Yes, I have a novel inside me struggling to get out! :-)
My target audience is Young Adult and because I am surrounded by critters (current count is 20!) animals will be the main characters.
Here is the prologue to my novel. After this point in the story, I'm not sure if I should go with talking animals or write completely from a third-person perspective.
I'd love to hear your thoughts about this!
By the way, the heroine in the story is an American Chinchilla rabbit named Penny. We found her last summer and she is 12 pounds of cuddly love. :-)
*******
The rabbit shifted her weight, uncomfortable in the small box. Her restless nose twitched at the presence of new smells. When the car hit a bump, her head bounced solidly against the top of the box, but the duct tape held securely. The small air holes punched in the cardboard let in a draft of cool night air. She sighed and tried to rest.
When the car finally stopped, she perked up her ears and hoped for release from her cramped quarters. She felt the box being carried and placed on the ground. Someone fumbled with the tape and the sound of it ripping off the cardboard made an annoying screech. Rough hands picked her up and she half-jumped, half-fell to the earth. The soil was damp, releasing unfamiliar and fearful odors.
Through the dimness of early darkness, the rabbit looked up at the little boy who walked slowly to her side. She liked him. He gently patted her head and softly ran his tiny fingers along her body. She relaxed under his touch and hoped to be back home in her comfortable hutch soon.
"Come on, Billy, we have to go." A man’s voice cut through the peaceful moment.
The boy continued to caress the rabbit, as a tear fell onto her fur. The rabbit sensed his sadness and snuggled closer to him.
The man grabbed the boy by his jacket and pushed him to the car. "I said, we gotta go."
"But, daddy, why do we have to leave her?" Tears streamed down his cheeks and his frail body jerked with sobs.
"I told you. That rabbit is too big and she eats too much. We can’t afford to keep her. She’ll be fine here. There’s plenty of food around."
The man scooped the boy in his arms and hastily put him in the car.
The rabbit hopped hesitantly toward the vehicle, wondering when they would pick her up. The engine roared to life while the headlights sliced a painfully bright path. She edged a little closer and wished she could make a sound to remind them she was waiting. The car moved forward quickly, spraying her with dirt and small pebbles. She closed her eyes against the sting and when she opened them again, she was alone.
On the still night air, she heard a tiny voice tearfully call her name. Somehow she knew she must never forget her name.
Copyright 2007 Joyce Handzo
Thursday, April 5, 2007
A Tribute to A Friend
Isn't the internet terrific? I've met some wonderful people online who have touched my heart with love and beauty.
One of these special friends is a woman named Shirley Lemons. She wrote this poem for me. Sadly, she is now in a nursing home with a very serious medical problem.
Because of our dear friendship, I have learned the timeless power of words.
Shirley, you will always have a place in my heart.
*******
A Bond of Three
A bond of three
God arranged for us to meet online and little by little our friendship has grown.
We know each other 's souls and often the words are not needed
for the understanding is there.
Our love has grown as we shared this time around His word
and now we are joining hearts in prayer.
God joins and we are a bond of three.
Shirley Lemons
One of these special friends is a woman named Shirley Lemons. She wrote this poem for me. Sadly, she is now in a nursing home with a very serious medical problem.
Because of our dear friendship, I have learned the timeless power of words.
Shirley, you will always have a place in my heart.
*******
A Bond of Three
A bond of three
God arranged for us to meet online and little by little our friendship has grown.
We know each other 's souls and often the words are not needed
for the understanding is there.
Our love has grown as we shared this time around His word
and now we are joining hearts in prayer.
God joins and we are a bond of three.
Shirley Lemons
Easter Poem
I wrote this poem several years ago and it hasn't been published...until now.
Can I get an "Amen"?
*******
His Life...and Death
In Life... people welcomed Him and cried Hosanna.
In Death... people stood afar off and wept.
In Life... a donkey carried Him.
In Death... He carried a Cross.
In Life... He went to banquets.
In Death... They gave Him vinegar to drink.
In Life... a woman sought to touch His robe.
In Death... soldiers cast lots for it.
In Life... He was rarely alone.
In Death... He was utterly forsaken.
In Life... He loved me.
In Death... He saved me.
But in the Resurrection...
He has sent me forth...In His Life.
Joyce Handzo
March 27, 2002
Can I get an "Amen"?
*******
His Life...and Death
In Life... people welcomed Him and cried Hosanna.
In Death... people stood afar off and wept.
In Life... a donkey carried Him.
In Death... He carried a Cross.
In Life... He went to banquets.
In Death... They gave Him vinegar to drink.
In Life... a woman sought to touch His robe.
In Death... soldiers cast lots for it.
In Life... He was rarely alone.
In Death... He was utterly forsaken.
In Life... He loved me.
In Death... He saved me.
But in the Resurrection...
He has sent me forth...In His Life.
Joyce Handzo
March 27, 2002
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Honorable Mention!
The Writer's Chatroom sponsored a contest with the theme "New Beginnings".
I'm thrilled to have received an Honorable Mention, but next time, I want to place a little higher. :)
Here's my winning essay...
A New Beginning?
The gavel banged on the makeshift podium, bringing order to the overexcited crowd murmuring restlessly in the under heated room.
