"The Nameless Waltz" by Constanza Mayer

Mr. Thomas: Part 1

This is an original story I'm working on, started yesterday. Hope you like it :) Not fantasy at all, more like 'a fantasy.'

I

It was a rainy day in London. The sweet smell of pavement filled the air and the pitter patter of my boots made me think of a concert, the percussion section. I was making my way towards the usual cafe I always go to sit down and work on my book while having a cup of tea or coffee, but it seemed too far a distance to walk now and I’d forgotten my umbrella. Great idea to wear boots that can stand puddles and rain, but to completely forget your umbrella. But it didn’t really matter because I wouldn’t have found it if I’d remembered. Yes, it: the cafe that would change my life forever.

I’d seen the place before. It was clearly a bit posh and I wouldn’t have dared to go in before, mainly because of my budget, but this time it was different: it was calling out to me and it was the only cafe nearby. I looked up at the beautiful bronze letters that spelt out its name and placed my hand on the doorknob to find myself pushing unnecessarily since someone was already opening the door for me.

“Thank you,” I said feeling rather stupid. Of course, they would have a doorman.

“Good afternoon, Miss,” said the hostess. “Any particular place you’d like to sit?”

I looked around and saw a few empty spaces, mainly small tables with a few chairs here and there, but right across from me, in an almost hidden corner, I saw a large warm-looking armchair, its color almost like rust, and I knew I had to sit there.

“Yeah,” I found myself saying without looking at her, not meaning to be rude. “I’m just gonna sit over there.”

The hostess nodded and I am certain that she would have led the way, hadn’t I done so first. I must have looked like a madwoman now that I remember it, but I truly felt that the armchair was somehow calling me. As I reached it, I placed my hand on its velvety skin, sat my bag down on the armchair next to it, and sat slowly down. It was magic. Right across the armchair was a beautiful garden. It was vast and elegant, not too large, but it was the most inspiring sight I had seen in a long time. The colors of the flowers were soothing, some blue and purple with the bright pollen shining inside them. I was reminded of Van Gogh’s paintings of lilies and so many a flower, and I felt that it was a magical hour, so I decided to stay no matter the cost.

“Would you like to order anything or do you prefer a few moments to have a look at the menu?” I suddenly heard the waitress speaking.

“Oh,” I said a bit startled from my daydreaming. “Tea would be fine. Earl grey, please.”

“I’ll be back shortly,” she replied and left.

As I made my way down the street with my bag over my right shoulder, I breathed in the damp night air. It wasn’t cold at all, after all, it was Spring and I loved it. I would come again, I decided. I would come again and write my heart out as long as it was me, the chair and the garden. Perhaps not every day, but at least once a week would help me to get things really started and, hopefully, finished.

I was completely lost by the view of the garden as if it were speaking to me. ‘Write’ it told me, ‘write me into this world.’ And I did. I grabbed my notebook, flipped it open, didn’t even bother to ask about WiFi since I didn’t need to be online to write and I just poured my soul out. I barely noticed when the tea arrived, forgot to the thank the girl and hoped it wouldn’t all be too costly at the end to give her a decent tip, at least. I wasn’t really writing about the garden, but instead about a magical land that in my mind had existed or could exist elsewhere in another universe. But the armchair and the garden, I felt, were my home and the perfect spot from me to write, no matter the cost.

After a few hours of ordering tea, a bit of lemon pie, an avocado sandwich and going to the bathroom every now and then, I found myself noticing that it was late and that it was already dark. I put my things away, asked for the check, felt slightly mortified by the figure, but I felt it had been worth it. I gave the girl a good tip in exchange for my poor standoffish attitude and left.

by Constanza Mayer

This picture reminds me of the coffee shop I imagined, mainly the colors, but I haven't quite found anything that looks just like what I see in my mind. This is The Ivy Chelsea Garden Cafe in London.

Yay!

Hey all! Re-reading Chapter 4 and loving it! :D Absolutely nothing I wanna change in the plot :3 So happy that my work is taking it's final shape :D I've decided to send my manuscript to a literary agent once it's done (only ones that can be 'trusted' of course) and see if traditional publishing is an option for me :3 BUT I would insist that I at least get to keep my illustrator or no deal :P Thanks for your time and support. Please check out my first 3 Chapters running for a Fantasy writing contest and vote for me if you like it :D Hugs!

Hola a todos! Re-leyendo el Capítulo 4 y amándolo! :D No hay absolutamente nada que quiera cambiar de el :3 Estoy muy feliz que mi trabajo esté tomando su forma final :D He decidido mandar mi manuscrito a un agente literario (sólo los 'comprobados y confiables') para ver si publicación tradicional es una opción para mi :3 PERO insistiría en por lo menos poder quedarme con mi ilustrador :P Gracias por su tiempo y apoyo. Por favor visiten el link y voten por mis tres capítulos del mi libro que ingresé para un concurse de literatura de Fantasía, espero que les guste :D Abrazos!

http://www.inkitt.com/stories/18896

Editing is Not Free :/

Hi again,

Since my book is going to editing over and over again till it's final version, it's going to cost me a lot of money. So I made this campaign just in case anyone would like to help. There 'prizes' for donations as well like being turned into a character, getting a free signed copy, etc :) Check it out :D

My Campaign/Donation Page

Hola otra vez,

Como mi libro va a pasar por revisión y edición una y otra vez hasta llegar a su versión final, va a costarme harto dinero. Por lo que decidí hacer una campaña donde me pueden ayudar. Simplemente con compartilo, me estás ayudando. Hay premios como ser transformado en un personaje del libro, o un libro gratis y firmado, etc. Mírenlo :D

Check Me Out! :D

Goor morning/afternoon/evening!

