WIP it… (duh nuh nuh nuh)… W-WIP it real good!
Sorry, I was tired of getting Devo stuck in my head every time WIPpet Wednesday rolled around. Thought I’d try Salt n’ Peppa. You know, instead of “Push It”.
It’s not actually better. Live and learn. *sigh*
WIPpet Wednesday is the day where we post a snippet from a work in progress that relates in some way to the day’s date. I’ve been having a lot of trouble participating lately, because a) I’m busy, and I don’t post if I know I can’t get around to comment (though I sometimes miss a few who post late–sorry! I’ll try harder!), and b) I’m seriously running out of spoiler-free snippets from Torn.
Like… even saying who’s in it is a spoiler, aside from the obvious suspects.
So here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to share a big snippet, and I’m not going to say who’s in it. The POV character (herein referred to as “I”) is female and a Potioner, and that’s all I’m saying. The other party in the conversation is a dude, and… we’ll call him Y here.
Warning: If you’ve read Bound and really don’t want to know whether certain species are going to show up again, skip it. You’ll probably guess. I doubt anyone will be disappointed, but there you have it. 🙂
Okay, it’s super obvious. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
19 (short) paragraphs. WIPpet math: 1+1+8+2+0+1+5 = 18, plus one to grow on.
—
I’d only need one more ingredient. I brought out one of the daggers that my unfortunate soldier friend had left behind.
“Can I help?” Y’s voice drifted from the trees behind me.
“You’re getting quieter,” I observed. “I barely heard you coming.”
Y stood up straighter. “I’m working on it. I don’t think I’ll ever be as graceful on land as I am in [awkward redaction], though. What are you doing?”
“Trying to be prepared. You might not want to see this.”
The shadows covered much of his face, but I caught the concerned furrow of his brow. “Do you want me to leave? Whatever it is, I can handle it.”
The firm set of his jaw and the look in his eyes told me he wasn’t lying. I wondered what he’d seen in his life. Such a strange man. I couldn’t deny I was glad to have his assistance, and his company. Something about him calmed my mind, even as his presence tended to do the opposite to my body. I could ignore that, though.
“You can stay, if you want to,” I said. “Hold the bowl for me.”
He stepped into the clearing and cupped the bowl in his hands, holding it out from his body. “Like this?”
“Perfect.” I slipped off my cloak, then tried to roll up my sleeves. They were too tight. The whole thing would have to go. I thought about asking Y to close his eyes. We didn’t need to complicate things further.
Don’t be silly, I told myself. You’re both adults. He’s seen more, and probably prettier.
Y’s eyes widened as I unbuttoned my shirt, then swallowed hard as I slipped it off, leaving me in a thin under-shirt in the cold woods.
I waited for his gaze to return to mine. “Don’t [oh, so very redacted] go around naked most of the time?”
“Yes.”
I raised my eyebrows, and fought back a smile when his eyes wandered again.
“It’s just different with you,” he said. “It’s fine. Carry on. Please.”
I took a deep breath and traced the tip of the dagger over the skin of my arm, trying to decide on the best spot to get what I needed while doing the smallest possible amount of damage. I settled on the top of my forearm and stroked the tip of the dagger gently over my skin once, twice, three times, building my nerve.
“Use my blood, if you want,” Y said.
“No. Thank you. I’ve had worse injuries.”
“So have I.”
Well, my work here is done. Smoothly done, Sparkes. SMOOOOTHLY DONE.
O.o
For more and probably less awkward WIPpet Wednesday fun, scoot on over here to the linkie, and feel free to join in on your own blog. Thanks to KL Schwengel for hosting!
But seriously, guys, I think I’m out for a few weeks.
—
ROW80 Update
On the only goal that matters at the moment: Still editing. I think I have about eight chapters left to go, only two of which are full rewrites.
*cough*
Yes, it makes things harder. Yes, it’s more work than I thought I’d be doing two months shy of the projected publication date. It’s going to be worth it, though.
I’m done stressing about dates. Some people might be irritated if things are delayed by a week, but once the book’s out, no one will care. As I’ve said before, I’m not half-assing anything to meet a deadline.
My readers deserve my best. No shortcuts.
For the record, there will be no promises, speculation, or hints about the next book’s release date until after edits (professional, not self-edits). We’re looking at the same kind of space between books as we were this time, but beyond that, my lips are sealed.
Having a deadline is motivating, but it’s useless when it stresses you out too much to do anything.
Consider that a lesson learned.
