Exposure to the natural elements is a big part of this story, so here’s a question. In such a situation, (think of the show, NAKED AND AFRAID) which would you prefer, having to contend with the heat, or the cold? I’ve had it both ways. Each has it’s own set of miseries.
The difference is what you can do about it. When it’s hot, there’s only so much you can take off. When it’s cold, at least you can keep adding layers until you look like the little brother on A CHRISTMAS STORY. (I can’t put my arms down!)
If you have those layers, that is.
From the previous First Sentence Friday’s we know there has been a weather event of epic proportions, the sort that has caught the Stamper family off guard.
Imagine facing the elements with nothing more than the clothes on your back.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The change in the air brushed my skin like polished, cool metal against exposed arms and legs.
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. Â
***I’m using #FirstSentenceFridays on Twitter and tagging @Kensington Publishing Corporation. Follow along and tweet out/share if you’d like!***
Living in South Texas, dealing with the heat lasts about 6 months…right now, at the end of July with no relief in sight….I’ll take the cold!! These first sentences are so captivating!
It lasts the same here…well, not sure I’d say “heat” but give or take some oddity in the weather pattern, we can count on mild to hot from about early April to late September, and often into October. I’m glad you like these little snippets! Each week I’m SO tempted to leak out the second and third too. 🙂
I’ll take heat over cold every time, Donna!
For two weeks, I had to work under terribly hot weather conditions in the desert during my mandatory, prison-like army hell. I was almost nineteen then. There was no air-conditioning, and I had to wear my army uniform: long sleeves, long pants, boots—you get the picture.
The women I had to check for bombs, in a tiny room, were heavily dressed—many were covered from head to toes—and had just come out of overly crowded buses.
The humanitarian situation shook me to the core. The heat, which was indeed unbearable, became important only in regard to what those women had to endure. And it’s them, not the heat, that I think about to this day. Especially those who spoke English and told me their horrible stories in the little time we had together while I asked them to undress.
You see what your post has invoked in me? You are such an excellent writer. I LOVE your introduction, and the sentence is fantastic. I’m already anxious to know what’s coming next. ❤ ❤ ❤
Lilac! There’s a story there you know…even though it was mandatory, what an experience in witnessing war up close. Would you want to write about it? I can only imagine what you heard, what they said, and I could be the same way – I’d still be thinking about them to this day.
Thank you for your kind words about my writing! You’re a wonderful writer too.
Mostly, I always look forward to your comments… <3 <3 <3
You are absolutely right, Donna! There is a story there. It dawned on me yesterday thanks to your post. You inspire me to write more on the subject. I think it’s important, and I want to do that.
And thank you for your kind words about my writing! You make me so happy. 🙂
Mostly, I always look forward to your posts and comments. It goes without saying that I can’t wait to hold THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET in my hands when the time comes… <3 <3 <3
I’m glad to hear you’ll write about it – you should. It sounds like it impacted you (and left such an impression) and you were so young – but still recollect it to this day!
Like any artist…one wonders how a second work will be perceived against the first. TRTB is such a different story, but I loved writing it so hopefully that will show in the work itself! Thank you – as always! <3 <3 <3
Since at least twice as many people freeze to death (others say 20 times as many) than die from heat, I’ll take the heat.
Truthfully I am a wimp about cold. I don’t understand it. I was born in Phoenix and moved to Florida (maybe the only one, other than my sister). I can’t even get into the pool unless it is in the high eighties.
Since I have spent so much time in the heat (the last freeze in Tampa was almost ten years ago) I know how to deal with it. My lizard brain has more than one use. It has also taught me how to control my physiology, heart rate and so on. I still sweat like an Olympic champion but it doesn’t suck the life out of me often.
I’ll take heat, if you don’t have more clothes to put on, you die in the cold.
I still think the Road will travel further than Dixie and I am proud of you, my friend.
Wow, I didn’t know that. It seems every year when we have a heat wave, I hear about elderly people who’ve died, but I guess it’s the same in winter – if they lose electricity, or can’t pay a light bill. Your comment about where you’re from, and where you’ve lived is actually what I was originally posting about with this sentence. I had a couple of paragraphs written about where people are from and how it seems those from the north tolerate the cold better etc. And then I erased it. I was even using family members as proof. (Husband is from Ohio, mom is from Maine – they prefer cold weather. I’m from here and like you, I prefer the heat – and seem to tolerate it better.)
Thank you for your kind comment about the book. Did you see on Janet’s page about the singer/song writer/artist thing? How cool is that???