Thank you, Scott. I was thinking these two characters had cut themselves free from their pasts and maybe they needed each other. Connection between two people seems to be my favorite theme. Not sure why.
An edgy, well-told tale. The cold, snowy night sets the scene for the human drama that unfolds gradually. The decision on the part of the driver to turn around, though burdened with the knowledge of the robbery is a touching human moment. Cheyenne might just be a fresh start for the young man. I love the way you end with a hopeful question: "You think I might like it there?" Great work, Sharron!
Well done, Sharon (as usual). Compelling story with well-developed characters. Good rising tension and thought-provoking ending. So admire your ability to pack so much into so few words; I need lessons! Thank you for the read; always a pleasure..
Thank you for this thoughtful comment, CJ. You know, I think practicing with 50-word stories has been helpful to me. At first, I thought a 50-word limit was a gimmicky format, but then realized it really does help train us to pare back to the essence. I think it has been helpful with slightly longer pieces like Nebraska Crossroads, as well.
Silly me, I forgot writers have staff to take care of mundane things like that. Garden is play but its hard to write with a handful of grass. tsk. So yeah, sit on the veranda with paper and pen and a glass of something inspiring. ))) We forget the struggle behind the page. Somebody's got to do it right? )))))
Good! Thank you, Justin! I aim for it and know I am often off the mark. I am getting some valuable tutoring, which I find so helpful. I should take an online creative writing course...
I respectfully disagree! I think you often hit the mark with your characters. I find myself wanting to read more about them and learn about their individual histories. Also, I learn a lot from you and from other fiction writers on this platform! What an awesome little community we’ve carved out.
Yes! I feel so grateful to have been accepted into this little group of 15-18 writers in the huge universe of Substack. Everyone is so kind and generous with their mentoring and their comments. The genre and style of our writing is all different, but the camaraderie offered is the same. No snarkiness, no oneupmanship. Everyone really makes me laugh. I look forward every time to seeing what we have come up with. I have become a part of a wonderful tribe.
Is the absolute breaking-point ever far off? He did not consider himself a criminal. No. Just pushed over the edge. We don't even need to know the details to identify with that. (Some of us, anyway.) Thanks for reading my story, Amie.
Oh goodie! My confidence as a writer is very shaky from one day to the next. Sometimes I feel like such a pretender, but your kind feedback really helps stabilize me. Thank you!
Ah, "Imposter Syndrome". A business coach recently told me that those who feel this way, or as a "pretender" (raising my hand, here) are generally the ones who are NOT; they are the gifted ones, the capable ones.
Great job as usual, you have a way to bring your characters alive.
Thank you, Scott. I was thinking these two characters had cut themselves free from their pasts and maybe they needed each other. Connection between two people seems to be my favorite theme. Not sure why.
An edgy, well-told tale. The cold, snowy night sets the scene for the human drama that unfolds gradually. The decision on the part of the driver to turn around, though burdened with the knowledge of the robbery is a touching human moment. Cheyenne might just be a fresh start for the young man. I love the way you end with a hopeful question: "You think I might like it there?" Great work, Sharron!
Thank you, Jim, for helping me make sense of it. You have been a great mentor.
Well done, Sharon (as usual). Compelling story with well-developed characters. Good rising tension and thought-provoking ending. So admire your ability to pack so much into so few words; I need lessons! Thank you for the read; always a pleasure..
Thank you for this thoughtful comment, CJ. You know, I think practicing with 50-word stories has been helpful to me. At first, I thought a 50-word limit was a gimmicky format, but then realized it really does help train us to pare back to the essence. I think it has been helpful with slightly longer pieces like Nebraska Crossroads, as well.
Really liked this, Sharron! Sure enjoy your stories.
I like YOUR stories, my friend. Thank you!
You're welcome. Thank you very much, Sharron!
I always finish your 5 minute stories and wish there were more. 💚
Me, too! ha ha ha. Sometimes there is... Thanks for reading them, Heather!
Wow - that ending really surprised me! A gripping tale, Sharron - thank you for another exciting read!
I thought those two guys, as unlike as they were, sort of needed each other.
They'd really bonded, hadn't they? Great story!
Such a big story in 5 minutes! You make the most of every word! Love it, Sharron!!
Practice, practice, practice. There is no magic way to improve, is there. I like to write, but I i
would not like to try to do it for money....
Good grief woman! All these people in your head!! Its a wonder you get any laundry done at all.
Laundry? You mean I am supposed to wash my clothes? Next thing I know you will tell me I need to weed my garden! Fiddle-dee-dee!
Silly me, I forgot writers have staff to take care of mundane things like that. Garden is play but its hard to write with a handful of grass. tsk. So yeah, sit on the veranda with paper and pen and a glass of something inspiring. ))) We forget the struggle behind the page. Somebody's got to do it right? )))))
Staff!! Ha ha ha. I wish. Excuse me, but I am heading off for another glass of inspiration...
I think you're right, those two guys needed each other.
Sometimes these characters become so real to me I think about them for days wondering how they are doing!
What a great duo. I’m happy he went back for the kid. I often find myself loving your characters and their interactions/dialogue. They feel real!
Good! Thank you, Justin! I aim for it and know I am often off the mark. I am getting some valuable tutoring, which I find so helpful. I should take an online creative writing course...
I respectfully disagree! I think you often hit the mark with your characters. I find myself wanting to read more about them and learn about their individual histories. Also, I learn a lot from you and from other fiction writers on this platform! What an awesome little community we’ve carved out.
Yes! I feel so grateful to have been accepted into this little group of 15-18 writers in the huge universe of Substack. Everyone is so kind and generous with their mentoring and their comments. The genre and style of our writing is all different, but the camaraderie offered is the same. No snarkiness, no oneupmanship. Everyone really makes me laugh. I look forward every time to seeing what we have come up with. I have become a part of a wonderful tribe.
Likewise. It’s a wonderful place to be!
That opening line, and going nuts in Lincoln? 100% relatable.
Is the absolute breaking-point ever far off? He did not consider himself a criminal. No. Just pushed over the edge. We don't even need to know the details to identify with that. (Some of us, anyway.) Thanks for reading my story, Amie.
Great story! Sharron.
The way things are today, the kid could face a vastly different outcome. Your characters grab us and hold us until the final sentence.
Oh goodie! My confidence as a writer is very shaky from one day to the next. Sometimes I feel like such a pretender, but your kind feedback really helps stabilize me. Thank you!
Ah, "Imposter Syndrome". A business coach recently told me that those who feel this way, or as a "pretender" (raising my hand, here) are generally the ones who are NOT; they are the gifted ones, the capable ones.
Let's both let that sink in.
Easy to understand, hard to reverse. I often felt the same way as a teacher - and I was a really good teacher! ha ha ha