Today’s Music: Sting – Why Should I Cry For You
Days Til Spring: 8
Another Trifecta Challenge (the setup of which is actually longer than my resulting story. What’s up with that?) As always, the story should illustrate the meaning of the 3rd definition, in a piece 33 to 333 words long.
trail verb \ˈtrāl\
1 a: to hang down so as to drag along or sweep the ground
b: to extend over a surface in a loose or straggling manner (a vine that trails over the ground)
c: to grow to such length as to droop over toward the ground
2 a: to walk or proceed draggingly, heavily, or wearily : plod, trudge
b: to lag behind : do poorly in relation to others
3: to move, flow, or extend slowly in thin streams
So I’ve been reading about the destruction of Robert E. Lee’s army. this probably came from that…
Preparation
In this part of the country, the thickness of the wilderness only allowed single file marching down the sinuous paths between the trees and brambles.
Headquarters, behind the lines as always, was on a high promontory, allowing the commanding General to watch his troops moving out towards the enemy.
Now that the plans had been laid and the orders given, movements begun and troops committed, he cleared his head to leave it fresh for the coming battle.
As he focused on what was to come, his hopes and fears began to trail away from him, like the slow moving lines of his army below…
What a creative way to use the prompt! Such a great visual. It is really, really good.
LikeLike
Thank you, Hobbler.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLike
Way better than the piece in the historical romance style (Passion in the Blood, or whatever it was….) Quite good, actually…. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks gigoid.
I think we know how romance goes, at least around these parts!
LikeLike
Aye, indeed…. SIGH 😦 At least I have my memories…..
🙂
LikeLike
This is very good. I would suggest a small edit. You used the past tense of the word, but the challenge is to use the word exactly as it is written. I would suggest changing “hopes and fears trailed away” to ” hopes and fears began to trail away.”
LikeLike
Thanks Sandy!
And thanks for the tense note. Thank god someone reads the instructions!
(Edit was made)
LikeLike
I’m going to get a reputation as that persnickety rules lady. I read the first 5 or 6 posts on the Trifecta site earlier today and only one person used the word correctly. Most people are using it as a noun when the definition is for a verb. I really liked your piece, both the feeling and visual impression.
LikeLike
Not persnickety at all.
This is the second time you’ve bailed me out!
LikeLike
I like that a lot! Nice work! I studied history in school, but I never really liked US history. Maybe I should delve into it a bit!
LikeLike
Thank you Lily.
I don’t know why, but the Civil War fascinates me. I started with The Killer Angels, and then started reading the non-fiction history. 15 years later, and I’m still buying more books on the subject…
And nice new avatar!
LikeLike
Hmm I’ll look up The Killer Angels!
Aw thanks!
LikeLike
I liked the elves, and the swordfish grill, and the frogs! So delightful!
LikeLike
The key of course, is the marinade.
LikeLike
And the vacuum cleaner
LikeLike
Nice imagery, it all fits neatly, and I had to read it twice to find the word, so it flowed very well.
LikeLike
Thank you, John.
I appreciate that!
LikeLike
Because of your preamble, I placed this story in the mid 19th century and now have a whole Gone with the Wind thing happening in my brain. Nicely written, Guap … with special props for the use of the word ‘promontory’ which, in truth, I had to look up. I’m a Louisiana girl. We don’t see nuthin’ but flat lands ’round these parts.
LikeLike
You need to read more fantasy, ODNT. There’s always some villain standing on a promontory overlooking his domain.
LikeLike
Very Nicely done – !! For reallies! and you used the word correctly and it is fantabulous…. Excellent I say… I can put a few more really cool ass adjetives in there if you like but really it is just ….Dude..
LikeLike
Why thank you, lizziec!
From you, “Dude” is the highest compliment!
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
I love that song of Stings. Such a favourite. I have great memories of seeing him perform for Princess Diana when he was in Sydney. Earlier that day I was helping set up the room for the event and he came in and rehearsed. I found many reasons to gravitate to the front of the stage.
LikeLike
Very cool, hotlyspiced.
Was he cool about you being in there, or did he throw a fit?
LikeLike
Hi,
Well done, you obviously put a bit of thought into this, and you did a great job. 🙂
All history is fascinating, the civil war was an interesting part of American history.
LikeLike
I think a lot of what fascinates me about the civil war, apart from the philosophical underpinnings, is that it happened in the midst of a technological upheaval.
