The mind can play tricks on us, usually when we’re at our most vulnerable. I told a story a while back on the blog here about traveling home late one night. I remember I was really tired, and driving along on two lane country road, the radio on low. I distinctly recall feeling very relaxed, and in the sort of mindset where you’re thinking, but not thinking – if that makes sense?
I was in a straightaway, and thought I saw someone standing at the side of the road, and it startled me so bad, I was suddenly alert, and then had the distinct sense…I was not alone. You can read that post here, and you’ll see what I mean.
After a harrowing event that has lasted some time, my main character, Wallis Ann finds herself in a situation where she is exhausted, her mind overloaded.
CHAPTER FOUR
Coy Skinner’s ghost sat with me through the night like a heckling haint.
A Publishers Lunch BUZZ BOOK Fall/Winter 2017, and a SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance) Trio Pick for 2018, THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET releases December 26th, 2017.
***I’m using #FirstSentenceFridays on Twitter and tagging @Kensington Publishing Corporation. Follow along and tweet out/share if you’d like!***
What a fabulous sentence. You are able to evoke so much in just a few words.
Thank you, Susan! There was something about a “heckling haint” that struck me just the right way. 😉
You definitely have me intrigued ! Want to read more!
That makes me happy!
THERE IS NOTHING THERE is such an excellent post, Donna! And the sentence today is so wonderful. I’m totally captivated, and I MUST read more (preferably right now. ;-)) <3 <3 <3
PS: You could write outstanding horror novels, too, if you wanted to… 🙂
Thank you, Lilac! That’s the influence of Stephen King peeking out in that post. I hate the comments from it got wiped out when the website migrated though…(sort of just realized that)
<3 <3 <3
Hee about Lilac’s PS above. 😛 But AUGH on comment loss! I would be bummed about that too, Donna.
Heckling haints are the worst. So impertinent.
Hey Diane, I was surprised, but then again, I suppose it doesn’t matter that much. Although it makes it look like I did a LOT of talking to myself…which brings us back to that heckling haint. 🙂
Did you paint the ceiling of the porch blue? That is the traditional southern talisman against haints. I think it was Sherwin-Williams that had a color that they called Haint Blue. I would bet there is a story behind that name.
Yes, I have been too tired to sleep a few times and being in odd places can do strange things. Maybe it is because you think you are somewhere that you know and subliminally notice things that are there but shouldn’t be or things missing that your brain says are there.
Someday I will tell you about a wild weekend some friends and I had at an old plantation up by Palatka. Story says that they kept slaves there until the 1900s and did some nasty things to them. As I said, a wild weekend.
Now, that is a VERY interesting little factoid!
I had two childhood homes within 1/2 mile of each other. My parents owned a total of three houses. They rented out two of them, and we lived in the third. At some point, and for reasons a then 6 year old wouldn’t understand, we ended up moving into one of the rentals for a little bit. We had always called it “the white house on the hill.” The porch floor, which was cement was painted gray and the ceiling was a pretty sort of turquoise blue. And yes, it had a porch swing. In this house we have now, it’s white, and the porch boards are gray, and I’ve told my husband numerous times I want to paint the ceilings that same color turquoise.
As to sleep deprivation…I think like what you said, it can be a combination of that, plus even though I was tired, I was relaxed, and sort of in a mental state of…openness? IDK. I sure wasn’t “inviting” anything to “visit.” The Palatka story sounds intriguing. I need to hear that one!
Donna this sentence really pulls the reader in. I’m dying (haha) to know who more about that ghost and why he’s asittin’ there. Also, I’ve not got to find a way to worm “heckling haint” into a conversation before I die. Another killer sentence. <– you see what I did there? I know. I crack myself up, too. 🙂 I love your #FirstSentenceFridays and I seriously can't WAIT to read this book.
PS: I hadn't read this post before my recent blog about the unknowns so that in itself is a weirdly coincidental. I've learned to turn heebie-jeebies into curiosities lest I end up scaring the dickens out of myself.
Poor old Coy Skinner. He had a bad time of it, but it’s more of a mind thing for Wallis Ann. You’re on your toes today, Missy! Hee! Love it! Last year I had a bunch of #FirstSentenceFridays all lined up. This year I’m not preparing but about two in advance, b/c I’m trying to put more up front versus just spit the sentence out. Well. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m likin’ that you’re likin’em!
Considering what TIK is about, it came as no surprise you blogged about it – but like I’ve said before about your head and mine. There’s a distinct parallel there, from coast to coast. 🙂
Man, I wish I could do first sentences like you.