Per the prompt over at Julia’s Place, for this week’s 100 Word Challenge for Grown-Ups:
I want you to write a piece with
….‘What was the rabbit late for,’ wondered Alice…..
in it. You have 100 words making a total of 108. However, the last 10 words are going to be used to start a piece by someone else next week!! Good eh! The idea isn’t mine – it came from Winchester House School.
This is quite a tricky prompt! Not only does it require the use of given text, but the writer also has to create a “hook” for the next one to come along! Nevertheless, I couldn’t sit back and let the challenge go unanswered:
Larry paraphrases; he’s barely focused on the text. But Sally doesn’t mind.
She knows he worries, that what he does isn’t “enough.” But she also knows his concern is unnecessary. His touch, his presence, his voice: that’s what’s important. And she tells him as much, when he pauses over the page:
“You’re fine,” she says.
After a moment, he continues. “’What was the rabbit late for, wondered Alice-‘”
A jolt in her belly makes her gasp, softly.
Larry gasps, too. Then, he looks up, his blue eyes wide, astonished. Delighted. “You think… she heard…?”
Sally smiles, and nods. “All she needs is the sound of her daddy’s voice.”
I’m not certain how next week’s prompt will work – if we’ll be choosing our own personal prompt, or if we’ll be assigned someone else’s entry, or if one special entry will serve as the jumping-off point. But I’ve had this story kicking around (if you’ll pardon the pun) for a while, now, and I’m happy that I got to put it to use!
——-
I originally had a completely different entry for this challenge prompt. It was much darker, and played a bit more with the themes of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You can read it here, if you’re so inclined.
This is lovely. It brings back memories.
Lovely use of the prompt. A happy piece. 🙂 I enjoyed reading it. I first thought it was about an insecure actor, who was rehearsing his lines. But it soon became clear what the piece was all about.
Here is the link to my piece:
http://366degree.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/an-invitation-to-tea/
Cheers!
Thank you, Lisa! It doesn’t make much use of the prompt, of course…but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit such a quiet moment. 🙂
Thank you, Irene!
I had a more depressing piece ready to go…but I felt like there’s enough darkness around, these days, that I had to write something a bit more quiet, and pleasant.
I like what you’ve done with this. It’s very touching!
You’ve also left a nice opener for someone next week – more than I have managed, as I didn’t read Julia’s instructions! Oops!
Writing from the Edge
http://lorely-writingfromtheedge.blogspot.com/2012/03/while-hanging-in-charges-shirts-on-line.html
Thank you, Lorely! And, I have to say, that’s a lovely name. 🙂
When I first read the instructions for this week’s challenge, I skipped over that last line, too. Made me rewrite the whole thing when I finally did notice it! 😀
This was absolutely heart-lifting. So sweet, and not what I was thinking at first. I think the last lines will make a great prompt, and I too am curious as to how Julia plans on arranging it.
Mine:
http://writetuit.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/100-word-challenge-rabbit/
Thank you, Judee!
I originally went with something quite a bit darker (and though it played more closely to the original text, it was downright depressing!), but I seem to prefer more lightheartedness when it comes to these smaller pieces. Call me crazy. 🙂
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Yes – had to do a slight adjustment to mine too!
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment – I left you a reply over on mine too!
Writing from the Edge
Ahh that’s very touching 🙂
Another NEW approach. I agree, the prompt for next week is a good lead in.
What a lovely interpretation of the prompt! I really enjoyed this.
Thank you, Sally! That means a lot, coming from someone whose work I admire. 🙂
Thank you! I wanted to do something without an “Alice” as the main voice…and I’m happy that it paid off. 🙂
Thank you, Gilly Gee! I’m glad that readers are enjoying this one, as it strays a bit from the typical. 🙂
What a great take on the prompt! this is so good and so different from the others. I can’t wait to see where it is taken next week! Thank you so much for joining and sharing. Off to read the dark one now!
Thank you, Julia; I’m glad that you like it. 😀 I love seeing your prompts every week (and your regular posts, too). They really make me think about my writing!
How lovely and sweet! I really enjoyed how you interpreted the prompt, awesome job. 🙂
Thank you, Beth! That really means a lot, coming from someone whose work inspires me. 🙂
Awh shucks, you know how to make a LB blush!