It was the first war where trenches were dug, where the railroad was used to ferry troops and supplies, it was the invention of the rifled gun barrel and a host of other innovations.
Unfortunately, the tactics evolved more slowly, leading to some horrific battles.
LikeLike
Yes there certainly was some horrific battles, and a lot of lives lost, too many. But like a lot of things that have happened in history it did bring a lot of changes when the war finished.
LikeLike
Do you read a lot of history, Magsx2?
LikeLike
Yes, I am more into ancient history, than modern history but both interest me.
LikeLike
Cripes, I’m hijacking my own thread, Magsx2!
You might like “Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World” by Jack Weatherford. I read this recently and found it a great story of a man I knew nothing about. It’s also nice, because the epilogue brings it right into the modern day.
LikeLike
I haven’t read it, but will certainly look into it, sounds like something I would enjoy. 🙂
LikeLike
quite wonderful EG. fraught with what has occurred, what is soon to take place. kudos. continue…
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Tony!
LikeLike
I appreciate the way you used your current reading of General Lee into this prompt. Well done!
LikeLike
Thanks Frank. the piece came, and as I was trying to sort it, I realized where it came from…
LikeLike
Guapo – this one I think is my favorite! Great visual! Awesome job!!!!
LikeLike
Wow, thanks whitelady! that was the only pic I could find that matched, and it turns out it’s a civil war drawing!
LikeLike
Wow, very eloquent and visual. Great job!
LikeLike
Thanks a lot, spleeness!
LikeLike
I like it. I could picture the subtle movements as the commander was thinking. A good lesson for me as I write my second historical fiction novel – one that contains a battle scene, but really hard for me because I don’t “think” like a soldier. Thanks for the inspiration, which is why I know you wrote this piece, right?!
LikeLike
My work here is done, Stacy Lyn…
LikeLike
Wow, nicely done Guapo. You’re getting better and better with these challenges. As usual, when reading them I forget about the ‘challenge’, the ‘rules’ and get caught up in the story you’re telling. I loved the way this one ended….I wanted to read more.
LikeLike
Thank you, Alex! I think doing a bunch of these in a row helps the writing.
LikeLike
How nice that what you’re reading dovetails so nicely into the challenge. I think you did an oustanding job of trail 3rd definition. You painted a moving picture. Well done!
LikeLike
Thanks, Linda! I’m glad you liked it!
LikeLike
great story, but of course I expected it to be good. I wasn’t disappointed.
LikeLike
Thanks, SnB!
LikeLike
I learnt something! Word of the day: promontory.
LikeLike
Uh oh. Ir people start thinking I’m educational, I’ll lose my blog cred Carrie!
😉
LikeLike
This is incredible. Not only because I am a HUGE fan of Civil War history, but the words and imagery you used made me feel like I was there. Fantastic job, Guapola!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Mel. I thought your use of the word and the contrast was brilliant!
LikeLike
Written with military precision. Appropriate for any time, any era.
LikeLike
Thank you, Tara R. Although now, they’d do it with hi-res cameras…
LikeLike
Weirdly, I just started reading a book today about James Garfield, and this piece seems to fit right in with my reading material!
LikeLike
You know, I’ve actually come across very little on Garfield in my Civil War reading, whatimeant2say
Although he worked with some big names, I haven’t seen a lot about his time in the army…
LikeLike
My husband is a student of the Civil War and knows this venue well. Very nice use of the prompt, that trail, those troops. Have you read “Lies My Teacher Told Me”? It has a lot to say about how American history is taught in social studies textbooks. Think you’d find it intriguing… Peace, Amy
LikeLike
Thank you, Amy.
I’ve heard of, but never read that book. I’ll check it out!
LikeLike
Permission to make you jealous?
Tomorrow we’ll have our first day of spring already – 20°C…. 🙂
(I do realise that it is very off topic)
LikeLike
GAHHH!!!!
Actually, it’s 70 F here today, NBI
Which means it’ll probably rain all weekend…
Sigh.
We should enjoy it while we can!
LikeLike
So it doesn’t only rain in Belgium? 😉
I’ll send some of my famous mental support to you:
*mental support*
LikeLike
Thanks NBI, but if you were to send all the mental support I need, there’d be nothing left for you!
At least I’ll be able to step outside for a few minutes today to enjoy some of the warm.
LikeLike
Once again, a really solid piece of writing. You’ve got some sweet skills, Guapo, if I do say so myself. Also, you won a Karaoke prize! Congrats! – You might want to come by and claim it, it’s very valuable. I would hate for someone to steal it.
