Archive for October, 2006

In an effort to steer this blog away from yet another whining diatribe on my part over the struggle with the ending of my manuscript, I’m going to take Julie’s First Page Challenge (I followed the link from Jenna’s blog. My sad, whining little blog thanks you, Jenna! :))

So, Julie’s challenge was to show how you create character and conflict from the opening lines of your book. Here’s mine.

From Her Own Best Enemy:

Keith King couldn’t have looked more unapproachable if he were a timber rattler–and that was with his back to her. (Hopefully this conveys a little something about both the hero and the heroine. He’s closed off, she’s apprehensive about approaching him. Why?)

Grace Stevens squeezed her eyes shut, the smell of antiseptic cleanser stinging her nostrils. (A hint of setting) Behind her, the security door of Monthan Rehabilitation Center’s Recreation Room slammed shut with such finality it sent shivers up her spine. Or maybe those tiny prickles resulted from having to beg for help from the one man she despised. (More unease/nerves on her part. Conflict: Why does she have to beg for his help? And why does she despise him?)

She pressed a hand to the knot in her stomach. Keith might be her worst enemy, the boy who’d made her childhood a living hell, but she’d sell him her soul if that’s what it took to gain his cooperation. (A hint of past history between them. Plus, shows her determination and focus on her objective.)

A clap of thunder shook the windows, heralding the onslaught of another Arizona monsoon. Driving rain followed, hammering the real source of her apprehension deep into her heart. (Setting details. Plus, using the weather to match/describe her mood)

What if he said no?

Oh, God, she couldn’t–wouldn’t–think that way. He was her best hope of bringing her son back safe and sound. (He’s the last person she wants on her side for this…and yet, he’s the only one who can save her son)

What does your first page look like?

Deidre Knight Cranks up the Heat in Her Latest Installment in the Parallel Series: PARALLEL HEAT

“Intelligent characters, hot romance and breathtaking adventure with epic feel—exactly what I want to read!” – Susan Grant, New York Times bestselling author “A fantastic and riveting new voice in paranormal fiction.” -Karen Marie Moning, New York Times bestselling author of Spell of the Highlander “At times humorous, at others heart-wrenching, but always compelling, Deidre Knight offers readers a fresh, wonderfully creative glimpse at the complexity of human decisions. What a page-turner!” – Gena Showalter, Author of Playing with Fire In the unforgettable, alternate world of Parallel Heat, two enemies are bound by betrayal, vengeance—and forbidden passion. Warrior and royal guardian Marco McKinley has been assigned a vital mission on Earth, where a war between human fighters and otherworldly soldiers is rising in the far reaches of Wyoming. But he’s also been warned about twists of fate yet to come-ones that will transform him into the enemy of his own people and appoint him the personal protector of beautiful soldier Thea Haven. Little do Marco and Thea know, but they have met before in an alternate universe, and they are bound by betrayal and vengeance. Now, on a world at the brink of destruction, forbidden passion ignites—but will the destiny Marco has glimpsed unfold a second time? Sign up for Deidre’s newsletter and be eligible to win a $50 Amazon gift certificate, signed copies of her books, and plenty of other goodies! Just click here. Check out the book that launched the series, PARALLEL ATTRACTION or order your copy of PARALLEL HEAT today! And coming in April, PARALLEL SEDUCTION.

This is “D” week for me. I have roughly 6 chapters left to write on my manuscript, and I’m determined to have them done by the 31st. What this means is that I’ll be doing a chapter a day (Lord help me!) for the next week. It’s scary, especially with the way I’ve been struggling lately, but I’m telling myself that it doesn’t have to be perfect, and if I’m having trouble with a section I can just make note of it and move on.

I want to get back to the nitty gritty of editing for the month of November, and I just feel like I can’t do that unless I have the ending written, at least in some form or another.

Watch my progress meter over the next week! Hopefully you’ll see it going up, and up, and up….and if you don’t…drop me a line and kick my butt! :)