Hello Everyone. Welcome. I’ve taken a few weeks off to transition to a new job (Yay!) and participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge, where you have to write a post everyday but Sunday in alphabetical order during the month of April. I’m starting back up again with Sunday posts. Today, in addition to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday, I am also participating in Charity Sunday organized by Lisabet Sarai. Last time, I supported WETA, my local PBS station. This past month in my house has been a rich, albeit anxious time, as my daughter had to decide what college to attend. Given the challenges of paying for college, I’m focusing on that for this Charity Sunday. I will give two dollars for every comment to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund which provides scholarships to students as well as support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions.
I don’t have any relevant story that I’m writing or have written that looks at colleges (I will put it on my list to do) but over the last week, I started writing the first draft of book three of my Green Rising series. The tentative title is Bet on Me. Its very early days (I’m on chapter three). So I’ll just start with page one. But both characters will need each other to help build the future, which is what college does. Since its the very first draft and I’m still feeling my way around the characters and the plot, I warmly invite all comments and feedback.
Rianne Liu threw back her fourth scotch. The burn at the back of her throat the only thing she could feel anymore. She glanced around the empty bar, kept dark to hide the old bloodstains, mold, and years of rot. Very few ventured to this level of the spaceport. She shifted on the stool. The metal of her gun hidden under loose travel clothes heavy against her skin. She rarely needed it. Her hands were her deadliest weapons, but she still never went anywhere without it.
Another scotch appeared in front of her. She nodded at Cas, the bartender, in thanks. He shook his head as if to say it wasn’t me and pointed to the back of the room. She turned, her long hair whipping across her neck, rough against her scars. Those damn things still itched even after 20 years.
A tall man, brown hair peppered with gray and those unique amber eyes like a wolf on the prowl, wrinkled at the edges. Interchangeable blondes half his age curled around each arm. Sam Ryder. She wanted to rip his heart out with a spoon. What was the casino lord doing in the spaceport slum bar?
Please visit the bloggers from Weekend Writing Warriors, Snippet Sunday and Charity Sunday. For Charity Sunday, visit the other participants below:
Thanks for dropping by.
Hello, Shari,
Thanks for joining in on such short notice! And for a wonderful cause.
Meanwhile, your first page really grabbed me. I want to know more!
Thanks, Lisabet. I’m always happy to join Charity Sunday. It is such an important thing to do. Thanks for organizing.
Great setting! (And I loved that last line.)
Thanks. Always good to hear, especially on a very first draft.
Intriguing, but I don’t know if I would trust a drink from him, especially the purpose behind it.
He’s really a pretty trustworthy guy. Appearances can be deceiving (and intentional).
Rip his heart out with a spoon – now that’s a great visual.
Thanks, Daryl. I must admit I like it too.
Intriguing start! So many questions popped up in my mind. Good job of inserting little hooks all through this!
Thanks, Teresa. I started with what I know, while I develop the rest.
Lots of emotion here!
Thanks, Kris.
The line about the spoon sounds like the one uttered by Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Great intro to both characters.
I miss Alan Rickman and did see that movie, several times. I wonder if that’s where I got it from. Thanks for the reminder.
Ooh, the snippet raises all kinds of questions, which is always a good thing. Loved the way you wove in some of her backstory too. Terrific excerpt.
Thanks Veronica. Given how new it is, that is great to hear.
Great imagery! So many questions. I’m intrigued to know more.
Thanks, Karen. Glad its off to a good start.
Loved the excerpt, and the cause! Deciding on a college is so important–good luck to your daughter!
Thanks, Dee. It is an important decision, which can make it a hard one.
I can almost hear the theme music for this scene — the Cantina theme from Star Wars.
Its deserted, so I think of it as quiet. The Cantina theme seems more wild west in rhythm. Its an intriguing idea, and I’ll have a think if I want to add some type of music to the background.
Great start to this story! And good luck to your daughter with her decision!
Thanks. Its a hard decision to make.
Intriguing snippet. Nice start to the story
Thanks, Iris. Its really drafty so that’s nice to hear.