When Nora was young she allowed others to know of her difference. But many years ago she learned to keep her night-time charms to herself. Now, at 36 years, no doctors or therapists, no detectives or boyfriends could tell her what was “wrong” with her.
Absolutely nothing was wrong with her, and she kept it that way by keeping her secret to herself. Yes, she needed to be a solitary woman, but as a college professor, an opera lover, a hiker and a traveler, she could get out and about without colleagues figuring out what she was up to after midnight.
Nora needed no sleep. None. She was born with an ability to regenerate her body and her mind during active hours, a feat that no other animal, human or otherwise, had devised. As a child, she was termed ‘the vampire kid’ by cruel professionals. Her parents worried about her ceaselessly as they tried to tie her down to a bed (which was the idea of the mean, wicked Dr. Spalding, who mysteriously died in his sleep when Nora was 10).
Once she was placed in foster homes, no one cared about her or about who she was, so she pretended to go to bed every night, listened to her pretend parents, and achieved good grades while exploring moonlit nights.
History called to her. Somewhere, some time, an individual must have had her ability. But through two Ph.Ds (history and psychiatry) and countless visits to hypnotists, occultists, and past-life regression therapists, Norah found no one else.
Until tonight. Three in the morning. Nora wandered the Historical Records Room of a New England village known for burning witches centuries ago, searching for an ancestor who perhaps had a secret such as hers.
Suddenly, Nora’s hackles rose (yes, Nora discovered, hackles can rise).
A black-caped man approached her, hands held in a defensive manner in front of him as if she would punch him or smote him with a wink of her eye.
“I’m harmless,” Nora said, assuming he was an apparition that escaped out of the dusty volumes behind her.
His eyes of black diamond sparkled with amusement. “Ah, so you are.” He pulled off the hood of his cloak to reveal curly dark hair, a cleft on his chin, and a quizzical expression on his handsome face. “I think we have a lot to discuss, my friend. Are you willing?”
He held out his hand. Nora clasped it like a woman drowning, even though she hadn’t known she’d been sinking.
“Yes,” she replied.
And that’s when their story began.
And I trust that you will let us in on their story.
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I’ll ask Nora and the black-caped man if I may continue. They’re sometimes rather secretive about their comings and goings. 🙂
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ooo ooo ooo i want to write this book! (where the word write came from instead of read, i dunno)
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At first, Elisa, I thought you wanted to take my “idea” of the “doesn’t need sleep” Nora, and I was going to say “Okay, will be fun to see where you go with it.” 🙂 But if you just want to READ it, I’M THE ONE WHO HAS to figure out what happens next.by Friday!! ;-0 🙂
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noooooooooooooooooooooo I need to know!!!
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Okay, they’re slowly whispering in my ear…. 🙂
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nooooooooooooooooooo………..aw c’mon!
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Oh wow…i am thrilled to know what happens after they talk..
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Many thanks for getting ‘caught up’ in Nora’s sleepless discovery!
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You set the story up well. Everyone will want to read more. Nora sounds like a fascinating character.
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If I could stay up late at night, I think I’d enjoy Nora’s company. 🙂
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A real wow to this story, Pam. I am glad it is a summer morning when
I read it. A good handicap to have in some ways, but lonely. Glad she found this other lost person .
Awaiting with eagerness next instalment
Miriam
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I’m thinking the same thing, Miriam. As wonderful as it would be to not need sleep, how lonely to watch others in dreamland while you’re just exploring the empty halls of the non-awake.
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That’s such an unfair place to stop. I like it. 🙂
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I had to pause to give Nora and the black-caped man some time to get acquainted. 🙂
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Ah. Of course. 🙂
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You’re a meanie! 🙂 Great story, Pam!
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Hmmm. Thanks to you, I realize that I love being called a “meanie” as a writer. So glad you’ve been ‘hooked,’ Jill. xo
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Brilliant build of tension, Pam. I happily await the next chapter. Xx 💗
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I’m waiting for Nora to visit me in the dead of night to let me know what happens next, Jane!
