8-Sentence Sunday
It’s time again for a snippet from my current WIP. This time I’m switching to a scene from the fourth Women of Willow Bay book–yeah, I’m working on two at once and no, neither one has a title yet. This one is a little different in that it contains a bit of suspense. Setup is 46-year-old Sophie Russo has always been a summer resident of Willow Bay, coming up every summer of her life with her grandfather who owned two cottages on the Lake Michigan shore. Sophie is a quiet, shy freelance editor, who has been caring for her sick grandfather for the last two years. Her beloved Papa Leo has died, her marriage has bored itself to death, and she’s decided to sell her house in Indiana and move to Willow Bay permanently. Her plan is to live in one cottage and rent the other. Her first summer renter is her favorite client, computer geek, writer, and publisher Ben Dugan, who’s made millions with his no-nonsense computer how-to books. Ben is taking a break after a nasty divorce and hopes to spend his time in Michigan writing the novel of his dreams. But Sophie and Ben get caught up in an 80-year-old mystery involving a gangster’s lost treasure, Sophie’s long-lost mother, and a shipwreck. This is the first scene in the book:
1933: Captain Frank McGuire shivered, pulling his navy wool pea jacket closer and peering into the misty afternoon as he guided the Caroline Howe south along the western Michigan coast. The temperature was dropping and grey clouds drooped low on the horizon. According to the brass thermometer outside the window of the bridge, the temperature had reached a balmy thirty-six degrees.
This was a fool’s errand—they should have stayed put in Harbor Springs. Nobody asked any questions. The men were comfortable at the pub on Bay Street, and upstairs…well, upstairs at the pub, Ruth lay in her warm bed. He sighed deeply at the memory of the buxom blonde’s remarkable skills.
Dammit, what’s the rush?
I hope you’re intrigued. Stay tuned–I’ll be going back and forth between the two books because…well, because I can. Comments are welcome and encouraged. Please don’t miss the other Weekend Writing Warriors. Head on over and check out the work of dozens of other writers. You’ll be so glad you did!
18 Comments
Chris Kelworth
Yeah, the cold foggy lake, or the blonde upstairs in the pub. Doesn’t seem like a tough decision, does it? 😉 Thanks for sharing.
Nan
Thanks for coming by Chris!
Teresa Cypher
Your writing seems effortless. It’s so smooth when I read it; are you a natural, Nan, or do you have to work at it? I study your snippets, trying to pick up on how to keep from having my writing seem forced or stilted. ~sigh~ I’ll get there. 🙂 Good 8!
Nan
Oh, Teresa–how I wish it were effortless, but thank you, baby. I love to write, but it’s always work, even when I’m in the zone. You will get there–you’ve got the magic.
Skye
Oh so cool! This one sounds like so much fun!
Nan
Thanks, Skye!
charmaine Gordon
I love this. As a mid westerner, I spent many the great summers along Lake Michigan’s shore including Indiana and I felt the lake and the pull of the journey. Thanks.
Nan
Ah, a fellow Lake Michigan Lover! Hi! Willow Bay had to be in MI–it’s my favorite place in the world…even before Paris! Thanks for coming by, Charmaine
Monica Enderle Pierce
Love voice and the atmosphere. Sometimes it’s good to step out of the box and venture into new territory. Looks like it’s working with this one!
Nan
Thanks, Monica–it’s a little scary, but I’m excited about the story
Shannyn Schroeder
I’m definitely intrigued. Two hurt, beaten down characters falling in love while searching for treasure? Sounds like fun
Nan
I hope it is fun, Shannyn–I’m enjoying the writing and creating.
Veronica Scott
Interesting set up, love the story’s premise. I enjoyed today’s snippet!
Nan
Thank, Veronica! So glad you stopped by!
Millie Burns
Foreshadowing-check, build up of tension-check…got me curious? Check.
Nan
Great, Millie–glad you’re “in”! This is a step out of my category romance box and I wasn’t sure whether I could take my Willow Bay audience to a new place, but there’s plenty of prime time romance as well, so I think we can do it. Thanks!
Gemma Parkes
Great insight to how your character is feeling and what’s going through his mind! Loved it!
Nan
Thanks, Gemma! So glad you stopped by!