Saturday, January 19, 2019

Weekend Writing Warriors January 20

http://www.wewriwa.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly blog hop where participants post eight to ten sentences of their writing. You can find out more about it by clicking on the image.




Continuing a chapter from Ghosts of Innocence, Shayla has stolen the identity of a new high-ranking Imperial appointee, Brynwyn bin Covin. She’s been met by a soldier (Kurt) from the Imperial Palace Guard, who’s escorting her to the Palace. They have just stepped outside while Shayla’s baggage is loaded into the car. Kurt has spotted a row of punishment stalls across the square.

=====

Kurt grinned and strode across the plaza, rummaging in his pockets.

Shayla followed at a more sedate pace, swallowing back acid. She knew what would be expected of her.

The sparse crowd, mostly pilgrims on their way to the temple, parted before her.

When she caught up with him, Kurt was moving down the line slipping a small coin into each slot in turn. Moans and screams followed him.

He stopped near the end, turning out his pockets with a frown.

"Run out of small change?" Shayla asked.

He nodded, the corners of his mouth downturned.

She tossed him a few coins.


=====

Quick update on The Long Dark

Writing has been going very well recently, and after last night’s session I started to get that giddy excitement of feeling like I’m on the home stretch.

To put it into perspective, I’ve been plugging away at this since the end of July, and I think I’ve got a few weeks to go - maybe end of February? But I’m fleshing out scenes of the final confrontations and, although there are details still to figure out, I’ve got the main plot turns mapped out to bring me to the finish line.

The situation is not much different from any other night in the last week or two, but emotionally, for the first time last night, I felt like I’d crested the hill and can actually see the finish line approaching.

19 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Keep racing towards that finish line.
That scene is just a bit twisted.

Botanist said...

Alex, twisted for sure, and there's more to come...

Jessica E. Subject said...

That's a definite test of her ability to fulfill this mission. I don't think I could get through that.

Anonymous said...

I love that feeling of being in the home stretch, even though it's tempered by the knowledge that 'home stretch' really just means the beginning of the chore of rewriting -- which I sometimes love, more often hate.

Misa Buckley said...

Ugh, poor Shayla. Still it shows she has the guts to complete her plan.

Veronica Scott said...

This scene tells us a great deal about Shayla, so it's a well done moment for sure.

Botanist said...

Jessica, she will be tested even more in a minute!

Ed, yes, the first stretch is really only base camp, with the rest of the mountain still to climb!

Misa, yeah, I'm rather mean to poor Shayla :)

Veronica, I hope the rest of the scene shows even more of her character.

Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost said...

Good job getting to that happy stage where the finish line is in sight. Me, I'm currently mired in a marsh with my tale!
Shayla seems a tough and clever heroine. I wouldn't want to be in her position!
Thank you for visiting at Naughty Netherworld Press.

Diane Burton said...

I love that feeling when you can see the finish line. Congrats. This scene tells a lot about Kurt. I remember this scene and how she feels. Can't wait to read it again.

Botanist said...

Cara, I hope you find your way out of the mire! I know how that feels, and it's not good.

Diane, this scene puts Shayla to the test, but it's also one of my favorites.

Teresa Cypher said...

Punishment stalls...you have a wonderful imagination. :-)

This is tough on Shayla.

Yay on seeing the home stretch at the end of "The Deep Dark"!

Karen Michelle Nutt said...

Even though it is difficult, she is sticking to the plan.

Botanist said...

Teresa, we'll see them a bit more closely soon enough :)

Karen, she is highly motivated to see things through.

Nancy Gideon said...

Oh this is wonderfully ghoulish punishment. How strong she is to continue playing the part in such a situation.

Elaine Cantrell said...

I'm not sure I like this Kurt. She's a woman with a strong will to play her part in this charade.

Botanist said...

Nancy, Elaine, she is a very strong character. One of my favorites to write!

Charmaine Gordon said...

A feast here. Well written and so interesting

Botanist said...

Charmaine, kind of you to think so :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Ian - great you're beginning to feel an end is near ... I'm catching up ... Shayla is an intriguing character - cheers Hilary

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