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 the opening from The Long Dark, on the way down to Elysium with her senior negotiating team, Jennifer receives an unwelcome message. The previous post ended with: “As you can see” - Jennifer fought to keep her voice steady and her tone matter-of-fact - “our mission has a new factor to take into account.”
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Galloway’s expression couldn’t be said to be smug, he was too experienced for that, but it held a quiet anticipation. He’d known exactly what the letter would say. “The President places a lot of faith in you.”
Such precise wording. Outwardly a compliment, and nothing anyone would argue with. But ‘places’ rather than ‘has’? That single word gave the barest and utterly deniable hint that faith might be misplaced.
“So,” she said, “while we are busy renegotiating the Company’s agreement with this colony, you have a mission of your own. Chasing a new drug.”
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And (making use of the new rules) this scene continues ...
“Confirming tantalizing reports of its existence.” Galloway’s eyes glittered. “And given the potential impact of this on the trade talks, this has to be of the utmost secrecy.”
“Withholding information like that from the negotiations ...” Jasmine Golightly, Jennifer’s legal expert, twisted her mouth. “The merest whiff of it beyond this circle, and we all spend the rest of our lives in jail.”
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Thankfully, in between computer upgrades and a week camping, I've been able to resume work on cover art since I last posted a progress picture:
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14 comments:
That one, tiny detail tipped the writer's hand. High stakes, for sure!
Sounds like they're all going to need to rely on each other.
A great political and personal conundrum, Ian. Puts your characters on the spot and forces them to wrestle with their . . . character. Loving the cover!
I so enjoyed your snippets, my friend.
Teresa, in a backstabbing corporate world, tiny details matter :)
Jessica, that's for sure!
Nancy, they are definitely on the spot.
Charmaine, thanks.
Enjoying the complications piling on here! Great snippet...
I admire the subtlety of your descriptions! Galloway's expression is nicely fine tuned, and then the emphasis on the word 'places' reinforces your subtlety.
Your cover pic is taking on strong hints of steam punk!
The complications are many.
Love the book cover. It's sure coming along now.
Veronica, things will get more complicated yet!
Ed, I hadn't seen this as steampunk, but it does share a grungy feel and a love of big over-the-top machinery.
Karen, the cover is making good progress now.
Gotta love those passive-aggressive comments from colleagues. *eye roll* Nice cover!
E.D. - thankfully my workplace is not like that :)
Hi Ian - expect the camping was a happy relaxing time. Glad you're back here able to continue with writing as well as the art work ... take care - Hilary
Hilary, the camping trip was both happy and relaxing, thank you.
"Galloway’s expression couldn’t be said to be smug, he was too experienced for that, but it held a quiet anticipation." I love this line, it sets up the scene well! Great snippet!
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