Thursday, December 4, 2014

Tall Tale

by Mary Haupt from the December 1, 2014 issue

Tagline
Angie and Luke's first date led to a sweet love story!

In a Nutshell
Angie is tall and was looking for a tall man, but literally bumps into a shorter guy who turns out to be perfect for her.

Observations
I adored this story. It felt like a much longer story than normal. We started out with Angie's childhood as a tall girl. We get a little bit about her current situation with her matchmaking friend. We see her go on a less than wonderful date with a tall Mr. Wrong. Then we see her go on another date with Mr. Short-but-Right and see them have a very sweet moment together after the date is over. That is a lot to pack into 800 words!

I loved the moment at the end when Luke proves himself by asking if she'd consider dating "someone like him." My heart just melted. I'm like, "Dude, you are ADORABLE. I want to take you home myself." I loved Angie's reply to him as well. It was perfect for the woman we'd come to know via the rest of the story. She had a lot of personality and self-confidence. Great characterization by Haupt.  Great story, period.

Photo credit: Jake Wasdin via Wikimedia Commons

16 comments:

Sandy Smith said...

I'm sorry I didn't get to read this one. It sounds really good.

Mary Jo said...

Mary Haupt is an exceptional writer. Does she visit you blog, Kate? I thought I read that she teaches creative writing at an eastern university. Well, I wouldn't be surprised. I know I have read at least two of her stories in WW and they are among the best the magazine has to offer.

Tamara said...

I took a special interest in this story, because in 2006 my story about a tall woman who desperately wants a tall man but finds love with a shorter one was published.

Pat said...

Loved, loved, loved this story. Kate, I agree with everything you said. This story gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Betsi said...

This was so nicely written! I really enjoyed it.

Kate Willoughby said...

I don't know if she comes here, Mary Jo. Maybe she'll comment.

Chris said...

Agree 100% Kate, this was lovely. Endearing characters, some good back story, and a hero that is less than perfect. Definitely one with the feel-good factor.

bettye griffin said...

Cute story.

Mary Jo said...

On a different note, Kate, has Woman's World joined the ranks of magazines that respond only to accepted submissions? I have heard nothing from them for many months. I even resubmitted one story after six months. Is that a fruitless endeavor?

Tamara said...

Mary Jo, Johnene told me recently that no one at Woman's World discards a story, so I think we can count on our stories that we don't hear back on being either lost or just delayed. She also told me that there have been new pubs added to their repertoire, so things are more prone to getting sent to the wrong places.

Mary Jo said...

What does "new pubs" mean, Tamara?

Chris said...

New publications, surely, Mary Jo... new titles in the Bauer range.

Betsi said...

They have a new celebrity magazine called Closer, a magazine for young girls, and a holiday publication that re-uses entertaining and decorating pieces from WW.

I can attest to the fact that WW still sends rejections!

Tamara said...

Me, too, Betsi; I just got two.

Susan said...

I got one, too. A story I sent in January, heard nothing about and resent in July. Johnene wrote a nice note thanking me for re-submitting, though it didn't work for her. She said they are experiencing mail issues. I really appreciated her note! She must be very kind. I still have a mystery that is four months out as of today.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the updates about submissions. I am still wondering if my May submission is lost. I guess I should resubmit...

Love the ending of this story!

Melanie