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March
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Genre: Romance
“I need to write to be happy.” Nora Roberts
Eleanor Marie Robertson (Oct 10, 1950 - )
Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. She married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland. When her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old. Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading or making up stories, so she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories.
Her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981. She is now the bestselling author of more than 225 romance novels and was the first author to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame.
Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world, and opened a bookstore together. Read more about Nora at: www.noraroberts.com.
Genre: Romance
Novels of this type of fiction place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.
A partial reading list includes: Year One; Stars of Fortune; Carolina Moon, The Reef; Once Upon a Rose; All I Want for Christmas.
Fun With Words
Maryland Writers’ Association (MWA) invites you to have fun writing part of a romance novel using only 100 words. In your 100 words, weave together the names of your two characters, the event where they met, how or why they met, and a sealed manila envelope. Submit your work to Fun With Words by the 15th of the month and receive an “MWA Writers’ Round Table Submission Certificate.” Selected prompts will be published in this paper next month.
Writer's Prompt Responses
Maryland Writers’ Association (MWA) invites you to have fun writing part of a romance novel using only 100 words. In your 100 words, weave together the names of your two characters, the event where they met, how or why they met, and a sealed manila envelope.
By Mary “Sydney” Sibley
Victoria ventured out. Maybe time at the beach would clear her mind. The ex could move forward now.
The sun was hot. She felt dizzy. Was it the wine? Was the drama and stress finally catching up? Falling.
Jessie dialed for help, just as Victoria came to. She was captivated by his blue eyes, comforted as he spoke, all the while, felt his breath on her cheek. He expected to find her, but not like this.
When the ambulance arrived, Jessie helped the paramedics. Just before the back door closed, he gently slipped the sealed envelope into Victoria’s pocket.
Victoria ventured out. Maybe time at the beach would clear her mind. The ex could move forward now.
The sun was hot. She felt dizzy. Was it the wine? Was the drama and stress finally catching up? Falling.
Jessie dialed for help, just as Victoria came to. She was captivated by his blue eyes, comforted as he spoke, all the while, felt his breath on her cheek. He expected to find her, but not like this.
When the ambulance arrived, Jessie helped the paramedics. Just before the back door closed, he gently slipped the sealed envelope into Victoria’s pocket.
THE BALLAD OF AN OLD MARRIED COUPLE by Patsy Synder
The random meeting was inauspicious,
but eventually the two became Mr. and Mrs.
Initially there was no anticipation
to expect more than a brief assignation
But tactile pleasures and first rate fun
accelerated the couple's desire to become one
However it wasn't possible to make it lawful
when one was still married to someone awful
Wailing, whining, rending of clothes
didn't help get the unwanted spouse disposed
Time keeps moving and in time the solution arrived
THE MANILA ENVELOPE WITH DIVORCE PAPERS INSIDE
Festivities, celebrations followed in succession
Marriage and Children in Harmonic progression
The random meeting was inauspicious,
but eventually the two became Mr. and Mrs.
Initially there was no anticipation
to expect more than a brief assignation
But tactile pleasures and first rate fun
accelerated the couple's desire to become one
However it wasn't possible to make it lawful
when one was still married to someone awful
Wailing, whining, rending of clothes
didn't help get the unwanted spouse disposed
Time keeps moving and in time the solution arrived
THE MANILA ENVELOPE WITH DIVORCE PAPERS INSIDE
Festivities, celebrations followed in succession
Marriage and Children in Harmonic progression
THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP by Patsy Snyder
In trouble again, nine year old Jordan’s “I’m sorry” pleas didn’t prevent his trip to the office.
After a lecture about his misdemeanor, he was handed some papers to bring home and released.
Stupid papers, he thought. So before getting on his bus, Jordan dropped them by the curb. Karen observed him. She picked up the discarded papers, and climbed on the bus. She handed him the manila envelope, with offending notice. She then sat down beside him.
“If you lose them, the school will just call your Mom anyway.” Karen smiled, saying, “tell me your troubles and we’ll compare.”
In trouble again, nine year old Jordan’s “I’m sorry” pleas didn’t prevent his trip to the office.
After a lecture about his misdemeanor, he was handed some papers to bring home and released.
Stupid papers, he thought. So before getting on his bus, Jordan dropped them by the curb. Karen observed him. She picked up the discarded papers, and climbed on the bus. She handed him the manila envelope, with offending notice. She then sat down beside him.
