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I’m continuing to post bits of my completed novel because it’s now in its second round of beta reading and because I’m in a complete and total writing funk. I’ve started four projects in the last week, and none of them have the right feel. I’m sure there’s something underlying my inability to write anything better than “It was a dark and stormy night,” but heaven only knows what it is. I’m consoling myself by taking a break and reading instead.
This week’s snippet is far shorter than last week’s, but it hardly matters (you’ll see why). I thought I’d give you a little treat for patiently reading the rest of what I’ve posted over the weeks. My math was simple: 2 x 26 = 52, so 52 words.
The context is that Phin has decided he needs to confess to someone what he’s really doing at the school, so he asks Alex to go somewhere with him to discuss it. They get a little (ahem, a lot) distracted after their conversation.
All Phin cared about now was being two inches from Alex and how he wanted nothing more than to make up for all the time they’d spent apart. He reached out and rested his hand on Alex’s neck. When he received confirmation in Alex’s eyes, Phin closed the gap and kissed him.
Awww. Now, how many different ways can Phin find to screw this up? Mwahahaha!
Thanks to K.L. Schwengel for hosting. Join in the fun by posting your link here. Happy writing!
Ah ha! It’s a twist! Good one, Amy. 🙂
As to the writing funk, one thing that helps me when I’m starting something new is to remind myself that all first drafts are sh*t. The good stuff doesn’t start emerging out of that initial mind dump until you’ve been working on it for a while. *g*
Thanks. 🙂 When I started this story, Phin was supposed to end up with Dani. They stubbornly refused, because they were both in love with other people. I think they’ll still be friends, though. Uh, regular friends, not FWB.
That’s good advice. I’ve been “brain dumping” for about a week. I have 3 things I want to develop further, but I feel like I’m missing something that the story wants me to discover. There’s this part in one of the Narnia books where Lucy feels like she’s arrived either too early or too late for something to happen (I think it might be waking the trees or something). That’s how I’m feeling right now.
Simple excerpt but effective. I really got a good sense of Phin’s feelings, how things have been leading up to this for him.
Thanks! While writing this, I was constantly asking my husband how a guy might feel/react to things. He never said he was tired of my questions, so I guess my “research” wasn’t a burden. 🙂
These two… It’s about time. 😀
Oh, and you could always do worse than to write this story:
😀
Hahaha! And yes, it was about time. Poor Phin’s been pining away.
About time somebody made a move. 😉 Nicely woven.
Just remember: any writing is better than no writing at all. Which is why I have several notebooks (both digital and actual) in which I write when I’m stuck or just not in the groove for one of my current WIPs. Doesn’t matter what I write, about who, when, where, etc. It’s like doodling. But with words.
Yep. Phin didn’t want to mess things up. But this scene isn’t even 2/3 of the way through the story, so…plenty of time to mess up anyway.
I took today to read all the lovely WIPpets, and I think I’m ready to dive into something new. Weirdly, I fell asleep for about 15 minutes and woke up with a new idea. 5th time’s a charm, right? LOL.
Nice moment!
Thanks! 🙂
That’s exciting you’re in second beta rounds! Sorry about the writing funk, but this excerpt is great. I’m sure you’ll get your groove when the time is right!
Thanks. Yeah, I’m just trying to keep writing, because even if it’s junk, if I stop–that’s it. I’ll have trouble starting again.
Yes, I know the writing funk well. I’m afraid it’s an occupational hazard. Push through it, my dear!
Oooooh – I love the short bit. Kisses are always delicious!
Thanks! I love to write (and read!) kissy scenes–I think they’re often steamier than outright smut. “Delicious” is a perfect word for it. 🙂
Yup, pushing on through…there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
I agree with Elaine – a short exerpt with punch. You capture the moment powerfully.
And I like your comment about Narnia too – I get that out of sorts / place feeling. I hope you can shake your writing funk off soon.
Aw, thanks. 🙂
And I’m glad you understood the Narnia reference. All the kind and encouraging words have been very helpful in lifting my writing mood. It’s nice to know I’m not alone more than anything else.
Awww, such a sweet scene. Hopefully he doesn’t screw it up… but judging from your comment immediately following the snippet, he probably will 😉
Unfortunately, yeah, he will. Otherwise, where would the tension be? LOL! The problem for Phin is that he’s lost his footing because he’s pretty much head-over-heels in love. He just doesn’t know it yet. 😉
Sorry to hear you’re in a writing funk. A reading binge usually helps me, so I hope helps you too.
Very sweet moment. And, of course, there’s no way it is happily ever after! Let the screwing up begin. 😉