Today, our focus is love–true love, first love, last love, bad love, any kind of love at all, and you will learn how to characterize using this person’s speech, sayings, expressions, any sounds that come out of his/her mouth. I think we’ll have some interesting stories today, but please make sure they are G-rated if you’re going to post them. I don’t want to attract any undesired attention from the bots.
Keep the word count of your story to 750 or fewer words and continue to use to clustering handout below if you’ve found it helpful. Know that you can still watch the Brainstorm Your Stories by Clustering video if you need a refresher. After you’ve drafted your story, post it in the comments section below, read a few of your fellow challengers’ stories, and include a word or two of encouragement.
Remember, Life Writers early enrollment is open now. Sign up for a Life Writers membership and receive some great bonuses–a goal/intention-setting workshop with me exclusively for early enrollees and a copy of my multi-award-winning book, Eating an Elephant: Write Your Life One Bite at a Time. Let’s continue this journey together.
Whew! Made it. Here’s the last of my five. I’m going to have wine and watch mindless TV, but what a wonderful week it has been. And tomorrow I’m going to read tons of other people’s stories.
I wish I had known him. A loving tribute! Beautifully executed.
Thanks so much.
I was determined to complete this challenge, and although I’m not going to get all my stories in under the wire, four out of five isn’t too shabby. Here’s my version of the road untraveled.
Terry, again, a wonderful story. Ironic that you reference Matthew Arnold. One of his quotes appears at the beginning of a chapter in the book my sister wrote that I just finished editing: “Resolve to be thyself, and know that they who find themselves, lose their misery.” As you said, you “found your own trajectory” to happiness, but it’s also lovely to be able to revisit the kindred spirits who have come into our lives, even briefly. They are usually few and far between. I’m glad Michael was one of yours.
Day 4: Wayne’s Story
Jackie, great story about Wayne. Good descriptions. Thanks for sharing!
French is considered the language of love.
Here’s the G-rated version.
Intriguing story, Steven. Need page 2: Your job sounded fascinating, if grueling. What a great place to go to work every day. Did you achieve permanent status? Did you and Liliane become an item? Do you know where she is now? I can see the comparison to Leslie Caron in your description of Liliane. She must have been really something!
Scroll down for Page two. It’s there.
Such great descriptions and characterizations, Steven. Fantastic writing!
Fantastic descriptions Steven. i didn’t know if i should fall in love with Lilliane or shake her into America. LOL
i enjoyed following your imagery.
Can you believe this? I have nothing to say.
John, how wonderful that you had such a terrific friend, and the tribute you wrote to her brought me to tears. I hope you share your story with her daughter. I have a feeling it would mean a great deal to her.
For someone who claims they had nothing to say, you’ve recounted a very compelling story about Deb. Your characterizations of her brought her to life and made her relatable
I can understand how, in the array of characters you’ve introduced us to from your life, Deb made it to pantheon status as unforgettable.
Well done, John.
Oh, John. What a heartfelt story about Deb. Great writing. My birthday is 12.14. Now you will have me thinking about your dear friends on 12.20. Here’s my crazy date thing – my dad died (5.22) 3 days after his 78th (5.19) birthday, and I buried him on my husband’s birthday (5.25) in 2005. Thanks for sharing your special story.
See love interest story below.
Very brave story of shyness. It takes courage to be willing to reveal those awkward characteristics of youth.
I enjoyed the details you presented in the scene of “spin the bottle”
Raymond,
Cute story. I remember those spin-the-bottle games, but I didn’t play but one. I wasn’t invited to many of those parties since I didn’t live in one place for very long. Thanks for sharing.
So the question remains! When did you get to kiss a girl? But I guess that’s another story…
Raymond, nicely done. In the 50’s I played ball with the boys and girls but preferred the boys. They were better athletes. Girls were more awkward and giggly. I was shy like you and preferred the strong silent type. But when the right one came along, I didn’t think twice.
Raymon, this is a sweet story. I enjoyed it and loved the way you described your feelings.
My unforgettable love interest. Just one of many. LOL!
I can just see you two together, with your also infectious smile!
Julie, enjoyed your take on young love. I just had my teen age years flash before me.
Julie loved reading your story. Beautiful description of Jeff.
Ahhh Julie, the love interest broken by distance. the unforgettable high school romance. I enjoyed your description of how it started. thanks for sharing.
Day 4-Love
This assignment has caused me to reach a little deeper into the core of my being. It has truly been a challenge and revealing. I have not done the subject justice but will try to tickle it a little more.
An excellent account of how important a Mom is. You have captured the essence of what you need in a mother’s love. Many take this for granted.
Loved your story Norma. You shed light on women in your situation. Well described. Thanks!
