February Stories
It’s the month of love, and we want you to know how much we love our Life Writers.
By the third Tuesday of the month at 11:59 p.m. ET, post your story in the comments section below. You must include a message in the comments box for the upload to work.
Your story should:
- be no more than 1,250 words
- be formatted using a twelve-point font in Times New Roman, Cambria, Calisto, or other fonts with serifs.
- be double-spaced
- include page numbers
The following day, return to this page to learn who your feedback partners are, download your group’s stories, and begin reviewing their stories.
If you miss the deadline to upload a story and register for Feedback Group, you will not be assigned to a group. However, you can still attend and bring your story to the feedback session, read it aloud, and receive verbal feedback. You will be placed in a group with other “walk-in” attendees.
This is also a place where all Life Writers can come to enjoy fellow members’ stories. Then, if you care to, leave the authors a note of encouragement.
February feedback groups assigned. See attached list
Attached is the Feb feedback group assignments. Hopefully this works!
The Beginning of a story
Linda, a totally different FARM STORY than I’m used to from you. Looking forward to the next chapter.
BTW, I liked the format.
I loved your story about the ring. The horrors of war change people’s lives. Alvina giving birth to sixteen children certainly changed the world.
This is a wonderfully told tale. I could hear it as if it were related by a storyteller at a campfire. I can’t wait to read part 2.
Thanks. More to come.
Linda, this story was suspenseful, interesting, family oriented and left me wanting to read part 2. You wrote so much in a short story. Good job!
Thank you.
Love this story, Linda. Well told. Was Alvina your mother?
No. She was my mother-in-law
Linda, With tears in my eyes from joy, then sadness, then joy, I commend you on the beautiful way you brought us into your story. Am looking forward to reading the many stories that must follow. WOW sixteen children, family dynamics and how Alvina managed the farm, children, etc., when husband prematurely died.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I loved the story, Linda. You told of so much drama and passion. The people came alive and I could feel their pain. Good writing.
Thank you.
What an interesting story, Linda. Is it historical fiction or a story from your family history?
Shorty Number Two
I almost have to withdraw my previous comments on Number One. Still, this was also an interesting character,
so much so that you remembered his story, and told it with humour. Guess you got the last laugh.
Wow, the life of a Taxi Driver is not for the faint of heart. While your story is entertaining, it shows the discrepancies in our society.
I’m with Jackie, but instead of a book, a TV series.
Lil’ Bro, still think your New York taxicab adventures would make a terrific book.
I have two shorties that I recently edited from 2022. I can’t attach two. So another is coming.
You have described the brief encounter with a singer in a way that captured an intersting quirk of her personality and her wealth. Your interest in people shines through.
great short anecdote, with a dad joke ending.Thanks.
Your stories never lack for interest, nor surprises. Great job!
I liked it, especially the play on words at the end. I can’t imagine a first class ticket for a dog, but that’s the way she rolls.
Nice story, John!
girl scout 2nd edition
Thanks for sharing your Girl Scout experiences. It seems you have had a lot of fun.
What a nice, feel good story, Sandra. I felt like I was right there.
Your story revealed what a great organization Girl Scouts is and what it meant for you: friendship, learning to cook outdoors, and even teaching you to swim. I enjoyed learning about the fly-up ceremony and your fundraising.
Sandra, your story greatly edited. Loved verbal interaction, progression through the years. and well described events.
I, too, recalled my years as an Assistant Girl Scout and Cadet Scout (that followed Brownie and Girl Scouts, I drove the girls to and from Camp Outs, events and even a trip to Atlanta where we met Jimmy Carter who was then Governor of Georgia.
As a former(a lo-ong time ago) Brownie Leader to my daughter’s Brownie troop, I found this story fascinating and informative.
Thank you, Linda. They were the best times of my childhood. Being an only child, it was like having a bunch of sisters.
Sounds like a very eventful time, Sandra.
My February story is about my twelve-year-old self, quite prevalent now, of learning to drive when I was ten years old. Enjoy.
wonderful story. The Chili dog made me hungry. “Life was so simple and great”
Jake,
First, “But I was little and didn’t know better.” That sez it all.
Second, NO CONTEST…White Castle–the original slider.
Huggz
L’il Bro
I liked your Human Body Automobile analogy. You were a brave little girl to face the obstacles you encountered on your three-mile walk. This may have helped you in your resilience and perseverance for things to come later in life.
Good story. You made the best of things with humor, even though you didn’t choose to walk 3 miles every day.