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Love it ❤️
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I really love this! Best thing I’ve read of late 💚
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WOW – thanks so much. Nora is quite a fascinating woman (oops, character, but I think she really does roam around at night…)
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What a great idea for a story. Loved it.
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So glad you enjoyed Nora’s journey to find others “sleepless in Salem.” 🙂
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Well, I hope you’re going to share their story, Pam. It’s intriguing. What a great introduction. (Great choice of name, btw. I wish I had the power to regenerate. 😁)
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The concept of daytime regeneration is certainly tempting, isn’t it Norah? And yes, I thought of you when I found out my character’s name is NORA. I just took the “h” off so you didn’t think that I think you roam around at nighttime. 🙂
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Nice!
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Thanks for enjoying Nora’s “sleepless” story!
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Your welcome 😊
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Can I say, that in addition to loving this, I am also jealous of her not needing sleep????
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I know, it’s quite a fantasy .Although, I do love that ‘sinking’ feeling when my body lets go and dreams enter my head. Hmmm, not sure I want to give that up. 🙂
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Ah….if only that was a regular occurrence. But I do understand it. 🙂
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What an introduction , I can’t wait for the next post.
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You’re such a supporter, Gerlinde. THANK YOU. xo
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Really! Lure us, leave us suspended! Shame, shame, Warrior Wizard! We must wait, if ‘wait’, we must! Jill is right…you’re a ‘meanie’! But, a lovable one! ♥
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You’re cute, Billy Ray. YOU are the one who is so incredibly prolific. Amazing! Here’s to our imaginations. From one WARRIOR to another.
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🙂 ♥
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Great story that had me hooked and on edge the whole time, plus now I want to know what happens. Great writing Pam!
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So glad, Brad. My imagination can get the “best” of me, and I just have to hold onto its coat tails and soar along. 🙂
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🙂
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I love the idea of never having to sleep! I have to know what happens next.
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I’m hoping I get the answer from Nora and the black-caped man in my dreams. Thus, I guess it’s good I need my sleep! 🙂
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Great story, Pam. Such an interesting “difference” she has. She must get a lot done without needing to sleep.
I suppose if you want to think metaphorically, her story could be one that many have experienced–being different and looking for someone who is also different.
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I love the way you find meaning in my stories, Merril. I totally agree, but I’ll admit, I didn’t know I was doing that when I first wrote their story. But it’s a universal theme – those who feel ‘different’ and ostracized in some way, finding others/another who experience the same.
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What’s next? What’s next?!!!!!!! You are a wonderful story teller!
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I am sending you a HUGE HUG – can you feel it? I do love being a story-teller, and I love that readers like you enjoy my tales.
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Oooooh, way to get us hooked! I see a vampire romance series in the works.
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I’ve always told myself that I will NEVER write a story with a vampire in it. 🙂 Well, never say never, although I’m not too sure that Nora is a vampire. Maybe just a ‘special’ human with ‘special’ talents. ;-0
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What? That’s it? More, more, more, please!
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Perhaps a few sleepless nights will help me find out what happens next with Nora and the black-caped man! ;-0 🙂
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😊♥️
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Love the excerpt. 🙂
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Thanks, Kevin!
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I know this story will have a happy ending – unless you are a meanie (NOT!) and take pleasure in jerking your reader around. 🙂 I’m guessing Nora, tired of being bewildered, is ready to be bewitched.
How convenient to live in a land of not needing sleep, but then I’d miss the pleasure to waking up to coffee and strawberries. You are a born story-teller, Pam. Write on!
