Good story starts. I like Number Two. Lots of rich material there for backstories and cultural exploration. Does place have much to do with the young mother's story? Is there something in the way the boy was raised that prompted his current attitudes, or are they normal adolescent behavior. Also, and especially what makes the story unique from the others, how old are the grandparents and what issues make them question their problems raising the boy now? Do their past and traditional beliefs hinder them? Have they learned anything new from parenting for the second time? Have the changes in the world around them promoted any of the troubles they see coming with the boy that are different from when they grew up?
Thanks, Carol. These little stories stemmed from our writing prompts for next meeting of Women Who Write. I am looking forward to hearing what ideas others come up with for the prompts!
Thanks Linda! ( Have you started on the writing prompts for the next WWW meeting? I can't wait to see what the writers come up with, we are all so different.)
All of them are excellent, but #4 stood out, for me. I could feel the frustration, and the panic of being trapped. Great pictures, great stories, Sharron!
Tangles! We are old, and our lives have been full of tangles at one time or another. You know what I mean. BUT It is all unsnarled now, for both of us. Thanks all the gods.
Yes, Bob. She seems a little mentally unstable to me. An interesting character to explore. Much like the woman who murdered her first three husbands in this little story:
The story about the boy struck a note for me. I knew families in that position and how difficult it was for the grandparents to manage. They were tired and didn’t know what to do.
One or Three for me Sharron. Both sound intriguing. Can’t decide between them.🤔🙂
Thanks Daniel, for your vote.
I’d like to see the wires untangled in number 4. Only you can create order from chaos.
Thank you, Richard. I prefer #4, too.
I like ‘em all. I guess I would vote #1 with the gun if you put a gun to my head lol
Thank. you, Scott. It seems like #1 has the most votes.
Sharron, for me it would be #1 to expand on. "I barely grazed him" did it for me. - Jim
Thanks, Jim. Though on second look, I believe the photo was a spoiler, making the last line almost redundant. I need a more ambiguous image… darn it!
PS The creepy look in the eyes of the little boy in my story reminded me of the boy in your Age of Innocence story. Verging on demonic.
There's cubby-holes in your head arent' there.....
I vote #1 ))
Thanks, Kate. Yes, #1 seems to be the popular one. She is so sure of herself. Most sociopaths are.... ha ha ha
Good story starts. I like Number Two. Lots of rich material there for backstories and cultural exploration. Does place have much to do with the young mother's story? Is there something in the way the boy was raised that prompted his current attitudes, or are they normal adolescent behavior. Also, and especially what makes the story unique from the others, how old are the grandparents and what issues make them question their problems raising the boy now? Do their past and traditional beliefs hinder them? Have they learned anything new from parenting for the second time? Have the changes in the world around them promoted any of the troubles they see coming with the boy that are different from when they grew up?
I agree, Sue. I can see about seven pages with this one... Thank you.
I like them all but I think #2 has endless possibilities for a longer story.
Yes, I think so too. See Sue Cauhape's suggestions / questions above. She agrees with you.
I like more of #1 and #4. Though if the guy stays in either relationship, he'll deserve what he gets. : )
Ha ha ha! You are so right. He better get out while the getting is good. Thanks, James!
I like two and four and think either one has potential to make into longer stories. Go for it Sharron. Give us more. Croe
Thanks, Carol. These little stories stemmed from our writing prompts for next meeting of Women Who Write. I am looking forward to hearing what ideas others come up with for the prompts!
The first gun one had me, good beginning!
Thanks Linda! ( Have you started on the writing prompts for the next WWW meeting? I can't wait to see what the writers come up with, we are all so different.)
All of them are excellent, but #4 stood out, for me. I could feel the frustration, and the panic of being trapped. Great pictures, great stories, Sharron!
Tangles! We are old, and our lives have been full of tangles at one time or another. You know what I mean. BUT It is all unsnarled now, for both of us. Thanks all the gods.
I would follow on ONE. Much to unfold. Gun charges? Separation? Comeuppance?
Yes, Bob. She seems a little mentally unstable to me. An interesting character to explore. Much like the woman who murdered her first three husbands in this little story:
https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/the-first-time-i-killed-a-man
I’d like to see one and two combined.
Oh! What an interesting idea. And such a challenge! Golly, even more of a challenge would be to combine all four stories..? Thanks, Al, for the idea.
ONe! I'm hooked. All hlave potential, but the first, for my own palate,is the most intriguing.
Your vote is much appreciated, Jill. Thank you!
A little more on number one-did the gun really only graze??
Hah! Good question... we will have to find out.
The story about the boy struck a note for me. I knew families in that position and how difficult it was for the grandparents to manage. They were tired and didn’t know what to do.
Yes, I have seen a lot of grandparents become parents again. But it was the look in the little boy's eyes that scared me! A very intense kid.