Norma, No one who was fortunate enough to be raised by two parents can begin to fathom the hole you so eloquently describe. I lost my dad before I was nine years old, my mother when I was newly married. Missing them at the important markers of my life has definitely left an impact. But, I think, as you say, those of us thrust into this situation become stronger for it out of necessity. I love reading your work.
Norma, what a well-told story. I’m so sorry you had to go through all that at such a young age. My mother used to tell me that “adversity builds character constantly.” And I believe her. You’re such an excellent writer. Thanks for sharing.
Norma, well stated. i could feel and understand your expressions of need and gratitude. I’m always proud of people who survive and become strong in the process of overcoming challenges, and struggle-you did it!
“When you loose your parents at an early age (my dad before I was born), you get thrown into life’s water and you have to learn how to swim. Pearl and I did this a lot. She taught me to reach out and hug someone…for the pure joy of the experience. There is still a hole that sits permanently between my solar plexus and ribs but I also learned a lot about self-reliance in this tough world of ours.” Norma, these are wise and powerful statements. I enjoyed your story. It is sad and my arms want to reach out and… Read more »
Day Four Challenge
Thierry, I’m wondering if your abstractions come from within. Or are they a transition of something you witnessed? Loved the Thalidomide Princess reference.
Hi John, if I understand correctly your question, I’ve spent so much time observing in life, abstractions come from numerous events or feelings absorbed and now they transfer back into writing as a form of reality, I guess!? You should give me an example of abstraction pertaining your question so I’m sure to be true in answering. See you soon.
Thanks Thierry. You make a lot of interesting and thought provoking comparisons. Great Job!
Thank you Raymond for taking the time to read and for your feedback. It’s been a long path finally being expressed rather than kept in silence.
Wow, Thierry! I didn’t know you were an artist too. Thanks for the powerful story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
It’s been quite a journey expressing myself through this challenge, thank you for sharing in return. I don’t know if I’m an artist, I can be pretty creative in many ways though.
Thierry, first I want to say I’m happy to see one of your writings, I haven’t seen any until today. But I haven’t gone back to check after an initial look over.
a powerful peace, I love your tying in the love of the artwork and the love of people. beautifully expressed.
Thank you for taking the time Stella, it has been a challenge to reveal pieces of me this week.
‘’So, tell me about an unforgettable love interest’’. It has been the quest of a lifetime as should be life itself. Curiosity and observation. Love and death are two sides of a same medal, which one do we want to hang on to, the longest? Life is love and death is life. What I am presently hanging onto is not a brush or spatula. I am muting to writing my love interest for the unforgettable. Thierry, you wrote a powerful piece. The last paragraph says it all. ‘’So, tell me about an unforgettable love interest’’. It has been the quest… Read more »
Thank you so much Etya. Apart from a specific project and a possible exhibition in the future, that has to do with my story growing up in Acadia I haven’t painted in ages.
Do you have any pictures of your work? I would love to see it. I am a mother of an artist.
I would have to check for pictures. What does your artist do?
An Unforgettable Love Interest
Hi Linda, thank you for sharing this personal story. It sounds like love at first sight…you both must have been very young. Delighted you are still together. Do you still live on the farm? Jackie
Yes, but as we’ve aged, our farm is now our acreage.
Linda, a great story! Similar to mine/ we both took a chance.
Story of a love interest
Interesting story, Nancy. Are you still together?
No. We were married for eight years. We had a son, Matt. We divorced but were friends. He died of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 75.
Sad.
Couldn’t think of a person who fit the bill. Here is my story of my love interest.
Orah, let me start by saying that I am not a cat person. But I also understand that everyone has their own thing. While I was at the vet this morning, Little Man (my dog) was the only non-cat in attendance. Cat people definitely have an understanding of the animals.
Looks like you have that understanding.
Interesting story
You know your cat very well. I love the description of Angel’s activities. She must be great company for you.
Beautiful story. Sounds like Angel has a great life with you.
Orah, Your Angel looks so content, I’d never guess the energy and mischief she has and can get into. She keeps you on your toes, great story.
Diana Carter
Orah, love your story. Angel is a keeper!
I’m leaving this all up to your imagination…
Dar, WOW, I love it , such poetry!!!!
Man (Girl), you don’t waste any time, do you? I loved the story. But I felt short-sheeted. I thought it was leading up to something.
Your ability to express your love for each other so honestly and generously is amazing.
This is poetic. It’s so Dar.
So poetic and powerful. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Such a beautiful way to express love, I loved reading it.
Diana Carter
Powerful and poetic, Dar. Love it!
Day 4 Challenge – I couldn’t tell this one in a single scene. There was so much more to the story that I didn’t include.
Rose, I love your story. He sounds like a special guy and husband. So sorry he had to leave you so early, but am happy you have your sons. Thanks for sharing.
Quite the quiet guy.
Such a beautiful story, such a wonderful partner, such a shock that you lost him twenty six years ago, but so happy you see him in your sons.
