Quick, because I need to outline and write another scene before I start cooking supper in an hour. Totally not going to happen, still going to try!
ROW80 Update:
I broke 14,000 words for NaNoWriMo this morning, which was nice. I got NO words yesterday (school event in the morning, guilt over housework in the afternoon, boot-buying mission after school, “V for Vendetta” at night), so it felt good to get two scenes in this morning that I was excited about. I met a new character, too, who was a lovely surprise. Her name is Griselda Beaumage, and she’s a blond sorceress who wears high boots and leather pants. She has a French accent and coined the word “Sorchere” this morning (combination of “sorciere” and “chere”). I don’t know where she came from, but I’m kind of in love.
I think it’s because I put lipstick on to make my muse feel special. I’ll have to keep doing that.
So there we go. We’re going away on Saturday evening, so that’ll put a dent in my productivity (and my ability to participate in the NaNoWriMo marathon). But darn it, I’m going to take my computer and write while we’re away. This book is exploding with bright, shiny things, and I’m not going to leave it alone until this draft is finished.
For more ROW80 goodness, click here!
WIPpet Wednesday
I guess I should put something up, but there’s no time to edit. Ack. Here’s the first 6 paragraphs of the scene where Griselda introduced herself, for the 6th of October. Sorry for the first-draftiness, but I have Things of Great Importance to do…
—
The lights dimmed, allowing gloom to creep into the corners of the classroom. A breeze whispered past my ear, and a pale apparition appeared at the doorway. Smoke at first, nearly invisible, but solidifying into the form of a bright green dragon. Every part of it was beautiful, from the arch of its snake-like neck to the way the sunlight from the windows reflected off of its overlapping metallic scales.
The creature came closer, neck and back arched, nostrils flaring, steam rising from its mouth. Bright red eyes locked on mine. It lifted a foreleg to paw at the air, and took a few more steps, until it stood nose to nose with me where I sat frozen on the professor’s desk at the front of the room. The scaled lips rolled back, baring vicious fangs that dripped with an unfamiliar poison.
“Can I touch her?” I asked.
“Give it a try.”
I reached out, and my hand passed through the steam unharmed. The dragon snapped at me, and its teeth closed together over my wrist without resistance. The dragon’s flesh looked as real and solid as my own, but I felt nothing.
“Incredible,” I whispered.
—
Join the fun, or just see what those crazy WIPpeteers are up to here! Thank you, KL Schwengel, for hosting even when life is hitting you hard. ❤
And with that, I leave you. Let me know what you’re up to this week! WriMos, are you participating in the marathon on the 9th? Anyone doing word sprints on Twitter? Everyone else care to share what’s happening these days? Want to lie on the couch, talk about your mother? HMMMM?
Thanks for stopping by!
disregard the prologue 
November 6th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
WOOOO! You can do eeet!
November 6th, 2013 at 6:39 pm
I CANNNN DOOO EEEEET! *smashes beer can on forehead*
November 6th, 2013 at 7:48 pm
Lol. A little makeup and the bruise will vanish
November 6th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
I hope that was an empty beer can, otherwise that’s just alcohol abuse.
BTW, have I ever mentioned that I LOVE dragons? Have I? Mentioned it, that is? Well, I do. Even more than flying monkeys. Great excerpt.
November 6th, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Nope, full. IT HURTS!
I love dragons, too. I can’t imagine not having them around. 🙂
November 6th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Loved the excerpt, and I’m jealous of your word count. But maybe I should try the head bashing thing because it seems to have worked for you.
November 6th, 2013 at 9:11 pm
Yes, but now my head hurts… O.o
I credit word sprints and scene planning for the word count. Glad you liked the excerpt, and thanks for commenting! 🙂
November 6th, 2013 at 11:53 pm
Wow, cool. Can’t say I want one, but I’d sure like to read more about one!
November 7th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
What, a dragon? I don’t think I’d try to keep one as a pet, but they sure are fun in stories! This one’s just an illusion, but the real ones certainly keep my characters on their toes. 😉
November 7th, 2013 at 2:03 am
Jeez, Kate. You make me feel like such a slacker 🙂 Congrats on the great progress on NaNoWriMo.
