I thought I would post this one a bit earlier today, help get my brain into gear as well! Today's tip is based around that lovely saying Practice makes perfect. Now although some argue you don't know what perfect is because you can always improve on something, I like to word it a little differently and adapt it to myself. So your Tip Of The Day for today is
"Read your work, Edit it, Re-read it, Re-edit it..."
Everyone who writes, whether it be in a lesson at school, a story for yourself, an article or even a piece of writing for work, you all know how nice it would be to write something once and that be it. However it doesn't work like that (I hear you sigh) and there is a reason for that. Using my own example, when I started writing my own novel Sean's Story I wrote the 1st chapter pretty quickly and then put it aside for a few weeks and went back to it. In that time I had thought of new lines I had wanted to put in, so I read it and edited it for the 1st time. Over the last 6 months I have read that chapter and edited it to a point where I am now happy with what my 1st chapter says and where it is leading the reader to. Now I am hoping that it won't take me that long to write my next chapter, as I was still finding my feet throughout chapter one.
Whatever I write though I have the same routine with, write it and then go away and come back with fresh eyes, even the next day is a great start. You can only hold your concentration levels for around 30 min's - 45 min's and although you could keep writing for hours, when you go back and read it, you can tell roundabout where your concentration levels started to deteriorate. So by re-reading and re-editing you get to make your piece of writing perfect! It can seem tedious at times but I assure you only good results come from it. So go ahead and grab out an old piece of writing and see what you can do with it today!
Tip #5 will be coming tomorrow and talks about helping you with concentration levels.
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Wednesday 30 September 2009
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Tip of The Day #3
I bet you have all just been dying to see what your tip of the day is for today? Even if you haven't it's just something to get you thinking and it keeps my brain going when I get in from a day at work. And I just love sharing my thoughts with anyone who is interested! So your Tip Of The Day is
"Get yourself a crossword book"
Why? I hear you ask. Crosswords are great for keeping the brain trained and not only that but they expand your vocabulary without you having to read a dictionary! When you were at school you were always discovering new words, now being older, you get stuck into the same routine every day and rarely learn a new word. So not only does a crossword get you thinking but you learn new words from it, and new meanings. Even if you don't get yourself a crossword book, get the paper and do that one for a bit of fun. Although i have to say doing celebrity crosswords won't help your vocabulary grow as much, however you will be very up to date with the celebs!
So when your next scanning your local newsagents for a magazine or something to occupy you on the train to work, grab a puzzler or crossword book, they last a while too. Just doing one a day will add at least one new word to your own dictionary for when you next sit down to write that novel or article. Happy Puzzling!
Come back tomorrow for Tip #4
Read More......
"Get yourself a crossword book"
Why? I hear you ask. Crosswords are great for keeping the brain trained and not only that but they expand your vocabulary without you having to read a dictionary! When you were at school you were always discovering new words, now being older, you get stuck into the same routine every day and rarely learn a new word. So not only does a crossword get you thinking but you learn new words from it, and new meanings. Even if you don't get yourself a crossword book, get the paper and do that one for a bit of fun. Although i have to say doing celebrity crosswords won't help your vocabulary grow as much, however you will be very up to date with the celebs!
So when your next scanning your local newsagents for a magazine or something to occupy you on the train to work, grab a puzzler or crossword book, they last a while too. Just doing one a day will add at least one new word to your own dictionary for when you next sit down to write that novel or article. Happy Puzzling!
Come back tomorrow for Tip #4
Read More......
Monday 28 September 2009
Tip of The Day #2
Today's Tip of the day just happens to follow on from yesterdays! Hope you enjoyed the read and that these tips will come in use. The tip of the day for Monday is
"Never dismiss ideas - keep them aside to go back to at a later date"
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"Never dismiss ideas - keep them aside to go back to at a later date"
So now you have your notebook (and you keep it by your bedside!) you will find that you jot down ideas on the spare of the moment. Using your notebook to write down anything that comes into your head is great. Even if it is one word, one sentence or a random group of words which you think will come in handy, even a setting for a story which you haven't started writing yet. These are all thoughts that you have come up with or had an idea for at some time during your career, so give yourself some credit for them, don't just throw them away, keep them aside!