LikeLike
it has a really nice flow, intellectually, visually, emotionally and probably lots of other -ly’s… smoothest because it is also the prompt, so the whole piece does trail very well…
🙂
LikeLike
Why thank you, buddhakat!
LikeLike
I enjoy that you add the todays Music link. The other day I took a YouTube Stoll in the archives of old rock and roll clasics. I had forgotten how music can have such an effect!
I enjoyed reading your writting challenge. I found it to be very visual as my picture mind worked overtime. You did a wonderful job, it made me want to read more! I’ve been working on branching out what I read lately trying to get of my own reading rut.
LikeLike
I can’t think of anything that’s consistently moved me as much over the years as music, starla.
Thank you so much for enjoying the story.
What are you reading?
LikeLike
I’m normally a non fiction type of reader. So in my attempt to look outside my own reading boxes I asked a lirarian blogger/friend for a recomendation. She recomended Michael Connelly so I went to my local library and picked up City of Bones by Michael Connelly. While I was at the library I asked the librarian for her pick and she gave me My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira. Knowing that I have a bent for non fiction she asked my topics I enjoy and I said animals and medical so with that she was able to stear me to this book. I’m excited at the idea of branching out my reading interests.. History since I’m asking others for recomendations what would you recomend in the line of History?
LikeLike
I’m not a fan of historical fiction, but The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara was fantastic (to me). that was the first Civil War book I read. It engaged me enough to go on reading non-fiction about, which (15+ years later) I’m still reading.
I also read a lot of sci fi and science too. Mostly I’ll read anything I can get my hands on…
LikeLike
No not historical fiction…….:+) What I ment is non fiction. I am trying to break out of my comfort zone with the willingness to read fiction but after reading these two books I’m sure I will need to go back to my comfort zone non fiction. Thats a good thing read read read. Are you in the midst of writting a book? Thank You for the recomendation I will put in on my list for next when I take these two back.
LikeLike
For Civil War non-fiction, anything by Shelby Foote. But be warned – his Narrative Of The Civil War is absolutely brilliant, but it’s over 4000 pages in three volumes.
I just read a great book on Genghis Khan that was fascinating-
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford.
I would definitely recommend this.
(Hope this isn’t the same book I recommended to you on your blog – I know I suggested it somewhere recently).
No, not writing a book. I am finally trying to get a childrens story edited though.
LikeLike
Thank You for taking the time to give me your recomended reading. I really do appreciate that! I will start with reading The killer Angels first. Thanks for the warning of Shelby Foote his Narrative of the Civil War peeked my interest 4000 pages that would make good reading sitting by the stove enjoying a Montana Winter. I’m looking forward to it I better get to reading the two that I have now. :+) Life is Good.
LikeLike
By the time I get my mind in order to enter your writing challenge…you’ll have moved on to something else….so I’ll just wait for the something else.
LikeLike
They put up challenges twice a week, jots.
http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/
Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
LikeLike
Not familiar with this Sting song, but then, I’m not too familiar with his post-law enforcement work.
Again, a great piece, Guap. I can see how reading about the inevitable defeat of one of America’s greatest military minds influenced your piece. If I might offer one small suggestion–given that words are a premium, I would eliminate the word “winding” as the much better word “sinuous” renders it superfluous. But again, I really liked the piece.
LikeLike
Thank you, Smaktakula. Not sure how I missed the redundancy, but you’re absolutely right.
Also made another one word change.
Well spotted and much appreciated, Sir!
LikeLike
No problem. And thank you for gently pointing out that ‘redundant’ would have been a better word than ‘superfluous’ in my critique!
LikeLike
Another great job, El Guapo. I love the focus on the General. Often, in war-based novels, the protagonist is the soldier.Your use of ‘trail’ is also very appropriate. Thanks for linking up. Hope you can join us for the weekend challenge.
LikeLike
Thanks Trifecta. Fortunately I have readers who are also great editors!
LikeLike
This is a little forward, but where are you? Don’t you know that your job of writing on WordPress is supposed to be an all-consuming thought? We need your music, wit, wisdom, all those other suck up terms. Just write EG.
LikeLike
Friday poll can’t go up until I get into work and can check for any late “Other” answers, Hobbler.
And if you’re looking for wit and wisdom, I think you want Gaupalo nex tdoor…
LikeLike
I just want you. Wait a sec, that didn’t come out right… Just go to work so you can avoid working and just write fun blog stuff.
LikeLike