Last week, Jeff Clough tagged me in the look meme. Okay, there was a small problem. I have just begun a new WIP, and wanted to use it. The rules are:
1. Grab your current work in progress. Check
2. Find the first occurrence of the word “look.” Umm, “looked” is in a scene I had just outlined, not written.
3. Copy that paragraph and a few surrounding paragraphs. Well, here’s the outline paragraph. ”A few surrounding paragraphs,” um, well, they don’t exist yet.
4. Post them to your blog. Here you go:
Christine remembered how Estienne had looked at the church door. He had not smiled, and his hands trembled, but his eyes met hers with kindness. The breeze had ruffled his dark, curly hair, and lifted tendrils of Christine’s hair to reach toward him in concert with her thoughts. Her mind wandered as the priest said several prayers, although a phrase pierced the fog now and then. She blushed at the mention of children and grandchildren. Finally, Estienne put his family ring on each of her fingers in turn, rubbing the inkstained one with a smile, before replacing it firmly on the one carrying the vein to her heart. His hand was warm, and so solid she could remember its touch ten years later.
Her hand cramped, crushing the parchment, driving its edges into her palm. How could he be dead?
5. Tag five other people. Um, about that. I’m really not good at tagging people. I think these memes are fun, but some people think they are worse than root canals. So have a whirl, if it sounds like fun. Please leave a link in the comments if you do. I’d love to see your excerpts.
I did this meme a couple weeks ago, but wow, if this is just an outline, the real book’s going to be fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
By: Jennette Marie Powell on September 25, 2012
at 1:24 pm
Thank you, Jennette. I appreciate your kind words–I’m still very shy about putting excerpts out there, so you’re boosting my confidence!
I’m headed off to read your post on the meme. Thanks for letting me know you did it.
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on September 25, 2012
at 3:30 pm
Wow, I agree with Jennette, Elizabeth. Nice teaser! So glad you participated!
By: Karen McFarland on September 25, 2012
at 2:55 pm
Thanks, Karen. It is a fun meme, but I really had to force myself to put it out there. I’m glad you liked the excerpt.
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on September 25, 2012
at 3:31 pm
Beautiful and heart wrenching all at once. Fabulous piece, Elizabeth! I love these kind of memes! No root canal here. Well, I like reading other people’s, anyway.
By: Debra Kristi on September 25, 2012
at 3:20 pm
Yes, Debra, I don’t mind reading other people’s at all! I’m glad you liked the excerpt–it’s still rough, but it’s getting there.
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on September 25, 2012
at 3:34 pm
Oh, love that last line! Nice hook…best of luck with it!
By: Shannon Esposito on September 25, 2012
at 5:19 pm
Thank you, Shannon. I appreciate the good wishes!
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on September 25, 2012
at 7:49 pm
Whoa! You can’t leave us like that! I want more! Seriously, great excerpt, Elizabeth. You should do this more often.
By: lynettemburrows on September 25, 2012
at 9:57 pm
Thanks, Lynette. The wonderful responses I’ve gotten from all of you helps me get the confidence to post more.
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on September 26, 2012
at 9:44 am
Thanks for sharing this with us! But it’s so unfair to leave us hanging like that. I would have kept reading if there was more.
By: Marcy Kennedy on September 26, 2012
at 8:46 am
Sorry, Marcy! I have to write more first, though! I’ve only plotted out the scenes; this one was the first for which I wrote a longer outline. I’m becoming confident enough to post more when it’s written.
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on September 26, 2012
at 9:47 am
Oh, the last two sentences! They definitely tug at the heartstrings.
I always love it when you post excerpts, Elizabeth. Can’t wait to see what you do with this.
By: Lena Corazon on September 27, 2012
at 11:49 pm
Thank you, Lena. Everyone has been so kind, I’m becoming more confident about posting excerpts
I loved your haiku!
By: Elizabeth Anne Mitchell on September 29, 2012
at 3:16 pm