Sunday 30 April 2017

A-Z Challenge 2017 - Z is for Zimpano

Welcome to Day 26 of the A-Z Challenge 2017. Can you believe it's over? Hope everyone had a blast! This month I've been sharing my "Black & White Snippets" - snapshots of some of the characters, places and concepts that populate my forthcoming YA dystopian trilogy, Black & White. There won't be a lot of details or spoilers - just short scenes and vignettes that give you a hint of the world I've created. Today, it's Z for Zimpano.


Zimpano was excited about the prospect of a whole new life in the other country. Although things had improved here no end, his eyes had been opened to the possibilities of what lay outside Loretania’s borders.

The problem would be in convincing his best friend, Pettifer, to come with him. Inseparable since they were little mites rolling in the dirt, they’d both been cured of the crippling disease that had plagued their land and had been given another shot at life. However, there was a complication. Pettifer had run an errand to his uncle’s house in the neighbouring village – there were a lot more comings and goings now the land was disease-free – and fallen head over heels with his cousin. A nice enough girl, but now he spent most of his time over there, and when he did come back she was all he talked about. And she wasn’t for leaving.


Zimpano had made up his mind: today was the day he was going to talk Pettifer into coming to Harmonia. If it meant the girl tagging along as well, so be it. He just hoped he could stomach it if she did.

25 comments:

Preethi Venugopala said...

I hope everything goes well for Zimpano.
Congratulations for completing the challenge. All the best for your book as well.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - I wonder if Zimpano wouldn't be better off going on his own - but it's your choice ... and it's three or perhaps none! Clever way to end the A-Z ... good for you and now good luck with the publishing thereof .. cheers Hilary

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/z-is-for-zebra-zoo-and-zedland.html

Keith's Ramblings said...

I can only wish him well for the future! Nick, thanks for these fascinating snippets. I'm just sorry April is waving us goodbye. Thanks so much for your visits to Amble Bay.

It's farewell to Amble Bay!


moon said...

Oh no ! So sad for him/ them unless he/they are able to infuse change into Harmonia , which seems unlikely . Beautiful snippet as always . Congratulations on a very successful and a very lovely A-Z. Have really enjoyed my visits here.
Best wishes always,
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com

Darla M Sands said...

What a bittersweet snapshot of youthful friendship. Very well done! And congratulations on completing the challenge! Be well.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

Some relationships are just not meant to last... Congrats on finishing the A-to-Z.

H.R. Bennett said...

Sounds like an adventure to be had!

Sophie Duncan said...

Oh dear, a triangle of different loves.

Congrats for reaching the end :)

Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - Dragon Diaries

Nilanjana Bose said...

Oh my god, I do hope Pettifer convinces Zimpano not to leave rather than the other way round!

Congratulations on finishing the A-Z with such a flourish! I have enjoyed your series a lot, and wish you much success with the books.

Best wishes always,
Nilanjana.

Deepa said...

Loved the end.
Thank you Nick for dropping by to my blog regularly.
I am your fan already

Click said...

I love the idea that this little snippet is setting up. I can see this going one of two ways. I think having the girl going along with them might be more interesting than not!

Cait @ Click's Clan

Josie Two Shoes said...

You are leaving us with a twist in plot... this one wants to come to Harmonia rather than escape it! I should so like to warn him, "don't do it!!" It's funny how we perceive our own situations and believe that what lies "over there" must somehow be better. I suspect he will soon learn the error of that way of thinking, even though it appears so good at face value.

Congrats on finishing up the A to Z with style, Nick! How nice it is to kick back to day and say "done"! It's been a fun journey, and I've really enjoyed your snippets each day. See you next year! :-)

Z is for Zadie - the conclusion to my A-Z serial story "Circle of Hope"

Donna B. McNicol said...

Congrats on finishing and surviving A to Z. ;)

DB McNicol, author & traveler

Emily in Ecuador said...

I see the three of them leaving together and a lot of conflict ahead. Well done!

Congratulations on finishing! It was a lot of fun reading your snippets.

Emily | My Life In Ecuador | Zoo - I live in one!

Anonymous said...

Is it morbid of me to say I half expected his solution was to kill her? LOL

Congrats on making it to Z!

~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

Ipsita Banerjee said...

Thanks for sharing these interesting snippets. Congratulations!

Michelle Wallace said...

Crossing my fingers that everything works out for Zimpano!!
Congrats on reaching the end of the challenge, Nick.
Thanks for the lovely daily snippets.
Writer In Transit

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats on finishing the challenge. And thanks for sharing about your characters.

cleemckenzie said...

Here's to Z and Zimpano! Congrats on your successful A to Z for 2017.

Arlee Bird said...

Zimpano makes for an appropriate Z.

Congratulations on finishing the Challenge and thank you for being a part of this 2017 A to Z.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

John Davis Frain said...

First, congratulations on completing the A to Z challenge. It was indeed challenging. At least for me. You might've had an easier time, who knows.

Second, best of luck to you completing the novel and getting it published. What a journey that will be, eh! Have fun.

Liz A. said...

Wait. Whose cousin?

Sara C. Snider said...

Love the names. I wonder if the girl will be tagging along then. Should make for interesting reading!

Congrats on finishing the challenge! I enjoyed your book excerpts, you picked some really intriguing ones. Best of luck to you with it! :)

A to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs

JazzFeathers said...

Another great entry in a great challenge.
Congratulation on compliting it. I know I'm very late, I'm trying to catch up with all the people who's being commenting on my blog :-)
You did a great job!

Cathy Kennedy said...

Nick,

Needless to say....I'm behind! :( Mega apologies, my friend!!! Anywho, wouldn't you know there's a girl causing trouble in this one but good old Zimpano is ready to put up with his best friend's girl just so to have him leave for Harmonia as planned. :)

~Curious as a Cathy
Art Sketching Through the Alphabet “Z” (Zebras)