“If you lose them, the school will just call your Mom anyway.” Karen smiled, saying, “tell me your troubles and we’ll compare.”
By Penny Knobel-Besa
“Aaaah…aaahhhha….choo!”
What did you expect Suzie Parker with your allergies; coming into the attic without a dust mask?
“You know better,” her mother would have said, after her benediction of, “God Bless You”.
But her mother wasn’t here anymore. Just one more reason to miss her, she thought as she dug in her pocket for a tissue.
One last box to check before she put the house on the market, better hurry as the realtor was due any minute.
Trash, trash, hmmm, that’s crazy, she thought as she stared at an unsealed manila envelope; It’s addressed to Thomas Martins. That’s my realtor’s name, Thomas Martins.
“Aaaah…aaahhhha….choo!”
What did you expect Suzie Parker with your allergies; coming into the attic without a dust mask?
“You know better,” her mother would have said, after her benediction of, “God Bless You”.
But her mother wasn’t here anymore. Just one more reason to miss her, she thought as she dug in her pocket for a tissue.
One last box to check before she put the house on the market, better hurry as the realtor was due any minute.
Trash, trash, hmmm, that’s crazy, she thought as she stared at an unsealed manila envelope; It’s addressed to Thomas Martins. That’s my realtor’s name, Thomas Martins.
By David Thompson
The cold slashed at my face like a cat’s claws—pushed by the wind whistling through the graveyard.
“I miss him too, Sarah.”
The flowers slipped from my hand, but I still clutched the sealed manila envelope. I turned toward the voice, one from another time, and a different me.
I met Eli during our senior play. Our eyes met in an illusory promise of eternal bliss, that wasn’t meant to be.
He was taller now, but wore the same goofy smile. I should’ve walked away. Romeo and Juliet was a deadly romance at best. I should’ve heeded the warning.
The cold slashed at my face like a cat’s claws—pushed by the wind whistling through the graveyard.
“I miss him too, Sarah.”
The flowers slipped from my hand, but I still clutched the sealed manila envelope. I turned toward the voice, one from another time, and a different me.
I met Eli during our senior play. Our eyes met in an illusory promise of eternal bliss, that wasn’t meant to be.
He was taller now, but wore the same goofy smile. I should’ve walked away. Romeo and Juliet was a deadly romance at best. I should’ve heeded the warning.
By Barbara Pengelly
The more I look at that sealed manila envelope, the more anxious I become. It’s been sent registered mail. And though addressed to me, the sender has used Amira Shepherd, my maiden name, not Wallace, the name of my soon-to-be-ex husband.
The return address is a rubber stamp. It reads: “Don Mayson, Detective — Hopatcong Police Dept.”
The only Mayson I know had died in an accident about four years ago. Are the police opening this case again? I hesitate, but I have to open this. I was the one driving the speedboat that killed him.
The more I look at that sealed manila envelope, the more anxious I become. It’s been sent registered mail. And though addressed to me, the sender has used Amira Shepherd, my maiden name, not Wallace, the name of my soon-to-be-ex husband.
The return address is a rubber stamp. It reads: “Don Mayson, Detective — Hopatcong Police Dept.”
The only Mayson I know had died in an accident about four years ago. Are the police opening this case again? I hesitate, but I have to open this. I was the one driving the speedboat that killed him.
By Claudia Corballis
The dogs started barking, Claudia looked up from her book. She heard a car pull up on her gravel driveway. Walking along the garden path lined with gorgeous flowers and grasses, the Dachshunds racing ahead of her, she saw a handsome middle-aged man at the gate.
“Hi, I‘m Liam! Robert sent me to give you this,“ he said as he handed her a sealed manila envelope.
“Beautiful place,” he smiled, as she opened the envelope, her heart racing! Could this be the answer to her prayers?
The dogs started barking, Claudia looked up from her book. She heard a car pull up on her gravel driveway. Walking along the garden path lined with gorgeous flowers and grasses, the Dachshunds racing ahead of her, she saw a handsome middle-aged man at the gate.
“Hi, I‘m Liam! Robert sent me to give you this,“ he said as he handed her a sealed manila envelope.
“Beautiful place,” he smiled, as she opened the envelope, her heart racing! Could this be the answer to her prayers?