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I’m with you, Marian. I’d like to have those extra hours when everyone else sleeps to read books, write more stories, maybe dance to the midnight moon. BUT, I’d miss my dreams, feeling my body sink into a place we don’t really understand, and then waking up knowing that a good pot of tea awaits. 🙂
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So fun, so well done! I’ve written a short story some time back about a boy who needed no sleep – very different of course, but still the foundation was the lack for need of sleep. How interesting that this is a recurrent theme! And perhaps, for those of us who do not know boredom but are well versed in not-enough-time-to-do-all-I-want-to-do, a fantasy worth exploring!
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I find it fascinating that we both hit on a similar theme in our stories. I didn’t begin Nora’s story thinking about it, but she let me in on her secret as I wrote. As you say, worth exploring! Thanks so much for stopping by here, reading and commenting.
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Synchronicity is always fascinating!!!
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Great hook, Pamela!
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Thanks, Bette. Now, to continue the hook and see what happens. ;-0
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Go,girl! 🙂
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Oh yummy. I can’t wait for more!
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You’re a sweetie. 🙂
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All my sympathies with Nora, I hope she would get some rest now after she has had her revenge. Brilliantly told!
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Interesting how you respond with sympathy at the idea of Nora not needing sleep, Balroop. You must really enjoy your rest. In fact, I bet you have marvelous dreams. Poor Nora, no sleep equals no dreams…
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Sleep is being normal…did I misunderstand her character?
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No, I really like your response. The question is, does Nora WANT to be normal, or is she happy with her differences from others at this point. Hmmm, I’m waiting for her to tell me as I scratch out the next scene. ;-0
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Waiting 😊
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On the edge of my seat Pam. Now the question of course is where does the story go in the next chapter?
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That is the question, Sue. And I hope to heavens Nora tells me the answer. ;-0 🙂
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Great story. Enjoyed it very much.
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Yay! Thanks so much. xo
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Intriguing!
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Would you like to experience Nora’s “condition” for a while, needing no sleep? It’s tempting at times….
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I would like to enjoy 8 hours of un-interrupted sleep for a few nights first!
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Hi Pam, Ooooh, lots of thoughts on this one. First, your heading photo with the amazIng colour of blue is stunning!
A very imaginative story. I sometimes think (fear) I see a small part of me in your stories. Possibly why your stories are very compelling.
This story could be part of a script for “Stranger Things” or “OA” or “Discovery of Witches” or a unique series built with your imagination and story telling skills:)
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Many thanks for noticing/commenting on my blue flowers. I like to change the photo up there every week, and I like to take the photos myself of flowers from my walks. These were particularly enticing.
I love that you see a small part of yourself in my stories. I see some of myself also – the self I usually hide. Perhaps we should come out from hiding!! 🙂
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Well, you certainly have MY attention! 🙂 I hope we don’t have to wait too long for more of the story?
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If I’m lucky and Nora visits me in my dreams, I’ll report on what happens next in this Friday’s post! :-0 🙂
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Just tell me where to buy this book. Please? Pretty please?
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Now what a very cool response is this!!! I hope I don’t disappoint with the next installment (and the last – for now). The pressure is on….. ;-0
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An interesting idea, Pam, to have a character that doesn’t require sleep. I know some insomniacs but they look terrible and are tired all the time. The can’t sleep rather than don’t need sleep.
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Agreed, Robbie. Insomnia is a horrible condition. Nora’s lucky because she ‘regenerates’ during the normal waking hours. Wouldn’t that be rather cool, for a body to do that? But then again, wouldn’t we miss our adventures in dreamland?
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I would be happy to sleep less, Pam. More time for writing and blogging.
