I’ve been thrilled to take part in Sally’s ‘Posts from Your Archives’ and it’s been a delight to both make new friends here on WP and say hello to existing ones. Thank you so much Sally for all your hardwork and the opportunities here on your blog.
This final of my four instalments features one of my shorter stories which is also included in my short story anthology out soon. Enjoy!
Annika Perry 
What a powerful and wonderful short story, Annika! I love it! It´s amazing how much you can convey in only a few sentences!Of course, I could have read on and on but really, it was all there. I used to ride on the backseat of my cousins´ motorcycle a few times and felt exhilarated. Even wanted to have my own bike for a time but never had. Maybe one day… 🙂 xxx
Thank you so much, Sarah for your wonderful comment – it’s great to hear how much you liked the story. Yeah…I’ve been on the back of motorbikes too a few times and exhilarating is the word! Not that I’d ever dare ride one by myself. I bet it would be fun…do let me know if you ever get one…(Just be safe though…I’d worry) ❤️
I will let you know if I ever get one – might be something Japanese though because I’m quite small and you need to be able to lift the machine from the ground on yourself! 😂
Hugs&kisses! ❤
This is a wonderful story, Annika, and I must confess that my husband is a motorcycle enthusiast. He always will be. We had a street bike in our early years bk (before kids), then we sold it and he ventured into dirt biking, participated in a few races. Now, he’s itching for a street bike again, so we shall see. The timing isn’t right yet, but he has a vision.
I’ll also add that he’s a careful rider, not a thrill-seeker, which I’m thankful for. A friend of mine lost her husband because he was just that. On the roads, it’s the other drivers to worry about. Anyway, it’s a passion I can’t take away from him, so I just say my prayers whenever he rides. And we do have memories of awesome, relaxing rides back then. Sorry for the rambling, but your story struck a chord. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend, my friend, and I truly enjoy your writing! 💕💕
Lauren, wow! I love how you were both bikers…what wonderful exciting memories to share. I loved reading about your times on the road and not rambling at all…didn’t want you to stop. I have only been on the back of a motorbike a couple of times and loved the thrill…but at the same time it felt dangerous. I can understand how your husband longs for a bike again…when the time is right! Haha..bk…yep, lots of those moments and now I have a shortening for it!😀 Wishing you a lovely Sunday, my friend. ❤️
Wonderful story. Very enjoyable reading. Thank You.
Thank you for your great comment and so happy you enjoyed it so much! 😀
Loved the circularity. So much said in such a compact package. Congratulations on your upcoming anthology!
Thank you so much and a fun challenge to write these shorter pieces! Many thanks also for your congratulations. – that means a lot to me.
Annika.. this was indeed a wonderful story, I left a longer comment on Sally’s blog after reading the entire story.. Much love my friend and you write so descriptively. Well done xx ❤
Thank you so much, Sue … I started off writing only creative writing pieces, ie. descriptive, when young and I never lost my love for trying to introduce this element to my writing wherever possible. Thank you so much for your kind words…and for leaving two comments…off to read your other one!😀❤️
You are most welcome Annika.. I have been on my blog all day, answering comments and catching up with blogs.. and still a pile to answer.. Which may now have to wait until tomorrow.. Much love and Gratitude.. xx
Sue, I’ve been away all weekend so I’m behind too…I had an hour or so to go on my computer before cooking dinner and celebrating First Advent! Have a lovely evening. xx PS. it’s always wonderful to read your comments…I come away soothed and calm.
Awww Bless you for that Annika.. I am about to have my evening meal, as in my Sunday Lunch shortly.. Then the computer will be turned off for the night.. Enjoy my friend and thank you once again xx
Wonderful story, Annika! I commented there, but thank you for sharing this. This brings back so many memories of those times when we’ve had to break away from our youth. Have a great rest of your weekend!
Thank you so much, Julie – for both your comments!!😀 How true that we have to break away from our youth and blimey, that parting can be an agony. You obviously have a few stories from your life you could share…It’s been a great weekend but as always seems to fly past! First Advent Candle being lit tonight so that’s very special. ❤️
I loved this story. It evoked nostalgia in less than 3 minutes ❤
Blimey…it is a short story!! 😀😀 So glad you liked it, Tina.❤️
Haha! I’m such a snail when reading something that really touches me. I like to absorb it slowly, savoring every detail 🙂
What a great story, Annika! You managed to convey so much emotion in just a few short paragraphs. I look forward to reading your anthology 🙂
Thank you so much, Clare…I do enjoy writing these shorter pieces, the challenge is to fit a lot of emotion into just a few paragraphs!😀 Ahh…so wonderful that you are looking forward to my anthology – that is heartwarming! ❤️
❤
I don’t think my husband will ever betray his motor bike by selling it … 😏
It definitely would feel like an act of betrayal to sell something so dear and important…do you go out riding with him?
The last time I got on the back of that bike we spent three weeks touring the South Island. It was amazing but My butt was so sore at the end of it I stood on the footrests for the last 200 kms. When we got home I hid my safety gear and knew with certainty I had, over those three weeks, reached the limit of my adventurousness. It was awesome though.
