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This week's RFW challenge is:
It's not always easy to say how you feel, so sometimes it's a good, or really very bad idea, to write it down. What has happened in the past to lead you to this point - pen poised, hovering over notepaper? Maybe you communicate better on paper than face to face...maybe you should have acted differently...but should you be sitting here writing it all down...should you be jumping in the car, heading off to see him/her face to face, sort things out?
Your call, your story - just make sure there are
Three Things You Could Have Done Better.
Three Things You Could Have Done Better.
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Lyndsay writes(in her diary):
I feel a hot blush travelling down my entire body when I think about it. I had so much on my mind at the time that I didn’t know how to handle Colin’s attention as well. Looking back I know there were things I could have done better.
I could have made my feelings clearer to him, instead of hoping he’d get the message. Yes, I should have told him straight how things were, but I was afraid the emotions would get in the way, so I stuck my head in the clouds and pretended. He told me I was lovely. It thrilled my heart to hear it, but it was all just a dream, make believe. I can't get that look he had on his face out of my head.
Second, I could have met him, when he asked, to hear what he had to say and explain how I felt. Texting is such a great way to avoid the situations you don’t want to deal with and sometimes pretending you never received a text message works well too. I’m biting my lip as I write this, as I know it’s another avoidance strategy. Ben took up a lot of my sensible thinking time. I conserved my energies for that and of course my mum took up the rest. With Nicola out of the picture I had no fresh perspective to help me decide how to be.
Finally, I could have confided in Glenis, but I know exactly what she would have said and I didn’t want her and Stan getting upset and angry and worrying. I have a hunch Mum would be on Colin's side. So I guess I’m left to wrestle with the guilt and the hindsight all on my own! I just hope I get a chance to make amends when Colin gets back. If he gets back…
(312 words)
Have you ever felt like Lyndsay?
Oh and check out his eye-opening post at L'Aussie's Blog on image copyright.
Have you ever felt like Lyndsay?
Oh and check out his eye-opening post at L'Aussie's Blog on image copyright.
RFW said: Madeleine took a character from her upcoming novel, Ultimate
Sacrifice, and built on her for this challenge. We have Lyndsay regretting not
doing enough to get Colin's attention. We feel sorry for her and wonder if
she'll get a second chance. Every good wish for your Book Launch Maddy! It's
finally here!
Oh I do hope things get resolved in a positive way. I enjoyed reading this.
ReplyDeleteNice. Only a few more days :)
ReplyDeleteHi Madeleine..Lyndsay sounds a lot like me. I too hope that people get the message, though later I feel "I wish I could have made myself clearer." But, that's the way I am.
ReplyDeleteOh Lyndsay!! You poor woman!! I hope you do get a second chance with Colin to explain things! Yay!!!
ReplyDeleteTake care
x
Nicely written, Madeleine. I like the voice. It's real and believable.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you, it's been a while.
Have a great weekend.
Michael
WOW! I can see from this excerpt that Ultimate Sacrifice takes a big turn somewhere along the lines! I tend to use avoidance as Lyndsay also. Great excerpt and very fitting to the prompt
ReplyDeleteYou've followed the writing guidelines and the character has given us three clear regrets. Nice excerpt.
ReplyDeleteLovely sentiment Maddy. I'm sure the novel will be a hit.
ReplyDelete......dhole
Hi,
ReplyDeleteNicely penned snippet and adheres to the guidelines. I feel for Colin, though. Bet he's a tad confused by what's happened. Sounds like the protagonist has serious issues in being upfront and honest!
best
F
Thanks Donna, Heather,Scherezade, Old Kitty, Rachna, Carol, Sally and Michael.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you, too Michael. :O)
Francine, thanks for the smile. All will be revealed when you read Ultimate Sacrifice... ;O)
Makes me want to know what happened and if it turned out right in the end, Madeleine. Great way to develop the plot to the point that we just have to - and want to know more. Says a lot about Lyndsay's character too - that she wrote it down as a way to get it out of her system perhaps - and really own her feelings the way she did. It suggests that she's perhaps kind of anal - repressed. Interesting - how a little snippet can reveal so much about a character.
ReplyDeleteDear friend,
ReplyDeleteAll of us, one time or another feels this way about something or someone. We can only hope that things work out for her (smile).
LOL! Oh my goodness, isn't it amazing how we often judge situations and people without knowing the whole story... ;O)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your enthusiastic comments. So are those who write in a journal/ diary are repressed and anal? Oh dear LOL! Maybe you are right! ;O)
ReplyDeleteHi Madeleine,
ReplyDeleteWhat got me thinking about Lyndsay being anal was the content of what she wrote in her diary and how she reflected on those thoughts. I guess people use diaries in different ways. It's also possible I read too much into her actions, I suppose:) Hope you're enjoying the weekend.
LOL! Bless you Adura
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me think too. At first I thought it was way off the mark, but then I thought, actually she has good reason to feel repressed, so maybe you were right all along!
Hope you're enjoying the weekend too.
I enjoyed reading this
ReplyDeleteHi Maddy, sorry I'm late in commenting. I had a deadline for a submission and just made it a few hours ago.
ReplyDeleteExcited about your book launch. Not long now. I'll be able to get ready now that my big commitment is done for now.
I appreciate that you've used the prompt well. Only a couple of us actually used the 3 Things to any extent. I like how we learn about Lynday's personality. Very revealing. I enjoyed your discussion with Adura. She's one sharp cookie. Sometimes other people see things we don't in our writing.
Denise
Sometimes, yes. I know I've walked away from conversations wishing later that I'd clarified what I'd said or done.
ReplyDeleteHey, Madeleine,
ReplyDeleteYou did cover those three things she could have done better. Communication is key in relationships and yet our characters always botch that up, but it goes without saying that it makes for a sweet case of happily ever after. :)
Dear Madeleine,
ReplyDeleteThis snippet makes me curious about your book. It feels real and natural, and follows the requirements of the challenge well.
Congratulations on the book launch!
Clever of you to take your characters and write something that does not appear in the novel. The characters Lyndsay and Colin etc., are so well developed that they can continue outside of your original story!
Sorry that I am so late with commenting. I've been having a 'bumpy ride' of a summer.
Best wishes,
Anna
Three things I could have done better