By Leslie Lindsay

Holy bonkers, Batman…it’s been awhile!  Between getting a 2nd grader and kindergartner prepared for back-to-school and breaking up all of their squabbles and bickerfests beforehand, I have been a regular decapitated fowl.  Nevermind, just trying to keep up with the house, the dog, and personal hygiene (oh, too much information, you say…).  So, I am now a happy writer-mama at home with a basset hound as a quiet–unless she’s snoring–companion. 

 (image retrieved from Amazon.com 8.24.12)

I have plans.  I have big plans.  I just finished reading THE BREAK-OUT NOVEL (Maass, 2001) and I am thoroughly enthralled to crank out a break-out book.  If you are just now joining us, I have been working on a novel for about 2 years now.  I know that sounds awfully long, but after reading this book, I think I am right on target.  It takes a while to master the complex art form of the novel.  (In the meantime, I did manage to write and publish a non-fiction book on childhood apraxia of speech, so guess I wasn’t completely slacking). 

The plan is to share with you some of my fiction here on Fiction Fridays.  Feel free to comment, suggest ideas for improvement, or just like it!  Remember: this is original work and not to be borrowed or stolen without first getting permission–or paying me big bucks : )  Here goes: 

“She was young and cute.  Her lithe body propped up on a pub stool in the student union, her backpack resting at her feet.  A laptop opened, a pen in her mouth.  Her hand reached down and touched her tummy.  It was full of baby.” 

Okay–that’s it.  Short and sweet today.  Could this be an opening paragraph?