ROW80 posts or to learn about the event, click here
disregard the prologue 
January 28th, 2015 at 10:52 am
Seriously, who turned the heat on for this WIPpet Wednesday? It’s like a memo went out saying, “Hey, make your offerings really super steamy this week, okay?” Nicely done. Mmm-mmm-mmmmm.
January 28th, 2015 at 10:53 am
I could just lick Y’s face off.
January 28th, 2015 at 11:46 am
Now I have Devo in my head. Dang it. Nice way of avoiding spoilers.
January 28th, 2015 at 11:50 am
Why should I be alone in my misery? 🙂
January 28th, 2015 at 11:55 am
True. Guess it could be worse. 🙂
January 28th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Very nice scene – and yes, now I have Devo in my head also.
January 29th, 2015 at 10:07 am
Sorry…
January 28th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Gah! You’re killing me. I don’t like reading trilogies, or sometimes even series, until I have all the books in hand, so this is still all new to me. *sigh* Well. I’d say hurry up, but that would be pressure I’m sure you don’t need. *pats back* Take your time, dear. *mutters indistinguishably* Really, sweetheart. You have all the time in the world.
January 28th, 2015 at 12:48 pm
If you have to wait for the whole trilogy, you might be able to ask Santa for it next Christmas. But no promises. None. 🙂
January 28th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
This is sort of like reading one of those TOP SECRET files with all the blacked out text. Only. You know. Hot. *thumbs up!* I love it!
January 28th, 2015 at 1:32 pm
I think I’m going to release the whole book this way, actually.
January 28th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Well, then. That was both [spoiler] and [spoiler]. Just kidding. It was a good snippet. Steamy, and I liked their exchange at the end. I definitely don’t think I could collect my own blood.
January 28th, 2015 at 1:33 pm
For the past year or so, other people’s blood has made me gag. I still don’t think I could collect mine, though. I’d be a bit stuck. O.o
January 28th, 2015 at 6:21 pm
Now I’m wondering what sort of magical mischief your main character is up to. And I like that little hint of attraction between these two. Can’t wait to read more!
January 28th, 2015 at 9:46 pm
“Some people might be irritated if things are delayed by a week, but once the book’s out, no one will care.”
Wise words. Useful in other situations too. When I’m being a stress-bucket, it helps to ask myself whether the problem will seem so big in a year’s time, or even a month’s. Or if I’ll even remember it then. The answer is usually “no”.
January 29th, 2015 at 10:07 am
Exactly!
January 28th, 2015 at 10:05 pm
Mean, you are just mean. I am wanting more and you put Devo in my head. Good luck from a ROW80 blog hopping friend.
January 28th, 2015 at 10:35 pm
Yeah, I’m a jerk like that. Sorry. 😉
January 28th, 2015 at 10:18 pm
I agree with you on deadlines. They can be a great motivator but also a killer.
I just downloaded The Binding. I’m intrigued. Bound is on my wish list.
January 29th, 2015 at 1:21 am
Is your headline any reference to Studio C’s Awkward Avoidance Viking?? That’s what it made me think of. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, look it up on youtube. Your life will be changed.
January 29th, 2015 at 9:59 am
Nope… but I’m going to check that out!
January 29th, 2015 at 8:30 am
I like! Even with the blanked out sections. Ah, spoilers. I’m probably weird about them. I don’t really mind unless they really ruin the ending(and even then, I’m one who re-reads books, so that only bothers me a little) 🙂
Great job!
January 29th, 2015 at 10:00 am
I’m probably a little too attached to the surprises and plot twists I throw into my stories. 🙂
January 29th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
I needed that bit of warmth on a cold day. 🙂
January 29th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
How’s the weather there? Besides cold. 🙂
January 29th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Seems like I’m the only person who can’t get Salt N’ Peppa out my head now. Augh. It’s going to be stuck there all day, I know it.
I am so very intrigued about what’s going on, and can’t stop grinning at Y’s wandering eyes. Also at the redactions, but that’s part frustration because I want to know what they are, haha. I’ll just have to be patient…
January 29th, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Yeah, I’ve had Salt n’ Peppa in there since I wrote that. Brought it on myself, really.
Y’s a great guy. One of my favourite characters, actually.
January 30th, 2015 at 3:48 pm
Got caught up in the seen very quickly – want more!
January 31st, 2015 at 4:03 am
I learned a similar lesson about release dates last year. The one I was set on forever wound up being pushed at least 2 months. You can never really put a time on quality…
February 1st, 2015 at 8:59 pm
haha I love the awkward tension here. it’s great!