WIP Wednesday – Come Share What You’re Writing! January 2021

Posted on by Bryn Donovan

Hi friends! Welcome to the first WIP Wednesday of 2021!

For the uninitiated, WIP Wednesday happens on the first Wednesday of every month. I share a snippet of a work in progress and I invite you to do the same in the comments. It’s fine if it’s rough…that’s the “in progress” part, and I’m always sharing bits of first drafts, myself.

There are a few ground rules:

*no critiquing work or making suggestions (but encouraging words are, well, encouraged)

*no graphic material, though a vulgarity here or there is okay

*500 words or less…otherwise, I’ll cut it down

Sound good? Good! I’m sharing the beginning of a scene in which my hero, Dominic Joe (SPOILERS), is going to be made into a Wolf Shifter…it might continue next month.

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Mobile homes, tiny log cabins, and modest ranch houses comprised the Wolf Shifter settlement south of Springerville. Nic spotted the larger A-frame the Wolf Queen had described and pulled up to it. When he got out of the car, chilled air touched his face, punctuated with tiny raindrops and redolent of the fresh scent of the tall Ponderosa pines that surrounded them. Michael slammed the car door shut behind him, took in a deep breath, and exhaled.

As Nic drew up next to him, Michael asked, “How many are there in this clan?” He spoke in a low tone even though no Wolves were around—though they might’ve been in earshot, given their exceptional hearing.

“About three hundred,” Nic told him. “There are two other settlements close by.”

“Are they inbred?”

“No,” Nic snapped. Hopefully, there weren’t any Wolves listening, or Michael might’ve offended them already. “There’s probably ten thousand more, total, in the packs up north, and at least that many more in Eastern Europe and Russia. They’re all interconnected.”

Movement flashed in the corner of Nic’s vision and he turned his head. A charcoal gray pup bounded around the side of a mobile home, chased by another, lighter gray one. Michael let out a very un-warrior-like sound of delight as the one in pursuit caught up and bumped into the other one, who rolled on the grass. “They’re so cute!”

The two pups both looked up at Michael and Nic, exchanged a glance in a very human-like fashion, and then raced away to the back of the home again.

“Dominic. Michael.”

Nic whirled back around to see the Wolf Queen standing at the front door of the big house. Reflexively, he moved to bring the heel of his fist to his chest in a salute, and then caught himself. She wasn’t a comandante. He should’ve found out if there was any particular etiquette to observe when greeting the leader of a Shifter clan.

Michael, clearly untroubled by such questions, grinned at her as she walked down the front steps. “Hey.”

She nodded. “Both of you, follow me.”

Not sparing them another glance, she walked straight toward the trees to the right of the house. Michael raised his eyebrows, and they fell into step behind her.

She strode down no path that Nic could see, though he took note of the direction from the house, south by southwest. The violet twilight was fading to night and as they went deeper into the forest, the strangeness of the situation silenced even Michael. Nic heard only Michael’s footsteps and his own—and somehow, not those of the Wolf Queen.

Then a sweet, unearthly, high-pitched voice pierced the gloom. Nic froze. It vibrated from the top of his head and along every inch of his skin, raising goosebumps, and all the way down to the soles of his feet. Who could sing like that?

No one, he realized. It wasn’t a song. It was a howl.

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Okay, show us what you’ve got…or tell us about what you’re working on, or how your writing is going (or not going). If you’re just lurking, that’s fine too—we’re glad you’re here, and I hope you have a great week!

94 thoughts on “WIP Wednesday – Come Share What You’re Writing! January 2021”

  1. Amy says:

    Great excerpt! I loved Michael’s reaction to the wolf pups. 😀

    And this is my excerpt….

    Some helpful context: Raven is a vampire who used to be a butler. Missy is his fiancee who is in the hospital at the moment. They are able to communicate telepathically.

    ****

    Raven strolled through the crowds. He wasn’t in a particular hurry to get to his destination – The Red Envelope. He knew that Ambrose would not be there yet.

    He knew that Ambrose would return to Barbara after getting a bite to eat. Their reunion alone would take a while. He was sure of it.

    He held his hands limp at his sides with his fingers uncurled. In his mind, Missy was walking beside him and it was all a matter of time before she took his hand….either hand. As long as he didn’t look, he could pretend that she was there. Right there.

    Raven smiled at the pretense.

    Yet, Missy would not be so silent. Not even if she were angry at me. Especially if she were angry at me. She would speak volumes of words.

    He mentally reached for her.

    *Missy? Are you there?*

    *Raven! Are you okay? Are you safe? Is Ambrose safe? Have you heard from Robin and Isellta yet?*

    He smiled at her rapid fire line of questions.

    *I am safe and well. Ambrose is safe and well too. And no. I have not heard from Robin or Isellta yet. I was going to give them a few minutes before reaching out to them. How about you? How do you feel? Any oddnesses? Any changes?*

    *Nope! I’m doing 100% well. Oh, Raven! I can’t wait until I can come home with you.*

    Raven imagined her being home again. It was like imagining the summer sunlight in the midst of a hard, gray winter. A splendid mix of surreal, wonderful, and almost too much to hope for.

    *I look forward to it as well, Missy. My dear Missy. I love you. I cannot wait to hold you in my arms again.*

    *And I’m looking forward to seeing you shirtless again.*

    He choked out a laugh.