November 7th, 2013 at 2:12 am
I am not doing NaNo, but your word count just surpassed mine. I want to lie on the couch and talk about your mother. Does she know she has twins? When are you going to tell her? One person can’t do all, of this, and yet you do. Amazing 🙂
November 7th, 2013 at 11:46 am
It’s not so amazing. I’m actually lazy. I have no will power, no work ethic. I’m just (at this exact moment) blessed with an empty house for three hours a day. If I used my time productively, I could probably do 5,000 words a day and cook whole food meals for my family, keep the bathrooms clean, and stay on top of the laundry.
..HAHAHAHAHAHA! Like that’s going to happen. 😉
November 7th, 2013 at 11:47 am
haha 😉
November 7th, 2013 at 2:16 am
Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you that I mentioned you in my Sunday Summations because you are a serious writer who can make me laugh 🙂
Cheers! I’ll have what you’re having.
November 7th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Cool excerpt. Add me to the dragon-loving camp! My desk is full of dragons … 🙂
Congrats on all the words! I really need to get cracking and start catching up with everyone else.
November 7th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
You can do it! That’s the nice thing about it not being mid-month yet. There’s still time. And you’ve been busy with other important stuff. 🙂
November 7th, 2013 at 11:09 am
Good! I’d stopped by earlier yesterday but didn’t see this post. Glad I checked again. You’re doing great on NaNo. Imagine what would happen if you added eye shadow too! You would be done with the writing in a couple of days!
Great excerpt! LOVE this dragon!!!!
Griselda the French sorceress sounds fun!
November 7th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Oh, I was rocking my favourite “sahara sands” eyeshadow.
Honestly, I think getting dressed and putting a little effort into my appearance did help me feel like I needed to really show up to work. Kind of a psychological trick.
My hair was still a mess, though. 😉
November 7th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Dragons…creepy thing is the smoke swirling and then it biting without actually biting. So weird and yet totally awesome!
November 7th, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Haha, you’re so right! Usually I only forget what day of the week is it, not what MONTH it is. I need a calendar in my office!
If it was a few days later in the month, the biting thing would have been explained, Kind of fun this way, though. 😉
November 7th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
I figured there was an explanation lol I’ll just wait patiently for it =P
November 7th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Oh!! I meant to tell you that I run a virtual write-in group on Facebook. If you’re at all interested.
November 7th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Of course! That sounds like fun.
November 7th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
https://www.facebook.com/groups/183214258531440/
we do 30 minute writing sprints, and if you find someone who writes at a similar pace to you, you can do word wars during that as well.
November 7th, 2013 at 11:42 pm
Griselda Beaumage! What a great name… and a cool description. Definitely keep on with the lipstick… Ask your muse if she’d like Mistress Red(or if your muse is male, just get some and use it)…
Sorry, couldn’t resist the Castle tie-in.
And I can just imagine Castle watching that illusionary dragon and going “This is the coolest case EVER!” 🙂
November 7th, 2013 at 11:47 pm
You know, I hate to admit it, but I’ve yet to watch Castle. Maybe after we’re done Breaking Bad… 🙂
I’m usually terrible with names, do it was strange to have a character show up with one. DEFINITELY the lipstick.
November 8th, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Eh, don’t let Castle distract you from writing… But if you feel up to it, you may want to grab an episode or two just to get in on the jokes. The first episode is a hoot, and if you don’t like it after that, you probably won’t, but if you do, the “Mistress Red” episode is in the second season, and I can just see Ms. Griselda as one of the suspects in that case…
November 7th, 2013 at 11:48 pm
Griselda sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read more about her! I also really enjoyed the bit with the dragon. Dragons on their own are pretty awesome, but the way you described it is gorgeous!
November 10th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
*stamps foot and crosses arms, glowering* I want my own Dragon illusion to put my hand through, too! It’s much better than a golden egg, MUCH better.
Okay, seriously? Loved this excerpt, and yeah, I really love the idea of seeing a dragon up-close and personal, and knowing it’s an illusion. Yes, please DO bite my hand! I’d feel like Hagrid. Awww, isn’t that so cute?! (yeah, it’s not in Hagrid’s voice, but oh well)