Writing Challenge

For at least the next week, I've decided to write for at least 3 hours a day if possble. I've been really lax about my writing lately, and decided it was time to tighten things up. So far, it's gone excellently! the following snippet is, unfourtunatly, not from the last couple of days' forced writing. however, it's a short story about the characters several years before the book begins. i hope you like it!

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Liam ran along the docks, determined not to miss a second of the ship’s arrival. His small, bare feet pattered on the wood of the quay as he dodged sailors, merchants and the women Mam wouldn’t tell him about. He finally skidded to a stop and a grin stretched across his face as he saw the ship just coming in. he had gotten there just in time.


A gangplank thudded down a few minutes later, and sailors began carrying goods off the ship. Liam ran to help, hoping to earn a penny or two. As he scampered up onto the deck of the ship, someone suddenly stepped out in front of him. he bumped into them, hard, and almost lost his balance.

The man he had collided with bent over a little and smiled at him. Liam suddenly realised that this bearded man was the captain of the ship. He lifted his chin and snapped off a salute.

“Good morning, sir!”

“Good morning, lad. Where is your father? Is he on this ship?”

“No, sir.”

“Are you lost, then?”

“I’m at the docks, sir. How could I be lost?” Liam was confused.

The captain roared with laughter. “Well put, lad! What is your name? Is your Father a sailor?”

“No, he’s a printer, sir. But I’d like to be a sailor someday, sir! My name is Liam Gallagher, sir.”

“Would you?” the captain stroked his beard. His eyes were grey, like the sea during a storm. But they were kind. “Are you a good sailor, Liam Gallagher?”

“Yes, sir! I love to sail! Mam complains that she can’t get me away from the docks.”

“Well, let me tell you, Liam. I’m always on the lookout for good men, so in another few years you come look for Captain Hyman Weatherby and you’ll have yourself a job. How’s that sound?”

Liam couldn’t believe it. “E-excellent, sir! Thank you, sir! I’ll be the best sailor there ever was!”

Captain Weatherby laughed again and tousled Liam’s hair. “I don’t doubt that for a second, lad.” Then he gestured to the bags and boxes being brought up from the hold. “Do you think you’re strong enough to help with unloading the cargo?”

“Of course, sir! I’ve lifted heavier loads than that, sir. Thank you.” Liam hurried over to the bundles. As he went he heard someone talking to the captain.

“Do ye think the lad’s trustworthy? He could steal the coins from your very pockets, Cap’n.” Liam almost turned around to scowl at the man who dared insult him, but he heard the captain’s reply.

“No, he’s trustworthy, Evans. I could tell that much when I looked at him. And truth be told, he reminds me of my Nora.”

Liam didn’t know who Nora was, but he determined that someday, when he had joined Captain Weatherby’s crew, he would find her. And he would thank her for helping him become the best sailor in the world. For he had no doubt in his mind that that was what he would be.

© Mariel Redwood