    *I love you, Raven. Don’t stay out too long.*

    *Do not worry. I will come to you as soon as I can.*

  2. Ivan Scott says:

    Hey Byrn and everyone. Happy New year!

    This is from my third book, a WIP titled, A Redhead in Tottenham. Soccer player Samantha Densmore is laying in a hospital bed after a collision with another player. She blocked a shot that saved the game but had to be carried off the field. Her love interest, although she doesn’t know it yet since she loathes, Ryan Tarkington, sits by her bedside to comfort her through her injury. Here is their exchange:

    “Your play saved the game for us. You have a lot of courage, Samantha Densmore.”

    “Right now I have a lot of headache. Besides, Kat is the one who won the game for us. She scored the goal. At least I think she did.” She closed her eyes and winced. “How did you know I was here?”

    “I like to keep tabs on my investments.”

    “Your investments? So I guess all we are now is a tax write off, right?”

    “I don’t write off things I intend to keep.”

    Samantha shook her head. She looked at him through her swollen eyes and said groggily, “What the hell does that mean?”

    “I’m not getting rid of the team.”

    “You’re what?”

    “I said I’m keeping the team.”

    Samantha closed her eyes and replied, “Fine. I’m too tired to argue with you.”

    Ryan smiled, then asked, “I know the answer, but I have to ask the question. Was it worth it?”

    “Was what worth it?”

    “Ending up here. The doctor told me you have a concussion.”

    “Did we win?” she asked rhetorically.

    Ryan nodded. “Yes, we did.”

    Samantha managed a weak smile. “Then it was worth it.”

    From the side, a nurse walked in holding a tray with a tiny paper cup and small glass next to it. “Time for your medication. This will help you sleep, that is if we can get this gentleman to say good night,” she said with a smile.

    Samantha winced and sat up slowly as she reached for the items on the tray, then downed the pill.

    After the nurse left, Ryan said, “Well, I better let you get some sleep.” He rose and was about to walk out, but stopped and looked at her. “I enjoyed watching you and the team play tonight.”

    She gazed at him, then said softly, “Thank you. Speaking of the team, did they go back to Tottenham?”

    Ryan looked down. “Yes. There was bad weather heading this way and they worried about driving the bus back to Tottenham in the storm.”

    Samantha bowed her head, then looked up. “Look, this is probably because I have brain damage at the moment, but,” she paused, then asked, “Would you sit with me, just until I fall asleep? I can handle the bruises and the pain. I can even handle the broken bones, but you’d be surprised how much being alone is my worst fear of them all.”

    Ryan looked down and cocked his head. “Really? A woman with your courage?”

    Samantha admitted, “Sometimes, you don’t have enough courage to face everything you need it for.”

    As the bright hospital room slipped further away and her eyes became heavy, Samantha could have sworn she heard Ryan say, “Don’t worry, Samantha Densmore. I won’t let anything hurt you. Not tonight.”

  3. Artemis Crow says:

    Hi Bryn,

    Ah, I love having animals in my books. The pups sound delightful but the rest of the scene…ominous, heavy. But who goes into a woods they don’t know with darkness falling, with a shifter queen? Gah! Scary! Loved the scene! Wonderful job setting the scene with just a few words.

    This is the opening scene of my current wip, Cancer’s Moon. Lots of animals…

    Cancer shifted his sore-to-the-bone body, trying to roll onto his side, but his face landed against a huge, hairy, furnace. Eyes still closed, he slipped a hand out from under his blankets and reached out. His palm landed on a thick-furred flank.
    “For goddess’s sake, why must you sleep right up against me, you overgrown dog,” he groused at the Fenrir wolf wriggling closer to him.
    The wolf snorted and bestirred itself just long enough to cut a fart in Cancer’s face.
    “Ah!” Cancer opened his eyes.
    The cavern’s light was low. Only the vialled souls of dead fallen angels hanging on the rough rock walls provided light enough to move around without tripping over the uneven ground, or over the dozens of wild and domesticated cats, Fenrir wolves, and paranorms sleeping, well, everywhere.
    He grabbed the edge of the blanket and fanned for a moment before turning away from the flatulent wolf and straight into the face of the black jaguar. Pale gold eyes stared at him from mere inches away. The huge cat’s lips curled, exposing his very long, very sharp teeth. A growl rumbled low, vibrating the mattress.
    Cancer froze, afraid to blink. Moving away was out of the question. He could slither down the bed, but the sheets were tucked in tight and he would be stuck. If he scooted up, he’d hit the headboard he just had to bring down to this lower cavern. Going over the top of the wolf was a seriously bad idea. You wouldn’t think such a huge beast would get touchy about being crawled over, but the Fenrir wolves took umbrage at the littlest things.
    He was trapped.
    “Outbreeder,” he whispered, his voice getting drowned out by the distant roar of the cavern’s twin waterfalls.
    Silence.
    Cancer closed his eyes and took another breath. Here goes nothing.
    “Outbreeder,” he said in a loud voice.
    Bodies shifted, snoring paused, a grunt or two sounded, but no reply.
    The jaguar growled louder, his body tensing.
    Something touched Cancer’s hair and he jumped. The cat rolled onto its belly and hunched its spine as if preparing to attack.
    “Be very still, Zodiac,” the Kellas Cat Outbreeder said.
    “I. Am.”
    “Can you make your shell appear in case I can’t stop him?”
    Cancer closed his eyes and willed his newly discovered power to create a defensive carapace into existence. “Done,” he whispered, relieved his voice didn’t crack like a stripling boy’s under the tension.
    She removed her hand from his head and backed away a few steps. “I’ll be right back.”
    “What? Wait.”
    “And my name is Nokomis, by the way, Outbreeder is my title,” came her hissed response.
    “You’re worried about nomenclature? Now?”
    “I don’t know what that means,” came her reply.
    “Suijin, save me.” Cancer pressed against the back of the wolf and gave the jaguar a glance. “Still deciding which body part you’ll eat first, aren’t you?” Cancer whispered.

