Carol A. Spradling, author

cale · Citizen Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 134 Location: Illinois

Well here's my half of the deal. Now, take into consideration I have never, ever, shared my work with anyone else until now. I have been reluctant to post it for fear of someone on the internet coming along and stealing it so I'm just posting the prologue and I have you fine ladies as witness that it is my work. It is still unfinished and I am nervous but I must say I enjoy writing it, so if you guys don't like it then poo!
Tentative title: In Secret

He was coming for her. She knew it. She must ride on; faster and farther, away from his constant pursuit. On and on through the wooded copse, beneath the heavy limbs and rusty leaves she fled, awakening the forest and all its residents. Her surroundings became a blur as unidentifiable streaks of green, brown, and orange, all slashed about her as she continued to ride ever onward. Her fingernails dug into the softness of her palm as she tightly gripped the reins, and beads of perspiration trailed down her skin as tendrils of dark blonde hair broke free of their pins and spiraled behind her, dancing with the tails of her dark green pelisse.
She was almost there, for she could hear the light gurgling of the stream; she had to make it, but then, beyond the sound of the watery trickle was the soft clucking of hooves. He had gained on her. But she would not lose to him, she was too close. Her horse jumped over a newly fallen limb, and landed in a murky puddle, remnants of the storm from the previous night. Stained with grime, her determination persisted and with one last long stride, her chestnut mare galloped amid the tumultuous swerving blue of the stream. But she was too late. Her dark pursuer had overtaken her and was waiting across the flowing water burning her with his stare.
Dismounting from the white and brown horse he had ridden, he stepped lightly into the shallows of the water and reached out for her clammy hand. She smiled mischievously at him, as he helped her down from the horse. Sighing, she feigned disappointment at her loss, and allowed him to carry her to the nearby tree, old, twisted, and knotted, perfect for a rest before returning home.
Suddenly, in one swift movement he tripped and they both came crashing down into the water, awakening clouds of settled soil. His eyes seared hot with anger as rounds of laughter emitted from deep within her belly, while they sat half-submerged in the murky pool. He was soon overcome with the humor of his own clumsiness as he looked upon her, the streams of brown water rolling down the arch of her neck as she laughed. She caught his gaze and with each other’s help they stood up, and shook off the extra moisture from his worn leather vest and her heavy coat.
They washed away the matted mud with the cool, clear water of the stream as they joked and laughed, enjoying the familiar company they’d shared for so many years. The calming of light wind and the brisk autumn afternoon that Sunday led to their enjoyment. As he sat down beside her, a tumble of brown hair fell in his eyes, and with a simple caress she combed them back, feeling the heat of his head and moisture of his brow. He jerked back abruptly, and tried to avoid her gaze. Grabbing his riding boots, he started to wipe down excess muck from the heel as she stared at him in silence. When finished he pulled away and stood up, preparing his horse. She followed, tense and confused in the obvious discomfort he now possessed.
They rode back together in silence toward the stately manor, only glancing briefly at the other, as she thought of the quiet tragedy surrounding him. They had met as children when they became friends, and she knew all his secrets; that he wrote poetry in the private confines of his room; that he preferred the graceful elegance of mares to the domineering strength of stallions; and that every night he prayed to his mother who died all to young.
But she did not know of the love he felt for her…

CarolASpradling · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:57 am Post subject:

Cale!

WOW! This is the prologue. My, my, my. I can't wait to read the entire story. This is FANTASTIC!
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Carol
www.CarolASpradling.com

Andi · Colonist Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 256

Bravo Cale! Very Happy

brony1 · Citizen Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 159

Hmm you guys are all so clever. Cale I want more Mad

cale · Citizen Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 134 Location: Illinois

So I've come to the conclusion that the estate in which my story takes place needs a name. I did some research about English estate names and tried to find the different meanings to suffixes and prefixes. Wikipedia had a good article and list but it was mostly the smae meanings over and over. I cam up with a couple that I like the sound of but I would like to enlist some help is anyone is interested in coming up with something really cool. It's just outside the town of Brentwood, England in Epping forest. It's in Essex (which I learned means east saxon) and Epping forest has Bluebells, Heather, a couple of streams, Sliver Birch trees, a type of oak and beech. Here's the link to the wikipedia site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_generic_forms_in_British_place_names
I came up with Roseleigh, or Rosleigh (I think Ros- is more accurate actually) and Heatherley, or Heatherleigh (an actual estate in the isle of wight and a nod to KEW) but I am not entirely sold on them. Anyone who has some extra time, and would like to help is appreciated but I don't expect you all to do so.

