Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartWait For Midnight
by Nicki Salcedo
What if the main character in Cinderella was a man? What if the ball was being held for a lonely princess? Would the story still ring true? Try to put a twist on a favorite story or fairy tale and see what happens! Happy Writing.
Wait for Midnight
Elliot walked the two men out of the restaurant toward the limousine and rested the urge to call them evil.
“You should come with us,” one said.
“Absolutely,” the other added.
The two men straightened their perfectly tailored tuxedos. They suddenly looked uncomfortable, when moments before they’d been wearing the black and white attire like second skin.
Elliot didn’t own a tuxedo, and he hadn’t had the time to rent one. He was wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt stained with food from a full day of cooking.
“You should be there as much as us. We all own this restaurant, and this is our big night.”
“Go on, guys. You know that I hate these functions. It’s why you handle the marketing,” he pointed to one man. “You handle the finances,” he pointed to the other. “And I do the magic. I do the cooking.”
Elliot looked at his watch. Eight o’clock. Behind him was a kitchen full of dishes, prep work for tomorrow, and food to be put away. In front of him was a limousine about to go the ball without him. He smiled and pushed the men towards their ride and watched them climb in.
“We’ll tell The Princess to save a dance for you,” the men shouted from the limo.
Elliot sighed with a smile.
They weren’t evil exactly, but they were his stepbrothers.
###
Mare hated being called “the princess.” It was not a term of endearment. She was born Mary Victoria Preston. She figured there were better options for a nickname, but her mother wasn’t one for originality.
Mare had gone to the best boarding schools and better graduate schools. No one cared that she was interested in business development and international investments, because she was The Princess Preston, heir to her mother’s hotel empire. She had enough money not to work. She dated chiseled movie stars and statuesque athletes. She went on a hundred blind dates at her mother’s urging, because her mother wanted only one thing more than her vase empire. Annabelle Preston wanted a grandchild.
To get a grandchild Annabelle needed a son-in-law and Mare just wasn’t cooperating with her mother’s incessant ploys to find her a husband.
“Tonight is the night,” her mother warned. “If you don’t find someone you like tonight, I give up.”
“Mom, you’re rushing something that should come naturally. Putting me on deadline isn’t going to help me find the right person.”
“True, but you don’t even try.” Her mother sighed. “I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy, mother.” She was. Besides the idiotic parade of dates her life was good, quiet, normal, and happy.
“Okay, I just want you to be happier.” Her mother gave a weak smile. “Smile, flirt, anything. Just tonight. I’ll never bother you about it again.”
“Deal,” Mare said. She could flirt for one night. With five hundred men in the hotel ballroom, there had to be one out there that wouldn’t call her princess. And if her mother was true to her word, which she always was, Mare only had to survive until midnight.
###
Happy Valentine’s Day! For the rest of the story go to 8headedhyra.com.
Tags: Fairy Tales, Free Reads, Nicki Salcedo, writing craft
About the author
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Nicki Salcedo | http://www.8headedhydra.com Nicki Salcedo is a hot tamale. She isn’t curious, but the world is and this is why she writes. She is someone’s friend, daughter, sister, aunt, mother, and wife. She writes upmarket fiction that focuses about how you become one of the nouns on that previous list. The short answer is with some laughter, some fits of rage, and some moments of pause. She prefers laughter in real life, but her writing is all about the moments of pause. Nicki received the Maggie Award of Excellence in the Unpublished Single Title Category for her manuscript, Pine.
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February 12th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Okay, I’m intrigued, but I followed the link and can’t find the rest of the story. Waaaaaah!
February 12th, 2010 at 6:50 am
I’m in, too, and like Carol – could not find the link. Great idea to have a male Cinderella.
Now, where’s the rest of the story?
February 12th, 2010 at 7:26 am
I love it, Nicki, and I want to read the rest of the story! But I can’t find it either. Help!!!!
February 12th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Very nice twist, Nicki. Can’t wait to read the rest.
Marilyn
February 12th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Oh, I’m mean. Posting part one today and part two on Valentine’s Day! And I hate Valentine’s Day…
I’m doing this just because I love you. Try the link now or go to:
http://www.8headedhydra.com/readers-life/wait-for-midnight-a-twist-on-a-fairy-tale
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy!
