Welcome to the Romantic Friday Writers' fortnightly Writing Challenge, started and hosted by Denise Covey, L'Aussie, where participants share their own 300-400-word text - story or poem - on a given theme. This week's theme for Friday, 30th December, Challenge No. 28, is 'New Year's Resolution'. My text is written directly for this REW-challenge.
Here is my text :
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New Year's Resolution
Anita Karlsson found a moment to jot down her thoughts:
Dear Diary,
Today is Friday the thirteenth of January 2012 and after several weeks of neglect I have finally found a space of time to put pen to paper and visit with you my friend since I was twelve. Imagine that! I have been writing to you for 37 years!
I just recently had my forty-ninth birthday; next time I'll be fifty.
I feel that this past year has been a crossroads for me. So much as happened. My cat met a feline-tabby-Casanova one very cold afternoon in February last year and gave birth to kittens in April. (I am still looking for homes for them.) At about the same time, the divorce from Sverker became final. The most beautiful time of year - spring and summer - went to finding a new apartment, packing, moving and then unpacking. I'm not finished yet.
Yes, dear diary, I know. I should write a New Year's Resolution. What would that be? 'I resolve to never marry a man like my former husband again'? It seems unlikely that I'll even find someone to remarry. But I wish I could. Someone who really likes me. Someone who might learn to love me too. Someone I like, of course.
I could make a New Year's Resolution to stay cool and never to run after a man, even if I am infatuated in him. (I know. I scare the best ones off, like that cute guy Karl. He seemed interested at first and then cooled off.)
(Why is love so fragile?)
Now I know what I could promise! My New Year's Resolution is to take one day at a time. I read somewhere that 'how you spend your day, is how you fill your life*'.
'Til next time, Dear Diary!
Your friend,
Anita
Anita Karlsson found a moment to jot down her thoughts:
Dear Diary,
Today is Friday the thirteenth of January 2012 and after several weeks of neglect I have finally found a space of time to put pen to paper and visit with you my friend since I was twelve. Imagine that! I have been writing to you for 37 years!
I just recently had my forty-ninth birthday; next time I'll be fifty.
I feel that this past year has been a crossroads for me. So much as happened. My cat met a feline-tabby-Casanova one very cold afternoon in February last year and gave birth to kittens in April. (I am still looking for homes for them.) At about the same time, the divorce from Sverker became final. The most beautiful time of year - spring and summer - went to finding a new apartment, packing, moving and then unpacking. I'm not finished yet.
Yes, dear diary, I know. I should write a New Year's Resolution. What would that be? 'I resolve to never marry a man like my former husband again'? It seems unlikely that I'll even find someone to remarry. But I wish I could. Someone who really likes me. Someone who might learn to love me too. Someone I like, of course.
I could make a New Year's Resolution to stay cool and never to run after a man, even if I am infatuated in him. (I know. I scare the best ones off, like that cute guy Karl. He seemed interested at first and then cooled off.)
(Why is love so fragile?)
Now I know what I could promise! My New Year's Resolution is to take one day at a time. I read somewhere that 'how you spend your day, is how you fill your life*'.
'Til next time, Dear Diary!
Your friend,
Anita
Word count according to WordCalc: 308; 'NCCO' - No Critque, Comments Only.
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Best wishes,
Anna
P.S.
This is a fictional text even if Anita Karlsson shares some of my experience. Before the internet and online blogging there was perhaps more writing in a diary or journal with a pen on paper. I have actually written (by hand) a diary since I was twelve years old. It is no literary gem, but it is a personal document that I am glad to have. Even if the texts in my diary tend to be boring, repetitive and not very deep, the act of writing every day has helped me write with ease, even if the quality of what I write needs proof-reading and editing. (I am such a bad speller!)
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*This quote is from Mrs. Jenny Matlock's site 'Off My Tangent'. I don't know if it is her own words or if she is quoting someone else.
Oh no! I remembered incorrectly! This is what Jenny Matlock actually wrote (here):
P.P.S.
Here are what the kittens looked like in April:
Text & Photographs Copyright 2012 Christina Wigren
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This is a fictional text even if Anita Karlsson shares some of my experience. Before the internet and online blogging there was perhaps more writing in a diary or journal with a pen on paper. I have actually written (by hand) a diary since I was twelve years old. It is no literary gem, but it is a personal document that I am glad to have. Even if the texts in my diary tend to be boring, repetitive and not very deep, the act of writing every day has helped me write with ease, even if the quality of what I write needs proof-reading and editing. (I am such a bad speller!)
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*This quote is from Mrs. Jenny Matlock's site 'Off My Tangent'. I don't know if it is her own words or if she is quoting someone else.
Oh no! I remembered incorrectly! This is what Jenny Matlock actually wrote (here):
Every morning when I get up I remind myself that "how you live your days is how you live your life." I try to live each day to the fullest. Always. Whether it is a sad day or a happy day or a day filled with memories and loss it is a day that will never come again. Carpe Diem.Sorry Jenny!
P.P.S.
Here are what the kittens looked like in April:
Text & Photographs Copyright 2012 Christina Wigren
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First Commenter:
Laura
of
The Daily Dodo
To read other texts for Romantic Friday Writers Challenge No. 29, with the theme 'New Year's Resolution', please visit this site or click on the image below:
7 comments:
I love the format that you have chosen - the diary allows us to be instantly close to your character. Great read - thanks!
Lx
Hi dear Anna. I was afraid you weren't posting this week, but then you arrive on the scene with a diary entry. I was just reading the other day that editors like diary entries as they're that bit different. I like the tone, the questions, the uncertainty. Life is indeed fraught when you're looking at starting over in the love stakes at 49! I think you captured that frisson of fear well. At least the cat has met someone!
Lovely, Anna.
Denise
That's awesome Anna. Loved the diary entry; you put so much story in such a short word count. Being happy and taking one day at a time is a great resolution.
thanks for sharing this.
.........dhole
Dear Anna,
Happy New year and thanks for sharing your diary with us. I pray that this new year will bring wonderful experiences to smile about the whole year through.
I'd never thought of using the diary as a creative form (despite Bridget Jones and other books) but now your use of it has given me some interesting ideas about my own writing. Thank you, Anna!
This is a lovely, intimate piece. Works really well with the theme. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year, Anna!
Oh wow she's my age LOL! I hope she finds love. I'm sure she will. Glad she's kept up her diary.
Those kittens pics are so cute and with mummy cat too.
Hello Anna.
"Bridget Jones" immediately came to mind when I read this (smile).
Lovely entry for the theme.
I am not one who makes New Year's resolutions anymore. I give thanks & praise for having had another year of life, good health & of course love. Anything else I receive/achieve on top of that is an added bonus for me.
I wish you all the best for this coming year. May it be one filled with much happiness, laughter & yes...even love.
Thanks for sharing. I didn't have an entry this week, but you might like my latest post:
Special Celebration (Part.1): Wedding Anniversary
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