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I'm working on some short stories, second-chance romance set during the holidays. Almost finished with story #4. My plan is to learn the process by publishing a short story collection. Is that a good idea or a bad idea? Any pitfalls to that route vs. publishing a one-story novel?
This snippet is from story #3, "The Silent Stars Go By". (Still working on this blurb.)
Ace Ridley and Ashley Pence made a promise when they were seniors in high school. They'd go to college then join the Air Force, do their stint so Ashley could fly, then come back home to the farm, get married, and raise their family.
They never planned on Ace not qualifying to fly, and in an unbelievable twist, for Ashley to qualify for NASA.
Over two decades later, Ace knows well how things can go wrong, and promises can be broken. He can't forgive that. Or can he? When, Ashely visits her parents, he runs into her. Against odds, they spend several days together, But what looks like a promising rekindling of affection turns to anger when Ace can't find a way to move forward.
He'll need to swallow his pride long enough to explain his side...and listen to hers if there is going to be a chance for them.
Continuing from the last snippet:
He tried to do that a couple of times a week. The nearly two decades since his dad’s stroke had taught him there was always something they needed a hand with. He supposed it was pride that kept his dad from picking up the phone and calling him to ask for help. While he took off his work boots, his father shuffled into the kitchen, nudging his walker in front of him.
The Snippet
“Son, how many acres you pick today?” His words were a tad garbled, an effect of the paralysis crippling one side of his body.
“Just the front fields.
The ones in the back are still wet. I don’t know which’ll happen first—if
they’ll dry or if the ground’ll winter-up.”
His dad nodded. “With
luck, we’ll get deep frost this year, kill the bugs in the soil.”
“You stay for dinner,”
his mom said. “I figured you in when I counted potatoes for the pot.”
A little more...
He smiled. There was no
use fighting Beatrice Ridley. Didn’t matter if she was running her own kitchen
or unofficially directing everyone at the church suppers.
She worked at the stove
with her back to Ace and his dad. “Are you bringing anyone for Christmas
dinner?”
He knew that question was
coming before she’d asked it. The tone of her voice sounded so casual, like it
was a random question that’d just popped into her mind when she added, “Will Ashley
be home for the holidays?”
Ace held his breath and
silently counted. When he reached ten, a calm reply prevailed—which was what he
wanted. He didn’t like arguing with his mom—with either of his parents, for
that matter. And he reminded himself that his mom was worried about him being
lonely. And she worried about Ashley, too. Ash would always be family to his
parents.
Not to him, though. Not since she’d broken their promise, the one they’d made when they were seniors in high school. When they decided their futures would be one. Singular. Working toward one goal. Their education, a farm, a family of their own.
That's it. Have a great week!