If you don't use them straight away don't dismiss them, keep them for the future because at some point when you have writer's block (which we all get) they may come in handy and give you something to start writing about again. An idea which works (only if you are persistant and stick to it) is to keep a page for each date in your notebook, only an A5 sized book, write the date at the top and jot down your ideas for that day. And then when you look back and use them just cross them off. It could be a great idea you have but just nowhere to use it yet or no inspiration to do something with it. So save it for a later date. Never just cross it off or throw it away.
Look out for Tip #3
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Final edit of Chapter One - Sean's story
I have just finished editing Chapter One for the last time and have decided to go with telling it from Sean's point of view. I kept chopping and changing between narrative, then maybe Elsie, then Sean. I feel the story comes across more intense this way. Have another read and let me know what you think. Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me and taken time out to give me some feedback on my changes. jen x
CHAPTER ONE
Elsie Sheldon tiptoed as she kissed me goodnight. She wasn’t particularly short, 5’ 5 but I was about 6’1, and she loved having to tiptoe to kiss me good night. “You have to go” I said, as I tried to un-wrap my arms from her petite waist. “Just one more kiss Sean” Elsie replied staring at me with her piercing green eyes. Even though they would be together again tomorrow night, I knew she hated going home without me. If only things could be different.
I gave her one last kiss goodnight. When my lips pressed against her soft lips, I knew it sent tingles from her head to her toes. Elsie loved the way I could make her feel. She would tell me her stomach would flutter and she felt like she drifted to a faraway place when I kissed her. Somewhere it was ok for us to be together. We said good night and I watched Elsie as she walked down her road and turned into her drive. She turned and waved goodbye then disappeared into her house. I had to wait here in case anyone from the Sheldon family saw me. That was all that we needed.
I turned and walked back toward the bus stop. For a late September night, London was humid. Uncomfortable. Just as I had felt when I remembered walking into the Sheldon house for the first and last time, four months ago.
I told Elsie that it wasn’t a good idea weeks before that evening. I knew Elsie’s father would not have thought highly of me. No doubt, he would have already done some probing about. Nevertheless, she had insisted that I came along. Marcus Sheldon had shaken my hand when I walked in the house and showed me to the dining room. I was seated next to Jamie, Elsie’s younger brother. Although Jamie was two years younger than Elsie was, he had looked much older than her and resembled their father. I was seated opposite Elsie and felt like my comfort barrier had been taken away by the seating arrangements. I remember feeling tense and my hands were warm and clammy.
Patricia had sat to the left of me. I knew from the moment I saw her that Elsie got her looks from her mother. She had the same long dark, wavy hair and the same piercing green eyes. Patricia had seemed nice enough; it seemed that Elsie also got her good hearted nature from her mother too. Her voice was soft and soothing, like a mother should be. I had thought about my own mother’s voice that night, hers was harsh and angry. Then I had stopped himself drifting back to my own reality and came back to Elsie’s reality, what had seemed like a paradise at that moment.
Jamie was a typical eighteen year old; he had been speaking out of place and pushing his father’s patience since I had arrived. I had felt sure he wouldn’t of got away with it, if I had not of been sitting there. Everything had been going well and when I had looked over at Elsie, she had smiled and almost looked relaxed. I watched her shoulders drop, as she became more comfortable sitting at the table. I had known it would only be a matter of time before that would change. Marcus had started asking questions about the side of town I was raised in. We had been discussing the amount of crime that seemed to go on in East London for almost half hour. Suddenly it was as if someone had pulled the switch and the light bulb came on in Marcus’ head. “Sean, just out of interest may I ask what your last name is?” Marcus had stared deep into my eyes. The look of horror had swept over Elsie’s face and we had both known that was going to be it. The end of our first family night together, the last time we would be allowed to see each other.
“Yes sir, its Bayonne” I had tried to reply calmly. Marcus had just glared at me. “Bayonne. As in Doug Bayonne?” He had asked. “Yes sir” just about managed to leave my mouth. “And are you in any relation TO Doug Bayonne?” Marcus had probed.
