In The Dreaming: Chapter Fourteen "Campfire and Story Stick" (Fantasy Y/A Novel)
-I wrote the following novel nearly two decades ago. In the years between then and now I've honed my craft, and my perception of this world; my thoughts and ideas; have changed dramatically. However, I still enjoy the premise and have decided to do an overhaul of revisions and rewrites, though likely not until sometime next year. (Though I'm sure I'll do a little as I post chapters)
For now I hope you will enjoy a glimpse into my book writing beginnings...
They are the closest of friends though they have never met in waking life.
.jpeg)
Prologue-PT1 Prologue-PT2 Chapter 1
Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10
Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13
Chapter Fourteen
Amy tapped Aliyah on the shoulder, “You okay?”
She snapped her head up and grinned “Of course, just out of breath.”
“Ah ha, I got you!” Misty didn’t quite make it before Janie dropped her hand on her shoulder.
“Okay, my turn to count,” Misty put her head down and they all headed out again. This time Dave headed out into the side yard, to Aliyah’s disappointment. He hadn’t even looked at her…or had he? She'd been too busy staring at the table to notice. Her mind started running away with her-what if he thought it was a mistake? Or what if he thought she didn’t like it?
She hid behind a tree where she could see what was going on in the yard but no one could see her. Misty started searching, and when she reached the left side of the yard Dave came bolting out, stretching out his long legs while Misty yelled and, chased him. John came out from the other side, but Misty was ready, she whipped around and caught him just before he touched.
They continued playing, with each of them getting a turn at being it except Aliyah and Dave. Janie stated that this was because Dave’s legs were so long and Aliyah knew the property too well. They were getting bored, so they decided to head back to the fire.
Once there, they situated themselves, this time Dave sat on the opposite side of Aliyah. She was beginning to feel a little annoyed, this was her first kiss, her first crush on a boy that was not in a dream, and she had no idea how to play this game.
Misty suggested they play truth or dare, but Aliyah didn’t feel like it all of a sudden. She knew Misty was going to dare Dave to kiss her, and she didn’t want to, not that way. She was about to suggest something else when Dave piped in with the idea of telling scary stories instead. Janie and John looked very relieved, and Amy was indifferent, so they each picked sticks for marshmallows and let Dave begin.
They took turns telling stories, by the time they had each told one they were all beginning to get just a tiny bit nervous. Especially after John’s surprise story-no one had expected him to pipe in at all-about a killer at a summer camp.
“I think we need to lighten the mood now,” Aliyah jumped up. “Why don’t we tell connecting stories.” She hopped up and searched around for a suitable “story” stick. “The story stick is an ancient Indian ritual, someone begins a story and then passes it to the next person who starts where they left off and so on. Most of the time people try to start it scary and it ends up being funny.”
“I love the story stick, let me start?” Amy cleared her throat. “Once upon a time there was a frog named Andy. Andy was not your ordinary frog, he was as intelligent as a person, but unfortunately he lacked the ability to speak.”
She passed the stick to Aliyah.
“Well Andy desperately wanted to live amongst people, but he was terrified that the first person he approached would cut off his legs for dinner. So he bided his time and finally chose a little girl who he felt he could trust.” She handed the stick to Dave’s outstretched hand.
“But the little girl was not as sweet as she seemed. She had been spoiled growing up, and had no time for a frog. The smart frog quickly realized this, and moved on to another girl down the street.” He looked sideways at Aliyah then handed the stick to John.
Aliyah felt her chest tightening up. Was he trying to say something to her, was that story about her, what the heck was he talking about? She was so busy thinking stuff like that she completely lost track of what everyone else was saying. Abruptly she pushed out her chair and said she had to excuse herself.
She went into the woods and sat on a boulder watching the group. A few minutes passed and she saw Amy looking around, and knew she was going to come after her. She had no interest in talking to Amy at the present moment, she was way too confused. She waited until Amy was almost to her, then came out of the woods.
“Are you okay, you seem kinda quiet, what’s going on?”
“Fine Am, I think the hotdog settled wrong or something, my stomach was bothering me a little. I’m okay though.”
“If you say so. Wait for me?” She headed into the bushes to do her duty and Aliyah stood there glaring across the clearing at Dave, who luckily couldn’t see her. This is stupid, she thought, I have to talk to him. How?
Enjoy my writing style?
Buy Your copy of The Allies of Old: Reborn
HERE-page-001%20(1).jpg)
Check out my new author's website: https://www.linnetmclaughlin.com/
Have you filled your witness votes?
Check out these passionate and competent souls:@ocd-witness, @pharesim, @yabapmatt @teamsteem, @steemgigs, @ausbitbank, @roelandp, @dragosroua; then go to https://steemit.com/~witnesses
If you don't see their name on the list, simply write it in the empty box at the bottom of the page- but make sure you haven't already voted or it may unvote your selection!
This all became suddenly a large cast, didn't it? I mean, Aliyah's friends were introduced a while back, but I was hoping that they would all just take a back seat as time went on.
The pattern I've noticed with your characters is that the lead female is always surrounded by friends and family, always acting as kind of a compass for the group, while the male lead is of on his own, sometimes accompanied by a companion or two. I think Collin has the most companions so far?
I'm extremely introverted, that's why I think I gravitated towards Today Again and The Playground Series so much. The dynamic between the leads was much more focused, as I get exhausted by large groups in real life. Anyway, it's nice to live vicariously through extroverted characters at times!
When I rewrite this book lots of things are going to change. I just can't focus on too much editing right now, so many other things going on.
I think this was the framework for most of the stories I wrote later- obviously the main characters have been at least loosely based on Howie and I- I came with the large group of friends, he's more inclined toward loner- though he's gifted socially.
But yeah, this book needs a ton of attention- way too much trivial details haha!
Hi, @dreemit!
You just got a 25.66% upvote from SteemPlus!
To get higher upvotes, earn more SteemPlus Points (SPP). On your Steemit wallet, check your SPP balance and click on "How to earn SPP?" to find out all the ways to earn.
If you're not using SteemPlus yet, please check our last posts in here to see the many ways in which SteemPlus can improve your Steem experience on Steemit and Busy.