I’ve been seeing a theme in my life this week, having to do with friends and the positive challenge they bring to your life. This post, however is not directly about it, but it does have everything to do with it. See, my friend Estrella tagged me in a writer’s challenge. Here it is in a nutshell:
Now for the rules of this meme:
1. Go to page 77 in your current manuscript
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next seven lines as they are – no cheating
4. Tag 7 other authors (Done on Facebook)
I have two problems with the challenge (well, maybe 3…) 1) I haven’t reached page 77 yet. I’m close, but just not there. 2) I don’t know if I have 7 author friends on Facebook, especially 7 that haven’t been touched by Estrella yet. 3) well, I’m just plain scared, cuz I have so much work to do on it, but hey, what’s a little fear between friends… 🙂 )
So, I took a page from Kemari Howell, who tagged Estrella, and went to page 7. For those of you who have seen my latest status updates on Twitter and FB, here are your 7 lines:
Clayburn sat down and instead of pulling out the Journal he pulled out a file. He looked around the room, and gave a very strange and abrupt introduction to the meeting.
“This is why I was late.”
Everyone sat there, quiet, still, not knowing what to do or say. James turned to look at the rows and stacks of files behind him. He turned back, and looked closer at the file. Nothing on it, not thick with loads of information, and it was basically new.
“I take it that’s a new case.”
“You probably wouldn’t answer like that if you knew how long I was on the phone for this stupid little file.”
“Well, how bad could it be?”
“Luckily, you don’t have to worry about it. Rodney, this one’s yours. ”
(Geez, everything in me wants to try to explain everything, but I guess that’s the challenge, isn’t it?)
Notable Notables:
Catch Estrella’s 7 here: http://estrella05azul.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/lucky-seven-untitled-wip/
“Self Proclaimed Literary Seamstress” (I love that) Kemari Howell’s 7 is here: http://kemariwrites.blogspot.com/2012/03/lucky-seven-untitled-wip.html
Well, guess what, brother mine? I’m not far enough in any of my stories to lift seven lines (lines, not sentences) but I do have stuph from page 7 in each of the four. Therefore, in the spirit of the challenge, and to encourage you that you *can* write — Look at hers! I can do better than that! 😉 — I offer excerpts from each:
MM Diary
Granted, he brought the soldiers, but I think it would have happened anyway. The look on His face showed it to be inevitable. The increasing fury of the elders made it unavoidable.
But did they have to send so many soldiers? Obviously they believed He was as powerful as He claimed, otherwise why such a show of force? And the leaders must’ve been afraid of such self-assurance, such confidence, else why a mob? What’d they think? That we were going to fight for Him?
The Long Road
Surveying the canyon before me, I sensed this was a place I could remain forever, if I had to. Here, I was safe from enemies. Here, I could erect a shelter and find food aplenty.
But did I want to do that? What of finding out about my family and whom I was meant to be? If I remained here I might as well never have started this journey, for I knew no more now than when I’d begun. I resolved to use this time in the valley to gather strength and food for the journey ahead, however long or dangerous it might be, and find a way to fulfill my destiny.
Orion’s Belt
Madra wanted to make a star castle and wondered if using the Big Dipper as a scoop would help but the nearer she got, the larger it became, until she realized there was no way she could pick it up, much less carry anything else. “Well, that would’ve been fun,” she sighed. “Hey!” she thought. “Why not try the same thing with the Little Dipper?” Madra found that one of manageable size. Then, as she lifted it off the hook, she wondered how it must look from earth, seeing constellations moved. Maybe they couldn’t see it. Maybe she was moving it in the direction it was supposed to go anyway.
Jake’s Place
What does this self-confessed pencil neck geek know? I thought, but he convinced me it’s this pure acceptance of individuals no matter who they are or what they’re all about that keeps us going strong. His support for me, and for our vision to help the hurting, is why his is the name emblazoned in neon.
I love it here, believe it or not, even the sloppy drunks who think me incapable of defending myself and, after trying to force their attentions or commandeer the evening’s profits, have to be escorted into a cab at the end of their visit.
So proud of you and all your doing!
Margret
Oh nice, Margaret, what a great little teaser for so many works in progress!
Hi sis,
I’m with Estrella… I love these teasers. I’ve always known you to be an excellent writer, and one that does it for the love of the gift, which makes these even more special. Thanks so much
I’m so glad you accepted the challenge, Kenneth, thanks for playing along 😉
Love your seven lines, they make me want to learn more about these cases and the characters! *volunteers for beta reader*
Many *hugs* my dear friend <3
penciling you in as as beta reader (and if I can deliver the manuscript personally, that would be a plus 🙂 )
*hugs* right back to you -)