I could have lied but it would have been discovered eventually and I had nothing to be ashamed off, I was nothing like him. Elsie had sat there biting her lip and Patricia and Jamie had stopped eating. The ticking off the clock on the wall had seemed to have got louder, until I had realised I was listening to the thudding of my heart against my chest. That was the question I had been waiting for, it was all to be over in less than 2 hours. I had looked down at my plate and breathed in. “Yes Mr Sheldon, he is my father.” Already knowing what lay ahead over those next few minutes, I had finished my mouthful and put the cutlery down onto the table. Silence had fallen across the table, all apart from the shuffling of Marcus’ chair on the wooden floor, as he stood up, pushed his chair back, and had looked at Elsie.
“Dinner is over, Sean has finished” he had turned to look at me. “You are not welcome here and you will not be seeing my daughter again. I will not have my family being associated with the likes of your family. Now leave, please.” I had been left with no choice.
Marcus’ words repeated over and over in my head. The look on Elsie’s face, it was still so visible, even now I could still hear her sobs. Her eyes had filled up and she had gone to stand up from her chair, but her father’s sharp look was enough to make her sit back down. As I had walked out the house, I had heard Elsie’s pleads to her dad. I have not returned to that house since. I had vowed that would not be the last time I saw Elsie again though.
Four months later and we continue to see each other, just more carefully. I couldn’t give her up. I had never felt this way about someone before and never had someone accepted me for who I am, and not who my father was.
I stopped thinking back to that night as I walked through town and boarded the bus back home. I would get home a little after midnight; it was just after 11 now. The journey was long and boring but always worth seeing Elsie. As I stared out into the starry night, I wished I could be with her now. Running my fingers through her soft hair. She would have her arms wrapped around me, as we would cuddle under the duvet talking about our future together. I cared so deeply for Elsie and I knew she loved me. Deep down inside I knew I loved her too, more than I ever thought was possible, but I couldn’t tell her. She would just have to wait to hear those three words.
CHAPTER TWO IS IN THE MAKING, NOW I HAVE DECIDED WHICH CHARACTER TO TELL THE STORY FROM.
Read More......
CHAPTER ONE
Elsie Sheldon tiptoed as she kissed me goodnight. She wasn’t particularly short, 5’ 5 but I was about 6’1, and she loved having to tiptoe to kiss me good night. “You have to go” I said, as I tried to un-wrap my arms from her petite waist. “Just one more kiss Sean” Elsie replied staring at me with her piercing green eyes. Even though they would be together again tomorrow night, I knew she hated going home without me. If only things could be different.
I gave her one last kiss goodnight. When my lips pressed against her soft lips, I knew it sent tingles from her head to her toes. Elsie loved the way I could make her feel. She would tell me her stomach would flutter and she felt like she drifted to a faraway place when I kissed her. Somewhere it was ok for us to be together. We said good night and I watched Elsie as she walked down her road and turned into her drive. She turned and waved goodbye then disappeared into her house. I had to wait here in case anyone from the Sheldon family saw me. That was all that we needed.
I turned and walked back toward the bus stop. For a late September night, London was humid. Uncomfortable. Just as I had felt when I remembered walking into the Sheldon house for the first and last time, four months ago.
I told Elsie that it wasn’t a good idea weeks before that evening. I knew Elsie’s father would not have thought highly of me. No doubt, he would have already done some probing about. Nevertheless, she had insisted that I came along. Marcus Sheldon had shaken my hand when I walked in the house and showed me to the dining room. I was seated next to Jamie, Elsie’s younger brother. Although Jamie was two years younger than Elsie was, he had looked much older than her and resembled their father. I was seated opposite Elsie and felt like my comfort barrier had been taken away by the seating arrangements. I remember feeling tense and my hands were warm and clammy.
Patricia had sat to the left of me. I knew from the moment I saw her that Elsie got her looks from her mother. She had the same long dark, wavy hair and the same piercing green eyes. Patricia had seemed nice enough; it seemed that Elsie also got her good hearted nature from her mother too. Her voice was soft and soothing, like a mother should be. I had thought about my own mother’s voice that night, hers was harsh and angry. Then I had stopped himself drifting back to my own reality and came back to Elsie’s reality, what had seemed like a paradise at that moment.
