A Work in Progress

From this months' October issue of  Ladies Home Journal I have this absurd fascination with Autumn. I think it's because when one lives in a climate with a hot summer, the yearning for cool weather comes to the forefront of our minds -- especially when, a few days before the first day of fall, it's 98 degrees! We have seasons here in Sacramento too. Which makes this yearning so much harder. I  know it's coming; I know the sweaters and boots and cool walks, the pumpkins and hot coffee are headed this way. It also reminds me of school. And I don't think that ever goes away. Though I've been out of college for years, I smell the autumnal air and it reminds me of going to class, happy for a new year, and ready to accomplish something important. Or even better, school shopping with my kids makes me want to buy pencils and paper for myself. So, I do. And this is where the writing comes in because Autumn is a wonderful time for it. No more swimmi

So, I am taking on a writing challenge today. Awesome blogger, and author Rachael Harrie , has a writing contest for those who are interested in participating (tomorrow is the last day). This is a flash fiction contest, so the content has to be short. In this case, under 200 words. There is one requirement: to begin the story with the words "The door swung open." That's pretty cool. And if you want to make it even harder on yourself, end it with "The door swung shut." If you like it even more difficult, keep it EXACTLY 200 words. This is what I decided to do in order to learn the most. Though flash fiction is difficult --trying to develop, and execute an actual story within 200 words is excrutiating -- it can be done and is a fantastic writing excercise. Below is my story. Go there today and enter your story! The door swung open. It glided like a dove hovering over the ground, and reminded me of Grandpa’s pond on the ranch in winter, when the ducks w