Welcome to WIPpet Wednesday, when the WIPpeteers share a quick snippet for a work in progress. It may be raw, it may be first-draftish, but it’s usually entertaining.
I actually have a bit of first draft today from Sworn. Though the book is on its third draft, I’m adding a few scenes to round out subplots and character development and help make the story flow more smoothly… at least, that’s the plan.
Possible spoilers if you haven’t read Torn, but I think I’ve edited out any big bombshells.
Eight paragraphs (2+2+4 for 4/22) from Nox’s POV. She and Aren are trying to figure out a way for her to keep Sorcerers out of her thoughts even though she has no magic to protect herself with. The first attempt didn’t go so well, but they’re having some good bonding moments.
“You’re not going to hug me, are you?” I asked.
His hands flexed again, but stayed resting at his sides. “No. Wasn’t thinking of it. Shall we give it another try?”
“Give me a minute.” I imagined a heavy stone wall in my mind, blocking my thoughts and emotions in, presenting a nearly blank facade to Aren. “Go.”
My wall shattered.
“Gods damn it, Aren, go easy.”
“No one else is going to hold back if they attack you. If you’re going to learn this, you’re going to do it properly. There was some resistance there, though. It was a good effort.”
I glared at him, though without real ill-will. “Don’t patronize me, you condescending ass.”
He grinned wider than I’d seen in far too long. “Then don’t complain when I treat you as an equal, you vile, heartless harpy.”
I do love good-natured insult wars. Actually, friendly banter is one of my favourite things to write. Sometimes insults give more insight into a relationships than outright declarations of love.
And that’s my deep thought for the day.
For more WIPpet madness, click here! Big thanks to our host KL Schwengel for wrangling all of us every week. If you’d like to join in on your own blog and link back, feel free! Visit the others, say hello, and they’ll try to do the same for you. They’re a good bunch. Really. Just make sure your work in progress snippet relates to today’s date, and you’re good to go.
Thanks for stopping by! Hope you’re all having a fantastic week.
disregard the prologue 
April 22nd, 2015 at 10:44 am
haha great insult war there =P I love them too.
April 22nd, 2015 at 11:24 am
Hee hee!!! Some people call each other “honey” or “sweetie.” They call each other “condescending ass” and “heartless harpy.” Ah love! Still, it’s hilarious!
April 22nd, 2015 at 2:46 pm
Good effort. 😛 That’s like the consolation prize of compliments. Poor Nox. I hope she gets it. 🙂
April 22nd, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Yay! I’m glad to see them finally insulting—er, appreciating each other. 😉 I’m still undecided if I like her, but this goes a long way toward changing my opinion.
April 22nd, 2015 at 6:32 pm
I actually like that not everyone likes her. Female characters should be allowed to be assholish and defensive just as much as the guys are, and I held her to the exact same “likability” standards as Aren.
But you know how I love character development, so she might be coming a long way. 🙂
April 22nd, 2015 at 4:55 pm
Haha. Love the insults and I love that you love to write them! Ko’s trainer has a real potty mouth so I’m stretching myself with all kinds of new word combinations as well. Nice job!
April 22nd, 2015 at 7:13 pm
I love their dialogue – especially the insults. They sound like so much fun to write!
April 23rd, 2015 at 7:50 am
I’m going to miss all of these guys when the trilogy is over 😦
April 22nd, 2015 at 11:52 pm
Fun! Great dialogue!
April 23rd, 2015 at 7:27 am
love the insults! I have some characters that show their affection that way too. 🙂
April 24th, 2015 at 12:21 am
Insult wars are some of my favorite parts to write as well. As you say, they give great insight into the characters involved (as well as some of the characters watching…).
April 24th, 2015 at 12:51 am
LOL That was entertaining. Mad points for the creative affectionate name-calling. And I totally feel Nox there, too. >.>
April 25th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Ahhh – nothing like brotherly/sisterly love.
April 28th, 2015 at 8:54 am
” vile, heartless harpy” Love it. My oldest brother and I have this relationship. If we’re not slinging insults at each other people ask us what’s wrong. 😉