i know all there is to know about the writing game
My dear blogging buddy Jen of A2eatwrite has organized an amazing project called “The Writing Game.” You may have noticed the button over there on my sidebar? Well here’s what it’s all about:
Each person who wants to play sends Jen story ideas, character descriptions, and a conflict. Jen then randomly swaps these lists among the participants so that each person has a blogging buddy and writes something based on his or her buddy’s ideas.
I was matched up with one of my favorite bloggers who I can’t wait to meet in person when she moves to Rome and who gave me a fantastic set-up, characters, and conflict. Grazie mille NYC/Caribbean Ragazza!
Below is just a taste of my story entitled For Love or Garlic.
Go here to read the rest of my story on The Writing Game blog and see NYC/Caribbean Ragazza’s original ideas. And don’t forget to let me know what you think either here or there (or everywhere)!
Also, while you’re over at The Writing Game, take a look at the rest of the stories (each with different plots, themes, ideas) from this edition of The Game, and start thinking about your ideas to join up next time!
For Love or Garlic
I can’t believe it’s 2 a.m. and we’re stuck within nose-shot of the garlic capital of the world, thought John as leaned back against the front bumper of his Mercedes. He zippered up his new lightweight jacket, one that was never meant to weather any actual weather, and crossed his arms in front of him.
“It’s not my fault, you know,” Melinda yelled through the passenger side’s open window. They had been together for 10 years and she knew what John was thinking by the way he sighed as he looked toward the sign pointing the way to
She pulled her head back inside the car and wrapped her scarf a little tighter.
The studio head didn’t agree, though, and John had to endure finding cloves of garlic on his desk for many months after he suggested the idea. Of course those silly pranks were better than his eventual reward of a brand new although garlic-free desk at a different studio with a boss 15 years his junior.
With the young buck to compare himself to, John increasingly felt as if his own 45 years were speeding toward the half-century mark like a getaway car.
Getting away from what was the question he struggled to answer.
The mere sight of the
Besides, there was definitely something pungent in the air.
* * * * *
Be sure to click through to read the rest of my story For Love or Garlic.
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[tags] the writing game, fiction writing, writing, gilroy, garlic[/tags]
15 Beans of Wisdom to “i know all there is to know about the writing game”
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
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Ha! Did you read one of my posts about my hometown before writing this??? 🙂 I’ll have to thank Arlene heheheheh
Sara, I had no idea this was your hometown! I’ll have to troll through your archives a bit….
What a great idea!! And I love your part of the story, Michelle! Who would wrinkle there nose at garlic??????? I’d wear garlic perfume if they made it…. 🙂
My Melange’s last blog post..A trip to Provence…
Thanks Robin! To be clear, this one is *all* my story, but you have to click through to The Writing Game site to read the rest of it 🙂
Garlic perfume? Sometimes I think I *am* wearing it around here 😉
Prego! You are one of my favorite bloggers as well. I am looking forward sharing an aperitivo with you.
Sara I forgot this was your hometown. I have never been to the Garlic Festival but I heard about it on the news. I drove past Gilroy when I was driving from San Francisco back to Los Angeles.
Michelle I loved your story (not just because you drew my idea…ha). Your writing is so descriptive. I could “see” this couple in my head.
nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..The Writing Game – A short story
Thanks 🙂 I wanted to stay as close to your instructions as possible so I knew it’d be just one scene–no choice but to describe what I see, right? 😉
Hey, this looks like a lot of fun. I like the opening of the story here too. 🙂
Seamus’s last blog post..The Magic Of Ireland
Very cool read! Good job, kid!
Thanks Jeni! I hope you clicked over to read the rest–that’s the good part 😉
What a cool idea Jen came up with. Will have to wander over to The Writing Game and check it out. (when I go over and read your whole story!)
kacey’s last blog post..Two Minute Meal
It’s an awesome idea–perhaps you’ll play next time Kacey?
Great job, Michelle (and Arlene)!
I’m looking forward to reading this every week…you will do it every week, right??
Cherrye’s last blog post..She Works Hard for the Money…B&B’ing Part I
Every week? Well that’s probably a bit much…but you’ll play soon right Cherrye?
I like this idea a lot. Can anyone participate?
LDP’s last blog post..Cincinnati Saturday Night.
Yes LDP–it’s open to everyone. I don’t know when the next one will be yet, but keep your eye on Jen’s place and I’ll also announce it here when she calls for participants in the new Game 🙂
I left a comment over there, but wanted to post something here too…great story. It left me wanting more, so that’s always a good thing.
This sounds like a fun idea, I may have to check it out in the future!
Karina’s last blog post..Mini GiveAway
Karina, oh do play the next time! You’ll love it! Thanks for double commenting 🙂
“town least likely to be a setting for an Anne Rice novel”. I like that description.
Nicely written story. An inspearational read, should i ever happen to consider marrying.
Thanks Luigi–I’m happy that someone caught that 😉 I suppose you’d call this a cautionary tale then? 😉
I absolutely loved your entry, Michelle! I left my “real” comment on the Writing Game blog. Again, brava!
jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..The Writing Game – It’s HERE!
Thanks Jen! I’m hoping to get around to all the stories this weekend. Very much looking forward to it indeed 🙂
What a fun idea! You are such a wonderful writer. Your words have magically transported me to the garlic capital of the world.
Well, it is always enlightening to stop by for a visit and that is just one of the many reasons why I have awarded you the “You make my day” award! Please stop by my blog when you have time and pick up your award! 🙂
Ciao, Debbie
Debbbie Egizio’s last blog post..I’m a Make My Day Award Winner
Thanks so much Debbie, for your kind words and also for the award. What blog fate considering I was planning a post about *you* today 🙂
Good ol Gilroy! My wife & I drove through there at least once on the way to San Mateo. Brings back memories of a couple of youngsters and a 1967 Volvo 122S with a few hundred thousand miles on it!
Glad to bring back some good memories…thank NYC/Caribbean ragazza!
As you might have guessed, I’ve been to Gilroy MANY times. The entire town smells like garlic, festival time or not!
One of my favorite places to go while in the area is Casa de Fruta (www.casadefruta.com) in nearby Hollister.
But any way you mince it, garlic is one of my favorite additions to any meal!!!
Salena’s last blog post..Girl Crush
That’s funny about the garlic smell…I think I’d still prefer Hershey, Chocolatetown USA, which is near where I’m from and smells like chocolate year-round 😉 Thanks for that link!
Michelle, what a great story! And I must note that I also grew up in Gilroy and am now living in Florence!
For those who can make the trip, I do recommend attending the Garlic Festival, which is always the last weekend of July. They even serve garlic ice cream, which is a must for festival first-timers!
Shannon’s last blog post..A couple of January days
Ciao Shannon! Garlic ice cream…sounds like it would go great with the peperoncino-flavored stuff we have down here in Calabria 😉 Thanks for commenting and say hello to Gilroy for me next time you visit!