Sunday, April 22, 2012

T is for . . .

Tagged.

Thanks, Faith, who tagged me for the Lucky Seven Meme and put me in the company of some fine, accomplished writers.

Im supposed to share seven lines or paragraphs from the seventh line on page seventy of my novel. Trouble is, I dont have a page seventy of my novel. I dont even have a page seven yet! But I need all the feedback I can get so . . .

I hope seven paragraphs from my middle-grade short story will be okay. It doesnt have a page seven either, so how about if I start in the middle of page three?Thats half of seven. [*Hey, as long as Im cheating changing the rules, I may as well make major changes, right? Mind if I go along with you for tattoos, Faith?]

     Vikki gave me a hand up and volunteered to walk the two blocks home with me. “Good girls,” Mrs. Prebble said, patting each of us on the shoulder and walking away.
     She'd rounded the corner when I realized what I had to do. "I'll be right back, Vikki."
      "Mrs. Prebble, wait!” I shouted. Lumbering after her, I actually jingled! Jing-a-ling-a-ling.
      She was already at her desk stapling papers. I slung my backpack to the floor. “I almost forgot,” I said, out of breath, opening my pack. “I was taking up donations like you asked me to right before the fire drill … and I was in a hurry to go outside—” I pulled out the box, “—so I shoved this in here.” A bead of sweat rolled down my temple. “And then I sort of forgot about it . . . until now.”
      Somehow, the box seemed lighter than it did on my back. I held it out to her, reverently, as if it were a gift from the magi or something. She took it, tilted her head slightly.
      I made a dash for the door, but she called my name and I had to turn back.
      Still holding the box, she fixed me in her gaze. I shifted from foot to foot. I gulped. She knows. Taking a deep breath, I prepared for the worst.

Now, Im supposed to tag seven bloggers, but Im only going to tag six. See above.* And they are (Envelope, please):

Leslie S. Rose
Margo Berendsen
Ilima K. Todd
Heather Spiva 
Jennifer Forbes 
Patricia Stoltey

I hope you’ll all share your talents with us, but if you can’t, for whatever reason, that’s okay.
 
Here are the rules:
1. Go to page 77 of your manuscript.
2. Go down 7 lines.  
3. Post the next 7 lines, sentences, or paragraphs on your blog.
4. Tag 7 new writers.

Thats it!

http://flic.kr/p/5rZofQ

Except...

Before I was tagged, T was to be for . . .

Tree and True.

Turns out they’re related. 

Quoting from thefreedictionary.com, “the words true and tree are joined at the root, etymologically speaking.” 

Read the full reference yourself if you’re so inclined. If not, here’s the short version. Both words derive from the Indo-European root, “deru-” or “dreu-,” having to do with wood or firmness. Both are also related to a third form of the same root, “dru-,” as in Druid, the Celtic priest of the oak grove.

Then there’s that further connexion. The Man who died on the Tree said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.



10 comments:

  1. How fun! New follower here. I’m enjoying reading my fellow “A to Z”ers. I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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  2. But now I need to know what she knows.

    I was tagged in this meme too today. Good thing 'tagged' starts with T...

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  3. You can't just leave us hanging like that! What is it she knows?

    That tree pic is beautiful, and the connection between tree and true is intriguing.

    Thanks for the tag! I participated last month, but here's the link if anyone feels like reading the 'ol post:

    http://ilimawrites.blogspot.com/2012/03/feeling-lucky.html

    A to Z is almost over. Are you as burned out as I am? :)

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  4. Was I supposed to do this today Sara?? Because I already posted! This tagged thing isn't related to the A-Z Challenge is it??

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  5. Wow, great excerpt, Sara. I'm guessing what the teacher knows is that your MC actually stole the box of money and is now returning it after a guilty conscience has gotten the better of her? Well done. Makes me want to read the rest of the story.

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  6. Ach, I gotta know what's in the box. What a tantalizing tidbit. Love the tree pic. We go up to the redwoods all the time and I love the character in those ancient trees. Thanks for the tag - I'll pick it up after the A to Z.

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  7. Great selection! Love it. Thanks for picking me as one of your "seven." Love this idea. :)

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  8. Good idea to cheat, I mean be creative! Nice weaving of your post ideas.

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  9. Lovely excerpt and very cool etymology!
    I'm jealous, because I can't write short stories to save my life (well, maybe to save my life, but it would take that kind of pressure)!

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  10. This sounds like a bit of fun, Sara, but I'm still slogging through molasses so I'll put it off for now. Thanks for thinking of me, though. I do have WIPs with at least 70 pages...

    Patricia

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