To kick off week 2 of our blogfest, canny captains Sharon Bayliss and Courtney Young have ordered us to kidnap our first paragraphs from our novel or WIP and post them on our blogs, lest we walk the plank. Well, I dunno about you, but I’ve seen some monstrous sea creatures lurking in the waters below. Here’s hoping you find me first 150 words of 18 Things seaworthy because it’ll be published later this year by Curiosity Quills Press:
Once I smashed my hand in the car door. The thought of returning to school today feels worse than that. I shove my book bag into the backseat of Nicole’s idling silver Honda Civic.
“Hey, Olga. How are you holding up?” she asks, hunched over her steering wheel. As her best friend, I can tell when her smile is a patent fake, plus there are dark circles under her eyes no amount of cucumber slices could cure.
I take two puffs from my asthma inhaler. “Just drive.”
She snaps her fingers. “I know just what you need. Some Espresso To Go.”
What I need is Conner.
His funeral was yesterday. I’m so not ready for this but Mom is making me, thinks she knows best. I know Mom isn’t trying to be cruel. She’s the kind of person who thinks in practicalities. Usually I’d agree with being practical, but I’m beyond that now.
*Please leave a comment to tell me what yer thinks, or I may be swabbing the deck again tonight;-) And it’s still not too late to join our thrilling quest of world domination er, . . . building our platform and creating connections. Just click on the linky link below, mateys.
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This list will close in 19 days, 0 hrs, 31 min (8/3/2012 11:59 PM North America – Central Standard Time
Jamie Ayres 
Jamie … loved your sample. It is a good tease for what I am certain is a very good book. I look forward to your publication. Me? As I said before … I am too darn old to hop 🙂 I am however real good at cheering from the side lines so go on and hope around !!
Yay, thanks *hands over pom poms*
Great opening, Jamie. There is a strong voice here and we already know that there is a lot going on for Olga. I like how she replies to Nicole’s question by using her inhaler. That is one stressed-out MC. I can’t wait to see more of this!
That’s sad. I’d be stressed as well.
It certainly has me wondering what is going to happen next. I want to know why her friend has dark circles under her eyes (too much partying or she’s also sad), who is Conner and what did he mean to the MC? Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love this line:
“As her best friend, I can tell when her smile is a patent fake, plus there are dark circles under her eyes no amount of cucumber slices could cure.”
Perfect example of well-written prose.
Sounds so intriguing, Jamie! I can’t wait to read the rest.
‘What I need is Conner.’
And I’m hooked. Love the intro! I think you nailed it.
No plank walking for you, my dear. 🙂
Great opening! I’m also wondering who Conner was and what he was to her.
Congrats on the upcoming publication! This was a great intro.
Thanks everyone!
The voice really grabbed me… I liked it a lot:)
Agreed… great intro. I think the sea monsters will go hungry tonight! I have no choice but to follow you now. I’m already wondering about the backstory… waiting to read it is going to be tough 🙂
Hey Jamie…I finally made it over here. I am going to be a really good friend and not tell everyone who Connor is and why Olga is sad. LOL. I can’t wait to read the book.
Oh, by the way..you do not have word verification….no robots over here!
I enjoyed your excerpt, Jamie! Can’t wait to see the cover of this book 🙂
Loved the inhaler bit… definitely makes for interesting characterization. 🙂 Best wishes on your publication!
Yes, loved the inhaler and the cucumber slices thought. Congrats on the pub deal!!
Jamie:
Thank you for being my newest follower! I’m happy to have you aboard and please know that I’ve returned the favor. 😉
I’m intrigued by your first 150 words. I want to get to know Olga and Nicole better. I appreciate how they are close enough friends to cut through the niceties and just speak plainly to one another. Makes me want to turn the page!
I look forward to getting to know you better. Congrats on the upcoming publication. Best wishes to you.
Smooches,
Janette