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17.3.21

CLARA'S DREAM

 

CLARA'S DREAM

Clara’s dream was coming true – the trees had reached out deliberately to trip her up! She could hear them breathing – their trunks were moving closer together, whispering and plotting her death. Any minute now the ground would open up to swallow her and she’d be gone forever.

They would search, of course, but they wouldn’t find her, and no-one would miss her because they all hated her! She opened her mouth to howl, but then she remembered the mist of green tree-breath in her dream, covered her mouth with her skirt, and rocked backwards and forwards in utter, delirious despair.

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Rochelle choosing my photograph, taken in Tenerife's Jardin Botanical, is a rare honour, and as good an excuse as any to adapt an excerpt from my WIP 'Carousel' which I hope will be published in the summer. The Clara in my story is the 13-year-old daughter of Albie and Maria, who are gypsies living in England in the 1950s, and whose earlier story I told in Helter-Skelter. 

Also I would like to share my latest publication - A Book of Verse. I wrote these little poems in celebration of the numerous soft toys owned by my four children, incorporating some of the adventures those children remember, and illustrating each one. After adding a few more recently for my grandchildren, this is the result. Do buy a copy, for yourself or a child you know, and leave a glowing review - please?



Amazon.co.uk : stripey cat


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34 comments:

  1. Neil MacDonald17/03/2021, 15:49

    I liked the mist of green tree breath

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  2. Iain Kelly17/03/2021, 17:35

    It does have a menacing quality. Good luck with the WIP.

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    Replies
    1. liz young17/03/2021, 18:02

      Thanks Iain - the WIP is nearly ready for proof-reading.

      Delete
  3. JadeLi17/03/2021, 18:37

    You've done a good job of creating a dismal atmosphere. Poor Clara can't catch a break.

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    1. liz young17/03/2021, 22:28

      Poor Clara is a teenager with a vivid imagination!

      Delete
  4. plaridel17/03/2021, 18:57

    i wanted to believe it was just a fantasy. i'm hoping for a happy ending. :)

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    1. liz young17/03/2021, 22:30

      Just an accident blown out of proportion by her imagination. Though Clar does have psychic powers.

      Delete
  5. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields17/03/2021, 22:31

    Dear Liz,

    Thank you for the wonderful photo. But oh what a horrible dream. Well written.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    Replies
    1. liz young18/03/2021, 08:33

      Thanks Rochelle - I took loads of photos in that tropical garden, I love trees.

      Delete
  6. Sandra Crook18/03/2021, 14:06

    mist of green tree breath - how evocative was that?

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  7. Tynder18/03/2021, 14:32

    This is Bear from Jellicos writing nook, here. Thank you for the awesome photo, Liz. I really enjoyed writing not only a story, but a quicky poem to go with. I have a blogger acct now, so that I can actually comment. I know the account below says Tynder, but thats how I had to set up my phone...grrr....

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    Replies
    1. liz young18/03/2021, 17:55

      Thank you for your lovely comment, Bear. Modern technology leaves me puzzled!

      Delete
  8. Linda18/03/2021, 15:14

    So much drama, so richly portrayed. I'm looking forward to the book!

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    1. liz young18/03/2021, 17:56

      Thank you Linda - have you read Helter-Skelter? Doing so would enrich your enjoyment of its sequel!

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  9. Keith's Ramblings18/03/2021, 15:28

    This is so atmospheric. Your up-and-coming book sounds really interesting.

    Thanks for the picture. Some weeks the prompt has only one direction in which to take us in. This one however has so many possibilties which is born out by the wide range of differing stories.

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    1. liz young18/03/2021, 17:57

      Thanks Keith. There are so many different stories this week.

      Delete
  10. draliman18/03/2021, 15:55

    Very menacing, literally the stuff of nightmares.

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    1. liz young18/03/2021, 17:58

      Clara's dreams often foretell the future, though not necessarily literally.

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  11. Anne Higa18/03/2021, 23:03

    An intriguing story. I hope it all goes well for Clara.

    Anne from annehiga.com

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    1. liz young19/03/2021, 08:42

      I hope you read the book when it's published!

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  12. Tannille19/03/2021, 04:32

    Very intriguing Liz. The tree is quite the inspiration this week.

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  13. Gah Learner19/03/2021, 11:00

    What a stunning picture, thank you for that. And the story is intriguing and atmospheric. I can almost feel Clara's delirious despair.

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    1. liz young19/03/2021, 17:25

      Glad you enjoyed the picture and Clara's experience.

      Delete
  14. Brenda Cox19/03/2021, 18:46

    Poor Clara. A terrible dream and her belief that "they all hated her" is sad for a young girl. Nicely described. Good luck on your project!!

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    1. liz young20/03/2021, 08:18

      Teenagers of both sexes tend to exaggerate!

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  15. csknotts19/03/2021, 21:39

    Scary tale. Does she escape?

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    1. liz young20/03/2021, 08:19

      The answer to that is on the next page!

      Delete
  16. Dora20/03/2021, 01:10

    Dark and scary. Well told tale. Btw, love the photo!

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    1. liz young20/03/2021, 17:39

      Poor Clara, suffering such terrors from a simple fall.

      Delete
  17. Penny Gadd20/03/2021, 20:42

    I hope Clara is just having a dream featuring details from another dream! It's funny how so many teenagers believe everyone hates them, isn't it?

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    Replies
    1. liz young20/03/2021, 21:56

      She only believes it today - teenagers' emotions are volatile!

      Delete

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