READY FOR LOVE by Elizabeth Reader
"Dress like it is the day you will meet the man you will marry."
No chance today. I hurried out of the apartment and waited for the walk signal at Park Avenue.
A gentleman in front of me stepped off the curb. I grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him back to safety.
"Thanks," he smilingly said. "Can I walk with you?" We discovered we had many things in common and enjoyed our conversation.
"May I call you? Beth," Donald asked.
It was the day! A year later I looked at myself in my wedding gown.k here to edit.
"Dress like it is the day you will meet the man you will marry."
No chance today. I hurried out of the apartment and waited for the walk signal at Park Avenue.
A gentleman in front of me stepped off the curb. I grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him back to safety.
"Thanks," he smilingly said. "Can I walk with you?" We discovered we had many things in common and enjoyed our conversation.
"May I call you? Beth," Donald asked.
It was the day! A year later I looked at myself in my wedding gown.k here to edit.
By Jay McDowell
It was Spring 1967. Jack was playing around with his telephone and had randomly picked a likely name out of the phonebook: Jan Loving. He had a nice conversation with this charming high school senior.
After talking several weeks, they met at the White Coffee Pot. As he slid into the booth, Jan offered her hand to Jack and smiled. Jack was blown away.
“This girl is a knock-out!” Jack thought. “Look at that real suede jacket!”
They made a date for the next Saturday. Jack was ecstatic.
On Wednesday, the unexpected arrived in a sealed manila envelope at Jack’s door.
It was Spring 1967. Jack was playing around with his telephone and had randomly picked a likely name out of the phonebook: Jan Loving. He had a nice conversation with this charming high school senior.
After talking several weeks, they met at the White Coffee Pot. As he slid into the booth, Jan offered her hand to Jack and smiled. Jack was blown away.
“This girl is a knock-out!” Jack thought. “Look at that real suede jacket!”
They made a date for the next Saturday. Jack was ecstatic.
On Wednesday, the unexpected arrived in a sealed manila envelope at Jack’s door.
by Kathleen McLaughlin
At the courthouse, Amanda was standing at a two-sided research table doing research. The man across from her suddenly left, leaving a sealed manila envelope. She picked it up and followed.
Once outside, she returned the envelope. He snatched it from her and said, “Thank you.” He introduced himself as Ray and asked if she would have lunch with him.
While they ate, Amanda asked, "Where are you from?"
Ray answered, "I'm from Dyersville, Iowa, and I'm on vacation."
His deep, masculine voice reminded Amanda of a long-lost love. She wondered about the envelope and why she agreed to eat with him.
At the courthouse, Amanda was standing at a two-sided research table doing research. The man across from her suddenly left, leaving a sealed manila envelope. She picked it up and followed.
Once outside, she returned the envelope. He snatched it from her and said, “Thank you.” He introduced himself as Ray and asked if she would have lunch with him.
While they ate, Amanda asked, "Where are you from?"
Ray answered, "I'm from Dyersville, Iowa, and I'm on vacation."
His deep, masculine voice reminded Amanda of a long-lost love. She wondered about the envelope and why she agreed to eat with him.
The Man of my Dreams by LuAnne Itnyre
My name is Jan and like every morning, I'm waiting alone, watching people scrambling to board the train for work.
It was a cold rainy day in Maryland and I was trying to recall the details of a dream I had about a mysterious man.
I looked up from my phone to check the schedule board and I couldn't believe my eyes!
Sitting next to me was the Man in my Dreams!
He smiled and said "Hello, my Name is Nicholas, have we met ?"
I knew it was the beginning of something special.
My name is Jan and like every morning, I'm waiting alone, watching people scrambling to board the train for work.
It was a cold rainy day in Maryland and I was trying to recall the details of a dream I had about a mysterious man.
I looked up from my phone to check the schedule board and I couldn't believe my eyes!
Sitting next to me was the Man in my Dreams!
He smiled and said "Hello, my Name is Nicholas, have we met ?"
I knew it was the beginning of something special.
By Bill Bartelt
It was chilly and Bart Willis shivered as he gazed at Jenny Lancaster’s headstone. He’d left for Vietnam and when he came home she was gone. What happened to Jenny was a mystery he was never able to solve.
Suddenly a young lady appeared. Bart was stunned. It was as if his high school sweetheart was standing there.
“They said I could find you here,” she said. “I’m Liz. Jenny is my grandmother … this is not her.”
