The photo prompt for this week’s Friday Fictioneers reminded me of a WIP that for some reason is no longer in progress. I wrote a first chapter about two years ago. Not sure why I never continued. The story had promise. But here’s the funny thing: the genre is romance, and anyone who knows me knows that I completely LOATHE romance novels. Anyway, here’s to picking up where I left off!

Check-in was at three. It was well past five. The sweltering Savannah air engulfed Dorothy when she opened the door. It was stagnant, tasted of melted plastic on her tongue.
“Are we close to the ocean? Where’s the breeze?”
Maurice ignored her, rushing towards the entrance to meet the cool blast of air against his face inside the hotel lobby. Dorothy limped behind, her legs asleep from the five-hour drive. She marveled at the grand chandelier above the rotating doors. The bulbs illuminated brightly, eliminating all hints of glass, appearing as true flames. Still Suzanne, she thought, always a princess.
word count: 100
—Nortina
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Just reading this makes me feel hot. Great description all around.
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Thank you! 🙂
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I love the toss in of Suzanne’s name at the end of the piece. If Dorothy is a bridesmaid, look out.
Great story. And, your right. Unfortunately romance sells!
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There are some romance novels I do like, but not many. Most of them are so cheesy to me, but hey, they’re not going anywhere, so I’ll just stay away from that section of the bookstore for now. 😉
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I have trouble with the romantic historical fiction — fiction is the main word. I’m no fun to go to a period piece movie unless it follows things closely. So I stay away from those movies, tv programs and books! I mostly read mystery stories my self.
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I learned the hard way that those pieces typically focus more on the romance than the history. I don’t have a particular genre I read more than others. I just stay away from romance at all costs!
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You’ve nailed the atmosphere, and given us the necessary backstory quite skillfully, but the Suzanne line threw me. Not sure who she is – you might want to introduce her earlier. I enjoyed it (South Carolina weather is miserable this week too.)
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Thanks for the feedback. This was a continuation of a larger piece I started a few years back but never finished (I have a nasty habit of doing that). So in the story, Dorothy is going to her cousin Suzanne’s wedding, but she’s not all that thrilled about it.
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I feel her discomfort. And her irritation. Well described. I really like how the last little comment about Suzanne says so much about their relationship in so few words. Dorothy has been irritated by Suzanne before, I suspect.
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Yes! Suzanne is little Miss Perfect while Dorothy is more down to earth. She’s definitely not looking forward to this wedding.
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Nice take on the prompt
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Thanks!
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Humidity, oppression–all the ingredients for a wedding that shouldn’t be! 😉
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You can’t have a wedding without drama, right? 😉
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Isn’t that the truth!
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Wonderfully descriptive!
Visit Keith’s Ramblings!
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Great piece.
Would love your thoughts on our latest post: https://rinsebeforeuse.wordpress.com/2015/06/18/5-excuses-of-a-sad-spinster/
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A lovely, well written take on the prompt. I love your discriptions 🙂
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Thanks! 🙂
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Willis Haviland Carrier – blessings be upon him!
Good piece.
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I’ve always wanted to visit Savannah. your wonderful descriptions remind me to make my visit in the winter.
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Hahaha! Yes! That hot-Georgia weather is no joke!
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Is that where you live?
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No, but I have a ton of family there!
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Excellent descriptions Nortina! I felt as though I was right there being blasted by refridgerated air!
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Thanks. Nothing like that refrigerated air when you’re coming out of the heat and humidity. 😉
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It feels amazing. Like you have just stepped out of hell and right into heaven.
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Perfect analogy!
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Thank you! I am fortunate to live in an area that has low humidity. I have been to Louisiana and that is exactly what it felt like. lol
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Lucky! Even here in North Carolina the humidity can be suffocating!
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I have never been to North Carolina, but I know that is what it felt like in Louisiana!
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Louisiana is probably worse, but it gets pretty bad here too!
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Must be difficult in the summer to have a lot of humidity. There is practically none in the Southwest.
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You get used to it after a while, but some days are unbearable!
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I can only imagine. It seems to me it would make the heat that much hotter.
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Oh, it does!
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Right now it is 79 degrees and is suppose to get up to 95 degrees. That’s hot enough without humidity!
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Here it’s supposed to get up to 95. Right now it’s 89… it feels like 97. 😦
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😦 Oh dear, that means that 95 is going to feel like 102 or more.
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It’s gonna be hell. Lol
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LOL! Hopefully you have refrigerated air. (Here most of us have swamp coolers).
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I thought your description of the Savannah air is rather good.
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Thanks! 😀
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The southern atmosphere so well captured… when I visited Savannah it was winter though.. very nice actually.
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I’ve been to Savannah several times, but never during the winter. 😦 I’m sure the weather is much more pleasant. Thanks for reading!
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I can understand the dislike of romance novels, they often include every cliche going.
I enjoyed this little story though as it seemed very realistic and gritty.
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Every cliché known to man! But it sells, so I guess somebody has to like it, huh? I’d rather not write about the fantasy side of romance… which makes the title “Princess Wedding” so ironic! LOL Thanks for reading. I hope I can get back into the groove of writing this novel with no hiccups, and definitely no clichés!
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Lovely descriptive setting. Stagnant air, cool blast, true flames. Beautifully done!
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Thanks!
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Hmm 🙂 Makes me think of their childhood, and their planning their weddings.
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Spot on! It’s like you’ve already read my first chapter. I should check the security on my computer. 😉
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