Jeanne · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject:

That is a tough one. I looked at the website you provided and also a few of my own. When was the Estate built would be one question and also do you know any of the history of this part of England at the time the estate was built. I think that would have a bearing on what you decide for a name. You don't want to give it a name that would be out of the context for the time period it was built in. I never thought that naming an estate would be that difficult but with all my research, I was wrong. I think your best bet is to have Andrea help you with the history. I will try to look for some things today.
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Jeanne · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject:

Cale, if you could give me a time period on when the estate came into being that would be helpful. Do you have a description of the house yet? What kind of house is it. Is it a castle or manor? Some families lived in these estates over many generations.
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Don't cry if you have lost the sun. The tears won't permit you to see the stars.

cale · Citizen Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 134 Location: Illinois

I've got all that information somewhere in my notes. It's sort of a combination between a couple of estates in England, so I'll look up and see when they were built, and use that as a rough date. I'll get back to you, and thanks for your help. I'm using Roseleigh as I write now, but Heatherleigh is starting to grow on me. For some reason I want something floral or feminine sounding.

Jeanne · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:50 am Post subject:

I was thinking of more masculine names. Maybe it is because I am a woman. But I don't know whose estate it is. I'm kinda liking Roseleigh. I was thinking of the silver birches but anything with that kind of name sounds like a fantasy name for a fantasy novel. Have you thought to put Manor after a name that you pick or let the name stand alone. It would be nice if Andrea were here to help. She is quite smart when it comes to these types of things.
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Don't cry if you have lost the sun. The tears won't permit you to see the stars.

cale · Citizen Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 134 Location: Illinois

Ok Jeanne, I have some info for you. First of all, thank you for your help. The house I envisioned is based on kind of a combination of these houses,
Belton House, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belton_House
Sandy Lodge, http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2578931230056206750BFcRUR
(can't find much info on this place)
Copped Hall, http://www.coppedhalltrust.org.uk/history_georgian.html (this is just the page on when it was built as it is today)
Wimpole Hall, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimpole_Hall
Audley End House, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audley_End (not so much the style of this house but I like it's name)
Also the family name is Stalton, but I don't like any of the names I came up with where I used the name.

Jeanne · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Cale, looks like you are going for some really top notch estates here. Here is a website that I found for you of stately, historic homes in England.

http://www.britainexpress.com/Where_to_go_in_Britain/historic_houses/historic_houses_index.htm

You can see that it has an index alphabetically. Some have pictures of the manors, halls, castles, etc on the list and some don't but a lot of them have their own websites that you can link to and you can see the house. Also, some of the links to the website are gone now but you may be able to put the name of the estate into your search engine. Now, my English geography is pretty bad. But there are links as well to where each is located. And there is history as well for each one. I think this a great website. It will take some time to go through it all but I think worth the time. Go ahead and look through it and see if you can find something that appeals to you. I read where one of them was the inspiration for one of Daphne de Maurier novels. She is the one who wrote Rebecca. I can't remember which one it was.
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Don't cry if you have lost the sun. The tears won't permit you to see the stars.

cale · Citizen Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 134 Location: Illinois

Thanks Jeanne, I really appreciate it. I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

Jeanne · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

Cale, check out this website.

http://www.picturesofengland.com/mapofengland/counties-map.html

It shows you where everything is in England. Click on Essex to the right of the page. Then you will find cities. Go to where it says other cities and it will lead you to Brentwood. There you will find some good stuff. I looked at the pictures of Epping Forest. Very beautiful trees. Also gives you a little history as well of Essex. Anyways, I thought that you might like this. Just browse through the whole site. Quite fascinating. England seems like a magical land full of mystery, beautiful landscapes and people.
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Don't cry if you have lost the sun. The tears won't permit you to see the stars.

Andi · Colonist Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 256

Cale , Essex is HUGE!! Any estate would have had the family TITLE first and may have been known for it's family title, for example the obvious Buckingham Palace was the Duke of Buckingham's estate but Churchill's family title was The Duke of Marlborough , there seat was Blenheim Palace(not just kings and Queens had those!) so I would go for a historic of the Saxon/Norman heritage if you need a name. Let me know. Very Happy

Jeanne · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:43 am Post subject:

Andrea, I'm glad you're back to help Cale with a name!!! Especially after I failed miserably on the English quizzes.
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Don't cry if you have lost the sun. The tears won't permit you to see the stars.