For Better or for Worse

For Better or for Worse is the short story/novella I was working on daily a couple months ago as part of the Go Teen Writers' 100 for 100 challenge. Below are some stats, the synopsis, and an excerpt. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Novella Title: For Better or for Worse
Mark as "Want to Read" on Goodreads
Setting: Modern America
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Started: May 24, 2018
Length to date: 23,000 words
Original Target Length: 15K
Status: Draft 1 completed (8/18/18). In editing. Sent to first round of beta readers (May, 2019).

~Working Synopsis~
Life couldn't be more perfect for Anna and Jace. Everything is wonderful until a magical day complete with a beautiful proposal is ended with a life-shattering car accident. With her fiance in a coma, and her own body broken in the hospital, Anna's dedication can't help but be tested in fires so hot they nearly whither all hope—and faith. As each day drags on and Anna's health improves, her spirits decline with the doctor's dire prediction of Jace's inevitable end. Begging God to spare the life of her love, and struggling to forgive the driver who wrecked her life, Anna is forced to practice the truth of what it means to pledge herself for better . . . or for worse.

~Excerpt~
Fear pumped through my veins as the car somersaulted. Shards of glass and other loose objects whistled past me and cut my skin. How much deeper could this ditch be? Rolling onto the roof once again, the car teetered as if debating whether or not it could roll one more time. After a long, suspenseful moment, it remained stationary—upside down.

Heart pounding, I couldn't make myself move. I was afraid to even turn my head to check on Jace. Pain laced through my right arm and chest. The entire front of the car was crunched in, leaving little space. Dear Lord, please help us. Praying for strength, I began testing my limbs little by little. My left arm seemed okay, aside from numerous cuts, but my right arm was a different story. Undoubtedly, it was broken.

Okay, Lord. What do I do? Wishing for an audible answer, I attempted to make my brain focus. Blackness threatened to close in and I knew I had to get upright. But what about Jace? I still hadn't heard any motion from the driver's side. Carefully, I turned my head, ignoring the pain in my neck.

If I wasn't already panicked enough, the sight of my fiance unmoving and covered in blood was enough to throw me over the top. “Jace! Jace, can you hear me?” I sobbed, “Please, J, answer me.” His silence terrified me.

6 comments:

  1. Wow Bethany! Great job on the writing challenge! I’m so glad to see you back, and can’t wait to read the rest of the story! :-D keep in touch!
    -Natalie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! It's great to be back! :) So good to hear from you, Natalie. <3

      Delete
  2. Wow! You have such a wonderful writing talent, Bethany. Great job! You wrote this scene so visually and with emotion. Can't wait to read the rest. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Carla! Your praise means a lot. I'm glad you liked it. :) Thanks for all your encouragement over the years!

      Delete
  3. Wow, this sounds amazing, Bethany! You have incredible writing talent!

    ~Izzy
    izzyweststories.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog! I really appreciate feedback—your thoughts are what keep me blogging! I always reply to comments, so be sure to check back!

Please be considerate of others and please keep all comments God-honoring. Your comment will be visible after I approve it. Thank you!

Blessings,
Bethany R.