Twas the Night Before Christmas
A young mans encounter with a woman evokes lost memories.32 total reviews
Comment from Annmuma
I understand how this story was a Christmas Story winner. It tugs at the heartstrings and paints a picture of so many during the Holiday Season. Great job and congratulations. ann
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2024
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I understand how this story was a Christmas Story winner. It tugs at the heartstrings and paints a picture of so many during the Holiday Season. Great job and congratulations. ann
Comment Written 01-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much!!
Comment from dragonpoet
Hi Austin,
Wow, second place on your first post. Congrats on both.
This shows how kindness and Christmas spirit can change bad thoughts to good. It also shows our dead are always with us in some way.
Welcome to the site.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Happy New Year.
Joan
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2024
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Hi Austin,
Wow, second place on your first post. Congrats on both.
This shows how kindness and Christmas spirit can change bad thoughts to good. It also shows our dead are always with us in some way.
Welcome to the site.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Happy New Year.
Joan
Comment Written 01-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much!
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Ohhhh, Austin! You are going to be the writer everyone on FS now will someday say, when you're on the NY Times Bestseller list, "Hey!! I knew his work when he was an eighth grader among all us adults on the site, and even THEN, his work stood out from the rest."
You have such a natural flow with your words. Your descriptions are SO excellent that, I honest-to-gawd licked my lips and salivated during this section:
platters of barbeque chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and warm cornbread with a glazed cherry sauce.
And then, because I have such a sweet tooth, it went into overdrive when you described the pecan cake.
This definitely had a touch of Christmas magic to it --but not so much that it couldn't have been true. That's a hard balance to achieve, but you did it with aplomb and panache. I'm duly impressed.
I hope this does great for you in the contest, Austin. It definitely should!
Thanks for the great read tonight. I enjoyed it very much. xo
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2023
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Ohhhh, Austin! You are going to be the writer everyone on FS now will someday say, when you're on the NY Times Bestseller list, "Hey!! I knew his work when he was an eighth grader among all us adults on the site, and even THEN, his work stood out from the rest."
You have such a natural flow with your words. Your descriptions are SO excellent that, I honest-to-gawd licked my lips and salivated during this section:
platters of barbeque chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and warm cornbread with a glazed cherry sauce.
And then, because I have such a sweet tooth, it went into overdrive when you described the pecan cake.
This definitely had a touch of Christmas magic to it --but not so much that it couldn't have been true. That's a hard balance to achieve, but you did it with aplomb and panache. I'm duly impressed.
I hope this does great for you in the contest, Austin. It definitely should!
Thanks for the great read tonight. I enjoyed it very much. xo
Comment Written 23-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 24-Dec-2023
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Again, thank you so so much for the great review. I do have hope to become a better writer someday :))
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You already have. Read your first post, and then read your most recent. You're blossoming before our eyes here. It's because you're so receptive. That's what makes ALLLLLLL the difference.
Comment from gramalot8
This is a very wonderful, touching Christmas story. You definitely took us right into the beautiful experience that happened that Christmas Eve.
Like you said in your notes... too many out there who are alone for Christmas. I hope there will be some who are as blessed this year as your character in this story.
Thanks for sharing this with us. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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This is a very wonderful, touching Christmas story. You definitely took us right into the beautiful experience that happened that Christmas Eve.
Like you said in your notes... too many out there who are alone for Christmas. I hope there will be some who are as blessed this year as your character in this story.
Thanks for sharing this with us. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 23-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 23-Dec-2023
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Thanks so much!
Comment from Ulla
Wow, Austin, this is a wonderful story. No way can you be this young!
You have captured the mood and the grief so very well, until he got taken in by that kind lady. All the best of luck. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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Wow, Austin, this is a wonderful story. No way can you be this young!
You have captured the mood and the grief so very well, until he got taken in by that kind lady. All the best of luck. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much, Ulla! I was just taught by a very skilled teacher :)) haha, happy holidays!