Jamie was a typical eighteen year old; he had been speaking out of place and pushing his father’s patience since I had arrived. I had felt sure he wouldn’t of got away with it, if I had not of been sitting there. Everything had been going well and when I had looked over at Elsie, she had smiled and almost looked relaxed. I watched her shoulders drop, as she became more comfortable sitting at the table. I had known it would only be a matter of time before that would change. Marcus had started asking questions about the side of town I was raised in. We had been discussing the amount of crime that seemed to go on in East London for almost half hour. Suddenly it was as if someone had pulled the switch and the light bulb came on in Marcus’ head. “Sean, just out of interest may I ask what your last name is?” Marcus had stared deep into my eyes. The look of horror had swept over Elsie’s face and we had both known that was going to be it. The end of our first family night together, the last time we would be allowed to see each other.
“Yes sir, its Bayonne” I had tried to reply calmly. Marcus had just glared at me. “Bayonne. As in Doug Bayonne?” He had asked. “Yes sir” just about managed to leave my mouth. “And are you in any relation TO Doug Bayonne?” Marcus had probed.
I could have lied but it would have been discovered eventually and I had nothing to be ashamed off, I was nothing like him. Elsie had sat there biting her lip and Patricia and Jamie had stopped eating. The ticking off the clock on the wall had seemed to have got louder, until I had realised I was listening to the thudding of my heart against my chest. That was the question I had been waiting for, it was all to be over in less than 2 hours. I had looked down at my plate and breathed in. “Yes Mr Sheldon, he is my father.” Already knowing what lay ahead over those next few minutes, I had finished my mouthful and put the cutlery down onto the table. Silence had fallen across the table, all apart from the shuffling of Marcus’ chair on the wooden floor, as he stood up, pushed his chair back, and had looked at Elsie.
“Dinner is over, Sean has finished” he had turned to look at me. “You are not welcome here and you will not be seeing my daughter again. I will not have my family being associated with the likes of your family. Now leave, please.” I had been left with no choice.
Marcus’ words repeated over and over in my head. The look on Elsie’s face, it was still so visible, even now I could still hear her sobs. Her eyes had filled up and she had gone to stand up from her chair, but her father’s sharp look was enough to make her sit back down. As I had walked out the house, I had heard Elsie’s pleads to her dad. I have not returned to that house since. I had vowed that would not be the last time I saw Elsie again though.
Four months later and we continue to see each other, just more carefully. I couldn’t give her up. I had never felt this way about someone before and never had someone accepted me for who I am, and not who my father was.
I stopped thinking back to that night as I walked through town and boarded the bus back home. I would get home a little after midnight; it was just after 11 now. The journey was long and boring but always worth seeing Elsie. As I stared out into the starry night, I wished I could be with her now. Running my fingers through her soft hair. She would have her arms wrapped around me, as we would cuddle under the duvet talking about our future together. I cared so deeply for Elsie and I knew she loved me. Deep down inside I knew I loved her too, more than I ever thought was possible, but I couldn’t tell her. She would just have to wait to hear those three words.
CHAPTER TWO IS IN THE MAKING, NOW I HAVE DECIDED WHICH CHARACTER TO TELL THE STORY FROM.
Read More......
Sunday 27 September 2009
Tip Of The Day #1
Trying to juggle more than one job or job idea a day is hard. I know myself having a full time job, how hard it is to come home and sit down to get on with my own work. So over the last few months I have been coming up with ideas to help manage my work load and thought it would be good to share it with anyone else who finds they sometimes feel a bit confused at where to start. Or may even feel that they have so much going round in their head and are finding it hard to get it out onto paper.
After gathering my list together, I am now going to give a Tip Of The Day from now on, which I am hoping will be of some use to you at some point in the near future.
Your 1st tip is going to be
"Carry a note book with you where ever you go/Always have a notebook by your side"
It may sound simple and you may think I already do that but how often do you write in that book and how often do you refer back to it? For the last few months I have been carrying a note book around and it really helps when i am stuck or looking for ideas, to go back and have a scan through of previous ideas I have written down. The best place for my note book is on my desk right next to my bed. The most creative thinking takes place when I am trying to get to sleep. I become indulged in lots of ideas and find that I can't get to sleep, even though i am 95% of the time, shattered! So being able to grab my note book and jot down some ideas is great. They are then taken out of my mind (allowing me to get some sleep)and put on a piece of paper for me to come back to when I am awake and ready to start working.
