the day, but I wasn't going to have a chance to get back on here and post, so I wanted to do it now.

Here's another continuation to the last 2 posts. Same scene, just read the April 1st post, then the Day 2 post, then this excerpt. Enjoy!

Charlie pushed his cup around in a circle leaving a larger condensation ring than normal.
“Is it going to be weird for you to live in the same building as your sister?” Rachael asked.
“No, it'll be okay. We lived in the same house for years, and wasn't terrible. Plus, the dorm is much bigger.”
“It'll be easy to avoid him,” Sarah said. “I made a game of avoiding my brothers growing up.”
“She was really good at it when it came to Walter, our older brother, but I could normally find her.”
“I've gotten older and wiser. Don't underestimate me.” She raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, it's game on.” They laughed and sat looking at each other. The radio was playing in the background, but it was hours before any band would be coming on to create a distraction. Sarah started drumming her finger tips on the table.
The room was filled with booths along the wall and circle tables with chairs along the middle. There was a stage area opposite the bar which wasn't big, but it had the look of being used regularly. The bar had a brunette with a O'Nally's fitted t-shirt and jeans talking to a customer at the bar. She seemed to be funny because he kept laughing and every so often ordering a new drink.
“So, do you really believe in that statue story?” Leann asked.
“Are you asking me?” Charlie asked.
“Well, yes,” she said. “You were telling that story today. Do you really think it comes to life?”
“It's possible, isn't it? Otherwise you wouldn't be so curious about it.”
“It can't be possible. There's no such thing as wizards or spells or statues that come to life.” Leann leaned in. “If it is true, that's not really safe. Is it?”
“You're safe,” Sarah said. “Don't freak her out. The statue doesn't attack just anyone. You have to get in it's way or have what it wants.”
“I guess you believe the story too,” Rachael said.
“How could I not? My grandfather and my dad have notes. They've seen things. People disappearing, the statue not in it's spot in the middle of the night. These are all clear signs that it moves and takes people.”
“The disappearing people are just because there are people who aren't careful at night and we go to school not far from a rough neighborhood,” Rachael said. “That's what happens when we're thirty minutes from a big place like D.C.”
“You can't explain the statue not being where it's supposed to be though. What's with that?” Sarah asked.
“Okay, I've got food,” the waitress said, appearing out of no where. “The chicken strips.” She handed them to Sarah. “Chicken strip sandwich, no mayo, for Rachael. You had the chicken strip sandwich with everything. And you had this concoction,” she said, handing the last plate to Charlie. “Do you need anything else?” Everyone shook their head to signal they were fine.
“Thanks, Taylor,” Rachael said.
“No problem. Just let me know if you need anything else.” She walked over to a circle table with two people that had just sat down.
“Try this, Sarah,” Charlie said. “I told dad I'd get you to try it.”
“Fine, but when I don't like it you'll leave me alone, right?”
“Just take a bite.”
Sarah took the burger off the plate Charlie had slid toward her. A mushroom fell from the burger onto the plate. She looked at the melted swiss and cheddar cheeses melted on top of the bacon and hamburger patty. “At least it has lettuce and tomato on it.” She pushed the burger toward her mouth and took a big bite.
Charlie pulled his plate back toward him and put a big mound of ketchup next to his fries. “What do you think?” he asked.
“It's alright,” she said. “Was that jalapeños on there?”
“And onions, mushrooms, pickles, cheese and bacon. Along with the lettuce and tomato.”
She took his burger off his plate and took another bite. “You know, that's really not bad.”
“Give me my burger back, crazy.” He grabbed it from her hand. “You want me to bite your hand?”
“You told me to try it.”
“Try it, not steal it. If you want one, order one.”
“I've got chicken strips. I'll be okay. I'll definitely order one next time.”
“Does anyone else want a bite before I get a chance to eat?' Charlie asked.
“I'm okay,” Rachael said. “I'm not a fan of hot things.”
“I'll let you eat your dinner,” Leann said. “I've got my own.” She picked the burger up and took a bite. “It's really good. Thanks, Rachael.”
“No problem. It definitely my favorite. Sometimes I get it with pizza sauce. It's incredible like that.”
Charlie had his burger in one hand while he ate fries with the other. After another bite of the burger he put it down, but pulled his plate closer to him.
“Stop being paranoid, I'm not going to steal your food,” Sarah said. “If you keep acting like that I'll have a reason to try.”

Passion

When I came to college in 2005 I had a vague picture in my head of who I would be and what I would become. I'm happy to say that almost five years better I'm a better person and I'm on track for that person I'm still to become.

One thing I remember very well from the first few weeks at school was something a good friend, who was at that time only a recent acquaintance, asked me about during the first cigar night I had ever been to. He asked, "What are you passionate about?" I was stumped. I wondered what sort of question that was, and if everyone was going to quiz me like that when I met them for the first time. No one else has really made me think that hard about myself, who I am, what I can do. Passion. Love of something so much that you just have to have it, complete it, embrace it. I realized not long after that conversation that I have several passions in my life and I'm working diligently to keep all of those.

Now, five years later, if someone asks me what I'm passionate about I've got a list and reasons why. God, building lasting relationships with people, writing, learning, growing, these are just a few. Passion is the only thing worth living for. Passion is the reason I get up in the morning. Sometimes I forget that, but I'm reminded by the people I'm around.

My dad is especially good at reminding me. He flatters me when he tells me that I can do anything. That I've always been able to take what I have and make it what I want. He's right. I think it's a couple parts stubborn and a lot of passion. I've learned that from him. Anytime I was crying over something, he would just remind me that I was strong, I was dedicated, and I had the heart to finish whatever it was.

