Thursday, April 22, 2010

S is for Sneak Peek!

So I told you in yesterdays Ridiculously Awesome post that I was going to share a little something from my current WIP finding me... I promise I didn't let you down! So here it goes:

My feet are cold and my whole body tingles, I sit up and look around me, my eyes are still adjusting but it doesn’t look like I’m at home anymore. I stand up to get a better view but my hands sink deep into the ground, the dirt is wet and I realize I’m in water, I shiver and try to catch my bearings. As I stand up I see myself in the reflection of the water, still haven’t gathered what has happened. As I look deeper in the water I begin to realize I couldn’t possibly see my reflection, but something more, still me just a different me. I find myself staring over my own body.

I look at myself in the river, my body cold, my lips are blue. My red curls once frazzled are now soaked and tucked under several rocks, a trickle of water falls over my ankles. I see several bruises across my legs and as I see my once perfectly painted pink nails have now barely any color left and cuts all around. Did he make me walk here? Was I half awake?

I am confused and at that moment the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, I look around, I know I am being watched, I can feel it. I also know it is not the me standing that is being watched, but the one lying in the river. I’m alive, but barely, I know I have to be alive or I wouldn’t be standing here. Am I possibly the soul of my own body, the only thing who can heal me? I look around me and don’t recognize anything, it is a very unfamiliar place, I feel him still but cannot see him, I know he’s watching. I want to know who he is. Ugh I wish I could remember how I’d gotten here but everything was such a blur. The trees and grass are so overgrown that I don’t know how I could have gotten here. That does explain the cuts on my feet and arms though, walking through these woods or even being carried could have severely hurt, I’m lucky I didn’t have to feel all of that pain. As I continue to search that’s when I spot him. He’s staring at me, watching my movements, which at the moment are motionless, I am knelt down next to my body, frozen, I can’t see his eyes but I can feel him, I can also see the shadow of his face thanks to the moonlight. My heart beats rapidly and though I know it’s not something that can be heard I feel like the world can hear it. Can he see me? Does he know there are two of us?

There you have it!!! A little sneak peek! Hope you enjoyed! Feel free to share your thoughts.

Sorry I didn't make it to all your blogs last night, I was revising and as you all know that comes first! I also just added a facebook badge so for all you avid facebookers I would love for you to be my friend :) Feel free to add me!

46 comments:

Stina said...

Don't feel bad. I didn't visit blogs yesterday, either, for the same reason.

I love this excerpt. I don't usually read them because what if I love them and the book isn't published. Now you've reminded me why I don't usually read them. I can't wait to read more. :D

Christina Lee said...

OOOh Intriguing! Which part of the book is it--the beginning or middle? And it has me wondering, who is HE??? ;--)

Jessica Bell said...

This is very intriguing. It really makes me want to know more. I'm curious though, it's such a spooky set up, yet for some reason her voice sounds quite joyous. Is this on purpose? Or perhaps because it is just an excerpt and I don't have much context for it, it feels like this. Could also just be my personal mood! LOL

Nice work though, Jen! It definitely has me wondering!

Emily White said...

Nice! First Person Present is very hard to do, but you pull it off nicely.

Thanks for the sneak peek!

Unknown said...

Stina - Thank you, you're too sweet!

Christina - Close to the beginning :)

TAA - You know what it's something I will definitely look into, it is probably me, I have to make sure I'm in the mood to write these types of scenes because otherwise I sound a little happy... thank you for the critique, I appreciate it!!

Unknown said...

Thank you Emily!!! I'm glad you liked it!

Jessica Bell said...

No probs!!!! ;)

sarahjayne smythe said...

Don't feel bad for making all the blogs. I can't do it sometimes, and I'm not even revising. BTW, I love the first person. :)

Candyland said...

Nice!!! Love the excerpt! And no worries-I don't get to everyone's blog everyday.

Joanne said...

Very intriguing, I like the way she's seeing herself through her removed presence, indicating a certain consciousness that is still there. Great job!

MTeacress said...

I like the shift from 'good morning' to 'hey wait, that's my almost dead body'. What a grabber! I'd read more if I could, but I'd also be worried it's too scary for my chicken spirit. :)

Unknown said...

Love the sneak peak. And don't feel bad about not getting to everyone's blog. Things just happen in life.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Interesting perspective and visual description. I am left with many questions that I would expect to be answered in the following pages.

Amy Saia said...