  4. R.L. Merrill says:

    Thanks Bryn!
    This is an excerpt from my WIP Connection which is a paranormal romance that is leaning more towards supernatural suspense haha. Jackson Howe, former Ranger-turned-art teacher at a boarding school for child victims of trauma. A friend had her plane hijacked by members of a cult called Maker’s Plan and he believes she’s crashed in the Florida Everglades. He’s enlisted another former Ranger to help him scope out the situation.

    Ryder was a quiet dude when he got emotional. His voice lowered and he couldn’t make eye contact. I appreciated that he’d been concerned about me. I firmly believe that the more people believe in something, the more power that belief is given. The more folks who believed I was to be worried about, the more likely the bad outcome.
    It was also why I was so concerned about this Maker’s Plan. This was some serious Jim Jones stuff here and I was terrified that they could have Cassidy in their clutches. I wasn’t sure what was better, if she was off with some hillbilly in the ‘glades, about to be gator food, or if she was with this “community.” My mind was spinning with possible scenarios. I was glad I’d hooked up with Ryder and that he knew this place well. I was even more pleased that he had a friend we could count on, but the thought of anyone else being hurt because of this Rains guy.
    “Hey, Howe. I smell smoke.”
    “Yeah, it’s me,” I said.
    “For real? Like, the wheels turning kind of smoke?”
    “Not exactly. Whatever is going on out here,” I said, gesturing to the expanse of green before us. “Whatever happened to Cassidy, it’s like it keeps happening to me. The crash, the fire. I’ve got aches and pains that I can’t explain. My vision and hearing go out. And the smoke.”
    “Weird. Well, all right. You’ve got me convinced. Geoff, well, he don’t believe much in what he can’t see, feel, or shoot, you get what I’m saying? But he’s a solid dude.”
    Ryder’s truck was outfitted like the vehicles we drove in Iraq. Satellite phone, he had a laptop, navigation system, all kinds of gadgets that would make our lives easier.
    “Geoff will meet us at his dock, we’ll head towards the fire site, and then we’ll see what’s what.”
    “Ryder,” I started, knowing full well what his answer was going to be.” I’m fully prepared to go this on my own from there. I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, but if this is what I think it is—”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah, spare me the Lone Ranger bull, Howe. The more dangerous this might be,” he said in a snarky tone, “the more I ain’t letting you out of this truck without backup.”
    “I’m armed, I can handle—”
    “Yeah, whatever. If there’s something hinky going on in my swamp, it’s my business. If you hadn’t noticed,” he pointed at the patch on his uniform sleeve, “I represent the Man out here. End of discussion.”
    I snorted. “The Man, huh? More like the reptile, or the fish maybe.”
    He punched me in the arm and I howled with laughter.
    “I’ll have you know there are more armed whack jobs out here running around than in Fallujah, you got it? These hillbilly folk ain’t no joke.”
    “Aw, and now you’re a poet.”

    Thanks everyone! Best of luck!

  5. Cheryl Alsippi says:

    Oh, I want more! 🙂 I love this excerpt Bryn. I have read The Phoenix Codex and am working on another right now but am excited to get to the Equinox Stone soon. Reading this makes me even more excited about it. Good luck with its progress. My excerpt is from a short story I have been working on. This is just a section. It’s called The Call of the Sea.
    The foaming tide is cool as it laps at the scars on my feet, drawing at me with the ebbing of each wave. Maybe the sea remembers me. Maybe it wants me back. I sit, sinking in further as the sand builds up around me every time the water recedes, until I am nothing more than a small piece of the surrounding backdrop.

    It has been many years since I watched the sun rise over this section of the beach, or any beach for that matter. Years since I enjoyed the reflections of gold and pink against the vast expanse of water. Each wave that washes over me brings with it memories. Memories of a community of sea-dwellers and days spent among them learning the ways of our dying breed – watching as we decreased in number until there were only a few. The elders – concerned, not knowing if more were to be found alive and lacking the strength to search, nudged me on, toward the shore and into the shallows where they seaweed thickened. It was there that I was caught up, unable to either advance to the unknown or retreat to the safety of the only world I ever knew.

    It was there that Maura found me all those years ago, half out of the water and very near to death. Though not much more than a child, she was instinctively gentle as she removed bits of debris from my long tresses and used the cooling sea water to wash away dried blood from my injured forehead. She left me to rest for a short while, returning with a wagon and helped me onto it. Luckily the beach was short and the sand hard from the recent tide making it possible for her to pull me along to her cottage and family who nursed me back to health. With each passing day, their loving care and understanding allowed my trust to grow and more and more I felt like I belonged here. Time passed. The further we moved from the water, the more my body changed; scales faded away and limbs divided, leaving only tell-tale scars remaining – evidence of what I once was. I have remained that way ever since. We moved again and again, further inland and I began to forget.

