I decided to participate in an open call from Julie Luek’s blog where you show an excerpt of your Work In Progress (WIP). I thought this would be a perfect lead in for the blog post I’m doing tomorrow (12/5) called “The Next Big Thing.” More on that tomorrow. For now, let’s highlight “U Got The Look.”
Here’s how it works.
- Do a search in your current WIP for the word “look” or any form of the word.
- Copy and post the paragraphs surrounding the word “look.”
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WIP Title: A Little Bruised
Excerpt:
They want canadian viagra professional their men to be a nightmare for so many people. There cialis viagra on line is no need for prescription for these pills. This internal anti-aging strategy is known as Beauty From Within. prices cheapest levitra Extenze is one of the few products that has gained confidence from quite lots viagra online from canada of people from throughout the world for curing male sexual dysfunction. Nathan is in the family room watching sports on TV. My handbag and car keys are on the foyer table next to the flower arrangement I sent myself yesterday for our twenty-third wedding anniversary. I grab my keys, my handbag, and open the front door. I pause in the doorway to look back over my shoulder, at the life I lived here. Then silently, almost invisibly, I walk out the door.
I have no idea where I’m going. All I feel is the overwhelming burden of where I’ve been. The toll and heaviness of an undesired life. So for now, a hotel will have to do. One where no one can find me, and has big, fluffy pillows to hold my tears and muffle my screams. Tomorrow, when Nathan’s at work, I’ll go back for a few personal things. All I have now are the clothes on my back—clothes which are hanging wearily from my marriage-torn body.
The truth of the matter is, I’m a murderer. I’ve killed the one person who could’ve saved me—myself. I’ve traveled down this lifeless road for far too long, and now I’m stuck in blandness. I miss the flavor of life. The pleasure and joy of actually feeling feelings, instead of faking feelings. Faking joy, faking happiness. I’m living life without the spice of life and it’s taking its toll.
Nathan will be calling me when it becomes the middle of the night and I haven’t returned home. He’ll wonder where I am with a slight bit of concern. Or perhaps he’ll sleep like a corpse through the night and never give my absence a second thought. Either way, I’ve turned off my cell phone. His concern or lack of concern is no longer an issue for me.
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Thanks, Julie, for opening this meme up to all interested parties. It’s the perfect way to give readers a brief excerpt of my WIP in preparation for tomorrow’s blog topic.
Also to my regular blog readers, I realize you’re getting three, yes THREE blog posts in one week. And, no, I’m not on crack. Things will be back to normal next week.
Whoa, slow down Speedy Gonzales! Three posts in a week? I can barely contain myself! Those weekly stretches between posts…well, it gets lonely. 🙁 It was a pleasant surprise to see this topping my blogroll this morning.
Oooo…this sounds like a good story of finding the strength to make a radical change. Marriage-torn body…I like that. The exhaustion she feels fighting this losing battle came through loud and clear.
What a great way to set up your questionnaire for tomorrow’s post. Now to hear the story behind the story.
Great piece, Demetria!
Nicely written. I’m hooked already. You have a real gift for expressing and conveying emotions. I felt “heavy” and sad just in this short excerpt. I could feel her resignation and resolution. Marriage -torn body was very good.
You’ve nailed the somber, morose mood of your protagonist in just a few words. We feel her pain and sympathize with her. I like that she slips out of the door “almost invisibly.”
You’ve chosen first-person, present tense. This is a favorite of mine. I’ve used it in a couple of my manuscripts. It is an unwieldy beast to manage, but I love the immediacy it brings and how deeply we are pulled into the character.
ML, well played with the Speedy Gonzales payback. Well played. 🙂 Thanks for reading the excerpt. When I saw Julie’s blog I immediately thought it would be a great way to set up for tomorrow.
Julie, thanks for your insight. I’m glad you felt the heaviness and sadness which is exactly what I want the reader to feel because it’s a setup for the unexpected twists to follow.
Roxanne, I love first-person, present tense. It’s not a favorite for many writers, but I love it. It is definitely an unwieldy beast to manage, but sometimes it’s easier for me to write in that form than it is when I do third person.
I’m also glad you sympathize with the character. I didn’t want her to appear cold and unlikeable.
This is a wonderful excerpt from your WIP. I especially loved “I pause in the doorway to look back over my shoulder, at the life I lived here. Then silently, almost invisibly, I walk out the door.” Whew! I can’t wait to read the finished product.
Go ahead with your bad self having three posts in one week. I must admit I did a double-take when I got the email notification about the this post but I’m not complaining! Bring it on!
Thank you, Melissa. I’m glad you like the excerpt. Also I know a lot of people are doing “double-takes” from multiple posts. I’m sure they’re saying, WTH!!! 🙂
I like the feel of both of your WIPs. Can’t wait to purchase the finished products…..in which you will be live signing. None of those copy signatures missy.
Thanks Starla. And of course you know there will only be complete genuine signatures for you. That’s a given, my sister.
I am WAY behind on my reading, but I’m so glad that I read this. WOW! Demetria – nicely done. Your prose is really lovely. This is one WIP I want to read more More MORE of!!
Fantastic!
Thank you, Charlene, for the rave review. You are too kind, and I appreciate your generous words.