Those People (Short Story)

I'm not sure why I came. Curiosity, most-likely. I suppose it doesn't matter. All that matters is that I came.

Those people— I can't take my eyes off of them. What was the man with the camera doing here? Was he a tourist, snapping a picture of the little girl in the red hat? His backpack was probably full of overpriced souvenirs and a snack for later. But he had on a green tie. Maybe he was on his way to a meeting to sell his photos to a magazine.

And what of the girl? She seemed to want to climb the ladder along the wall beside her. Did she want to get to me? Another girl her age was rushing by. Were they friends having a play date? Were one of the two women nearby their mothers? Or were the children sisters? I could hear their laughter as they played. Sweet innocents.

A woman was dressed in a black suit, a white blouse to give it dimension. Was she a reporter? Was she on her lunch break? Maybe she was on her way to meet her husband or pick someone up from the airport.

Some of the people I can't see well. Light reflects in my eyes and blurs their images. I imagine they were happy, going about their business. Nothing could harm them. They must've thought that, same as I do.

What had brought about this event? What brought me here now? Had they all agreed to meet? Did they plan to hold themselves down to await their fate? Had someone taken them, forcing them? I stand at the edge and stare at them. They can't see me. Soon they will be gone. Perhaps that fact is why I came.

I reach down and reel back in alarm. Cold. My heart aches for those people. Was it cold then? Had they been frightened? Why was I here? I couldn't help them now.

Blue. It was all blue and blurry. Their faces were morphed, distorted. Their expressions were unreadable. Were they smiling? Screaming? Eyes open in panic or closed in peace? I turn my back on the scene below. I wipe my wet hand on my pant leg, knocking against my gold badge. I'm not sure why I came back. I only know I will solve the mystery.

Writing the Beginning

    There are many writers who have given their advice on how to begin a novel. I have heard great advice and I have heard advice that I think could mess up a story. Writers should write however they please, but it is always helpful to gather other opinions. Writers wonder how to capture a reader's attention straight away. Do you use a prologue? Start from the beginning of the protagonist's life? Once upon a time? How can you make a beginning pop?

    For me, the beginning of the story should start in the middle. Start the story in the middle of the protagonist's life. Whatever they're going through has probably been going on for a while. Maybe a girl its hiding from the cops. Why? Start there. Something must have happened to cause this. Start with the chase. The reader's mind will race, thinking up all the reasons for the cops to be chasing after said girl.

    Think about it. No one's life simply starts. Even if the story is about a baby. Well... who are the parents? What makes this baby so special? The story wouldn't start with the back story of the mom and dad. That isn't important. That would be a snooze-fest for the reader. The story is about the baby, so start with the baby. Start with the mother going through labor. Throw the reader into a dramatic birth. The agony, the stress. Maybe she won't stop bleeding or the baby is breech. That is the beginning that will make the reader's heart ache. In the back of the writer's mind they will know who the parents are and maybe something in their life will come forward later in the story. Save that.

    Beginnings don't have to be scary. I think writing the beginning is the funnest part. That is the start of a new world. New characters. It is the beginning that expands the imagination. Just start. The story will flow from fingertips to paper. Starting from the middle works for all types of writing. Novels, short stories, poems, even lyrics. Start in the middle and the rest will fall into place. 

Find Your Next Favorite Book

I have done a lot of reading and I plan on doing a lot more of it. If you're trying to find your next favorite book here are some that I've read that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Everyone else should too!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

This is one of my all time favorite books. Don't get discouraged if you start reading it and feel like you don't have a CLUE what's going on. You're not suppose too. The protagonist is thrown into a bizarre place with no memory if himself besides his name. If he has no clue why should the reader? This book starts with your mind racing and it doesn't stop. In fact, there are two other books after it that add more hills and valleys to the epic roller coaster that is The Maze Runner.

The Name of the Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

This books is as crazy as the title sounds. It's a book for younger readers but don't let that stop you. This book and the books that follow take you on what I would call a "participation read". The author (who remains anonymous for your own safety) begs you not to read the books. The Secret is too dangerous! And yet, he can't keep a secret. So... don't you wanna know what the Secret is?

The Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen

Oh... this book. This amazing book. My fifth grade teacher read this to my class and I was captivated. I purchased my own copy —er... my mom did— and since then I've read it, skimmed it, told anyone who would listen about it, and it still makes me smile. Imagine a thirteen-year-old boy falling into a blue light and ending up in a strange land full of odd people and animals. His life is thrown upside down and you are on your toes page after page. It's fantastic!

Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn

There are six books total in the Dragonback Adventure series. The first, Dragon and Thief, was given to me by a girl in my church. She said she thought I was someone who would enjoy it. It didn't seem like something I would normally pick up, but I thanked her and.. well.. it was a book! I would never pass up a book. It took a few days but soon I forced myself to pick it up. Long story short, I needed to read the rest! The SF epicness is... EPIC! A boy is framed and needs help from a symbiotic dragon like alien to clear his name. The feels this book gives are numerous.

Existence by Abbi Glines

This book is short but fun. It's a corny teen romance. Girl loves dead boy. Actually, the boy is Death. As in the Grim Reaper Death. The protagonist can see ghosts and… well... Death falls in love with her. It's just a fun story to read though while waiting for other books to come out or on long drives. A book to veg out with.

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas

This is a different book than what I normally read. It's a romance. There are five books and each one is from the view point of four sisters and one brother in the Hathaway family. The books are romantic, jaw dropping, exciting, and suspenseful. I recommend them all if you like romances.

These are only a few of the many, many books I've read. All of them hold a special place in my heart. However, there is still room for more. This next list are books that I am planning —itching— to read. I don't know too much about each book for fear of spoilers. What I do know I love and that is what drew me to them in the first place.

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

Another book by James Dashner. This is the start of a new trilogy. I admit I first wanted to read it simply because it's another Dashner book. However, I started reading the first few pages at the end of another one of his books and I'm hooked already. Due to lack of time in my schedule I have yet to read it all the way, but it is waiting on my shelf and I plan to start it by October. I'm so excited!

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

I am a huge Peter Pan fan, so when I stumbled upon this in the bookstore I did a double take. It's a twist on the Peter Pan story. Basically before Peter meets Wendy he knew Tiger Lily. This is about their relationship and I'm assuming their love story. Different and worth a read.

The Girl With the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

I'm starting to really enjoy Steampunk. Everything about it is fun and imaginative. This book is full of that. From what I understand, a girl is kidnapped and used to help resurrect the protagonists' archenemy. It seems to be a fast-paced, even romantic story. I want to fall into that world.

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

I was waiting in the airport one day and wandered into the bookstore. Many books caught my eye but this one stole the attention. This follows a young teenage girl and her rich, almost royal life. This life, however, isn't the life she wants. Her family expect one thing from her even though she'd rather do the opposite. The book has rebellion, romance, and questions the protagonist on her values. I'm highly interested.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

This book has been out for quite some time. There are three others that follow. I'd seen it before but it's only been recently that I've paid attention to it. In the story, most of the girls want to be selected to compete for the prince's hand. The protagonist dreads it. The story shows the world of a common life and a world of glittering jewels. I'm excited to read it and learn the entire story.

I hope you've discovered a book you never knew about or agree with the books I have read and plan to read. We can all relate to each other through books and that is the greatest feeling. What are your favorites?