    After time, I no longer yearned for the past, for a life shared with those who are considered a myth – nonexistent. Maura and I were together as sisters and I knew nothing but love and patience from parents who treated me as their own.

    Many years passed in that happy existence but recent dreams have drawn me back to this beach. It seems smaller now but the sea is the same, as vast as it was in my furthest memories.I sit now, my body unchanged by time, and begin to feel a familiar tingle – a tugging at my soul.

  6. Pamela says:

    I LOVED this excerpt! I’ve spent a lot of time in Springerville. 🙂 As if Nic couldn’t get any sexier, he gets to be a wolf shifter? Rawr!

    Since last month a shared a scene that had Wyatt interacting with Luc(ifer), I thought I’d post one with the Devil paying Mary an unexpected visit, after someone had tried summoning him by sacrificing a bunch of kidnapped house pets.

    ***

    Luc took a chair at her kitchen table, his relaxed body language that of someone who felt he had every right to be there. He sat there looking perfectly, devilishly handsome, like some ridiculous supermodel who also happened to be a billionaire.

    “Why are you here?” Mary asked, setting a mug of fresh, black coffee in front of him. She hadn’t wanted to let him stay, but she decided it was probably smarter to at least find out what the hell he was doing in Wickwood.

    He pulled a gold flask out of his jacket. After pouring a healthy dollop of the-gods-only-knew-what into the coffee and making the flask disappear again, he said, “I heard you’re the new Sentinel, and I just thought I’d come congratulate you.”

    He was such a liar. “Why, thank you. Now why are you really here?”

    “I was summoned.”

    She blinked in surprise. “What.”

    “Or, rather, someone tried to summon me. With house cats and poodles and such. Can you imagine? Insulting. Anyway, when I realized someone was asking for my help here on your home turf, I got curious. Thought I’d say hello.”

    She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms across her chest, trying to decide whether he was telling the truth or not. He didn’t have the nickname Father of Lies for no reason.

    “If you think I’m going to ask you for help or for any favors, you’re crazy,” she replied.

    “Maybe I’m just offering, no strings attached.” He smiled his panty-dropping smile. “There’s some vicious, evil, murderous energy brewing right here. Since we’re friends, I thought I’d hang around. Lend a hand.”

    “We are not friends.”

    He pretended like he hadn’t heard her. “God knows your sheriff is so far out of his depth, it’s laughable. I take it he doesn’t know what you are.”

    She clenched her teeth so hard, pain shot into her jaw.

    “That’s what I thought. I paid him a visit, curious to know what kind of man attracts you.”

    “What? When? He didn’t tell me he saw you.”

    “That’s because he doesn’t remember.”

    “He remembers everything. He’s got an eidetic memory.”

    “Not when it comes to me.” His lips curled into a smirk. “What do you suppose he’ll do when he figures out that you’ve been lying to him?”

    “I haven’t lied.”

    “A lie of omission is still a lie, Mary. Trust me. I’m an expert in these things.” He sipped his coffee.

    “Please, just leave. Leave me alone. Don’t come back. People already think we’re in league.” She made air quotes around the last two words.

    “That never stops being funny to me. Never. You have to admit it’s hilarious. If only they knew about Lilith.” He said plaintively. He made a sour face. “She still refuses to give me the time of day.”

    “That’s because you’re a dick.”

    He gave her a modest smile. “Flatterer.”

  7. Adriana Talamantes says:

    Happy New Years guys!!!? I loved all your experts and they push me further. Bryn I also love that last paragraph ,it sent chills up my back. My WIP is counties from lasts months,The Rageful Ones…
    We enter a one lane and cars are backed up bunker to bunker. My mother is nearly to tears and I softly wrap my fingers around my mother’s wrist. “Mom, it’s going to be alright, we’re going to be safe.” She shakes her head and she says “ I should’ve told you sooner”. I’m taken back ,what is she talking about , “Mom , you’re not making any sense”. She quickly says “I’m sorry ,baby”. Her face is all messed up and a sadness so deep shows. Fear grips my throat, tighting and panic fills my words. “ Mom..”. She keeps mumbling “I’m so sorry , I shouldn’t have, I shouldn’t…” “Mom , please tell me” I say “ I’m scared, just please”. She stares ahead and we move slowly,she starts talking fast not once looking at me.
    “I know this might sound crazy but it’s true, your father is an …alien”. I cut her off , disbelief in my voice. I jokingly say “ you don’t mean like a green alien thing, where immigrants” Then I look at the big ship and my mother looks at me. I sit back ,dazed. Aliens? “He was sent here to do dimatic research on humans. And we fell in love, he knew that we couldn’t stay here so we went to his planet. But they have a rule against humans being there or something so we had to run to a different planet. We married and had you and I guess they found out that we ran away. But they caught us but your father managed to smuggle us to Caree but I took us back to Earth.So I raised you here and while you were growing up they looked for you. They aren’t very fond of half bloods,especially aliens. You’re important Rose,you’re royalty. I think they’re coming for you.”
    I was stunned into silence,and blink rapidly. Trying to figure if this is real. I breath out everything seems to hit me at once,this is real and it’s happening, I have no time to plan or understand or to believe. Anger seeps into my bones. I try to push it away, it’s not my mother’s fault. She’s just trying to protect me, but she could’ve told me.
    The anger seems to spread, I don’t want this to be real. I quietly ask “ Who are they”.? My mother bites her lip “ There in the Polton galaxy,most of them come from Texton, and Caree. You’re father was the prince of power, strength and fire. It’s in his blood, it’s in yours. See the leaders are called The Rageful Ones took your father. There coming after you Rose, I have to get you out of here”. She twists the wheel and we turn onto a field , I screech and grip the seat. Sirens behind us, my mother drives faster cutting off into a side street. “Mom ,what are you doing” I say while slamming against the door my flashlight flying out my hands.