Exiting Jen! It is very descriptive and I want to know how she is in the situation she's in and who they man is that seems to be menacingly hovering around the scene.

High five!


Good luck with the revisions and yes, they come first no exceptions! I better not see you at my blog today. Haha.

Jaydee Morgan said...

Enjoyed the read :)

Good luck with all your revisions.

JournoMich said...

I enjoyed the setting and the story, but I agree with AA, the voice is a bit light. Before I read her comment, I was going to say I liked it all except the word "ugh." That just doesn't fit. If I am hurt and possibly dying, or at least in great danger, "ugh" just doesn't cover it.

Very curious what all is going on here...Thank you for sharing!

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Tess said...

I think waking up or 'coming to' in water is an interesting situation and I want to know more about this man who led her there....

Theresa Milstein said...

Oh, I like it. I feel all of the same sensations as you MC.

Watch out for "I". In first person that's hard! Here and there, change the verb to "ing". "I'm in the water shivering..."

Instead of, "I see several bruises", why not, "There are several bruises..."

For that big paragraph, maybe break it up at "The trees...".

These are nitpicks because you paint a good picture, bringing us into her orientation and problem-solving. Good luck editing!

Carolyn V. said...

Oh man! Now I want more. I guess I'll have to wait. This was great Jen!

Unknown said...

Sarahjayne - I'm glad I'm not the only person. For this story it had to be first person, you need to feel all of her emotions, so thank you!!

Candyland - Thanks glad you enjoyed it!!

Joanne - Yay! That's exactly what I wanted you to think... I'm glad your headed that direction, the first time it was written others had different opinions!

MT - don't worry the whole book isn't scary, though there are parts that freak even me out and I'm the one writing it!!!

Cheree - Thank you for being so sweet and understanding!!

Mary - They would be so stay tuned!!!

Amy - You know you'll see me later on!! I can't help myself! I'm glad you enjoyed the snippet, thanks for the feedback!! It means a lot!

Jaydee - Thanks!!!

Michele - You bring up an excellent point, thank you for the advice, I will work on being a little more dark in attitude and you couldn't be more right, ugh is for a bad day... not for an almost dead day!!

Karen - I'm only bold because it's around all of my blog buddies, in real life I only show my husband!! Glad you liked it so far!!

Tess - I'm thinking interesting is good... I'll take interesting for now!!! This man is quite interesting himself!

Theresa - Wow girl I need you around more often! This is awesome stuff! At first I was nervous about being critiqued but I can feel the love of everyone just trying to help out!! Good point with the first person, I have a lot to work on but I like where you're going!! I'll look into breaking the paragraph at the trees portion, I'm still learning the paragraph thing!!

Carolyn - Awe you're awesome!!! Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

Kittie Howard said...

Jen, I really liked the first person; even more, I liked that what you shared pulled the reader into asking questions, wanted to know more. (Like, who is HE?) This is terrific! And don't feel badly about not reading all blogs everyday. I'm just now catching up from smashing my finger on a drawer.

Talli Roland said...

Very interesting voice and great stream of consciousness. Interested to see where this is going! Well done Jen!

Saumya said...

Beautiful excerpt!! Your first person voice is extremely strong. I'm definitely left wanting more.

Jenna Wallace said...

This is great! I am intrigued and waiting for more... well done!

Unknown said...

Jen, great excerpt! That was an awesome twist when she (and subsequently I) realized she was looking at her almost dead body. I totally agree with Michele about the "ugh" issue. It took me out immediately, and dang it, I want back in! :)

Your style is very poetic in nature which I thought was great! You're braver than I for going with first person present. I'm sure once you tweak things it'll be flawless.

This was a great piece! Darken it up a bit and we'll have shivers running down our backs while we bite all our fingernails off. ;)

Robby said...

So great! You're a wonderful writer.

Karen Lange said...

Hard to believe you are on 'S' already! Keep on revising:)

Janna Leadbetter said...

I know many have said this, but it's very intriguing! I'm curious about what's put her in this position. What events led to the water? Very spooky.

I might say, if you don't mind, to watch for telling vs. showing. In the opening, for example show us she's cold and tingly, so we feel it right off.

Great job, Jen!

Lindsay said...

Great post :)
I haven't got to many blogs today because of revision too.

Leigh Hutchens Burch said...

Wow. This is really interesting and I am so hungry to read more!

I adore the stream of consciousness, but wonder if you are intentionally using the run-on sentences. Many of the sentences where you use commas would be better as seperate sentences entirely.

