Cheryl Burman's Blog: Blog posts for readers and writers, page 10

A pleasant day for a wagon ride

A pleasant day for a wagon ride, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.

The heat is subdued today as if, having squandered its hoard in the over-warm days of early summer, there now needs to be an assessment of what can be meted out for the duration of the season. High clouds haze the sun, the breeze on Hester’s cheeks refreshes rather than burns. A pleasant ...

During the many delays

During the many delays, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.

Ellen sleeps against Hester’s shoulder, exhausted by travel and heat.

They had woken early, Hester to feed the chickens and the tabby, Ellen to gather a thank you posy for the neighbour who would look after both until Hester’s return. They had walked the short distance to the train station through ...

The hot summer has passed into a misty early autumn

The hot summer has passed into a misty early autumn, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.

The hot summer has passed into a misty early autumn with today’s chilly rain a harbinger of the season to come. Hester relishes the warmth from the range and is grateful for the well-stocked wood pile Cornelius organised for her.

The hessian sack she filled in the ...

Her ambiguous farewell unsettles him

Her ambiguous farewell unsettles him, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.

Aaron sets down the mug, taps the table top with his long fingers, moving on to Mother Lovell. Her ambiguous farewell unsettles him. Yet, when he thinks rationally, she has always been ancient despite her occasional sparkling eyes and youthful voice. Perhaps she is ready at last to d...

Full night has settled over the countryside

Full night has settled over the countryside, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.

Full night has settled over the countryside when Aaron rides slowly into Eccleshall. His horse’s head droops with tiredness, as does his own. The road ends at a junction with the High Street. Aaron halts, gazing around. An old hotel, The George, stands across the junction to h...

He has had enough of veiled words

He has had enough of veiled words, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.

Aaron is reluctant to push his horse in the heat. This duty he has imposed on himself has waited a decade. A few hours further delay count for nothing, except now he is on his way he wishes to be done, finished. Whatever the outcome.

He has covered the few miles from home to return t...

The door is nudged open

The door is nudged open, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline – having fun with that!

Pots spill with untended flowering lavenders, green and variegated mints and purple-bloomed sage, while thymes, chamomile, blue-flowering borage and pink valerian disguise once well-kept paths and hug blowsy bushes. The sun lights the scene and warms the scents, and the con...

There is life here albeit hanging on by a thread

There is life here albeit hanging on by a thread, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline – having fun with that!

He rides the dusty ridged lane which leads to Mother Lovell’s cottage and nowhere else. Either side, a profusion of dog rose scrambles through overgrown hedgerows, adding their light sweet scent to the warming air.

The pale pink edges of the wh...

It has been too long

It has been too long is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline – having fun with that!

‘I must say–’ his father fingers his waxed moustache ‘–it’s been a long time.’

The accusatory tone rings loud in Aaron’s ears. And his heart.

Yes, it has been too long. Has Aaron said the words out loud? He thinks not, so he repeats them. ‘Yes, it’s been too long, and I apol...

Mrs Coby knocked on the door

Mrs Coby knocked on the door is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline – having fun with that!

There is no word from Aaron today. As there has been no word since Hester received his letter from The Royal Oak two weeks ago.

She digs her trowel around a dandelion and drops the plant into a basket along with others.

Mrs Coby knocked on the door this mornin...