    • Lisa Hoffman Wagner says:

      Awesome revelation! I was shocked when Rose’s mother told her she’s half alien. Now I’m curious about…well, everything! Keep up the good work. I hope we get to read more.

    • Bryn Donovan says:

      Hi, Adriana! Thanks for the kind words, and I’m so glad we’re seeing more of this one. I love this idea of her father being an alien—It’s a great reveal! And people don’t write enough alien stories, in my opinion. 🙂

    • Cheryl Alsippi says:

      Wow, what a shocker! Her mother is telling her all of these things, all at once. No wonder she is so surprised and can hardly respond! And, it appears the sirens are coming after Them! I am curious to see how they get away.

  8. Gayle Bauer says:

    Hello, everyone I am new to this group. Happy New Year. Okay here it goes, It might not be 500 words sorry. I am going to give it a try. GIGI Francisco meets a handsome Prince Named Roberto Grant. GIGI had no clue that he was a Prince. They glanced at one another. At that moment they instantly had an eye grazing and it was so intense. GIGI decided to introduce herself to the Prince, but she did not know That. Hopefully you enjoyed this little Bit.

  9. Jessie E Turner says:

    Hi Bryn, your piece is amazing. The setting had me immersed immediately and the emotion gripped me.
    Now for my WIP from my current project, Challenge of the Lost Legacy. Some things you should know: Ana is a crown wearer. Her husband, Maika, is her disc rider and Ninika’s mentor.
    At this point Ninika is blind. Ninika and his brother, Viaku, are supposed to develop a relationship of trust, but they just had an explosive argument.
    ~*~
    “Ninika?” It was Ana’s voice.
    He blew out a shaky breath. “I’m sorry, Ana.”
    “Whatever for?”
    “That you had to hear what I said to Viaku. It didn’t have anything to do with you. And for keeping you awake when you needed to rest.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Viaku deserved what he got.”
    “But you don’t know what he got. Nobody deserves that. All of those images from Ilio. I dumped them all in the crown!”
    “None of it was your fault, Ninika. You were just a child when it happened. You were what, eight years old?”
    “Nine.”
    She paused. “I know what it’s like to be bombarded by images from a Sun Warrior. My father did the same things Ilio did. And it exploded into my mind the moment I put on Kavika’s crown for the first time.”
    He raked his hand through his hair. “How do you deal with it?”
    “I’ve had training. It helped me to change the way I think about the trauma. You’ll get training, too, Ninika and so will Viaku.”
    “I don’t want to be a disc rider. It’s just a way to hurt people.”
    “Hurt people? You just saved everybody’s life.”
    He thought about having his friend, Maika, working beside him. “I couldn’t have done anything without Maika,” he hastily added, “and you.”
    “And Viaku.”
    He cleared his throat. “And Viaku.”
    “Listen, Ninika.” She sounded reluctant. “When you had your hands on the crown, did you share anything about me?”
    “No. Just about Viaku.” He shrugged. “And Ilio.”
    She coughed softly. “I was just thinking about the terrible things I did to you when you first admitted that you could see me with your mind.”
    “You were afraid, Ana.”
    “That’s no excuse for bullying you. I see now how damaging that was to you.”
    He sniffed. “I was going to talk to you about it.”
    “Why didn’t you?”
    He shook his head. “It’s an ordeal to get crystals of your own. You needed rest. And you had just worn yourself out repelling Antilight.” Although he still couldn’t see her, he heard her movement.
    She spoke quietly. “Viaku said you don’t think about anybody but yourself. I think he was projecting those judgements on you because he has such a tendency to do it himself.”
    “That’s something to think about.” He paused. “Ana?”
    “Yes?”
    “I’ve seen how you work with Maika. There’s something extra between you.”
    “There is.” There was warmth in her voice.
    “And I’ve seen how Mother and Father interact, but Viaku and I don’t have that kind of connection. I don’t think I can be his disc rider. I think it was only possible because it was such an emergency. I think he’ll want to dump me the first chance he gets.”
    “Technically he hasn’t received a commendation to be a crown wearer. Let’s just wait and see what happens.”
    Ninika forced a breath. “We don’t have much time. The danger’s not over yet.”
    “What could possibly be more dangerous than Antilight?”