One of the main goals in my life is to be published. I've realized recently that writing and creating stories that bring some sort of happiness to someone else, even if for a moment, is my second biggest passion. God taking a considerable lead over that. Story telling is a gift from God, and I only hope I can glorify Him in what I write. I hope through it all He can use me for the good of at least one person. I want to help. I try to help. I will help.

Passion. Be passionate, about something. Have a love, a true unyielding love. I recommend a relationship with Christ, He's never let me down when I let Him be there for me. I feel like I let Him down sometimes, but then I remember that He loves me through all of it. He fills me with all this passion and all of these words. He is my will to get up everyday. He is my everything. He is passion.

These were just some things I was thinking tonight. God has truly been helping me to focus more on my writing (because I asked for help) and it's been great. I just needed someone to care, someone to love me, and He's filled that spot incredibly. :-)

Day 2 - Going Well!

So, in about 45 minutes I got 422 words written. Good I think, since the rest of the night I'll be with friends, then coming back to play with the puppies while I'm house sitting. I'm about to run to subway to grab a 6" either turkey or chicken sandwich. Not sure yet which. Below is what I wrote today. It's a continuation of what I posted yesterday, so read that first and then this second for a nice long section of the book. Until tomorrow!

“I thought you were leaving?” the waitress said.
“I ran into Charlie, so I'm staying for dinner.”
“Okay, well I've got three menus here, so I'll go grab one more.”
“Don't worry about it, I know what I'm getting already,” Charlie said.
“He always gets the Nicholas burger,” Rachael said. Charlie laughed. “Well you do.”
“It's just funny that you know.”
“Can I get your drink order,” the waitress said to Leann.
“A diet coke, please,” she said.
The waitress looked at Sarah. “I'll just have a water.”
“Do you know what I want to drink too,” Charlie teased.
“Either water or coke.” She smiled at him. “I would like a lemonade please.”
“And for you,” she nodded at Charlie.
“I'll have a coke,” he said.
“Great, I'll be back for your order in a minute.” She walked back toward the bar.
“What's good here?” Leann asked.
“Pretty much everything,” Charlie said. “What do you like normally?”
“I like burgers and chicken and it looks like most of the things on this menu.”
“Why don't you try the chicken strip sandwich,” Rachael said. “It's got all the toppings of a burger, and it's got fried chicken. It's great.”
“What are you getting, Sarah?” Leann asked.
“I'm just getting chicken strips and fries. It comes with a really great honey mustard. They make it here.”
The waitress walked back with a tray of drinks and handed them out. She pulled a notepad and pen out of her apron and said, “Do you know what you'd like?”
“I think I'll go with the chicken strip sandwich,” Leann said.
“Do you want the fries as your side?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“And for you?” she asked Sarah.
“The chicken strip basket with fries and honey mustard.”
“Rachael?”
“I want the chicken strip sandwich as well, but no mayo.”
“Okay. And you wanted the Nicholas burger, yes?”
“Yes,” Charlie said.
“Do you want fries?”
“Yes, it's not right without fries.”
“Okay, thanks. I'll get your order put in.” She went back to the bar and walked through the swinging door to the kitchen.
“So, are you both freshmen?” Rachael asked.
“Not quite yet,” Sarah said. “A little over a month and we will be.”
“Are you going to be roommates?”
“We just met this weekend,” Leann said. “I'd love to room with her yet. My roommates facebook profile looks a little strange.”
“We are in the same building. The honors dorm,” Sarah said.
“Aren't you working in that building,” Rachael asked Charlie.
“Yep. My third year actually.”

I finished another Book!

April Fools!! I'm hoping I can say that for real at the end of the summer. :-)

I did go past my 250 words for the day. Yes, the first day of my 30-day challenge to right 250 words a day, and I got 407 written! I just got to keep this up and turn it into a habit.

Here's what I got written today:

O'Nally's was the third building on the left once off campus. It was a one story building made out of red brick that had browned over the years. The green front door had recently been touched up so it seemed glossier than usual.
“I'm ready for that Nicholas burger,” Charlie said, opening the door by it's rusted knob to let the girls in. “I can taste it already.”
“When's the last time you had one?” Sarah asked.
“Lunch yesterday, I think.” The girls laughed. “It's really good. Sarah, have you ever actually eaten it?”
“No, it sounds terrible.”
“Dad gets it every time. You need to at least try it. I'll let you have a bite of mine.”
The found an empty booth up against the wall and Charlie sat down. The girls slipped into the other side. “I like it in here,” Leann said.
“It's going to be one of your favorite places through college,” Charlie said. “It's been my favorite.”
“That runs in our family though,” Sarah said.
“Hey, Charlie.” The three sitting looked up to see a girl standing there smiling at him. “How're you?”
“I'm good. Rachael, this is my sister, Sarah, and her friend, Leann. It's Leann, right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, great. This is Rachael, a friend of mine.”
“Weren't you in here yesterday?” she asked. “I'm pretty sure you were.”
“You waited on me,” he said.
“These days all keep running together.”
“Are you working tonight?” he asked.
“No, I was in here letting Kitty know I need next weekend off.”
“Here,” Charlie slid over, “sit down. Have dinner with us.”
“Um,” she glanced at Sarah and Leann, “I don't want to interrupt.”
“You won't be. We just decided to get food after orientation was over.”
“Come on, Rachael, you haven't eaten yet have you?”
“No, not yet.” Charlie pat the open seat next to him. “Okay, thank you.”
“So, how long have you known my brother?” Sarah asked.
“A couple years now. We had an economics class together the end of our freshman year. And I see him in here quite a bit.”
“I give her a tough time because we never see each other enough. I see her now when I come in here and she takes care of me.”
“He tips well, so I don't mind being a good waitress for him.”
Sarah smiled while watching the two of them talk. Their waitress walked up and nudged Rachael's shoulder.