WeWriWa: A Fresh Start, A New Hope!

Main Posts Background Image

Main Posts Background Image

Sunday, January 03, 2021

WeWriWa: A Fresh Start, A New Hope!


A fresh start, a new hope! Thanks to long time writer pal, Diane Burton for the Star War reference, I have my mantra for 2021! Putting aside old baggage and moving ahead. Getting stronger, wiser, kinder. Putting away fears, grudges, and obstacles of the past to begin a new journey forward. Starting with that stroke of midnight and continuing every day in 2021, it’s a plan I mean to keep in my writing. A new project, a different genre, and an excited outlook for what’s to come. And in this scene from my going on 55K romantic suspense, my U.S. Marshal hero Jimmy Redbone considers his job and his marriage in the same (though rather tarnished) light.

Willamina had looked at him as part savior, part trusted protector, intriguing him with the raw strength stretched taut beneath her fear. She’d treated him with equal parts respect and awe, obeying him to the letter and believing in him without question. In their four months of isolation, they were more comfortable with each other than he was with those he’d know his enter career. He’d seen everything he’d ever want in her honest dark eyes: Love, respect, need, desire. And then he’d ruined it all by not being able to return those things in kind.

She’d never belonged with him in Houston, caged in his apartment, wasting away, longing for the freedom of the life she’d led. But she loved him, so she stayed.  Until fate set her free from their marriage prison by calling her home.

(and the rest of the scene . . . )

After basking in her light, he suffocated in his own darkness without her. He’d always known he had nothing to give, that she, like everyone else in his life, was only temporary. He’d figured he’d just get over it and go on with the empty and perilous routine of his life.

Until Angel Soto gave him a reason to hope.

He’d sunk his teeth into that chance to make things right, seeing only the end result and none of the consequences . . . even at the risk of throwing twenty years of respect and hard work away.

As we’re learning more about him, he’s learning more about himself and what’s really important to him. He has a way to go yet, so I hope you’ll come along with me in the weeks to come to see what he discovers.

And now I’m off to find out what your characters are up to after taking another wintery look out at the world through my office window . . .


Happy Snowy New Year! And Happy Writing, fellow Warriors!!


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

30 comments

  1. I LOVE this line: "After basking in her light, he suffocated in his own darkness without her. "

    Nice bit of back story, too! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Teresa! I always worry about it being TOO much.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this! I didn't know you were writing a romantic suspense. Great! I love the poignancy of this scene. Thanks for the shoutout. Hope. We need it so badly right now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After 15 books in the same series, I desperately need a change of scenery and since I couldn't GO anywhere, this was the next best thing!

      Delete
  4. Dear me, it sounds as though he contemplated some pretty dark dealings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed! A dirty job thankfully someone has to do for the benefit of all.

      Delete
  5. He is drowning in self-loathing, and has no good thoughts about himself. I feel bad for him. Great character development.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He needs that good woman who'll give him a smart smack upside the head.

      Delete
  6. Ooooohh... I like where this is going. Nothing like self loathing hero to give tons of angst to a story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes you don't realize you need to change until you lose something important.

      Delete
  7. I adore this line - After basking in her light, he suffocated in his own darkness - awesome!
    tweeted.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You did a great job of why he misses her, but also why perhaps he shouldn't. Its not fair to see someone as a savior. He has some learning still to do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They both do. A lot of self-discovery and changes going on here.

      Delete
  9. Wow, well now we know why he stayed away so long. But what brought him back? Love the dynamics between them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Alexis. An excuse was all he needed and doing his job is a good one.

      Delete
  10. Great insight into his mind and feelings! I hope he is able to strive for happiness again, and make things right.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Intriguing snippet. Sounds like he's embarked on quite a journey of self discovery - I hope he finds happiness at the end. (I like him so far...) The excerpt sets up the situation from his standpoint really well...

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love these insights you're giving us into his character. The prose flows so well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should see the stuff I trimmed away . . . no, better that you don't!

      Delete
  13. That's very intriguing. We've learned a lot about him.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The most heartbreaking line is "He’d always known he had nothing to give, that she, like everyone else in his life, was only temporary." I hope she proves him wrong!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's been his excuse. Low expectation don't demand any changes until they're forced upon one.

      Delete
  15. Love it. Risking his career to go after her.

    ReplyDelete
  16. It seems he's ready to go through a lot of changes. I love his intensity!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's had his dark moment and is smart enough to do the work to save what he has.

      Delete