This doesn't just apply to writers, this works well for many people. Again it may seem obvious but there are times when you are out and about and an idea pops into your head and you have no where to write it down. You say to yourself, 'I must write that down when i get home' (a line we are all familiar with) and no doubt by the time you are home, that idea is a million miles away from the fore front of your mind now!
So my 1st tip is get yourself a good sized notebook, that isn't to much hassle to carry around, and make it your new best friend. Remember to always keep some paper and a pen by your bedside. Its generally a lot of people's most creative time! Look out for tip #2.
Read More......
After gathering my list together, I am now going to give a Tip Of The Day from now on, which I am hoping will be of some use to you at some point in the near future.
Your 1st tip is going to be
"Carry a note book with you where ever you go/Always have a notebook by your side"
It may sound simple and you may think I already do that but how often do you write in that book and how often do you refer back to it? For the last few months I have been carrying a note book around and it really helps when i am stuck or looking for ideas, to go back and have a scan through of previous ideas I have written down. The best place for my note book is on my desk right next to my bed. The most creative thinking takes place when I am trying to get to sleep. I become indulged in lots of ideas and find that I can't get to sleep, even though i am 95% of the time, shattered! So being able to grab my note book and jot down some ideas is great. They are then taken out of my mind (allowing me to get some sleep)and put on a piece of paper for me to come back to when I am awake and ready to start working.
This doesn't just apply to writers, this works well for many people. Again it may seem obvious but there are times when you are out and about and an idea pops into your head and you have no where to write it down. You say to yourself, 'I must write that down when i get home' (a line we are all familiar with) and no doubt by the time you are home, that idea is a million miles away from the fore front of your mind now!
So my 1st tip is get yourself a good sized notebook, that isn't to much hassle to carry around, and make it your new best friend. Remember to always keep some paper and a pen by your bedside. Its generally a lot of people's most creative time! Look out for tip #2.
Read More......
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Re-edited version of Chapter One
Re-edited version of my first chapter. I have been getting some inspiration and just taken out a course, so i am hoping this has helped with my own editing and made it more professional to read. Have a read and chapter two will be following shortly. Thanks x
Elsie Sheldon tiptoed as she kissed Sean goodnight. She wasn’t particularly short, 5’ 5 but Sean was about 6’1, and she just loved having to tiptoe up to kiss him. “You have to go” Sean said, as he tried to un-wrap his arms from her petite waist. “Just one more kiss” Elsie replied, staring at him with her piercing green eyes. Even though she would be with him again tomorrow night, she hated going home alone, without Sean. If only things could be different.
Sean gave her one last kiss goodnight. When his soft lips touched hers, it sent tingles from her head to her toes. Elsie loved the way Sean made her feel. Her stomach would flutter and she felt like she drifted to a faraway place when he kissed her. Somewhere it was ok for them to be together. They said good night and Sean watched Elsie as she walked down her road and turned into her drive. She turned and waved goodbye then disappeared into her house. He had to wait here in case anyone from the Sheldon family saw him. That was all that Sean and Elsie needed.
Sean turned and walked back toward the bus stop. For a late September night, London was humid. Uncomfortable. Just as he had felt when he remembered walking into the Sheldon house for the first and last time, four months ago...
Sean had told Elsie that it wasn’t a good idea weeks before that evening. He knew Elsie’s father would not have thought highly of him. No doubt he would have already done some probing about on him. Nevertheless, she had insisted that he went. Marcus Sheldon had shook Sean’s hand when he walked in the house and showed him to the dining room. He had been seated next to Jamie, Elsie’s younger brother. Although Jamie was two years younger than Elsie was, he had looked much older than her and resembled their father. Sean was sitting opposite Elsie and felt his comfort barrier had been taken away by the seating arrangements.
Patricia had sat to the left of him. He knew from the moment he saw Patricia, that Elsie got her looks from her mother. She had the same long dark, wavy hair and the same piercing green eyes. Patricia had seemed nice enough; it seemed that Elsie also got her good hearted nature from her mother too. Her voice was soft and soothing, like a mother should be. Sean had thought about his own mother’s voice that night, hers was harsh and angry. Then he had stopped himself drifting back to his own reality and came back to Elsie’s reality, what had seemed like a paradise to him.
