This break in my hiatus (see, I told you I’d still be
posting) comes to you from Tara and Heather. They’ve put together a blog
hop to celebrate the things that give us thrills (you know, like checking your
inbox when there could be a really important response in it). Specifically,
both Tara and Heather are publishing books, and it’s thrilling to get to the
end of the journey (or at least, I suspect it would be thrilling).
To peel back the wraps on my writing process, I often find
myself wondering “What would be the single biggest thing that could happen
here?” No, really, when I get bored in a manuscript, I have exactly two responses:
Start the Armageddon Clock, or blow something really important up. If I can do
them both at the same time, that is my favorite (stuck in space with a faulty
engine, I think it’s time to start venting the O2; In the middle of
the ocean with giant monsters? Definitely time to sink the boat). So my entry
to the Thrill of it All blog fest is a example from my current Query
Bait: KNIGHT FALL (formerly DEAD STAR).
If the only thing they took seriously was force,
then I was going to melt a hole right to the center of this planet if it killed
me. Maybe things would be easier for the next girl.
Kestrel’s meaty hand settled on my shoulder,
and he pointed up at the sky, blocking my view of Raijin. My gaze followed his
pointing arm, and I saw it.
The sun flickered like a candle.
Then it went out.
It should almost have a Dun! Dun! Duuuuuhn! right after it. Alright everyone, get your thrills on, jump on the linky,
and share.
Does that mean they have now been swept into darkness? Or has a black hole just begun?
ReplyDeleteIntriguing query!
Yes, this is the first stages of a black hole, but first it goes through the nova stage where the star explodes after having collapsed on itself.
Deletethanks for stopping by!
Thanks for helping me to understand Rena.
DeleteWhoa! Excellent Thrill!
ReplyDeleteCD Coffelt ponders at Spirit Called
And critiques at UnicornBell
Thanks, and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThat's sounds like a cool scene. I wonder if the equivalent in romance would be a really messy screaming calling each other names fight or the reveal of some other evil force trying to keep them apart. You've got to shake it up.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, the equivalent in romance... I don't read enough romance to know for sure, but this happens at the end of act 1, so this would definitely be the Mother informs MC that she has been betrothed to another man since she was five sort of pain.
DeleteWhat the dickens? The sun went out? Oh yeah, I'm clamoring to know what happens next!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt!!
Thanks for stopping by, Angela. And yes, that star is dying... bad day for the locals.
DeleteCool snippet! I want to read more!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Tyrean.
DeleteEek! A dead sun? Talk about exploding the world. ;) I know what you mean about breaking things and detonating reality. My WIP is such a blast, because I've been doing just that. I'm like, "Hm, what's the worst thing that could happen?" Then I make it happen, then make it worse! Poor characters.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love blowing up the world. It's my absolute favorite, and my WIP has been like one big car chase... except with boats--and the boats fly. Okay, so it's nothing like a car chase, but there are monsters, explosions and...
DeleteYou know, I really am evil. My poor characters drew some unlucky straws when they got me.
What happened to the sun?? *shudders*
ReplyDeleteThrilling and chilling!
Would it make you feel better to know that that's not the earth's sun?
DeleteEver since I read "Save the Cat" I am so aware of the "all is lost" moments. Seems you are too!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest problem after reading Save the Cat is watching movies that transition between Act II and Act III badly. Great book.
DeleteElizabeth just dazzled me with a mention of my favorite writing book - Save the Cat. Blowing up the ms is great fun.
ReplyDeleteSave the Cat is so awesome I'm tempted by its sequel. Also, if you're into it, Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces is pretty spectacular (if a bit dry).
DeleteI love anything to.do with suns going out or exploding. So many directions you can go. Good luck.with e erything!
ReplyDeleteThanks! The killing of stars has intrigued me since I read Herbert.
Deleteyeah! knight fall! love that title!!
ReplyDeleteand great excerpt! i'm so glad j know what happens or i'd be dying to know!
hope your hiatus is productive! miss ya!
Productive? Yes. Productive on writing... not so much. But my house is now a beautiful new color. That counts for something. Right?
DeleteI definitely hear that Dun! Dun! Duuuuuuuhn!!! at the end. :-D
ReplyDeleteAdore the title.
Thanks! Titles and I don't get along. Usually I think I'm being clever. That's not how they come across.
DeleteIt went out?
ReplyDeleteOH SH*T!!
That would be pretty THRILLING!
Thanks for participating.
Heather
Yeah, I started blew up stars in my current query bait. So much fun.
DeleteIn my current WIP, I'm tearing down mountains.
Oh my goodness--I can't imagine anything more thrilling...in the worst kind of way.
ReplyDeleteYes, this leads to a very bad day for a lot of people.
DeleteTOTALLY leaves us in suspense. REALLY great, Rena! Seriously awesome. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'd like to think the rest of the book is pretty thrilling too, but you know how we writers are about our own work.
DeleteI'm not sure why, but after reading that piece, I looked up at the sky just to make sure the Sun is still functional. Great excerpt!
ReplyDeleteI sort of feel superstitious admitting it, but I definitely spent a lot of time anxious that sunrise might not happen when I was writing this one. (I know, it's bad luck to be superstitious.)
DeleteThat is so scary, about the sun going out, but I like how she would like to melt a hole in the planet. Very well written. Thank you so much for the visit to my blog.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Rena! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh man! I love those moments in books!
ReplyDeleteVery gripping! You have great responses to a boring scene :-)
ReplyDeleteThat was very appealing. And your tip for a boring scene is just great. I think I'm going to use it.
ReplyDelete