Category: Journey of Choice

Journey of Choice 007

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
It’s been a while since I’ve sat down to work on Nat’s story (“Journey of Choice”). After a very rough first-day back into it, praise the Lord, ideas are flowing! I greatly, greatly appreciate prayers as I write this story! It is the biggest challenge I have yet tried to tackle!
 
And now, for listening to my jabber, here’s an excerpt. 😉
 
– – –
From Chapter Six
 
One day bled into another day as the sun’s heat seemed to grow in intensity. The heat wasn’t a problem, so long as miles were being put between him and the Roe farmland. Highfly’s steps dragged and Nat let his head hang down as he rode. He didn’t quite trust the horse enough to fall asleep while riding, but it came close.
 
“Hey mister!”
 
Nat’s back snapped straight, his eyes instantly alert.
 
“Ha! Scared ya didn’t I?”
 
Nat made sure to move his eyes more than his head. He wasn’t about to give this stranger the impression that he was panicked.
 
Leaves rustled to his left. Bringing Highfly to a complete stop, Nat turned and looked. A figure in dark clothing shifted behind the veil of brush.
 
“Well are ya comin’ out or ya scared?” Nat made his tone firm. Mocking, almost.

Journey of Choice 006

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Chapter 5 in “Choice” done!
10K words reached!
 
Excerpt from chapter 5:
One boy stepped up to Nat. “You’re that orphan them Roes took in, ain’t ya.” The way he emphasized the title sounded like it hurt to say the word.
 
“What would you know?” Nat shoved past him.
 
“I know a lot more than you would ever know.”
 
Nat spun around to face James, who put a hand on his shoulder. “He’s just testing you,” James whispered. Turning to the boy, James’ voice was stern. “Let him be, Tom. Your parents taught you better.”
 
“Anyone can see he ain’t got no parents to teach him nothing.”
 
James’ grip tightened on Nat’s shoulder. “Ignore him.” His words stopped the harsh reply Nat was about to spew out.

Journey of Choice 005

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
By way of update, chapter four in Journey of Choice was finished a couple of weeks ago (before summer busyness hit). Here is an excerpt for you!
 
~*~*~
     “Picked something up for you yesterday.”
     Nat narrowed his eyes. “What do you want?”
     James’ brown eyes twinkled. “Just to give my new brother a gift.”
     “I ain’t your brother.”
     “Fine then. Take it as a friend?” He reached into his pocket and drew out a flat, rectangular object, too big for a knife.
     Nat eyed it critically as he turned back to Highfly. “I don’t want nothing.”
     “I know you don’t.”
     A piece of cool metal was pressed into Nat’s hand. He glanced down. “What is it?”
     “A harmonic. It makes music.”
     Nat snorted. “I don’t want no music. Ain’t got no music in me.”
     James grinned in a friendly way. “Maybe that will change.”

Journey of Choice 004

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Working on chapter three of “Journey of Choice.”
 
—
Nat slid from Highfly’s back and landed in the creek with a splash. Mrs. Roe probably wouldn’t be happy about his pants being wet to the knees, but he didn’t care. He bent over and dipped his head in the stream, dousing his hair. He lifted his head the same time as Highfly, and they stared at each other. Then, in a quick move, Highfly shoved Nat’s shoulder. Nat stumbled backwards and his foot slid into a hole. Another shove from Highfly and Nat found himself at the bottom of the creek, with water flowing over him.
 
Sputtering, Nat surfaced. “You think you can bully me?” he shouted.
 
Highfly whinnied and tossed his head, his cream mane flying.
Nat stood to his feet, water streaming down his clothes. He took a step towards Highfly. The horse backed towards the bank.
 
“Coward!”
 
Highfly shook his head and took a step forward. Nat grabbed a handful of water and tossed it at the horse. Highfly backed completely out of the stream. Nat scooped another handful of water. Tossing his head again, Highfly ran a few steps further, then started cantering away.
 
“Whoa! Stop! Wait!” Nat dashed out of the stream and tried running, his water-logged pants tripping him up. “You can’t leave me here!” Nat whistled shrilly but Highfly continued running. “Mrs. Roe will have my hide if I don’t get back right now.”

Journey of Choice 003

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“Nat picked the last of the meat from the bone and shoved it in his mouth. Abel returned to his meal, but kept his eyes on Nat.
 
‘Once we’re at the farm, Mrs. Roe will expect you to use utensils in eating, not fingers.’
 
‘My fingers haven’t kept me from eatin’ yet.’
 
‘They might at our table,’ Abel’s voice was grave.
 
‘Well then I can fend for myself. I’ve done it all my life.’ Nat finished the rice and gravy, licked his fingers one last time, and sat back. ‘So, Abel, what do you want me for?'”
 
—
Praise the Lord, chapter 2 of “Journey of Choice” is finished!!!

Journey of Choice 002

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“I like it.” Lije nodded with enthusiasm. “They say I’m gonna get me a real fam’ly. A fam’ly an’ no more hungry.”

Nat smiled and sighed. A family was all he had ever hoped he could get for Lije. “But I don’t need a family,” he thought.

–“Journey of Choice,” chapter two, work in progress–

Journey of Choice 001

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

*excerpt from today’s writing*

“There’s a train heading west tomorrow. You’ll be going with them.”

Nat’s glare hardened. “I didn’t ask to go west.”

The officer’s glare matched Nat’s. “Criminals need no asking. I suggest you bite that tongue of yours and listen to those in authority or we’ll leave you here to rot.” He turned and walked out, steady and looking sure of himself.

Writing Challenges 01

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

I really think writing “Journey of Choice” is going to be a challenge, as to place myself in Nat’s world means to place myself in a world where thinking is warped, as he is an unbeliever. I started the first chapter tonight and got stuck in the first page because I’m trying to find a criminal act for him to do (based on his street-gang lifestyle of survival). This really is a good problem, because Romans 16:19 says, “but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil” and it DOES make me grateful for how I have been raised. Yet when it comes to writing a message you feel the Lord leading you to write, it just makes one a little at loss of how to do it. 🙂

What About Edward?

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“What happened to Edward?”

I’ve had a few people ask me about Edward, from Journey to Love. Of course, my thoughts are: in real life, one might not know the end result of a life they reached out to. I’m content with leaving things where they are. HOWEVER. what if Edward DID have a story? Any suggestions? I’m just tossing around the idea of doing a short story about “The Letter’s Journey” or something, highlighting Edward AFTER Journey to Love. What think ye?

Create a Couple With Me

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

What comes to mind when you envision a strict, hard-to-please couple? Is it a wife who constantly fusses over her clean house? A husband who is harsh?

I’m working on developing characters for my next Orphan Journeys book, Journey of Choice. I have a good idea of how Mr. Strict needs to be, but I’m not quite sure about Mrs. Strict and am open to ideas. So, comment and help me! What characteristics stand out to you? And what would you have their names be? If I use your idea, I’ll think of something special to do for you. 🙂