Ouch! What an amazing experience though.
Wonderful story, Annika. I had a dear dear friend who died in a motorcycle accident. This rang true on so many levels.
Oh no, Jacqui, I am so very sorry to read about your friend. Motorcycles scare me as they seem so unsafe yet I can understand the draw of them. hugs to you, my friend. xx
Annika, this one packs a punch. I could feel the air leave my lungs. Wow, great job!! 🙂
Tanya…hope the air has come back to your lungs!! 😀😃 Thank you so much for your great comment and I wanted the story to pack a punch…maybe not quite so literally! hugs xx
Great story, Annika. I’m so happy this one is in your book. It’s intense. 🙂
Thank you so much! 😀I’m so glad you picked up on the intensity in this short story
Oh wow, Annika. This is a great short story, and I feel that you are quite an accomplished writer of the form. I also empathized with your character. I hated that he had to give up his bike. You really made us care about him. I also thought of my son. He went through a period of riding dirt bikes which I thought were really too fast and dangerous. I’m so glad he got out of that stage in one piece!
Lana, wow! Thank you so much for your great comment…I do like writing these shorter stories and they’re very satisfying and challenging to write! As a parent I’d probably be sad for the boy but quietly relieved. I can well imagine your concern when your son was riding dirt bikes – they are dangerous, there is no getting away from the fact and coupled with a youthful sense of invincibility it is a frightening pairing. I’m sure your son found another passion in life…
I agree, Annika. Short stories are hard to write, especially difficult are those 200 word stories! I think they are good practice though, forcing us to be tightly focused. I need to practice these, ha ha. My son has most of his passions on hold right now as university studies takes up most of his time, but it keeps him thinking too, ha ha. 😀
Great story, Annika! I think you show the male perspective very well.
Thank you so much for saying so, Barbara…when I started writing seriously I was very nervous of attempting a narrative from the male perspective, I somehow felt a fraud but became easier with time. So glad you liked the story! 😃
A powerful story, Annika. In ways I am reminded of Evel Knievel and his endless search for greater thrills. When is enough, enough? Dreams are important, however, and giving up on them can be more dangerous than continuing to pursue them. I recognized that when I headed out by myself backpacking this year. Whatever the risk, it couldn’t match the importance to me of continuing to wander in the woods. You really captured the feeling of the man giving up his dream. –Curt
Wow! Curt, thank you so much – that is praise indeed! I was nervous when I started writing from the male perspective and didn’t want to mess up or come across as false. How true that giving up dreams can be as damaging as to continue them – and maybe even more so when forced to give up by others around you which is the case for the young man in the story. I wanted to make his sense of desolation and utter hopelessness palpable. Curt, I can’t imagine you ever giving up on your backpacking and so glad you’re continuing…maybe you are a bit more careful, take more precautions etc? Happy Trails! 😀
I might add, Annika, that it is also important to add new dreams. Time, opportunities, limitations and interests change. We need things that pull us forward as well as things that push us and support us. I also believe that one of the most important things we can do as humans is support other people’s dreams.
You did well with the male perspective. 🙂 –Curt
Wow! What a powerful read, Annika. I left some comment luv on Sally’s blog too but just had to tell you what a fabulous job you did.
Ahh…thank you so much for coming by to comment here as well, Mae. It can be a bit confusing with these kinds of reblogs…where to leave the comment?? Yeah, I’m so happy you felt the power of the story…great to hear! 😀
Wonderful story, Annika. I’m so glad this one is in your book. It’s powerful. 🙂
Thank you so much, Diana – this was one I was certain I wanted in the book and I’m placing about two longer stories next to a shorter one and the balance works well, I feel.
Creative story… deeply felt, Annika. 🙂 ❤
Thank you so much, Iris…it is terrible to have to give up one’s dreams and especially so when younger and emotions are so much rawer.
Annika, I have just finished reading the story “The Bike” and was so carried away that I felt like taking out savings and see if I could buy him another.
A strong story about loss of dreams and I can only hope he found another big dream to fill his
loving heart.
You do spin your stories with such skill and suspense.
😊🦋❤️
Miriam
Ahh…Miriam, your loving and generous nature shines through in this comment and I love how your first reaction is to take savings money and buy him a new bike! Bless you! I too would like to hope he found a new passion in his life…but I feel lingering darkness around him. Thank you so much for your lovely comment about the story and my writing…always a boost and wonderful to read! 😀❤️
What a lovely comment, Miriam. ❤ I feel equally carried away by this story.
A great story, Annika, so well written! 👍🏻 We are looking forward to your short story collection.
Greetings from Norway and Cley, Dina & co x
Ahh…thank you so much! I’m so happy you’re looking forward to the collection and that you enjoyed this story. Warmest wishes winging their way to you all in Norway. Are you staying to celebrate Jul with your mother? xx
No, this is a pre julebesøk. I’m very much looking forward to spending jul 🎄 in North Norfolk. 🙂 👋🏻😊
great story Annika. tightly written. a good excerpt from your short story collection soon to be published. 🙂
Many thanks, Libby…it’s interesting to see this on its own again as I’ve been looking it as part of the collection! 😀