I am on a roll. Working on Scribophile has been the best experience ever! My chapters have been critiqued with the best tips ever, as well as received encouragement, and everything is turning out great! Anywho, if you'd like access to what I have ready so far, or also if you'd like to give your opinion, here's the link to my page at Scribophile.

Not only will you get to preview my book, but also give your opinion :)

Thanks for your time and support!

My Scribophile Profile! (Scroll down to 'Works')

Buenos días/tardes/noches!

Estoy full. Trabajando en mi libro a través de Scribophile ha sido la mejor experiencia de la vida! Mis capítulos has recibido muy buena crítica con consejos y elogios, así que hasta ahora todo va super! Bueno, si les gustaría ver lo que llevo hasta ahora, quizás dejar su opinion, les dejo el hipervínculo de mi perfil de Scribophile (es el de arriba). Está todo en inglés por ahora pero cuando el libro ya esté 100% listo lo traduciré con ayuda :)

Gracias por su tiempo y apoyo!

Back on Track!

Yay! My cold has almost completely gone away and I have been restored with the inspiration to write :3 Am completely happy with the final revision of the Prologue and Chapter 1. The final final final version will probably have a few changes here and there if suggested by my editor BUT I've made up my mind to finally just leave it alone and let it rest :) On to revising Chapter 2, will be adding just a bit more about the dwarves' story, Bazur and Nurunn, since the elves got their intro in Chapter 1 :) So excited and loving my first baby (thank God it's not a real one 'cause it's been more than 9 months in the making haha). Hugs and thanks for the support! :D

Yei! Mi resfrío se ha ido casi por completo y se ha retaurado mi inspiración para escribir :3 Estoy muy pero muy contenta con mi revisión del Prólogo y el Capítulo 1. La versión final final final quizás tenga algunos pequeños cambios pero sólo lo que sugiera mi editor PERO he decidido no tocarlos más y dejarlos descansar :) Ahora revisaré el Capítulo 2 donde agregaré más info de los enanos, Bazur y Nurunn, ya que a los elfos les tocó su debut en el Cap. 1 :) Estoy muy emocionada y amando mi primer bebé (por suerte no es un bebé de verdad porque lleva más de 9 meses jeje). Abrazos y gracias por el apoyo constante! :D

Working on Chapter 7

Hello!

How are you? Hope life's been good to you :) I've been trying to juggle work, family, friends, 'me time', and writing the book, the best I can.

I've recently finished editing Chapter 6 and I can seriously say that I am very content with the changes I've made! I expanded the story on the creation of Dôr Annon and its creators and rearranged some details that, for those of you who have been following the story, will notice. All in all, it's been no easy task, but it's been a good experience. Little by little, I'm discovering new things about my characters, seeing new paths for them and I love where they're taking me. It's been so long since I last wrote that I'd forgotten that feeling of discovering a story, a character's background. It really has been magical for me.

I hope to finish editing Chapter 7 from here to next Friday :) I've had some new ideas that I really want to add to this book. I know I haven't completely finished this, but I am truly looking forward to writing the next one and the one after that!

Thanks for your time and support and I hope you have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Constanza
----------------------------------
Hola!

Como están? Espero que la vida les esté tratando muy bien :) He estado tratando de complementar mi vida social, familiar, el trabajo, tiempo para mi misma, y trabajar en el libro, lo mejor que puedo.

Hace poco terminé de editar el Capítulo 6 y de verdad puedo decir que estoy muy feliz con los cambios que he hecho! Ha crecido la historia de Dôr Annon y sus creadores y he reubicado partes de la historia donde siento que suenan mejor y permiten una lectura más amena. Seguramente los que han tenido acceso a lo que llevo de mi libro, notarán los cambios cuando lean la versión final :) Todo esto no ha sido muy fácil pero si ha sido una experiencia increíble. De a poquito estoy descubriendo detalles de mis personajes que no estaban ahí antes, la historia de cada uno, su destino, se está desenvolviendo ante mi y llevando a lugares y situaciones que no me esperaba pero que hacen que la historia tenga más sentido y humanidad. Ha pasado tanto tiempo desde que he escrito que se me había olvidado lo mágico que es descubrir a un personaje, que se vuelvan 'personas'.

Espero terminar el Capítulo 7 de aquí al siguiente viernes :) He tenido unas nuevas ideas que quiero agregar. Se que no he terminado este libro aún pero la verdad es que no puedo esperar hasta escribir el siguiente y el que viene después!

Que tengan un lindo fin de semana!

Abrazos,

Constanza