The Bestseller
He’d lost patience with his wife. Before they married, he’d assumed her talent for writing would provide the lifestyle he craved. He’d read about authors whose debut novel had gained instant acclaim, securing huge money deals and movie options.
But, one year later, only a smattering of her short stories had been published. And it rankled.
“You’re wasting your talent,” he accused her. “You need to write a bestseller!”
Wanting to please him, she had agreed, but struggled coming up with a strong storyline.
Agitated, he pulled a book from the bookshelf, suggesting she use it as a guide.
The book was ‘Wuthering Heights’.
***
Analysing the book from cover to cover, she extracted what she perceived were the vital ingredients that made ‘Wuthering Heights’ one of the greatest novels ever written.
A ‘pantser’ rather than a ‘plotter’, she let her mind run free, ploughing these ingredients into her first draft.
Her setting… a gloomy house with a touch of the macabre. Her protagonist… dark and brooding. Her story… one of love, passion, obsession and vengeance.
She racked her brain for powerful dialogue that would enthrall readers just as Emily Bronte’s had.
Fearful of her husband’s constant demands and overbearing presence, she strived for perfection, sacrificing food, exercise and sleep, for draft after draft. Weeks became months as she incarcerated herself in a world of editing and re-editing while falling deeper and deeper into depression. Caring nothing for her health or well-being, her husband offered no support.
***
It was he who found her, slumped over her laptop; her final draft displayed on the screen.
She would never see her novel published and reach the bestseller list. It would be her husband’s name on the cover, taking all the credit and basking in the acclaim.
His newfound celebrity, however, would be short lived.
Night after night, he’d hear tapping at his bedroom window exactly like the tapping of a keyboard… reminiscent of Cathy’s frozen finger. The window would burst open, an ice-cold blast of air fill the room and… voices.
Insanity would find him continually reciting quotes… from ‘Wuthering Heights’.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWhat a fantastic, scary, imaginative story! I found myself cheering her on and then agonizing through the writer’s decline, and then cheering wildly again at the final line. Anyone who writes will identify with and love this story… and others will love it too.
Thank you once again for your kind comments, Preston. I hope, as you say, other writers will relate to this story and enjoy it too. It was inspired by another I recently wrote… I referred to it as ‘the never ending edit’ story! I had to have a serious word with myself to just let it be! Sometimes we strive too hard for perfection!
Oh, I do like that, Linda. Lovely and creepy, nicely done ?
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks so much, Carrie. Your comments, coming from such a talented writer in this genre, really mean a lot.
You’re far too kind. That one down there is far more talented at the genre than I am ⬇️
Oh this is a wonderful story Linda! Non-writers can be truly grating, just like the husband in your story. They really have no idea how much work goes into our writing, how much of ourselves we give to our stories. And your poor protagonist literally put all of herself into it!
Brilliant, and very well done!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much, Emily! And I agree with everything you say re. non-writers!
Linda, your story reminds me of the saying that you cannot build your happiness on someone else’s pain. I was hoping that your protagonist would prove her husband wrong by showing him what she was capable of, but did not expect the ending. Great story!
Thank you, Marianna! I’m glad the ending was unexpected… always a challenge to achieve that!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleMy favourite book to frame your wonderful story! I felt the poor woman’s emotions all the way and as the ‘pantser’ that I am too I could only sympathise. The keyboard noise on the window gives just the welcome chill of a well written story. Great, Linda, great!
Thank you so much, Greene! It’s my favourite book too and I love the original movie! I’m also a ‘pantser’, I love the thrill of just letting the story flow from my imagination!
Wow! Linda. It is a roller coaster of emotions for me.
First, I feel so happy that her hard work and suffering paid off for her story. But later, I am so sad that she neglected herself and was gone. Then, others benefited from her story’s success. Well done.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Lotchie. I felt very sad for her too but, at least, her husband got what he deserved in the end!
You’re welcome, Linda.
Linda, what a powerful well-written story! You cleverly described the greedy husband, writing ideas, browbeaten wife while twining “Wuthering Heights” through your story.Then POW, you finished on a powerful punch line.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much, Margarida! I’ve always wanted to write a story ‘Wuthering Heights’ related because it has so many facets to it. Your comments have made my day!
Lovely! You’ve managed to weave hope, inspiration, despair and tragedy into one riveting story. Very well done, Linda
Thank you, Allan! I’m so glad you enjoyed my story. I hope to read a story from you as you have a wonderful talent for this genre.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is cleverly written. It’s one of the best stories that you have written. It’s a touching story mixed with horror. He got what he deserved. A worthy 5-Star rating story.
Your words are always so encouraging and appreciated, Thompson. Scary stories are always a challenge for me but I really enjoyed writing this one. I think because, as a writer, I found it so relatable! Thank you once again for your kind comments and the 5-star rating!
Brilliant. The second sentence described his deceitfulness beautifully. I just knew he would he would come to no good. I read through with bated breath to find out how. Insanity seemed like the right outcome.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you for your kind words, Alan, it’s lovely to hear from you again! I think insanity would have been his poor wife’s wish for him, having made her suffer. It seemed fitting somehow.
What a brilliant story, Linda. I love the way you’ve woven ideas from Bronte through every part of the story. I especially loved the reference to the tapping of “Cathy’s frozen finger” toward the end, and the comparison to the tapping of a keyboard. All of us writers can relate to this story! I must have watched Wuthering Heights a dozen times or more – mostly to see a young Olivier, but… Read more »
Thank you so much, Fuji, your comments mean a lot. I too have watched Wuthering Heights countless times and have never tired of it. I feel very humble that you found my story unforgettable, what more could I ask?
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations to a fantastic story, Linda! It’s very well crafted and extremely powerful. Like a lot of other writers on this platform, I can relate to what you say in your answer to Preston’s comment, “Sometimes we strive too hard for perfection!” I also related to a couple of movies as I was reading your story: “The Wife” and “The Shining”? In the first one, the husband taking all the credit for… Read more »
What lovely comments, Christer, thank you so much! I’ve watched ‘The Shining’ but not ‘The Wife’. So I’ve just purchased the DVD from Ebay as I am now intrigued!
As a former literature major, I especially enjoyed this. And I learned a new word, “pantser”. It just makes sense! Thanks.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you for your kind words, Susan. I’m definitely a ‘pantser’!
Wonderful, Linda, I am very glad for you!
Thank you, Greene, and for all the support you’ve given me with your encouraging comments.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations, Linda! A well-deserved win!
Thank you, Melissa. And congratulations to you too, I loved your story!
Congratulations Linda, I really enjoyed this story, great writing 🙂
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks, Carrie. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.