I started a personal challenge to write a story that is exactly 50 words! Thank you, Boy with a Hat. Not that he set up a formal challenge, but it was his idea. And his writing is worth checking out. So please click the link and find out what he’s up to. If you want to begin at my beginning, click here or search in the side panel with the words, “fifty day.”

So how to proceed? For the most part, I’m using my character inspiration, Dorothy Astoria’s The Name Book. Today, I wished to write about a boy or man. I mean, it’s been a while. I opened my book to Rutledge. Hmmm… Alexander Rutledge popped into my head. I had to do a search just to see if I was co-opting a forgotten celebrity. I don’t think so. I wonder what Alexander Rutledge will do today.

I thank my good friend, Diane, for suggesting I set up a formal Challenge. Almost everything she writes makes me smile. (Except when she makes me cry.) Check out her blog at “On the Border.”

Alexander Rutledge, III turned thirteen.  Like his older sisters, Alexis and Anastasia, puberty brought a scowl, waves, and a foul attitude.  

“Call me Ander,” he glowered, donning Anastasia’s hat. 

 “Did he say ‘And her’?” Alexis rolled her eyes.

“He took your purse,” Anastasia scowled over the cover of Vogue.

Wednesdays are super-fun and challenging because paring down to exactly 50 words is really hard.

I never know what’s going to flow directly from my brain to my fingertips and onto the virtual page. I’ll never forget when my firstborn turned thirteen. My mother took one look at him and said, “Oh, you started to notice girls. Your hair is curly and you have a perpetual scowl.” Wavy hair does often come with puberty. So does a scowl. (By the way, the photo above is one that Niall provided to me for my book, The Fable of Little Tzurie.)

I love finding out what you think.

Would you like to join me in for a 50-Word Wednesday Challenge? Please add your link in the comments section. I promise to pop over and read your stories. And feel free to copy this picture. Please include the caption, or add my link, into your blog, so your readers can find me.