  10. Jan Fosbinder says:

    HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL….ANYTHING WILL BE BETTER THAN 2020…DON’T YOU AGREE…MY FAVORITE COUPLE…JONAH AND TALLULAH…
    Jonah jumped out of the cab of his combine. Tallulah was a sight for sore eyes. She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with unease. She handed him a manilla envelope. Her beautiful face had the burn in his heart ignite into a wildfire.
    “I brought you something. Open it.”
    He read the enclosed document. Her final divorce decree. Signed. Sealed and Delivered. His eyes went to hers as she took a knee.
    “Tallulah, what are you doing?”
    “You’ve asked me three times to marry you. I hope I only have to ask you once. I’m proposing to you. Jonah Samuel Abel, now that I’m a free spirit, a woman who loves you with everything she has, will you make me an honest woman and marry me. Our hearts belong together.”
    Jonah’s smile was worth its weight in gold.
    “Yes, I’ll marry you. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you. The force of your love changed my life. I love you so damn much. You wacky delicious little woman. Now, get up here so I can kiss you.”
    “Nope, not yet. Give me your left hand.
    “Why?”
    “Because I want it.”
    Jonah held out his left hand. Tallulah reached into the pocket of her jeans and slipped the most horrendously, obnoxious, very BIG men’s ring on his ring finger. His eyes widened and a slow rumble of laughter emerged from his throat.
    She couldn’t be serious. Could she? With Tallulah, you never could be sure what she was thinking. Her unpredictability is one of her greatest qualities.
    The center stone was as big as a quarter set on a plastic gold one-inch wide band surrounded by more obnoxious glimmering stones.
    “Do you expect me to wear this?”
    Tallulah frowned.
    “Why? You don’t like it? It was expensive. It cost me five dollars and fifty cents in quarters to get it out of a gumball machine. When I saw it I knew you had to have it.”
    By this time, tears were rolling down Jonah’s cheeks from his laughter.
    “I love it. They always say it’s the thought that counts. I’ll save it for special occasions. Now get up here, I want to kiss you.”
    The signed divorce decree fluttered to the ground as I reached for Tallulah’s hand. I hadn’t kissed her in over four months and by damn I planned to make this kiss count. Our lips crashed together and tongues tangled furiously with unequivocal love. It felt like heaven having her back in my arms.
    Jonah broke the kiss breathless.
    “Let’s go home. Your place or mine?”
    Tallulah laid her head on Jonah’s chest. His heart was pounding frantically. Her heart mirrored the same frantic rhythm. All she wanted to do is hold him. Her sexy farmer.
    “My house. I bought another one of the sleazy negligees in hope that you would forgive me and accept my proposal.”
    “Hmmm. Is it as racy as the last one?”
    “Let me put it this way. There will be no doubt in your mind my intentions.”
    “I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”
    “Don’t you have to finish up this field?”
    “Not today. I have better things to do.”
    Falling in love with Tallulah was a beautiful, wonderful moment of magnificent insanity. She was the most intoxicating woman on the face of the earth and she was his.

    • Lisa Hoffman Wagner says:

      Aww, Jan…this was great! And although I’m an old-fashioned girl at heart, I really do love it when the woman proposes. And the ring she gives him…awesome!

    • Cheryl Alsippi says:

      You go Tallulah! Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the images of these two characters and also the how crazy they are about each other.

    • Cheryl Alsippi says:

      Hi Jan, sorry about the message I was sending you that ended up in Donald’s segment. Here it is:

      You go Tallulah! Thanks for sharing Jan. I enjoyed the images of these two characters and also the how crazy they are about each other.

  11. Donald Knowlton says:

    Due to life changes, I got married again, Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy. I’ve not worked on my two WIPs so I wrote a short piece for amusement.

    The Most Important Story I Will Ever Write.

    Having no current fresh fiction due to life’s realities, I default to the biggest story of my life.

    I believed I had started this story on July tenth 1980 and finished it on January 17 2017. Every lesson and mistake I made since my birth January 1 1953 prepared me to enter the mysterious world of marital bliss. My education continues to this day. It has prepared me for the chaos that would ensue from a second marriage.

    One new lesson is, my children feel I have turned my back on their departed mother for a quickie marriage, which is not true, and my mature life is not their business, as their mature lives are not mine. There are mistakes in my assumptions that I must deal with. More life lessons to come.

    The story of my life continues with all its subplots and quirks. I wish there was a handbook, The Definitive Guide for the Recently Widowed and Retired.

    I will continue to write of the adventures I wished to live, and which will guide me through the rest of my days.

    • Bryn Donovan says:

      Donald, what?!?! Congratulations! My goodness. It’s great to hear some good news. I’m so sorry your children are having trouble coming to grips with it. I’ve known of similar situations where the children come to accept it completely, and I certainly hope that turns out to be the case here. Sending you all my best wishes!

    • Cheryl Alsippi says:

      Congratulations Donald! (sorry about the reply above that I meant for Jan that came up on your segment–but I don’t know. how to remove it.)
      I’m happy for your news of finding love and a new marriage. Keep on writing, you certainly have a way with words. Good luck!

  12. Lisa Hoffman Wagner says:

    Happy New Year, Everyone! May 2021 bring a breath of fresh air… 🙂

    Loved the piece, Bryn! Ahh, werewolves…so near and dear to my heart (but, then again, I love vampires, too.) I’m always torn because I adore your excerpts, but I grapple with the spoilers…lol Nevermind…keep ’em coming!