Love this story, MomJa. Especially the sarcasm you used throughout.
Vivid recollections, Jackie. )You took me back to the time and place, painted the picture, and captured the emotions. You have a great ability to capture and show emotions. I particularly liked how make-believe allowed you to face the challenges head-on, successfully overcome them, and remain joyful.
Thank you, dear Lorna. When we zoom this Saturday, we can verbally share fun and/or interesting parts of our three stories.
What a fascinating, heartwarming story!
Well that was quite an adventure for a little girl…and eight years worth of nickels hamburgers and hotdogs is a lot!
Good point. How much are they now? Thank God I was walking those three miles twice a day or I could have just rolled my Human Automobile along the sidewalks.
This month I’m submitting an older story from one of our early challenges that I’ve made edits on. It is a nostalgic little story from my childhood called Time to Go. As always, any feedback is appreciated.
A fun slice of life story. I could see how you lived and the household dynamics. Great attention to detail. This stopped me for a minute. “(no stopping in certain southern areas)”. Not something I ever had to consider.
I loved your story from a five-year-old perspective of waking up in your grandparents’ house and getting ready to go on a road trip. Your descriptions of family, breakfast, the setting and the car gave me a grasp of what it was like to be there.
Thank you, Nancy.
Lisa Marie,
I loved the characters in your story. You took a routine event, getting up and getting ready to go somewhere, and made it interesting. I always like your stories.
Thanks Nancy. Encouraging insight. I hadn’t thought of it that way.
Such a good story Lisa. Your descriptions were wonderful! I loved reading it!
Thank you, Etya. I appreciate the encouragement.
Good descriptions. I also lived in a time of gold wallpaper and shag carpet. The story was well told and I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks, Sandra. She took care of everything so well, I think it was all still there when she assed away in my adulthood.
Lisa Marie, you did it again, no additions needed. I do love you and your families’ childhood stories. The descriptions, both of the inside of the house you were in and your Granddaddy’s Cadillac were fabulous. Good girl!!!!
Thank you, Jackie. I can still see my grandmother’s home in my mind all these years later.
Here is my story that began with the Show, Tell, Write Session. Kindly see the photos on the last page.
Two wonderful narratives merged into one story. The first is the journey of discovery as the artifact’s origin is revealed, and the second is an interesting explanation of the historical significance and symbolism hidden in the cloth.
Thanks for your comments, David. I truly like your summary
Lorna,
After reading the previous story on this heirloom, I’ve come to realize it’s value to you. I’m nominating the tablecloth for the LifeWriters Hall of Fame.
J
John,
Thanks for your comments. No objections..☺
;
Love the story and the pictures. The tablecloth and s beautiful. Your mama had good taste and appreciation for art.
Appreciate your comments, Etya. Thank you.
Good job researching your family heirloom, Lorna. That bit of history was very interesting.
Thanks for your comments, Nancy. Pleased you found the history interesting.
Dearest Lorna, another winner. I downloaded into my Lorna File. Ready to rekindle our fun Thurs or Friday Zoom Meltdowns.
Thanks for your comments, Jackie. I enjoyed doing the research i included in the story.
These are three Mini Memoir stories from my early childhood.
Great snippets of life as a young girl on a farm. This phrase brought back childhood memories “wiggled my toes in my boots to keep them warm”
Nancy, between you and Linda, I’ve come to the following conclusion…I’m coming back in my next life on the farm. Obviously, I never got the “Hay Up” in Brooklyn. My father used to get me “the hell up” in the morning. Like your description of the window…so cold, it covered up quickly. Cows bawling. And the ultimate right of passage…learning to ride a bike.
Kudos.
Nancy,
I enjoyed your slice-of- life stories about growing up on a farm. So different from this suburbanite’s childhood. I loved it!
PS Make that this Southern suburbanite as I grew up in central Florida.
Great snippets, well written, of love-filled times of your young life. Isn’t it fun to remise wonderful loving moments of childhood moments.
Here is my story
Interesting story in the coal mine. I think I’d be hyperventilating that far underground. What a dangerous life those miners led (and some still do).
An interesting story of your adventures in your Miata. I don’t think I could go in the coal mine, but I felt like I was there by your description.
What a great story. Your descriptions of the Cave, stalactites and stalagmites was fantastic. (As a science major, caves have always fascinated me.) It reminded me that for years the movie, “How Green Was My Valley,” movie about coal mining was my favorite.
Thanks Jackie. It was really fun
That’s a great story, Judy. I’ve sometimes witnessed groups of the same car on the highway and wondered about them. Now I know they just might be a local car club out for an adventure.