Comment from Teri7
Austin, This is a very well written story about the night before Christmas and the encounter with the nice older lady and how it made you think of your own Mother that has gone! You used great descriptive words and very beautiful imagery. I wish you the best in the contest! Blessings and Merry Christmas! Teri
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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Austin, This is a very well written story about the night before Christmas and the encounter with the nice older lady and how it made you think of your own Mother that has gone! You used great descriptive words and very beautiful imagery. I wish you the best in the contest! Blessings and Merry Christmas! Teri
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much Teri for the kind words!
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you are so welcome! I wish you the very best in the contest! Keep on writing my friend!!!
Comment from Sarah Robin
I loved your story. Christmas makes people a bit kinder. I wish we could live that way all year. The people in your story showed the spirit of the season. Good luck in the contest. I look forward to reading more of your work. Merry Christmas! Sarah
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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I loved your story. Christmas makes people a bit kinder. I wish we could live that way all year. The people in your story showed the spirit of the season. Good luck in the contest. I look forward to reading more of your work. Merry Christmas! Sarah
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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Hi Sarah! Thank you so so much. Merry Christmas :)
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
No way you're that young, lol! You're quite the storyteller!
You will connect with people of all ages with this excellent write, and the mere mention of food makes my stomach growl:-)
I look forward to reading more of your work in the future. Welcome aboard!
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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No way you're that young, lol! You're quite the storyteller!
You will connect with people of all ages with this excellent write, and the mere mention of food makes my stomach growl:-)
I look forward to reading more of your work in the future. Welcome aboard!
xo
Pam
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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Hahahah, thank you so much Pam!
Comment from Lisasview
Interesting to read your poem about memories as I am going back loads of papers handwritten by me in pencil when I was young... Boy did they bring back even more memories.
Your poem felt like a dream...
I am so saddened that many do spend Christmas alone...even in Hospitals as nurses flitter in and out.
Very nice story, filled with hope and love... Not sure but I think this actually be the first one I have read of yours?
Lisasview
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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Interesting to read your poem about memories as I am going back loads of papers handwritten by me in pencil when I was young... Boy did they bring back even more memories.
Your poem felt like a dream...
I am so saddened that many do spend Christmas alone...even in Hospitals as nurses flitter in and out.
Very nice story, filled with hope and love... Not sure but I think this actually be the first one I have read of yours?
Lisasview
Comment Written 22-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much Lisaviews, and happy holidays!
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You are most welcome,
Lisa
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You are most welcome,
Lisa
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Welcome, I loved teaching 8th graders, they are very talented and I felt when I was teaching them they put me a little bit to shame. Your talent does not disappoint. If there is anything I can help with let me know. If you need some hint about maneuvering around this sight, I will be happy to pass it on,as several here helped me. I am a much writer since this group.
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Now your story: You will be having the reader standing beside you to peek in the windows to see what celebration is going on: "Curious, I looked in between the slits to spy a large dinner table flanked by a sizable white tree. " I've learned the mention of food is always a crowd pleaser. I mentioned food in my book Traffic and got all kinds of compliments. This is a poignant story. I hope these days coming up are meaningful in some way.
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2023
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Welcome, I loved teaching 8th graders, they are very talented and I felt when I was teaching them they put me a little bit to shame. Your talent does not disappoint. If there is anything I can help with let me know. If you need some hint about maneuvering around this sight, I will be happy to pass it on,as several here helped me. I am a much writer since this group.
****
Now your story: You will be having the reader standing beside you to peek in the windows to see what celebration is going on: "Curious, I looked in between the slits to spy a large dinner table flanked by a sizable white tree. " I've learned the mention of food is always a crowd pleaser. I mentioned food in my book Traffic and got all kinds of compliments. This is a poignant story. I hope these days coming up are meaningful in some way.
Comment Written 21-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 21-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much for your kind words! Yes, teachers play a big part when it comes to improving my writing skills. I?m so glad you enjoyed this story!
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***Smile***