This week’s WoW prompt provided me with a chance to develop some of the story lines that I have started. The prompt (as you can see below) involves using the word “piqued.” Instead of doing just one piece, I decided to do three pieces – one piece for each of the definition.
Write On Wednesdays Exercise 10 - A Gift of Serendipity... Take Felicity's Word ofthe Week. Write it at the top of your page. Set your timer for 5 minutes. Write the first words that come into your head after the Word of the Week. Stop writing when the buzzer rings.
Piqued:
A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride.tr.v. piqued, piqu·ing, piques
A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride.tr.v. piqued, piqu·ing, piques
1. To cause to feel resentment or indignation.
2. To provoke; arouse: The portrait piqued her curiosity.
3. To pride (oneself): He piqued himself on his stylish attire.
2. To provoke; arouse: The portrait piqued her curiosity.
3. To pride (oneself): He piqued himself on his stylish attire.
PIQUED: TO CAUSE TO FEEL RESENTMENT OR INDIGNATION
The first words that came out of the partner’s mouth piqued her. What did he mean she didn’t have gumption? She was the most driven person she knew. If there was something Emory wanted to do she did it, if there was something Emory wanted she got it, but only because she put an excessive amount of effort and an endless amount of time.
Contrary to popular opinion things did not come easily to Emory. Her classmates only saw her grades, not the daily 6-9 hour study sessions in the library. Her bosses only saw her immaculate finished product, not the nights she spent sitting at her kitchen table writing, rewriting, and proofing. Her friends only saw the cards and presents she made them, not the days it took her to conceive the idea and the weeks it took to execute it.
The partner was still talking but Emory had lost him after “gumption.” That had to be the worst of it right? What could be worse than telling her the one thing that cut deep to her core? But the next words did more than just pique her, they infuriated her.
PIQUED: TO PROVOKE; AROUSE
Sam anxiously tapped her pen against the top of her desk. She bit down on her lower lip as she gripped her blackberry and punched in the numbers she knew all too well. It had been a couple days since Sam had received that unforgettable voicemail. Despite her aversion to Joe’s voice she had replayed it countless times. She could deny it all she wanted, but voicemail had piqued her interest.
Sam knew the instant she heard his voice that she would have to call Joe back, but she had been actively avoiding just that. Why did he have to call her? Why now when things were finally starting to go right for her?
Sam closed her eyes as she hit the green button on her blackberry and raised it to her ear.
It rang once.
It rang twice.
Maybe it will just go to voicemail Sam thought as she heard the ringing a third time. Then there was the unmistakable click of a person picking up on the other end.
PIQUED: TO PRIDE (ONESELF)
Jamie had always piqued herself in maintaining composure in situations where other people turned into puddles on the floor. She just had a special knack for keeping her emotions in check, but she was about to lose it.
“Are you serious?” she repeated a little more forcefully this time. Drew reached out for her hand and Jamie snatched it off the table before he could touch her. “We have known each other forever Drew, and now just because you are seeing some girl we can’t even be friends anymore?”
“Jane is not just some girl Jamie. Things are very serious between us and she is not comfortable with the relationship you and I have. You and I will always be friends, I just can’t spend so much time with you. Jane thinks we do too much together, especially without her. I mean all the baseball games, restaurant tours, cooking events. She just feels like a third wheel in our relationship which is not how she should feel. She is my girlfriend, maybe more in the future.”
“So we can be friends that don’t talk and never see each other. That sounds like a blast!” Jamie seethed. “Why didn’t I think of that?!”
“Jamie, come on. I need to focus on my relationship with Jane. She is special and I want to give it the best shot I can,” Drew pleaded.
“Oh she is something special alright. So has she given you special permission to come out with me tonight? Should I call her next week and get her ok to wish you a happy birthday? What about Christmas cards? Should I send them to her office so she can screen them before you see them?” Jamie questioned as she wadded up her napkin and placed it on the table.
“Jamie, you are being ridiculous.”
“I’m being ridiculous? Are you serious? Have you listened at all to what you told me tonight? You know what, just forget it.” Jamie was so angry she was practically shaking as she stood to leave. Jamie took a couple steps toward the door but whipped around suddenly to face Drew again. She knew she should not say anything. She knew saying it would make it worse. But she just could not help herself.
This exercise was enjoyable, but like so many of the others, definitely a bit challenging. The first piece relates to the piece I wrote for WoW – Think with Character. The second piece is a continuation of the very first WoW exercises I did, WoW – Write the Music. The third piece is from the WoW – Status Anxiety exercise and I was finally able to give those characters names! I am not entirely sure where I want the second and third pieces to go. I have a few ideas, but nothing has seemed to click yet. Maybe a future WoW exercise will help me out with that.
It takes gumption to pick up stories after several weeks and try to further develop the story lines!
Three pieces - Wow, you really do live the gumption!
ReplyDeleteYour characters are clearly visible and I really enjoyed reading the different ways in which you threaded the word into their stories.
x Felicity
Wow (no pun intended)... you really took this one on! I like how you tackled each meaning. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteYour dialogue is great, very natural (I'm a huge fan of good, natural diaglogue in writing!). The tension in the third piece is particularly good, I would love to see where you took that story line.
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful that you've done the three pieces all relating back to previous excercises. All are wonderful reading but I particularly like the last one, would love to read more.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I always look forward to your closing line on your posts....And wholeheartedly agree that, yes, picking up three stories takes gumption! I love how you weaved the word "gumption" into your post and that you explored different versions of the prompt. I like the second piece best, well I was ready to keep reading...I want to know what's on the other end of the phone!
ReplyDeleteGill x
Very clever. I especially liked the third piece; a very real and difficult situation. Sad that he is potentially ruining a great friendship though.
ReplyDeleteI loved how you used this weeks exercise in three different stories!
ReplyDeleteI am excited to learn more about your character Emory in the first story you posted. The way you describe her studious life has "piqued" my interest!
I loved the third piece and hate that you left me hanging! I hope you decide to add to it. The first piece was nice and made me wonder if it was a reflection of you.
ReplyDelete@ Felicity: Thank you. I have been thinking about these characters for a while so I am glad they came out so clear to you.
ReplyDelete@ Kimberlee: Thanks. Doing the 3 meanings was difficult but I think it helped with understanding both the word and how it changed in relation to my characters.
@ Sif: Thank you. I have worked on my use of dialogue quite a bit. The third one I actually had the most trouble with but I am glad you felt the tension I was trying to create
@ Lene: I will try to incorporate Jamie and Drew in another exercise so you can read more!
@ Gill: Thanks for your kind words. The second piece is related to something I have been working on/thinking about for a while but I am not entirely sure where to take it yet.
@ Adam: Thank you. I agree, very sad, but very real.
@ Stephanie: Thanks! I am glad you like Emory. I an sure she will appear in many more posts.
@ Laura: I will try to bring Jamie and Drew into future exercises so you can learn more about them. :) You are very insightful. Emory is a character I have based on my personal experiences. A "reflection" of me is a good description of her.