Meeting my Goal:
Last month, I shared about joining an accountability group for writing. I was slacking on making my morning writing top priority. So, I teamed with my writing group, Lady Lits, and we created an accountability system. My October goal was to write for 25 hours a week and spend additional 10 hours on writing-related activities. Drum roll, please, I met my goal!
Since I met the time goals, I redeemed the reward. Robert and I went out to eat this past Sunday night. (Originally, we made reservations for Friday night, but a bad storm hit. So, we rescheduled the reservation.)
We enjoyed the romantic vibe at The Chalkboard with a candle-lit dinner, quiet atmosphere, and impeccable service. We realized though we’re not a fan of American bistro, preferring ethnic restaurants since their dishes are loaded with spices. But we had a great date night overall.
I ordered the mushroom wellington. The orzo side was delicious!
Christmas at Sonshine Barn:
I’m editing Christmas at Sonshine Barn since I’ve received a lot of feedback from beta-readers. My goal is to submit the manuscript to an editor by December 1st (I missed the November deadline I had set). I’ve edited 9 chapters and have 16 left. Pray for me because I want to meet this deadline, so I can release the novella by mid-fall (or earlier) 2023.
And Robert and I are spending Christmas up north, like Garrett in the novella. How cool is that? This is the year we spend the holiday with my side of the family. Since we’ll be only a half-a-mile from the venue where the story takes place, I’ll ask a photographer to capture the farmhouse for the book cover. It’ll be perfect since they decorate the venue for Christmas.
Jason’s Restaurant, the interactive story.
If you’re new to the blog, you can read Part 1 and 2 of this very short, interactive story. This will get up to speed on this exercise of “writing” a zany story together.
Thank you for voting on what type of Kickstarter reward Jason offers for the $50K donor. The winning entry is: Have a private event with a five-course meal for ten guests at the restaurant.
The Kickstarter campaign is a success! He receives a $50K pledge, enabling him to open his restaurant on time.
Like most ventures, when you conquer one obstacle, you face another. Jason meets with the donor and his wife at the husband’s office. The private event will occur in two weeks, a week before the restaurant’s grand opening. After the meeting, Jason is confused, confounded, and contrary for a few reasons we’ll soon discover.
He drives to the restaurant to talk to Aurora (his hostess and investor). The donor informed Jason that Aurora isn’t only his niece, but the daughter to a multi-millionaire, real-estate investor in Dallas. This news shocked Jason. But with a conflict with the donor wife’s over the menu, Jason hopefully has an ally in Aurora.
Jason enters the restaurant as Aurora folds cloth napkins. Since she’s in charge of setting the tables for the private dinner, she’s prepping, so it’s just right.
“Can I talk to you privately?” he asks.
“Sure.” She turns to face him.
They walk into Jason’s office. It’s a square space with glass windows, a small wooden desk with a laptop, and a stack of papers neatly piled. Aurora sits on an armchair across from him. He’s seated on a brown leather chair.
“I met with the investors and discovered he’s your uncle.” Jason picks up a pen and clicks the top.
Aurora crinkles her nose. “He told you?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I enjoy having anonymity. No one here treats me like an entitled trust-fund baby.”
“Fair enough. And thanks for the investor.”
“My uncle invested because of you. I only shared how passionate you are about the restaurant, the Michelin-starred chef, and your years of experience.”
Jason never noticed until now how dark chocolate her eyes were.
“I need your help,” he says. “I don’t want to step on your aunt’s toes, but she wants a greasy spoon menu like a Chinese buffet. this offended Chef Lyn. Don’t blame him. But to amp the pressure, your uncle invited a top food critic, a food editor, and three wealthy couples. This event needs to hit it out of the park.” Jason continues clicking the pen.
Aurora covers her forehead. “I like my new aunt, but she’s used to that type of cuisine. My uncle met her when she was a waitress at IHOP. I’ll talk to her. Meanwhile, are you getting any sleep?”
“What?” He stops clicking the pen.
“You’re on edge.”
“I need everything to work. I’ve leveraged my savings and took out a second mortgage.”
“You remind me of my dad. He loves what he does and works hard to push through obstacles, but at the cost of his sleep.” She looks down. “Although I wished he could see how much I could bring to his company.”
“While I’m sorry he doesn’t, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Thank you.” She blushes.
“So, what drew you to my restaurant?”
“I’m a gastronomic nerd, especially about providing an unforgettable experience,” she says. “I might enroll in restaurant management soon.”
Jason smiles as he fidgets. Aurora’s special. Who else from her privileged background is this humble? She always treats everyone with respect from the dishwasher, the wait staff, and Chef Lyn. And she’s gorgeous from her wavy brunette hair, long legs, and radiant smile.
“I’m glad.” He stands up, feeling self-conscious. “I better talk with Chef Lyn before he quits. That would be a disaster.”
Aurora gets up as she stares at Jason. “If you need anything, even a night off to hit the PAC or check out a rival restaurant, let me know.”
“I will.”
Jason watches her leave, feeling like she’d be the ideal wife. Where is this thought coming from? (December will be the last installment of this short story.)
Question:
Survey Photo by Matthieu Huang on Unsplash
Featured Photo of typewriter by Al Elmes on Unsplash