"Welcome to the New World Order!" The speaker’s voice filled the place with power and passion. Roars of approval shook the thin walls while the overhead lights swayed dangerously on their hastily hung cords.
"Since our society successfully survived the nuclear holocaust, we want to create a nation that is forever free from war. We want to establish a society that treats everyone with respect. We want to abolish poverty and prejudice and have all citizens live together in perfect peace. This has never been done in the history of the world, yet we believe this is possible because we have been chosen to survive!"
At this point, the room erupted in frenzied applause, bringing a satisfied smile to the speaker’s lips. When order was finally restored, he continued his speech with an air of restrained excitement.
"Because what we are about to do has been an impossible and elusive dream for centuries, we need the right kind of leader to guide us. The Committee is now opening up the floor to accept recommendations for that position."
Shouts immediately came from around the room, causing the speaker to frantically jot down the ideas with one hand while gesturing for the throng to slow down.
"No Democrats!"
"No Republicans!"
"No men leaders!
"No women leaders!"
"No religious bigots!"
"No liberal sissies!"
An hour later, a hush descended on the group, as their emotions climaxed with a sense of finality. The speaker mopped his brow with a dirty handkerchief and held up the papers he had scribbled upon.
"The Committee will carefully review all of your suggestions and select a leader. Return at noon tomorrow for the inauguration ceremony."
The next day, when the sun climbed overhead and cast a feeble light within the nuclear-altered atmosphere, the crowd returned. A drum beat a steady rhythm, causing the group to sway in unison. Someone rolled a tattered red rug down the center of the room and all eyes turned toward the door.
Those same eyes widened in surprise as a huge, hairy ape walked calmly to the podium. The speaker quickly came alongside the animal, and raised his right paw in the air.
"Behold your leader!"
A few people clapped, while most silently absorbed the shock.
"The Committee has decided to return to our beginnings. Since man descended from primates, it’s only fitting that an ape guide us through this evolution of our society."
While the new leader proceeded to pick fleas from his armpit, most people thought the ape looked strangely familiar.
As the sun crawled to its zenith point, a faint ray struck the Empire State Building, which teetered precariously among the rubble. The huge ape suddenly roared and raced outside. As the citizens of the New World Order watched in horror, their leader began to climb the structure.
They wondered if a new beginning was really possible.
I'm thrilled to have received an Honorable Mention, but next time, I want to place a little higher. :)
Here's my winning essay...
A New Beginning?
The gavel banged on the makeshift podium, bringing order to the overexcited crowd murmuring restlessly in the under heated room.
"Welcome to the New World Order!" The speaker’s voice filled the place with power and passion. Roars of approval shook the thin walls while the overhead lights swayed dangerously on their hastily hung cords.
"Since our society successfully survived the nuclear holocaust, we want to create a nation that is forever free from war. We want to establish a society that treats everyone with respect. We want to abolish poverty and prejudice and have all citizens live together in perfect peace. This has never been done in the history of the world, yet we believe this is possible because we have been chosen to survive!"
At this point, the room erupted in frenzied applause, bringing a satisfied smile to the speaker’s lips. When order was finally restored, he continued his speech with an air of restrained excitement.
"Because what we are about to do has been an impossible and elusive dream for centuries, we need the right kind of leader to guide us. The Committee is now opening up the floor to accept recommendations for that position."
Shouts immediately came from around the room, causing the speaker to frantically jot down the ideas with one hand while gesturing for the throng to slow down.
"No Democrats!"
"No Republicans!"
"No men leaders!
"No women leaders!"
"No religious bigots!"
"No liberal sissies!"
An hour later, a hush descended on the group, as their emotions climaxed with a sense of finality. The speaker mopped his brow with a dirty handkerchief and held up the papers he had scribbled upon.
"The Committee will carefully review all of your suggestions and select a leader. Return at noon tomorrow for the inauguration ceremony."
The next day, when the sun climbed overhead and cast a feeble light within the nuclear-altered atmosphere, the crowd returned. A drum beat a steady rhythm, causing the group to sway in unison. Someone rolled a tattered red rug down the center of the room and all eyes turned toward the door.
Those same eyes widened in surprise as a huge, hairy ape walked calmly to the podium. The speaker quickly came alongside the animal, and raised his right paw in the air.
"Behold your leader!"
A few people clapped, while most silently absorbed the shock.
"The Committee has decided to return to our beginnings. Since man descended from primates, it’s only fitting that an ape guide us through this evolution of our society."
While the new leader proceeded to pick fleas from his armpit, most people thought the ape looked strangely familiar.
As the sun crawled to its zenith point, a faint ray struck the Empire State Building, which teetered precariously among the rubble. The huge ape suddenly roared and raced outside. As the citizens of the New World Order watched in horror, their leader began to climb the structure.
They wondered if a new beginning was really possible.
Welcome!
Welcome to the HandZoo, my menagerie of ideas!
I finally decided to get serious about my writing. I'll be posting updates about my work in progress and would love your comments and critiques! :-)
I finally decided to get serious about my writing. I'll be posting updates about my work in progress and would love your comments and critiques! :-)
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