She handed him a sealed manila envelope. “Everything you need to know to find her is in here. By the way, I’m your granddaughter.”
It was chilly and Bart Willis shivered as he gazed at Jenny Lancaster’s headstone. He’d left for Vietnam and when he came home she was gone. What happened to Jenny was a mystery he was never able to solve.
Suddenly a young lady appeared. Bart was stunned. It was as if his high school sweetheart was standing there.
“They said I could find you here,” she said. “I’m Liz. Jenny is my grandmother … this is not her.”
She handed him a sealed manila envelope. “Everything you need to know to find her is in here. By the way, I’m your granddaughter.”
By Eric Shoemaker
Mom was gone.
When cleaning out her house, I found a sealed manila envelope. Inside were all the letters Dad wrote to her while he was in the Army during WWII. Their love story was played out in each letter.
Each began with “…My Darling Edie,” and ended in “…Your Loving Husband, Jack.”
The first several were written while in training before he shipped overseas. He was farther away from home than he had ever been. He was lonely.
The first began “…I didn’t want to go to the dance in Milton, but am glad I did. I met you.”
Mom was gone.
When cleaning out her house, I found a sealed manila envelope. Inside were all the letters Dad wrote to her while he was in the Army during WWII. Their love story was played out in each letter.
Each began with “…My Darling Edie,” and ended in “…Your Loving Husband, Jack.”
The first several were written while in training before he shipped overseas. He was farther away from home than he had ever been. He was lonely.
The first began “…I didn’t want to go to the dance in Milton, but am glad I did. I met you.”
By Nancy Knudsen
It was just starting to get dark on the beach as Bob and the other government agents waited for low tide and darkness. After all, the search warrant stated that the only way to reach the location of the raid was to drive along the beach at low tide.
As Bob nervously waited, he thought of the manila envelope Sharon sent him. They met at a party and he was curious about the envelope but hadn’t had time to open it.
She was beautiful and thoughts of her kept his mind off the eminent danger he was about to face.
It was just starting to get dark on the beach as Bob and the other government agents waited for low tide and darkness. After all, the search warrant stated that the only way to reach the location of the raid was to drive along the beach at low tide.
As Bob nervously waited, he thought of the manila envelope Sharon sent him. They met at a party and he was curious about the envelope but hadn’t had time to open it.
She was beautiful and thoughts of her kept his mind off the eminent danger he was about to face.
By Rachel Brewster
Leaving her office after another day of teaching, Teresa grabs a manila envelope off the desk.
She finds a letter inside which reads, “Dear Teresa, Our relationship has been pleasant; enjoyable conversations ever since we met in one of your Spanish classes. I also admire your appreciation of honest effort even though it contains mistakes, and your gentle correction. My admiration of these qualities has moved me to enroll in another professor’s Spanish class. Love you, Juana.”
Love me, Teresa thinks, why should that cause her to study Spanish under someone else? I love her too, but our professional relationship can continue.
Leaving her office after another day of teaching, Teresa grabs a manila envelope off the desk.
She finds a letter inside which reads, “Dear Teresa, Our relationship has been pleasant; enjoyable conversations ever since we met in one of your Spanish classes. I also admire your appreciation of honest effort even though it contains mistakes, and your gentle correction. My admiration of these qualities has moved me to enroll in another professor’s Spanish class. Love you, Juana.”
Love me, Teresa thinks, why should that cause her to study Spanish under someone else? I love her too, but our professional relationship can continue.
by Yashalina Blair
Lailah was just getting on her feet, two years after walking away from a failed marriage. She was happy to have her own little apartment, but it had no internet. She often made uneventful trips to the bookstore to use their wifi.
This day, a banner advertised her favorite author’s book signing. She waited, excited to meet the never-before-seen-author. Stepping forward, she locked eyes with the most beautiful man she’d ever seen...
Later, Lailah re-entered her apartment and stepped on a manila envelope. Curious, she picked it up and opened it. The document inside read: Your marriage has not been legally terminated.
Lailah was just getting on her feet, two years after walking away from a failed marriage. She was happy to have her own little apartment, but it had no internet. She often made uneventful trips to the bookstore to use their wifi.
This day, a banner advertised her favorite author’s book signing. She waited, excited to meet the never-before-seen-author. Stepping forward, she locked eyes with the most beautiful man she’d ever seen...
