Written for RDP, where drkottaway asks us
to get creative with the word ‘incipient’.
Thanks, Doc! Here’s my take.
McClain stood at the edge of the college quad, watching clusters of students laugh over inside jokes she didn’t yet understand. Three weeks in, and she still felt like an imposter playing grown-up.
Her roommate strode past with effortless confidence, stopping to hug someone, making plans for later. How did everyone else seem to know the rules already?
But then Professor Pugliese’s words from yesterday surfaced: “Every expert was once a beginner who refused to die.”
McClain took a breath and with determination walked toward the study group she’d been invited to join. It was incipient, this new courage, this fledgling self she was becoming.
Her hand trembled slightly as she pulled open the library door.
NAR©2025
This is “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Love this! Inspiring piece and great quote. ✨ 🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michele. That quote was given as an example of how to use “incipient” in a sentence. I must admit I wasn’t completely sure of the meaning of the word and had to look it up. 🤔🤓
LikeLiked by 1 person
nice
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mohammad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great job N.! We’ve all had those feelings, and you played my favorite Cyndi song!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, D! I love that song, too; Cyndi is great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, D! I love that song, too; Cyndi is great!
LikeLike
Hmm, “Incipient” a word I’ve never been sure about, and I have never used it in any of my ‘writings’ … I suppose it’s too late in my career to ‘start’ using it ‘now’ …
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s never to late, dear Ivor! 🥰🎶
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll leave it on pause
Until I see the right clause
Or there’s probable cause
To open my unanswered doors 🚪
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a good plan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a real plan
Just an odd brain scan
Of an old madman
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You captured that feeling so well Nancy and Cyndi’s song is just perfect – love it ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s one of a kind! Thanks, Ange.
LikeLiked by 1 person
♥♥
LikeLike
You have to be brave and bold sometimes ,💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely right, Willow. Once you take that first step, the rest come easy. 💜
LikeLike
Thats true 💜💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
“inside jokes she didn’t yet understand” – one of the most difficult parts about growing up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And it’s so easy to think everyone’s talking about you.
Fishman! Nice to hear from you again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The reality is that no one is thinking about us nearly as much as we’re thinking about ourselves, but that’s darn hard to believe. Even as adults.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely put, Fishman. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is the perfect song to go with this story! It always makes me tear up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, CA. It’s a great song and Cyndi Lauper is so special.
LikeLike
We’ve all been there. Nice story.
Lovely song, but I can’t hear it these days without being reminded of this:
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny stuff. The guy on the left doesn’t look amused. 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s very good, isn’t he. I think that was Mark Wahlberg – probably feeling a bit upstaged!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can relate–terrifying!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ain’t that the truth!? Fortunately, I’m an extrovert and I don’t let too many situations like that bother me. I have a feeling you can relate to that as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew you were an extrovert! 😂 I am an introvert, but damn, I have gotten feisty!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
An extroverted introvert! I love that. Keep them guessing, Lois!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s like walking into your 1st meeting with the well-established writers’ group, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh God! Don’t remind me. 😆
LikeLike
Great use of the word:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah. I’m not too proud to admit I had to look it up to refresh my memory. The older I get the more I forget.
LikeLike