Sunday, August 12, 2012

The Lucky Seven Challenge

I've had two crazy weeks of insanity. My husband's still looking for a job, my teenaged-daughter finished the run of her play, our renter is moving out of the home we own in Florida, and we still haven't been able to sell it. Lots of financial stress, and, to top it all off, I got to experience (for the first time) a spell of nasty vertigo. During the madness, I got a measly 1000 words written. BUT I was able to think through and find solutions for a few plot snags in my WIP. I also made note cards of all the major beats and scenes, and then put them in order. This will help a ton when I finally have significant time to write again (school starts for my three kids in nine days!). Sometimes life can be overwhelming, but during these times beautiful moments arrive, too--like when I got to spend an afternoon with my 13-year-old daughter yesterday to teach her to play the guitar. This reminded me that a full life--with all its ups and downs--is only going to make me be a better writer and make the stories pouring out of me more meaningful.

On another note, thanks to my friend, Michelle Davidson Argyle (whom I incidentally interviewed on my blog last week) for tagging me in The Lucky Seven Challenge. My critique partner, Robin Hall, also tagged me for this a few months ago, but I wasn't brave enough to do it then. I'm feeling equally cowardly this time around, but more reckless. So here we go!

The rules are to go to page seven, line seven of my work-in-progress novel, and post the following seven lines of prose. So here's your challenge: read my excerpt, view my cryptic photos for novel inspiration, and consider my working title--The Lovely Invisible--and see if you can figure out what my story is about. (Don't give it away in the comments if you're one of the few who already know!)

Excerpt:

I stood with my sisters behind a curtain the priestesses strung up outside the main city gate. The air was thick with dust from the mass of people trampling to and fro in last-minute preparations. Over the top of the curtain, I caught glimpses of acrobats somersaulting through the air as they warmed up for the long march to the temple, and my stomach grumbled as the smell of barley and honey cakes wafted over the great city wall.

I hadn’t had time to eat this morning, not with all the primping Nuri subjected me to. The look on her face when I agreed to be made up for the procession was worthy of purchasing her freedom, though, knowing Nuri, she would have remained in my service anyway. She knew she had more power in that position than the finest noblewoman in the city.

As the sun beat down on me, I fought the urge to itch the white powder on my face, neck and arms, and ruin Nuri’s “masterpiece.”


Now, according to the rules of The Lucky Seven Challenge, I am supposed to tag seven friends to participate and post their own excerpts. You are not obliged, of course, but I'd love to read your stuff!

My critique partners:
Robin Hall (Yes, you've already done this, but I want to read an excerpt of your MG!)
Ilima Todd (You've done this, too, but I'd love you to post something from your WIP so everyone can see how awesome it is.)
Emily Prusso (I want to read an excerpt of your awesometacular revision.)
Taryn Albright (Let's let the world see a sneak-peek of your amazing sports mystery, Spot Me.)
And my awesome blog followers who I'd love to get to know better:
Rebecca Barrow
Fiona
Brandon Ax


19 comments:

  1. Thanks for adding me to your list.

    First I would like to say I enjoyed your post I really thing as a writer we forget how much we need the "craziness" of life to aid in our writing.

    Also I loved your excerpt. If I would have to guess your MC is in some type of traveling act, maybe roaming from kingdom to kingdom.

    I might could post something from my very ruff WIP, do I post it in the comments or on my own page?

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    1. Yes, you'll want to do this on your own blog, Brandon. Copy the meme image and stick it on your blog with your excerpt and the seven people you tag. :-)

      Thanks for all your supportive comments on my blog. I really appreciate them!

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    2. Well, I got my excerpt up, thanks again for adding me to this, it sort of pushed me to get some writing of mine onto my blog.

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    3. Great! I'll go check it out now. :-)

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  2. Oooo, LOVE this excerpt. And thanks for sharing this time around! Your life sounds so insanely busy and stressful. It makes me think about trying to get away and go to the park with youto relax for an afternoon. Maybe when the kids are in school. :)

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  3. LOVE this Katie-you touched on all the senses, sight, smell, touch, taste, sound. What a great place for your 7, 7, 7. I want to know more about Nuri.

    I'm sorry all the crap is raining down right now. You are so strong, even if you don't feel that way right now. Love you!

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    1. Thank you, Robin. Wish you were just around the Wymount corner right about now.

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  4. Hehe. I got to read this ENTIRE FIRST CHAPTER!!! And it's just as awesome as this excerpt. Thanks for the tag, Katie. BIG HUGS from me. I hope things get better real soon!

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    1. Thanks, Ilima! Yes, you and my husband are the only souls who've read more than this little excerpt. How very lucky you are. ;-) Thanks for all your support! It's really helping me get through this.

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  5. Wow, that does sound crazy! I really hope it all calms down for you soon. Thank you for tagging me. I would love to get to know you better as well; you seem like such a lovely person. My Lucky Seven post will be up on my blog very shortly!

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    1. Thank you for your well wishes, and you're welcome for the tag. :-) I just popped over to your blog and read your excerpt. Love it!

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  6. Hang in there Kathryn! Thanks for sharing the excerpt.


    New follower

    http://demitrialunetta.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Demitria! I just checked out your blog. Love the post-apocalyptic look and your new author photo. Must be exciting times with your book coming out in the summer of 2013. Looks like it'll be a great read. Right up my alley.

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  7. Hmm, I'm feeling...Egypt? Magic? Ghosts?! I don't know, I just know it made me want to read more! Put my post up today, thanks for tagging me :)

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    1. Getting warmer with the guesses. :-) I'm off to go check out your blog and excerpt. Thanks for "playing."

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  9. This grabbed me and dragged me along (in a good way). Thanks for sharing! You're one talented lady. ;)

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