Post
by Kristy McCaffrey
I’m
pleased to have a story in the just-released Young Adult anthology, THIS SUMMER
STORM. In “A Current So Swift,” a wilderness course
on the Green River in Utah has sixteen-year-old Amy Whittaker stuck on a raft
with football players and cheerleaders from her high school. No longer able to
maintain a low profile among the more popular crowd, she wonders how she’ll
survive the week. Even more distressing—Sawyer Tate, her crush since seventh
grade, is also in the group. When a torrential rainstorm flips the boats and
strands everyone, Amy is forced to take charge. And when Sawyer makes it clear
he has feelings for her, remaining invisible is carried away on a current so swift.
I
based this story on my own experience rafting the Green River when I was sixteen
years old. My parents insisted that I take an Outward Bound course, since I was
such a homebody. My trip wasn’t nearly as eventful as the crisis that befalls
Amy and her classmates; and, while there were a few other teenagers in the
group, it was mostly adults. But I hope I was able to convey how being in the
wilderness can strip down many of the social norms we’re accustomed to in our
everyday life. In Amy’s case, being forced to abandon her persona of detachment
is made all the harder because she is with kids that leave her feeling socially
intimidated. I threw in the love story because in my other life as a writer, I
pen romance novels.
 |
| Unfortunately, I couldn't locate a photo of my trip on the Green River. This is a photo of Lava Falls Rapid in the Grand Canyon, considered one of the most fearsome stretches of whitewater on the Colorado River. |
I hope readers find my story enjoyable. I don’t normally write Young Adult, but I do have another YA short story available on Kindle. “Echo of the Plains” is a sweet historical western romance. Eli Ryan searches for the renegade stallion, Echo, in the Texas desert, but Cassie Callahan's stubborn protection of the horse just might steer him off course. Learn more at http://www.kristymccaffrey.com/YA-Short-Stories.html
Kristy McCaffrey is the author of several adult historical western
romances, as well YA short stories. She loves to travel and frequently writes
about her adventures on her blog, Pathways,
at www.kristymccaffrey.blogspot.com.
Kristy, I loved A Current So Swift. I knew you liked to do rafting, and I thought maybe this might have been based on something personal! LOL I really enjoyed the way you brought Amy and Sawyer together in a chance grouping at the beginning of the story, and the way everything happened so that they could see each other in a new light. Sometimes it takes an emergency to let kids (and adults!) know what they're capable of. Excellent story. Really enjoyed it, and I know others will, too!
ReplyDeleteCheryl
Cheryl, thanks for the chance to stretch myself a bit, writing-wise. I tried not to overthink this story too much, and just let the characters work it out.
DeleteReally cool how you found the kernal for the story in your own experience. I had a similar experience going to a week long summer camp at the University of Nebraska. Out of my teenage comfort zone. It can be brutal!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rich! Those experiences can be brutal, but now I have my parents to thank since it gave me the idea for this story.
DeleteKristy, Loved your story A Current So Swift. It surprised me to hear you don't write YA. Your voice is a natural!
ReplyDeleteAllie--thanks for the kind words. I have to admit, I'd been reading several YA books before I wrote this story, which helped me understand the rhythm of the genre. I found I really enjoyed the authenticity and rawness of it. Now, if I could just find extra time in my writing schedule, maybe I'd write more.
DeleteKristy, the story was great and I had to finish it to the end! I think the rafting trip was a great idea to use for the story. It had all my favorites, water, the woods, and rafting. I haven't been rafting (yet), but I have been canoeing many times.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angel, I'm glad you liked it!
Delete