Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…A fun way to sample new books and find new writers!
We’re onto a new story of mine, a WIP that still needs a lot of work. Mark, an ex-Special Forces soldier in the Sectors, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue a kidnap victim who’s been taken to the border planet Freemarket, where anything goes and the authorities are usually hands off. Kind of like Las Vegas…he’s broken into the house of Barent Kliin, the kidnapper, persuaded Alessandra to go with him and fled in a stolen car, pursued by the bad guys and the planetary police. They collided with a cargo hauler…Mark knocked the driver out and assisted Alessandra from their wrecked vehicle, after which the couple flee into the crowded marketplace but are now trapped…until a strange little being showed up, offering to help…having no choice, Mark and Sandy flee with the creature and fall into a tent. The owner of the tent is an extremely mysterious being, who prevented him from shooting at their pursuers. Last week she created two bubbles from thin air, one filled with bits of gold.
One golden mote separated from the rest and drifted downward, through the skin of its own bubble, across empty space to sink inside the lower bubble. A moment later, a second particle began the same journey.
“We have until the top bubble empties into the lower,” Lajollae said, “Then I’ll be gone from this place and time, and your opportunity with me.”
“Opportunity?” Mark tried to focus on the part of her declaration that made some sense. “To do what exactly?”
“To travel – come.” She beckoned for them to follow her into the tent’s second chamber.
Note from me: Next week Lajollae gives them an explanation (of sorts LOL) and probably the week after we’ll see the Globes of Kanamur. So probably another 3-4 weeks worth of snippets from this portion of the WIP.
Oh, had good news on Friday the 13th – two of my novels are Finalists in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence – WHEE!
Congratulations! And now the snippet’s intrigued me about the story
Nice magical image!
Exciting. Your story grabbed me and won’t let go. The imagery intrigues. What I’m writing here indicates you’re a fine writer deserving of every accolade. Congratulations, my friend.
Exciting! Almost a Dr Who vibe.
Mark’s reactions during this entire encounter-confusion, suspicion, curiosity-are spot on. Great job!
First off – congratulations on being a finalist.Fingers crossed for more good news. The snippet is intriguing – fascinated by the bubbles and what’s in the next section of the tent.
I can understand his hesitancy and his curiosity. Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
Great visuals and a tense scenario– everything you need to keep the reader hooked! Great work! 😀
Congratulations on the nomination! I understand Mark’s suspicion but I hope it doesn’t hold him back too long. Another great snippet.
Love it and great bubble imagery 🙂 Congrats on your good news!
Congratulations on making it to the finals. That must feel wonderful. Your segment here really makes me want to know where they’re going and how this magical place works. Good writing!
Interesting hourglass. It makes me wonder if the time limit is one imposed by outside forces, or one the strange woman is using to hurry them along.
I love the mysterious, magical imagery. Who doesn’t love bubbles, even as an adult?
Congratulations on making the finals!
Congratulations! And I can’t wait to learn more! Great 8!
Congratulations on being a twice-over Finalist! You deserve all the Excellence Awards, Veronica. 🙂
This details of this story continue amazing—a bubble timer! Again, I love how the entire plot is something so different than it seemed.
Congratulations! Throwing confetti!! What great news and well deserved.
Loved your snippet, too. Most intrigued by this story.
Congrats on finalist status, Veronica! 🙂
I’m liking the magic in this WIP! 🙂 Nicely done 🙂
What awesome news! Congratulations Veronica.your mysterious lady wouldn’t have to ask me twice! Looking forward to more. Thank you
Oh my gosh! The detail in that first paragraph, amazing. And the last sentence is fantastic. I agree with it does have a Doctor Who vibe! Also … CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I can’t think of a more deserving finalist.
Oh boy! Here we go! Flying through the galaxy! Great 8!
As always, your descriptions rock! Love that they’re on a timer, adds a sens of urgency. Fabulous as always!
Thanks for all the kind words about the books being in the Gayle Wilson Finals! Much appreciated…I’m so happy that the excerpts from this WIP are getting a good reaction from everyone in the Warriors. (Wow, feels cool to have maybe achieved a bit of a Dr. Who vibe today 🙂 I’m really thinking about moving this book up on my list of what to try to get published this year.
Terrific excerpt, Veronica, I love the detail you’ve poured into this scene!
Congratulations, Veronica. I’d be torn if I were them but wherever she would take them is probably no more dangerous that what will happen if they’re caught.
Congratulations and good luck. As usual I’m drawn into your snippet and am curious to learn more.
What an invitation–I wonder where she plans to take them? And congratulations on the finals! Fantastic news! Tweeted.
I agree with Melise, Doctor Who Vibe. Loved it.
Kudos on the finalist distinction(s)!
I think I’d be hesitant to take this mysterious woman up on her “travel” offer, especially without knowing what exactly that entails. Great snippet.
I’m a bit on the suspicious side…I’d want to use some of the gold-fleck time to try to learn more, just like Mark seems to…blind trust seems like a bad idea, with so much at stake.
I picked a good time to come meet you – I love good news. Congratulations on your double success! =D
awesome news, Veronica. As to the snippet sounds like these two are heading down the rabbit hole.
Liking how enigmatic this all is, but also looking forward to the next snippet (with its extra explanations!) By the way, that mysterious being is up to something… giving them what is essentially a fancy bubbles-&-gold hourglass ultimatum. Are they pointing out other time constraints beyond their control, or just trying to manipulate the protags into a hasty decision?