THE END

"The End".  It's a bittersweet sentence.  The end of what? The end of whom? Maybe, it's just the beginning.  

As a writer, 'the end' takes a long time.  I look forward to finally being able to write it. The ending is difficult to write, at least for me.  As a reader, I often am sad when I reach the end of a good book.  I want the story to continue, what happens next? I suppose that's what sequels are for.

"The End" is a badge of accomplishment, a finish line, a statement that a goal has been achieved.  The End is synonymous with "Whoo Hoo!  I did it!"

As a runner, the finish line is just a stepping stone.  This race is over, when's the next one?  After writing ten, now eleven books, I must have the same mind set for writing.  It's not quite so easy to pick up and write a new novel as it is to put one foot in front of the other and run another 3, 6, 9, 26.2 miles.  Although, I must admit the older I get the running is becoming more difficult than the writing.

So, you're asking, have you just written "The End"?   

Why, yes, yes I have.  Thank you for asking as my thoughts wander and my fingers take me to another place because I'm thinking of something else to write and whether or not I want to run 25 miles in the 98% humidity tomorrow.  

Ready? Set? HERE IT IS!!!

WILDWOOD

My husband, bless him, says this is my best book yet.  He says that every time.  I believe he thinks he's not allowed to say otherwise because I feed him and he sleeps with me. What do you think?  

I have the paperback coming out soon on Amazon and also the ebook is available on Smashwords.com.   Check my website (www.colleenwait.com) on Fridays for Freebie Fridays through Smashwords.

Book sample for "Black Purple Sky"

CHAPTER ONE

Mirrors don’t lie. They are not capable of it. They merely reflect what exists on the other side.  It is the viewer, the one who looks into the pane of glass, who interprets what they see. Sometimes the viewer loves what they observe whether it be beauty, happiness, or transformation. On occasions, specifically an occasion like this one, reality hits hard.  It lands square in the face and jolts the viewer to accept what is, what has become of them, and what must be done.

Gretchen’s jaw dropped, her stomach churned, and she gasped audibly as soon as the woman’s hands uncovered her eyes and she looked into the mirror. Her face, under the garish makeup was ashen gray. Who was that poor, pitiful, hideous creature in that awful dress?  She was oblivious to the chatter and bustling activity around her, the fingers fussing with her hair, as she stared at the girl in the mirror.  She was unrecognizable. Sure, she knew she was staring at herself, but it wasn’t.  The girl’s eyes were sad. Dark circles were covered with heavy make-up as was the rest of her face.  The eyelids had been painted a particularly ugly shade of blue, which clashed with the brilliant blue of her eyes. Her cheeks were orange, and her lips, oh my.  The lips were bubble gum pink.

Gretchen forced back tears. What did these horrible women do to her? Gretchen’s long blond hair had been curled, teased, piled high and glued with a case of hair spray.  On the top of her head was a silver crown with poufs of satin and lace which was her train and veil. She dared not look down.  It was like looking at a bloody accident. Horrible, but compelled to look. The garment started under Gretchen’s chin. It was an ugly, vaguely off-white satin with ruffles.  Lots and lots of ruffles.  The top of the collar, just under her chin was lined with ruffles.  Its shoulders puffed up as if a child had cut and sewn the dress and stuffed it with pillows then glued all the scraps onto the shoulder and sleeves.

“Oh my God,” Gretchen thought to herself as she touched her cheek, “kill me now. What have I done to deserve this? He told me I was beautiful. I used to be...”

Ready for more???  Get your full version at Smashwords, Amazon, or if you want it in paperback it is available at Create Space.

This book has been nominated for a Global E-book award