Hmm. After re-reading, I am certain this HAS to be intentional.
I must know!

Here's an example of what I would change, but would such changes make it less stream-of-consciousness-ey? I don't know.

"He’s staring at me, watching my movements, which at the moment are motionless, I am knelt down next to my body, frozen, I can’t see his eyes but I can feel him, I can also see the shadow of his face thanks to the moonlight."

Mine:

He’s staring at me. He's watching my movements, which at the moment are motionless. I am knelt down next to my body. I'm frozen. I can’t see his eyes but I can feel him. I can (removed also) see the shadow of his face thanks to the moonlight.

So, there's my two cents! I LOVE the premise and think this teaser is super unfair because I want to read more. :)

Ann said...

Good beginning to your WIP. I have to agree you are very brave to share at this early stage. I liked it, the premise is very captivating. I have to agree also with the Ugh. Not really a good expression for the situation that's in it.

Looking forward to more.

Kittie Howard said...

Jen, me again. Thanks for leaving a comment...you've just back in Dodge and already on top of everything. You're amazing!! And, Jen, thanks to your award, I've met so many new folks in Blogville. Feeling the love is great! You rock, Girl! Thank you!

T.J. Carson said...

Wow this excerpt gave me chills! I WANT TO HEAR MORE! What type of novel is this? Mystery? Thriller? Sci-FI? I LOVE IT!

Oh and you have a blog award over on my page :)

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the excerpt and now want to see more! I also have to agree about the run-on sentences... but then again this is nowhere near a final draft and I think having the storyline down is more important than editing grammar at this point. :)

Unknown said...

Kittie - I'm so glad that you are intrigued and want to know more! Ouch sorry to hear about your finger!!! It makes me cringe!!!

Talli - Thank you that means a lot! I was so excited to be your first fb friend! I'm so honored!!

Saumya - Awe you are so sweet! This means so much! I love all the positive feedback everyone has given me!!

Jenna - I'm glad, thank you!!

Gina - Thank you so much for the advice I will for sure take it into consideration! I realize now that ugh isn't appropriate!! I love your compliment about my writing, that was super sweet!!! I'll remember that one forever!!

Robby - Thank you so much!!

Karen - I can't either!! Though I must say I'll be glad when it's all over, these A to Z bits aren't easy!!!

Janna - Thank you for the advice, this is something I'll be working on from here on out! I think it will take me a few times in the revisions but I'm glad you can still see it's good without that, it's something I can work on!!

Lindsay - Revising is important! Keep at it!!!

Amber - Thanks chica! That means a lot!! It wasn't intentional, I'm still learning my writing style and the correct grammar and punctuation so I appreciate the help! This is certainly a learning process and I think the periods might help give the piece more strength, more fear... more UMPH!!!

Ann - Thank you! I'm glad you find it bold and brave, lol, makes me feel empowered! Ugh is definitely changing! I knew I kept you all around for a reason (hehe!)

Kittie - I always love seeing you here! Glad you dropped by again! I do my best, never able to get around to everyone! You are so welcome, the award was well deserved!

Unknown said...

T.J. Carson - You rock!!! So you won't believe this because you haven't read far enough in yet, however this will be a YA fantasy novel. At least that's what I'm labeling it at the moment!!!

Melodygreen - I appreciate the insight and will take the run-on sentences into consideration. I write how I speak and that my friend is where all the run-on's come from! They'll be cleaned up but I'm glad you're enjoying the piece regardless!!

T.J. Carson said...

wow that sounds awesome! good luck with it and I will def be keeping my eye out for more excerpts of this one!!!

Guinevere said...

Whoa, that definitely made me want to read more! Interesting stuff.

Unknown said...

T.J. - I will share some every now and again, but you'll have to wait for the finished novel! I would hate to give all my secrets away!! *evil laughter*

Guinevere - Thank you!!!

Susan Fields said...

This is great - it drew me right in! I want to know what happened to her, who "he" is, and why is he watching her? Awesome!

Ella said...

Really good; I want more...

Christopher said...

3 thumbs way up! I was born with a birth defect that causes me to lie and say I have 3 thumbs.

Tracy Loewer said...

I'm curious to see where this is going!

m. said...

Lovely.

Anonymous said...

This is great, I want to find out more!!! :o) Very interesting

Anonymous said...

This is such a great excerpt! I feel like I really get the voice of the MC here, and it really makes me want to know what'll happen next. :)