I've been planning on writing a kind of novel of some sort, but haven't gotten around to starting it. I have a basic plot line, but I'm still not sure about the characters. So then I decided that I would just make a short story that had nothing to do with the plot of my future story, but have similar or same important characters! I've been working on at night, the only time I have to write, but haven't gotten to finish it yet so heres what I have so far! I haven't put much effort into it since it is mainly for the characters, but I wanna know how you like it so far anyway since I have nothing better to post. At this point it is, I admit, pretty dull, but it's a start! The setting is a small town probably in the 1800's. I don't know how historically accurate it is, but it starts out peaceful and somewhat serene after a blizzard has taken place. Be harsh, please, especially about the characters 
Well, anyway, on with the story!The first few rays of dawn gently nudged me awake that brisk December morning. Though it began like any other morning, my day would end up quite differently. I can still remember it like yesterday, the winter birds singing their sweet songs again, shapes could once more be distinguished in the wintery wonderland, and most of all, the sun shone again. Its absence during the several days before put people in a rather testy and grumpy moods with no light to warm their spirits. The reason for its long time away from our quaint little village was a blast of snow and winds that left us without sunlight even at midday. It was a difficult time that we were all forced to face, staying cooped up in a cabin day in and day out. That blizzard brought to us more than just snow, though, but alas, I am getting ahead of myself.
Wiping the sand from my eyes, I slowly sat up in my old four-post bed. The bright sunlight gleaming through my window was certainly a sight for sore eyes, but it ment work for my family as well. The men and boys would be leaving soon their long hunt since food was now scarce. After living off of stale bread, soup, and other varius scraps of food, some meat was long awaited. While they were gone, my mother and I would have plently of work to do around the house as well. Even a trip to the store would be trecherous, travelling through the several feet of snow. A three or four mile walk to the store was nothing in the summer, but after a blizzard it wasn't all that easy. We were prepared for anything, though. We had to be. For now, though, none of that mattered. My stomach growled for food, but my urge to leave the house overcame it. I would have at least until the sun was a bit higher to be alone, and I knew just how to spend that time.
Who am I, you ask? To myself, I was a girl just reaching the threshold of adulthood, soon to become a woman. Now that I look back on that time of my life, however, I realize that I was merely a child of 14 years, no where near that distant threshold. It was true that it was I who looked after my younger siblings and took care of the house while my parents were away, and I who took on several responsabilities that gave me a feeling accomplishment. I believed in my heart that I could take on the world, but in reality I couldn't because the world had experience and wisdom which I lacked greatly. My youth is one thing I charished, though, and wouldn't have given up for all the wisdom and experience in the world. I never turned down a single adventure and was never overcame by challenges. They were just another obstacle in life that I knew I would conquer. My over confidence was a gift, but at times I was unable to realize when I was in over my head which lead to several of my greatest downfalls, but I am not here to tell you of my failures.
I was blessed with a caring and supportive family, who would always be by my side to pick me up when I would fall. I was the daughter of a former merchant, now retired to become a farmer, and a mother who taught me many things other than my education and basics of survival. I learned many lessons from her growing up, even though it wasn't until years later that I realized the importance of them. I had several younger siblings as well who played a great role in my life just as my parents did. The lot of us lived together in a tiny village where a few other homes and tiny shops were nestled against the mountains in our tiny valley. It was a close knit community where we faced many problems but were all there for one another when times were rough. Though it was a small and poor valley, it was home and that was all I needed.
I pondered my options to spend the morning for a short while before deciding to go exploring, if you could even call it that. There was no place around our tiny cabin that I had never been to before, but snow covered it look like a whole different world. The idea of leaving that musty old cabin excited me even as I sat there thinking about it. Pleased with my decision, I quickely dressed and pulled my thick rusty brown hair into a braid. I tip-toed across the house, careful not to make a single loose floorboard creek. I didn't want to wake my family from their slumber. Carelessly, I threw on a few more layers of clothing including a worn gray cape and knitted whool hat with bright red tossels and flaps that covered my ears. I pulled my gloves on last and was about to reach for the door when it occured to me that my parents wouldn't be happy if they realized I had just left for a morning stroll without informing anyone of it. Thinking quickly, not wanting to waste a single presiouse moment of my alone time, I grabbed an old pale and a pickaxe to fetch water with from the pond. It would surely be frozen over, so I would have to chisel away at the ice before I could get anything from it, but at least I would have an excuse for my absence. With a wide grin of excitement spread across my face, I was off.
A short story of mine...XP, Not that great, but please critique
