January 24 WeWriWa Post-Rendezvous with Destiny

Hi all!

This week I'm using the throw a dart method of choosing a snippet from my upcoming release, Rendezvous with Destiny. This is a WWII, friends to lovers, rural romance novella that will be released in just a few weeks.

Don't forget to check out the authors who are participating in this week's WeWriWa blog hop! You'll be glad you did. It's a talented and diverse bunch!

Rosika couldn’t explain the sense of foreboding she felt wrap around her throat when she watched Felicia climbed onto the makeshift table and launched into ringmaster mode.

She never should have agreed to come to this stupid party. She wished she’d talked Theo into doing something, anything else.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Her mother’s no nonsense voice echoed in her mind. She was here now, there wasn’t any point in thinking about what might have been.

           Felicia paced the length of the plank table, weaving around the flotsam of dishes. Her heel banged against a large wooden spoon, sending it and the bowl of mashed potatoes it had been in  flying towards a small cluster of people who scattered before it struck them.

I'm currently giving away three paperback copies of Rendezvous with Destiny via GoodReads. Feel free to sign up!

Cow Dogs and M&M’s #WeWriWa 8/10/14

Writers know that the weekends are always great. Not only do they finally have a little extra time to work on projects, but it’s also a great chance to connect with other writers through the Weekend Writing Warriors blog hop. Anyone is welcome to participate, no matter what genre they write. During the course of the blog hop, you’ll get to read all sorts of published and unpublished 8 sentence snippets, many of which are really, really good.

My contribution comes from my YA historical novel, Rendezvous with Destiny, which is set during 1941. This snippet picks up where my previous post left off. Thanks for taking the time to visit!

Rosika quirked a brow.

            “Becca, the best cow dog in the world.”

            Rosika twisted and looked through the rear window at the dog who wagged her stump tail. “It’s true, you do have a great dog. What else?”

He dug into his pocket and removed a cardboard tube. He twisted his wrist and the tube’s contents rattled. “M&M’s.”

One of the more entertaining things I learned during the course of my research was that, while the candies had been around for a while, Mars didn’t make them available to the general public until 1941. Public sales of the chocolate treat didn’t last long. When the United States entered WWII, the company made the decision to send all of the candy they produced to the troops.

Rendezvous with Destiny #WeWriWa snippet for 7/13/14

Howdy!

It’s time for the mid-summer edition of the WeWriWablog hop, and event that brings together an eclectic band of writers together as they share snippets of their writing. If you’ve never participated before, you should. It’s a good, supportive group and you’ll be amazed by the wide variety of genres represented.

The rules are simple;

•  Sign up on the Linky list
• Take anything you’ve written-it can be something you’ve published, something you’re in the middle of editing, or even a roughdraft.
•  Pick eight sentences and post them, as well as a link leading back to the WeWriWa site on your blog.
• Hop around the internet and read the samples fellow participants have posted.

It’s the friendliest writing groups I’ve ever encountered.

My contribution comes from the young adult WIP I’m floundering my way through. The story is set just in the United States, just a few weeks prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It’s a friends-to-lovers story about an all-American farm boy and his best friend, who just happens to be an German immigrant. This snippet picks up where the last one I posted left off.

Speaking of my last post. I can’t thank everyone enough for your wonderful advice about how to improve my writing and your encouragement. You’re the best!

Without further ado!

He helped Rosika into the cab and snapped his fingers; Becca, responded instantly, leaping over the side of the truck in a single, effortless bound, and settling in the truck bed. David glanced over the side. In addition to his dog, the back of his truck contained a large hamper.

            David inhaled, savoring the mouthwatering aroma of like green bean casserole, gingersnaps, and pork roast.

            He glanced at Rosika, “it smells great.”

“I noticed you've failed to bring anything, you do realize that the whole point of a potluck is everyone bringing food to share.”

            David’s mouth curved into a charming grin. “Humph, guess you’re not as clever as you think. It just so happens, I’m bringing the two most important things.”

Sorry, I had to rely on a little creative punctuation to make the snippet the right length, Also, the dog, Becca, is a brand spanking new addition to the story. She insisted on being included, and I’ve learned to never argue with a dog!

#WeWriWa Post Sunday May 18 2014-Rendezvous with Destiny Part 1

Wow, has it ever been a crazy spring! I don’t know about you, but I could really use about 6 more hours in each day … or maybe just some better time management methods. Anyway, after several weeks away, I’m finally back in the WeWriWa loop, this time with a brand new YA novella, Rendezvous with Destiny. For a few months now, I’ve had an idea for a pre-WWII story. I’ve had a couple of false starts, but hadn’t had much luck getting it down on paper. Finally, on Tuesday, I decided it was time to sit down and get serious about stringing words together, even though I only have the vaguest idea where it’s going.

So, without further ado, here are the first 8 sentences. I will warn you, this is a very rough first draft so please forgive any mistakes and feel free to make suggestions.

October 18, 1941

The sight of the pretty blonde girl sitting cross-legged on the hood of his battered Ford truck, a novel balanced on her ankles made David grin and jump off the porch, landing on a small pile of fallen leaves which crunched and turned to dust beneath his weight. He felt his mom’s eyes burning a metaphorical hole in the back of his neck while she watched him lope across the yard, but he didn’t care.

“Hey, Rosika,” he yelled. He lifted his arm and drew back his arm, taking just a moment to pick a target point before releasing the football he held. It arced in a perfect spiral, closing the distance between him and Rosika, missing her nose by mere inches before dropping out of sight on the far side of his truck.

David sensed, more than heard, Rosika’s irritated sigh.

“Are you ready to go?”

“I was ready to go ten minutes ago,” Rosika said, “which is the time we agreed to meet.”

Don’t forget to check out the great writers who have also decided to participate in this week’s WeWriWa and Snippet Sunday blog hop. There’s something for everyone.