Later, Lailah re-entered her apartment and stepped on a manila envelope. Curious, she picked it up and opened it. The document inside read: Your marriage has not been legally terminated.
By Carol Russell
A puff of wind took the page out of Julie’s hand and dropped it in the river. With her paddle, she lifted the sopping wet paper. Another kayaker joined her.
“Did you lose a love letter?” he joked. He was tan with dark hair, his broad smile charming.
Julie laughed, “No, it’s a cheat sheet for sparrow ID.”
Just then she noticed a sealed manila envelope sticking out of his open dry bag.
“I’m Ben. I have to get back to the head of the group. It’s time to reveal the winner of the Belize birding trip. Good luck
A puff of wind took the page out of Julie’s hand and dropped it in the river. With her paddle, she lifted the sopping wet paper. Another kayaker joined her.
“Did you lose a love letter?” he joked. He was tan with dark hair, his broad smile charming.
Julie laughed, “No, it’s a cheat sheet for sparrow ID.”
Just then she noticed a sealed manila envelope sticking out of his open dry bag.
“I’m Ben. I have to get back to the head of the group. It’s time to reveal the winner of the Belize birding trip. Good luck
By L. W. Stokes
My feet pound a steady rhythm as I run the familiar stretch of road.
Everett has been gone two months, but I can still feel his soft exhale on my shoulder — hear his echoing crunch of gravel.
I’ve always loved running. The ground beneath me, my therapist for as long as I can remember.
Until a year ago, it had always been a solitary activity.
Panting, I come to a stop at my mailbox. I open the rusty door and froze. Sitting atop the stack of bills is a sealed manila envelope; Rosie, scrawled on the front in red ink.
My feet pound a steady rhythm as I run the familiar stretch of road.
Everett has been gone two months, but I can still feel his soft exhale on my shoulder — hear his echoing crunch of gravel.
I’ve always loved running. The ground beneath me, my therapist for as long as I can remember.
Until a year ago, it had always been a solitary activity.
Panting, I come to a stop at my mailbox. I open the rusty door and froze. Sitting atop the stack of bills is a sealed manila envelope; Rosie, scrawled on the front in red ink.
By Linda Francis
Natalie couldn’t focus on making the mocha latte at Clara’s Coffee Chat Room where she worked. How did he see beyond that crop of hair hanging over his forehead? she wondered.
“Hey!” Natalie called to the man standing across the counter.
Hudson looked up. Natalie gazed into the soft hazel eyes looking at her, his face framed by layers of chestnut colored hair.
“Hey,” Hudson responded with a smile, and slid a sealed manila envelope across the counter.
Natalie felt her heart beating. What was this?
Day one as a barista was turning out differently than she had expected.
Natalie couldn’t focus on making the mocha latte at Clara’s Coffee Chat Room where she worked. How did he see beyond that crop of hair hanging over his forehead? she wondered.
“Hey!” Natalie called to the man standing across the counter.
Hudson looked up. Natalie gazed into the soft hazel eyes looking at her, his face framed by layers of chestnut colored hair.
“Hey,” Hudson responded with a smile, and slid a sealed manila envelope across the counter.
Natalie felt her heart beating. What was this?
Day one as a barista was turning out differently than she had expected.
By Donna Deale
Beth loved Calvert County, a 35-mile peninsula nestled between the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River. Growing up in the shadow of the infamous Washington beltway, calling the rural Maryland county home was like a permanent vacation.
To cope with the long commute, Beth rode the bus, nodding greetings to faces she saw daily. Creatures of habit, many boarded the same route. Most claimed the same seat.
Beth took her “usual” seat on Tuesday, surprised to find a sealed manila envelope. Uncertain what to do, she opened it. A note read, “Meet me at Calhoun’s, Friday at noon, until then, David.”
Beth loved Calvert County, a 35-mile peninsula nestled between the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River. Growing up in the shadow of the infamous Washington beltway, calling the rural Maryland county home was like a permanent vacation.
To cope with the long commute, Beth rode the bus, nodding greetings to faces she saw daily. Creatures of habit, many boarded the same route. Most claimed the same seat.
Beth took her “usual” seat on Tuesday, surprised to find a sealed manila envelope. Uncertain what to do, she opened it. A note read, “Meet me at Calhoun’s, Friday at noon, until then, David.”