    Here’s my piece…just an exchange from book 2 that I’ve cleaned up a little and personally enjoy.
    —
    Following an unexpectedly lavish breakfast, Phaelan waited in the lobby while Syrach settled their fees.
    “Bless my heart,” a familiar male voice sounded behind her. “Lady Szapiorus?”
    She spun around, assessing the soldier with light brown fur and a kindly face. She drew an excited breath. “Mateus Garzyk! I can’t believe it!” She tossed formality aside and rushed him, hugging him like a long-lost friend.
    He stiffened. When she released him, he stepped back, rubbing his neck. “I-I w-wasn’t sure you’d re-remember me. It’s a joy seeing you again, my Lady. We panicked when you failed to return from Tchrokmyrr, but after Jarus Emparti wired Rhoenglasz yesterday with news of your safe return, I swear the kaptum loosed its collective breath.”
    ‘Oh gods…Beilor knows where I am!’ She licked her lips as tension crept into her face. Her heart thudded faster. “It was a journey I’ll not soon forget…or ever recommend.” Her gaze slipped to the gleaming pins on his collar denoting his rank. “And…look at you: Commander! When I returned from Anthierri, Aeoulys mentioned you’d been assigned to northern Graeor. I’ve often thought about you.”
    Mateus averted his eyes, his ears flattening. “The k’Sina sparing a thought for me? I don’t deserve the honor.”
    “You’re my brother’s best friend and one of the first vardun I met in this world…of course you do.”
    He stuffed his hands in his pockets but managed to meet her gaze and even conjure a shy smile. “As ever, my Lady, I stand ready to serve you should you require me—”
    “The Lady has an escort, Commander Garzyk,” Syrach growled, stalking up behind Mateus.
    Phaelan noticed her husband’s furrowed brow…his neck and shoulders taut as piano wires. He brushed past the soldier to Phaelan’s side, her coat draped over his arm. She tried shooting him a disapproving look, but Syrach’s focus wasn’t on her for a change.
    Mateus curled his hand in a fist and grudgingly pressed it to his heart. “Lord Gendreyllen…pardon me. I was unaware you’re attending to Lady Szapiorus.”
    As Phaelan slipped into the coat Syrach held up, she had to admit she rather enjoyed her husband’s testosterone-fueled protectiveness. Still… Drawing out her hair from her jacket, she arched her brows at Syrach while mentally urging, ‘Back off—he’s ok.’
    Syrach settled into a defensive stance like a gargoyle perched atop a cathedral; Oennac’s frigid energy seethed from him in tarlike waves.
    Phaelan ignored his tantrum. She touched Mateus’s shoulder. “Since returning from Tchrokmyrr, Lord Gendreyllen’s been kind enough to indulge my company while I explore Graeor’s current political climate.”
    “Then, the fortune is his,” Mateus glanced sharply in Syrach’s direction. His voice grew bolder. “Should you, however, wish respite from your obligations, my Lady…I’ll be staying in Llynden until—”
    Syrach swooped forward, presenting his arm to Phaelan while flashing his fangs at Garzyk. “I assure you, the k’Sina’s needs are well-satisfied, especially since I’m now her hus—”
    She clamped down on Syrach’s arm, digging her fingernails into the soft wool of his sleeve. “Host, yes…Commander Garzyk understands.” She turned back to the commander. “I cannot promise I’ll have time, Mateus, but thank you truly for the offer.”

    • Jessie E Turner says:

      I love these descriptions, Lisa. “Syrach settled into a defensive stance like a gargoyle perched atop a cathedral; Oennac’s frigid energy seethed from him in tarlike waves.”

      • Lisa Hoffman Wagner says:

        Thank you Jan! I often have a hard time with metaphors and similies, so when I stumble on good imagery, it’s lmost a blessing!

    • Cheryl Alsippi says:

      I love the imagery Lisa. I could “see” everything I was reading. I think I want to hug Mateus. 🙂 Great excerpt!

      • Lisa Hoffman Wagner says:

        Thanks, Cheryl! Yeah, I would love to hig Mateus, too. He’s one of my favourite characters, and we’ll see more of his background in a future book.

    • Bryn Donovan says:

      Hi Lisa! Aww…I really like Mateus. Male jealousy, hahaha.

      When I read, “It was a journey I’ll not soon forget…or ever recommend.” I thought, Well, I could say that about a few things.

      Thanks for posting! Have an awesome weekend!

  13. Katrina Sommer says:

    Bryn, I love where this is going! I wish there was more of it, but I guess I’ll just have to get the book when you publish it later this year!

    I don’t have anything to share right now, but I’m enjoying soaking up everyone else’s work!

  14. Kimberly B. says:

    Happy New Year! What a great excerpt, Bryn! Very atmospheric! I confess, I would have reacted the same way as Michael to the wolf cubs. So cute!

    I’m still working on draft 3 of my historical fantasy Eyes of Wood, Heart of Stone, a prequel to the story of Tam Lin. Janet has just rescued Tam Lin, whom my protagonist, the Faery Queen, was about to sacrifice to Hell. To persuade Janet to give up her claim, the Queen is telling Janet her life story. Here is one of their exchanges:

    “I do not believe you,” Janet says.

