Saturday, January 28, 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample: Thumps and Losers

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples! Because I have made a reputation as a writer of Western tales, folks might think I never have written anything in any other form or genre. On the contrary, I can write short works in other time periods. This week I'm giving two samples, one from each of the two short stories in my ebook, Thumps and Losers.


Thumps in the Night

Two thumps awakened Muriel Harris in the night. She clutched the covers to her chin, wishing Mel hadn’t had to leave on a business trip the day after they’d moved to the country.

The thump came again, louder this time, followed by a screech of metal against metal. Muriel reached for the flashlight she’d put on the bedside table because the worker from the rural electric company hadn’t made it out to their place to turn on the electricity yet. She cursed her carelessness in leaving her cell phone on the patio.

The smooth metal flashlight felt cool in her hand as she got out of bed, but before she could switch on the beam, the flashlight slipped out of her shaking fingers and crashed to the floor. Muriel went to her knees in the dark, feeling around for the flashlight, but it was not to be found.

A clatter of metal came from the kitchen, and Muriel jumped to her feet. What was out there?

Losers Weepers

“Mom,” cried ten-year-old Bobby Brown as he rushed in the door from school. “Guess what I found on the street! It’s a wallet, Mom, and there’s a lot of money in it.”

Thelma Brown put down the iron and brushed back the hair from her forehead with the back of her hand. She looked on as Bobby opened the wallet and spread out the cash on the worn kitchen table. “Money, huh? Where’d you find all this money?”
~~

On UK Kindle Store

Thanks for visiting. Your comments are welcome. Then I invite you to go read other writers' samples.

11 comments:

  1. The first story freaked me out! I live surrounded by woods and fields and I do NOT like being alone at night, let alone without electricity. *shudders* And nice hook in the second story!

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    1. Sarah, I know well that feeling of being freaked-out. Occasionally we get winter storms that take out major power lines, and then we're without power for who knows how long. And I'm a widow, so I'm always alone at nigh--except when my kids visit.

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  2. Yep you can write whatever you want. You have a way with details that makes it all come to life

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    1. Thank you, Sue! Isn't it odd that I don't consciously observe details and make mental notes like ,"oh, I have to remember how that looks," or "Hmm, nice turn of phrase"? I must be more like a sponge than a reporter.

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  3. Two great stories. You sucked me right in and now I want to know what the heck was making that noise in the kitchen and where was that wallet dropped...it's probably mine! :-)

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    1. Thank you kindly, Jean. Is it a bear?

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  4. Loved both samples, but the first has me more intrigued. Great evocation of atmosphere! What was that thump?

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    1. LOL! Was it an elk crashing around? Thanks, Jenna.

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  5. That first smaple was chilling and the second had me wanting to read more.

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    1. Yay! I got the tone right! Thanks, Lindsay.

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  6. Oh goodness. I never want to hear thumps like that in my house! How terrifying.
    As for finding all that money? I guess I'd find out who it belonged to, though I really wouldn't want to. :)

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I welcome your comments.

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