Diana Carter
You did a fine job shortening this story. I would have loved meeting Al.
I felt like I knew Al from your writing! His mannerisms, his words, his quiet intellect. Your last paragraph is gold! What a surprise to find out that children came into your lives.
Love the story. Definitely want to know more. Love the part about your sons.
DAY 4-love interest
Stella, how fun and memorable. Thanks for sharing.
Stella. The first thing that comes to mind is a disagreement that I’ve had with my wife for many years. If I wrote this story, it would be pornography. If she wrote it, it’s ROMANCE. I like it.
Quite the forbidden rendezvous. Certainly, makes it unforgettable. Nice scene. .
Great story, Stella. I enjoyed reading it and could envision your friend clearly. Thanks for sharing.
Great description of the scene, your feelings and special moment shared between you and your love interest.
Speaking quirks is a fun topic! My brainstorm list got quite a bit longer than I anticipated. This is NOT my love interest, but here’s my story for today.
Nice capture of local dialect to portray Bob.
Thank you for reading!
Kit, your story reminded me of the time I met a Texan for the first time. I could not understand a word he was saying. Thank god he spoke Russian. he was from the Military Intelligence. Your story made me laugh. Great job!
Here is my story. I apologize for it being long. Hope you like it.
I liked your story, Etya. Thank you for sharing this description of the man you loved first (after Patrick!) and continue to love. Your respect for his integrity and skills is evident. It reminds me of the reasons I love and respect my husband.
Who is Patrick? Thank you for reading my story. I appreciate your feedback.
Etya, what an incredibly heartwarming story of your special love. Thanks for sharing!
It’s wonderful that your only love worked out for your lifetime…Who wouldn’t want the man with the qualities Yefim has, except for the foul language-hehehe…I do think when people swear in their second language it doesn’t feel like swearing when they first begin use the foul words, that was my personal experience. thanks for sharing.
I really enjoyed your story, you took me into your teenage years with your first love and carried me along over the forty some years to today, still being with your first love. Congratulations!
Diana Carter
Thank you so much for reading.
You did get lucky and you wrote it well.
Thank you so much, Orah.
I very much enjoying hearing about your courtship with Yefim. You painted a word picture of a wonderful husband, good provider, and a man of integrity. Well-crafted story!
thank you, Sheila.
True love is not all moonlight and roses. It is a growing togetherness through the years. Yours IS a love story.
I agree. Marriage is hard work. It takes patience, love, and sharing for it to last.
I don’t remember any of the sayings from my long ago love…at least I don’t have any memories of his words that I could post here. 🙂
Sheila, well-written story. I have a similar story that I didn’t choose to write. Thanks for sharing.
I think all of us have the one special somebody that in hindsight, seems to be the one who got away.
Your story hit a universal truth on young love.
A poignant love story, beautifully told.
A beautiful story of young love, such precious memories. Thanks for sharing.
Nicely done, Sheila! Great story, He was the one who got away. Love this line. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sheila, Beautiful story. I understand why you destroyed the letters. I thought about the book / movie The Bridges of Madison County. If I’m remembering the story correctly, I think the kids did read the letters after their mom passed, and it gave them a more complete sense of who she was as a person. Thanks for sharing the story about Bruce.
Thanks for sharing, Sheila. Sweet love story until it had to end, but how good that you had that. destroying the letters was a good move.
Hello, Life Writers. I would like to introduce you to my late husband Jim. I borrowed something from a story I wrote last fall, but it was too perfect not to be included.
Oh Millie, what a heart-warming story of your late husband. I’m sure you miss him. Great writing. Thanks for sharing!
I think that I once got afleeked on Marthas Vineyard.
Is that anything like when Radar got slaked on M*A*S*H*?
Nice story Millie.
.”‘The horse was running afleek” I would have challenged that one too. You nicely captured the voice of your chatterbox husband.
Your story reads like a spoken word monologue from Johnathon Goldstein.
Kudos!
Millie, your poignant story touched my heart. Thanks for sharing.
Love this story!
What a beautiful story, and so happy you have shared it. You have written it with so much care, and made it so real….I’m sorry it ended too soon.
Millie, I have tears. I know the feelings. What a great portrayal of your late husband. It really is the little, daily things that are missed most.
Aw Millie, even though i met Jim before in your writing.. this one is sweet, sad, and happy-I love that both of you were happy after “afleek” makes me want to use the word.
I find this day’s speech challenge the easy part of the prompt. However, combining that with a love interest, is the difficult part! I’m still brainstorming this one. But leaning toward making it a loved-one, rather than someone with whom I have had a romantic-type relationship. “Writer’s Leeway”, right?
Hi Kit, I think that would be fine. I see the point of this challenge is to characterize someone through dialogue, or the words the person says. Looking forward to reading your story.