Sometimes forced down time is the best time to get inspiration flowing. During a four- hour (!) layover in Chicago on my way to the Tucson Book Festival, from 6-10 am, I pulled out my laptop in the Cubs Bar at O’Hare over a really good breakfast and a gallon of coffee to get up close and personal with Rico Terriot in my next book in the “House of Terriot” shape-shifter series. PRINCE OF FOOLS may be his nickname, but Rico is nobody’s fool when it comes to laying it on the line, which is what he finds himself doing in this scene at a somewhat seedier bar than I was in, down in New Orleans where he’s being courted for his talent as a warrior by the locals.
“You stood for us against your family . . . why would you do that?”
“Just because we share the name doesn’t mean we all agree on our intentions.”
“Which are?”
“Have you met us?” Rico laughed. “We tend to think we can use, buy, take or control everything we see to our best advantage. Your location is a transportation advantage, a crossroads to our territory and a water highway into that of our enemies. My brother may speak a good line about for the good of all, but what it comes down to is for the good of our people, same with the Guedrys. If this becomes a battleground, none of us are going to protect you over our interests, that’s all I’m saying. You need to protect your own.”
“Show us how.”
The game’s afoot and the stakes are high for our hero in this chance to prove himself to his clan, his lady love (once he realizes that’s what she is!) . . . and mostly to himself. I’m approaching the end of the first quarter (of the book) and the ball is in his hands. Let’s hope he doesn’t fumble.
Where have you found unexpected writing time in the strangest of places?
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It would seem he's already picked a side, and it's not the one his family is on.
ReplyDeletePerhaps . . . but there is more going on behind the scenes, just to make it interesting.
DeleteFamilies can kill you even though they love you. Good snippet, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Don't I know it. Thanks, Charmaine.
DeleteWell, at least they know the truth and can make decisions from there. Better to know what's really going on than to be double-crossed.
ReplyDeleteWeeeeeell, maybe they know some of the truth but to tell it all this early in the book would make for a short story.
DeleteI like his blunt assessment. Interesting excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThese boys aren't known for their diplomacy. Thanks, Jean.
DeleteWell, Nancy, I suspect he has a job, if he wants it. I don't imagine that going against his family is going to pass unremarked.
ReplyDeleteIndeed not! Family's not that easy to discard.
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ReplyDeleteWell, he certainly tells it like it is.
ReplyDeleteInteresting place I've written a chapter recently - on the train. Very hard to type on a moving train. A million typos - but I got the chapter done.
Tweeted.
Yeah, you! I can't do the motion thing when it comes to a computer screen.
DeleteLove this excerpt. As you say, he's nobody's fool. Glad you used your time well. I read during our layovers last month. Next flight, I'll have to whip out the laptop instead of the Kindle. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Di!! I took my trusty Dean Koontz novel to read on the plane. I take one on every trip and manage to finish by the time I get home cuz they're so hard to put down. The cafe was pure Write In inspired.
DeleteHe seems a little ambivalent to me. I usually want to write when I can't write--when I have other things pulling at me. I do a lot of plotting in my head when I take walks.
ReplyDeleteOh, there's nothing ambivalent about him, believe me. I do excellent plotting while vacuuming but I don't do enough of that to write more than a slug line.
DeleteSounds like the stakes are pretty high here. That looks like a perfect place to write! Since I live in a truck, all my writing spots are weird. I rotate my laptop from the passenger side dash, to the steering wheel when the truck is stopped, to the bunk in back if I need solitude.
ReplyDeleteNot while you're driving, I hope!! I've seen stranger things on the road!
DeleteIt's never wise to assume someone's allegiance. I hope he knows what he's doing.
ReplyDeleteHe knows, but maybe they don't . . .
DeleteI wonder how his family will take this.
ReplyDeleteKnowing his family . . . probably not well.
DeleteMost people look out for #1 when things gets really dangerous. But maybe that could change, at least for one person.
ReplyDeleteAt least you got something productive out of that time! I've never managed full blown writing anyplace too exciting--but I do sometimes jot down short snippets on my phone while waiting for a movie, a check out line, etc.
We'll see who he considers #1 . . . I've written pieces of scenes on the backs of old receipts while working the cash register while in college!
DeleteOh I love Rico. That was excellent. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, AMy! He's fun as a character.
DeleteI suspect his motives are not entirely honourable. There's more to this than meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteSharp eyes. Right you are!
DeleteBrutal truths. Like Rico's style. :)
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