February 12th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Ohhhhhh! You are evil, Nicki!
LOVE the story. I will definitely be back on Valentine’s day to read it. I can’t wait to see if Elliot is okay and how that watch plays into it.
You rock!
Tami
February 12th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Good thing you showed up or we’d have marched on your house today.
I love it. Be back on Sunday for the grand finale.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Great story, Nicki! I’m hooked. Can’t wait for part two.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:45 am
I love this story, girl! You can be sure I’ll be back on Sunday to read the rest. BTW, I hate V-day too …
February 12th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Excellent Story, Nicki! Great way to update the original and put your own unique spin on it. Looking forward to part 2 on Sunday!
February 12th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
You’re making me wait until Valentine’s Day! I’ll be back.
February 12th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Nicki,
It’s great, but I knew it would be. You have real talent. I’ll be reading the rest Sunday also.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Well done, Nicki. Your story is delightful. Still, shame on you for making us wait for more!
February 12th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Terrific story, Nicki. What a neat twist. I love it! Can’t wait for Valentine’s Day! It’s just a couple of days away (for a moment I thought it was next month!). (Btw, I like Valentine’s Day. Just don’t like all the crowds in the restaurants, LOL.)
February 12th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Thanks everyone. I’ve always had a hard time identifying with Cinderella. As a kid, imagined I was the princess from the start. I don’t take orders well and I don’t like to clean!
February 12th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
I love modern fairy tales and fairy tales turned upside down, inside out! Can’t wait for part 2!
February 13th, 2010 at 6:23 am
Sorry I’m chiming in late. Had to write yesterday and then go shopping to tide us over the snow last night.
Loved the story. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Sandy
February 13th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Nicki–Very Creative. I really, really enjoyed it. Like you, I had trouble with all of these cleaning princesses. I guess they had animal friends, but I was never a fan of “let’s be nice and clean up and maybe some nice man will rescue us.” I think that’s why Tiana and Belle are my favorites of the Disney set. Even Belle is all “let me change my man from a beast to a gentleman,” but I forgive her because she likes to read.
Tiana’s my new favorite because she takes matters into her own hands.
I’ll be back tomorrow. I’m a sucker for a good fairy tale even if I am going to analyze it to death! Oh, and did you get Elliot from Leverage? I’m rather fond of him.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Happy Valentine’s Day!
http://www.8headedhydra.com/readers-life/wait-for-midnight-part-2
February 14th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Just read the last half. Great job!!!! Loved the story and loved the ending. Can’t wait to read more of your stories, Nicki!
Tami
February 14th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I just went to your website and found the last part. Very nicely done. Great treat for Valentine’s Day.
Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine’s Day with your sweethearts.
February 14th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Love it…what I could read, that is. Does he get the girl? Does she get the guy (right guy? Perfect…
February 14th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Aha! There is more. Okay. The Chefs at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales have done it again! Compliments to today’s chef, Nicki Salcedo…
February 14th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Thanks for the great Valentine’s Day treat, Nicki! Hope your day is filled with treats of your own.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Sally, “Leverage”? Um, yeah, I don’t watch tv. Is he cute? Should I watch it online? Elliot from Ella ala Cinder-Elliot!
February 14th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Dianna and Tami, this was a mini-hunt. Thanks for checking out part deux.
Sorry, Nancy. I made you work for it!
Emily, I’m treating myself to a viewing of 300 tonight. Can’t think of a better way to spend V-Day than watching some Spartan battle it out for my affection.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Mamie, this isn’t nearly as cool as your appearance in Salon magazine, but I appreciate your support from 12 time zones away!
February 15th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Nicki, fabulous, fabulous job. You ladies really should think about putting a collection of these stories together, even if you just use it as a way to introduce yourselves to editors and agents or new readers. Maybe Belle Books would publish it? Applause to you!
February 15th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
EC, glad you found it! I had to write it fast so I didn’t get distracted from my real work in progress. I hope you try to write your own twist on a favorite story. Happy writing!