Temptation Thursday, that is. The first Thursday of each month on the Plotting Princess blog we are going to post five (5) lines from books, short stories, articles, etc. we are currently writing. Each month you will get a variety of different authors, genres and styles from various Plotting Princesses—both published and unpublished—and from time to time we might just throw in a few "guest" authors into the mix.
These teases might not be from the very beginning of the story; they could be from anywhere, any chapter. So you never know what you are going to get. Although we will try to keep it at least PG-13 (we have a few authors that write some really steamy stuff, after all).
So, jump right in and get a taste of a few of our Plotting Princesses' current writing projects. Enjoy!
THE LITTLE BIRDIE WHO DIDN'T GET AWAY—Vicki Batman
The instant I parked my Jeep in my townhome's driveway, a hard rap on the window scared the bejeezus outta me. Jerking my head aside, I found my neighbor--Ben, Ben Whitson--with a panic-stricken look on his face. A week ago, he'd introduced himself on move-in day with a gift bag filled with a newspaper, coffee, and pastries. Now, his large hand covered a piece of stiff paper.
Setting one hand on my strongly beating heart, I rolled down the window with the other. "What's up, Ben?"
COLLATERAL DAMAGE—Phyllis Middleton
I’m a bloody, cut up mess from the pavement burns and flying debris embedded in the length of my backside. The paramedic pulled a hunk of something from my shoulder and added it to the plastic pan already half-full of glass, wood and metal. I felt him tugging at skin, but it didn’t hurt because the shock numbness had control over me. I pulled back the gauze from my elbow to peek at the road burn underneath. Blood oozed quickly at the fresh supply of oxygen and I got a warning from the paramedic to leave it alone.
MURDER FOR THE HALIBUT—Liz Lipperman
Jordan swallowed hard when a wave of nausea pulsed through her. When it finally passed, she continued, “First of all, I’ll probably be hanging over this rail all day long. As for the other, you know how much I hate fancy food. What made me think I could pull off a gig judging a bunch of wannabe chefs when I probably can't even taste what they cook without gagging? They’ll laugh me right off the cruise ship.”
ONE KNIGHT ONLY – Michelle Miles
“Does this armor make my butt look big?”
“Very funny.” Elyne scowled, unfazed by Maggie’s humor.
“But…I’m too small and skinny to look like Finn,” Maggie complained, looking at her reflection in the polished steel. She couldn’t quite make out what she looked like other than a foggy blob. She wished she had a real mirror.
I'M NOT COLETTE--Linda Steinberg
Breaking away from her tour group, hurrying to meet her friend, Megan Adele Chandler rounded a corner inside the Musee d’Orsay and came face to face with herself.
She stopped short. The young woman in the nineteenth century painting wore a Victorian French felt hat bursting with flowers and lace that nearly obscured her forehead. But the midnight blue eyes staring out at Megan were unmistakably her own.
Her breath ebbed away.
The RELATIONSHIP COACH—Sylvia McDaniel
Relationship coaches are no more than glorified witch doctors making money off people’s emotions, Reed Hunter thought as he stood in the glitzy, hotel ballroom in Austin, Texas. He gazed at the throng of people--mostly women--eager to see the dating guru that had screwed up his convenient sexual arrangement.
Her Twelve Steps of Dating seminar had somehow convinced his girlfriend, Blair, that since he wasn’t promising her a ring, honeymoon and his last name, she needed to move on. And she had. Packed up, moved out and left with a so-long-sucker text message.
CURRENTLY UNTITLED WORK—Chris Keniston
Shooting the cheating, conniving sleazebag between the eyes wasn’t the best idea she’d ever had, after all, Texas is a death penalty state. On the other hand, a well-placed bullet in each ball could work, didn’t Lorena Bobbit get off Scot free?
Margaret Colleen O’Brien glanced at the clock on the dashboard. For the past two hours she’d conjured up the most satisfying ways to get even with William J. Cox, if that was even his real name. So far shooting his balls off was number one on her list.
DANGEROUS DECEPTIONS—Kathy Ivan
Scott couldn't take his eyes off the body at his feet. A pool of blood spread out in a halo of dark sticky red beneath the matted gray hair of Mrs. Abgail Spencer. For one brief moment, he gave thanks he hadn't had breakfast yet. Wouldn't do to be spewing chunks all over a possible murder scene.
He whirled around at Alyssa's sharp intake of breath right behind him.
13 comments:
Wow! There's some fun stuff out there. You go girls.
I loved reading these snippets! Great idea, gals. Keep them coming!!
So much fun, indeed. This could turn out to be the highlight of the blog overall. Good job, everyone!
I really liked this blog. I've never seen one like it! Really unique and a great way to let readers know if they'd like to read one of your books. This is so exciting. Superb idea, ladies!
Patti
Very exciting and innovative. I love how the information is so beneficial for reader's enjoyment. Kudos to the strong ideas and focus and oh my, what fun to read.
Intriguing openings. Good work you guys! Are you still plotting these stories or are you all done writing these books. Where are you in the process?
Your local villainous Pantser wants to know. ;-)
It's time to let our so-called resident pantser know she isn't the only one! I confess: I am a pantser.
Thanks, Patti. I think Temptation Thursday is great fun. You can send a submission to Kathy anytime.
Hi, Karen. Same for you. Send in some five lines.
Talent--people amaze me!
Okay, since everbody seems to be confessing: I'm a hybrid. I have to have a certain amount of structured plot to know where I'm going with a story. I don't sit down and write outlines or full synopses or anything like that, but I have a good general idea of who my characters are, where I need to start and several of the high points that I want to include in the story.
Some of these snippets that were posted are stories that we did brainstorm at Plotting Princess meetings (Murder for the Halibut comes immediately to mind which is Liz Lipperman's third book).
I know we also discussed a couple of others that are mentioned.
I believe one of these stories is contracted and coming out soon, Michelle Miles' book.
I know we do have more than one pantser in the bunch though. But when we start brainstorming story ideas, everybody gets into the swing of it really quickly and the ideas fly fast and furious. It's a blast.
Girls? Ud guys can't have fun?
Come on down, John. We like having you.
I loved reading these! This is a great idea!
oh what an irritant it is to have a job that keeps me away from my computer
I love the snippets idea and loved reading the snippets - except I'm greedy and want more!!!!
Kathy- even though I don't normally read suspense - this one sounds like it's going to be a doozy
and Linda- oh how you have my curiosity going - I LOVE Paris!!
well done ladies
as for my snippet- well - this recently laptopless pantser has just a snippet more than the snippet written - : )
though maybe next time if the princesses will let me break the rules (please note cheeky grin) - I can post a snippet from one of the finished - though not yet published - works.
Keep up the good work ladies
I'm a Pantser trying to reform. :) My snippet is from my forthcoming paranoral/historical ONE KNIGHT ONLY. Coming soon from Ellora's Cave!
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