Jamie was a typical eighteen year old; he had been speaking out of place and pushing his father’s patience since Sean had arrived. He had felt sure he wouldn’t of got away with it, if he had not of been sitting there. Everything had been going well and when Sean looked over at Elsie, she had smiled and almost looked relaxed. Sean had known it would only be a matter of time before that would change. Marcus had started asking questions about the side of town Sean was raised in. They had been discussing the amount of crime that seemed to go on in East London for almost half hour. Suddenly it was as if someone had pulled the switch and the light bulb came on in Marcus’ head. “Sean, just out of interest may I ask what your last name is?” Marcus had stared deep into Sean’s eyes. The look of horror had swept over Elsie’s face and they had both known that was going to be it. The end of their first family night together, the last time they would be allowed to see each other.
“Yes sir, its Bayonne” Sean had replied, calmly. Marcus had just glared at Sean. “Bayonne. As in Doug Bayonne?” He had asked. “Yes sir” just managed to leave Sean’s mouth. “And are you in any relation TO Doug Bayonne?” Marcus had probed.
He could have lied but it would have been discovered eventually and he had nothing to be ashamed off, Sean was nothing like him. Elsie had sat there biting her lip and Patricia and Jamie had stopped eating. The ticking off the clock on the wall had seemed to have got louder, until Sean had realised he was listening to the thudding of his own heart against his chest. That was the question he had been waiting for, it was all to be over in less than 2 hours. Sean breathed in and answered before Marcus could repeat his question. “Yes Mr Sheldon, he is my father.” Already knowing what lay ahead over the next few minutes Sean finished his mouthful and put his cutlery down. Silence had fallen across the table, all apart from the shuffling of Marcus’ chair on the wooden floor, as he stood up, pushed his chair back, and looked at Elsie.
“Dinner is over, Sean has finished” he had turned to look at me. “You are not welcome here and you will not be seeing my daughter again. I will not have my family being associated with the likes of your family. Now leave, please.” He had been left with no choice.
Marcus’ words repeated over and over in his head. The look on Elsie’s face, it was still so visible, even now he could still hear her sobs. Her eyes had whelmed up and she had gone to stand up from her chair, but her father’s sharp look was enough to make her sit back down. As Sean had walked out the house, he had heard Elsie’s sobs and pleads to her dad. He has not returned to that house since. Sean had vowed that would not be the last time he saw Elsie again though.
Four months later and they continue to see each other, just more carefully. Sean couldn’t give her up. He had never felt this way about someone before and never had someone accepted him for who he is, and not who his father was.
Sean stopped thinking back to that night and boarded the bus back to his side of town. He would get home a little after midnight; it was just after 11 now. As he stared out into the starry night, he wished he could be with Elsie now. Running his fingers through her soft hair. She would have her arms wrapped around him, as they would cuddle under the duvet talking about their future together. He cared deeply for Elsie and he knew she loved him. Deep down inside he knew he loved her too, more than he ever thought was possible, but he couldn’t tell her. Elsie would just have to wait to hear those three words.
Read More......
Elsie Sheldon tiptoed as she kissed Sean goodnight. She wasn’t particularly short, 5’ 5 but Sean was about 6’1, and she just loved having to tiptoe up to kiss him. “You have to go” Sean said, as he tried to un-wrap his arms from her petite waist. “Just one more kiss” Elsie replied, staring at him with her piercing green eyes. Even though she would be with him again tomorrow night, she hated going home alone, without Sean. If only things could be different.
Sean gave her one last kiss goodnight. When his soft lips touched hers, it sent tingles from her head to her toes. Elsie loved the way Sean made her feel. Her stomach would flutter and she felt like she drifted to a faraway place when he kissed her. Somewhere it was ok for them to be together. They said good night and Sean watched Elsie as she walked down her road and turned into her drive. She turned and waved goodbye then disappeared into her house. He had to wait here in case anyone from the Sheldon family saw him. That was all that Sean and Elsie needed.
