Happy Saturday! It’s basically a day off for us at last, with a whole week of vacation ahead. Finally!
I’m snipping again from my first novel, Lower Education. Be sure to join the virtual egg hunt on Facebook for a chance to win a free copy and meet some other fabulous indie authors in a wide range of genres.
In this scene, our “hero” Phin is watching his one-time nemesis practice a dance he’s choreographed. You can listen to the music that inspired the scene here. This is “The Old Castle,” from Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Originally composed for piano, I prefer the orchestrated version (perhaps because I’ve played it numerous times.) This is my favorite movement.
The music which had piqued Phin’s interest was now featuring a haunting saxophone melody. He smiled; Alex had good taste. Pictures at an Exhibition had long been one of Phin’s favorite pieces. Nothing could have prepared him for how elegant and sensual Alex was. He moved with the same fluid motion as a river, and it gave Phin the same sort of rush to watch. Alex was not particularly tall, but there was a long, muscular leanness to him. He was moving artfully with the music in a complicated pattern of steps and spins, his bare feet making soft thuds each time he landed a jump.
Synopsis:
Phin Patterson is an educational consultant dissatisfied with his job and his life. On a mission to complete one last assignment before escaping his unfulfilling career and figure out what he wants, he accepts a commission from Donald Murdock at the New York State Education Department. He’s sent to evaluate a tiny school in New York’s Southern Tier, not far from the town where he grew up. Now his only goal is to get in, do his job, and get out before anyone from his past remembers him.
That turns out to be easier said than done. Dani Sloane, the sharp-witted administrative assistant to the principal, learns the truth about why Phin is really there. With the help of her friends, she sets out to unmask him and force the local board of education to stop the plans that could ruin their school. Discovering that her sometime-lover is an old business associate of Phin’s only complicates both the situation and their relationship.
Meanwhile, Phin, who has committed himself to keeping his emotional distance, can’t resist the charm of the town and its residents—especially the school psychologist, who turns out to be an old friend he hasn’t seen in over twenty years. While Dani works to take him down and save her school, Phin wrestles with learning how to do the right thing, including telling the truth to the man with whom he’s already falling in love.
Rainbow Snippets is a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ authors, readers, and bloggers to share 6 sentences each week from a work of fiction—published or in-progress—or a book recommendation. Feel free to join in!
Oh, this is so easy to envision. Beautiful and well done. Thank you for sharing. And Happy Writing!
Beautiful description! 💖
Ooo, exquisite! I have a special place for Pictures at an Exhibition since it was one of the first pieces of classical music I listened to as a child. Love the reference! (heart)
I love the sensuousness in this snippet. I adore dancers and the description is beautiful
There’s something very sensual about a saxophone.
“He moved with the same fluid motion as a river…” – beautiful.
I’ve always loved “Pictures at an Exibition” but I too prefer the orchestrated version.
As for this snippet. I love the interplay of the music with the physical description.
The first time I heard it, I didn’t know it had been a piano piece. I think almost all of Mussorgsky’s big orchestral works are actually piano pieces arranged for orchestra by other composers. I hadn’t known any of that until I was researching (for this novel, actually—my orchestra was playing the piece at the time I wrote this).
Love the description in this. Love Pictures At Exhibition It was on the first classical album I bought as a h.s. senior, the beginnings of a large collection.
It’s by far my favorite work I’ve ever played with any orchestra. I’ve done it 4 times, with 3 different orchestras. It never gets old for me.
Love the description!