All posts tagged: work in progress

Fiction Friday: Annie Ruminates

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By Leslie Lindsay A chapter I’ve been working on this week…a little rumination never hurt anyone, or does it?!         “Distractions are the pinnacle of rumination.  It’s a cycle, a bad one that keeps me going back to Steve.  An addiction, if you will.          There was no changing the fact that I opened the door to Steve again.  I shove all of those thoughts—the second-guessings, the self-doubt, the poor choice in character – to the back of my mind.  What kind of married woman, a mother of two does such a stupid thing?  Steve is a one-sided battle I fight, my distractions the victor.          I try to funnel attention to my family.  I make a list of all of the things I want to complete before summer’s end.  One by one, we’ll mark them off.  Family picnic…koi spawning at the local botanical garden…camp out in the backyard (note to self: get the makin’s for s’mores)…ice cream at the old-fashioned ice creamery…take Kenna and Madi to downtown Naperville for new shoes.           And so there …

Fiction Friday: Better Late than Never

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By Leslie Lindsay It’s Friday about one more hour here in the central part of the US and I best get my promised Fiction Friday post out.  If you’re on the West Coast, then I guess I am not so tardy… This one is something I’ve been working on lately to add a little dark edge to my novel-in-progress.  Let me know your thoughts when you get a second…a star, a comment, a like, a re-post to Twitter or Facebook is always a good way to let me know if you liked it. Enjoy…   “I used to imagine it sometimes, what would happen if I just didn’t come home.  The thought always came to me when I was feeling particularly unworthy, lacking confidence, seeking attention.  God, I hated how that sounded; like I was an attention-seeking borderline threatening to run off or take my own life.  I could never do that, not really anyway.  The thought was always more about sharing my pain with others, letting them know just how miserable I felt deep down.  My …

Fiction Friday:

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By Leslie Lindsay Another installment from my womens’ fiction novel…remember, this is original work and not intended to represent anyone living or dead.  Please do not borrow, beg, or steal.  I’d love to hear your comments on this.  Preparing to pitch to an agent in mid-April.  Enjoy!  “I sniffed out a smile and shrugged, secretly pleased with their assessment of my Annie.  When I wandered down to the bedroom, rubbery cheese pizza in hand, I leaned on the door jamb and watched.  Annie and Colin were perched on the green shag carpeting, her arm around him, a book open in her lap.  “And then the third little pig…”  Her voice lilting with excitement.  I knew then that I would marry Annie Kelley and make babies with her.  And now, that dream has been shattered.  All because of one little mistake, more like a series of mistakes.  I hang out with Beth in college.  I kiss Beth.  I ignore Annie.  She needs more.  And now she is getting more.  More kids.  Less of me.  I lean …

Write on, Wednesday: Being Inspired thru the Holidays

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By Leslie Lindsay I find that my writing time and inspiration is starting to diminish as I get more involved with the holidays.  I bet I not alone.  While my time may be limited and my talents used in other arenas (I’m  a mean gift wrapper, decorator, etc.), I am still finding time to be inspired for when I do have the time to sit down and pound out that novel.  Here’s what I mean: Can’t afford everything in those Pottery Barn catalogs that clog your mailbox?  No problem.  Clip the things you like best and use them for worldbuilding your next (or current) project.  Likewise for the Hammacher Schlemmer catalogs…so you don’t really need an ultra-sonic foot massager?  Maybe your protagonist does.  Add some savory details to your work-in-progress by using descriptions from common household spices.  “Her coat was the color of crushed red pepper/ground cinnamon.” …The cold creamy spice of a glass of eggnog…how about describing the taste of those German potato pancakes?  (image source: http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2011/06/vintage-clip-art-perfect-pine-tree.html) Likewise, you can tap into your natural environment:  What …

Fiction Friday: Work-in-Progress from “Slippery Slope”

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By Leslie Lindsay   Friday’s around here are sort of a “rotating” theme.  It may be that they revolve around a season, upcoming holiday, kids’ decorating/party planning, etc.  Which is all fine and dandy, but I need to focus more on my fiction writing.  Sooo…that means that every Friday I plan to post a little blurb from my current fiction project.  You can comment on what you like, what you don’t, suggestions for improvements, twists, etc.  I’d love your feedback.  Are you game?  Good.  Here goes: [From work-in-progress, working title, “Slippery Slope.”  This is original work.  Do not borrow, use, or make your own.] I park my van alongside the road and get out.  With shaky legs, I wander around the yard, dry patches of grass crunching under my feet.   I let myself into the backyard. Dogs bark and sprinklers sputter, watering the parched lawns.  I feel like an intruder, but somehow like I belong here, like I am laying stake to my claim.  They are home, I can tell by the way the golden light flows …