Writing was a struggle this weekend, and so is blogging today. I’m pushing myself on the WIP, but I’m taking the easy road out here. I’m going to share an excerpt of a future work in progress. Enjoy!
…
Chelsea sat on the beach and listened to the waves rushing onto shore. The tide was low, and the water frigid, but the sky danced in color. Blue, grey, purple, and gold. She couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful last day.
Chelsea listened to the sound of her own breathing, felt her chest expand and contract. She had a sense of herself here that she’d never had anywhere else, and she hated to give that up. But the summer had ended, and it was time to go home. She would return to the States and find a real job. A real life. A real love?
She had her doubts about all three.
But she’d had doubts about Spain too, she reminded herself. Doubts about Alejandro. And look how wrong she’d been.
Saying goodbye to Alejo would be the hardest part. If he even let her, that is. Chelsea wondered if he would make it back — from wherever he’d run away to — in time to see her off. If not, she could always write to him once she was home. But she didn’t think that she would.
With a soft sigh and a heavy heart, Chelsea picked up her sandals and stood. She wiggled her toes in the sand. She hoped that at least a few grains would stick, and return with her to Pennsylvania, because they were the only things that could.
16 responses to “Barcelona sunrise”
I like it :) it conveys a good mood (tossed me back to when I was in Barcelona on the beach!)
One nit picky thing, in place of “Chelsea listened to the sound of her own breathing”, I would use “She listened to the sound of her own breathing.” The double use of her name reads a tiny bit awkwardly, when it’s known via the first sentence that you couldn’t be referring to anyone else.
.-= • Recent post by Les: Etsy Picks: Chartreuse =-.
Sorry to hear you’ve been having a hard time. I’m sure you know that you were bound to go through times like these with a strict daily word quota, but it should be interesting (in hindsight, I suppose) to see what you learn about your writing by driving right through this without a break.
I’ve always found the name Alejandro very sexy, so good choice there. :)
(This comment was brought to you via my iPad. Could you feel it? ;) )
Sorry you’ve been having a hard time. I tend to go in writing spurts. It would be so much easier if it all just came consistently. But that’s life, I guess. :)
I love this snippet. I want to go to Barcelona. Why does real life always have to get in the way?!
Have a great Monday!!
.-= • Recent post by Kimberly Franklin: And the WINNER is…. =-.
Sorry to hear you’re so stressed. Hope things get a little easier soon. Lovely little scene you set in your snippet. :)
.-= • Recent post by sarahjayne: Celebrate Monday =-.
I loved the last line. So wistful.
.-= • Recent post by Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist: Study Buddies =-.
Les-
Thanks for the nit!
Sonja-
Mmm, and Alejo IS sexy… ;)
I CAN FEEL THE IPAD! I WANT TO FEEL THE IPAD ALL DAY LONG!
Kimberly-
Screw real life, go to Barcelona!
sarahjayne-
Thanks, girl. I’m doing all right. I ended up writing a neat scene last night that got me back on track mentally/emotionally.
Rebecca-
:D
Agreed about the last line, love the detail about the sand. Great work, can’t wait to read more.
.-= • Recent post by Jon: Moving to Illinois =-.
Thanks, Jon! Unfortunately this story will have to wait a while… but maybe I’ll share more random snippets of other stories and see what sticks (i.e., what people like, which is a huge motivation for me to work).
Dang girl! You can write. This felt so beachy, reflective, bitter-sweet, all that. Love it!
.-= • Recent post by Samantha Bennett: A Turkey Scavenger Hunt =-.
Barcelona. I will live there some day. Your story let me be at the beach for a few minutes, so I’m sold. ;)
.-= • Recent post by Sarah: Writers. Are we all just addicts looking to score? =-.
Samantha-
You just made my day. Which I especially appreciate, because it was kinda rough. My mailman yelled at me. :(
Sarah-
BCN is awesome! Well really, almost anywhere in Spain is the sh*t. I love Madrid and Valencia the most, but what’s great is each city has its own personality, so you just find the one that fits you!
Finally you share something!
And thanks for the I’m not find
.-= • Recent post by Angie: Strangers in the city =-.
Mmm, thanks for the link to “I’m Not.” What a great read. And I like the future WIP! More, please!
– Liz
.-= • Recent post by Liz Czukas: I Wanna Be a Sophomore =-.
Angie and Liz-
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed. :)
Kristan, I love your writing style. Do you have any books out yet, or are you still trying to get that elusive agent-book deal-celebrity lifestyle going? ; )
Thank you, Anne! No books out — I’m definitely still trying to get “that elusive agent-book deal-celebrity lifestyle” lol.