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Oooooh, more please! I’m intrigued, and at once jealous and sorry for Nora. On the one hand, what I could do with all that peaceful extra time. On the other, I love sleep and the dreams, and the magic of being on that threshold – just before falling sleep, or just after waking. In fact, you made me google! Apparently there was a man called Al Herpin, lived in Paris, who claimed never to have slept! Lived till 94! What was your inspiration for this story? H xx
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Fascinating. I never really know what ‘inspires’ me when I write these stories, Harula. I had no intention of writing about a person who didn’t need sleep (didn’t think that was possible) but Nora whispered in my ear that she had a ‘secret condition’ and that was that. I followed through on your Google search (so cool that you did that). Since Al was a recluse and doctors couldn’t validate his claim on only ‘resting,’ not sleeping, he was not really believed. But a Vietnamese man, Thái Ngọc, claimed he didn’t sleep for 46 years. I love his expression about it, though, saying he felt “like a plant without water.” He was noted to be an insomniac. The medical opinion is that human beings MUST sleep.
So the question is…. what is Nora?!
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More, please! 🙂
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I’ll try…. after a good night’s sleep. 🙂
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Fabulous start for a new book! I’m glad she found her alter ego. Was it in Salem, MA? Have fun with the story!
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Yes, as Nora told her story to me, I realized she was researching her ancestors in Salem MA. Have you visited that city/town? Fascinating, although it’s become a bit too touristy. ;-0
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We have good friends who live there, but have only walked around the grassy square with their dog and a bit through town. Haven’t visited the Witches museum, because we’re too frugal. 🙂
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Not worth the money anyway. Just fun to walk the streets… and the cemeteries.
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And? You leave us hanging? Lol. Such a good twisted tale. 🙂 x
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Twisted like a pretzel, Debby. I seem to like them better that way. 🙂
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It’s your forte! 🙂
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This is the kind of story that hooks me from start to (hopefully) finish. I’m intrigued! Is it a prelude to a book – a really long one full of adventure and romance? I can practically see it!
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I’m enticed into writing this into a book, Jina. But it will have to wait in line (three others in my files). ;-0 For now, I’ll just write one little sequel for Friday’s post. I’m with you, though. I can see Nora and the black-caped stranger having many romantic adventures. 🙂
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Hummmm…. Now that story I would love to continue reading.. A fan of Nora Roberts series reads, I love a little magic and imagination, and i think your Nora has many nightly adventures to share 😉 ❤
A Great Story Pam.. 🙂
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Aha, I hadn’t thought of the duality of my Nora in this story and Nora the writer. But Nora the writer does include lots of fun magic and imagination in her books, for sure. Thanks for enjoying my “sleepless” story, Sue.
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My pleasure 😁💚
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Nice set-up, Pam. Looks like you will be using the theme of sleeplessness to drive this story. I hope you give us more…
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We shall see…. I’m a little worried where this story might lead me, and Nora! ;-0
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Love this Pam, you are a great storyteller and a master of leaving your readers wanting more 🙂
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It’s a blessing and a curse, Roy. I’m good with writing the first 500 words of a story. Hook ’em in, reel them up, then leave them dangling. Okay by me, but not by the readers, it seems. They want the fish in the boat! Now I’m just praying that my muse helps me with the next 500 words! ;-0
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What! … you’re going to leave us here?!!
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I didn’t leave you in the library! I hope you found where they went next in the following week’s installment: https://roughwighting.net/2019/06/21/wild-is-the-wind/ 🙂
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I was wondering how I could have missed an instalment to this story, but I see I did read it although I appear to have been distracted before I could write a comment.
Now I’m wondering is there more? There are SO MANY questions!
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No need to comment, but I love the fact that you were left with many questions. Sometimes I think my role as an author – a writer – is to leave readers with questions because they learn so much about themselves when they “fill-in-the-blank” on their own. ;-0
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Hot dang, you sure know how to hook a reader.
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Hope I reeled you into the next one…. https://roughwighting.net/2019/06/21/wild-is-the-wind/ 🙂
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Hello Pam,
You’ve created, through Nora, a character one wants to know. In these few words you’ve posted you’ve already made her memorable.:)
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Thank you, Carol. I’ll admit, Nora seems to be “around” me all the time. Even in my dreams. I’ll have to keep writing her story quietly, and at some point share her adventures.
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