Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Two Sentence Tuesday

Happy Tuesday all! I hope things are well in the blogosphere. Things have been super hectic here. Our home study came back yesterday, but our social worker didn’t say it was good or bad, so now I’m super worried. On a happy note I was notified yesterday that I am a finalist again this year at the Frontiers in Writing contest. Last year I placed first in the Romance category. This year, I entered my current WIP, and I didn’t think it stood a chance. I mean, here we are smack dab in the middle of the Bible Belt and I entered an erotica piece. I know I am a decent writer, but I figured the subject matter would boot me right out of the competition. It was a complete surprise when I got the email yesterday.

Right now, I am reading the Night World series by L. J. Smith. It is a set of three volumes with three books in each volume. It is marketed as a teen series, but so far, I’m thinking it is more of a young reader than a teen series. All of the characters are immature, whiny and selfish. I’m having a hard time staying interested, and wouldn’t you know I bought the whole series. I’m currently reading the third book in the first volume, titled Spellbinder. Here are the last two lines I read:

“It’s Blaise’s fault,” Thea said. She was mad at Blaise. “She does – things – to boys. Human boys. And somehow it always ends up getting us kicked out of school. Both of us, because I’m always too stupid to tell them she’s the one responsible.”

Normally, I really enjoy reading teen series. As much as everyone hates on it, I like Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight books, I love The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, but these I’m not loving. Oh, well, it was worth a shot.

Now, here are the last two lines I wrote. Please be gentle with me, I’m feeling a little fragile right now!

Mariska like to write things down. Not necessarily things she was working on, but thoughts and ideas that crossed her mind when she was otherwise preoccupied. With the stress of holding down her job at the precinct and building up her own business, she felt the quick notes she was able to jot down were her last hope at fulfilling the dream of being a writer. They were her creative outlet inside days filled with codes and puzzles.

I know. It is more than two sentences. It is double that, but what can I say? I’m an overachiever! Send good thoughts my way about the home study, I’m a little bit freaked out. Have a great day, and for more Two Sentence Tuesday, sneak over and visit the Women of Mystery.

7 comments:

Leah J. Utas said...

You've triggered some concern for Mariska.
Well done.

David Cranmer said...

No reason to be gentle because your lines are well written. I would suggest editing a few words out for a stronger and swifter impact but Leah is correct that I want to know more about Mariska and her situation.

Laura K. Curtis said...

I am sure the home study went fabulously and there are just some kind of regulation that forbid them telling you so right off the bat!

Ah, how well many of us understand Mariska...well done!

Clare2e said...

Good thoughts, of course, but I agree with David. Besides, 2 X Tuesdays are about sharing, not critique!

Scott D. Parker said...

Congrats on the news that you're a finalist. If nothing else, that should cheer you up and prove that you are a good writer. I find it intriguing that you mention that you're in a fragile mood, much like Mariska is in your passage. Unease can be liberating. If you're worried about how some prose might sound to others, just getting it out of your head and into the light of day can be quite therapeutic. Consider this your couch and us readers your shrink. Consensus: you're doing just fine.

Linda McLaughlin said...

Big congrats on being a finalist! That's just awesome. I really like your sentences this week. Good characterization of Mariska. She sounds as distracted as I am. Maybe I should try writing more notes to myself.

Travis Erwin said...

I'm pulling for you to repeat and win again.