The Coin

This Monday I’m a bit nervous to admit that I have tried something new on my blog. The lovely Helen Braid has set herself a challenge. A challenge to write her novel organically across the summer, and she has opened up this challenge to other bloggers. You can read all about it here. So this Monday I am embracing that challenge and am offering this start to my novel for you all to read! I haven’t written anything fictional since I was at university which was a while ago now, so please be VERY honest in your comments! 😉

The Coin

August 2010
The sea air was as refreshing as it was chilling. The escape was complete. Wiping a stray strand of her rusty red hair from her face, Megan stared at the waves crashing onto the rocks ahead of her. She felt eerily calm. The wild waves represented her release, her freedom. They were fierce and strong, characteristics that had got her to this place. They wore down the defenceless rocks that stood in their way. They were noisy, relentless and never ending.

She shivered, and took a deep cleansing breath. Her trusty car parked at the back of the hidden beach was full of almost everything she held dear and everything she would need for as long as the escape lasted. Megan had planned this meticulously and had only taken what was absolutely essential. Pulling her coat around her to protect from the bitingly cold wind she placed her hand in its pocket and grasped a coin tightly. She couldn’t have escaped without it. Grasping the coin so hard it dug into her palm, leaving a small indentation, Megan thought of all she had left behind. The coin absorbed what little warmth there was in her body and strangely comforted her. Everything that had led her here had started with that coin. So small and unassuming, yet so powerful.

You can read part 2 here.

I’m also linking this up with Jaime Oliver and #magicmoments as it’s pretty magical that I’ve finally got round to starting a novel!


25 Comments on The Coin

  1. Helen Braid
    July 1, 2013 at 9:53 am (11 years ago)

    Eek! I’m hooked – I need to know the story behind that coin!! Get writing lady I can’t wait to read more… #SummerOfWords xx

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 1, 2013 at 12:41 pm (11 years ago)

      Ahh thank you! Your link has inspired me, I have always wanted to ‘write a novel’ !! Xx

      Reply
  2. Stephanie
    July 1, 2013 at 10:25 am (11 years ago)

    This reminds me a bit of a film I saw as a child that had a special coin in it. Great hook, I want to know more!

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 1, 2013 at 12:41 pm (11 years ago)

      Ooo I’ve never seen that film, better check it out so I don’t get done for plagiarism lol!!

      Reply
  3. suzanne3childrenandit
    July 1, 2013 at 10:28 am (11 years ago)

    Ooh, enticing! This is a lovely opener, really gets you wanting to read the next bit….don’t leave it too long! Well done for being brave 🙂

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 1, 2013 at 12:42 pm (11 years ago)

      Thank you, it is quite terrifying writing fiction and putting it out there, glad I’ve made a start though! 🙂

      Reply
  4. sarahhillwheeler
    July 1, 2013 at 1:38 pm (11 years ago)

    Love the idea, love the hook, coin has me intrigued, just wondering whether it would be more powerful if you hit the reader with the coin earlier (not literally of course) in first few lines, perhaps, rather than focusing on the sea/rocks as meatphor. Look forward to reading more.

    Reply
  5. sarahhillwheeler
    July 1, 2013 at 1:39 pm (11 years ago)

    Sorry meant metaphor, not meataphor, I’m the queen of spoonerisms.

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 1, 2013 at 1:40 pm (11 years ago)

      Lol! Yes that’s a good idea, I shall have a re-jig! Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jaime Oliver
    July 1, 2013 at 2:14 pm (11 years ago)

    I am so so impressed! i wouldn’t know where to star t writing a novel! You have a beauitful way with words honey.

    Thank you for sharing and linking up with #MagicMoments x

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 3, 2013 at 9:38 am (11 years ago)

      Ah thank you honey, and a pleasure as always to link up xx

      Reply
  7. sarahmo3w
    July 1, 2013 at 2:49 pm (11 years ago)

    Great start, very intriguing! Look forward to reading more. I haven’t written fiction since school! Used to be quite good at it, but would have no idea how to do it now.

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 3, 2013 at 9:39 am (11 years ago)

      Ahh have a go, it’s so much fun lol! Thank you for reading 🙂

      Reply
  8. Mumof2.com
    July 1, 2013 at 4:54 pm (11 years ago)

    Fantastic! well done on starting it and can’t wait to read more x

    Reply
  9. Xandi | The Mummy Scripts
    July 2, 2013 at 8:59 am (11 years ago)

    Oh you little dark horse you! Love it – and fab that you linked it to Jaime as it gives you that extra oomph to keep going as we will all be wanting more!! Looking forward to hearing what led her there xx

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 3, 2013 at 9:41 am (11 years ago)

      Thank you! Next instalment coming soon… Xx

      Reply
  10. Mummy Wife Woman
    July 2, 2013 at 12:52 pm (11 years ago)

    Aww another story to follow. Ill be sure to keep up wuth yours too. already hooked! 🙂 great post!
    I so need to grab some of your inspiration and give it a go myself!

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 3, 2013 at 9:41 am (11 years ago)

      Do it do it do it! Give it a go…it’s fun lol! 😉

      Reply
  11. dragonsflypoppy
    July 2, 2013 at 3:23 pm (11 years ago)

    So what is it about that coin?!! Love the wild sea too xx

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 3, 2013 at 9:43 am (11 years ago)

      Thank you! I love the sea, especially on a blustery day! Xx

      Reply
  12. Iona@Redpeffer's Blog
    July 5, 2013 at 5:54 pm (11 years ago)

    I’m so impressed. I love this as an opening. The whole idea generally is fab. So glad you bit the bullet, hope you feel proud.

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 5, 2013 at 6:10 pm (11 years ago)

      Thank you, so much! That’s lovely!! x

      Reply
  13. Verily Victoria Vocalises
    July 9, 2013 at 8:40 pm (11 years ago)

    Absolutely and utterly LOVE it and I am off to read part 2 in a mo. I’m so pleased you’ve found your writing voice, I know how passionate you are about it. Thanks for linking to PoCoLo – and sorry for the delay in commenting! xx

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      July 11, 2013 at 8:44 pm (11 years ago)

      No worries about delay…sooo glad you like it! Xx

      Reply

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