This past year made me realize what kind a person I am. Maybe I should rephrase that. This past year I figured out a little bit more about myself. I have officially moved into my late 20's and it really has been such a profound thing! I am no longer as self loathing and self doubting as I was in my early 20's. I think most people would share that sentiment. I am far more confident and a tiny bit less defiant. Story telling and writing have been my passion since I was very little but it wasn't until this past year that I have really opened up to that and shared my skill. For the first time in my life I feel like I have purpose. I have meaning and reason because I have finally figured out what I am good at.
Yesterday was so bittersweet. I was so relieved to be done with my year of writing. The beginning was so easy then it got a little difficult until I found more inspiration from Paris and then it became super difficult again. Writing 365 different things is just plain nuts! It seemed like a wonderful idea to begin with and then I questioned how I could be so stupid as to try to undertake such a crazy goal. I have always been slightly an overachiever but never this overachieving. I will be honest, half my stories are crap. They were poorly written, poorly thought out and were only written because I needed a story that day. On the flip side of that I can honestly say I have also written some really great stuff! There are several stories I wrote that really took my whole being to create. Those are some of my favorite stories.
Now that this is over I will focus more seriously on my writing. My dream is to be a published author. I want a book in print. I spend an awful lot of time at Barnes & Noble and I would be simply thrilled to see a book I wrote on one of their shelves! My plan is to publish my short stories. I was blessed to be married into an awesome family who is entwined in the printing business so I know I will have some help in that department. My next step is to continue writing on a weekly or every other week basis and work on a book. I have so many ideas for books I just have to pick one and get serious with it.
Before I get to my final two stories of the year I would like to thank some special people. I would like to thank my mom +Candace Montoya, my awesome husband +Scott Fennell, Scott's grandpa +Albert Clark, my grandma Janis, my Oma +Gisela Holter, Kelley Hunt, Rachel Boyes, +Verity Rogers, +Nicole LeVasseur, Nikki Jorbin, Robbi Floyd, Richard Kepler, Shannon Chaisson, Samantha Lewis, John Long, +Kristen Krueger, Kim Aunkst, +Nakita Martinefski, Kathy Grady-Smith, +Krysta Derengowski, Tammy Billington, Kara Heckman, Shirley Ruybal, Ann Dent Lowery and my uncle +Andy Montoya. If I missed anyone I am really sorry. Let me know and I will add you to my list of thanks! I also want to thank those that found me from Postcrossing and sharing my stories around the world! You all have been amazing and I am truly blessed to have you all supporting through this awesome journey! Thanks again everyone!
Or in my case a laptop.
Here you go folks!!! My last two stories of my one year writing challenge!
13
November 2014
Revenge,
A Dish Best Served Happy
Sometimes
you meet people in life that take you from where you were headed and
throw you into another trajectory. When Jill and Alice met they knew
they would be best friends forever. They were loud, fun and they both
needed the other in life. In their youth, both girls were the same.
They liked the same things and were fairly even as far as success in
life went. As they grew older, Jill blossomed and Alice sputtered.
The green witch of envy began to creep into Alice's heart. She began
to talk down to Jill, she started to mistreat her and get her to be
the villain to the victim Alice wanted to be. Jill was heartbroken.
She thought they were best friend soul mates. She thought they would
marry at the same time, have children at the same time, own a
business together, grow old together. She felt shattered at how Alice
was trying to destroy her life.
Eventually
the best friends stopped being friends. For a time they were mortal
enemies but that was destroying Jill even more. Jill decided it was
time to let it go. She moved on in life and looked up at her
possibilities. She met a man who pushed her to be better and married
him. She made a life for her and became successful in her dream
career. She had a happy family and an all around happy life. Alice
did not. Envy destroyed her. Anger ate her up inside. She could not
make real friends, she was not happy in her job and she segregated
herself from those that loved her. Many times Jill wanted to get
revenge on Alice for all the horrible deeds Alice did to her but as
she matured she realized that would not make her better. Instead,
Jill focused on finding peace. The girls never spoke to each other
again but Jill always hoped for Alice to find the tranquility she
needs to truly live life. Jill never intended to actually get revenge
on Alice but her elation with her own life was the best revenge she
could have gotten.
14
November 2014
The
Death of the Caterpillar
Caterpillar's
life was a glorious adventure, full of amazing places and wonderful
new friends. He saw as much of the world that his little wings could
take him to but never forgot to spend time in his giant, leafy tree
with his friends the bees. Of all the sites he had seen, nothing
compared to watching the bees work and the birds play. His tree was
home to so much life, a life that he lead with great aspiration and
dignity. One chilly November day, Caterpillar flew to his spot in the
tree after saying goodnight to the bees and his new friends, the
robins a branch below. He curled in his beautiful blue and green
wings close to his body. He remembered the day he climbed into the
tree and took an epic slumber. He remembered transforming into a
butterfly but not quite forgetting his life as caterpillar. He gave a
great sigh and said, “I have such a wonderful life.” He smiled as
he dozed off to sleep.
The
next morning, his closest bee friends came to wake him. In his old
age he often required more rest than before and the bees loved to be
a part of his morning routine. One of the bees buzzed over to him and
patted him. The bee let out a tearful sigh. Their dear friend the
caterpillar had died. He went quietly in his sleep, dreaming of all
the grand adventures he had had.
“He
looks so peaceful,” hummed one bee.
“He
looks like he made us all feel, happy, beautiful and, most of all,
loved,” buzzed another.
The
bees immediately went to work. The rounded up all the birds, bugs and
animals that knew their beloved caterpillar. The squirrels dug a
grave at the base of the tree where caterpillar had first climbed up.
The robins made a wreath of twigs and the last bit of green of the
season. The bees gathered up caterpillar's famous boots and cape.
They laid their friend to rest in his final home. The tree had
brought them all so much comfort and joy. It had seen new bees busily
working the yard, new baby robins and blue jays, tiny little
squirrels climbing for the first time but the trees most famous
inhabitant was the caterpillar. The birds chirped a song of
remembrance for caterpillar and the bees buzzed about just as
caterpillar had love. As everyone tucked into bed that night, they
cuddled all the trinkets caterpillar had brought home from his
worldly travels. They cried about their loss and thanked the tree for
being home to such a wonderful friend.
Caterpillar
was once a cold and determined little bug. He daydreamed and pondered
all the glories of the great blue sky. He was thrilled about the
change of the winds and how it made the leaves on the tree dance to
its echoing song. He sprouted splendid wings flew about the tree with
his best friends, the bees and as often as he ventured out to
explore, he never forgot his roots at the big, leafy tree. This was
the death of the caterpillar but the bees knew that their lives had
been made significantly better for having been graced by his presence
in the tree they all shared. The end.
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