Sunday, March 24, 2013

Sunday Writing Post

Time for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday! Take the time to check out the links, it's a great opportunity to read the work of some talented writers.

DWARFED is a YA manuscript featuring 16 year old Grace, who temporarily finds herself living on a working hog farm in Michigan where she feels . Grace has a big heart and a stubborn nature. She also has a genetic condition called achondroplasi a dwarfisam.



I shield my eyes from the brutal glare of the sun, and study the sparkling water. There’s no sign of my duck.
A flash of movement grabs my attention, and I watch a black feather cartwheel into the gelatinous debris. Trepidation curls my toes and bile fills my throat.  The grounds sprinkled with a liberal layer of black feathers. Adelaide’s feathers. 
I can’t believe I didn’t see them sooner.
Adelaide molts but she’s never lost this much of her plumage at one time.  I pick up a feather. Blood transfers from the quill to my fingertips.
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

25 comments:

  1. HistorySleuthMarch 24, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    OH NO! To be expected in life on a farm I imagine. I liked the imagery. I'll be back next week. I've been following along on this one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Teresa CypherMarch 24, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    Oh Nooo! Adelaide!

    You know, this is a good dose of reality. Farm life is tough. It's hard to have a soft heart and live in a place where animals living and dying is part of the program.

    Good eight, Jess. Nice, rich details.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Belle in BlueMarch 24, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    Oh no! (Looks like that's everyone's reaction!) Great job on the description and details. I hope it's not as bad as it looks--and I really could see it. Maybe just an injury? Crossing my fingers until next Sunday.

    ~Joyce Scarbrough

    ReplyDelete
  4. SherryGLoagMarch 24, 2013 at 10:47 AM

    Reality sucks. Great snippet.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OwlladyMarch 24, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    I gasped when I read about all the feathers! I thought, *darn* is Jess going to tease us with introducing Adelaide only to snuff her out before we even get to meet her?! But then I realized, life with animals is like that, and this isn't the kind of story to sugar-coat life.

    But maybe Adelaide wins a reprieve! I still hope to meet her :D :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Debbie D. March 24, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    Oh no! Poor Adelaide! Great descriptive passage, Jess.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AJ NuestMarch 24, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    I don't think I've ever been this attached to a duck! Oh no...I fear next week's post but will certainly be back to check on poor Adelaide! My guts are in a knot.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownMarch 24, 2013 at 11:37 AM

    Oh no! I hope it's not anything horrible. Made a lump form in my throat. But I want to find out. Really nice writing and very vivid. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Veronica ScottMarch 24, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    Uh oh, I'm on edge now. I HOPE the duck is ok but seems doubtful. I can;t wait for next week! Terrific snippet!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousMarch 24, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    Oh no, poor Adelaide! It doesn't seem possible, but I hope she somehow survived! Great snippet! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. ClareMDavidsonMarch 24, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    Poor Adelaide! Beautiful description, though. I love the build up to her picking up the bloody feather. Very tense and emotional.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Karen Michelle NuttMarch 24, 2013 at 2:20 PM

    Oh no-- blood. This cannot be good. So emotional- I got chills.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sue Ann BowlingMarch 24, 2013 at 2:34 PM

    Wild predator? I've lost ducks to owls and (wild) ferrets. They were never pets, though.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMarch 24, 2013 at 3:10 PM

    Blood? That says it all! Wonder what attacked the duck? Good snippet.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMarch 24, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    I'm sad over this. Really good job conveying emotion and sympathy for this duck.

    ReplyDelete
  16. S.J. MayleeMarch 24, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    You're going to make me cry! No, not the duck. You pulled at my heart strings in just this little snippet. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  17. KateMarch 24, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    No! What happened? A fight? Is she maybe ok and just missing a lot of feathers? I'll be back next week for answers and you better post them, young lady! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Joanne StewartMarch 24, 2013 at 5:27 PM

    Oh no!!! You can't stop there! Oh, geez, you're making me cry. Seriously. Oh, tell me her poor duck is okay...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Siobhan MuirMarch 24, 2013 at 6:31 PM

    I think Adelaide is one dead duck. Spooky snippet, Jess. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lila ShawMarch 24, 2013 at 6:36 PM

    Oh no, poor Adelaide!

    ReplyDelete
  21. FCEtierMarch 24, 2013 at 8:08 PM

    Sounds bleak for the one with the beak and webbed feet.
    Emotional snippet, well done.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Denise MoncriefMarch 24, 2013 at 8:23 PM

    Oh, no. Poor Adelaide. I hope the poor duck is all right. Not seriously injured.

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownMarch 31, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    I love animals and your photos. Animals have been my teachers for quite a few years. Looking forward to connecting. Found you through the 2013 A-Z Blog Challenge. As a participant in this challenge I also nominate you for the Liebster Award, find out more about your nomination at http://www.weblessyourheart.com/2013/03/31/liebster-award-i-accept/. I am looking forward to connecting with you as we both participate in the challenge this year. Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  24. DasNukMarch 31, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    Very moving! Oh no - I feel like such a wimp when it comes to animals. I hope Adeleide is OK.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousApril 12, 2013 at 12:05 PM

    Oh, no. Not good news. :(

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)