Hello, and welcome back to another look at my early work. I’m continuing on with the short stories for now and here’s the next one.
The year following my first short story success with Two Shorts and a Snort, the same writer’s group held another competition. This time, I wrote three separate short stories. Here’s the first one:
As with a lot of my story ideas, this one came from a song. Maybe you remember Bobbie Gentry singing Fancy, or perhaps the Reba McIntire remake years later.
At any rate, I heard lots more of a story in this song than the 3 minutes of lyrics, so decided to go with it. The result was Jewel. You’ll find many similarities between the story and the song, and many things different. As with any idea, we have to make it our own when creating something new. Often that is challenging because of what we have stuck in our minds.
The old saying, “there’s nothing new under the sun” comes to mind, but I beg to disagree. Anytime we create something from our own perspective, it’s new. We’re creating something we’ve never attempted before and it’s uniquely ours. So while the theme may be old, when we put our spin on it, it becomes new. At least, that’s my opinion.
I just realized I never made a book trailer for this story, but here’s the blurb:
For almost eighteen years, Jewel has known little beyond hopelessness and hunger.
Barely existing in a ramshackle cabin, on the edge of a Louisiana swamp with her little sister and their mother, she sees no way to stop the downward spiral.
When her mother falls gravely ill, Jewel learns that her life is about to take a drastic turn.
But will it lead to joy or more devastation?
Take a heart-warming journey with Jewel as she struggles to rise from the clutches of poverty and shame.
This is a short read at only 26 pages, but I hope you’ll find it interesting enough to grab it. Thanks for stopping by!
I remember that story! It was really good.
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette! I appreciate the support!
Yes of course. It sounds like good story and it was only 99 cents (free with Kindle unlimited)
Thank you so much, Thomas!
I love short stories Jan, and this sounds like a good read so I picked up a copy. 🙂
Thank you so much, Debby!
🙂
That’s a song I haven’t heard, Jan. I also get inspiration from songs. I was stuck on the ending of one of my novels and heard a song on the radio – the whole thing played out in my head like a movie. Love it when that happens.
Yes! I love when that happens, too, Teri. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment!
It was a good one, Jan 🙂
Thank you, Denise!
I enjoyed this collection and the story. Well done, Jan
Thanks for visiting, John. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
It was great.
I can’t wait. That song left so many questions. 26 pages–really? You think you can have a sequel???
Lol, Jacqui. I don’t see this story as having a sequel. I wrapped it up in a pretty tight bow. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
“Anytime we create something from our own perspective, it’s new … and it’s uniquely ours.” That sums up originality perfectly, Jan. It’s why the world can have millions of stories without two alike. I think this was the first story I read of yours, way back when I just started following you. And I still remember it. After that, I knew I’d be reading more. 🙂
You are right, Diana. Our unique perspective and writing voice is why there can be millions of stories and each one different. I appreciate you kind words about reading this story and so glad you continued on my journey! Hugs!
Jewel is a good story, Jan. I really liked the thought you put into it. You were still pretty new at writing at that point but this stretched your wings quite a bit. Proud of you for hanging in there through the tough, learning times, Sister.
This was definitely a big learning experience for me, sister. That year, I wrote three short stories, each one very different. I’ll showcase one of the others next week. Thank you for stopping by!
I think it is like reading a book several times. Every time we learn something else from it because we read it with a matured mind.
So true, Erika. A good example is my re-reading of the Four Agreements. I understood it differently than I did the first time I read it. Thank you for stopping by!
Exactly, Jan. I hope, I think of a particular book to take along the next time I am on a trip. I read it about 15 years ago and would love to see what else it tells me today.
I agree. The same story told from five different perspectives will make five unique stories. I’m off to grab a copy of Jewel!
Thank you so much, Priscilla! I appreciate your support!
Fascinating story, Jan.
Thank you, Tim. I appreciate you stopping by!