Sunday 1 April 2012

April A-Z blogging challenge 2012





April A-Z blogging challenge 2012

This year I am writing 26 short stories – 250 words or fewer - about the life and times of a fictional character called Alice.

A is for Alice

It was traditional on her birthday for Alice to take down her photograph album and look through it with her grandchildren. As she waited for their arrival on her 85th birthday she picked it up and turned the pages with care, tracing the faces of the people within. 

Here was one of her parents looking sternly into the camera, two of her brothers standing unsmiling at their sides. As they all grew older there were smiles and laughter and more relaxed poses were captured as photography emerged from its infancy and embraced modern times and cameras became cheaper and more readily affordable. 

The next photo she stopped at showed all three boys with their parents. Edward was grinning straight at the camera. It would be some years before he relinquished his position as the youngest in the family.

She studied a photograph of herself at six years old, sitting between her parents, smiling up at her father. Her brothers, tall, handsome boys, stood behind her parents. 

She sighed. The world had changed so quickly after that photograph was taken. She was the only one left to remember and recount the family history, and the photographs acted as markers for her memories. Some recollections needed no prompting; they were etched with tears or laughter. Though time had softened the hard edges of pain or joy the memories remained sharp and unwavering.

A ring at the doorbell announced the arrival of her family and Alice went to greet them.




23 comments:

  1. A great post to introduce your character for the month! Looking forward to finding out more about her life. :-)

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  2. What a commitment to take on! Admirable. And an admirable start. I admire your enthusiasm.

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  3. I look forward to reading more about Alice and her family and life in the next month.

    This is an ambitious adventure!

    I am doing NaPoWriMo, another ambitious adventure.

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  4. Wow! 26 stories in one month- that IS a challenge! I look forward to reading more about Alice this month during the blog hop. :-)

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  5. I wish I could find the time to take on such a challenge, but working full time and then some, it's impossible. Good luck! Loved this one, can't wait for more.

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  6. Hi Janice .. I think this is a great idea .. I'll look forward to Alice's recollections through her nine decades of life ... great fun - cheers Hilary

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  7. What a great theme! I'm looking forward to reading more about Alice! :)

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  8. A challenge indeed! I am looking forward to reading Alice's stories too.

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  9. Actually, this is a very good idea; you write a pleasant short story without having to think of a new subject for each chapter.

    Clever you. I look forward to getting to know Alice.

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  10. Well, I'm interested in knowing more about Alice! Nice beginning.

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  11. Looking at old photos is an emotional experience the older you are. I'm so happy to hear you are writing short stories and look forward to more. Great start to the A to Z Challenge!

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  12. Great start to the challenge, thank you for your encouragement in the early days, I cant believe its begun! looking forward to reading more.

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  13. Hi! I'm visiting you from the A - Z. What a great post! I really enjoyed this. I'm following you so I can read more throughout the challenge!

    I love the picture at the top of your blog, it reminds me of popcorn! Imagine if popcorn grew on trees like that! :D

    Nikki – inspire nordic

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  14. i hope alice has a happy birthday

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  15. I'll be reading throughout the month!

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  16. good for you...what a challenge!!! wonder what is going to happen with Alice!!
    happy week.

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  17. This is awesome---look forward to getting to know Alice better!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

    ---Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012

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  18. Great posts like this one are giving me feelings of insecurity for this challenge. I'll be back for inspiration and enjoyable stories!
    Hugs~

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  19. Great post and a very interesting theme for the challenge!

    Ellie
    Ellie's Blank Book
    Ellie's Couch
    Help Michigan Pets

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  20. Great idea for the challenge. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  21. What a great introduction.
    When I saw you were on the eighth installment I decided I should start at the beginning and work my way up. Don't want to miss anything.

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  22. I've happily read all the installments so far.

    Were this in a bookstore, I'd buy it.

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  23. Catching up on reading the bloggers who have visited my blog (Anglers Rest), thanks for stopping by. I was immediately drawn in my the last post which was (day 14) and have had to go back to A and read all the posts and find out about Alice.

    What a great theme.

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