Sean turned and walked back toward the bus stop. For a late September night, London was humid. Uncomfortable. Just as he had felt when he remembered walking into the Sheldon house for the first and last time, four months ago...
Sean had told Elsie that it wasn’t a good idea weeks before that evening. He knew Elsie’s father would not have thought highly of him. No doubt he would have already done some probing about on him. Nevertheless, she had insisted that he went. Marcus Sheldon had shook Sean’s hand when he walked in the house and showed him to the dining room. He had been seated next to Jamie, Elsie’s younger brother. Although Jamie was two years younger than Elsie was, he had looked much older than her and resembled their father. Sean was sitting opposite Elsie and felt his comfort barrier had been taken away by the seating arrangements.
Patricia had sat to the left of him. He knew from the moment he saw Patricia, that Elsie got her looks from her mother. She had the same long dark, wavy hair and the same piercing green eyes. Patricia had seemed nice enough; it seemed that Elsie also got her good hearted nature from her mother too. Her voice was soft and soothing, like a mother should be. Sean had thought about his own mother’s voice that night, hers was harsh and angry. Then he had stopped himself drifting back to his own reality and came back to Elsie’s reality, what had seemed like a paradise to him.
Jamie was a typical eighteen year old; he had been speaking out of place and pushing his father’s patience since Sean had arrived. He had felt sure he wouldn’t of got away with it, if he had not of been sitting there. Everything had been going well and when Sean looked over at Elsie, she had smiled and almost looked relaxed. Sean had known it would only be a matter of time before that would change. Marcus had started asking questions about the side of town Sean was raised in. They had been discussing the amount of crime that seemed to go on in East London for almost half hour. Suddenly it was as if someone had pulled the switch and the light bulb came on in Marcus’ head. “Sean, just out of interest may I ask what your last name is?” Marcus had stared deep into Sean’s eyes. The look of horror had swept over Elsie’s face and they had both known that was going to be it. The end of their first family night together, the last time they would be allowed to see each other.
“Yes sir, its Bayonne” Sean had replied, calmly. Marcus had just glared at Sean. “Bayonne. As in Doug Bayonne?” He had asked. “Yes sir” just managed to leave Sean’s mouth. “And are you in any relation TO Doug Bayonne?” Marcus had probed.
He could have lied but it would have been discovered eventually and he had nothing to be ashamed off, Sean was nothing like him. Elsie had sat there biting her lip and Patricia and Jamie had stopped eating. The ticking off the clock on the wall had seemed to have got louder, until Sean had realised he was listening to the thudding of his own heart against his chest. That was the question he had been waiting for, it was all to be over in less than 2 hours. Sean breathed in and answered before Marcus could repeat his question. “Yes Mr Sheldon, he is my father.” Already knowing what lay ahead over the next few minutes Sean finished his mouthful and put his cutlery down. Silence had fallen across the table, all apart from the shuffling of Marcus’ chair on the wooden floor, as he stood up, pushed his chair back, and looked at Elsie.
“Dinner is over, Sean has finished” he had turned to look at me. “You are not welcome here and you will not be seeing my daughter again. I will not have my family being associated with the likes of your family. Now leave, please.” He had been left with no choice.
Marcus’ words repeated over and over in his head. The look on Elsie’s face, it was still so visible, even now he could still hear her sobs. Her eyes had whelmed up and she had gone to stand up from her chair, but her father’s sharp look was enough to make her sit back down. As Sean had walked out the house, he had heard Elsie’s sobs and pleads to her dad. He has not returned to that house since. Sean had vowed that would not be the last time he saw Elsie again though.
Four months later and they continue to see each other, just more carefully. Sean couldn’t give her up. He had never felt this way about someone before and never had someone accepted him for who he is, and not who his father was.
Sean stopped thinking back to that night and boarded the bus back to his side of town. He would get home a little after midnight; it was just after 11 now. As he stared out into the starry night, he wished he could be with Elsie now. Running his fingers through her soft hair. She would have her arms wrapped around him, as they would cuddle under the duvet talking about their future together. He cared deeply for Elsie and he knew she loved him. Deep down inside he knew he loved her too, more than he ever thought was possible, but he couldn’t tell her. Elsie would just have to wait to hear those three words.
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