What a great road trip.
Here is my story.
And I chose to live without the fear that shaped them, while carrying their courage with me every step of the way. That says it all. I felt their fear and understood how their lives shaped the strong, wonderful person you are today. I’m proud to be your American Mom, Love MomJa
Excellent. Just excellent.
Beautifully written Etya. I felt the emotions in every occurrence in your story. One of the expressions I will take away is, “Love makes promises before the mind has time to object.” Thankfully, the lessons learned paved the way for a positive outcome.
Thank you so much, my friend. I miss our meetings,
I like how you compare yourself to your parents in this story. You describe what has shaped your family.
Thank you, Nancy. I appreciate you.
This is my story about my garden club. I hope you like it.
A great vignette into the dynamics of a garden club. I don’t think I’d survive a high tea. Too fancy and structured.
related story: Clotted cream! I ordered scones for my mom, online. They came with clotted cream. It was terrible, she said. later I found out you need to combine it with jam on the scone. Ha.
I guess you can tell high tea isn’t really my cup of tea either, but it is a fundraiser and I got a story out of it. Who knows? Maybe, I’ll get another one. ☕️
I somehow lost my response. So I’m going to try again.
From a boy’s perspective, this is a HOOT.
My high tea IQ is very limited. What is clotted cream?
You stole one of my words…gotta.
Fun story.
Clotted cream is a mixture of whipped cream and butter. Very fancy.
Thanks for the comments John, but I gotta go. Lol!
Here is a photo to go with my story.
I can’t publish my true feelings about this plant. But cowboy or not, I wouldn’t use it.
Nancy, delightfully written. Loved all the conversational interaction and character descriptions. Much improved. Also, info about the “toilet paper” plant.
It’s fun to enjoy the samples of the tea party before the actual party. I hope you let us know how it went.
Thanks. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Here is a story of my favorite Uncle and his acquisition of a tiny novelty car.
Tom, well written. Liked the way you introduced Eddie, a man of all seasons. Outwardly very prime and proper with a hidden inward desire to be fun-loving.
Eccentrics make the world go round. Now I want to drive one of those little cars.
Here is my story for February titled “Stones, Sand, Solstices. Enjoy.
Inspiring story, Norma. Your detailed and thoughtful descriptions painted pictures that filled me with awe.
That was certainly a trip I would have loved to go on.,
Thanks Lorna. Glad you enjoyed the story. It is one I will never forget.
Great story, Norma. I like this v2 even more.
You already know I love this story. Thanks for sharing your once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Beautifully written. I felt as if I were again standing before and touching those stone sand Solstices at Stonehenge in England as I had years ago with a dance group. Your descriptions and history were perfection/personified. Thanks for reviving the memory dear friend.
Good morning Jackie. Thanks for reading my story and your comments. Much appreciated. Have a beautiful day.
Your writing is impeccable and such a delight to read. Keep rereading sections of your book and especially love the one you wrote about your art adventure. Like to reread your one on Rome, I think it was Rome.
Here is my story, also based on the How I Learned to Drive prompt
Kit, I’m glad your story had a happy ending. I can relate to your story.
I guess we all have driving stories. I know I do.
Kit, it’s really funny but I was going to submit my story of learning to drive at sixteen too. I specifically remember my brother teaching me to throw my right arm over the back of my seat and turn around to see where I was backing up. I could relate to everything you wrote. I really enjoyed it.
Loved it. I laughed out loud. I’m trying to get nerve to post mine. My 12-year-old side kicked in and I’m afraid I rattled on too much.
Wonderful story, Kit. Coming of age.
Hi Kit. Enjoyed this version. I felt I was immediately invited into your story. Boy, what a dad to teach his little girl so much about driving.The school of hard knocks taught you well. Terrific story. Thanks for sharing.
This is my entry based on the driver’s education prompt. The title is The Edge of Sixteen, and I hope that Stevie Nicks doesn’t sue me for stealing part of her song title.
Love the pace and urgency of the story, and the juxtaposition of fantasy versus reality. I was there with you as you
described each step of your driving lessons. A well-written story..
Dave,
Good story told well. It’s a new experience for a teenager to drive. A step towards adulthood.
Ditto to Norma’s comment, Dave. I was waiting for one of your cars to take off to the wild blue yonder.
Dave, I could relate to the three-point turn and throwing your arm over the seat as you turned around. Good story
Great story Dave. I enjoyed it. You always have a knack for detail. Makes for great reading.