Fiction: Complete

The day has come! It's Monday and, as promised, I've got a copy of Sam's Letters to Jennifer ready to go.

We had some awesome responses to this post about a 70-year-old envelope I got at an antiques fair. I'd asked you guys to write something based on its information, and 7 phenomenal pieces were the result.

All you ladies (no dudes, really?) did super. But, hard as it was, I did have to pick just one. And I chose the piece from...

Kelly! As a scrapbooker, she doesn't claim any writing talent. But she should! Here is her moving piece:

Nellie sat against the wall, feeling the icy wind whistle through the cracks and seep under her worn sweater. In front of her were two girls, sisters, playing with a scrap of a doll. The oldest sister tied a handkerchief around the cloth body, hiding the many imperfections. Nellie lowered her eyes into her arms. She wasn’t old enough to know the words, but her heart knew it was hard to watch this small family.

Downstairs the front door hit the wall. A small commotion followed and then silence.

A moment, an hour later--time meant so little here--a woman walked through the girls’ dormitory. She held out a hand to Nellie and the girl took it silently. With soft footsteps the two made their way to Father Flanagan’s office.

Perched on the edge of a chair, hands clasped tightly in her lap, Nellie waited.

“Nellie,” Father said. “These are for you.” In his outstretched hand Nellie saw three small packages. Shyly, Nellie reached forward and took the candy. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You may go back and play now,” Father told her gently.

Nellie slid down till her toes touched the floor and scooted quickly from the room. Back inside the office the woman looked to Father Flanagan. “The letter?” she questioned. Father shook his head. “They cannot take her, poor dear.” The woman’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “Will you tell her?”

“Later,” Father replied. “For now, let her enjoy the chocolate.”

Just brilliant, Kelly! Are you sure you don't want to take up writing?

***

All the other ladies deserve mention.

Jenni - You should take your story further, as you mentioned. There's a great tale to be told with your words! Loved it.

Angie - Oh my gosh. Such a heartfelt piece; it evokes such rich emotion! Thank you for sharing this with us.

Vesper - Welcome to Something She Wrote! And thanks for participating. I was surprised to learn you're so young! You keep at this writing thing, chick. You've got something. :)

Barbara - You so well captured the life many likely lived. Made my heart sad - in that way I so love because it's due to good writing. Excellent!

Melanie - Love that you made it a present-day story, looking back on an old letter. And the helicopter seeds, I remember playing with those! An awesome thing we all likely remember; it connects us all to the story. Great stuff!

Joy - I really loved where you went with this; that the circumstance came about only temporary, until things are more adequate for Nellie. Such a full story; there's so much behind the scenes of what you wrote. Well done!

Keep at it, all of you. I suggest writing fiction blurbs whenever inspiration hits - even when you're working on bigger projects. It's good for motivation and creativity, and can even help with mental block.

Thank you again, ladies. I'm so honored to write alongside you talented women.

Turn A Letter Into Fiction

I've been enjoying your great thoughts on Monday's post about honesty in writing. Thanks for the discussion!

And for today's topic...

Some may recall I have an interest in antiques. What seems to catch my eye most often of late are old letters and postcards, and I know it's because of the stories - whatever they are - behind those pieces. I love turning possibilities for their existence over in my mind.

Two weekends ago, I attended an antiques show and vintage market with some friends. One booth had a plastic tub full of old envelopes, and I brought two home. My favorite is this one.

Postmarked on February 18th of 1939 (70 years ago today!), it journeyed from San Francisco to Father Flanagan at Boys Town in Nebraska. I just think that's pretty darn cool. Handwritten notes in pencil declare it a personal, first-class letter, and that postage was 3 cents short (for a total of 9 cents). What tugs at me most though, is the ever-so-light script that reads: "Father - chocolate enclosed for Nellie." It's like a playground for my imagination.

And I want you guys to play with me.

You've read pieces of my flash fiction (some of which you can find in the sidebar to the right), but today I'm asking you to write some.

Using any or all of the details above, or even just the picture, write a blurb. (Keep it on the shorter end, though. Let's say as few as you need, but no more than 250 words.) Post it in the comments section - or on your own blog, and let me know you've done so.

I'll take "entries" until Saturday, midnight CST. I'll then deliberate and choose the one that speaks to me most. Come Monday, a "winner" will be announced, and he or she will receive a new, hardbound copy of James Patterson's Sam's Letters to Jennifer. Fitting, eh?

Are you up for the challenge? If so, hop to. And spread the word! The more the merrier on my playground.