    The night sky is so still, no birds calling, not a soul around to hear her save for me and the princeling, who cannot speak. I have never known the forest to feel as lonely as it does now.
    Then again, the forest is Faery, and Faery is me. Why should it not be lonely? What burdens I carry I must face alone.

    I will not betray this to the human lass. I toss my head back in laughter. “You think I stand here on this endless All Hallows Eve and tell you lies?”

    Janet’s cheeks flush. She is so young, so quick to bristle at any perceived condescension. So prone to see the world only in shades of black and white. “I do not believe you are the girl in the story. How devoted she was to her healing. How kind to that little boy.” She swallows nervously, but lifts her head as she declares, “A girl like that could never threaten to take Tam Lin’s life.”

    No, she would not have. That much is true.

    Her recriminations should hurt. When I had my heart of flesh, I know they would have. Now I look back and feel neither sorry nor regret. I have made choices for the sake of my people, and if they were difficult ones, that only reveals how strong I was. Am still.

    My attention goes to Tam Lin. He was a fair companion. He filled my bed. Good-looking for a mortal, fit enough to be a queen’s consort, or a seducer by the well.

    Janet is naïve enough to think any of that matters.

    “Need I remind you,” I tell her quietly, “that Tam Lin can lie to you, whereas I cannot?”

    She presses her lips together, a stubborn pout. She does not believe he would lie to her, cannot see his human frailty.

    Once I looked upon his father with such trust in my eyes. Now they have gone wood-hard, no longer able to gaze at mortals without seeing their demise.

    “Well,” I continue, “perhaps I am not the same girl after all. But I will have you hear how that change came to be.”

    • Lisa Hoffman Wagner says:

      This is so cool, Kimberly. I’m currently doing bedtime reading to my kids from a book of Scottish fairy tales, and we enjoyed a short version of the tale of Tam Lin last night. Your excerpt is considerably more eloquent! Hope to read more!

    • Cheryl Alsippi says:

      Interesting excerpt Kimberly. I like the reflections, the thoughts in the queen’s mind especially. I’m looking forward to next month and hearing more.

    • Bryn Donovan says:

      Kim, thanks for the kind words 🙂 Okay, I know I say something like this every time, but your voice is just a knockout. It’s so lyrical, distinctive, and engaging. Always a pleasure to read! I hope you have a great weekend!

  15. Erin McKnight says:

    If I wasn’t excited for this book before, I sure am now. How did they even end up in this situation? Oh I’m so excited!

    The scene I am sharing today comes from what will be my second novel, sent the first to the editor yesterday. Paige is out celebrating a win at work with her friends when she gets an unexpected phone call.

    “So,” Jeff said, leaning across the table to be better heard over the bar noise, “now that you are practically the new VP of Marketing, does that mean you’re finally going to get your love life straightened out.
    “What love life?” Natasha quipped.
    My head snapped towards Natasha. “Hey! I have a love life.”
    “Oh really?” I nodded. “When was the last time you went on a date?”
    The answer should have been easy. I should have been able to rattle off an answer without missing a beat. Instead, a line formed between my brows. The last date I could remember was when I went out with that guy from accounting. What was his name? Chip? Chris? That had been almost a year ago.
    Natasha’s smile grew smug. “That’s what I thought. Paige, you’re got to get yourself out there.”
    I sighed and fingered the heart-shaped lock charm on my bracelet.
    Natasha was right. There hadn’t been a lot of traction in the dating department of late. But it wasn’t my fault I had more important things to do. In college, I had to worry about making the grades to keep my scholarship. Not to mention all of the essay writing contests I entered to try and cover the costs my scholarships didn’t.
    Now I had to worry about the next pitch meeting or ad campaign I was working on. Those took up a lot of my time. Besides, nobody ever quite seemed to measure up to a certain blue-eyed cowboy.
    I know I shouldn’t compare a new romantic interest to my ex. There are thousands upon thousands of magazine articles about it. But is it so wrong to want a relationship that seems to flow that easily?
    “Fine,” I sighed. “I promise to start making more time for dating if…” The screen on my phone burst to life as it started vibrating violently on the table. I reached to ignore the call when the name on the screen caught my attention. My sister.
    My heart felt like it was trying to beat it’s way through my ribcage. The last time Georgia had called me outside of a birthday or holiday had been with Dad died.
    “Uh,” I worked to keep the tremble out of my voice, “I’m going to step outside and take this.”
    Natasha frowned. We’d been listening to each other’s phone conversations since college. If I was stepping out, she knew it was serious.
    Jeff and Emily nodded their acknowledgment before turning their attention back to their conversation.
    Steeling my nerves, I weaved my way through the 4-tops and well worn pool tables to get to the front door. A burst of shrill Chicago air ripped through me as I opened the door. I cursed myself for not grabbing my coat before answering the phone.
    “Georgia?”
    “You need to come home.”

  16. Jan Fosbinder says:

    Thanks Lisa….I’m having such a great time writing their story. I crack myself up writing these off the wall scenes. Honestly, I’m a little off the wall myself. I actually gave my husband of now 55 years the BIG, OBNOXIOUS RING for our 25th Anniversary. He still has it…Thanks for reading my post.

  17. Chris says:

    Your ability to vividly describe things is fantastic and engaging. Unfortunately, my job has kept me from putting the scene fleshed out in my head into prose. I hope to have something next month.

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