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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Embarrassed (07/19/07)
It was her third writer’s meeting and she still felt nervous. Paula had practiced her story in front of the mirror three times before realizing she was late. Grabbing her keys, she raced to the Clemet Library and claimed the chair she had occupied the week before. She knew her first chapter was good – she only wished the faces before her agreed.

Each of the other ten writers stacked around the conference table took their turns with aplomb. “Paula, would you like to read something you wrote this week?” Bob, the facilitator, smiled like a new father from his position at the other end of the table. Nine heads turned as one. She never had been any good at public speaking. Usually, her words jumbled over each other as she fought to keep her place on blurred lines. She wanted today to be different.

Taking a deep breath, Paula lifted her shoulders along with her voice. Twice before, she had read ‘safe’ articles – stories written for anyone. Today she planned to read her first Christian piece – a chapter from a book she was writing with the purpose of leading someone to the Lord. Paula didn’t know her fellow writers in the group well and suddenly felt fear pressing down upon her like a Florida summer.

Why didn’t I bring something else?

Another deep breath. She opened her mouth and read like an auctioneer with a packed house. When her last word echoed off the bookcases in the room, she waited. The ensuing silence devoured her remaining confidence.

“Comments?” Her face flamed -- not from the antiquated air conditioner -- but from the knowledge she would now have to do what she dreaded most.

Explain.

“So who is your character’s best friend in this story – her husband, right?” The woman blocking her left elbow posed the question. Paula watched her scribble notes in red pen on the copy she had passed around.

“No… well… yes and no. In the beginning, her husband is her best friend but then she finds out she has a better friend …” The outline of a panic attack formed in her thoughts. If she fainted, would they drape her across the plastic mats in the children’s section?

“So who is her friend if not her husband?” the blonde poet persisted. Paula twisted in her seat so her back faced away. She feared she might cry if she didn’t stop this woman’s questions. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a room full of stares searching everything in the room but her face. Seeing no way out, she pressed forward.

“Jesus Christ. Jesus is her best friend and protector. I wrote this story to send to a Christian publication.” Strangled. That’s how she defended her Savior – in a strangled voice. Not firm and loud and strong like Paul in the Bible but in a voice only a notch above a whisper…like she was embarrassed or something. The thought pulled her up short. She studied the faces again before her and found no lions. They didn’t carry bags of stones over their shoulders ready to throw at her. Nor was this group plotting to haul her onto a cross where she would be humiliated, tortured and killed.

Paula’s vision cleared.

With another glance around the table, she managed to catch one poor soul before he could turn away. But it was enough. She folded her hands in front of her.

“My story is about a woman who discovers her need for more than her family can offer. She learns she needs God in her life and the only way that can happen is for her to trust Him to save her.”

Like You did for me, Lord.
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This article has been read 1534 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lisa Graham
07/26/07
Excellent, well-written piece! Sincere and heartfelt, this story also flows well, beginning with Paula's tentativeness, followed by her realization of her role as Jesus' mouthpiece, and His empowerment to give her the right words. Very good point about the sufferings of the Biblical martyers and how Paula realizes that her embarassment cannot compare with their trials. Good work!
Joy Faire Stewart
07/26/07
You have captured the emotions of your MC perfectly...you can feel her vulnerability. Excellent message!
Dee Yoder
07/27/07
I felt like I was Paula. You did a great job getting me into the skin of your main character and the topic is perfectly represented in your story!
Gabrielle Morgan
07/30/07
Very well done. It is always difficult to read out one's work at a writers' meeting, especially if it is writing that is close to one's soul as in poetry or belief. But in the words of Pope John Paul II, "Be Not Afraid," people will most likely respect you for it, even if they don't agree with your beliefs.