Every Friday Lisa posts a photo to inspire us. Our job is to write a "blurb" about our as-yet-unwritten book, in 150 words or less. Then, link it to the other stories using Lisa's friend Mr. Linky, and read and comment on the other blurbs.
It's amazing how much this hones the revising skills. I know there are some who can regularly write under the word limit without much effort, but I usually have to do some major slashing and then tightening up to get it at or under 150 words.
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| photo by Lynn Obermoeller, a writer as well as a gifted photographer |
The Mystery of Flatt Creek
People still talked about that day at Flatt Creek. Pauline's death was murky like the creek after a terrible storm, and the emotions were as cold as the water's flow in the early spring.
Pauline. Pregnant. Emotionally unstable. Rumors spread that the baby wasn't Virgil's...
Virgil. Short, stout, but formidable nonetheless. Folks avoided him when they could. He'd already committed Pauline to the sanitarium four times...
When Pauline was found in Flatt Creek, face down, two lives were lost. When the neighbors heard a scream that day, after the body was discovered, they wondered if there was a connection. And at the funeral, when someone commented on the long, raking scratch marks on Virgil's arm, he rolled down his shirt sleeves.
Did Virgil kill Pauline in a fit of jealousy? Or did Pauline finally succeed in ending her sad life? And will the truth ever come to the surface? (149 words)
And welcome to my newest follower, Tiger 75. Are you going to join us for Book Blurb Friday? It's fun. (I promise!)
Great interpretation of the photo, Sioux. Mystery, crime/drama, character study. You really ran the gamut. I'd buy this in a heartbeat. So...did Virgil do it?
ReplyDelete(I have a tough time sticking to the 150 words, too. Lots of revising and having to find exactly the right words...not always easy, but great practice!)
Wow! This is great, Sioux. I want to read it, very much.
ReplyDeleteHappy BBF,
Kathy M.
Yes - this promises a nice meaty tale with lots of back story and mystery and an un-guessable ending.
ReplyDeleteSounds so realisitc, like a newspaper report. You have a knack!
ReplyDeleteAnother great one! I would read this. I want to know if Virgil did it too.
ReplyDeleteSioux, you have the makings of a great novel here. Let me know when it's finished. I want an autographed copy, please. How is testing?
ReplyDeleteWill the truth be revealed in the very last paragraph or is the reader to be teased? Whichever way it goes, it sounds thrilling.
ReplyDeleteYou really packed a lot in these 150 words. Amazing job!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be fun to actually write one of the books you write the blurbs for?
ReplyDeleteI have never wanted to read about a couple named Virgil and Pauline more than I do right at this moment. Hope you are writing fast. This has the makings of a truly interesting thriller.
ReplyDeleteI love a good mystery and this is it! I also say Virgil did it (you know, because of the scratches and his nastiness)-he did do it didn't he? LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhoa! You've really got a great hook going there! Pauline and Virgil have gotten into some messes in their lives and how it ends is sad no matter what happened. You've packed some neat ideas into these 150 words! Good job!
ReplyDelete~Jean
I do think this helps you to hone your writing skills. There are times I see the photo and think of NOTHING so you've got to dig deep to find something, which is challenging. Good job on creating quite the detailed story!
ReplyDeletePowerful stuff. I love a good whodunit! Great job, Sioux!
ReplyDeleteAh! A great murder mystery brewing here :) I would love for there to be a protagonist to root for! But the whole set up and tension is fantastic - of course Virgil didn't do it! (In true Agatha Christie style!) It is bound to be the person we are all led to believe couldn't possibly have done it!
ReplyDelete:Dom
oh I enjoyed this, would love to know how her sad life ended. I love mysteries!
ReplyDeleteGrace