Wednesday 5 April 2017

A-Z Challenge 2017 - D is for Dontible

Welcome to Day 4 of the A-Z Challenge 2017. This month I'm 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 D for Dontible.

Update: Hope everyone's enjoying the Challenge so far! I'm having a blast. A few commenters have pointed out that my posts so far are a bit on the grim side. Don't worry, they won't all be like that! It's not my intention to depress anyone. I should also mention that I've had some circumstances come up that mean I may not be able to get to so many blogs over the next few days, although I'll try my best. It's exciting stuff, though, so it's all good!


Randolph Dontible was discussing his daughter, Ezmerelda, with his wife, Marabel.

“I wish she would just buckle down a bit more,” he said. “She worries me.”

“She’s headstrong,” said Marabel, sipping her synthetic wine. “Nothing wrong with that. And she’ll go far – look at all these extra credits she’s getting for her school work. She’s practically a genius.”

“I know. I’m… proud,” he relented, “but these sorts of questions can get you in trouble. She’s always asking about my work.”

Was,” his wife corrected. “She gave up when you never answered.”

“Because it’s confidential! Even with family members. And now I’m worried she’s going to try digging around. We need to keep a much tighter rein on that girl.”

Marabel sighed. While it was fantastic that Ez was so bright, a large part of her wished her daughter’s thoughts were on make-up and boys rather than government business – the way all her friends’ seemed to be. There’d be a lot less to worry about.

20 comments:

moon said...

I have a feeling, Ezmerelda would be a force to reckon with , a gift to the world , making her father and family proud someday . Love the conversation between the couple .
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com

Nilanjana Bose said...

Someday, the mother's going to be very proud that Ez's thoughts weren't on boys and make-up. Ez sounds like a girl with her head screwed on right.

Parents need to stop wishing for children to be conveniently docile, or whatever trait they prize temporarily, and let them be themselves.


Nilanjana
From Madly-in-Verse
Theme : Arabiana

Natalie Aguirre said...

I agree with Nilanjana on the mother's wishes for her daughter. Hope you have a good few days and that your exciting things continue, whatever they are.

Keith's Ramblings said...

Ez needs to mix her school work with a social life to ensure she becomes a more rounded character when she launches herself into the world! Lippy and politics go quite well together, don't they Mrs May?

Another day in Amble Bay

Deepa said...

I am as curious as Ez now
I also want to know what he does :-)
I think the more you avoid, more is the curiosity

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

Sounds like Ez has a nose for trouble :) Clever girl.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Shapeshifters and Werewolves

Jean Davis said...

Another interesting character. I have a feeling Ez is going to be digging up trouble in no time.
Discarded Darlings - Jean Davis, Speculative Fiction Writer, A to Z: Editing Fiction

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - sounds like Ez is rather cleverer than anyone gives her credit for and she's obviously not announcing it ... I wonder what she'll find her father has done ... fascinating ... cheers Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

She does sound clever. Maybe she'll focus on government boys.

A Tarkabarka Hölgy said...

Clever girl :)

The Multicolored Diary: WTF - Weird Things in Folktales

Crystal Collier said...

Ooh! His work... Now I'm curious. Nice excerpt.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I've always found that when kids go quiet, you should get worried!

Great excerpt!

S.P. Bowers said...

I can't believe it's A-Z already. I really have been MIA.

Jennifer Hawes said...

Sounds like a great premise! Good luck:)

Donna B. McNicol said...

This is a story that BEGS continuation!!!

D: Dominica & D-Day Museum
DB McNicol, author & traveler
Theme: Oh, the places we will go!

djinnia said...

headstrong and smart. hmm, seems like a recipe for mischief to me. i have a feeling she may get into a bit of hot water if she isn't careful.

Morgan Cartwright said...

I would be curious with what my dad did too if he wouldn't talk about it.

It's okay to be curious...

Anonymous said...

Hmm. What does that dad do? And how long until the daughter gets herself into hot water from digging?

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

Liz A. said...

Uh oh. Shades of that story... Which I can't think of now. Bradbury? Perhaps.

Darla M Sands said...

Sad to say, I was more like her friends. ~grin~ In fact, I still kind of am! Good thing I write fiction.

http://darlamsands.blogspot.com/